Who should win the men’s Ballon d’Or? That's the question our reporters asked 100 people in football — players and managers, past and present, coaches, sporting directors, scouts, presidents and other executives from around the world. There were some slightly eyebrow-raising selections. A current Bundesliga sporting director voted for Declan Rice in second place. A former international player and manager picked Marc Cucurella in third. A former Premier League coach chose Marquinhos in third place. The winner? Harry Kane. By some margin. 📝 @NickMiller79, @Conor0Neill_ Free to read 🆓 bit.ly/4yzwqoa

Heaven is a Place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle comes out of the speakers as Erik ten Hag's car stereo goes through a 1980s playlist. “In this period it was real music; now everything is computer." In the second part of @lauriewhitwell's exclusive interview, Ten Hag opens up on his time in charge of Manchester United and his career since: ■ Why a 2-2 draw with Sevilla in April 2023 was a turning point in his reign ■ How that summer’s pre-season ‘killed’ players ■ The signing of Antony and Jadon Sancho's reluctance to play on the right ■ "Amazing" Kobbie Mainoo and his "strong connection" with Alejandro Garnacho ■ Bruno Fernandes: “Sometimes he’s getting emotional, but he’s a winner" ■ How players are affected by Manchester United legends who are now pundits 🔗 nyti.ms/4zJGGLF

Erik ten Hag knows what it is like to be in the eye of the storm at Manchester United. @LaurieWhitwell spent two evenings with the Dutchman in his hometown of Enschede, in the east of the Netherlands, to peel back the curtain on his two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford. In part one, Ten Hag talks about: ▪️ The broken “promises” that led to his sacking ▪️ Why he had to act on Cristiano Ronaldo, a player who “let the team down” ▪️ His desire to sign Harry Kane and Declan Rice ▪️ The “toxic culture” and the "Madrid connection" that brought player power to the club 🔗 nyti.ms/4z9cp9d

Manchester City have been found guilty of “sham payments” and artificially inflating their revenue by more than £900million in a damning verdict reached by an independent regulatory commission investigating more than 100 charges levied by the Premier League. Full story from @OliverKay ⬇️ Free to read: bit.ly/4yqGbGa

“I always wanted to break records and (make sure) that people remembered my name. “But I have to be honest, I didn’t expect to be the top scorer of all time at the World Cup, at 27." @DTAthletic's exclusive interview with Kylian Mbappe. ▪️ Making World Cup history ▪️ Asking for a ‘Zidane’ haircut ▪️ Mid-air transfer talks with Liverpool ▪️ Why this could be his year for Ballon d’Or ▪️ The lure of being a ‘ghost’ ▪️Why he will never be silenced 🔗 nyti.ms/4cWI1pw

“I felt fine in the morning,” Keith Vigar explains. “But something was bubbling. I went into Billy’s room and just laid on his bed and then I was in bits.” He glances across at his wife Camilla. “We’re very different in the way that we deal with things. But we accept that. So that’s how, I guess, we get through, just day by day. “Billy’s in your memory constantly. Everything is looking for signs that he’s around, and you’re talking to him in your mind every day, which is comforting, to an extent. But it’s not easy by any means.” Camilla looks up with tears in her eyes. “I’m the opposite,” she says. “I do probably cry every day, but I find if I let it out, then it’s easier to put the face back on, if you like, and try to be normal. “We both said from the beginning that we’ve got two other living kids. So it can’t just be… I’m sorry,” she says, her voice cracking with emotion. Camilla pauses for a moment. “It can’t just be sadness because of Billy,” she continues, “because the other kids are still alive and you’ve got to keep going for them." Last year their son lost his life playing the game he loved. Billy hit his head on a concrete-block perimeter wall that was just under three metres from the touchline. He was 21. Keith and Camilla spoke to @stujames75 about their son, their hurt and their anger towards the Football Association. 🔗 nyti.ms/4iZ5NF3

We’re hosting our latest talent ID day on Wednesday October 21 to help identify the next generation of sports journalists. If that’s you, you’re 18+ & UK based: send us 200 words on your experience & contact details. 📧 [email protected] Deadline: Wednesday September 9, 5pm BST.

He walks. He watches you. He doesn't speak. He is two seconds ahead. His every move causes panic. He is the greatest player of all time. This is what it's like to play against Lionel Messi. 📝 @stujames75, @MarkCarey93, @charlotteharpur and @Dan_Sheldon_ 🔗 nyti.ms/4yfPHvZ

Tomorrow marks 32 years since the killing of Andres Escobar following an own goal the then-Colombia defender scored at the 1994 World Cup. His brother Santiago wants him to be remembered for more than that. In an exclusive interview with @FelipeCar, he speaks about his unbreakable bond with Andrés and his continued grief. "I don't understand the death of a person who only did what he loved most, which was play football, entertain people, give joy to his fans, and give everything for his country, for his city." bit.ly/4eX2fj7

It’s no wonder Anthony Elanga ended up like this. The permutations at this World Cup are complicated! Stay up to date with The Athletic’s Forecast, where you'll find detailed estimates for how likely all 48 teams are to make the Round of 32. 🔗 nyti.ms/44wyGA4