Expert Sports News & Commentary

Madrid, Spain — Atlético Madrid have drawn a line in the sand over Julian Álvarez, telling suitors across Europe that the Argentina forward is not for sale at any price. With Barcelona, Chelsea and a clutch of Premier League rivals registering firm interest, the club has countered by placing an upgraded, salary-boosted contract on the table, sources confirmed on Tuesday. Álvarez, 24, is tied to the Metropolitano until 2030, but that long-term security has not deterred would-be buyers from testing Atlético’s resolve. The Madrid side invested €75 million to secure his signature in 2024 and now values the striker at roughly double that figure, yet president Enrique Cerezo insists the calculus is irrelevant. “We have no intention of letting our star leave,” Cerezo said, underlining the club’s stance that the player is central to future ambitions. The proposed new deal would significantly raise Álvarez’s current wages, rewarding the forward’s instant impact and aiming to remove any incentive to listen to external offers. Negotiations remain ongoing, and while the final decision rests with the player, Atlético’s message is unambiguous: every financial lever will be pulled to ensure he continues in red-and-white next season and beyond.

Chelsea are weighing up a mid-season departure for Liam Delap less than a year after beating a host of Premier League rivals to sign the striker from relegated Ipswich Town, according to Thursday’s transfer chatter. The 21-year-old, who arrived at Stamford Bridge amid high expectations last summer, has found first-team opportunities scarce and has managed only one Premier League goal so far this campaign. With his impact limited, Blues officials are open to sanctioning a loan or permanent switch to accelerate his development. Caught Offside reports that appetite for Delap remains strong across the division: Manchester United, Newcastle United, Everton, Sunderland and Brighton are all receptive to striking a deal, ensuring Chelsea are unlikely to be short of suitors should they green-light an exit. Aston Villa’s in-form attacker Morgan Rogers is also attracting increasing attention. Liverpool have now entered a race that already includes Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United, TEAMtalk understands. Yet the competition is poised to intensify, with Paris Saint-Germain monitoring the 23-year-old throughout the season and weighing up a move of their own. Bodø/Glimt’s Champions League surge has put striker Kasper Høgh on the radar of several English clubs. A proposed January switch to Norwich fell through, but SportsBoom indicates both Tottenham and Wolves are now tracking the Norwegian forward. Union Saint-Gilloise’s towering Canadian striker Promise David is another name generating traction. Everton, Leeds United and West Ham have all made enquiries, with the Belgian side valuing the 20-year-old at €20 million, journalist Ekrem Konur reports. Liverpool’s midfield rebuild is also taking shape. Bence Bocsak claims the Merseysiders have compiled a six-man shortlist headlined by Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit, PSG prodigy Warren Zaire-Emery and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi complete the roster of targets. Finally, Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi is set to become one of the summer’s most sought-after free agents. With his contract on the south coast winding down, clubs from across Europe are positioning themselves to secure the Argentine defender on a free transfer.

Goodison Park’s corridors are buzzing after a whirlwind 24 hours of transfer whispers, emotional reflections and looming contract calls. Everton’s recruitment radar is sweeping continents, while one of their own savoured the moment that turned him into an instant cult hero. Charly Alcaraz has given an exclusive interview to the club in which he recalls the surge of emotion that accompanied his first Everton goal and admits the roar of supporters belting out his song still gives him goosebumps. The midfielder’s breakthrough strike appears to have cemented an already-growing bond with the Gwladys Street faithful. Across the North Sea, Blues scouts were present as Union SG’s Canadian striker Promise David continued his prolific Belgian Pro League campaign. Everton are reportedly locked in a two-way tussle with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the 22-year-old’s signature, with Sports Boom noting that director of football Kevin Thelwell has personally requested extensive reports on the forward’s movement and link-up play. Attention is also fixed on outgoing traffic. West Ham have entered the race for Harry Wilson after Everton made what London World terms a “cheeky enquiry” in January. The Welsh winger, who previously spent a loan spell on Merseyside, could yet return if the Hammers’ pursuit stalls. At centre-back, interest in Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi has intensified. TeamTalk understands Barcelona’s overtures have turned the Argentine’s head, but Tottenham and Everton remain in the background, ready to pounce if the La Liga giants balk at the Cherries’ valuation. Everton have no intention of entertaining offers for midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Football Insider states, with the club viewing the 25-year-old as a cornerstone of their future midfield. The stance is mirrored in the loan market: Accrington Stanley boss John Doolan lauded Toffees youngster Isaac Heath for the “magic” assist that downed Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday, underlining the value of the club’s development pipeline. Off the pitch, the club face a baker’s-dozen of contract decisions ahead of another summer overhaul, according to the Liverpool Echo, while the same outlet asks whether a potential Europa League berth next term would aid or hinder a squad still finding its identity. The debate over David Moyes’ future has also reignited on fan forum ToffeeWeb, with some supporters questioning whether a managerial change is required to accelerate progress. On the women’s side, a tantalising Merseyside derby looms this weekend as Everton Women travel to St Helens Stadium for an Adobe Women’s FA Cup showdown with Liverpool, promising a raucous atmosphere and a shot at silverware. As the Europa League and Conference League playoffs kick off across the continent, Evertonians will watch with interest, wondering if their side might yet gate-crash European football’s secondary stage.

Liverpool have already begun to rebuild the squad that won the Premier League last season. The forward line was the main focus last summer, with two new fullbacks also being added, and a deal has already been agreed for Jeremy Jacquet to move to Anfield and bolster the defence in the summer. The Reds’ next logical step is to address the midfield, especially as there have been times this season that all of the club’s available midfielders have been on the pitch at once. A whole host of midfielders have been linked with a Merseyside move ahead of the summer, but one of the most intriguing names is Kees Smit, and a fresh report has offered more insight into Liverpool’s pursuit of the Dutchman. Arne Slot’s side are not the only ones interested in signing Smit this summer with several of Europe’s top sides, including Real Madrid, also monitoring the 20-year-old. According to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Reds have accelerated their interest and even contacted Smit’s entourage to get a deal agreed before any other team can. A fee of around €50 million (~£43.5m) could be enough to persuade AZ Alkmaar to sell, but with multiple teams interested a bidding war is always a possibility. The report states that Liverpool are keen to avoid finding themselves missing out on another midfield target to Real Madrid, with Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni both opting to join Los Blancos over the Reds in years gone by. Smit has established himself as a key player for AZ Alkmaar and has demonstrated a versatility in midfield that would be extremely useful in the Premier League. With some doubt over the futures of a number of Liverpool’s current midfield options, the Reds desire to get a deal done as soon as possible is understandable, but things are rarely that simple in football.

SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks are officially on the market. Paul Allen’s estate announced Wednesday that it has begun the process of selling the franchise, honoring the late owner’s directive that his sports holdings eventually be liquidated and the proceeds directed to philanthropy. The news comes less than a month after the Seahawks captured their second Lombardi Trophy, a championship that punctuated nearly three decades of stability under Allen’s stewardship. Allen, who purchased the team in 1997 for $194 million from Ken Behring, was widely credited with keeping the Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest. His sister, Jody, has overseen day-to-day operations since Allen’s death in 2018 from complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 65. Wednesday’s brief statement from the estate offered no timeline beyond indicating the sale will “continue through the offseason,” but it reiterated that the franchise is expected to remain in Seattle, where its lease at Lumen Field runs through 2032 and includes three additional 10-year options. Investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins have been retained to manage the process. Any final agreement must be ratified by NFL owners, who last approved a franchise transaction in 2023 when a Josh Harris-led group bought the Washington Commanders for a record $6.05 billion. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking ahead of the Super Bowl, praised the Allen estate’s management of the team and signaled the league’s readiness to assist in the transition. “They’re in the Super Bowl, and I think from that standpoint they’ve done a really important job in the context of the trust and the execution of that,” Goodell said. “But eventually the team will need to be sold in accordance with that. That will be Jody’s decision for when she does that, and we will be supportive of that.” The Seahawks’ sale marks the second major move for the Allen estate in less than a year. In September, Jody Allen agreed to sell the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers to an investment group fronted by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, a deal expected to close this spring with the stipulation that the franchise stays in Portland. Neither the NFL nor the Allen estate provided additional comment Wednesday, leaving the identity of prospective buyers—and the ultimate price for one of the league’s most stable franchises—to speculation as the offseason unfolds.

Tottenham Hotspur’s turbulent season has taken another twist, with Brazilian forward Richarlison emerging as a summer transfer target for Atlético Madrid. The 28-year-old, who has registered seven goals and three assists in 21 Premier League appearances, is facing an uncertain future in North London after a hamstring injury sidelined him in January. Richarlison had finally established himself as Thomas Frank’s first-choice striker following Dominic Solanke’s ankle surgery, only for his momentum to be halted by the setback. With European qualification slipping out of reach and just one year remaining on his contract, Spurs are open to negotiations, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes. Atlético manager Diego Simeone has already green-lit a move for the Brazilian international, viewing him as a cost-effective option should Julian Álvarez depart for Arsenal. While Richarlison may not be a like-for-like replacement for Álvarez, his reduced price tag would free funds for a marquee signing up front. Tottenham hope Richarlison’s expected return to fitness in late February and a strong World Cup showing for Brazil will drive up his market value ahead of the summer window. Yet, inside the club, the forward is no longer viewed as part of the long-term project at White Hart Lane.

Colombo, 19 February 2026 – The R. Premadasa Stadium hosts a high-stakes dress rehearsal for the Super 8s on Thursday afternoon as Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe lock horns in a contest that will decide the outright leader of their T20 World Cup group. With both sides already assured of progression, the prize on offer is more than mere bragging rights: top spot should deliver a theoretically smoother path when the tournament’s knockout phase begins. Sri Lanka enter the clash in ominous touch. Comfortable wins over Oman and Ireland were followed by a commanding eight-wicket demolition of Australia, a result that announced Dasun Shanaka’s squad as genuine title contenders. Familiar home conditions have allowed the bowling trio of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesh Pathirana to operate with menace, while Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have provided explosive starts at the top of the order. Zimbabwe, by contrast, have ridden the tournament’s most captivating narrative. A stunning upset of Australia, allied to a rain-affected no-result against Ireland, proved sufficient to eliminate the five-time champions and propel Sikandar Raza’s men into uncharted territory. The Africans have shown fearless cricket throughout, with Brian Bennett’s clean striking and Richard Ngarava’s disciplined new-ball spell embodying a team playing without pressure. Thursday’s afternoon start—3:00 PM IST, toss at 2:30 PM IST—means dew is unlikely to play a major role, allowing the better-balanced side to press home any advantage. Sri Lanka are expected to stick with the XI that dismantled Australia, while Zimbabwe could yet spring a surprise if they opt to bolster either their pace or spin department. Broadcast and streaming details for Indian viewers are straightforward: every ball will be carried live on the Star Sports Network, with digital audiences able to catch the action via the Jio Hotstar app and website. Real-time updates, scorecards and in-play clips will also be available on TimesofIndia.com. Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Dushantha Chameera, Dushan Hemantha, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Matheesa Pathirana, Kusal Perera, Pramod Madushan, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage. Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava.

Istanbul’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium will stage the first leg of the Europa League play-off round this evening as Nottingham Forest open a new chapter under Vítor Pereira against a resurgent Fenerbahçe. Pereira, appointed on Sunday, becomes the club’s fourth permanent manager of the season—a Premier League record—and takes charge only days after predecessor Sean Dyche was dismissed despite 15 goals in eight continental fixtures, Forest’s best return since 1978-79. The Reds finished 13th in the league phase, two points shy of automatic qualification, and arrive in Turkey on the back of consecutive domestic victories. Yet defensive concerns dominate team news: Chris Wood and Willy Boly are both sidelined with knee problems, goalkeeper Matz Sels is out with a groin injury, and centre-back Murillo will undergo a late fitness test. Elliot Anderson is expected to start in midfield despite carrying yellow-card risk, while Igor Jesus leads the attack after matching the club’s Europa League scoring record with six goals; one more would set a new benchmark for a single European campaign. January recruit Lorenzo Lucca could debut from the bench. Fenerbahçe, 19th in the league phase, have hit form under Domenico Tedesco with four straight domestic wins and have never lost consecutive home games in Europe. January additions N’Golo Kanté and Matteo Guendouzi are set to anchor a 4-2-3-1, shielding a back line that has conceded 1.4 goals per game this term. Anderson Talisca and Kerem Aktürkoğlu remain the primary attacking threats, though the “Yellow Canaries” have won only one of their last nine encounters against English opposition and have collected a competition-high 33 yellow cards in eight outings. Archie Brown, Abdou Fall and Emre Mor are unavailable. Pereira carries a personal streak of winning his first match in each of his last seven managerial appointments, a run Forest hope will inject momentum into a side that has managed only three wins in 13 recent matches. The visitors’ continental away record offers encouragement: they have consistently outperformed their expected goals on the road. Stabilising a depleted defence against a midfield bolstered by Kanté and Guendouzi will be the Portuguese coach’s immediate priority. Fenerbahçe Predicted XI: Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Muldur; Kanté, Guendouzi; Nene, Asensio, Aktürkoğlu; Talisca. Nottingham Forest Predicted XI: Gunn; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus. Kick-off is at 17:00 GMT with live coverage on TNT Sports 3 and streaming via discovery+.

Sunderland AFC have entered a high-stakes race for Bournemouth’s Argentine centre-back Marcos Senesi, pitting the Championship promotion hopefuls against European heavyweights Barcelona and a clutch of Premier League clubs, the Sunderland Echo has confirmed. Head coach Régis Le Bris is mapping out a squad capable of pushing for Premier League stability and, eventually, European qualification, and sees the 28-year-old defender as a statement acquisition who could anchor the back line for the remainder of his prime years. Senesi, whose contract on the south coast expires in June 2026, is expected to move at the end of the current campaign, with no indication that he will extend terms at the Vitality Stadium. Aston Villa, Everton and Napoli have all registered firm interest, but it is Barcelona who have stolen the march. According to TEAMtalk, the Catalan club have already accelerated negotiations with Bournemouth and privately signalled to Senesi’s camp that a switch to Camp Nou is on the table. Sources close to the player say his “head has been turned” by the LaLiga giants, a development that leaves Sunderland facing an uphill battle to remain in the conversation. Senesi’s impending free-agent status is the magnet pulling suitors in. Clubs are eager to secure a proven Premier League defender without a transfer fee, and the Argentina international’s age profile fits both Barcelona’s short-term depth requirements and Sunderland’s longer-term project under Le Bris. Yet the gulf in sporting pedigree and financial muscle between the Wearside outfit and their Spanish rivals is stark, and Sunderland officials acknowledge they must sell a compelling vision to compete. Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has been monitoring Senesi since the autumn, impressed by his aerial dominance and ability to step into a high line. Le Bris, appointed this summer to oversee an ambitious rebuild, believes one marquee defensive addition could accelerate the club’s push toward the top half of the Premier League within two seasons. Convincing Senesi to view Sunderland as anything more than a fallback option, however, now appears the principal obstacle. Barcelona’s technical staff value Senesi’s left-footed balance and experience in England’s top flight, viewing him as low-risk cover for injuries that have dogged their back line in recent campaigns. With the Spanish transfer window set to open in July, club negotiators are pressing for a pre-contract agreement that would see the defender join on a free once his Bournemouth deal winds down. Such a scenario would effectively shut the door on Sunderland, who would then pivot to secondary targets. For now, Senesi remains focused on Bournemouth’s survival push, but the expectation inside the Cherries’ training complex is that his future will be decided well before the season’s final whistle. Should Barcelona formalise terms, Sunderland’s pursuit will serve as another reminder of the magnetic pull elite clubs exert when a quality asset becomes available on a Bosman. The coming weeks will determine whether the Wearsiders can keep their dream alive or watch from the sidelines as Senesi heads for the Mediterranean.

LOS ANGELES — Andrej Stojakovic needed only 18 minutes to remind the college basketball world why he matters to No. 10 Illinois. Returning from a one-game layoff after tweaking an ankle, the sophomore guard torched USC for 22 points on pristine efficiency, pacing the Illini to a 101-65 demolition of the Trojans on Wednesday night at the Galen Center. The 36-point margin is the largest for Illinois in a Big Ten road game during the modern era and improved the Illini to 22-5 overall, 13-3 in conference play. Six other Illinois players joined Stojakovic in double figures, underscoring the depth that has the program eyeing a deep March run. USC, already clinging to the fringes of the NCAA tournament picture, was without two of its top contributors—one lost for the season, the other sidelined for a third straight game. Even on their home floor, the short-handed Trojans had no answer for Illinois’ balanced attack or the orange-and-blue-clad contingent that made up a healthy portion of the 7,327 in attendance. “We got off to a great start, and it’s always nice to do that on the road,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said. “A night (that has) seven guys in double figures—I don’t know how often that happens. You don’t get (36-point) road wins in conference play, or any time, but we played well.” The victory opens a two-game California swing for Illinois, which will remain in Los Angeles before facing UCLA at 7 p.m. Saturday in Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins, reeling from back-to-back blowout losses in Michigan, will be looking to regroup after a trip that produced more viral frustration for coach Mick Cronin. Illinois will have two full days to prepare for a UCLA squad that sits 17-9 overall and 9-6 in the Big Ten.

Valencia, Spain – With barely hours remaining before the winter transfer window slams shut, Levante UD’s dressing room has become a pressure cooker, and the focal point is 22-year-old Cameroonian striker Etta Eyong. Eyong, the club’s leading scorer this season with six goals and three assists, was left out of the starting XI for Sunday’s league visit to Villarreal CF after club officials instructed the coaching staff to keep him on the bench, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. The omission follows Eyong’s rejection of a lucrative move to CSKA Moscow, even though the Russian giants tabled a bid in excess of €30 million that Levante’s hierarchy accepted. Sources close to the player say Eyong’s reluctance to head east is twofold: sporting ambitions and the current sporting-political climate that has seen Russian sides frozen out of European competitions. The striker, who has attracted admiring glances from FC Barcelona as well as Premier League duo Fulham FC and Everton FC, believes a transfer to Moscow would stall his development at a critical stage of his career. Barcelona, long-time admirers of Eyong’s pace and finishing ability, have now elected to postpone any formal approach until the summer window, placing the ball firmly back in Levante’s court. Meanwhile, Fulham and Everton continue to monitor developments, ready to pounce should the situation deteriorate further. Levante, anxious to bank a record fee, find themselves in a standoff with their most valuable asset, while fans brace for the fallout from a saga that could yet shape the club’s season. As the clock ticks toward Monday night’s deadline, the question remains: will Levante risk keeping an unhappy star, or will a last-minute compromise send Eyong packing to a destination more palatable than Moscow?

Molineux, Wednesday night, 94th minute: a 19-year-old without a Wikipedia page, Tom Edozie, rifled in the equaliser that detonated Wolves’ celebrations and left Arsenal’s players staring into the sleet as though they had seen a ghost. The chant that has stalked Mikel Arteta’s side all season rang out again, louder than ever: “Second again, ole, ole.” It is fast becoming the Premier League’s most gleeful taunt and, on this evidence, an increasingly plausible prophecy. Arsenal had led 2-0 through Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie, appeared to be cruising, and still surrendered two points to the team propping up the table on nine points before kick-off. The draw means the Gunners have taken maximum points only twice in their last seven league outings and, with Manchester City holding a game in hand and a meeting at the Etihad looming in April, a five-point cushion suddenly feels flimsy. History offers little comfort. Arsenal have finished second in three of the past four campaigns, most memorably coughing up an eight-point advantage with nine matches remaining in 2022-23. On each occasion City hunted them down, a pattern rival supporters have turned into soundtrack material. The song has been heard at Brentford, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and, last weekend, from travelling Wigan Athletic fans during an FA Cup tie. Wolverhampton merely added fresh verses. Arteta, usually measured, delivered his sternest public reprimand of the season. “I’m extremely disappointed,” he said. “In the second half we didn’t show anything close to the standards required to win this league. We were careless, we rushed, and we kept giving Wolves oxygen.” The Spaniard was particularly aggrieved by the manner of the concessions: Hugo Bueno’s curled finish after 63 minutes and the stoppage-time chaos in which David Raya and Gabriel collided, allowing Edozie to slam home his first senior goal. “One moment after another, after another,” Arteta lamented. “We never got control. That’s a basic thing we got really wrong.” Television cameras caught Gabriel Jesus confronting Yerson Mosquera at full-time, shoving the defender to the turf before teammates intervened, an image that underlined Arsenal’s frayed composure. Earlier, Gabriel and Raya were seen arguing as the final whistle confirmed the 2-2 scoreline. In the away section, a supporter in a white coat stood motionless, hands behind his head, a tableau of disbelief. Wolves manager Rob Edwards, whose side had mustered just 11 goals in 20 league matches before kick-off, claimed his players were “the better side in the second half,” a verdict that will sting Arsenal’s dressing-room. Complacency may have crept in at 2-0; what followed was a microcosm of the mental frailty critics insist separates Arteta’s squad from bona-fide champions. Asked whether his team can handle the pressure of a title race, Arteta replied: “Any bullet, any opinion, we have to take it on the chin today.” The reference was pointed; last May City midfielder Rodri, trophy in hand, suggested Arsenal’s problem was “in here,” tapping his temple. The words have resurfaced repeatedly on social media since Wednesday night. Sunday’s north-London derby at Tottenham now assumes colossal proportions. Spurs supporters will doubtless add their voices to the chorus, testing Arsenal’s resolve once more. Arteta’s challenge is to transform mockery into fuel, to ensure the refrain does not accompany a fourth consecutive silver-medal finish. For the moment, though, the song endures, and the nightmare inches closer to reality. Arsenal, second again? On nights like this, it feels less a cruel joke than a self-fulfilling prophecy.

London — As the Premier League tightens its grip on global football, the conversation is no longer about whether England’s top flight can match the star power of Spain or Italy; it is about which Premier League luminaries have become the most recognisable faces on the planet. With commercial revenues soaring and broadcast deals dwarfing those of Serie A and La Liga, the 2025-26 season has crystallised a new hierarchy of fame inside the English game. Below, Trivela Effect ranks the ten players whose names resonate loudest from Lagos to Los Angeles, blending on-field influence with off-field magnetism. 10. William Saliba (Arsenal) Centre-backs rarely crack mainstream consciousness before thirty, yet Saliba’s blend of recovery pace and line-breaking passes has made the 24-year-old a marketing department’s dream. Arsenal’s trophy cabinet remains a work in progress, but the Frenchman’s face already adorns billboards across Asia and North America, positioning him as the heir to Virgil van Dijk’s defensive-commercial throne. 9. Declan Rice (Arsenal) The £105 million statement signing from West Ham has morphed into a genuine Ballon d’Or candidate, scoring twice to eliminate Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout phase. Rice’s box-to-box dominance on the league’s most balanced side has turned the holding-midfielder prototype on its head, and advertisers have noticed: his boot sponsor recently rolled out a pan-continental campaign centred on his “big-moment gene.” 8. Phil Foden (Manchester City) A disappointing 2024-25 campaign and underwhelming Euro 2024 showing stalled Foden’s ascent, yet the Stockport Iniesta has rebounded with seven goals and three assists this season while popping up across five different positions. Guardiola’s shape-shifting weapon tops fan-shirt sales in Southeast Asia and remains the Premier League’s quintessential highlight-reel creator. 7. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) Saka’s seven goal contributions in 22 matches read modestly for a player once tipped to usurp Mohamed Salah as the league’s pre-eminent right winger, yet his two key passes per game and indefatigable work rate keep him in the global conversation. Arsenal’s internal data still shows the 23-year-old as their most clicked player on club social channels, proof that star power is not always measured in cold numbers. 6. Rodri (Manchester City) City’s nosedive during the Spaniard’s ACL layoff underscored his quiet omnipotence. Still regaining top gear, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner remains a gatekeeper of viral tactical clips, with coaches at every level dissecting his one-touch releases. Brands value that cerebral aura: Rodri fronts a major watchmaker’s “Timeless Control” campaign across 27 countries. 5. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) At 34, the Dutch colossus has been dribbled past only once in Champions League action and never in domestic play this season. Seven goal involvements in all competitions, combined with a trophy CV that rivals Sergio Ramos, render van Dijk the league’s defensive gold standard and a perennial face of luxury-car commercials in China. 4. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) United’s revolving-door era has not dimmed the Portuguese maestro’s wattage. Twelve assists by mid-March equal his career-best, while 3.4 key passes per game lead the league. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has identified Fernandes—alongside Salah—as a primary summer target, a move designed to accelerate the Pro League’s global recognition and one that speaks volumes about his Q-rating. 3. Cole Palmer (Chelsea) Injuries have restricted the 23-year-old to 13 league starts, yet eight goals in those outings remind sponsors why the former Manchester City academy graduate tops Chelsea’s kit-sales chart. Palmer’s 22-goal, 11-assist debut campaign at Stamford Bridge still fuels YouTube compilations with eight-figure view counts, and the Club World Cup triumph in which he starred keeps his profile rising in untapped markets from Brazil to India. 2. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Statistically Liverpool’s greatest-ever player, Salah’s four goals and six assists in 18 appearances feel pedestrian by his standards, but 2.3 key passes per game and a lifetime of highlight reels secure his place as the Premier League’s most globally recognised name. From Cairo coffee shops to California campuses, the Egyptian’s celebratory pose remains football’s most imitated silhouette. 1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) The Norwegian’s goal floor is 22 per league season—he has already matched that mark in 2025-26 while doubling his assist tally to six. A treble-winner and holder of the single-season Premier League scoring record, Haaland’s face launches campaigns for everything from Nordic energy drinks to Japanese fashion labels. In a league bursting with fame, the 25-year-old striker is the brightest constellation. As broadcast deals mushroom and clubs chase followers from Austin to Ahmedabad, these ten names are the magnets drawing eyeballs, sponsors and tomorrow’s fans to English football’s ever-expanding universe.

Gros Islet, Saint Lucia – Italy’s stand-in captain Harry Manenti called correctly at the coin toss and immediately inserted the West Indies to bat in what is the Azzurri’s final Group B assignment of the T20 World Cup. The decision came shortly after 10 a.m. local time at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, where Italy is still searching for its first victory of the tournament after earlier defeats to Scotland and England. Manenti, elevated to the leadership role after first-choice skipper Wayne Madsen dislocated his shoulder in a previous fixture, will look to inspire a disciplined bowling display that keeps Italy’s slim qualification hopes alive. Thursday’s encounter brings down the curtain on Italy’s group-stage campaign, and while progression to the semi-finals appears mathematically improbable, the Europeans are determined to finish on a high note against the co-hosts. West Indies, buoyed by home support and already in the mix for a knockout berth, will aim to exploit the early-morning conditions once the first ball is delivered. Italy’s XI remains unchanged from the side that pushed England close at the same venue, with Manenti reiterating in the pre-match huddle that “every ball counts” regardless of the standings. Play is scheduled for a 10:30 a.m. start, weather permitting, with both sides mindful that net-run-rate could yet play a pivotal role in the final group calculations.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame christened its 2025 home schedule with an offensive avalanche, burying Bellarmine 29-10 on a sun-splashed Tuesday at Arlotta Stadium and resetting nearly every line in the program record book in the process. The Fighting Irish’s 29 goals, 19 assists and 48 combined points all stand as single-game highs in school history, while the 19-goal margin underscored a dominant start-to-finish performance that lifted Notre Dame to 2-0 ahead of Sunday’s showdown with No. 4 Georgetown. “We wanted to come out and make a statement,” junior midfielder Brock Behrman said after posting career-bests of four goals and three assists. “Every guy who dressed got in, everyone contributed, and the energy never dipped.” Behrman’s breakout was the headline within the headline. The junior, who has waited behind All-American talent for two seasons, capitalized on extended playing time and showcased a versatile offensive game that could prove pivotal when the schedule stiffens. He was hardly alone. Will Maheras and Jalen Seymour each recorded hat tricks, combining for six goals and displaying complementary styles—Maheras with quickness in tight quarters, Seymour with long-range thunder reminiscent of former Irish standouts Eric Dobson and Sergio Perkovic. In all, 16 different Notre Dame players found the scoresheet. Faceoff dominance fueled the onslaught. The Irish controlled 29 of 41 draws, rotating Aidan Diaz-Matos, Tyler Spano and Christian Gallaher to keep fresh looks at the X and sustain relentless possessions. The trio’s success limited Bellarmine to single-shot trips and allowed Notre Dame to outshoot the Knights 56-24. Defensively, Christopher Iuliano made his first start of the season in place of the injured Nate Schwitzenberg and teamed with close defenders Shawn Lyght and Will Gallagher to hold Bellarmine to one first-half goal. Short-stick defensive midfielders Christian Alacqua, Chris Reinhardt, Kyle Bergen and Miguel Iglesias pushed transition effectively, turning clears into instant offense and combining for a goal and three assists. Notre Dame scored four times in the opening six minutes and led 10-0 after the first quarter. By halftime the margin had ballooned to 16-1, effectively ending competitive drama and allowing coach Kevin Corrigan to empty the bench. Freshman Teddy Lally continued his impressive start with a goal and three assists, while attackmen Josh Yago and Luke Miller posted four and three points, respectively. The victory sets up a pivotal Sunday meeting with Georgetown at 12:30 p.m. EST. The Hoyas, fresh off a top-five ranking, arrive in northern Indiana with an offense averaging 14.5 goals per game. A Notre Dame win would not only strengthen its early-season résumé but also serve as a potential NCAA tournament seeding booster come May. Tickets remain on sale, and despite a frigid forecast, athletic department officials expect a raucous student section for the program’s first ranked test of the year.

Barcelona will finally have Pedri back in uniform this weekend after the midfielder completed a four-week rehabilitation for a hamstring strain, and the club have mapped out a cautious re-integration designed to have the Spain international peak in time for next month’s Copa del Rey showdown with Atlético Madrid. The 21-year-old has not featured since sustaining the injury in early February, a period that has coincided with back-to-back defeats to Atlético and Girona and a slide in domestic momentum. Hansi Flick’s squad currently sit at a crossroads in La Liga and face a daunting 4-0 deficit from the first leg of their cup quarter-final in the Spanish capital. Club officials told reporters that Pedri is pencilled in for a 15-minute cameo in Sunday’s home meeting with Levante, a cameo intended to test the midfielder’s match sharpness ahead of a potential start against Villarreal the following weekend. The gradual approach, sources say, is aimed squarely at ensuring Pedri is “100 percent ready” for the return leg against Atlético at Camp Nou, where Barça must overturn the four-goal margin to keep their cup hopes alive. Flick, speaking after the heavy loss at the Metropolitano, refused to concede the tie. “We will come back. We need to start from the beginning [of games],” the coach said. “When you see Atlético players, they had more will, more hunger. And this is what I want from the first minute. We didn’t show that in the first half. We have the second leg. We will fight for that. If we are able to win each half 2-0, this is our goal. We need our fans in Camp Nou and we will see what happens.” With the league race tightening and European places at stake, Pedri’s return offers both a psychological lift and a creative spark. The next fortnight will determine whether the Canarian’s carefully managed comeback can ignite a season-saving run for the Blaugrana.

Vinicius Jr walked off the Estadio da Luz pitch on Tuesday night, sat on the bench and stared at the turf, the latest episode in a saga that La Liga’s own records show has now reached 26 verified incidents of racist abuse aimed at the Real Madrid forward since October 2021. The Champions League play-off first leg against Benfica was paused for almost ten minutes after the Brazilian told French referee Francois Letexier he had been racially insulted by home winger Gianluca Prestianni, who denies the claim and has since spoken of a “defamation campaign” against him. UEFA has opened an investigation; the return leg at the Bernabeu looms. Yet the Lisbon flash-point is only the newest line in a dossier that already stretches across ten Spanish stadiums and into the criminal courts. The first official La Liga complaint came after a Clasico at Camp Nou three years ago; the list has since swollen to include monkey chants at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano, a hanged mannequin dangled from a bridge beside Madrid’s training ground, a banana thrown from the stands at Albacete in last month’s Copa del Rey and, most notoriously, the mass targeting of the player at Valencia’s Mestalla in May 2023. Spanish federation investigators later catalogued how “hundreds” of Valencia supporters abused Vinicius Jr outside and inside the ground; three were eventually handed the first hate-crime convictions for racism inside a Spanish football stadium. The forward greeted the suspended prison sentences with a defiant post: “I’ve always said I’m not a victim of racism. I’m a tormentor of racists.” The pattern that followed the Mestalla case has become depressingly familiar: club statements that shift focus, media framing that questions the player’s own behaviour, and a rush to present the accused party as the injured party. Valencia’s regional daily Superdeporte put Vinicius Jr on its front page as Pinocchio; the club demanded an apology after mis-reporting his court testimony and later sued Netflix over a documentary on his anti-racism work. Anti-racism activist and Valencia fan Moha Gerehou told The Athletic the paper’s stance “will be studied in the future… they positioned Valencia as the victims.” Similar dynamics played out in Lisbon within hours. Jose Mourinho, now coaching Benfica after his Madrid past, told Amazon Prime that Vinicius Jr “incited” the crowd and advised him to “celebrate and walk back,” adding: “Every stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens. Always.” Benfica’s official channels ignored the racism allegation entirely, instead denying reports of a tunnel altercation involving president Rui Costa and releasing a slick video arguing Madrid players were too distant to have heard Prestianni. Kylian Mbappe countered that he heard the Argentine call his team-mate “a monkey, five times.” Footage also appeared to show Benfica fans making monkey gestures; the club has indicated no plan to investigate. Spanish TV pundit and former Equatorial Guinea striker Alberto Edjogo-Owono argues Vinicius Jr’s profile magnifies the problem: “He is a Real Madrid player… if you are not a fan, often the conversation is not about the racist abuse but whether he provokes it.” The player himself has long rejected that narrative. After agent chief Pedro Bravo told him in 2022 to “stop monkeying around” over his dancing celebrations, Vinicius Jr posted: “The script always ends with an apology and a ‘I was misinterpreted’.” The steady drum-beat of abuse has left marks. In March he wept at a pre-match press conference, saying punishments were so rare that “people feel they can keep saying things about the colour of my skin.” Last June he collected the Socrates Award at the Ballon d’Or gala for his foundation’s anti-racism work, vowing to “remain strong in the fight.” Madrid supporters have rallied—last season a Bernabeu banner read “We’re all Vinicius, enough already”—yet inside the club whispers persist that his campaigning distracts from form and contract talks. After Tuesday’s match Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa said he would have refused to continue had Vinicius Jr asked, but the club itself has issued no statement, merely noting on its website that the anti-racism protocol was activated. Contrast that with the Brazilian FA and his former club Flamengo, both of whom publicly backed their man within hours. Vinicius Jr, 25, returned to finish the game in Lisbon and scored a stunning opener, dancing by the corner flag in the same celebration that once drew scorn. On Instagram he wrote: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to show how weak they are.” The investigation is live; the cycle, history suggests, is nowhere near broken.

Tottenham Hotspur have not kicked a ball in English football’s second tier since 1978, but the possibility of ending that 47-year exile is no longer dismissed as fantasy. With 12 matches left and only five points separating Spurs from 18th-placed West Ham, the club’s decision to appoint Igor Tudor – a coach twice credited with saving Udinese from Serie A relegation – is the clearest signal yet that the board are preparing for every eventuality, including the unthinkable. Opta still rates the probability of relegation at a slender 3.36 per cent, yet the mathematics feel colder inside the club. Eight league games without a win, a squad whose confidence has ebbed and a home record that reads two victories in 13 attempts have combined to create a mood of brittle urgency around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Should the worst materialise, the footballing after-shock would be seismic. The defence that underpinned Tottenham’s early-season optimism would be stripped bare. Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are all expected to attract instant Premier League or continental interest, while loanees Kevin Danso and Djed Spence would also be courted. In midfield, January recruit Conor Gallagher – who chose Spurs over Aston Villa – would face a career crossroads, and even Rodrigo Bentancur, fresh from signing a long-term deal in October, could reassess his future. Further forward, the idea of Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons or Richarlison trading Champions League ambitions for a Championship calendar feels implausible. Only Wilson Odobert, sidelined with an ACL injury, might be spared the exodus; a spell in the second tier could accelerate the 20-year-old’s rehabilitation and forge a long-term wing partnership with Mikey Moore, currently impressing on loan at Rangers. The anticipated departures would open pathways for a clutch of academy graduates and emerging signings. Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky and Brazilian teenager Souza could all benefit from regular football, while forwards Dane Scarlett and Jamie Donley, along with scholars Luca Williams-Barnett, Jun’ai Byfield and Tynan Thompson, might finally be granted meaningful senior minutes. Centre-back Luka Vuskovic, already starring on loan at Hamburg, could be fast-tracked into Daniel Levy’s rebuild. Off the pitch, the economics are unprecedented. Deloitte ranks Tottenham as the world’s ninth-wealthiest club, posting €672.6 million revenue in 2024-25 – comfortably eclipsing domestic rivals Chelsea. Yet the Premier League’s domestic TV deal (£6.7 billion, 2025-29) and NBC’s U.S. agreement (£2 billion) dwarf the EFL’s Sky contract (£935 million over five years). Spurs would sacrifice tens of millions in broadcast income overnight, while match-day and commercial streams would also shrink. Season-ticket holders, already paying between £856 and £2,147 for the current campaign, would expect reductions. Historical comparators are instructive: Aston Villa’s cheapest adult season ticket dropped to £322 during their 2018-19 promotion season, rising to £370 upon return; Newcastle trimmed prices by roughly 10 per cent in 2016-17 before increasing them 15 per cent after promotion; Fulham’s mean season-ticket cost rose 20.3 per cent after going back up in 2022. Tottenham have frozen prices for 2025-26 following fan consultation, but relegation would force a re-think. Sponsorship negotiations would be equally delicate. AIA’s front-of-shirt deal, reportedly worth £40 million annually, contains no relegation clause because, as one industry executive noted, “it would never have been a consideration that Tottenham would get relegated.” Mike Jackson of Elite Sports Marketing anticipates talks to reduce the fee to £4-5 million for a Championship season, with Spurs potentially seeking a short-term replacement if AIA balks. The club’s wider portfolio – from the NFL’s two autumn fixtures to a Bad Bunny concert and Tyson Fury’s April boxing bout – cushions the blow, but global visibility would plummet. Missing derbies against Arsenal and Chelsea, marquee clashes with Liverpool and Manchester United, and exposure in the 2026-27 Premier League season – immediately after a North American World Cup – would dent Tottenham’s appeal to new international fans. British viewers, conversely, would see more of their team: Sky Sports cameras blanket the Championship, while the EFL’s iFollow service (£180 for 46 league games) offers overseas supporters near-uninterrupted access. The wage bill, already modest by elite-club standards, would become more manageable as high earners depart, though Levy may still have to subsidise salaries or accept below-market fees in a fire-sale environment. Relegation clauses in player contracts have not been confirmed, but their absence could further erode negotiating leverage. For the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, the focus remains on survival. “We are confident the club are acutely aware of the catastrophic implications,” a spokesperson said. “Whether or not the club retains its Premier League status, salutary lessons need to be learned.” Avoiding the drop is still the most probable outcome, but the margin for error is evaporating. Twelve cup finals await, starting with the next 3 p.m. Saturday. Tottenham’s future as a global sporting brand, a Champions League participant and a north London powerhouse may depend on them.

Colombo, 2026 – Pakistan’s Group A clash against Namibia at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup ended in a 102-run rout that booked the green shirts a Super-Eights berth, yet the post-match spotlight has swung toward a man who never took guard: Babar Azam. The 31-year-old, once the automatic linchpin at No. 4, watched from the dug-out as Khawaja Nafay and later Shadab Khan were promoted ahead of him, triggering a social-media avalanche of memes, one-liners and spliced voice-overs. Team management, led by head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha, had installed Babar as the innings anchor precisely for scenarios in which early wickets tumble. Against the Netherlands and India, that plan faltered; Pakistan’s batting imploded and Babar’s blade stayed quiet. On Wednesday night, the openers gave their side a flyer, and the think-tank opted for boundary-hitters rather than the former captain’s accumulation game. The turning point arrived in the 13th over when Agha holed out. With 50 balls remaining and the score healthy, Nafay strode in above Babar. A five-ball stay that yielded a single boundary did little to justify the shuffle, yet the next change was even more startling: Shadab Khan, a power-hitting all-rounder, walked in at No. 6 while Babar remained padded up, unseen on the giant screen until the innings closed. Within minutes, X timelines were awash with Urdu and English barbs. “Babar Azam ko team puri krny ke liay khilaya gaya hai?” asked one user, questioning whether the batter had become a squad-filling ornament. Another clipped the viral “depression mein hain” audio over Babar’s press-conference expressions, captioned simply: “Hum dispresan mein hain.” A third tweet re-branded him “Pakistan’s designated finisher—who never finishes.” On the field, Sahibzada Farhan rendered the debate academic, carving a maiden T20I hundred to propel Pakistan past 190. The spin trio then skittled Namibia for 89, sealing a tournament-saving victory. Still, the post-win presser is certain to revolve around one topic: at what stage, if any, does Pakistan’s most prolific run-maker of the past half-decade re-enter a batting order that appears to have moved on without him?

Sioux Falls, S.D. – A growing body of evidence and local experience is reinforcing what many coaches and parents in South Dakota are beginning to embrace: playing more than one sport is paying dividends for young athletes. A recent UCLA study of NCAA Division I athletes found that 88 percent competed in an average of two to three sports before focusing on a single discipline. The trend is mirrored in the Sioux Falls area, where athletes like Brandon Valley senior Nolan Pudwill are reaping the rewards of a multi-sport upbringing. “I grew up playing football, baseball and basketball,” said Pudwill, who has committed to play football at Northern State University in 2026. “I stayed pretty busy playing all the sports, but it was good for me. It kind of helped me figure out which sport I loved the most and which one I wanted to continue playing.” Doug Walls, a strength and conditioning coach at Sanford Sports, works with nearly 200 high school and college athletes each week, including Pudwill. He emphasizes that varied athletic exposure reduces physical strain and sharpens overall performance. “You’re exposing your body to a ton of different movement patterns, which can help decrease overuse injuries and things like that,” Walls explained. Beyond the physical advantages, Walls notes cognitive and social benefits. Athletes who sample multiple sports tend to adapt faster to new drills and strategies. “They’re a little more adaptable or pick up on things a little bit quicker,” he said. “Whether it’s a different jump or a different movement pattern, they sometimes pick it up quicker than normal.” Pudwill also credits his multi-sport background for expanding his social circle and easing everyday interactions. “Obviously, you make a lot of friends in all the sports, but it made it easier,” he noted. “In classes, you have a bunch of friends who talk to you. It’s not like you’re walking around school without anyone to talk to. My best friends are the kids I’ve played sports with in the past.” Walls believes the habits forged through diverse athletic experiences can last a lifetime, long after competitive play ends. “Through their sport and what they do here, they have the tools they need in their toolbox to make their own plan in the future,” he said. Echoing that sentiment, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that young athletes avoid specializing in a single sport until at least age 15 or 16, allowing for broader physical literacy and reduced injury risk. With local standouts like Pudwill leading by example, Sioux Falls youth programs continue to champion the multi-sport approach, confident that the benefits will extend well beyond the playing field.

Foxborough, MA — After a season that ended one victory short of a championship, the New England Patriots have identified a clear offseason priority: surround ascending quarterback Drake Maye with a game-breaking wide receiver. With Stefon Diggs turning 33 this year and carrying a $26.5 million cap hit in 2026, the club is openly exploring alternatives. One name rapidly gaining traction inside league circles is Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas, 23, burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2024, posting 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 14.7 yards per catch. The 6-foot-4 LSU product quickly became one of the league’s premier vertical threats and appeared ticketed for perennial Pro-Bowl status. But a coaching change and shifting offensive philosophy under Liam Coen saw Thomas’ production plummet in 2025; he managed just 48 catches for 707 yards and two scores while frequently appearing out of sync with quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars, meanwhile, have quietly retooled their pass-catching room. 2024 No. 1 overall pick Travis Hunter is back from injury, Jakobi Meyers signed an extension, and second-year slot man Parker Washington flourished down the stretch as Jacksonville finished 13-4. The surplus of talent has prompted speculation that general manager Trent Baalke could dangle Thomas for premium draft capital, recouping resources lost in the Hunter trade. ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz believes the situation is fluid. “A year ago the idea would have sounded crazy,” Schatz wrote this week. “But with the depth they’ve built, Jacksonville has flexibility. Thomas could fetch a high pick and reset the room around Hunter and Meyers.” Enter the Patriots, who watched their once-explosive offense stall in the postseason. New England averaged a league-best 28.8 points per game during the regular season but managed only 16.8 across four playoff contests, including a Super Bowl LX loss to Seattle in which Maye was under constant duress. While the offensive line bears scrutiny, the lack of a true separator at wideout proved equally problematic. Free-agency offers few palatable solutions. Colts deep threat Alec Pierce could command upward of $25 million annually on the open market, while Eagles star A.J. Brown—often linked to New England because of Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee ties—will be 29 and carries a $23.3 million cap charge next season. Trading for a younger, cost-controlled talent may be the wiser path. Thomas fits that profile. Even after a down year he still averaged 14.7 yards per reception, and his blend of size, speed and contested-catch ability would give Maye a reliable bailout option on third down and in the red zone. The Patriots own the 31st overall selection in the 2026 draft, plus additional mid-round capital and young roster players such as receiver DeMario Douglas or guard Kyle Williams who could sweeten an offer. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell floated a hypothetical framework sending Thomas to Buffalo for a 2026 first-rounder and second-year receiver Keon Coleman. Matching—or beating—that price would be feasible for New England without mortgaging its future. Whether Jacksonville is willing to entertain calls remains uncertain. Thomas is two years removed from a historic rookie campaign and under team control through 2027, giving the Jaguars leverage. Yet the combination of their surplus at the position and desire to replenish draft picks makes a deal “worth considering,” according to Schatz. For a Patriots organization intent on maximizing Maye’s affordable rookie contract and returning to the Super Bowl, rolling the dice on a 23-year-old with WR1 pedigree could accelerate the timeline. If Thomas becomes available, expect New England to be among the first in line with a competitive offer.

Melbourne, Australia—In a landmark announcement that reverberated from Silicon Valley to Sydney Harbour, the NFL confirmed that the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will collide in the league’s first-ever regular-season game on Australian soil. The historic showdown is scheduled for the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seat cathedral of sport that has previously welcomed Olympic ceremonies and Ashes tests but never American football with postseason implications. Unlike exhibition tilts that often feature second-stringers by the fourth quarter, this Week 11 contest will count in the standings of a rivalry forged over decades of NFC West hostilities. “These teams genuinely don’t like each other,” one league official noted, underscoring the authenticity that will accompany the trans-Pacific trip. 49ers CEO Al Guido framed the voyage as a “terrific opportunity” to broaden the NFL’s footprint, while Rams President Kevin Demoff highlighted the franchise’s Australian marketing rights—secured in 2021—as proof of a long-term commitment rather than a one-off cash grab. Demoff cited “tremendous excitement” among local fans who have spent years clamoring for live regular-season action. The MCG’s vast oval will be retro-fitted with a rectangular gridiron, preserving the stadium’s reputation for versatility. Charlotte Offord, the NFL’s general manager for Australia and New Zealand, called the venue “iconic,” a descriptor echoed by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who labeled the event “a huge win both on and off the field.” Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos is already projecting a surge in visitor spending, noting that sports tourism routinely fills hotels, restaurants, and regional itineraries. The Melbourne fixture is the jewel in a 2026 international slate that will feature a record nine games across four continents. London will host three matchups, with Madrid, Munich, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City rounding out a schedule that underscores the league’s ambition to cultivate fans well beyond U.S. borders. Grass-roots investment accompanies the globetrotting itinerary. Since opening a Gold Coast office in 2022, the NFL has rolled out flag football programs in 500 Australian schools, engaging nearly 100,000 children. The 2024 launch of the NFL Academy APAC provides an elite development pathway, and with flag football set to debut as an Olympic sport at Los Angeles 2028, the league is positioning Australia as a key talent pipeline. Sixty-two previous NFL games have been staged outside the United States, but until now none in Australia. That statistical quirk ends the moment the 49ers and Rams stride onto the MCG turf, ushering in what league insiders describe as the most authentic phase of the NFL’s global expansion yet—one built on sustained community engagement rather than fleeting spectacle. For fans contemplating the journey, the message is simple: secure passports, book flights, and brace for a rivalry renewed on the opposite side of the world. When the final whistle sounds in Melbourne, the standings will reflect a result decided in Australia’s winter, and the NFL’s international narrative will have turned a captivating new page.

Liverpool are bracing for a fight to retain one of their brightest academy jewels, 15-year-old winger Josh Abe, after the teenager stalled on signing a scholarship deal that would tie him to Kirkby beyond this summer. With a June 1 deadline looming, Premier League suitors are free to open formal talks with the Warrington-born forward if no agreement is reached, sources have told The Athletic. Abe, a left-footed right winger who has been on Liverpool’s books since the age of four, has accelerated through the club’s age groups and was recently invited to train with Arne Slot’s senior squad. His rapid ascent continued earlier this month when he debuted for Liverpool’s Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League against MSK Zilina, and last Saturday he announced himself to a wider audience with a hat-trick for the Under-18s in a 6-1 rout of Leeds United. England have also recognised his promise: this week Abe is captaining the Under-16s at a four-nations tournament in Turkey, lining up alongside Liverpool teammates Vincent Joseph and Shadrach Ekiugbo against Denmark, Spain and France. Yet while his on-field trajectory points skyward, contract negotiations remain at an impasse. Scholars at Liverpool earn roughly £1,200 a week, but the sticking point is understood to be the structure of Abe’s first professional terms once he turns 17 in July 2027. The club typically caps first-year professionals at about £52,000 a year plus performance bonuses, although exceptions have been made for the most coveted prospects. Rival clubs are monitoring the impasse closely. A similar contract impasse last summer allowed Liverpool to pounce for Chelsea prodigy Rio Ngumoha; a tribunal subsequently ordered Liverpool to pay Chelsea an initial £2.8 million in compensation, a fee that could escalate to £6.8 million with add-ons. Abe is represented by PLG, an agency co-owned by Tyler Alexander-Arnold, brother of Liverpool vice-captain Trent. The senior right-back has already signalled his approval, commenting “Never in doubt” under the club’s Instagram post welcoming Abe to first-team training in January. Before Christmas the pair were spotted at the Bernabeu watching Real Madrid defeat Sevilla, after which Abe met Vinicius Junior in the dressing-room corridor. Scouts first noticed Abe playing junior football in Warrington, 20 miles east of Liverpool, and Manchester City were beaten to his signature at Under-9 level. Since then he has amassed eight goals and three assists in ten Under-18 Premier League fixtures this season, prompting academy staff to liken his direct style and eye for goal to former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane. “He’s got a real knack for coming inside and hitting the back of the net,” Under-18s coach Simon Wiles told Redmen TV. “He’s a real talent and it’s really exciting working with him.” Privately, academy insiders accept that every top-flight club in the country would welcome the chance to lure Abe away. Liverpool now have six weeks to convince him that his future remains on Merseyside.

HANCEVILLE — Garrett Reid, already known for near-impeccable credentials on the football field and the baseball diamond, is now making his presence felt on the hardwood, keeping Deshler’s momentum alive this season. Reid’s multi-sport excellence has become the storyline for the Tigers, whose basketball surge is following the same upward arc that has defined the school’s athletic program. With the senior guard directing traffic and setting the tone, Deshler continues to roll through its schedule, showing that the winning culture built around Reid transcends any single sport. While the stat sheet from Tuesday night’s outing was not released, those in the gym saw the same competitive edge that has marked Reid’s career: quick decisions, steady leadership, and a knack for rising in crucial moments. His influence is translating into wins and reinforcing the notion that Deshler’s current run is no fluke. As region play intensifies, opponents are quickly learning that slowing the Tigers means containing Reid, a task easier said than done. For now, Deshler looks poised to keep its season on track, riding the momentum of their star’s growing basketball résumé.

CLEVELAND — University School junior Burke Bebenroth turned persistence into gold on Feb. 18, capturing the Division II Cleveland State District boys diving title with 393.55 points and punching his ticket to Canton as part of an historic area sweep that will send every local qualifier to next week’s state meet. Bebenroth’s winning total, just 9.55 points shy of the 403.10 he posted a year ago, was built on two sparkling preliminary-round efforts: a meet-best 49.20 on a forward 2½ tuck in Round 2 and a 47.50 on a back 1½-1½ twist free in Round 5. A shaky 11th-round dive came after the title was effectively secured, but the championship was already in hand. “I’m a little bit sick right now,” Bebenroth admitted afterward, voice raspy. “Just being able to come here and push through that … it’s really special.” Special has become routine for Bebenroth, who is managing yet another serious injury—a refractured wrist suffered in a snowboarding mishap. He will undergo surgery two days after the state meet and competed Tuesday with a custom brace. “It was about a five (on the pain scale) every time I was going in,” he said. “I’ve been able to tolerate it.” The victory continues a remarkable comeback arc that began in February 2024, when Bebenroth returned to the board only weeks after a snowboarding accident that ruptured his spleen and nearly cost him his life. Last season he placed second at districts and third at state; this year he’ll head to Canton as champion, joined by the entire University contingent. Preppers teammates Grant Woolley (363.55), Danny Sullivan (350.80) and first-year diver Kyle Hess (340.80) finished third, fourth and fifth respectively, while Perry sophomore Traxton Richards secured the seventh and final qualifying spot with 275.50. The result marks the first time every News-Herald coverage-area boys diver at districts will advance to state. Woolley, a state qualifier in 2025, improved 74 points over last year’s sixth-place district finish. Sullivan earned his third consecutive state berth after placing ninth in Canton last winter. Hess, a soccer convert, capped his debut diving season with a top-five finish. Richards, who also competes in football, basketball and track, improved 31.50 points on his 2025 district score. “Being able to be there with all three of my closest friends,” Bebenroth said of the sweep, “it’s just really special.” The Division II state diving meet is scheduled for next week at Cantons’ C.T. Branin Natatorium.

Manchester United and United States women’s national team goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce on Wednesday condemned the alleged racial abuse directed at Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. during Tuesday’s Champions League clash in Lisbon, branding the episode “shameful” and urging football’s power brokers to intensify efforts to shield players from discrimination. The flash-point occurred in the 50th minute at Estádio da Luz after Vinicius Jr. broke the deadlock and celebrated in front of Benfica’s support. The Brazilian pointed toward the stands and toward Benfica substitute Gianluca Prestianni, who moments earlier had been seen covering his mouth while speaking in the Madrid star’s direction. Referee François Letexier immediately crossed his forearms to signal FIFA’s anti-racism protocol, triggering a 10-minute stoppage during which both captains were consulted. Play resumed amid boos and projectiles hurled from sections of the home support. UEFA has since opened a formal investigation, appointing an ethics and disciplinary inspector. A final ruling is expected in the coming weeks, meaning Prestianni would remain eligible for next Wednesday’s return leg at the Bernabéu. Speaking at United’s media day ahead of their own Champions League second-leg playoff against Atlético Madrid—United carry a 3-0 aggregate lead into the tie—Tullis-Joyce addressed the persistence of racist incidents in the global game. “I think you’re also asking the daughter of a Black woman, so I have been adjacent to the experience of a Black woman in society, and it’s no surprise to me,” the 29-year-old said. “I think it’s very shameful that situations like that are continuing to happen.” The goalkeeper, who recently joined sessions for United’s All Red, All Equal initiative, stressed that change must begin at club level before radiating outward. “We can really look at what we can do locally, here at United, and then keep branching out through our social media, our content, and making sure that people know that it’s just simply not OK. End all. Period. Full stop.” Asked whether player activism has lost potency, Tullis-Joyce acknowledged the frustration voiced by Vinicius Jr., who has previously been targeted in Spain, and called on leagues and institutions to reassess protective measures. “This is something that clubs and the league itself need to reflect on,” she said. “If it’s continuing to happen, then we need to have some more reflection from clubs and leagues alike of what they can do to really minimize these actions and words that are being used.” Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé, who appeared to overhear Prestianni’s remarks, told reporters the Argentinian “doesn’t deserve to play anymore in the Champions League,” adding, “We can’t accept that there’s a player who plays in the best football competition in Europe and who behaves like that.” Tullis-Joyce will return to international duty after United’s upcoming fixtures against Atlético and Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup on Feb. 22, linking up with the USWNT for the SheBelieves Cup that runs March 1-5 against Argentina, Canada and Colombia. Keywords:

Molineux – Rasa frustrasi menyelimuti kubu Arsenal usai mereka hanya mampu bermain imbang 2-2 kontra tuan rumah Wolverhampton Wanderers pada lanjutan Premier League dini hari tadi. Kehilangan dua poin dari tim penghuni dasar klasemen itu membuat The Gunners tercecer dalam perebutan puncak, sekaligus membuka peluang Manchester City memangkas jarak di pekan mendatang. Arsenal tampil impresif di paruh pertama dan membawa keunggulan dua gol lewat Bukayo Saka serta Pedro Hincapie. Namun konsentrasi para pembeli tiket itu buyar usai jeda; Hugo Bueno mencetak gol spektakuler dari luar kotak penalti, sebelum sepakan Tom Edozie di injury time membentur Riccardo Calafiori dan meluncur ke dalam gawang David Raya. “Kecewa banget, pastinya, hasil ini,” tutur Mikel Arteta, pelatih asal Spanyol, seusai laga. “Kami harus menyalahkan diri sendiri. Performa babak kedua tak menunjukkan standar yang dibutuhkan untuk memenangi liga.” Arteta menolak berlarut-larut dalam penjelasan emosional, menegaskan bahwa fokus kini harus beralih ke laga derby London kontra Tottenham Hotspur, Minggu (22/2). “Semua kritik dan opini harus kami telan hari ini. Cara membuktikannya adalah di lapangan pada hari Minggu,” tegasnya. Dengan hasil ini, Arsenal tetap di puncak dengan 58 poin dari 27 pertandingan, unggul lima angka dari Manchester City yang baru menjalani 26 laga. City bisa memangkas jarak menjadi dua poin jika menundukkan Newcastle United di akhir pekan, sementara Arsenal berisiko kehilangan ritme kemenangan menjelang fase penting musim ini. Kegagalan menjaga keunggulan dua gol menjadi catatan hitam bagi lini belakang The Gunners, yang sebelumnya hanya kebobolan dua kali dalam lima laga terakhir di semua kompetisi. Kini, tekanan mental mulai muncul saat kompetisi memasuki seri penentuan. “Kami tidak tampil sesuai level yang dibutuhkan,” ujar Arteta singkat. “Apa pun yang dikatakan orang bisa benar karena kami tidak melakukan apa yang harus dilakukan.” Arsenal kini punya waktu tiga hari untuk menata ulang strategi dan mentalitas sebelum bentrokan panas di Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Hasil di sana bisa menentukan apakah mereka tetap menggenggam asa juara, atau justru membiarkan City mengambil alih kendali di puncak klasemen. SEO keywords:

Lisbon—While global attention fixated on the racist abuse aimed at Vinicius Junior during Real Madrid’s visit to Benfica, the 24-year-old Brazilian was busy underscoring his claim as the most influential footballer in Europe’s elite competition since Cristiano Ronaldo’s peak years. His 50th-minute strike on Tuesday not only settled the first-leg knockout tie but also continued a trajectory that has seen him amass 27 goals and 26 assists in the Champions League across the past five seasons—53 direct goal contributions that more than double the 23 managed by last year’s Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembélé, in the same span. The goal itself was a study in precision. Pre-shot models assigned Vinicius’s effort a 2% chance of success; the placement and power lifted that probability to 82% once the ball left his foot, leaving the goalkeeper rooted and the Estádio da Luz silenced. The finish was his 31st in the competition, drawing him level with Madrid icon Paco Gento for fourth-most by a player in the club’s European Cup history. Since the 2021/22 campaign, no footballer has registered more goal involvements in the tournament than Madrid’s current No. 7. He has scored in both of the finals he has contested during that period, helping to hoist the famous trophy twice and replicating the decisive gene that once defined Ronaldo’s tenure in the same shirt. Vinicius now sits on 61 total goal contributions (31 goals, 30 assists) in Europe’s premier event, placing him alongside Cristiano, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Thomas Müller as one of only five players to reach at least 30 goals and 30 assists in the modern era. Crucially, 28 of those contributions—46%—have arrived after the group stage, a ratio that eclipses Neymar’s 22 knockout-phase involvements (29% of his 76 combined goals and assists). With two more goal contributions, Vinicius would secure his fifth straight season of double-digit Champions League output, a feat achieved only by Ronaldo, who strung together eight consecutive 10-goal campaigns between 2010/11 and 2017/18 on his way to four titles in Madrid. Vinicius’s 30 assists already tie him with Barcelona maestro Xavi Hernández and Germany’s Müller for seventh on the all-time chart; among active players, only Kevin De Bruyne (31) sits above him, and the Belgian turns 35 in June. Should the Brazilian maintain his 2026 form—six goals and three assists in the calendar year—Carlo Ancelotti’s side will enter the spring stretch as the team every rival hopes to avoid, especially with Kylian Mbappé now flanking a winger who, come July, still won’t have celebrated his 26th birthday.

Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium has staged countless career-defining nights, and this Friday, February 20, Shir Cohen intends to author the latest. The Israeli striker returns to ONE Friday Fights 143 after more than a year on the sidelines, carrying both scar tissue from two injury-induced cancellations and an unshakeable conviction that she is still the division’s most dangerous contender. Cohen, 27, was poised to challenge Allycia Hellen Rodrigues for the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title in March 2025 and again last June. Each time her body betrayed her. Rather than risk a hasty comeback, she relocated to Pattaya’s Fairtex Training Center, drilling footwork, speed combinations and defensive layers while the division moved on without her. “I’ve been away for over a year,” Cohen said. “It was a very challenging time because I couldn’t fight, and many things were out of my control. I took this time to become a better fighter and a better version of myself.” The payoff begins against Vero, the 29-year-old Myanmar puncher nicknamed “The Kayan Leopard.” Vero arrives on back-to-back promotional wins, including stoppages over Junior Fairtex and Li Mingrui, and looms as the last obstacle between Cohen and the championship conversation she believes never should have left her grasp. “She’s a very good fighter,” Cohen acknowledged. “She has really good boxing and power, but I believe in my hard work and my skills. My footwork and speed could be better [than hers] and could work for me in this fight. I’ve been working on it a lot.” A victory would push Cohen’s ONE ledger to 4-0 and extend her overall winning streak to six, numbers she hopes will resonate with matchmakers when the next title shot is assigned. She makes no secret of her ambition: “I want to fight for the belt. This is my dream, this is my goal.” First comes Vero, and Cohen promises a statement. “In this comeback fight I want to show how much I have been working and how hungry I am. I want to show that I deserve to be here. I will try my best to finish the fight.” Should she succeed, Cohen will turn her attention to the March 13 superfight between Rodrigues and Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom at ONE Fight Night 41, a bout that could determine her future opponent. “I can’t choose,” she admitted. “Anything can happen, especially with small gloves and five rounds.” For now, all that matters is the woman standing across the ring on Friday night. One decisive win, Cohen believes, will restore the momentum injuries stole and return the atomweight belt to the center of her sights.

Mountain View Christian’s presence on the hardwood is anchored by center Renelso Campbell, a pivotal figure for the school’s basketball program. Listed at the center position, Campbell’s role demands both defensive tenacity and reliable interior scoring, making him a constant focal point whenever he steps onto the court. His contributions in the paint embody the Lions’ efforts to remain competitive, and his development continues to draw attention from fans and teammates alike.