GOAL gets the measure of the latest from the football zeitgeist, from CR7's big birthday to a fresh boot drop from Nike
Welcome to the Culture & Clobber Axis, where GOAL runs the rule over all the latest from the intersection of football and culture – from the sublime to the ridiculous, to what's fire and what misses completely.
The longest January on record is finally over, with the end of the transfer window and the turn of the month throwing up storylines and new drops aplenty, as an icon of the game turns 40, Nike reveal some new boots and Joao Felix has a very big week.
But where do the week's biggest talking points from the football zeitgeist place in our comprehensive axis? Let's get into it…
GOAL Ronaldo turns 40
There's nothing technically wrong with Cristiano Ronaldo turning 40, it just makes us feel very, very old. Now an icon of the game, CR7 was just 18 years old when he signed for Manchester United in 2003. The 22 years since have been quite incredible.
Having hit the big 4-0, the attacker has declared himself the unequivocal GOAT… we're not so sure about that, but it's hard to argue with him being considered the greatest the sport has ever seen.
GOAL's shout: Blatant own goal
AdvertisementTiote's son is a mascot vs Arsenal
Newcastle gave a poignant tribute to late former midfielder Cheick Tiote when they hosted Arsenal in midweek, with his son Rafael among the mascots on the 14th anniversary of his father's brilliant volley in the exact same fixture in 2011, when the Magpies came from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 courtesy of his strike.
The Toon honoured him on the pitch too, downing the Gunners with a relentless performance to secure a Carabao Cup final place and a huge chance to pick up major silverware. Lovely stuff.
GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie
Getty Images SportMan City don't like rivalries
The fallout from Arsenal's 5-1 thumping of Manchester City at the weekend has been tiresome, to say the least, with most of the rhetoric centring on Erling Haaland's now-infamous 'stay humble' jibe.
Suffice to say, the Gunners probably stay humble' as they indulged in plenty of sh*thousery in their rout of their new-found northern foes, but certain City fans' refusal to take it on the chin and flat-out denial that a rivalry can even exist before Arsenal win a trophy is downright bizarre. This is what it's all about, lads.
GOAL's shout: Maverick own goal
NikeNike's unisex United pack
Nike has shown its commitment to the women's game by bringing together some of the world's leading ballers to form the Nike United collective, with a new boot drop to go with it.
The unisex United pack features their Tiempo, Phantom and Mercurial silos in a fresh purple and 'volt' colourway, all featuring a bold look inspired by shattered glass that was co-designed by the likes of Lauren James, Naomi Girma and Sophia Wilson (formerly Smith).
GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie
