On his first time back in Mexico since collecting the World Cup Golden Boot in 1986, the former England striker reflects on his career, the Three Lions’ hopes for 2026 and being inducted into the International Football Hall of Fame

CELTA VIGO3BARCELONA3 La Liga, 2000 “I was a young, third-choice Barça keeper at that time. I’d joined the first-team because Francesc Arnau was injured and I got on the bench for two or three games,

Had qualification for the World Cup been decided by population, Spain would only just have made it for the past seven tournaments. Ranked 31st by that metric, they lag behind Myanmar, Sudan and Colomb

Simon Kuper World Cup Fever A footballing journey in nine tournaments 352pp. Profile. £20. Jonathan Wilson The Power and the Glory A new history of the World Cup 608pp. Abacus. £25. In 1994, a column

Club of David Beckham and Lionel Messi finally get their hands on the MLS Cup

You started your career at PSV and played for clubs in England, Spain and France, but never stayed anywhere much more than two years. Why? Generally, I didn’t sign lengthy contracts to keep my hands f