Did you know? Mikel Arteta was once on Barcelona’s bench as a tactical analyst (unofficially). While injured at Everton in Feb 2009, Arteta spent some time shadowing Pep Guardiola’s staff at Barça to study tactics a “mini internship” that shaped his analytical side. #ARSMCI

Did you know? Mikel Arteta was the first manager to beat Klopp (Liverpool), Guardiola (Man city), and Mourinho (Tottenham) in the same season (2020). Despite being a rookie, Arteta pulled this off with Arsenal in his first full campaign, winning the FA Cup in the process. #ARSMCI

Did you know? Arteta was Guardiola’s “student” before being his rival. Before taking over at Arsenal, Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant for 3 years. Pep himself admitted that Arteta knew things about opponents that even he sometimes missed, like how to exploit weaknesses. #ARSMCI

Did you know? Mikel Arteta can speak English, Spanish, Catalan (native language), and Basque fluently and also understands some French and Italian. This mix means he can speak directly with almost every player in Arsenal’s diverse squad without translators. #ARSMCI

Did you know? Ballon d’Or Trophy Is Heavy & Expensive. The actual trophy weighs about 12 kg (26 pounds), made of two brass hemispheres filled with wax, then covered in gold. Its value is estimated at over €20,000, but its prestige makes it priceless. #BallonDor

Did you know? Only 3 pure defenders have ever won the Ballon d’Or: Franz Beckenbauer (2x), Fabio Cannavaro (2006), and Matthias Sammer (1996). Midfielders and attackers dominate the award. #BallonDor

Did you know? George Weah, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1995, remains the only African player ever to win the Ballon d’Or. He later became the President of Liberia, the only Ballon d’Or winner to become a head of state. #BallonDor

Did you know? In 2020, the Ballon d’Or award was canceled due to COVID-19, the only time in history. Robert Lewandowski was the heavy favorite after a record-breaking season, but he officially has no Ballon d’Or to his name. #BallonDor

Did you know? When Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, he became the first Premier League player since Michael Owen (2001) to do so, and only one EPL player has won it since - Rodri in 2024. #BallonDor

Did you know? Only one goalkeeper has ever won the Ballon d’Or: Lev Yashin in 1963. In his career, he is said to have saved over 150 penalty kicks, more than any other professional goalkeeper. The “Yashin Trophy” (for best goalkeeper) was later named after him. #BallonDor

Did you know? Despite being naturally two-footed, Dembele admitted that he sometimes forgets which is his stronger foot! He can comfortably take corners, free kicks, and penalties with either foot, making him one of the rare ambidextrous attackers in modern football. #BallonDor

Congratulations Ousmane Dembélé #BallonDor

Did you know? The world’s oldest known city – Jericho, located in Palestine, is often considered the oldest continuously inhabited city on Earth, dating back over 11,000 years. #palestine

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary

Did you know? Newcastle United helped change football fashion in the 1920s, before the Football League made it official in 1939, the club was among the first English clubs to put numbers on their players’ shirts. What now is standard kit design traces its roots to St James’ Park.

Did you know? In ancient Egypt, divorce was not only legal but also surprisingly fair for women compared to many later societies. A wife could initiate a divorce, and both partners often signed written agreements dividing property and child custody over 3,000 years ago!