Goal, stylized in all caps and alternatively known as Goal.com, is a website currently dedicated to the coverage of international association football. Currently owned by the Integrated Media Company (IMC) division of TPG Inc. since 2020, it is published in 18 languages across 38 global regions and edited by over 500 contributors as of 2019.
History Sports statistics company Perform Group acquired Goal.com for £18 million from its previous investors, which included Bessemer Venture Partners. In 2012, the website was investigated by HM Revenue and Customs department of the UK government over the use of unpaid interns.
In August 2016, Perform Group launched the online sports video streaming service DAZN. In September 2018 Perform Group was split into two companies: DAZN Group (named after its streaming service) for its consumer content operations, and Perform Content for its business-to-business services. Under this new structure, GOAL sat under DAZN. In March 2019, DAZN re-organized the Perform Media division into DAZN Media, which includes GOAL. In late 2020, GOAL, alongside Spox and Voetbalzone were packaged as a new company called FootballCo. Shortly after, a majority stake in FootballCo. was purchased by Integrated Media Company (IMC) which is a division of TPG Capital.
As of mid-2023, Goal was the fifth most popular sports news website in the UK, with 1.5 million monthly British readers according to a report by Press Gazette.
In November 2023, Footballco announced the appointment of Jason Wagenheim to the position of North America CEO . Wagenheim joined from BDG to grow Footballco's audience and revenue in the U.S., with a specific focus on GOAL.
In 2026, Press Gazette reported that GOAL's web traffic during the 2026 FIFA World Cup was up 42% and page views up by 55% compared to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with data shared with Press Gazette showing that GOAL generated 439 million web and app page views across the tournament. Press Gazette.
Video brands In addition to the GOAL domain, GOAL (via Footballco) publishes a number of video-first brands. These include: The Beast Mode on Podcast: A podcast hosted by former professional footballer, Adebayo Akinfenwa GOAL's Front Three: A creator-led show focused on fun and games. GOAL's FanZone: A series featuring fan interaction and debates.
Events In 2026, GOAL hosted House of GOAL, a 17-day soccer culture festival in Brooklyn during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Awards In 2017 and 2020, GOAL won the Best Sports News Site award at The Drum Online Media Awards.
GOAL50 Since the 2007–08 season, the best 50 players of the respective season are selected by GOAL reporters and ranked as part of Goal's "Goal 50." Starting from the 2018–19 season, the 50 players were divided into 25 men and 25 women, with a winner from both genders being crowned. In 2021 voting was changed, with the list of available players chosen by GOAL journalists and the ranking decided by a public vote.
Men's winners Season Winner Club(s) 2007–08 Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United 2008–09 Lionel Messi Barcelona 2009–10 Wesley Sneijder Internazionale 2010–11 Lionel Messi Barcelona 2011–12 Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 2012–13 Lionel Messi Barcelona 2013–14 Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 2014–15 Lionel Messi Barcelona 2015–16 Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 2016–17 Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 2017–18 Luka Modrić Real Madrid 2018–19 Virgil van Dijk Liverpool 2019–20 Robert Lewandowski Bayern Munich2020–21 Lionel Messi Barcelona2021–22 Lionel Messi Paris Saint-Germain2022–23 Lionel Messi Paris Saint-Germain Inter Miami2023–24 Rodri Manchester City2024–25 Lamine Yamal Barcelona2025–26 Harry Kane Bayern Munich
Women's winners Season Winner Club(s) 2018–19 Megan Rapinoe Reign FC 2019–20 Pernille Harder VfL Wolfsburg Chelsea2020–21 Alexia Putellas Barcelona2021–22 Alexia Putellas Barcelona2022–23 Racheal Kundananji Madrid CFF2023–24 Aitana Bonmatí Barcelona
NXGN Since the 2016, GOAL has ranked the 50 best players aged under 19 for that respective season, with selections made by GOAL's network of journalists. The resulting list is known as the NXGN list, with the first-ranked players receiving the NXGN winner's award.
Since 2020, a women's list and award has also been published and handed out.
Men's winners Season Winner Club(s) 2016 Youri Tielemans Anderlecht 2017 Gianluigi Donnarumma Milan 2018 Justin Kluivert Ajax 2019 Jadon Sancho Borussia Dortmund 2020 Rodrygo Real Madrid 2021 Ansu Fati Barcelona 2022 Jude Bellingham Borussia Dortmund 2023 This year the top 50 men's wonderkids players was not ranked. - 2024 Lamine Yamal Barcelona 2025 Lamine Yamal Barcelona 2026 Lamine Yamal Barcelona
Women's winners Season Winner Club(s) 2020 Lena Oberdorf SGS Essen 2021 Hanna Bennison FC Rosengård 2022 Melchie Dumornay Reims
References
External links International edition site