Ben Hayward
Ben Hayward is Weekend Editor for FourFourTwo. A European football writer with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa América - and has spent much of that time in Spain. He currently divides his time between Barcelona and London.
Latest articles by Ben Hayward

Best La Liga players of the 1990s
By Ben Hayward published
La Liga Spain's top flight was home to some of the world's finest footballers in the 1990s. Here, a look at the cream of the crop...

Cristiano Ronaldo's best ever goals
By Ben Hayward published
The prolific Portuguese forward has scored hundreds of times across a wonderful career. Here, a look at his most special strikes...

Ranked! The 10 best Spanish players ever
By Ben Hayward last updated
A decade on from the end of a dominant spell for Spain's national team, a look at La Roja's best-ever players

David Beckham's best free-kicks
By Ben Hayward published
The former England captain scored 65 goals from free-kicks in his career. Here, a look at his finest set-piece strikes...

Best wingers in football history
By Ben Hayward published
Tricky and pacy players creating from the flanks have always excited fans. Here, a look at the greatest ever...

Tottenham urged to sign £100m striker in January by former favourite after missed chances in defeat against Aston Villa
By Ben Hayward published
Spurs could still be looking to bring in a centre-foward in the winter window following Harry Kane's summer move to Bayern Munich

'High potential to do amazing things' – Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag tells Alejandro Garnacho how he can justify Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney comparisons after wonder goal vs Everton
By Ben Hayward published
The Dutchman has called for calm surrounding his young foward following his unbelievable strike against Everton on Sunday

'Absolutely bloody rubbish' – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag slammed by Roy Keane after praising Bruno Fernandes for penalty gesture in win over Everton
By Ben Hayward published
The legendary midfielder said he was not at all impressed by the Dutchman's comments after Sunday's 3-0 victory at Goodison Park

Jude Bellingham back from shoulder injury with yet another goal and Rodrygo scores twice as Real Madrid beat Cadiz 3-0 in LaLiga
By Ben Hayward published
The England midfielder sat out Los Blancos' game against Valencia and was absent for the Three Lions in the international break

WATCH: Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho scores stunning overhead kick inside three minutes vs Everton and imitates Cristiano Ronaldo celebration
By Ben Hayward published
The Argentine has posted an early contender for Premier League goal of the season with an unbelievable strike at Goodison Park

'Spursy' – Roy Keane hits out at Tottenham defending for Ollie Watkins winner in Aston Villa defeat
By Ben Hayward published
The Manchester United legend was not impressed with the north Londoners' back line in their latest Premier League loss on Sunday

Terry Venables dies at 80: Former Barcelona stars recall 'innovator', 'revolutionary' and 'great showman' who 'transformed the team' after Diego Maradona's exit
By Ben Hayward published
The Ex-England manager spent three seasons at Camp Nou in the 1980s and led the Catalan club to league title after a long drought

Terry Venables dies at 80: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Gary Neville and Gareth Southgate lead tributes to ex-England manager and 'most innovative coach', along with former clubs Barcelona, Tottenham and Chelsea
By Ben Hayward published
A host of football figures have paid homage to the former England manager, who sadly passed away on Saturday after a 'long illness'

WATCH: 15-year-old Francesco Camarda makes his AC Milan debut to become youngest player in Serie A history
By Ben Hayward published
The teenage forward came off the bench late in the game at San Siro as the Rossoneri beat Fiorentina 1-0 on Saturday evening

WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo visits his own CR7 museum and waxwork in Saudi Arabia
By Ben Hayward published
The Portuguese has posed alongside a new wax figure in Riyadh after the opening of a new space showcasing his football story

Kai Havertz the hero for Arsenal as former Chelsea midfielder's late Brentford winner sends Gunners to top of Premier League
By Ben Hayward published
The German has faced severe scrutiny since his summer move from the Blues, but produced a big moment on Saturday evening

'Premier League = corrupt' – Everton fans fly banner over Etihad during City vs Liverpool to protest against recent points deduction
By Ben Hayward published
A group of supporters arranged for the message to appear above the stadium during Saturday's televised early game in Manchester

Barcelona winger Ansu Fati suffers fresh injury blow in Brighton's win at Nottingham Forest
By Ben Hayward published
The on-loan forward limped off in the first half of the Seagulls' 3-2 victory at the City Ground on Saturday and faces another spell out

Jude Bellingham back from shoulder problem and could be used in different role as Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists Los Blancos can cope despite injury crisis
By Ben Hayward published
The England midfielder is available again after a spell out and is set to return to the starting line-up for Sunday's LaLiga game vs Cadiz

Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool: Were Reds fortunate as VAR disallowed Ruben Dias effort for Manuel Akanji foul on Alisson Becker after the Brazilian dropped the ball?
By Ben Hayward published
The champions were denied a second goal in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at the Etihad after the defender was penalised

WATCH: Manchester City's Erling Haaland becomes quickest player to reach 50 Premier League goals after mistake by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker
By Ben Hayward published
The Brazilian attempted to find Mohamed Salah but got it all wrong and allowed the Norwegian in for a landmark strike on Saturday

Lionel Messi's best ever goals
By Ben Hayward published
In a career filled with memorable moments, we take a look at the Argentine's most special strikes throughout the years...

The most acrimonious transfer exits
By Ben Hayward published
Stories of betrayal, burning effigies, street riots and pig's heads from football's controversial and craziest moves over the years...

Manchester United plotting January move for former Barcelona centre-back as Erik ten Hag seeks defensive reinforcements: report
By Ben Hayward published
The Red Devils are prioritising the arrival of a top-class centre-back in the winter window following an inconsistent start to the season

Spain's Ferran Torres dedicates goal to Gavi after Barcelona team-mate suffers serious knee injury in Euro 2024 qualifier vs Georgia
By Ben Hayward published
The 19-year-old went off in tears in the first half of the 3-1 win in Valladolid and now seems set to face a long spell on the sidelines