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PEORIA, Ariz. — A quiet “B” game on a scorching Friday morning turned into the Mariners’ most important dress rehearsal when opening-day battery mates Logan Gilbert and Cal Raleigh jogged onto Field No. 1 for the top of the first against the Padres, reuniting for the first time since Raleigh left camp 2 ½ weeks ago to represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic. With temperatures climbing toward triple digits, the Mariners elected to shield their projected Game 1 starter from a Cactus League matchup later in the evening against the Guardians—the very club Gilbert will face in six days when the regular season opens. Instead, the right-hander threw 80 pitches over five-plus innings in the controlled setting of the back-field contest, working every offering in his arsenal, including experimental changeups and a cutter he hopes to feature more prominently this season. “I wasn’t expecting him necessarily to be here,” Gilbert said of Raleigh, who caught the night before in Mesa as the designated hitter and still asked to be inserted into Friday’s lineup. “But he was, which is way better, so we can get a feel.” Raleigh, fresh off a 1-for-5 night that included a 438-foot, bases-loaded double, went 2-for-8 with a two-run homer from the left side and four walks in the twinbill. Behind the plate he called seven or eight sinkers—an offering he discouraged Gilbert from throwing a year ago. “I probably threw four or five,” Gilbert said with a grin. “I was the one shaking them off. The roles reversed after 10 years.” Manager Dan Wilson emphasized the importance of the reunion with opening day looming and Raleigh’s camp time limited by international duty. “It was smart to get a chance to get them together today with this being the final tune-up,” Wilson said. “Just get on the same page and see what his stuff has been doing.” Veteran utility man Rob Refsnyder also appeared, squeezing in extra at-bats after playing the previous night. Shortstop J.P. Crawford, meanwhile, took swings in the cage as he works back from a cortisone injection in his right shoulder Monday. Wilson said the club could keep Crawford in Arizona through Wednesday for minor-league games before flying him back ahead of Thursday’s opener. Seattle trimmed the spring roster to 32 players Friday, reassigning left-hander Jhonathan Díaz, right-hander Dane Dunning and outfielder Brennan Davis to minor-league camp. Díaz and Dunning will join Tacoma’s rotation after returning from World Baseball Classic duty with Venezuela and Korea, respectively. Davis, who flashed prodigious power early in camp, has been sidelined five days with hamstring tightness but resumed on-field workouts.

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo has issued a clear message of intent ahead of the Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid, insisting the Catalans are ready to avenge their recent Copa del Rey elimination. The two sides meet in Europe’s premier club competition just weeks after Atletico edged a dramatic semi-final 4-3 on aggregate to knock Barça out of the domestic cup. Speaking to the club’s official media, Olmo acknowledged the familiarity of the fixture and the high stakes involved. “It’s a scenario we expected, but it’s a situation I’ve already experienced, both last year and at my previous clubs. It’s all or nothing,” he said. The 26-year-old, who joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to progress if they perform to their maximum. “We have the quality and we can do it if we’re at our best. We’re motivated, we remember what happened in the Cup, and we can’t afford to fail.” The victor of the all-Spanish tie will advance to face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semi-finals, moving one step closer to this season’s Champions League final.

Bruno Fernandes reinforced his reputation as Manchester United’s most influential performer by registering both a goal and an assist in a hard-fought 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. The Portuguese midfielder’s direct involvement in both Red Devils strikes ensured the hosts salvaged a point from a contest that the visitors more than merited a share of. Fernandes opened the scoring with a typically decisive finish, arrowing a low shot beyond the goalkeeper after latching onto a cut-back inside the box. Moments later he turned provider, clipping a precise pass that allowed United to double the advantage and seemingly take control. Yet Bournemouth, undeterred by the early deficit, responded with resilience and tactical discipline to level matters before the interval and again after United had restored parity. The result leaves United reflecting on a missed opportunity to climb the table, while Bournemouth can take heart from a spirited display that showcased their capacity to trouble higher-ranked opposition. Fernandes’ latest goal-involvement haul means he remains the undeniable catalyst for United’s attacking output, yet the broader narrative of the afternoon was the Cherries’ refusal to yield, ensuring the spoils were ultimately shared in a breathless 2-2 encounter.

Sacramento, Calif. – When the Sacramento Kings left the 2025 NBA Draft with Stanford product Maxime Raynaud at No. 42, the front office spoke of a project, not a prodigy. Less than a year later, the 7-foot rookie is sprinting up the Golden 1 Center hardwood as the most productive second-round selection in the class and, arguably, the league’s most startling success story. Raynaud’s path to relevance was accelerated by circumstance. Early-season injuries and roster shuffling cracked open the rotation door; the 21-year-old barreled through it. Coaches quickly noticed an uncommon ability to absorb scouting notes and reproduce them in live action, a skill that has vaulted him from garbage-time curiosity to dependable interior anchor. The numbers validate the eye test. Raynaud paces all 2025 second-rounders in scoring and rebounding, and over recent stretches he has flirted with double-double averages while shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. His shot chart is a coach’s dream: high-percentage looks around the rim, timely rim-runs in transition, and the occasional face-up jumper that keeps defenders honest. Then came the breakthrough weekend that stamped his arrival. On back-to-back nights, Raynaud became the first Kings rookie this century to record consecutive 30-point performances, topping out at a career-best 32 before following up with 30 even. The outburst sent a jolt through the organization and validated the whispers already circulating around the facility: the second-rounder might possess star-grade upside. “He’s blown past every internal projection we had,” one Kings staffer said. “What we envisioned as a two-year development curve has compressed into a couple of months.” That rapid ascent carries weight far beyond the stat sheet. Sacramento entered the season craving youth, size, and financial flexibility. Raynaud checks all three boxes on a rookie-scale contract, giving the franchise a potential front-court cornerstone without the premium price tag of a lottery pick. His presence also widens the runway for roster experimentation, allowing the Kings to evaluate surrounding pieces around a mobile, skilled big who fits the modern pace-and-space ethos. While the club’s place in the standings remains a work in progress, the front office has already banked one resounding victory. Selecting Raynaud at 42 has shifted from low-risk flyer to outright heist, a reminder that draft-night value can emerge far outside the lottery spotlight. As Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers moved into the third quarter, Raynaud again showcased the motor that has become his trademark, beating defenders down the floor and carving out deep position. Each possession further cements a narrative that is no longer about potential—it is about production. The Kings may still be searching for long-term stability, but in Maxime Raynaud they appear to have found exactly what they didn’t know they needed: a second-round afterthought blossoming into one of the 2025 draft’s defining success stories.

The Premier League’s reputation has taken a few hits during the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, and while talk of a full-scale demise is premature, a handful of English-based players have delivered performances that bordered on the unwatchable. Four of the five names below are already packing their bags for the Europa League sidelines; one still has time to salvage his continental image, though the clock is ticking. Jacob Ramsey, Newcastle United Ramsey’s campaign will forever be bookmarked by the 7-2 capitulation at Spotify Camp Nou, yet the numbers were alarming long before the final whistle in Barcelona. Tasked with adding thrust from midfield, the 24-year-old instead finished among the competition’s least effective distributors, misplacing passes under the faintest hint of pressure and recording negligible progression stats. His back-pass that teed up Raphinha for the hosts’ fourth was the snapshot of a wider, season-long malaise. Trevoh Chalobah, Chelsea Enzo Maresca reportedly sounded internal warnings about Chelsea’s defensive depth, and Chalobah’s six Champions League starts underlined every one of them. The centre-back failed to register a single tackle success of note against PSG’s front line, was repeatedly caught flat-footed on the turn, and looked a yard short of the speed of thought required at Europe’s top table. The eye test matched the analytics: Chelsea shipped goals whenever he was on the pitch. Filip Jorgensen, Chelsea If Chalobah eroded belief from the back four, Jorgensen nuked it from between the posts. Handed the gloves for the first-leg Round-of-16 duel with holders PSG, the Danish keeper produced a horror show of parried crosses, mistimed charges and, most damagingly, two reckless passes that led directly to concessions. A save rate of roughly 37 percent and an average of 2.40 goals against per appearance are figures that belong in a training-ground blooper reel, not a knockout bracket. Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool Still alive thanks to Liverpool’s aggregate edge over Inter, Frimpong nonetheless carries the weakest individual résumé of any surviving Premier League player. Once lauded for buccaneering overlaps at Bayer Leverkusen, the Dutch wing-back has mustered a paltry 0.4 key passes per European start this term, leaving Mohamed Salah to forage alone on the right. Defensively, his positioning has been so erratic that Arne Slot has twice hooked him before the 60-minute mark. Bernardo Silva, Manchester City Silva’s campaign ended in infamy when he leapt to block a late Real Madrid shot, deflecting it past his own keeper with an ill-judged flailing arm. The hand-ball felt like a fitting coda to a tournament in which the Portuguese playmaker looked a step slow, completed a meagre 0.1 dribbles per outing and was repeatedly targeted by quicker midfield runners. Pep Guardiola kept faith until the final whistle of the quarter-final, but by then the damage—to City’s tie and Silva’s elite-level credibility—was done. For a league that markets itself as the planet’s most intense, these five have, through error-strewn nights and damning data lines, offered an unwelcome counter-narrative. Only Frimpong remains on the UCL stage; unless he flips the script in the semi-finals, the Premier League will be left to re-watch a season’s worth of lowlights rather than dream of an Istanbul finale.

LAAX, Switzerland — Eileen Gu etched her name into freeskiing history once again on Friday, capturing the first Snow League season championship with a gold-medal performance in the circuit’s halfpipe finale. The win, coming less than a month after the 22-year-old topped the podium at the Milan Cortina Olympics, sealed a perfect debut campaign for Shaun White’s new league and extended Gu’s unprecedented streak of six-for-six Olympic medals across two Games. No other freeskier has medaled in every Olympic event they have entered. “I take a lot of meaning in being the first to do things,” Gu said after her victory. “To be a part of this league means so much to me. ... I believe so much in the vision and the direction that it’s pushing the sport.” Born in the United States and competing for China, Gu earned $75,000 for the day’s work—$50,000 for the contest win and a $25,000 bonus for clinching the season crown. Fifteen of her 20 World Cup titles have come in halfpipe competition. New Zealand’s Luke Harrold matched Gu’s payday, sweeping both the event and the men’s season title. Snowboarders close the inaugural Snow League season on Saturday, with Olympic gold medalist Yuto Totsuka holding a narrow lead over bronze medalist Ryusei Yamada in the standings.

PHILADELPHIA — In a program haunted by premature tournament departures, Virginia steadied itself behind a pivotal performance from White, dodging what has become an all-too-familiar March fate. First-year coach Ryan Odom, mindful of the Cavaliers’ history of early exits, gathered his team before tipoff and played the 2019 “One Shining Moment” montage from Virginia’s national-championship run, a reminder of the program’s ceiling when poised under pressure. The film session appeared to resonate as the Cavaliers protected their bracket life, ensuring the season would not end in the opening weekend that has tripped them so often in recent memory.

Liverpool’s Premier League push continues on the south coast this Saturday as Arne Slot’s side face Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium, with kickoff set for 12:30 p.m. local time. The Reds arrive buoyed by a midweek Champions League triumph over Galatasaray at Anfield, a result that eased pressure on the manager and kept the club on course for European silverware. With the quarterfinal berth secured, attention now turns to domestic duties. Slot knows that a strong finish in the league will be essential to safeguard his position heading into the summer, making every remaining fixture—starting with Brighton—critically important. Brighton, currently 12th in the table, appear all but safe from relegation and still entertain outside hopes of sneaking into a European place should they string together victories in the season’s closing weeks. For viewers in the United States, the match will be carried live on USA Network and is available to stream through DIRECTV, which is offering a risk-free five-day trial for new subscribers. The platform includes access to ESPN, FS1, TNT, TBS, truTV and NFL Network, ensuring comprehensive coverage of soccer, MLB and more. Brighton vs. Liverpool kicks off Saturday, March 21, at 12:30 p.m. local time from the Amex Stadium.

Dallas-area sports fans can circle the couches and radios on Saturday, March 21, with four local teams in action across MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS. The day’s slate opens at 3 p.m. when the Dallas Stars visit Minnesota in a key late-season NHL matchup. The game will be carried on both KTCK-AM 1310 and KTCK-FM 96.7 The Ticket. Thirty minutes later, the Texas Rangers welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to Surprise for a 3:10 p.m. spring-training contest. KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan will have the radio call as both clubs continue to fine-tune their rosters before Opening Day. Basketball takes center stage at 7:30 p.m. when the surging LA Clippers arrive at American Airlines Center to face Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks. KEGL-FM 97.1 The Eagle will broadcast every possession of the Western Conference showdown. Also at 7:30 p.m., FC Dallas kicks off against in-state rival Houston in MLS play. English-language coverage can be found on KFXR-AM 1190 Talk Radio, while Spanish-language commentary will air on KFLC-AM 1270 TUDN Radio.

CANBERRA, Australia — James Slipper etched his name into Super Rugby folklore on Friday night, running onto GIO Stadium for his 203rd appearance and eclipsing Wyatt Crockett’s long-standing record as the competition’s most-capped player. The 36-year-old loosehead prop reached the milestone in the ACT Brumbies’ 33-24 victory over the visiting Chiefs, drawing a thunderous ovation from the Canberra crowd when the milestone was announced shortly after kick-off. Slipper’s journey to the record has been split between two franchises: 104 matches for the Queensland Reds and, as of Friday, 99 for the Brumbies since his 2019 move to the capital. Crockett, whose 202 caps for the Crusaders had stood as the benchmark, praised Slipper’s durability and quality. “Honestly, after the South African teams left the competition I thought there would be less games and the record might actually be hard to beat,” the former Allad said. “So for Slips to go past it with less games (per season) is bloody impressive. Also, Slips is still playing really great footy, he could still easily play international rugby.” Slipper retired from international duty last year after a Wallabies-record 151 Test caps, but his appetite for the weekly grind of Super Rugby remains undimmed. Should he take the field against the New South Wales Waratahs in the coming round, he will become the first player to register 100 appearances for two separate Super Rugby clubs. With the Brumbies firmly in the hunt for a finals berth, Slipper’s experience at the coalface will be pivotal as the club eyes silverware to cap a historic individual season.

Barcelona are prepared to consider offers for Jules Kounde during the upcoming summer window, signalling a notable shift in the club’s stance on the France international. According to Radio Marca correspondent Matteo Moretto, the Catalan giants no longer view the defender as indispensable. “If a good offer comes in, Barça won’t say no. Koundé is not untouchable,” Moretto reported, underlining that the 25-year-old is now available for the right price. Kounde, who signed a contract extension until 2029 last summer, has featured predominantly at right-back for Barça this season. However, his performances have dipped below the standards set during his first campaign at the club, prompting internal debate about his long-term role within the squad. The former Sevilla man is currently recovering from injury and is expected to return after the international break, alongside teammate Alejandro Balde. Sources indicate that Balde is also considered transferable should an attractive bid materialise. With Financial Fair Play constraints continuing to shape Barcelona’s market strategy, the potential sale of either player could provide vital room to manoeuvre. The club remain convinced they can secure a high-profile target from city rivals Atletico Madrid, although they are reluctant to trigger the purchase option in the player’s contract. The coming weeks will reveal whether suitors emerge for Kounde, but Barcelona’s willingness to entertain offers marks a decisive moment in the defender’s Camp Nou tenure.

Nike has unveiled the England World Cup 2026 home kit, and early reaction suggests it could be the most accomplished Three Lions shirt the American sportswear giant has produced in its decade-long tenure with the FA. Released amid the pre-March international flurry of new strips, the jersey is being hailed as a slice of “minimal brilliance” that will serve the squad well under the North American summer sun. Drawing deliberate inspiration from the Euro 2000 template, the shirt features a rounded collar, red player numbers, and the familiar red-and-navy piping across the shoulders. Where the design truly breaks new ground is in its subtle base graphic: a repeating tonal pattern of the Three Lions emblem interlaced with the letters “ENG,” a treatment Nike has never before attempted on an England home shirt. The understated motif lends a classy, almost vintage aura, further enhanced by the solitary star—symbolising the 1966 Jules Rimet triumph—positioned above the federation crest. The move into patterned fabric territory has long been associated with rivals Adidas, but Nike’s first foray is being greeted as “a triumph,” offering both heritage and modernity without tipping into excess. The shirt’s restrained aesthetic marks a clear departure from the divisive Euro 2024 home kit, whose only notable flourish was a polarising collar design. Equally encouraging for fans seeking wardrobe cohesion is the parallel away strip: a near-identical template rendered in red, ensuring consistency across the two primary shirts. Early feedback indicates supporters are anything but upset by the mirrored approach. With World Cup fever set to grip the globe in 2026, England will step onto the sport’s biggest stage dressed in a kit that already feels timeless—should football finally come home after 60 years, the players will at least look the part.

Manchester United’s on-loout forward Marcus Rashford and Newcastle United’s Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães have emerged as the most talked-about names in the latest global transfer chatter, with several heavyweight clubs weighing moves that could reshape the European market. Rashford, currently plying his trade at Barcelona under a temporary arrangement, faces an uncertain future at the Camp Nou. The Catalan club hold an option to make the deal permanent, but if they allow that clause to lapse, Arsenal will immediately attempt to hijack the situation and bring the England international to the Emirates. Chelsea and Juventus are also monitoring developments, yet United have signalled they will not renegotiate the structure of the existing Barcelona agreement, effectively forcing any suitor to meet the pre-agreed terms. While Rashford’s destiny hinges on Barcelona’s next step, Bruno Guimarães is at the centre of a rapidly escalating tug-of-war. United are in advanced discussions with Newcastle about an €80 million (£69 million) switch that would insert the 26-year-old into Erik ten Hag’s midfield engine room. Sources close to the negotiations told Reuters that a fee has been verbally outlined, but Real Madrid’s late entrance into the race could scupper the deal entirely. The Spanish giants, long-term admirers of the Brazil international, are exploring whether a summer move fits their evolving squad rebuild, leaving Newcastle braced for a potential bidding war. United’s recruitment staff remain active on other fronts. Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies is under scrutiny, with officials at Old Trafford encouraged by the possibility that the Bundesliga champions could cash in amid concerns over the Canadian’s recent injury history. Fulham’s Antonee Robinson is also on the radar, though United share Liverpool’s reservations about the Cottagers’ £30 million valuation. Brentford centre-back Nathan Collins is another concrete target, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham having all compiled scouting dossiers on the Irish defender. Elsewhere, Chelsea are pressing ahead with their own midfield overhaul. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has been identified as the preferred successor to Enzo Fernández, while Andrey Santos is attracting strong Serie A interest after Inter officials watched the Brazilian impress against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Off the pitch, the Blues are also attempting to pip Bayern Munich to Strasbourg winger Rayane Messi, an 18-year-old currently on loan in Saudi Arabia whom the club hope to integrate as the latest BlueCo cross-portfolio transfer. Erling Haaland’s long-term future has also re-entered the spotlight. Sources indicate the Norwegian has resolved to leave Manchester City within the next 24 months, possibly as early as this summer, although Real Madrid’s squad balance and Barcelona’s financial constraints complicate any immediate switch. Other Premier League movers include Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté, who could head to Saudi Arabia if Real Madrid or Inter decline to table an offer when his contract expires. Aston Villa are ready to challenge Chelsea for Lazio defender Mario Gila, valued at €30 million, while West Ham remain in talks to make Axel Disasi’s loan permanent despite balking at Chelsea’s desire to recoup the majority of the £38 million they paid for the Frenchman. Newcastle, meanwhile, are eyeing Chelsea pair Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson to refresh their forward line, yet may have to fend off interest from Arsenal in midfielder Sandro Tonali and full-back Tino Livramento. Julián Alvarez has no intention of departing Atlético Madrid, dealing a blow to Barcelona, who will nevertheless attempt a swap involving Marc Casadó, Eric García or Ferran Torres. With the window still weeks away from opening, the Rashford and Guimarães situations alone guarantee headlines will keep coming, and the ripple effects could redefine the balance of power across England and continental Europe.

Barcelona’s emerging goalkeeper Joan García has been given the all-clear to start Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano, easing fears that arose when he was forced off midweek with apparent discomfort. The 23-year-old, who exited the Champions League second-leg victory over Newcastle United, avoided any structural damage and completed his final training session without issue, the club confirmed on Saturday. García’s availability is a rare piece of positive injury news for head coach Hansi Flick, who is still navigating a deepening defensive crisis. Eric García lasted only 22 minutes against Newcastle before succumbing to what the club suspects is a recurrence of the muscular problem that had already sidelined him for the previous two matches; his participation against Rayo is now rated as highly doubtful. Should the former Manchester City centre-back miss out, he will join a growing casualty list that already includes Alejandro Balde, Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen. The Catalan giants enter the weekend on the back of two statement wins: a 5–2 rout of Sevilla in league play followed by a 7–2 demolition of Newcastle that sealed passage to the Champions League quarter-finals. A victory on Sunday would open a provisional seven-point gap at the summit if rivals Real Madrid fail to take three points from the Madrid derby later in the day. Yet Barcelona’s earlier trip to Vallecas this season ended in a frustrating draw, and Rayo have already demonstrated they can trouble Flick’s high line. García, who produced a man-of-the-match performance in that reverse fixture, is expected to anchor a back four that will likely feature teenage right-back Xavi Espart for a second consecutive league start. Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín will continue in central defence, while João Cancelo—who scored his first goal since returning to the club last weekend—will again be asked to patrol the left despite mounting fatigue. In midfield, Pedri and Marc Bernal are set to retain their double-pivot roles. Bernal has scored five times in the past month, offering an unexpected goal threat in the absence of Frenkie de Jong, who remains unavailable until after the international break. Dani Olmo and Fermín Lóopez are competing for the advanced midfield berth behind a front three of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Ferran Torres, with Robert Lewandowski expected to drop to the bench after starting the last three matches. For García, the week has already been memorable: in addition to his clean bill of health, he received his maiden call-up to Spain’s senior squad. Should he parlay that momentum into another decisive display on Sunday, Barcelona will head into the international break with both momentum and breathing room at the top of the table. SEO keywords:

The United States men’s national team footprint across the Atlantic has never been wider. From the Premier League’s floodlit stadiums to La Liga’s technical cauldrons and beyond, every member of the 2025–26 USMNT pool is now contracted to a European club. The single-sentence confirmation from federation sources—“USMNT players can be found all over Europe, from the Premier League to La Liga and beyond”—underscores a historic shift: for the first time, not a single U.S. international in the senior frame is plying his trade domestically during a World Cup cycle. This continental migration places the squad inside the daily cauldron of Champions League and Europa League calendars, ensuring that when the Stars and Stripes reconvene for qualifiers or the 2026 World Cup on home soil, every participant will arrive battle-tested by European competition.

Manchester United are preparing to secure the long-term futures of two key figures, with academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo and defender Harry Maguire both in line for fresh terms. The potential agreements would underline the club’s desire to retain a blend of emerging talent and experienced leadership within Erik ten Hag’s squad. Simultaneously, United are exploring the possibility of reinforcing midfield by targeting Bruno Guimaraes. Should negotiations progress, the Brazilian international could join Mainoo and Maguire at Old Trafford, adding further depth to the engine room. Across London, Arsenal have emerged as frontrunners in the pursuit of Sandro Tonali. The Italian midfielder, currently plying his trade in Serie A, is believed to be open to a Premier League switch, and the Gunners have moved swiftly to position themselves at the head of the queue. Tottenham Hotspur are also active in the market, expressing firm interest in Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu. Spurs view the highly-rated shot-stopper as a prospect capable of challenging for the No. 1 jersey in the coming seasons. With negotiations ongoing and several dominoes poised to fall, the next transfer window promises significant movement for three of England’s heavyweight clubs.

Washington, D.C. — The Oklahoma City Thunder will not be celebrating their 2024-25 NBA title at the White House, the team confirmed Thursday, citing timing constraints that prevented the visit during their lone regular-season trip to the nation’s capital. The Thunder, who enter Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards with a league-best 55-15 record, informed the White House that the traditional championship ceremony “just didn’t work out,” according to a statement shared with The Athletic. The franchise becomes the latest NBA champion to bypass the storied photo-op, following the precedent set by the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who also declined an invitation from President Donald Trump during his first term. White House visits have been a rite of passage for American sports champions since the 1963 Boston Celtics toured 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after capturing the NBA crown. The Celtics most recently reprised the ritual in November 2024, when they were feted by then-President Joe Biden after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. Trump, now in his second term, has continued the custom, welcoming Inter Miami and Lionel Messi last month to honor their MLS Cup triumph, while also hosting Super Bowl victors, College Football Playoff champions, World Series winners, and, in a first last week, the 2025 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world champions. The Thunder’s decision arrives against the backdrop of heightened U.S. diplomatic activity surrounding the Iran-Israel conflict, though the team offered no further elaboration on the “timing issue” that scuttled the visit. Oklahoma City is in Washington for only one game this season, eliminating any immediate opportunity to reschedule. Meanwhile, the NFL’s reigning champion Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the New England Patriots in last month’s Super Bowl in San Francisco, have yet to announce whether they will accept a White House invitation. The previous year’s winners, the Philadelphia Eagles, attended 12 months ago without quarterback Jalen Hurts; the Eagles had earlier declined the 2018 invitation after their Super Bowl LII victory. As the Thunder pursue a repeat championship and continue to lead the Western Conference, the franchise emphasized its appreciation for the dialogue with the White House, even as the historic visit will not take place.

MOSINEE — Mosinee High School has promoted longtime assistant Kevin Sanchez-Stevenoski to head football coach, the district announced via social media on Friday, March 20. Sanchez-Stevenoski, an alternative-education teacher at the school, has spent previous seasons on the Indians’ football staff and has served as head boys track and field coach for the past four years. He now inherits a program coming off one of the most successful campaigns in school history, set in motion by former coach Kyle Stoffel, who guided the 2025 squad to historic heights before stepping away to devote more time to family. In a statement released by the district, administrators highlighted Sanchez-Stevenoski’s vision for sustaining on-field success while prioritizing character development. “He is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment with a coaching philosophy that emphasizes accountability, resilience and a team-oriented approach,” officials said. “Kevin is dedicated to the comprehensive development of student-athletes—academic, athletic and personal—while cultivating programs built on trust, discipline and school pride.” The new coach views football as more than wins and losses, believing the sport is “a powerful tool for building confidence, discipline and lifelong character—both on and off the field.” Mosinee will look to build on last season’s momentum when preseason practices begin later this year.

AUSTIN, Texas — Oregon’s eighth-seeded women’s basketball team booked its ticket to the round of 32 with a commanding 70-60 victory over ninth-seeded Virginia Tech on Friday night, never trailing in a performance that showcased the Ducks’ postseason poise. The win lifts Oregon to 23-12 on the season and sets up a daunting Sunday showdown against the tournament’s top overall seed. Awaiting the Ducks at the Moody Center on March 22 will be host Texas, fresh off an 87-45 dismantling of No. 16 Missouri State. The Longhorns’ balanced attack and home-court advantage present a steep challenge for an Oregon squad that has already defied expectations by advancing past the opening round. Tip-off time for the Ducks versus the Longhorns has yet to be announced, though the game will be played in the same Austin venue that has already seen its share of March drama this weekend. Fans can follow every possession live on Fubo, with full coverage carried across ESPN’s family of networks. Oregon, which controlled tempo and glass against Virginia Tech, will need a similar complete effort to upset the nation’s No. 1 seed and continue its tournament run.

Newcastle United have placed Chelsea striker Liam Delap on their summer shortlist, with discussions already hinting at a £40 million valuation for the 23-year-old England forward, according to Talksport. Delap, who has been on the books at Stamford Bridge, is viewed by the Magpies as a prime target to bolster Eddie Howe’s attacking options ahead of next season. The proposed fee would represent a significant outlay for the Tyneside club as they look to close the gap on the Premier League’s top four. Elsewhere in the Premier League, Manchester United are preparing to reward 20-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo for his rapid rise by offering a contract extension through 2031 that will quadruple his wages to £120,000 a week. Talksport reports that the deal is expected to be finalised alongside an extension for veteran defender Harry Maguire. Liverpool’s pursuit of Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni appears to be stalling, with Teamtalk indicating that the Italian international is now increasingly unlikely to leave the San Siro this summer. Tottenham have been monitoring Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, 23, as speculation grows that current Spurs number one Guglielmo Vicario could head back to Italy, with Inter Milan said to be leading the race for his signature. Everton have issued a hands-off warning regarding midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, insisting the 27-year-old is not for sale at any price despite reported interest from Manchester United. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has branded suggestions that captain Bruno Guimaraes could be lured to Old Trafford as “disrespectful” to both the club and the 28-year-old Brazilian. Manchester United and Liverpool are also keeping tabs on Fulham’s United States international left-back Antonee Robinson, 28, according to Caught Offside. Finally, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has emerged as a leading candidate for the vacant Athletic Bilbao post after Ernesto Valverde stepped down. Marca adds that Iraola has also been discussed by Tottenham and Crystal Palace as they continue their own managerial searches.

Barcelona’s teenage centre-back Pau Cubarsi has become the subject of a high-stakes tug-of-war between Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Manchester City after a series of commanding performances that have marked him out as one of Europe’s most coveted young defenders. The 17-year-old, a product of the famed La Masia academy, has been valued by Barcelona at €500 million via a release clause that the Catalan club insist is non-negotiable. While the figure is designed to ward off suitors, it has not deterred England’s top two clubs from registering firm interest in the Spain youth international. According to a report in Fichajes, Arsenal have placed Cubarsi on a growing list of defensive targets as they seek to add elite, home-grown talent to a squad already challenging for major honours. The Gunners’ recruitment staff have been impressed by Cubarsi’s composure in possession, tactical intelligence and ability to handle senior opposition well beyond his years. Manchester City, however, are unwilling to allow their title rivals a clear run at the defender. The treble winners have tracked Cubarsi since he broke into Barcelona’s first-team setup and believe his ball-playing style fits the profile City have successfully integrated into their squad in recent seasons. With both clubs expected to push deep into domestic and European competitions, the opportunity to pitch a long-term project to the youngster is regarded as equally compelling. Barcelona, for their part, have no desire to enter negotiations. Club officials view Cubarsi as a future leader of the back line and have communicated that any approach would have to trigger the €500 million clause in full. Sources close to the player indicate he is happy at Camp Nou and focused on nailing down a regular starting spot, making an immediate switch improbable. Yet the very presence of Arsenal and Manchester City in the chase underlines how quickly Cubarsi’s reputation has risen. Should he continue his rapid development, the battle for his signature is likely to intensify, even if a blockbuster transfer remains a distant prospect while the prohibitive clause stands.

Los Angeles, March 20, 2026 — Arnold Schwarzenegger, 78, is back under the iron, grinding through what insiders describe as a brutal gym regimen to reprise his iconic role in the upcoming Conan the Barbarian sequel. The veteran actor and former California governor has reportedly committed to an intense training schedule designed to restore the formidable physique that defined his early career. While studio representatives remain tight-lipped about production details, sources close to the project confirm that Schwarzenegger’s preparation is already underway. The actor’s return to the sword-and-sorcery franchise marks one of the most anticipated comebacks in modern action cinema, and his willingness to endure rigorous workouts at nearly 80 years old underscores the personal stake he has in resurrecting the Cimmerian warrior. Fans first met Schwarzenegger as Conan in John Milius’s 1982 cult classic, a role that catapulted the Austrian bodybuilder to global stardom. A sequel, Conan the Destroyer, followed two years later, yet plans for a third installment lingered in development limbo for decades. Now, with cameras expected to roll later this year, Schwarzenegger’s disciplined approach to training signals that the new film aims to honor the raw physicality that made the original a benchmark in the genre. Observers note that the actor has been spotted daily at a private Santa Monica facility, focusing on heavy compound lifts, functional mobility drills, and recovery protocols tailored to an athlete navigating advanced age. Nutritionists and physiotherapists are said to be monitoring every metric, ensuring that the septuagenarian can safely shoulder the demands of large-scale battle sequences and horseback stunts. Industry analysts predict that Schwarzenegger’s return could energize the property much the way legacy sequels have reinvigorated other dormant franchises. With modern filmmaking technology and a renewed appetite for epic fantasy, the new Conan installment is poised to bridge generations of moviegoers—those who thrilled to the original 1980s adventures and younger audiences discovering the mythic hero for the first time. For Schwarzenegger, the undertaking appears as much a personal mission as a cinematic one. Social-media snippets show him hoisting familiar free weights and reciting his trademark determination to “come back” stronger—a mantra that has defined his public life from bodybuilding stages to the governor’s office. If the training footage is any indication, the 78-year-old star refuses to concede ground to time, determined to stride back onto the big screen with the same imposing presence that made Conan a cultural touchstone four decades ago.

London – When Manchester City step onto the Wembley turf for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, the stakes will be towering. A first trophy in almost two years is on the line, and Pep Guardiola’s side know that defeat would deepen the gloom created by their mid-week Champions League elimination at the hands of Real Madrid and a Premier League title race that is slipping away. Yet within the City camp there is a quiet confidence, fuelled in part by two names that have steadily risen in prominence this season: Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush. Neither player arrived with the fanfare of a nine-figure transfer, but both have become pivotal to City’s domestic-cup surge. Semenyo, the powerful right-sided attacker, is expected to rejoin the starting XI after being rested in mid-week, and teammates speak of a player “hungry to end his personal silverware drought.” The 24-year-old has yet to lift a major honour in his professional career; colleagues believe that statistic has sharpened his training-ground edge and turned him into one of the dressing-room’s most vocal leaders ahead of the final. Marmoush, the versatile German-Egyptian forward, has operated both through the middle and in wider areas during City’s League Cup run, scoring decisive goals in the quarter- and semi-finals. Guardiola has lauded the 25-year-old’s “fearless pressing” and ability to stretch back lines, traits that forced the manager to juggle his front line to keep the former Wolfsburg man involved. While Erling Haaland is set to spearhead the attack, club sources say Marmoush’s recent performances guarantee him a prominent role off the bench – if not a shock start – as City look to exploit an Arsenal defence that can be caught on the transition. Their influence has been felt beyond mere goals. Semenyo’s direct running has drawn fouls in dangerous areas, while Marmoush’s relentless work-rate has allowed Guardiola to deploy a more aggressive high press than in previous rounds. Together they have offered energy at a time when City’s campaign has flirted with entropy. Guardiola confirmed on Friday that deputy goalkeeper James Trafford will retain his cup role, with Gianluigi Donnarumma consigned to the bench. Further changes are expected: Marc Guéhi is poised to partner Rúben Dias at centre-half, Nico O’Reilly is likely to join Rodri in the double pivot, and Rayan Aït-Nouri will resume his unenviable task of trying to shackle Bukayo Saka. Yet it is the continued emergence of Semenyo and Marmoush that has given the squad a timely jolt of belief. City trail Liverpool by one trophy in the competition’s all-time standings; victory on Sunday would narrow that gap to a single title and, perhaps more importantly, restore conviction ahead of a season-defining sprint through April and May. For Semenyo and Marmoush, the final represents a chance to repay the faith shown in them and, in the process, carve their own place in the club’s ever-expanding honours board. History says City know how to handle these occasions. Eight of the current squad already own a League Cup winners’ medal, and Dias, Bernardo Silva and Rodri have each lifted trophies beneath the iconic Wembley arch. But football is rarely kind to teams living on past glories. Guardiola understands that new heroes must emerge; on Sunday he will look to two of his most in-form forwards to answer the call. Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush have already propelled City to the brink of glory. Now they have 90 minutes – maybe more – to finish the job and spark a late-season resurgence.

Liverpool’s football operations could be on the brink of a seismic shift, with sporting director Richard Hughes now the subject of intensifying speculation linking him to Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal. Multiple reports indicate that a summer move for the 44-year-old is gathering momentum, placing Anfield’s back-room stability under the microscope. Hughes, appointed only last summer, is entering the final 12 months of his contract once the current season concludes, a detail highlighted by The Athletic on Friday and one that has simplified negotiations for Al-Hilal, who are searching for a new sporting director to oversee their ambitious recruitment drive. Saudi journalist Ahmed Al-Ajlan went further, claiming Hughes has already struck a provisional agreement to relocate to Riyadh when the transfer window re-opens. While respected transfer correspondent Fabrizio Romano stresses that Hughes remains “completely committed” to Liverpool for the time being, he confirms Al-Hilal’s “strong interest” is genuine and ongoing. The potential departure carries added weight because of Hughes’ close professional bond with Michael Edwards, the architect of Liverpool’s data-driven overhaul and the man who convinced his long-time friend to leave Bournemouth for Merseyside. Edwards himself is out of contract in 2027 and, according to sources, no longer occupies a clearly defined role inside the club’s expanding multi-club model—a project that has stalled after early fanfare. Losing one figure, insiders concede, increases the probability of losing the other, raising the prospect of a comprehensive reset in the club’s power structure. Although some voices at Anfield believe the Saudi links could be a bargaining chip designed to secure improved terms on Merseyside, the convergence of contract timelines and Al-Hilal’s willingness to invest heavily in back-room talent means a blockbuster switch has never appeared more plausible. With Liverpool facing a pivotal summer on and off the pitch, the coming weeks could determine whether Hughes boards a plane to the Middle East or commits his future to the Reds amid mounting uncertainty.

Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their IPL 2026 campaign without tearaway quick Matheesha Pathirana, with the franchise confirming that the Sri Lankan is unlikely to be match-fit until mid-April. Head coach Abhishek Nayar delivered the update during the side’s pre-season media briefing on Friday, revealing that the 23-year-old is presently completing a rehabilitation programme overseen by Sri Lanka Cricket after a calf strain forced him out of the recent T20 World Cup. Pathirana, who managed only three appearances in that global event before being assisted off the field in a clash against Australia, has not yet undergone the mandatory Physical Performance Test that would clear him for IPL duty. “The latest update that we know is he’s obviously with the Sri Lankan cricket board and they took out his rehab, and the latest communication that we’ve had is, hopefully, somewhere mid-April is when they feel he’ll be match fit. That’s what we know as of now,” Nayar said. The development compounds selection headaches for the Knight Riders, who had banked on the sling-armed speedster to spearhead their attack. Nayar conceded the absence is a significant setback. “Firstly, it is a big blow, because Harshit has been an integral part of this team for the last couple of seasons, including the championship season. He’s grown a lot as a cricketer over the years, so it’s not easy to replace him.” With the tournament window tightening, KKR have already begun scouting for stand-ins. “Over the last few days we’ve looked at a few bowlers. We’re trying to evaluate, with the help of the leadership group, who fits in and who can do that role to the best of their prowess,” Nayar added, stressing that no final call has been taken. Team mentor Dwayne Bravo struck an optimistic chord, highlighting India’s fast-bowling reserves. “In any tournament with any team, once you lose some of the key bowling options, these are things you plan for, but also things you have to accept. The good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, is that there is a lot of depth.” Bravo name-checked former India quick Umran Malik among the candidates being monitored, describing the contingent as “young, exciting talents” who have already tasted IPL and international cricket. Sri Lanka Cricket, meanwhile, clarified the administrative status of its contracted players. Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis have cleared fitness benchmarks and received No Objection Certificates, while Nuwan Thushara’s NOC hinges on the outcome of his Physical Performance Test. Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga and Pathirana remain in rehabilitation and will be assessed once their recovery programmes conclude. For Kolkata, the race is now on to secure a like-for-like replacement capable of replicating Pathirana’s death-over nous until the Sri Lankan can rejoin the squad, should the medical timelines hold.

London—With a Carabao Cup final looming on Sunday, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola used his pre-match press conference to swat away suggestions that Arsenal have been bending the rules on set pieces, dismissing the north-London club’s alleged “dark arts” as a distraction from far weightier issues. “Dark arts? When someone does something like that, the referees must stop it,” Guardiola said. “Look what happens in the world. We are in the middle of chaos, and nobody moves a finger. The world is going to collapse, and we are talking about whether a team uses dark arts. There are more important things than that.” The rebuttal lands 48 hours before City walk out at Wembley knowing the competition may represent their most realistic route to silverware this season. Although the champions remain mathematically in the Premier League title fight—nine points behind Arsenal with a match in hand—recent elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid has narrowed their trophy path. A quarter-final date with Liverpool in the FA Cup offers another opportunity, yet the League Cup final offers an immediate chance to lift a trophy. Guardiola, who worked closely with now-Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta during the latter’s tenure as his assistant at the Etihad, offered measured praise for the Gunners’ evolution under the Spaniard. “They control many aspects of the game after years without titles. That has given them an edge. They are organized, they defend deep, they have a good build-up. They are an exceptional team,” he said, while brushing aside any personal rift with his former lieutenant. Arteta’s tactical blueprint has shifted away from the high-tempo positional play both coaches once espoused, instead favouring deeper blocks and set-piece efficiency—an approach that has apparently rankled City ahead of the Wembley encounter. Guardiola’s broader frustration, however, appeared aimed at football’s governance rather than any single opponent, referencing opaque decision-making “behind stage” and citing the recent overturned result in the Africa Cup of Nations final, where Senegal were stripped of the title despite beating Morocco. City’s season now hinges on a strong finish across three remaining competitions. Victory on Sunday would secure a first piece of silverware since last spring’s Premier League triumph and keep alive Guardiola’s streak of winning a major honour in every full campaign since arriving in England. For Arsenal, a maiden trophy under Arteta would serve further notice that their rebuilding project has moved into a ruthless new phase—one that, according to their rivals, is not above exploiting every marginal gain, legal or otherwise. Kick-off at Wembley is set for Sunday afternoon, with both managers expected to field near full-strength sides despite congested calendars. Guardiola, ever the perfectionist, insists the focus must stay on performance rather than subterfuge. “I don’t have time to go to London,” he said of off-field mind games, “and I don’t think he has time to come to Manchester with four competitions.” The rivalry, already white-hot, now carries the extra spice of accusation and rebuttal. By late Sunday evening, the debate over dark arts may be superseded by the more decisive matter of who lifts the first major trophy of the English season.

Boston, MA – The stat sheet will not scream MVP, but inside TD Garden the growing consensus is that no Celtic is more indispensable right now than Derrick White. With Brooklyn in town on Feb. 27, 2026, White spent the first half hounding Nets rookie Nolan Traore, sliding his feet, reaching for strips, and contesting every inch of hardwood. The sequence was a snapshot of a season-long theme: White is on pace to finish with 100 steals and 100 blocks, a benchmark that has become a rallying point for a roster that has overachieved in the face of roster turnover and injury chaos. “Derrick is just calculating,” said Celtics beat insider John Karalis, who has chronicled the guard’s evolution from role player to defensive lynchpin. “He rarely takes a chance that puts the team at risk. His mind and body are quick, and he uses that to his advantage.” That cerebral approach separates White from his predecessor Marcus Smart. Where Smart baited opponents into charges and emotional mistakes, White wins with timing and spatial awareness. Smart played mind games; White plays angles. Smart leapt for highlight rejections; White pounces in a blur, swatting drives before they reach the rim. The contrast has spawned a “thunder and lightning” comparison inside the locker room: Smart supplied the roar, White supplies the silent strike. The numbers back up the eye test. Entering the Brooklyn matchup, White sat just outside the league’s top-10 in both steals and blocks among guards, a rarity in an era when most back-court players specialize in one defensive category. Coaches credit his study habits: he charts opponent tendencies, notes preferred dribble moves, then anticipates the moment a crossover will expose the ball. Teammates credit his humility: White will switch onto 7-footers, fight over screens, then sprint in transition for corner threes without demanding a single play call. That selflessness has become the personality of the 2025-26 Celtics. Jaylen Brown has emerged as the undisputed vocal leader, but White sets the tone with consistency. When Kristaps Porzingis missed almost the entire season and Al Horford battled nagging injuries, White’s versatility allowed Boston to stay afloat. When rookie Hugo Gonzalez needed guidance navigating life in a new country, White invited him to post-practice shooting sessions, accelerating the teenager’s adjustment. The Nets game offered another example. Midway through the second quarter, Traore tried to isolate White on a high pick-and-roll. White slid under the screen, stayed attached to the hip, then reached in at the precise instant Traore brought the ball low. The steal led to a Payton Pritchard pull-up three in transition, a sequence that brought the Garden crowd to its feet and forced Brooklyn into a timeout. No chest-thumping, no trash talk—just business. Off the court, White’s chase for 100-100 has become a subplot that captiviates both fans and analytics departments. Only a handful of guards in league history have reached the century mark in both categories during a single season; accomplishing the feat would etch White’s name among elite company and validate Boston’s decision to build around a defense-first identity. Yet White shrugs at the milestone chatter. “I just want to win,” he said after the Nets win, towel draped over his head. “If I get there, cool. If not, as long as we keep playing in May and June, I’m happy.” For a Celtics team that has navigated cap constraints, roster turnover, and the lingering question of what might have been had last year’s core stayed intact, White’s steady hand provides clarity. Boston may not control health, schedules, or rival super-teams finally clicking, but they control effort, execution, and the quiet storm that is Derrick White. As the regular season hits the stretch run, opponents are learning what Traore discovered: the ball is never safe when White is near, and neither is the game plan. The 100-100 milestone is within reach, but the larger objective—another deep playoff push—remains the only number that truly matters in a season defined by resilience.

Barcelona return to La Liga action on Saturday evening when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, and all eyes will be on Hansi Flick’s team sheet after the Catalans’ statement 7-2 demolition of Newcastle United in mid-week. The comprehensive victory has buoyed the squad and, according to club sources, convinced the coaching staff that continuity, rather than rotation, is the safest route to three more points. Flick is therefore expected to retain the 4-2-3-1 shape that has underpinned Barcelona’s recent surge, with veteran striker Robert Lewandowski once again entrusted to lead the line. The Polish forward struck twice against the Magpies and will aim to carry that momentum into the domestic meeting with Rayo, who have struggled on the road this term. Between the posts, Joan Garcia is set for a second consecutive start despite conceding twice in the European thriller. In front of him, Eric Garcia and teenage prodigy Pau Cubarsi will reunite in central defence, a partnership Flick believes offers the ideal blend of composure and aggression. Joao Cancelo keeps his place on the right, with academy graduate Gerard Martin continuing on the left; both full-backs have licence to push high and overload the wide areas. Pedri and Marc Bernal will sit deepest in midfield, tasked with dictating tempo and shielding the back four. Ahead of them, an attacking trident of Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and precocious winger Lamine Yamal will look to supply Lewandowski, while also interchanging positions to stretch Rayo’s compact back five. The bench will be stacked with game-changing talent. Gavi, Dani Olmo and deadline-day loanee Marcus Rashford provide forward thrust, while defenders Xavi Espert and Ronald Araujo offer defensive insurance should Flick wish to shut up shop. Ferran Torres is also expected to be named among the substitutes and could be unleashed late on if the hosts require fresh impetus in the final third. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:30 local time, and anything less than victory will be viewed as a setback for a side chasing both points and momentum at the business end of the campaign. Barcelona predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Joao Cancelo, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin; Marc Bernal, Pedri; Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal; Robert Lewandowski.

Wembley Stadium will stage a tantalising EFL Cup final on Sunday with one goalkeeper confirmed and the other still cloaked in mystery. Pep Guardiola ended speculation by announcing that James Trafford will keep the gloves for Manchester City, while Mikel Arteta refused to reveal whether Kepa Arrizabalaga or David Raya will start for Arsenal. Trafford, the only City player to have featured in every round of the competition, edges out Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been Guardiola’s automatic pick in the Premier League and Champions League since early September. The 21-year-old’s retention caps a week of scrutiny after Trafford admitted in February that he “didn’t expect” to find himself relegated to cup duties following Donnarumma’s loan arrival from Paris Saint-Germain. Guardiola brushed aside the youngster’s public frustration, saying: “Players can be happy, unhappy. It is what it is. They have to be here to do the best they can do.” Across the tunnel, Arteta offered no such certainty. Pressed repeatedly on whether Kepa, who has started every EFL Cup tie this campaign, will be preferred to summer signing David Raya, the Arsenal manager replied: “We will see how everyone is tomorrow.” When reminded that Guardiola had already settled on his keeper, Arteta smiled: “Good for him.” The Spaniard acknowledged that rotating goalkeepers carries unique pressure. “If you talk to the goalkeeping coaches, they are very special because they are always different,” he said. “There is a lot of history about that as well that is very related to how people have made decisions in the past.” City enter the match without fresh injuries, though Marc Guehi is cup-tied and Josko Gvardiol remains unavailable. Arsenal will check on captain Martin Odegaard and defender Jurrien Timber after Saturday’s final training session; Timber has already been named in the latest Netherlands squad. Guardiola’s starting XI is expected to show Trafford behind a back four of Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias and Rayan Ait Nouri. Ahead of them, Rodri anchors a midfield that includes Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku, with Antoine Semeyo supporting Erling Haaland. Arteta’s projected side lists Kepa in goal, protected by Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Piero Hincapie. Martin Zubimendi partners Declan Rice in midfield, while Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke supply Kai Havertz. By kick-off, only one question will linger: which keeper will Arteta trust to lift Arsenal’s first silverware of the season?

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Robert Lewandowski’s future appears increasingly likely to be settled in Catalonia rather than anywhere else, with multiple sources close to the striker predicting a one-year contract extension will be finalised as early as April. The 36-year-old’s current deal expires in June, yet president Joan Laporta has already gone on record saying he wants the Polish forward to remain for at least another season. Polish journalist Tomasz Włodarczyk, who has tracked Lewandowski’s career for years, told local media outlets that both player and club are now aligned on the next step. “This decision will be made shortly,” Włodarczyk explained. “I think April will be the time when his future will be clarified and formalised. In my opinion, there will be a one-year contract extension. Firstly, because Robert wants it, and we assume that the other side—Joan Laporta, Deco—also wants it.” Family considerations are understood to weigh heavily in the deliberations. Lewandowski’s children have settled into Barcelona schools, and uprooting them for a single-season stint elsewhere is viewed as an unattractive logistical challenge. Włodarczyk stressed that lifestyle factors, rather than pure economics, are driving the conversation. “There are important personal, private things, and money probably doesn’t play a major role here,” he added. “Would he leave for a year with his entire family, change his surroundings, for two, three, five million euros? Saudi Arabia is a very, very cold topic these days. Moving overseas would involve incredible logistics.” While interest exists from Major League Soccer and Serie A—Mateusz Święcicki confirmed that “Juventus is very excited about Lewandowski”—the reporter believes the forward will view Barcelona’s offer as “the absolute best” once every option is laid out on the table. Barcelona’s hierarchy, fresh off Laporta’s recent election victory, are confident they can secure the veteran’s signature without triggering any purchase clause, aligning with the club’s wider strategy of managing wages while retaining key experience. All signs point toward an announcement next month that will see Lewandowski pull on the blaugrana shirt for at least one more campaign.

London – England head coach Thomas Tuchel has refused to rule out fast-tracking Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman into the senior squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a move that would shatter the tournament’s age record. Speaking after Friday’s squad announcement for the March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, Tuchel told reporters that the 16-year-old attacker is already on his long-range radar. “He’s a fantastic talent,” the German coach said, referencing Fabrizio Romano’s report on X. “We still have a chance to call him for the World Cup.” Dowman, who last weekend became the youngest goal-scorer in Premier League history during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton, was left out of the current camp because he is not yet a regular starter for Mikel Arteta’s side. “At the moment he competes for minutes so he’s not a regular starter for Arsenal,” Tuchel explained. “He is in the best environment possible, he has to keep going. No need to call him up now and increase the pressure.” Should Tuchel reverse course and include Dowman in England’s final 26-man roster for North America 2026, the midfielder would be 16 years and 169 days old when the Three Lions open Group-stage play against Croatia on June 17. That would eclipse the existing World Cup age record held by Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside, who was 17 years and 41 days when he faced Yugoslavia at Spain 1982. Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o (17-99, 1998) and Nigeria’s Femi Opabunmi (17-101, 2002) round out the current podium. While Dowman’s potential leap to the global stage dominates headlines, Tuchel’s March selections generated their own talking points. Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was omitted despite strong recent form for Real Madrid, with Tuchel opting to retain Tino Livramento, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah at the position. Jude Bellingham returns after injury, joined by Manchester United pair Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo and Manchester City centre-back John Stones. England will face Uruguay at Wembley on 22 March and Japan four days later as Tuchel uses the final international window before the summer tournament to refine his tactical blueprint.

New Delhi: As Royal Challengers Bengaluru open their IPL 2026 campaign, all eyes will once again fixate on Virat Kohli, but the chatter around the talismanic batter carries a fresh nuance this year. For the first time since the tournament’s inception, Kohli will enter the competition having fully stepped away from Test cricket, a reality former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes could subtly alter his T20 rhythm. “This time, things will be a little different for Kohli,” Pathan said in a video posted to his YouTube channel. “For the first time, he will play the IPL having completely retired from Test cricket. He is playing only one format. It is not easy for anyone.” Pathan, who has tracked Kohli’s career arc from teenage prodigy to modern great, stressed that while the 37-year-old’s one-day returns remain imperious even after extended breaks, the frenetic nature of T20 cricket presents a unique test. “In T20s, when you play the aggressor and come in not having played a lot, it will be challenging. But he has faced many challenges before as well. I am very excited to see how he will go forward this season.” The conversation is not merely academic. Last season Kohli’s recalibrated approach—trading his customary anchor role for outright aggression—was widely credited with tilting the balance in RCB’s favour as they captured a long-awaited title. Pathan underlined that transformation as pivotal. “When they won last season, his strike rate also went up. He did not play anchor but took the role of an aggressor. It was a very big factor. They will expect even this time that he keeps up the same form.” Kohli’s identity remains inseparable from the Bangalore franchise. “Virat Kohli and RCB is an identity that goes together,” Pathan observed. “He started with RCB and is still playing for them. He has delivered brilliant performances. It was also a golden period in his career when he captained the team; there were a lot of brilliant performances.” With the IPL’s landscape growing ever more demanding, the coming weeks will reveal whether Kohli’s single-format focus sharpens his T20 edge or forces a recalibration of the swashbuckling template that served RCB so well in their title-winning 2025 campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has reached a tipping point. Nine months after lifting the Europa League trophy, the Lilywhites enter Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest just one point above the relegation zone, transforming what once felt like a campaign of promise into a nerve-shredding fight for survival. With pressure mounting on every corner of the club, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) has issued a rallying cry designed to bind players, staff and fans together for the run-in. Posting on X, the Trust delivered an unambiguous message of solidarity: “Tottenham Hotspur means everything to us. It always has. Generations of us. Families. Friends. Strangers. Brought together by the same badge, the same community, the same pride. With one job: to support our team. Time for reflection comes later. Right now we’re in the run-in, with big games ahead. So, to our team, our players, our coaching staff, our team behind the team, our club: we’re not going anywhere. We are with you.” The statement, which ends with the refrain “All together, always,” has been endorsed by a growing number of first-team players, beginning with defender Kevin Danso. Others have since followed, amplifying the plea for unity across social media platforms. Spurs’ recent form offers a glimmer of hope. Back-to-back positive results against Liverpool and Atlético Madrid have lifted spirits around N17, momentarily quieting the chorus of boos that had become commonplace. Head coach Igor Tudor has encouraged a more expressive style, a shift players believe can propel the club toward safety. Yet the mathematics remain stark. Three points separate Tottenham from the bottom three, and Sunday’s encounter with fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest is already being billed as a six-pointer. Anything less than victory would leave Spurs staring at the prospect of Championship football next season, an unthinkable outcome after last term’s continental triumph. Players privately acknowledge the supporters’ statement has resonated inside the dressing room. Several squad members contacted the THST to express gratitude, insisting the backing of the terraces can serve as an extra layer of motivation during the club’s most critical weeks since their 2019 Champions League run. The club hierarchy, long criticised by fans for a perceived lack of direction under the Lewis family, faces uncomfortable questions about how a squad that conquered Europe now finds itself flirting with relegation. For now, though, the focus inside the stadium must narrow to the pitch, where a single lapse could prove fatal to Premier League status. Supporters are expected to generate a raucous atmosphere from the first whistle, hoping to turn the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into a cauldron capable of unsettling Forest and inspiring their own side. With ten fixtures remaining after the weekend, the Lilywhites still control their fate, but the margin for error has all but evaporated. As the THST concluded: “We can’t control what happens on the pitch. But we’ll provide everything you need off it. We believe in you. This is our club.” Tottenham and Nottingham Forest both recognise the stakes. For Spurs, the message from the stands is clear: the 12th man will be present, loud and unwavering, ready to push their team across the survival line starting this Sunday.

LISBON — Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s upcoming friendlies against the United States and Mexico after sustaining a hamstring injury, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Tuesday. The setback comes less than two weeks before the World Cup kicks off across North America, raising immediate questions about the 39-year-old’s readiness for the tournament. Portugal is scheduled to face the U.S. on June 11 in East Hartford, Connecticut, and Mexico three days later in Mexico City, matches that were expected to serve as the team’s final tune-ups before opening group play. Ronaldo, who has been managing recurring muscle issues late in the season, felt tightness in his left hamstring during training on Monday. Medical staff conducted scans that revealed a low-grade strain, prompting the decision to leave him out of both fixtures as a precaution. The forward’s absence deprives Portugal of its all-time leading scorer and most experienced leader at a pivotal moment. With only a handful of sessions remaining before the squad disperses for the World Cup, manager Roberto Martínez will now turn to his depth chart to fill the void in attack. Portugal’s first World Cup match is slated for June 20, leaving Ronaldo roughly a fortnight to recover and regain match fitness.

Barcelona, Spain – A fortnight ago Marcus Rashford’s long-term future at Camp Nou appeared settled; today the English forward finds himself at the centre of a fresh storm after back-to-back matches in which he failed to make it off the bench. Spanish media outlets are openly questioning whether the 27-year-old will still be wearing blaugrana colours beyond the current campaign. Marca led the charge on Thursday with a blunt headline: “Something’s going on with Rashford.” The Madrid-based daily points out that the forward has not featured for a single minute in Barcelona’s last two fixtures and labels Hansi Flick’s decision to omit him entirely as “strange.” The same report highlights a stark dip in productivity: Rashford’s past 15 appearances have yielded three goals and one assist, a sharp fall from the seven goals and eight assists recorded in the previous 20 matches. Diario AS struck a similarly cautious tone, suggesting “the continuity of the English striker could be in danger.” With Raphinha returning to full fitness and rediscovering form, AS expects Rashford to remain on the periphery in the short term, intensifying speculation over his medium-term role in Flick’s squad. Barcelona’s recruitment department, meanwhile, continues to canvas alternatives. Club scouts remain in regular contact over the progress of winger Abde and teenage talent Héctor Virgili, while Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup is also under close scrutiny, according to Marca. Rashford’s next opportunity to force his way back into contention arrives on Sunday when Barcelona host Rayo Vallecano. Should he again be consigned to the bench, the forward will depart for international duty with England for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, hoping to regain sharpness and, crucially, confidence before the season’s decisive stretch. What seemed a formality only weeks ago—Rashford extending his Catalan adventure—has quickly morphed into one of the spring’s most intriguing subplots.

West Palm Beach, FL — In a spring training that has already produced its share of eyebrow-raising roster moves, the Washington Nationals dropped the biggest bombshell yet on Friday by optioning prized outfielder Dylan Crews to Triple-A Rochester, ensuring the 24-year-old will not break camp with the big-league club. The decision, announced ahead of the club’s final exhibition games, ends months of speculation about whether the 2023 No. 2 overall pick would be fast-tracked onto the Opening Day roster. While right-hander Jackson Rutledge was also reassigned, it is Crews — long viewed as a cornerstone of the Nationals’ rebuild — who dominates the conversation. Crews’ path through the minors last season was meteoric but turbulent. After posting a 126 wRC+ at Double-A, he slipped to 106 wRC+ at Triple-A and managed only an 80 wRC+ during his 2024 major-league cameo. Those numbers, coupled with a spring training that failed to show dramatic improvement, convinced president of baseball operations Paul Toboni that additional seasoning is required. “There was a clear feeling inside the organization that Dylan, like several other prospects, was accelerated too quickly,” a club source said. “This is about letting him slow the game down, rediscover his timing, and return with confidence.” The reassignment follows the earlier demotion of catching prospect Harry Ford, acquired this winter from Seattle, and signals a philosophical shift under Toboni’s leadership: development over immediacy, even for the most ballyhooed talents. Fans and analysts alike had projected Crews as a potential Opening Day starter ever since he rocketed through the collegiate ranks at LSU and signed for a franchise-record bonus. Yet the gulf between expectation and production has widened, prompting the front office to prioritize long-term gains over short-term headlines. By starting Crews in Rochester, Washington hopes the former Golden Spikes finalist will face consistent high-level pitching without the glare of the majors, refine his approach, and rekindle the power-speed profile that once made him a consensus top-five draft pick. If the reset works, the Nationals believe they will ultimately be rewarded with the perennial All-Star they envisioned on draft night in 2023. For now, the club will march into the regular season without its most heralded prospect, banking that patience now translates to production later.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola bristled at the suggestion that Arsenal could make history by winning an unprecedented quadruple this season, pointing out that his own side captured four domestic trophies in 2018-19 even if, in his words, the media “pretend” it never happened. Speaking on the eve of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, Guardiola was asked how difficult it is to chase four major honours in a single campaign. The journalist noted that City’s 2022-23 treble had brought the club closer than any English side to a clean sweep, but Guardiola interjected: “And quadruple as well.” He was referring to the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Community Shield lifted by City five years ago, a haul achieved despite a Champions League quarter-final exit to Tottenham. “I know it’s not as prestigious, like you pretend,” Guardiola said with a shrug. “But we did it.” The Catalan has long contested the marginalisation of the Community Shield, arguing that its status as a competitive honour fluctuates depending on who wins it. “When Manchester City win the Community Shield, it’s not a title,” he once complained. “When another team wins the Community Shield, it’s a title.” Guardiola’s relationship with Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta, his former assistant, was also addressed. The pair now meet only on match-day touchlines, with Guardiola admitting: “I don’t have time to go to London, and I don’t think he has time to come to Manchester. When we were here we saw each other five or six hours every day, so the relationship is completely different after his five or six years in London.” Arteta, for his part, insists the distance has not diluted his respect. “The feelings from my side haven’t changed at all,” he said. “What I feel about him and the time that we had together… that’s never going to change.” With both managers fully focused on Sunday’s Wembley showdown, the subplot of their shared history adds an extra layer to a fixture that could shape the remainder of the domestic season.

London—Chelsea are preparing to make one of the boldest statements of the summer transfer window by tabling a €100 million offer for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, according to a report in Spanish outlet Fichajes. The proposed deal, which would shatter the club’s previous outlay for a home-grown Premier League talent, is being framed as central to head coach Liam Rosenior’s early rebuild. Sources close to the negotiations say the Blues have already informed Anderson’s representatives that he would be guaranteed a pivotal role in a refreshed midfield set-up, a promise designed to leapfrog rival interest from Manchester City and Manchester United. City currently view the 21-year-old as an ideal long-term successor to their own ageing engine room, while United have scouted him extensively as a potential replacement for Casemiro. Yet Chelsea’s willingness to trigger a nine-figure release strategy has shifted the dynamic decisively in their favour, with talks now expected to accelerate once the June window officially opens. The urgency behind the move is twofold. While Rosenior’s side edge toward completing the signing of Strasbourg full-back Valentin Barco, uncertainty continues to cloud the Stamford Bridge future of World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have maintained a watching brief on the Argentine, and despite public reassurances from Rosenior that Fernandez is “completely committed”, the club are mapping out contingencies. “I had a great conversation with Enzo at length this morning,” Rosenior told reporters ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton. “He made it really clear to me how happy he is here, how much he wants to win for the team, and how passionate he is for this football club.” Yet respected transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano noted there is “no smoke without fire” surrounding Fernandez’s situation, a verdict that has convinced Chelsea hierarchy to secure a marquee midfield addition regardless of whether their record signing stays or goes. Anderson’s emergence has been impossible to ignore. Forty appearances for Forest this season have showcased a player comfortable dictating tempo, pressing aggressively and arriving late in the box—attributes that align neatly with Rosenior’s high-octane blueprint. Forest value the academy graduate closer to £85 million (€100 million), a valuation Chelsea appear ready to meet in full. Privately, club officials believe an early strike offers dual benefits: it wards off domestic competitors and gives Rosenior a full pre-season to integrate Anderson alongside, or instead of, Fernandez. The manager is understood to have endorsed the pursuit after receiving data-driven presentations that project the England youth international as a rare blend of present quality and future ceiling. For supporters, the development signals a shift from last-minute trolley dashes to methodical, pre-meditated squad building. Retaining Fernandez while still landing Anderson would create competition of the kind that propelled Chelsea to past glories; losing the Argentine but gaining a ready-made replacement softens the blow and maintains momentum. Either scenario points to a transformative summer in west London, with Anderson now the name on everyone’s lips and €100 million the figure that could decide the race before it truly begins.

Liverpool have emerged as the front-runners to secure Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga in a deal valued at £43 million, according to TeamTalk, as Arne Slot’s side look to accelerate a midfield overhaul ahead of next season. Intermediaries acting for the 23-year-old French international have begun briefing Premier League clubs that Camavinga will be available this summer, with Liverpool currently leading the chase. Manchester United and Chelsea have also registered early interest, but Anfield is the destination where talks have progressed furthest. The timing is critical. Slot guided Liverpool to the 2024-25 Premier League title, yet the midfield engine that powered that success has shown unmistakable signs of wear. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have both regressed since last May’s triumph, while futures of Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo remain uncertain. Sporting director Richard Hughes has consequently made reinforcements a priority, targeting energy and tactical versatility rather than mere squad depth. Camavinga fits the profile. Despite his youth, he has already collected two Champions League winners’ medals in Madrid and is under contract until 2029. Nevertheless, sources indicate that Madrid would entertain an offer this summer, allowing the player to seek a new challenge. A significant hurdle remains personal preference. The midfielder is believed to favour a move to London, but with one non-negotiable caveat: his next club must be competing in the UEFA Champions League. That stipulation places enormous importance on Liverpool’s final league position; fifth place, where they currently reside, may not be enough. Chelsea retain hope of hijacking the deal, yet inconsistent form under Liam Rosenior has left their own top-five credentials in doubt. Liverpool, for all their recent wobbles, still possess global pulling power and a long-standing admiration for Camavinga that predates this window. Insiders describe the club as “very attentive to his situation” for months. At £43 million, the fee is considered strong value for a player entering his prime with proven elite experience. Beyond economics, the transfer would signal intent to refresh a department that has grown predictable. Camavinga’s athleticism, ball-carrying ability and capacity to dictate tempo are precisely the qualities Slot’s side have lacked during a stop-start campaign. The deal also offers a broader reset. Last season’s title was built on cohesion; this season’s drop-off suggests that cohesion has calcified into predictability. Injecting a dynamic, press-resistant midfielder could re-energise Gravenberch, relieve Mac Allister of defensive chores and provide a platform for Liverpool to reassert their high-tempo identity. Yet everything hinges on Champions League qualification. Fail to finish in the top five and Liverpool risk losing more than broadcasting revenue; they could miss out on primary targets such as Camavinga. Secure qualification and the narrative changes instantly: Anfield becomes an attractive destination again, and Slot’s project regains credibility. With intermediaries already sounding out English clubs, movement is expected early in the window. Liverpool’s willingness to act swiftly may ultimately decide whether the Reds return to the summit of European football or face a more complicated rebuild. Keywords:

Cricket across the continent is edging toward a fresh frontier after Cricket Ireland revealed that a men’s and women’s Euro Nations Cup could debut as early as summer 2027. Talks are now intensifying among Europe’s leading boards, with England, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands and potentially Italy pencilled in for a T20 event designed to sit in the early-season calendar. The disclosure came during a wide-ranging press briefing on Friday at which Cricket Ireland chair Brian MacNeice said the concept has moved “much more than a fanciful idea” to an active project that could be finalised within months. “I’ve had this on the table for discussion with various stakeholders for quite some time,” MacNeice explained. “It’s something that I’m very passionate about and that I fundamentally believe in. The conversations have now developed and evolved to a point that I’m much more confident that it is going to happen.” Momentum gathered after England’s 2-0 T20 victory over Ireland in Malahide last September, when officials from the England and Wales Cricket Board met their Irish counterparts to examine the merits of a regular European tournament. While the ECB has historically greeted similar proposals with caution, the recent competitiveness of associate nations—Italy and Scotland both pushed England at the most recent T20 World Cup—plus encouragement from the International Cricket Council has shifted the debate. England’s involvement is viewed as pivotal: their commercial pull would help attract broadcasters and sponsors, while the country’s array of international venues would solve a logistical headache for organisers elsewhere in Europe. With England already assured of a place at the 2028 T20 World Cup, the competition would also offer a platform for emerging talent. MacNeice conceded that hurdles remain. “In principle it’s really easy to do,” he said. “There are practicalities of logistics and existing broadcasting and all that sort of stuff. That’s the complicated kind of piece that has to be pieced together.” Cricket Ireland chief executive Sarah Keane echoed the cautious optimism, noting that calendars are already congested but stressing the importance of carving out space for a flagship European event. “We are certainly starting to consider how we can create room and build it into our future plans,” she said. No definitive format has been locked in, yet T20 has emerged as the favoured version of the game, and a June or July window appears most attractive to boards seeking a high-profile warm-up ahead of bilateral series or global qualifiers. An announcement on structure and participating teams is expected “in the next couple of months,” according to MacNeice. Away from the Euro Nations Cup discussions, Cricket Ireland confirmed that Afghanistan’s men will visit in August for a five-match ODI series staged at Bready and Belfast between 5-14 August. The decision to host Afghanistan was not taken lightly; board members held a 90-minute session on Wednesday before approving the fixtures, mindful of the Taliban’s ban on women’s sport since 2021. Keane, in her first media appearance since succeeding Warren Deutrom, acknowledged the “moral discomfort” surrounding the series but said pre-existing commitments to support Afghanistan’s exiled women players would be honoured. “We didn’t just invite the men’s team to come here, we also invited the women’s team, and we are in discussions around how that might happen,” she stated. If timelines hold, the summer of 2027 could herald a new chapter for European cricket, giving fans a continental championship and players a fresh pathway to international recognition.

Porto Alegre, Brazil – When Arthur Melo swapped the blaugrana of Barcelona for the bianconeri of Juventus in the summer of 2020, the transfer was trumpeted as the arrival of Europe’s next elite regista. Five turbulent years on, the Brazilian is back where it all began, resurrecting his career at boyhood club Gremio and daring to dream of a dramatic return to the Italian champions under Luciano Spalletti. The numbers since his homecoming in January 2026 read like a redemption novella: 11 matches, one goal, a 95 percent pass-completion rate and, most importantly, the Campeonato Gaúcho trophy lifted after a hard-fought final against Internacional. A minor muscular tweak in that decider has been the lone cloud over an otherwise immaculate renaissance. Speaking exclusively to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arthur outlined why he believes the same tactical intelligence that once made him a €80 million target can now serve Spalletti’s possession-oriented Juventus. “Luciano likes to have an organising midfielder, a fulcrum of the team, and I love that role,” the 29-year-old said. “Pizarro and Lobotka both flourished under Spalletti with possession-based, tactically intelligent football. It is not absurd to think I could adapt well. We will see.” The comparison to Napoli anchor Stanislav Lobotka is deliberate: both players rely on close control, progressive passing and an almost allergic distaste for turnovers. Whether that profile is enough to earn a recall to Turin remains uncertain, yet Arthur’s confidence is unmistakable. Reflections on his Juventus stint carry more nuance than rancour. “I arrived during a period of transition at the club with many changes, and that probably affected everyone, including me,” he admitted. “I have the regret of not being able to show at Juventus what I am demonstrating at Gremio. But I learned a lot in Italy.” Equally, the decision to leave Barcelona still prompts mixed emotions. “It leaves a bittersweet taste, I was happy there. But Juventus allowed me to discover another culture and grow as a man, even through difficulties. Lessons I perhaps would never have learned staying in my comfort zone.” Beyond club ambition, Arthur has set his sights on a Seleção recall ahead of the 2026 World Cup under new coach Carlo Ancelotti. While discussing his international hopes, he took the opportunity to flag two Gremio prodigies—18-year-old defender Luis Guedes and 17-year-old winger Gabriel Mec—as names to watch. Asked to distil the experience of sharing a dressing room with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Arthur offered a succinct appraisal: “Leo is magic. Cristiano is work, hunger, ambition: a winning mentality that pushes everyone around him. I feel privileged to have played with both.” Whether those memories of greatness translate into one last shot at Serie A glory will depend on Spalletti’s assessment of a player determined to prove that his story in Italian football is far from finished.

Valdebebas – Real Madrid’s training ground hummed with renewed energy on Friday as Álvaro Arbeloa supervised a session that offered the clearest indication yet that the club’s lengthy injury list is finally shortening. With only 48 hours separating Los Blancos from Sunday’s high-stakes LaLiga meeting with Atlético at the Santiago Bernabéu, the sight of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé and a trio of defenders back in full flow has lifted spirits inside the camp. The morning began behind closed doors in the gym, players loosening limbs after a congested run of fixtures. Once outside, the emphasis shifted to sharpness with ball: rondos morphed into possession drills, then into detailed tactical patterns and set-piece rehearsals. A full-pitch practice match closed the workout, allowing Arbeloa to gauge combinations he hopes will blunt Atlético’s threat. While five senior players remain unavailable—Thibaut Courtois (right quadriceps), Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão and Rodrygo—the ledger is tilting toward availability. Courtois has already been ruled out of the derby, but the returns elsewhere are timely. Chief among them is Bellingham. The England midfielder completed every phase of Friday’s session without discomfort, the first time he has done so since a left hamstring complaint forced him off in Munich. Club sources expect the 20-year-old to be named in the match-day squad, though a start is viewed as improbable given the coaching staff’s caution ahead of the international break. Mbappé’s situation is rosier. The French forward, who left Manchester with ice strapped to his knee last week, trained at full tilt and is considered “fully fit.” His starting berth is all but inked, offering Madrid a focal point that had been in doubt only days earlier. Defensive reinforcements have also checked in. David Alaba, Raúl Asencio and Carreras all worked without restrictions. Carreras, fresh from shaking off a heavy knock, is pressing for a starting role, while Alaba and Asencio expand Arbeloa’s options at centre-back and full-back. Their presence eases the burden on a back line that has fielded makeshift pairings in recent weeks. The swelling roster means Madrid will likely head into the derby with 19 first-team players at the coach’s disposal, a luxury after last weekend’s trip to Elche required heavy academy support. Castilla, Madrid’s reserve side, will feel the knock-on effect: fewer senior loanees are expected for their Sunday clash at Zamora. Barring a late setback, Sunday’s derby will be contested by a Madrid side closer to full strength than at any point since early autumn. After weeks of patching line-ups together, Arbelao now faces the pleasant puzzle of selection rather than improvisation as the capital rivals prepare to write the next chapter of their storied feud.

London is bracing for an unprecedented cross-border fan demonstration on 18 April as supporters of Chelsea and French side Strasbourg prepare to march shoulder-to-shoulder to demand the exit of BlueCo, the American-led consortium that owns both clubs. Organisers from NotAProjectCFC, the Chelsea supporters’ group that staged a January protest before the Brentford match, say this will be the first time fans from two BlueCo-owned teams have united in a single action. Ultra Boys 90, Kop Ciel et Blanc, Fédération des supporters du RCS and the Pariser section—Strasbourg’s most prominent fan collectives—will fly into the capital to join a march toward Stamford Bridge ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United. A statement posted on NotAProjectCFC’s X account framed the demonstration as a watershed moment: “As a result of the continued erosion of values at both football clubs, we have decided to come together to take action with one clear, unified message: BlueCo Out. We believe this could be a seismic moment in the history of football, where fans of clubs from separate countries will come together to do what is right not only for our clubs individually, but for the sport more widely. Together, we can force change.” BlueCo, fronted by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, acquired Chelsea in 2022 and added Strasbourg to its expanding portfolio a year later. Since then, 12 players have shuttled between the clubs by the close of the 2025 summer window. January’s managerial merry-go-round—when then-Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior was promoted to replace Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge—intensified resentment among Alsace supporters who fear their identity is being subsumed into a transatlantic experiment. Chelsea’s recent on-field woes have only fuelled supporter anger. The Blues were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Arsenal in the semi-finals before suffering their joint-heaviest Champions League defeat, an 8-2 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. Strasbourg, currently eighth in Ligue 1, remain alive in both the French Cup and the Conference League, yet fans argue that competitive results mask deeper structural problems under BlueCo’s ownership model. The January protest drew only around 200 participants; organisers hope the Franco-British alliance will deliver far greater numbers and global attention when the teams walk out on 18 April.

London — As the 2025-26 campaign enters its decisive phase, Arsenal supporters are permitting themselves to dream of a haul that would have seemed fantastical only a few seasons ago. Mikel Arteta’s side, long starved of major honours, are still alive on four fronts and could bring the club its first silverware since the pandemic-emptied 2020 FA Cup final. That Wembley triumph over Chelsea, sealed by a 2-1 scoreline in front of deserted stands, remains Arsenal’s most recent piece of silverware. It extended the club’s record to 14 FA Cup wins — the most by any team — yet it also underscored a concerning drought elsewhere. The Gunners have not lifted the League Cup since 1993, have never been crowned European champions and, most glaringly, have not finished top of English football since the fabled Invincibles season of 2003-04. This year the narrative feels different. Arsenal enter this weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City as slight favourites after a league season in which they have opened a healthy gap at the Premier League summit. A victory at Wembley would deliver only the third League Cup in the club’s history and the first in more than three decades. It would also serve as a springboard: the club remain in the Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finals, meaning a quadruple — unprecedented in the English game — is mathematically on the table. Arteta, a former Arsenal captain who memorably lifted the FA Cup twice as a player, has rebuilt the squad with a blend of youthful exuberance and hardened winners. The Spaniard has spoken repeatedly of instilling a “culture of excellence,” and the table suggests the message has taken root. Domestically, Arsenal have dropped points only three times since the turn of the year; in Europe, they have dispatched heavyweight opposition with a balance of defensive rigour and ruthless attacking transitions. Still, history counsels caution. Arsenal’s last five major trophies have all arrived via the world’s oldest cup competition, and the club’s failure to translate domestic consistency into league championships has become a perennial talking point. The Emirates faithful still sing about 2004 because nothing has come close since; neighbours and rivals have lapped the Gunners in the intervening years. Yet the current squad appears equipped to shoulder the weight of expectation. They have already defeated City twice this term, overturning a psychological block that had loomed large, and their goal-difference advantage in the league reflects a new-found killer instinct. Should they overcome Pep Guardiola’s side again on Sunday, the belief inside the red half of north London will surge to levels not felt since Arsène Wenger’s pomp. What happens next could define an era. Win the first trophy of the Arteta age and Arsenal would enter the season’s final months with momentum, confidence and, crucially, proof that they can handle the pressure of delivering when it matters most. Fail, and familiar questions about mentality and big-game nerves will resurface with a vengeance. For now, the club and its fans are embracing the possibility of history. A single cup on Sunday may be only the beginning — but it would also be the end of a six-year wait that has felt far longer.

PARIS — When Neymar stepped onto the Parc des Princes pitch in 2020 sporting a shock of neon-pink dye through his dark curls, cameras clicked in disbelief and television pundits sharpened their knives. The Brazilian forward had already built a reputation as football’s most prolific hair chameleon, but even by his standards the Pepto-Bismol tone felt deliberately provocative. The experiment lasted exactly one competitive match. PSG staffers, opponents, and supporters spent 90 minutes trying to keep their eyes off the fluorescent fringe; Neymar spent the same span orchestrating play with typical flair. By the final whistle the color had already become a social-media punch line. Within hours the 28-year-old ordered his barber to buzz the entire look into history, returning to a more conventional crop before the next training session. Yet the brevity of the style has done nothing to dim its staying power. In highlight reels and fan forums, the single-game cameo remains shorthand for Neymar’s willingness to treat the football field as a runway. Like Ronaldo’s 2002 World Cup triangle or Beckham’s 2001 mohawk, the pink flash has become part of the sport’s visual folklore—proof that in modern football, a hairstyle can be as memorable as a match-winning goal, even when it disappears as quickly as it arrived.

Munich – With Bayern Munich hosting 1.FC Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena tomorrow, the spotlight on the match officials has intensified after a week of public debate about perceived refereeing bias in favour of the record champions. Union sporting director Horst Heldt, speaking to Abendzeitung München, acknowledged that criticism of referees is widespread across the Bundesliga but warned that the discourse can “go a step too far.” “Other clubs, and I include myself in that, have also criticized refereeing decisions,” Heldt said. “And sometimes, I'm not excluding myself from this either, things go a step too far.” The 59-year-old executive was responding to suggestions that Bayern receive preferential treatment, a narrative amplified after recent contentious calls. Bayern officials have countered that they feel disadvantaged, a stance Heldt believes could inadvertently pressure officials. “But the claim by Bayern that they feel disadvantaged is perceived quite differently,” he noted. “Ultimately, referees are human. After such a situation, it could be difficult to make tough decisions against Bayern.” Heldt stressed that his remarks were not an attack on Bayern but rather a plea for perspective. “This means it certainly won't be easy for the refereeing team this weekend. I'm far from expressing an opinion about the mighty FC Bayern; my concern is with our club.” On the pitch, Union arrive in Bavaria aiming to replicate the defensive resilience that has become their trademark under head coach Nenad Bjelica. “We'll try to play our typical style of football,” Heldt explained. “Many teams try to defend their goal with everyone they have against Bayern. We'll do the same.” While acknowledging Bayern’s near-perfect success rate against deep-lying defences, Heldt believes slim margins can still be exploited. “They'll have to find solutions to that. They usually succeed 99 percent of the time, but we'll try to make it as uncomfortable as possible for them and use our qualities to take advantage of any slim chance we have.” The capital club will resist any temptation to engage in an open, high-line contest. “But we can't make the game as open as when Arsenal or Real Madrid play Bayern,” Heldt concluded, underlining the pragmatic approach Union will carry into one of the league’s most daunting venues.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has closed the door on pursuing ownership of a prospective NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas, a sharp reversal from comments he made on The Shop nearly four years ago. Speaking to reporters after the Lakers’ 124–116 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, the four-time MVP offered a succinct “Not at all” when asked whether he still harbored interest in leading a Las Vegas-based team. The timing of James’ declaration is notable. League governors are expected to vote next week on whether to authorize the bidding process for two expansion markets—Las Vegas and Seattle—marking the NBA’s first potential growth since the Charlotte Bobcats joined in 2004. If 23 of the 30 governors approve the exploratory phase, formal franchise approval could arrive as early as this summer, with new clubs tipping off in the fall of 2028. James, whose estimated net worth stands at $1.4 billion according to Forbes, would face steep financial hurdles even if his interest persisted. Expansion fees are projected to land between $7 billion and $10 billion, a sum that would require outside investors. Since 2011, James has held a partnership stake in Fenway Sports Group, the parent company of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC. The Athletic reports that FSG currently has no plans to mount a bid, citing the prohibitive price tag among its reasons. Under NBA rules, James would also need to retire as an active player before taking an ownership role. Speculation about a post-playing career pivot intensified after the 41-year-old recently snapped an 18-year streak of scoring at least 10 points in consecutive games, but James’ latest remarks appear to quell any immediate transition to the boardroom. Should expansion proceed, league executives anticipate the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies would shift to the Eastern Conference, balancing the conferences at 16 teams apiece. The NBA Board of Governors typically convenes in July during the Las Vegas Summer League, setting the stage for a pivotal vote that could reshape the league’s footprint.

City Football Academy, Friday 10 January 2025 – Nico O’Reilly’s ascent from academy hopeful to Guardiola’s Swiss-army knife has been as rapid as it is remarkable. Twelve months after being told he would line up at left-back for the first time in his life against Salford in the FA Cup, the 21-year-old is preparing to walk out at Wembley for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, equally at home in defence or midfield and now a fixture in Thomas Tuchel’s England plans. “I’d never played there before,” O’Reilly smiles, recalling Guardiola’s bombshell in the training session before that third-round tie. “He just said: ‘Right, you’re playing at left-back tomorrow.’ I did well, gradually, and started playing there more. I enjoyed it – it was a good challenge.” The challenge became a habit. O’Reilly featured 13 times last season, 70% of his minutes at left-back, and scored in the 8-0 rout of Salford. By May he was starting the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, a journey he summarises with typical understatement: “You go from 200 people watching to thousands and thousands. A big difference.” Numbers underline his adaptability. In 2024-25 he has already made 36 starts: 74% at left-back, 13% on the left wing, 11% as a defensive midfielder and 2% in central midfield. Six goals, five assists, 87 tackles and an 89.2% passing accuracy reveal a footballer who has turned utility into an art form. At 6ft 4in and just under 13 stone, O’Reilly fits Guardiola’s prototype for a modern multi-positional player. “As long as I’m playing, I’m happy,” he shrugs, brushing aside talk of personal accolades. The boy from Collyhurst, tattooed with Manchester’s 0161 dialling code, grew up watching City from the stands. “Going to games, seeing them win finals – wanting to be in that position is very special,” he says. Family loyalty is split only by “one or two United fans, but they know not to have any banter or I’ll get mad.” Sunday offers another chance to etch childhood dreams into silverware. Arsenal, nine points clear of City in the league, arrive with a fearsome set-piece record. “We need to prepare for it,” O’Reilly notes, referencing September’s 1-1 draw at the Emirates. “We were very good then.” He refuses to cast the final as a title pointer – “We’re just going there to win” – yet admits glory at Wembley could tilt momentum before next month’s league reunion. Either way, Manchester City’s Mr Versatile will be somewhere on the pitch, and that, for O’Reilly, is all that matters.

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García has received his first senior Spain call-up after a string of outstanding performances in La Liga, the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed this week. The 24-year-old’s inclusion in Luis de la Fuente’s squad caps a remarkable rise that began last season at city rivals Espanyol, where supporters and pundits alike judged him the division’s top shot-stopper. García has since transferred those heroics to the Camp Nou, prompting mounting calls from Barcelona quarters for national recognition. Until now, De la Fuente had stood firm behind his established trio of David Raya, Unai Simón and Álex Remiro, but García’s sustained excellence has finally forced the coach’s hand. The keeper will join the squad ahead of forthcoming friendlies against Serbia and Egypt, offering him a debut stage on the international scene. Keywords:

Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature in Portugal’s upcoming World Cup tune-ups against Mexico and the United States, national-team coach Roberto Martínez confirmed on Friday, after the 41-year-old captain failed to overcome a right hamstring injury sustained while playing for Saudi Pro League leaders Al Nassr on Feb. 28. Ronaldo has spent the past fortnight undergoing treatment in Madrid, but medical staff determined he will not be ready for the March 28 meeting with Mexico at the renovated Estadio Azteca or the March 31 encounter with the U.S. in Atlanta, Georgia. The absence marks his first missed U.S. appearance since Real Madrid’s 2014 preseason tour. Martínez, unveiling a 27-man roster, stressed that the setback is minor and will not jeopardize Ronaldo’s pursuit of a record sixth World Cup this summer. “It’s a minor muscle injury, and we think he can be back in a week or two,” the coach said. “Everything Cristiano has done physically this season shows that he’s in great shape.” Portugal opens its World Cup campaign in Houston on June 17 against a playoff winner still to be determined. Without their all-time leading scorer, who has 143 international goals, the Seleção will lean on in-form supporting talent. Al Nassr teammate João Félix is included, as is Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes, who has seven goals and 16 assists in 27 league matches this season. West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes received his first senior call-up, while Real Sociedad winger Gonçalo Guedes returns to the fold for the first time since 2022 after tallying nine goals in club play. “Guedes is a versatile player,” Martínez noted. “He’s a game-changing striker … and he’s in a form that deserves a call-up.” The squad features six Premier League-based players, including Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City) and Pedro Neto (Chelsea). Veteran Wolves keeper José Sá and Benfica pair António Silva and Tomás Araújo round out the defensive options, while PSG’s Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and João Neves add youthful energy in midfield. Ronaldo last missed Portugal duty in November, serving a suspension during the 9-1 rout of Armenia that capped World Cup qualifying. His next target is a full recovery before the global tournament kicks off in North America this summer.