Paris

The Ballon d’Or was created by journalists, just as the European Cup - today’s Champions League - was, and came into existence in 1956 as an accompaniment to the competition.

La Champions vuelve al Bernabéu y alguien me recuerda que los dos últimos partidos de la competición jugados allí acabaron en derrota local.

It was a phrase that John Toshak used and it served Zidane well as he kept faith with the side that succumbed to PSG in Seville and was rewarded with victory.

The gaping difference between Atlético and Madrid was that the former had unyielding belief while the latter did not, hence the respective outcomes on Wednesday night.

The transfer curtain fell on the second day of September, and our suspicions were confirmed: 'operation Neymar' had been pure posturing.

Alfredo Relaño looks back at the conclusion of the Tour de France, won by Egan Bernal - who becomes the first Colombian to win the event.

There is no longer any doubt: Messi finding success with Argentina is becoming an even taller order, writes Alfredo Relaño.