Will Jeanes
@willjeanes.bsky.social
Work for The Athletic // Football stats and history ⚽️
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/will-jeanes/
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/will-jeanes/
If Keir Starmer is replaced as prime minister there will have already been more UK PMs in the 2020s than there were in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s combined.
February 9, 2026 at 1:45 PM
If Keir Starmer is replaced as prime minister there will have already been more UK PMs in the 2020s than there were in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s combined.
I've come up with 41 stats & facts about Cristiano Ronaldo to mark his birthday this week:
⚽️ More career goals than Henry, Del Piero & Rashford combined
🇵🇹 Played in 32% of games in Portugal's history
🌕 One team-mate born before humans walked on moon
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
⚽️ More career goals than Henry, Del Piero & Rashford combined
🇵🇹 Played in 32% of games in Portugal's history
🌕 One team-mate born before humans walked on moon
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Cristiano Ronaldo is now 41, so here are 41 stats you (probably) don’t know about him
Forty-one facts and pieces of trivia about the Portuguese forward's remarkable achievements
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:55 PM
I've come up with 41 stats & facts about Cristiano Ronaldo to mark his birthday this week:
⚽️ More career goals than Henry, Del Piero & Rashford combined
🇵🇹 Played in 32% of games in Portugal's history
🌕 One team-mate born before humans walked on moon
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
⚽️ More career goals than Henry, Del Piero & Rashford combined
🇵🇹 Played in 32% of games in Portugal's history
🌕 One team-mate born before humans walked on moon
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Games between Real Madrid and Benfica in the European Cup/Champions League from 1955 to 2025: Three
Games between Real Madrid and Benfica in the European Cup/Champions League in the first two months of 2026: Three
Games between Real Madrid and Benfica in the European Cup/Champions League in the first two months of 2026: Three
January 30, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Games between Real Madrid and Benfica in the European Cup/Champions League from 1955 to 2025: Three
Games between Real Madrid and Benfica in the European Cup/Champions League in the first two months of 2026: Three
Games between Real Madrid and Benfica in the European Cup/Champions League in the first two months of 2026: Three
On this day in 1986, England beat Egypt 4-0 in a friendly in Cairo — with the match the last time England played in the month of January.
The two captains — Ray Wilkins and Moustafa Abdou — held up a double portrait of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
#OTD
The two captains — Ray Wilkins and Moustafa Abdou — held up a double portrait of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
#OTD
January 29, 2026 at 1:25 PM
On this day in 1986, England beat Egypt 4-0 in a friendly in Cairo — with the match the last time England played in the month of January.
The two captains — Ray Wilkins and Moustafa Abdou — held up a double portrait of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
#OTD
The two captains — Ray Wilkins and Moustafa Abdou — held up a double portrait of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
#OTD
In the first 70 years of the European Cup/Champions League, just two players scored 20+ goals for two different clubs:
Neymar & Cristiano Ronaldo
In the last five months, three more players have joined this list:
Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski & Kylian Mbappé
Neymar & Cristiano Ronaldo
In the last five months, three more players have joined this list:
Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski & Kylian Mbappé
January 28, 2026 at 9:28 PM
In the first 70 years of the European Cup/Champions League, just two players scored 20+ goals for two different clubs:
Neymar & Cristiano Ronaldo
In the last five months, three more players have joined this list:
Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski & Kylian Mbappé
Neymar & Cristiano Ronaldo
In the last five months, three more players have joined this list:
Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski & Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé's 12 goals in the Champions League this season would already have been enough to be the top scorer in 62 of the previous 70 seasons of the European Cup/Champions League.
January 28, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Kylian Mbappé's 12 goals in the Champions League this season would already have been enough to be the top scorer in 62 of the previous 70 seasons of the European Cup/Champions League.
Here's a look at Kairat — Arsenal's opponents in the Champions League tonight — and just how remarkable it is that they are even in the competition.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Who are Kairat, the Champions League newcomers making the 3,400-mile trip to face Arsenal?
Kairat are bottom of the league phase but the Kazakhstani side have an intriguing backstory
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Here's a look at Kairat — Arsenal's opponents in the Champions League tonight — and just how remarkable it is that they are even in the competition.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Dixie Dean, arguably the greatest goalscorer in the history of English football, was born #OTD in 1907.
He scored 310 times for Everton in the English top flight — a record for one club — and his 60 league goals in 1927-28 is 11 more than anyone else has netted in an English top-flight season.
He scored 310 times for Everton in the English top flight — a record for one club — and his 60 league goals in 1927-28 is 11 more than anyone else has netted in an English top-flight season.
January 22, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Dixie Dean, arguably the greatest goalscorer in the history of English football, was born #OTD in 1907.
He scored 310 times for Everton in the English top flight — a record for one club — and his 60 league goals in 1927-28 is 11 more than anyone else has netted in an English top-flight season.
He scored 310 times for Everton in the English top flight — a record for one club — and his 60 league goals in 1927-28 is 11 more than anyone else has netted in an English top-flight season.
Scoring 20+ goals for two clubs in the European Cup/Champions League:
Neymar:
22 for PSG & 21 for Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo:
105 for Real Madrid & 21 for Manchester United
Harry Kane:
26 for Bayern & 21 for Tottenham
Robert Lewandowski 🆕
69 for Bayern & 20 for Barcelona
Neymar:
22 for PSG & 21 for Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo:
105 for Real Madrid & 21 for Manchester United
Harry Kane:
26 for Bayern & 21 for Tottenham
Robert Lewandowski 🆕
69 for Bayern & 20 for Barcelona
January 21, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Scoring 20+ goals for two clubs in the European Cup/Champions League:
Neymar:
22 for PSG & 21 for Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo:
105 for Real Madrid & 21 for Manchester United
Harry Kane:
26 for Bayern & 21 for Tottenham
Robert Lewandowski 🆕
69 for Bayern & 20 for Barcelona
Neymar:
22 for PSG & 21 for Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo:
105 for Real Madrid & 21 for Manchester United
Harry Kane:
26 for Bayern & 21 for Tottenham
Robert Lewandowski 🆕
69 for Bayern & 20 for Barcelona
Premier League games won in 2026 by the current top five: 3
Premier League games won in 2026 by the current bottom five: 4
Premier League games won in 2026 by the current bottom five: 4
January 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Premier League games won in 2026 by the current top five: 3
Premier League games won in 2026 by the current bottom five: 4
Premier League games won in 2026 by the current bottom five: 4
Only Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are on longer unbeaten runs in the Premier League than Wolves.
January 18, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Only Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are on longer unbeaten runs in the Premier League than Wolves.
CONFIRMED:
Manchester United will play just 40 games this season — their fewest in a campaign since 1914-15 (39 games).
(This excludes seasons impacted by war).
Manchester United will play just 40 games this season — their fewest in a campaign since 1914-15 (39 games).
(This excludes seasons impacted by war).
Unless Manchester United reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, the 2025-26 campaign will see them play the fewest number of games in a season since 1914-15.
(Seasons impacted by war are excluded).
(Seasons impacted by war are excluded).
January 11, 2026 at 6:23 PM
CONFIRMED:
Manchester United will play just 40 games this season — their fewest in a campaign since 1914-15 (39 games).
(This excludes seasons impacted by war).
Manchester United will play just 40 games this season — their fewest in a campaign since 1914-15 (39 games).
(This excludes seasons impacted by war).
Delighted to achieve a lifetime ambition and get Wally Hammond in The New York Times.
Here’s my look at the recent Ashes series and where some of the crazy numbers and statistics to emerge from it sit in an historical context 🏏:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Here’s my look at the recent Ashes series and where some of the crazy numbers and statistics to emerge from it sit in an historical context 🏏:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
The Ashes in numbers: From Australia’s heroes to England’s winless run and two-day Tests
Who is now the second-highest run-scorer in the Ashes? And how many players aged 35 or over have taken 30 wickets in a series? Answers below
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Delighted to achieve a lifetime ambition and get Wally Hammond in The New York Times.
Here’s my look at the recent Ashes series and where some of the crazy numbers and statistics to emerge from it sit in an historical context 🏏:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Here’s my look at the recent Ashes series and where some of the crazy numbers and statistics to emerge from it sit in an historical context 🏏:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Alex Carey in this Ashes became the first player in the history of Test cricket to score 300+ runs and take 25+ catches in a series.
🏏
🏏
January 8, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Alex Carey in this Ashes became the first player in the history of Test cricket to score 300+ runs and take 25+ catches in a series.
🏏
🏏
Wolves are on track to get more Premier League points than Derby’s 11 in 2007-08.
January 7, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Wolves are on track to get more Premier League points than Derby’s 11 in 2007-08.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be the first Manchester United manager to return for a second spell at the club since Matt Busby.
January 6, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be the first Manchester United manager to return for a second spell at the club since Matt Busby.
❌ Fewer wins than Moyes despite taking charge of 12 more games
🧮 Second-lowest win % by a #MUFC manager in last 50 years
0⃣ No back-to-back PL wins in 2024-25
Had a look at the numbers behind Ruben Amorim's time as Man Utd boss with @cweatherspoon.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
🧮 Second-lowest win % by a #MUFC manager in last 50 years
0⃣ No back-to-back PL wins in 2024-25
Had a look at the numbers behind Ruben Amorim's time as Man Utd boss with @cweatherspoon.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure in numbers: Unwanted records and unwelcome firsts
The Portuguese managed fewer wins than Moyes, despite being in charge for 12 more games, just one of the damning statistics from his reign
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:55 PM
❌ Fewer wins than Moyes despite taking charge of 12 more games
🧮 Second-lowest win % by a #MUFC manager in last 50 years
0⃣ No back-to-back PL wins in 2024-25
Had a look at the numbers behind Ruben Amorim's time as Man Utd boss with @cweatherspoon.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
🧮 Second-lowest win % by a #MUFC manager in last 50 years
0⃣ No back-to-back PL wins in 2024-25
Had a look at the numbers behind Ruben Amorim's time as Man Utd boss with @cweatherspoon.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Reposted by Will Jeanes
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure in numbers: Unwanted records and unwelcome firsts
w/ @willjeanes.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
w/ @willjeanes.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure in numbers: Unwanted records and unwelcome firsts
The Portuguese managed fewer wins than Moyes, despite being in charge for 12 more games, just one of the damning statistics from his reign
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:42 AM
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure in numbers: Unwanted records and unwelcome firsts
w/ @willjeanes.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
w/ @willjeanes.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
514 different players scored in the Premier League between Harrison Reed's last two goals in the competition.
January 4, 2026 at 6:20 PM
514 different players scored in the Premier League between Harrison Reed's last two goals in the competition.
Cristian Stellini was a Premier League manager when Harrison Reed last scored a goal before today.
January 4, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Cristian Stellini was a Premier League manager when Harrison Reed last scored a goal before today.
James Milner has now played in the Premier League in 25 calendar years — a quarter of a century's worth. The original Xbox was released in the last year he didn't feature in England's top flight (2001).
January 3, 2026 at 4:41 PM
James Milner has now played in the Premier League in 25 calendar years — a quarter of a century's worth. The original Xbox was released in the last year he didn't feature in England's top flight (2001).
Wolves would be top of a Premier League table for 2026.
January 3, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Wolves would be top of a Premier League table for 2026.
Reposted by Will Jeanes
📈 Haaland's incredible strike rate
🇦🇺 Unwanted history for Postecoglou
📆 Milestones for Milner & Modric
@oilysailor.bsky.social & @willjeanes.bsky.social look back at football in 2025 through a statistical lens
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
🇦🇺 Unwanted history for Postecoglou
📆 Milestones for Milner & Modric
@oilysailor.bsky.social & @willjeanes.bsky.social look back at football in 2025 through a statistical lens
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
December 30, 2025 at 8:01 AM
📈 Haaland's incredible strike rate
🇦🇺 Unwanted history for Postecoglou
📆 Milestones for Milner & Modric
@oilysailor.bsky.social & @willjeanes.bsky.social look back at football in 2025 through a statistical lens
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
🇦🇺 Unwanted history for Postecoglou
📆 Milestones for Milner & Modric
@oilysailor.bsky.social & @willjeanes.bsky.social look back at football in 2025 through a statistical lens
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Here is a look at each month in football in 2025 through numbers... some serious, some less so:
📈 Haaland's incredible strike rate
🇦🇺 Unwanted history for Postecoglou
📆 Milestones for Milner & Modric
@oilysailor.bsky.social & @willjeanes.bsky.social look back at football in 2025 through a statistical lens
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
🇦🇺 Unwanted history for Postecoglou
📆 Milestones for Milner & Modric
@oilysailor.bsky.social & @willjeanes.bsky.social look back at football in 2025 through a statistical lens
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
December 30, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Here is a look at each month in football in 2025 through numbers... some serious, some less so:
On this day in 1980 the World Champions' Gold Cup started. Held in Montevideo to mark 50 years since the first World Cup, the six previous world champions were invited to play — with the Netherlands replacing England (who decided not to compete). Uruguay beat Brazil in the final.
December 30, 2025 at 10:59 AM
On this day in 1980 the World Champions' Gold Cup started. Held in Montevideo to mark 50 years since the first World Cup, the six previous world champions were invited to play — with the Netherlands replacing England (who decided not to compete). Uruguay beat Brazil in the final.