Best of 2017 - Goal's top news stories, features and videos of the year

Liverpool correspondent Melissa Reddy sat down for a fascinating exclusive with future Reds midfielder Naby Keita to find out how he went from dodging cars on the streets of Guinea to the fast lane of Europe's elite.

Read the full story here.

As part of our Goal 50 awards in November, in which Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the best player in the world in 2017, we looked at how the Real Madrid No.7 has changed the game forever.

Watch the Ronaldo documentary above or read the full story on 'Generation Ronaldo' here .

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This one's cheating somewhat, but in late 2016 Goal published an exclusive looking at how Paris Saint-Germain were plotting a secret move for Barcelona forward Neymar.

Back then it may have seemed a far-fetched theory to many, but less than 12 months later he was a PSG player and Barcelona were left stunned by losing one of their star forwards.

Read the prescient story from our Barcelona correspondent Ignasi Oliva and former PSG correspondent here.

Arsenal correspondent Chris Wheatley's video tweet of Mesut Ozil raging at Alexis Sanchez and Nacho Monreal for failing to applaud Arsenal's away supporters after losing to title rivals Chelsea hit the headlines around the world.

Over a million views and 11 months later, the old wounds at Arsenal remain open with Alexis and Ozil both potentially leaving in 2018.  Read the full story of their very public disagreement here.

Born to Rise, My Story

Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee produced a fantastic, in-depth look at how Sergio Aguero became the Premier League icon he is today, with rarely-seen images of his childhood and upbringing.

Read the full feature here.

Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella did a mini-documentary with former Cristiano Ronaldo body double Yasin Ben El-Mhanni to chart his rise from non-league football to playing for Premier League side Newcastle United.

Watch the video above or read the full exclusive here.

"With one simple gesture the son of African migrants did more to raise awareness of slavery in Libya than any politician on the planet," Goal's chief correspondent Peter Staunton wrote in December in a fascinating study into how a superstar footballer like Paul Pogba can be a lifeline for good causes.

Read the full editorial here.

Jurgen Klopp sat down to discuss tactics, transfers and so much more with Liverpool correspondent Melissa Reddy during their pre-season tour of Asia.

Read the full exclusive here.

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta sat down with Goal's La Liga correspondent Ben Hayward in the summer and he made no attempt to soften his disdain for those now in charge at Camp Nou.

Watch the video interview above or read the full exclusive here.

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Mercurial Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil sat down with Arsenal correspondent Chris Wheatley to open up about life in London and why criticism doesn't hurt him.

Read the full exclusive here.

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As part of our Goal 50 celebrations, deputy features editor Mark Doyle visited runner-up Gianluigi Buffon's hometown and family to show how the talented young goalkeeper became the iconic veteran he is today.

Read the full feature here.

Kurt Zouma's revelation that he's banned from Paul Pogba's house for beating him at Uno had the football world in stitches following an exclusive interview with Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella.

Read the full exclusive here.

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Manchester United correspondent Kris Voakes charted the remarkable rise of young striker Marcus Rashford.

Check out the full feature here.

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Finally, Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee revealed to the world how Pep Guardiola was set to land arguably Ligue 1's best player of 2016-17, Bernardo Silva, from new French champions Monaco.

Check out the full transfer story here.

What was your favourite Goal story of last year? Share your thoughts in the comment section below or share your favourite stories with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!