themirror
Folarin Balogun became one of the 2026 World Cup's most polarizing figures, but is now drawing interest from top European teams after leading Team USA in goals scored before its tournament exit.
While he's not scoring for the USMNT, Balogun serves as Monaco's finisher in Ligue 1.
His tournament eneded with three goals in four appearances as players around him, including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, failed to carry the same threat.
Balogun's World Cup began with a double in the 4-1 win over Paraguay, immediately making him the standout in the attack and earning the respect and attention of NBA superstar LeBron James.
Meanwhile, Pulisic continues to catch heat for finishing the tournament with just one assist.
The 25-year-old followed that with 89 minutes in the 2-0 win over Australia, then scored again in the 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina before the campaign ended with a 4-1 Round of 16 defeat to Belgium.
Across 312 minutes, Balogun recorded three goals, no assists, and 14 shots with five shots on target.
He earned one yellow card, one red card, three fouls, eight fouls drawn, and three offside infractions across 312 minutes.
That production had piqued interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and Chelsea.
All have been linked with interest in a blockbuster summer move if Monaco decides to field offers for its star.
The Bosnia match added to the controversy after Balogun was sent off for what many viewed as a harsh but decided red card.
The decision prompted US President Donald Trump to call FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
FIFA later lifted his suspension to pave the way for the striker to feature against Belgium.
Infantino insisted that Trump had no influence in the decision made by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
The commission released a 13-point manifesto explaining its reasoning, but FIFA fans, the Royal Belgian Football Association, and analysts all called FIFA's decision "unprecedented ." Balogun did not hide from the red card moment or the disappointment afterward.
He shook hands with every referee on the pitch after their decisions and addressed his poor showing on social media following the 4-1 loss to Belgium.
"My debut World Cup..
it hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer.
I want to say sorry to our fans it was not good enough when it mattered most and we let you down," he wrote.
"Soccer in America will only become bigger.
The belief, the talent, and the passion are continually growing, and I know the best days are in front of us.
The future belongs to those who never stop believing.
This moment will fuel us," he said.