Tottenham Hotspur

The midfielder struck the winner against Everton in the final game of a tough 2025/26 campaign on Sunday to preserve our Premier League status. Joao reacted quickly after his initial header struck the post to convert the rebound. We held on for the 1-0 win to finish ahead of West Ham in 17th place.

Speaking to us afterwards, Joao wanted to say ‘thanks’ to the supporters – magnificent again at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Joao said: “If I have the opportunity now, just to appreciate and say thanks to all the fans, to all the supporters since this season started, because it's not normal, as I said before.

“It's not normal we're having all this support after the season that we did.

“This shows what is a big club, in my opinion. The commitment, outside, everyone pushing the team before a really special game that was today. Even up and before some of the important games that we had.

“This shows what is Tottenham. I think what we can take, particularly this season, is the relation that we create here with the supporters. I think just to enjoy now. Just to enjoy and thanks for everything.”

It all starts with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the famous Azteca (now known as the Estadio Banorte) in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June (8pm UK).

Co-hosted by USA and Canada, this will be the 23rd World Cup, the inaugural tournament back in 1930.

As we build up to the summer’s football fest, we take a look at the Spurs players to feature on the greatest stage of all…

Spurs at the World Cup | 1958 – Danny Blanchflower

Danny Blanchflower will always be remembered as one of our greatest and there was a great deal of pride around White Hart Lane when he had the chance to appear on the biggest stage of all in 1958.

So many great players - the likes of George Best and Ryan Giggs are always famous examples - never had the opportunity of gracing a World Cup Finals. Blanchflower was a key figure in Northern Ireland’s team in the late 1950s and with his drive, commitment and inspiration, he helped his nation to the final stages in Sweden in 1958.

Northern Ireland began their first-ever World Cup in fine fashion, beating Czechoslavakia 1-0 thanks to Wilbur Cush’s 16th-minute goal in Halmstad, before losing 3-1 to Argentina, despite taking a third-minute lead. With Blanchflower at the heart of the side, they then held Germany to a 2-2 draw with striker Peter McParland scoring both goals, and that result led to a play-off with the Czechs to determine who would join Germany in the next round, after both sides had finished level on points.

McParland was again the hero, adding another double to his tally, as the Irish edged home 2-1 after extra time to set up a quarter-final against the much-fancied French. It proved a step too far for Blanchflower and his team-mates, with France running out 4-0 winners to send Northern Ireland back home, although they returned with heads held high.

Blanchflower captained our Spurs side to the famous ‘Double’ in 1961, but during the course of that season, he was also attempting to get his Northern Ireland side back to the World Cup, for the 1962 tournament. It wasn’t to be though, as Germany won their qualifying group and so brought to an end Danny’s association with the World Cup.

Signed from Aston Villa in December 1954, Danny was Bill Nicholson’s voice on the pitch and the team’s leader in the glory, glory days of the early 1960s, lifting the title in 1961, the FA Cup in 1961 and 1962 and European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963. He made 382 appearances before retiring in 1964.

Mel Hopkins, Cliff Jones, Terry Medwin

Wales’ first appearance in the World Cup Finals was also in 1958 with three of our players playing key roles. Mel Hopkins (signed in 1952) and Terry Medwin (1956) were established at the Lane and joined by mercurial winger Cliff Jones in 1958.

All three went to Sweden - full-back Hopkins and Jones featured in all five matches the Welsh played in Sweden, as they reached the quarter-finals only to lose to eventual champions Brazil, while Medwin played in four games, scoring a vital winner in their Group Three play-off against Hungary to book their place in the last eight.

The quarter-final is part of Wales footballing folklore. All three of our players lined-up against the eventual champions, spearheaded by a young Pele, 17, and featuring all-time greats Garrincha and Didi. Hampered by the loss of one of their all-time greats, John Charles, Wales went toe-to-toe with the Seleção, losing via a deflected goal from Pele – his first at the World Cup.

“That day, our full-back Mel Hopkins never gave Pele a kick, he was magnificent against him,” recalls Cliff. “But I feel to this day, that if John Charles was fit and playing, it could have been a different result.”

Cliff made 378 appearances for us, 1958-68, scoring 159 goals. Mel made 240 appearances, 1952-64. Terry made 215 appearances and scored 72 goals, 1956-63.

In a big month across the Club, we saw some brilliant and crucial strikes.

Now we want to hear which one of them was your favourite!

We've shortlisted seven of the best so watch the goals in the compilation below before voting for your favourite in the poll below.

The contenders | Goal of the Month | May, 2026

The 27-year-old Netherlands international will join us upon the opening of the summer transfer window following the expiry of her contract with VfL Wolfsburg.

She arrives in north London with an enormous amount of experience, earning numerous honours in the process during her spells in the Netherlands and Germany while becoming a regular member of her national side.

Find out more about our new defender below…

Footballing family

Caitlin isn’t the only one in her family who was destined for the very top of the game as her father, Meindert, was also a professional footballer.

Prominently playing as a full-back, most of his footballing career was played in his home country – competing in the Dutch top flight with NAC and Willem II alongside spells at RBC and Top Oss. He did spend two years in England with Notts County, playing in the First Division (now the EFL Championship).

If she weren’t a professional footballer

Caitlin will certainly fit into the culture at Spurs!

In a quickfire interview with VfL Wolfsburg earlier this year, she was asked ‘what would she be if she weren’t a professional footballer?’ and the defender replied ‘working with dogs.’

That might be a popular answer amongst the squad with many showcasing their love for dogs.

Her favourite trait on the pitch

As a defender, many would expect Caitlin’s favourite moment on the pitch might be making a tackle to deny the opponent’s attack – but she opted for a slightly different trait.

Asked in an interview with her former club, VfL Wolfsburg, she was asked whether she preferred ‘tackling or dribbling’ and she replied with: “Dribbling. Normally as a defender, you want to tackle but I want to dribble into midfield and pass.”

It might not have been football

While Caitlin has gone on to enjoy a successful playing career to date, she almost opted for an entirely different pursuit.

Growing up in the Netherlands, she did Kung Fu alongside playing football, but when the point came where she had to drop one, she chose football.

Silverware success

During her spell in the Netherlands, she has tasted plenty of success.

Lifting the Eredivisie Cup with Ajax in 2021, as a 20-year-old, she then went on to win the Dutch top flight in the following campaign – the first league title in her career in just her maiden campaign with FC Twente.

The silverware didn’t stop there with FC Twente securing the Eredivisie Cup in 2022 – Caitlin winning the competition back-to-back with two different clubs.

In the 2022/23 campaign, Caitlin made it three on the bounce in Eredivisie Cup while also lifting the KNVB Beker and KNVB Super Cup.

Familiar faces

Upon her move to north London, Caitlin will be reuniting with a well-known team-mate in our number one, Lize Kop.

While they have spent a number of international camps together as Netherlands internationals, the pair also spent the early part of their careers at the same club, playing alongside each other at Ajax.

Joining the Amsterdam-based side in 2018, Caitlin and Lize were club team-mates for three seasons and are now set to be reunited at Spurs once again.

Combining football and studies

Having played for RKVV JEKA at the start of her youth career, Caitlin then joined CTO Eindhoven – a centre for elite sports and education and one of the three athletic talents centre in the country.

She spent three years in that programme, combining a rigorous football training schedule with her academic studies.

Following the conclusion of her time at the talent centre, Caitlin earned a move to one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands – Ajax – to begin her professional career.

On the international stage

Earning her first call-up to the senior Netherlands squad in September, 2021, Caitlin made her international debut in November of that year, starting and completing the full game as her side played out a goalless draw with Japan.

Just a few months later, in February, 2022, Caitlin scored her first goal for her nation in a 3-0 victory over Finland – which featured both Eveliina Summanen and Olga Ahtinen.

To this date, she has earned 35 caps for the Netherlands, scoring once, and represented them at the 2025 UEFA European Championships.

Watch | Caitlin's first interview as a Spurs player

Men's First Team  Tottenham Hotspur

An award to celebrate magic moments from the last month of Premier League action, Pape Matar Sarr and Joao Palhinha are both up for the award for two completely different pieces of brilliance.

First up, Joao is shortlisted for the prize for a tackle and skill that summed up the tenacious midfielder to a tee.

Coming in our 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the start of the month, the Portugal international slid in to challenge Villa's Ross Barkley on the edge of the area and then flicking the ball away from him with a slick set of touches winning before winning a free-kick to relieve the pressure on our defence.

Watch Joao's incredible tackle and skill at Villa Park

Pape meanwhile is nominated for his stunning backheel that teed up Richarlison for our 2,000th Premier League goal.

Coming in our 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in our penultimate game of the season, the midfielder came off the bench to provide the assist for Richy as we trailed 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

With just under 10 minutes left in west London, the Senegal international was played in by Pedro Porro after the Spaniard had interchanged a neat one-two with Mathys Tel on the right. With his back to goal and the ball losing momentum, our number 29 then crashed the ball backwards with his heel to the back post where Richy was waiting to pounce and convert.

Watch Pape's stunning backheel assist at Chelsea

For the award, the duo face competition from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, AFC Bournemouth's Junior Kroupi and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson.

Voting is now open and our boys need your help!

Up to nine of our players could represent their respective nations at the tournament, while there are several other pre-World Cup international matches taking place over the next couple of weeks at different levels of the game.

Among this month’s notable call-ups, there’s a first senior international chance for Mason Melia with the Republic of Ireland after he previously impressed in their Under-21s set-up.

Here’s the full list of when and where our players are playing (all kick-off times are UK)...

*Denotes World Cup squad yet to be announced.

Wednesday 27 May

Tyrese Hall – Jamaica friendly against India in England – kick-off 7.30pm

Thursday 28 May

Malachi Hardy and Tynan Thompson – England Under-18s friendly against Greece in Cyprus – kick-off 10.30am

Mason Melia – Republic of Ireland home friendly against Qatar – kick-off 7.45pm

Sunday 31 June

Malachi Hardy and Tynan Thompson – England Under-18s friendly against Cyprus in Cyprus – kick-off 3.30pm

Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal friendly against USA in USA – kick-off 8.30pm

Monday 1 June

Lucas Bergvall – Sweden away friendly against Norway – kick-off 6pm

Kevin Danso – Austria home friendly against Tunisia – kick-off 7.45pm

Tuesday 2 June

Luka Vuskovic – Croatia home friendly against Belgium – kick-off 5pm

Radu Dragusin – Romania away friendly against Georgia – kick-off 6pm

Ben Davies – Wales home friendly against Ghana – kick-off 7.45pm

Wednesday 3 June

Armend Muslika – Albania Under-17s European Under-17 Championship qualifier against Latvia in Albania – kick-off 4pm

Manor Solomon – Israel away friendly against Albania – kick-off 7pm

Micky van de Ven – Netherlands home friendly against Algeria – kick-off 7.45pm

Yang Min-Hyeok – South Korea Under-23s friendly against UAE Under-23s in Thailand

George Feeney – Northern Ireland Under-21s away friendly against Portugal Under-21s – kick-off 7.30pmu

Thursday 4 June

Lucas Bergvall – Sweden home friendly against Greece – kick-off 6pm

Pedro Porro – Spain home friendly against Iraq – kick-off 8pm

Jamie Donley – Northern Ireland friendly against Guinea in Spain – kick-off 7pm

Saturday 6 June

Mason Melia – Republic of Ireland away friendly against Canada – kick-off 12.30am

Yang Min-Hyeok – South Korea Under-23s friendly against Thailand Under-23s in Thailand – kick-off 12pm

Radu Dragusin / Ben Davies – Romania home friendly against Wales – kick-off 6.45pm

Djed Spence – England friendly against New Zealand in USA – kick-off 9pm

Sunday 7 June

Cristian Romero – Argentina friendly against Honduras in USA – kick-off 1am

Luka Vuskovic – Croatia home friendly against Slovenia – kick-off 7.45pm

Monday 8 June

Micky van de Ven – Netherlands friendly against Uzbekistan in USA – kick-off 7.45pm

Jamie Donley – Northern Ireland away friendly against France – kick-off 8.10pm

Tuesday 9 June

Pedro Porro – Spain friendly against Peru in Mexico – kick-off 3am

Armend Muslika – Albania Under-17s European Under-17 Championship qualifier against Ukraine in Albania – kick-off 4pm

Wednesday 10 June

Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal friendly against Saudi Arabia in USA – kick-off 12am

Cristian Romero – Argentina friendly against Iceland in USA – kick-off 1.30am

Djed Spence – England friendly against Costa Rica in USA – kick-off 9pm

Thursday 11 June

Kevin Danso – Austria friendly against Guatemala in USA – kick-off 5am

Sunday 14 June

Micky van de Ven – Netherlands World Cup Group F match against Japan in USA – kick-off 9pm

Monday 15 June

Lucas Bergvall – Sweden World Cup Group F match against Tunisia in Mexico – kick-off 3am

Pedro Porro – Spain World Cup Group H match against Cape Verde in USA – kick-off 5pm

Rodrigo Bentancur* – Uruguay World Cup Group H match against Saudi Arabia in USA – kick-off 11pm

Tuesday 16 June

Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal World Cup Group I match against France in USA – kick-off 8pm

Wednesday 17 June

Cristian Romero* – Argentina World Cup Group J match against Algeria in USA – kick-off 2am

Kevin Danso – Austria World Cup Group J match against Jordan in USA – kick-off 5am

Djed Spence / Luka Vuskovic – England World Cup Group L match against Croatia in USA – kick-off 9pm

Saturday 20 June

Micky van de Ven / Lucas Bergvall – Netherlands World Cup Group F match against Sweden in USA – kick-off 6pm

Sunday 21 June

Pedro Porro – Spain World Cup Group H match against Saudi Arabia in USA – kick-off 5pm

Rodrigo Bentancur* – Uruguay World Cup Group H match against Cape Verde in USA – kick-off 11pm

Monday 22 June

Cristian Romero* / Kevin Danso – Argentina World Cup Group J match against Austria in USA – kick-off 6pm

Tuesday 23 June

Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal World Cup Group I match against Norway in USA – kick-off 1am

Djed Spence – England World Cup Group L match against Ghana in USA – kick-off 9pm

Wednesday 24 June

Luka Vuskovic – Croatia World Cup Group L match against Panama in Canada – kick-off 12am

Friday 26 June

Lucas Bergvall – Sweden World Cup Group F match against Japan in USA – kick-off 12am

Micky van de Ven – Netherlands World Cup Group F match against Tunisia in USA – kick-off 12am

Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal World Cup Group I match against Iraq in Canada – kick-off 8pm

Saturday 27 June

Rodrigo Bentancur*/Pedro Porro – Uruguay World Cup Group H match against Spain in Mexico – kick-off 1am

Djed Spence – England World Cup Group L match against Panama in USA – kick-off 10pm

Luka Vuskovic – Croatia World Cup Group L match against Ghana in USA – kick-off 10pm

Sunday 28 June

SPURSPLAY

Competing in the unique competition for the first time, we will be playing alongside seven other clubs across a three-day tournament at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, with the group phase on Thursday and Friday, the semi-finals/final on Saturday.

We take on Villa, West Ham and Manchester United in the group stage with Chelsea, Everton, Leicester City and London City Lionesses also competing. Villa are first up on Thursday evening (6pm) before West Ham (4pm) and United (8pm) on Friday.

“I’m really excited,” said Signe, the Norway international midfielder who impressed so much after joining us from SK Brann in January. “It's something new, but I’ve seen from last year that it looks really fun. I'm really excited to play 7v7. It's different than playing a game, so I'm really excited.

“The fans will see us having lots of fun, together as a team and have fun playing football. I think that would be what they're expecting. I really like the short-sided football, five-a-side, seven-a-side. I’m really excited to play.”

This will be the 25-year-old's first taste of the major international tournament having being named in Ronald Koeman's 26-player squad going to the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.

The centre-back made his national team debut against France in October, 2023 and has earned all 19 of his caps as a Spurs player, scoring his first international goal in an 8-0 win over Malta during qualifying in June, 2025.

Micky - who made 45 appearances in all competitions, won our OSC Goal of the Season and played the most minutes for us in 2025/26 - is heading to his second successive major event having featured for his nation on their run to the semi-finals at the 2024 European Championships.

The Netherlands have been drawn in Group F alongside Lucas Bergvall's Sweden, Japan and Tunisia. Their opener is against Japan in the AT&T Stadium, Texas, USA on Sunday 14 June at 9pm (UK).

Prior to that, they face warm-up friendlies against Algeria in Rotterdam, Holland on 3 June before travelling to North America to face Uzbekistan in New York City five days later.

Congratulations, Micky!