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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.

London – Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal players that Sunday’s League Cup final against Manchester City is the moment to “attack a trophy and bring it home” as the club seeks to end a six-year wait for silverware. Speaking on the eve of the Wembley showdown, the Spaniard said the match represents one of the “defining moments” of a campaign in which Arsenal remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple. The Gunners sit nine points clear of City at the Premier League summit and have been handed favourable quarter-final draws in both the Champions League and FA Cup, yet Arteta conceded that the team must now prove it can deliver when it matters most. “When it comes to the crucial moments and when it comes to the moment to attack a trophy and take it and bring it home, that’s when you need your big players to step up and make the difference,” he told reporters. Arsenal have finished second in the league for three consecutive seasons and last lifted a trophy in 2020, when Arteta guided them to FA Cup success in an empty stadium under coronavirus restrictions. “At the end of the day it is about whether you win the trophy or not,” he added. “That is the most important thing once you get to the final. But in order to be there you have to do a lot of things. There are a lot of things the team has done so far, but we need to prove that point, that’s clear, and it has to be done on the pitch.” Arteta, who left his role as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City in 2019, has overseen a dramatic upturn in Arsenal’s fortunes, yet Sunday offers an opportunity to add tangible reward to the progress made. Guardiola, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions of lingering tension with his former lieutenant now that they are title rivals, and Arteta reiterated his gratitude for the education he received at the Etihad. “How I feel about him and the time we had together and what he did for me, the inspiration he’s been… that is never going to change,” Arteta said. Team news centres on the fitness of captain Martin Odegaard and defender Jurrien Timber, both of whom sat out the 2-0 midweek victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Arteta hopes the pair will be available at Wembley. City are set to continue with James Trafford in goal after the youngster started every domestic cup fixture this season, keeping Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench. For Arsenal, Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to retain his cup goalkeeper role ahead of David Raya, who remains first choice in the league and Europe. With a trophy within touching distance, Arteta’s message is unequivocal: the time for near-misses is over; only victory will suffice.

Chicago — The image of Dana Altman stalking the United Center sideline on March 10, 2026, was that of a coach already thinking about next season. His Oregon Ducks had just closed a 12-20 campaign, 5-15 in the Big Ten, and the offseason could not come quickly enough. With center Nate Bittle gone and guard Jackson Shelstad’s status uncertain after a December hand injury, Altman’s first order of business is clear: keep junior wing Kwame Evans Jr. in Eugene. Evans, who posted career highs of 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists this winter, became Oregon’s primary offensive valve once Shelstad went down in the Dec. 28 win over Omaha. Over the final 18 games Evans reached double figures 13 times, topping out with 24 in a Jan. 28 loss to UCLA. Those numbers, compiled on a roster short on consistent shooting and reliable playmaking, underscore why Altman views the 6-foot-9 Maryland native as the one transfer-portal departure the program cannot absorb. “Kwame carried us when we had no margin for error,” Altman told reporters after the regular-season finale. “His versatility on both ends is the foundation we’re building on.” The foundation is otherwise unsettled. Bittle’s exit leaves a vacancy in the post, and Shelstad, who flashed lottery-level potential before the right-hand fracture, has yet to announce whether he will return for a third season. If Shelstad comes back, Evans could slide into a complementary scoring role; if not, Oregon will ask Evans to shoulder even more usage. Altman’s staff is already canvassing the portal for reinforcements. Last spring the Ducks landed Takai Simpkins, Devon Pryor and Sean Stewart, a trio that vaulted Oregon to the No. 12 transfer class in the Big Ten, per 247Sports. Expect a similar aggressive approach after a season in which Oregon ranked 13th in the league in offensive efficiency and 12th in rebounding margin. One internal candidate to ease Evans’ load is guard Wei Lin, whose 6.6 points and 1.7 assists in 18 minutes a night offered glimpses of shot-making craft. Lin’s 39 percent from three after the All-Break juncture suggests he can space the floor alongside Evans, provided both remain in Eugene. The stakes are obvious. Another sub-.500 finish would mark three straight losing seasons for Oregon, a stretch the program hasn’t endured since the mid-1990s. Retaining Evans, developing Lin and mining the portal for front-court help represent Altman’s clearest path back to relevance in a deepening Big Ten. As the Ducks boarded their charter back across the country, Evans’ phone buzzed with messages from programs coveting his blend of length, skill and experience. Altman’s next sales pitch may determine how quickly Oregon escapes the wilderness. Keywords:

Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal has been rewarded for his resilience with a place in Spain’s Under-21 squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Kosovo, head coach David Gordo confirmed today. Bernal, who has battled back from a serious injury, was included in the 23-man list despite speculation that he could be fast-tracked into the senior national set-up. Gordo singled out the 18-year-old for special praise after naming his squad. “Marc has been through very tough circumstances with the injury,” Gordo said. “He has a quality that’s beyond doubt. He’s become an example to keep working and maintain a very high level. We predict a great future for him.” The squad blends domestic talent with players plying their trade across Europe. Real Madrid goalkeeper Fran Martínez joins Atlético’s Esquivel and Valencia’s Vicente Abril between the posts, while the defensive unit features Sporting’s Fresneda, Bournemouth’s Jiménez and PSV’s Yarek. In midfield, Bernal will link up with Stuttgart’s Chema Andrés, Celta’s Fer López and Racing Santander’s Peio Canales, among others. Up front, Betis forward Pablo García and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo provide firepower alongside Sunderland’s Mayenda and Málaga’s Adrián Niño. Spain travel to Larnaca to face Cyprus on Friday 27 June before returning to Madrid to host Kosovo on Tuesday 31 June. Victory in both matches would boost La Rojita’s push toward next summer’s U-21 European Championship finals.

Madrid—When Luis de la Fuente unveiled his Spain squad for the March friendlies against Serbia and Egypt, one name carried more weight than the rest: Joan Garcia. The 22-year-old Barcelona goalkeeper had watched every national-team list this season from the outside, his consistent club displays apparently falling short of the coach’s eye-test. On Friday, that changed. Garcia’s phone buzzed with the call every Spanish keeper is waiting for, and with only a handful of fixtures remaining before the 2026 World Cup, this camp is effectively a one-shot audition for the tournament’s No. 1 shirt. De la Fuente has leaned on Unai Simón, David Raya and Álex Remiro throughout the qualifying cycle, but none arrive with the momentum Garcia has generated at Camp Nou. Clean sheets in high-pressure Clásicos and command of his six-yard box in Champions League knockouts have turned the youngster from La Masia graduate into Barcelona’s last-line metronome. Now he has 180 minutes—possibly fewer—to convince the staff that his reflexes, distribution and composure translate to the international stage. Inside the federation, the debate is already raging. Goalkeeping coach José Sambade has privately praised Garcia’s willingness to play through the press and his quick trigger on counter-attacks, traits that fit Spain’s high-line blueprint. Critics point to inexperience: just one senior cap, earned in a fleeting cameo against Cyprus 18 months ago. Yet with the World Cup still two summers away, the timing of this March window could prove decisive. A commanding performance against a physical Serbia side on Saturday, followed by a poised outing versus Egypt three days later, would catapult Garcia past the incumbent trio in the pecking order. For the player, the stakes are clear. “Every training session is a final,” Garcia told club media before joining the squad. De la Fuente has echoed that sentiment, insisting spots are “not gifts.” If Garcia seizes the moment, the conversation shifts from whether he belongs in Qatar—read: the United States, Canada and Mexico—to whether he should be the first name inked onto the teamsheet. Spain’s faithful have seen late surges before: Iker Casillas usurped Santiago Cañizares on the eve of 2002, and the rest is history. Garcia will hope the parallel holds. The next eight days in Madrid and Barcelona may determine whether the young Catalan is packing his bags for a World Cup starting role or watching from home as someone else anchors La Roja between the sticks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s omission from Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man England squad for the March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan has left the 27-year-old facing the very real prospect of missing this summer’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The Real Madrid right-back, capped 34 times, has now been left out of four consecutive squads and has featured in only one of Tuchel’s ten matches since the German took charge. Despite Reece James’s enforced absence through injury and the international retirements of Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, Alexander-Arnold was not recalled, with Tuchel instead placing his faith in Jarrell Quansah, Djed Spence, Tino Livramento and Ezri Konsa. “I have not yet spoken to Trent,” Tuchel confirmed on Friday. “It is a sporting decision that we stick with Quansah, Livramento and Spence, who all can play in camp at right full-back. Players have to push for their World Cup ticket.” Tuchel, who has built his England defence around pace, aerial dominance and physicality, praised the quartet ahead of Alexander-Arnold, citing “evidence” from the strong performances of September, October and November. Quansah, a former Liverpool team-mate of Alexander-Arnold, is “a tiny bit ahead” because he is “tall, fast, strong in build-up and strong in the air,” the manager said last year. Alexander-Arnold’s last cap came as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Andorra, when Curtis Jones started at right-back. His only sustained run in the side arrived under interim boss Lee Carsley, when he started four straight Nations League fixtures, scored a free-kick in Helsinki against Finland and helped secure promotion to the top tier before a hamstring injury ended that sequence. Since then, a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid has failed to ignite. Hamstring and thigh injuries restricted him to barely half a season, and although he started Champions League knockout ties against Benfica and Manchester City, he is still regaining full sharpness under new Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who is “proceeding cautiously” with the defender’s reintegration. Tuchel, long an admirer of Alexander-Arnold’s offensive gifts, has questioned the defensive discipline that underpins his system. “It’s not what Trent cannot offer us,” he stressed. “I know very well what he can give. I suffered when he played against my teams with Liverpool.” Yet the coach has opted for players he feels better suit the aggressive, robust profile he wants in the States this summer. When asked whether Alexander-Arnold’s World Cup dream is over, Tuchel replied: “No. I know it is a tough decision for Trent. These tough decisions come with the job.” But with time running out before the final squad is named and at least five rivals now ahead of him, Alexander-Arnold faces an uphill battle to force his way back into contention and avoid becoming the most notable English absentee when the Three Lions attempt to lift the trophy for the first time since 1966.

BRUSSELS — Belgium coach Rudi Garcia unveiled a 28-man squad on Friday that features three uncapped prospects as the Red Devils prepare for a training camp and friendlies against the United States and Mexico, using the North American trip to audition fresh talent ahead of the World Cup. Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat, 17, Ajax winger Mika Godts and Saint-Etienne forward Lucas Stassin will join the senior setup for the first time, swelling a deliberately enlarged group Garcia says is designed to balance returning veterans with emerging youth. “This is the reason why we have three new players in the selection, three players under 21,” Garcia explained, noting that several regulars are still regaining full fitness after injury. “Talent does not wait for age,” he added, citing previous early promotions of Eden Hazard at Lille and Rayan Cherki at Lyon as proof of his willingness to trust teenagers when the profile fits. “I also think he’s an athletic profile we don’t have much of in Belgium,” Garcia said of De Cat. The camp will welcome back Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, both of whom recently recovered from knocks, but World Cup-winning goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will remain in Madrid after tearing a muscle in his upper right leg during Champions League play. Medical staff estimate a six-week layoff for the Real Madrid stopper. Belgium faces the United States on 28 March in Atlanta and meets Mexico three days later in Chicago, giving Garcia two high-profile tests before narrowing his options for the upcoming tournament. Squad breakdown Goalkeepers: Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest), Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig) Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton), Koni De Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt) Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Nathan De Cat (Anderlecht), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona) Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jérémy Doku (Manchester City), Mika Godts (Ajax), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Lois Openda (Juventus), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Lucas Stassin (Saint-Etienne), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) Belgium, currently refining tactics and chemistry under their new coach, will hope the blend of established stars and untested prodigies produces clarity before the global spotlight intensifies.

Leicester, 10 April 2026 — A club that stunned the world by lifting the Premier League trophy at 5,000-to-1 odds now faces the unthinkable: a second relegation in as many seasons that would plunge the Foxes into the third tier of English football for only the second time in 143 years. Sitting third-from-bottom of the Championship with eight matches remaining, Leicester City have collected just six points from six fixtures under new manager Gary Rowett and have not won on the road since October. A 3-1 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers last weekend, in which Leicester surrendered an early lead, left Rowett lamenting “three really poor goals” and heightened the prospect of League One football next August. The nosedive comes only 12 months after relegation from the Premier League and a little over a decade after the most unlikely title triumph in modern sport. “Everything that was there 10 years ago — heart, determination, the underdog story — that’s gone,” Phil Holloway, editor of Leicester Fan TV, told reporters. “Now we’ve got overpaid players who don’t seem very bothered.” Off-field turmoil has compounded on-field struggles. The club was docked six points in February for breaching spending rules in the 2023-24 campaign, and the January departure of record goalscorer Jamie Vardy to Italy removed the last on-field link to the 2015-16 miracle. Manager Marti Cifuentes was sacked on 27 January; interim boss Andy King lost his first three league matches, ratcheting up pressure before Rowett’s appointment. Rowett, speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to playoff-chasing Watford, insisted improvement is within reach. “I do believe we are close to being a very good team,” he said. “It’s just those little moments costing us.” Leicester’s survival bid rests on a threadbare squad led by 21-year-old Wales midfielder Jordan James, on loan from Rennes, whose 10 league goals make him the club’s top scorer. The Foxes have taken only 11 points from a possible 42 since the points deduction and must overhaul at least two sides to avoid the drop. Relegation would carry a brutal financial sting. Deloitte’s most recent review placed League One clubs’ average revenue at £9.1 million, roughly one-quarter of Championship levels and barely 3 per cent of the Premier League’s £316 million average. For a club still servicing top-flight wages and transfer instalments, the shortfall could be catastrophic. Leicester have spent only one campaign in the third tier in their history, winning League One in 2008-09 before climbing back to the Championship. Holloway, a lifelong supporter, clings to the memory of past resurrection. “Being a Leicester fan, I do believe in miracles,” he said, “because we’ve all seen one.” The Foxes have nine days to regroup during the international break before a run-in that includes fixtures against three of the current top six. Whether belief alone can avert a fall that once seemed impossible will determine the next chapter in one of football’s most remarkable modern sagas.

BRUSSELS — Belgium coach Rudi Garcia unveiled an expanded 28-man squad on Friday for a pre-World Cup training camp and friendlies in the United States, handing maiden senior call-ups to teenage Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat, Ajax winger Mika Godts and Saint-Etienne forward Lucas Stassin. The trio, all under the age of 21, will join established internationals Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku—both returning from injury—while Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois misses out after tearing a muscle in his upper right leg during Champions League action. Courtois is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks. Garcia said the enlarged selection reflects both the need to manage fitness concerns and the opportunity to evaluate fresh talent ahead of the global tournament. “This is the reason why we have three new players in the selection, three players under 21,” Garcia explained. “Talent does not wait for age.” The coach cited his previous early promotions of Eden Hazard at Lille and Ryan Cherki at Lyon as evidence of his willingness to trust youth, adding that De Cat offers “an athletic profile we don’t have much of in Belgium.” Belgium will face the United States on 28 March in Atlanta and meet Mexico three days later in Chicago as part of their North American tour. Full squad: Goalkeepers: Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest), Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig) Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton), Koni De Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt) Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Nathan De Cat (Anderlecht), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona) Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jérémy Doku (Manchester City), Mika Godts (Ajax), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Lois Openda (Juventus), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Lucas Stassin (Saint-Etienne), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) Keywords:

Thomas Tuchel has rolled the dice one last time, naming an expanded 35-man party for the forthcoming Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan and effectively declaring this his laboratory before the World Cup this summer. The headline beneficiaries are the reborn Harry Maguire and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while Everton’s James Garner, outstanding in the Premier League, receives a maiden senior summons. Yet the selection document is as much about the names omitted as those included: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ollie Watkins, Luke Shaw and a half-fit John Stones discover that form, fitness and perceived defensive reliability remain non-negotiables for the new regime. Calvert-Lewin’s story is the most emotive. Written off after injuries derailed his final years at Everton, the 29-year-old backed himself publicly upon joining Leeds and has delivered with goals and, crucially, 90-minute reliability. His last England appearance came as a brief substitute against Ukraine in July 2021; four years on he has the chance to leap from afterthought to emergency cover for Harry Kane. The stakes are illustrated by the paucity of proven alternatives: Watkins, semi-final hero of Euro 2024, is jettisoned after a patchy club run; Dominic Solanke returns from an ankle lay-off; Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon remain wide converts rather than natural nine-and-a-halfs. Tuchel’s attacking hub still revolves around Kane’s 78 goals in 112 caps, but the pathway to a genuine deputy is anything but settled. Alexander-Arnold’s omission feels terminal. Despite Reece James’ continued absence and the international retirements of Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, the Real Madrid full-back could not squeeze into a 35-man pool. Tuchel, like predecessor Gareth Southgate, appears unconvinced by his defensive diligence, and the player’s experimental midfield cameo at Euro 2024 is now a distant, failed memory. With no contact from the FA, the 27-year-old can be presumed to be making alternate summer plans. Maguire, by contrast, personifies resilience. Ridiculed during his nadir at Old Trafford, the 33-year-old resisted lucrative moves, forced his way back into Manchester United’s heart and now offers Tuchel 64 caps’ worth of tournament know-how stretching to the 2018 World Cup. With Stones managing only 11 club starts this season, Maguire’s ball-playing bravery and aerial authority could yet be invaluable in a back line short on recent minutes. The midfield conundrum is luxuriously different. Jude Bellingham, once undroppable, faces a genuine challenge from Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, whose consistency has catapulted him into contention for the No. 10 slot behind Kane. Cole Palmer, intermittently brilliant for Chelsea, and Phil Foden, liberated from wide duty, wait in the wings. Tuchel has already demonstrated he will sideline star power, having ignored Bellingham’s request to face Wales in November, and these friendlies represent the final audition for the creative hub. Garner’s inclusion is the eye-catcher. The 25-year-old has been Everton’s metronome, contributing goals, set-piece delivery and relentless industry. A long conversation with Tuchel after Everton’s win at Old Trafford in November clearly left an imprint; now the former Manchester United academy product has the chance to translate domestic form onto the international stage. In goal, Jordan Pickford remains entrenched as No. 1, but Brighton’s 35-year-old Jason Steele is an intriguing addition. Without a Premier League minute this term, he is pencilled in as a potential training-body goalkeeper for the World Cup camp, reprising senior international involvement for the first time since Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic campaign. Rotation between the Uruguay and Japan fixtures is anticipated, allowing Tuchel to inspect combinations without compromising result objectives. With the clock ticking toward the tournament, the German’s message is unambiguous: reputations count for little, versatility and reliability for everything. For Calvert-Lewin, Maguire, Garner and a host of fringe figures, these 180 minutes at Wembley represent the final sales pitch. For Alexander-Arnold, Watkins and Shaw, the silence is deafening. England squad: Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke

Lisbon—Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s upcoming friendlies against the United States and Mexico after failing to recover from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Feb. 28, when the 41-year-old limped off the field while playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Portugal coach Roberto Martínez confirmed on Friday that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was not included in the 27-man squad for the March 28 meeting with Mexico at Estadio Azteca and the April 1 encounter with the U.S. at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The matches serve as Portugal’s final tune-ups before this summer’s World Cup in North America. Ronaldo, who holds the all-time men’s international scoring record with 143 goals for Portugal, has not appeared in the United States since a 2014 preseason friendly in Ann Arbor, Michigan, when he featured for Real Madrid against Manchester United. Martínez has retained a blend of experience and youth for the two-game swing. Porto’s Diogo Costa, Wolverhampton’s José Sá and Sporting Lisbon’s Rui Silva will compete for minutes in goal, while a back line led by João Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain) and Diogo Dalot (Manchester United) will look to tighten a defense that has conceded just once in its last four competitive fixtures. The midfield engine room features Paris Saint-Germain pair Vitinha and João Neves alongside Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, with West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes and Al-Hilal’s Rúben Neves providing depth. In Ronaldo’s absence, the attacking burden falls on AC Milan’s Rafael Leão, Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonçalo Ramos and João Félix, Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr teammate who has been cleared to join the squad. Portugal enters the friendlies unbeaten in eight competitive matches and atop its 2026 World Cup qualifying group. Martínez is expected to rotate his lineup across both fixtures as he finalizes the tactical blueprint he hopes will carry the Seleção deep into the knockout rounds this summer.

From the high banks of Darlington to the high drama of the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend, sports fans will have wall-to-wall action on every major network March 21-22. Motorsports dominate the early window. Prime Video carries both practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway, while the CW network televises the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series’ Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200. FS1 and FS2 offer taped NHRA qualifying from Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, leading into FS1’s live final-round coverage of the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs on Sunday. Endurance-racing enthusiasts can settle in for the full Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on NBCSN, flag-to-flag from Sebring International Raceway. Two-wheel fans get their fix with NBC’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross from Birmingham, Alabama, and FS2’s FIM MotoGP Brazil Grand Prix from Goiânia. College basketball commands the bulk of airtime. CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV combine to carry every second-round NCAA Tournament matchup, including Saint Louis vs. Michigan, Louisville vs. Michigan State, TCU vs. Duke, Texas A&M vs. Houston, Texas vs. Gonzaga, VCU vs. Illinois, Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska and High Point vs. Arkansas. First-round games blanket ESPN’s family of networks, highlighted by Howard at Ohio State on ESPN2, Vermont at Louisville on ESPN, Southern at South Carolina on ABC, and Fairfield vs. Notre Dame on ESPN. Conference tournaments also wrap up across the country. The Big Ten crowns its champion on BTN with Ohio State facing Michigan, while the ACC, SEC and Big 12 hold their semifinals on ACCN, SECN and ESPNU respectively. Flag football makes its network debut with the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. FOX airs both round-robin play and the championship from Los Angeles, offering a fresh spring alternative to traditional stick-and-ball programming. Globetrotting golf coverage spans three tours. GOLF and NBC share the Valspar Championship’s third and final rounds from Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course, while GOLF also shows the PGA Tour Champions’ Cologuard Classic and the LPGA’s Fortinet Founders Cup. LIV Golf’s South African swing concludes with final-round action on FS1 and FS2 from The Club at Steyn City in Midrand. Soccer’s English Premier League slate features Liverpool’s visit to Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford at Leeds United, Sunderland’s derby at Newcastle United, West Ham at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur, all on USA or NBCSN. CBSSN adds Scottish Premiership spice with Aberdeen at Rangers. Tennis Channel stays courtside for the Miami Open’s second and third rounds, showcasing simultaneous ATP and WTA play, while winter-sport loyalists can catch the FIS Cross-Country World Cup Finals on both CNBC and NBC from Lake Placid, New York. Prospect-level baseball airs on MLB Network with exhibitions from Clearwater, Phoenix, Mesa and Tampa, plus a Spring Training marquee between the Dodgers and Angels. With marquee events stretching from sunrise to past midnight, the penultimate March weekend offers a televised buffet for every sports appetite.

Chuck Norris, the stone-faced martial-arts grandmaster whose roundhouse kicks on screen and super-human exploits online turned him into a global symbol of indomitability, died Thursday at 86, his family announced. The statement described a “sudden passing” but asked for privacy regarding details, adding only that Norris “was surrounded by his family and was at peace.” From humble beginnings in Ryan, Oklahoma, born Carlos Ray Norris on March 10, 1940, he rose from poverty to become a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion and the founder of Chun Kuk Do, his own Korean-based American hard style. The United Fighting Arts Federation, which he created, has awarded more than 3,300 Chuck Norris System black belts worldwide, and Black Belt magazine placed him in its hall of fame with a 10th-degree black belt, the discipline’s highest honor. Norris discovered martial arts while stationed in Korea with the U.S. Air Force, studying judo and Tang Soo Do after his 1958 enlistment. Following an honorable discharge in 1962, he opened a martial-arts studio that quickly expanded into a chain. Celebrity students—Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donny and Marie Osmond, and Steve McQueen—filled his classes, and McQueen prodded him to try Hollywood. An uncredited fight scene opposite Dean Martin in 1968’s The Wrecking Crew led to the memorable Colosseum showdown with Bruce Lee in 1972’s Return of the Dragon. More than 20 action films followed, including Missing in Action, The Delta Force and Sidekicks, cementing his persona as a clear-cut hero in an era of cinematic anti-heroes. In 1993 Norris secured his most enduring role: cord-wearing Texas Ranger Cordell Walker in the CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger. The show’s nine-season run championed “fighting injustice with justice,” he told The Associated Press, and earned him an honorary Texas Ranger designation from Governor Rick Perry and the title of honorary Texan from the state senate. Even as film appearances dwindled—recent credits include 2012’s The Expendables 2 and the 2024 sci-fi release Agent Recon—Norris’s legend ballooned online. “Chuck Norris Facts” (“When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris”) flooded the internet, and the star embraced the phenomenon, compiling The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book to benefit Kickstart Kids, a nonprofit he launched with President George H.W. Bush to bring martial-arts training to schools. A devout Christian and vocal supporter of gun rights, Norris campaigned for political allies, most notably Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in 2008, and endorsed Donald Trump in 2016. Presidents, pundits and partisans alike invoked his name as shorthand for unassailable toughness. Norris is survived by five children: Mike and Eric, both stunt performers, from his marriage to the late Dianne Holechek; twins Dakota and Danilee with wife Gena Norris; and daughter Dina. Just over a week before his death he posted a sparring video to Instagram, a final reminder that the man who once joked about counting to infinity—twice—never stopped moving. Keywords:

The opening salvo of the 2025 NCAA men’s tournament answered its annual invitation to chaos with a flourish, toppling brackets before most office pools had finished printing. By sundown Thursday, No. 11 Virginia Commonwealth, No. 12 High Point, No. 10 Texas A&M and No. 11 Texas had all ousted higher seeds, while No. 1 Duke spent the afternoon flirting with historical disaster before escaping No. 16 Siena, 72-67. For 20 electric minutes, Gerry McNamara’s five-man rotation—his starters logged all but 43 seconds—turned the Saints into the protagonists of a real-time underdog script. Siena led by 11 at the break and still clung to a 63-58 edge with six minutes left. Legs eventually betrayed the gamble; Duke ripped off a 15-4 closing kick, keyed by Cayden Boozer’s late-board hustle and a pair of decisive free throws. “We were talking about, ‘We’re not going home,’” Boozer said on the broadcast as Blue Devil fans exhaled in collective relief. The Rams and Panthers, meanwhile, turned NBC’s pre-tournament sleeper list into a prophet’s ledger. High Point’s Chase Johnston, who had not attempted a two-point field goal all season, drove the baseline and scooped home the go-ahead layup with 11.2 seconds left to stun No. 5 Wisconsin, 83-82. VCU followed with an even louder statement, erasing a 14-point second-half deficit against No. 6 North Carolina and prevailing 82-78 in overtime on the back of Terrence Hill Jr.’s tournament-best 34 points. Texas A&M validated data guru Steve Kornacki’s “Cinderella” forecast, bullying No. 7 Saint Mary’s 63-50 behind a relentless paint attack. The Aggies’ frontline outscored the Gaels 38-14 in the lane and held Randy Bennett’s club to 31 percent shooting. On a night of high-profile freshmen, BYU’s projected lottery pick AJ Dybansta still stole the individual spotlight with 35 points, yet the Cougars fell 79-71 to an experienced Texas backcourt that forced 17 turnovers. Illinois big man David Mirkovic submitted the day’s most efficient masterpiece: 29 points, 17 rebounds—11 offensive, one more than the entire Penn roster—in just 28 minutes of a 92-57 rout. The third-seeded Illini led by 40 before emptying the bench. Elsewhere, history alternated with heartbreak. Nebraska cashed the program’s first-ever tournament victory on its ninth try, dismantling Troy 76-47 as former star Tyronn Lue, in New Orleans with the Los Angeles Clippers, fired congratulatory texts to coach Fred Hoiberg. “A beautiful day,” Lue wrote. Gonzaga, meanwhile, survived a late scare from Kennesaw State—briefly trimmed to five inside two minutes—before clinching a 17th consecutive opening-round win, the longest active streak in the event. The bracket carnage leaves Friday with more landmines. Top-seeded Tennessee tips off against unbeaten Mid-American champion Miami (Ohio); St. John’s, eager to atone for last year’s one-and-done, faces gritty Liberty; and Kansas must ward off Cal Baptist and NBC’s next projected lottery pick, Darryn Peterson. The women’s tournament also begins, doubling the hardwood dosage. Follow every buzzer-beater and bracket-buster with NBC News’ live coverage as the madness marches on.

Newcastle United are preparing to open negotiations with midfielder Bruno Guimaraes over a new contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history, according to TeamTalk. The proposed terms would see the Brazilian surpass the £200,000-a-week threshold for the first time at St James’ Park, underlining the club’s determination to reward a player they now consider central to their long-term project. The move comes amid a firm rebuttal of fresh speculation linking Guimaraes with Manchester United. Newcastle have categorically denied that any discussions have taken place with the Red Devils—or any other club—regarding a summer transfer. Sources close to the Magpies describe the rumours as a “misunderstanding” of the club’s direction, insisting that the 26-year-old is not for sale. That stance is consistent with Newcastle’s recent handling of interest in several key assets. Over the past month the club have dismissed a succession of reports suggesting that Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento could be lured away, reinforcing a message that St James’ Park will not become what one insider termed “a revolving door” during the upcoming window. While Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have all registered varying degrees of admiration for Guimaraes, no formal offers have been tabled and none are expected. Newcastle’s hierarchy view the midfielder as emblematic of the club’s elevated ambitions and believe tying him to improved terms would signal intent ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Guimaraes, for his part, is understood to be aware of the mounting attention yet is not agitating for an exit. That openness to remaining on Tyneside has encouraged officials to accelerate plans for a lucrative extension, designed to reward his influence since arriving from Lyon and to deter future suitors. For supporters, the development offers a rare dose of clarity amid the usual summer noise. After a season spent fending off enquiries about their most prized talents, fans have craved evidence that the club can retain—and reward—its stars even without the lure of Champions League football. A record-breaking contract for Guimaraes would deliver exactly that statement. Whether the lucrative offer proves sufficient to end conjecture remains to be seen, yet Newcastle’s proactive posture marks a significant shift. Once viewed as a potential stepping stone, the club now seek to present themselves as a destination, willing to set financial and sporting boundaries that match their competitive aims.

Barcelona produced a statement performance at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Wednesday night, crushing Newcastle United 7-2 to seal an 8-3 aggregate passage into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The rout was more than a mere qualification; it was a 90-minute exhibition of why the Catalans are being hailed as the most exhilarating side on the planet. From the opening whistle Hansi Flick’s team attacked in waves, scoring three times before the interval and showing no mercy with four additional strikes after the restart. The tempo, visibly accelerated under the German coach, pinned Newcastle into their own third and reduced a Premier League back line to spectators. Incisive passes repeatedly split the Magpies’ defensive line, while the forward trio timed their runs to perfection, stretching play vertically and horizontally. The exhibition was underpinned by familiar hallmarks: a ferocious high press led by Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, and the fearless dribbling of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who alternated between traditional winger and auxiliary right wing-back. Yamal’s willingness to drop deep, collect, and drive at defenders kept Newcastle guessing and the crowd roaring. In midfield, Pedri orchestrated with metronomic precision, his range of passing—now shorter, now raking—demonstrating why many inside the club consider him the planet’s premier midfielder. Beside him, Fermín López offered perpetual motion, compensating for a lack of physicality with quick interchanges that left Tonali and Joelinton chasing shadows. The pair’s capacity to circulate the ball effortlessly, even under pressure, is central to Barcelona’s new-found speed of transition. Yet entertainment does not come at the expense of industry. The collective press suffocated Newcastle’s build-up, forcing hurried clearances that were recycled instantly into the next wave of attacks. It is this fusion of artistry and intensity that differentiates Barça from fellow heavyweights: Real Madrid may stockpile galácticos, but their current iteration lacks the seamless, fluid aesthetic Flick has rekindled. The victory keeps alive the prospect of a historic treble. Barcelona sit atop La Liga and now advance to a quarter-final derby against Atlético Madrid, a tie that precedes a potential semi-final with Arsenal. Should they progress, a first-ever Champions League final Clásico could await—an uncharted chapter in the competition’s history. Few clubs have ever won Europe’s premier prize while captivating audiences quite like this. After dismantling Newcastle, Barcelona have offered the latest compelling evidence that silverware and spectacle can indeed go hand in hand.

Ciudad de México — Portugal aterrizará en la capital mexicana sin su capitán histórico, Cristiano Ronaldo, pero con la determinación de iniciar de lleno la reconstrucción de un equipo que mira ya al Mundial 2026. El técnico Roberto Martínez dio a conocer una convocatoria que equilibra estrellas consolidadas con una prometedora camada de jóvenes, lista para medirse a México el 28 de marzo en el Estadio Azteca y, posteriormente, a Estados Unidos en Atlanta. La ausencia del máximo goleador lusiano abre paso a un ataque dinámico donde cobrarán protagonismo Rafael Leão, João Félix y Gonçalo Ramos, respaldados por los extremos explosivos Pedro Neto y Francisco Conceição. La responsabilidad creativa recaerá, una vez más, sobre Bruno Fernandes, quien tendrá a su lado la solidez de Rúben Neves y el ascenso de Vitinha y João Neves, este último considerado el gran talento emergente de la nueva generación. En la zaga, la experiencia de João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot y Nuno Mendes ofrecerá profundidad por las bandas, mientras que la joven pareja de centrales formada por António Silva y Gonçalo Inácio buscará afianzar una defensa pensada a largo plazo. Bajo los palos, Diogo Costa parte como titular, acompañado de José Sá y Rui Silva. El combinado luso aprovechará los días previos al partido para adaptarse a la altitud de la Ciudad de México, consciente de que estos duelos de preparación marcarán la pauta de un proyecto que tendrá su cita más importante dentro de dos años, cuando comparta grupo con Colombia, Uzbekistán y el ganador del repechaje intercontinental. Más allá de la baja de su referente histórico, Portugal afronta un punto de inflexión: la transición generacional ya no es un plan a futuro, sino una realidad que se pondrá a prueba en uno de los escenarios más exigentes del fútbol internacional.

Barcelona return to La Liga action on Sunday afternoon when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Spotify Camp Nou for Match Day 29, with kick-off scheduled for 13:00 and live coverage on Premier Sports. Hans-Dieter Flick’s league leaders, who sit on 70 points, are in imperious form on home soil: 18 consecutive victories at Camp Nou and only one defeat in their last 22 domestic fixtures in front of their own fans. The Catalans are also on a 22-match scoring streak at home and have found the net in each of their last eight games overall, although they have conceded in their previous three outings. Confidence will be high after a 7-2 demolition of Newcastle in mid-week UEFA Champions League action. Rayo Vallecano, 13th with 32 points, arrive in Barcelona looking to halt a minor slide: two matches without a win and a 0-1 loss to Samsunspor in the UEFA Conference League. Iñigo Pérez’s side have been hard to beat of late—only one defeat in their last eight fixtures—and are unbeaten in three on the road, scoring in four straight away games. Yet defensive frailties persist: Vallecano have shipped goals in 12 consecutive away matches and in each of their last four overall. Historical precedent favours the hosts. Across 48 all-time meetings Barcelona boast 30 wins to Rayo’s seven, and at Camp Nou the record is even starker: 18 victories in 23 league encounters, with Vallecano celebrating only twice on this ground. In 45 La Liga clashes the balance reads 27 Barcelona triumphs, 11 draws and seven Rayo successes. Flick and Pérez have history. The German coach has taken three points from the Basque tactician twice, drawing once, and holds an identical two-win, one-draw record against Rayo Vallecano as a club. Pérez, for his part, has faced Barcelona four times, managing one draw and three defeats. Probable line-ups Barcelona (likely XI): Wojciech Szczesny; João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Xavi Espart; Marc Bernal, Pedri González; Dani Olmo, Roony Bardghji, Raphinha; Robert Lewandowski. Rayo Vallecano (likely XI): Augusto Batalla; Iván Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Pacha Espino, Pathé Ciss; Óscar Valentín, Pedro Díaz, Gerard Gumbau; Jorge De Frutos, Alemão, Fran Pérez. Prediction Barcelona’s relentless home form and attacking firepower make them heavy favourites, but Rayo’s recent resilience and ability to score on the road should ensure an entertaining contest. Expect the league leaders to extend their Camp Nou winning streak, yet Vallecano are unlikely to surrender without a fight.

Paramount+ has reopened the scoring window for American soccer fans, releasing a flash promotion that slashes monthly subscription costs to just $2.99 for the first two months and unlocking every remaining 2025–26 UEFA Champions League knockout match in the process. The offer, available to new and returning customers through March 31, represents a 67 percent discount on the Essential tier (regularly $8.99) and a 79 percent reduction on the Premium tier (regularly $13.99). With Europe’s elite competition down to its final eight clubs, the timing is ideal. U.S. viewers who activate the deal will see all 13 remaining fixtures, beginning with a quartet of headline quarter-final ties: defending champions Paris Saint-Germain versus Liverpool, Real Madrid against Bayern Munich, Arsenal meeting Sporting Lisbon, and an all-Spanish showdown between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Every match streams exclusively on Paramount+, making the service the lone domestic destination for live coverage. Beyond the Champions League, the discounted subscription carries the full portfolio of European club soccer, including the Europa League, Conference League, Italy’s Serie A, Scotland’s Premiership, and the English Football League. Premium-plan subscribers also receive ad-free viewing, UFC numbered events, and PGA Tour coverage, while Essential-plan users see the same soccer inventory with limited commercials. Both tiers revert to standard pricing after two months, but customers may cancel at any time without penalty. Industry analysts note that the promotion lands just as the tournament narrative intensifies, offering casual and die-hard fans a low-risk entry point before the semifinals and final crown a new continental champion. SEO keywords:

Lisbon—Cristiano Ronaldo will not join Portugal’s national team during the March international break, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed on Monday. Coach Roberto Martínez told reporters that a minor muscle complaint has sidelined the 39-year-old forward, ruling him out of upcoming friendlies in the United States and Mexico. “He is not at risk for the World Cup,” Martínez said, referencing the 2026 tournament. “It’s a minor muscle injury. We believe he should be back in one or two weeks. But what he has done this season shows he is in great shape; we have no physical concerns about him.” Ronaldo, who plays his club football for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, has been left off the 25-man roster released earlier today. The absence marks a rare break for the all-time leading scorer, who has featured in every major Portugal squad since his debut in 2003. Martínez has called up three goalkeepers—Diogo Costa, José Sá, and Rui Silva—and an eight-man defensive unit headlined by Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes, Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot, and Barcelona’s João Cancelo. Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes is also included after recovering from his own injury issues. The midfield features a mix of experience and youth, with Al Hilal’s Rúben Neves, West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, and PSG duo Vitinha and João Neves all selected. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will anchor the creative responsibilities. In attack, Martínez will rely on Milan’s Rafael Leão, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, and PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos to provide the firepower in Ronaldo’s absence. João Félix, who recently joined Al Nassr alongside Ronaldo, is included, as are domestic standouts Ricardo Horta and Pedro Gonçalves. Portugal will face the host nations during their trans-Atlantic tour, offering Martínez a chance to test combinations ahead of the next competitive cycle. The team departs for North America later this week.

Liverpool’s pursuit of a place in next season’s Champions League has been jolted by the news that Mohamed Salah will miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Brighton after sustaining a muscle injury. The 33-year-old Egypt international, who has rediscovered his scoring touch with goals in three of his last four starts, was forced off midway through Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Galatasaray at Anfield – a result that secured the Reds’ passage into this season’s Champions League quarter-finals. Manager Arne Slot, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, confirmed the setback: “It’s unusual. As a result of that I think you can expect the outcome. So, (he’s) not available for tomorrow.” Slot conceded the timing is far from ideal but took solace in the imminent international break. “The good thing for Liverpool and for us is that we go to an international break,” he said. “The bad thing for Egypt is that he can’t go there. We are hoping also with what Mo has shown in the past that he can recover faster than other players might in similar situations because he takes such good care of his body. History has shown that he can be earlier back than some others. But it’s only two weeks until we go again so let’s hope in that period of time he can be back.” Salah, who is rarely sidelined through injury, has endured a stop-start domestic campaign. Despite his recent resurgence, he has managed only five Premier League goals this term – a sharp drop from the 29 he plundered during Liverpool’s title-winning 2024/25 season. The winger’s absence compounds Slot’s attacking concerns. Liverpool were held 1-1 by Tottenham last weekend, squandering a host of chances to climb the table. “We’re struggling to score goals,” Slot admitted. “Not that we don’t score them, but with all the chances we create, it’s unbelievable that we don’t score, especially looking at the quality we have up front and throughout the whole team.” Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League, two points behind Aston Villa in fourth. With the top five sides almost guaranteed Champions League qualification, every point is precious. Salah’s injury also clouds preparations for a pivotal fortnight ahead. After the Brighton fixture, Liverpool return to host Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on 4 April before locking horns with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last eight. For Slot, the hope is that Salah’s renowned dedication to fitness will accelerate his return and keep alive Liverpool’s twin ambitions of European glory and a top-four finish.

BARCELONA, Spain — Spain’s national team has turned diplomatic frustration into viral comedy, releasing a sketch that pokes fun at the collapsed Finalissima showdown with Argentina while announcing its squad for upcoming friendlies. The European champions were scheduled to meet Copa América holders Argentina on 27 March in Doha, but the match was scrapped after the widening Iran conflict rendered Qatar unsuitable. With no replacement venue agreed upon, Spain pivoted to a home date against Serbia in Villarreal on the same day, while Argentina will now be idle. On Friday the Royal Spanish Football Federation posted a 90-second video on its X account in which a fictional Argentine couple argue over the husband’s impulsive voice note to Spain coach Luis de la Fuente begging for tickets to Spain-Serbia. De la Fuente appears, grinning, and assures the stunned fan: “Of course, count on the ticket … although I would have liked to have seen you at a different game.” The light-hearted clip served a dual purpose: defusing tension over the high-profile cancellation and unveiling de la Fuente’s latest squad, which features four uncapped players including Olympic gold-medal winners Joan García and Cristhian Mosquera. UEFA and the Spanish federation insist they explored “every possibility” to rescue the Finalissima, proposing Madrid, a two-leg format, and even a 31 March date in Italy. All were declined by the Argentinian Football Association, according to European officials. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez retorted that Argentina should be declared “two-time champions” for Spain’s “no-show,” referencing the Albiceleste’s 2022 win over Italy. De la Fuente reiterated his regret. “Both myself and the Spanish federation always wanted to play. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.” Spain will now face Serbia on 27 March in Villarreal and Egypt four days later at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona. The rejigged calendar gives de la Fuente a final competitive look at veterans such as Rodri—returning from a long leg injury—and in-form alternatives like Martín Zubimendi before June’s World Cup qualifiers. Goalkeepers: Joan García (Barcelona), David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad). Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Cristhian Mosquera (Arsenal), Pedro Porro (Tottenham). Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Pablo Fornals (Real Betis), Carlos Soler (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Fermín López (Barcelona). Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yéremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ander Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Alex Baena (Atlético Madrid), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo). Spain’s creative squad-release videos began under former coach Luis Enrique and have become a trademark under de la Fuente, blending humour with team news. This latest edition ensures that, even without Lionel Messi versus Lamine Yamal, the show goes on.

San Diego—Centerline Athletics, the performance apparel label purpose-built for today’s pickleball athlete, has enlisted one of the most relentless competitors in sports history as its newest brand ambassador: Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens. The partnership, announced today, positions Owens—who has traded end-zone celebrations for third-shot drops—as the face of Centerline’s push to merge elite-level mindset with pickleball’s fast-growing culture. A dedicated landing page on the company’s site now spotlights the exact pieces Owens wears during his own court sessions, allowing fans to shop the collection that carries him through tournament play and late-night rallies alike. “Pickleball doesn’t discriminate,” Owens said. “It doesn’t matter what age you are, what you look like, what your body type is—it’s a sport that welcomes everybody.” That inclusive ethos meshes with the philosophy Owens credits for his 15-year NFL career: the three D’s of Desire, Dedication, and Discipline. “Competition has always been part of who I am,” he noted. “Whether it’s football or pickleball, the mindset stays the same—show up prepared, compete hard, and bring energy every time you step on the court.” Centerline executives say the alliance runs deeper than a standard endorsement. Later this year Owens will unveil an exclusive performance apparel line co-developed with Centerline’s design team, blending his first-hand athletic insights with the brand’s technical fabrics and court-specific cuts. “Terrell embodies the competitive spirit that defines Centerline,” Managing Director Scott Brown said. “His passion for sport, athleticism, and community aligns perfectly with what we’re building.” As participation numbers surge and pickleball cements its status as America’s fastest-growing sport, Centerline views the Owens partnership as a statement that the game’s culture can honor both its social roots and an elite athletic standard. Owens will remain involved in product development, brand storytelling, and grassroots events throughout 2026, reinforcing the message that high-level competition belongs on every court—from neighborhood driveways to championship stadiums. Fans can explore Owens’ curated collection now at centerlineathletics.

The calendar has always been sacred to football fans. Sundays for the bulk of the slate, Monday for the nightcap, Thursday for a taste of mid-week action—simple, predictable, comforting. That rhythm is about to be shattered. When the 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting a primetime tilt on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET, the league will officially test how much calendar chaos its audience will tolerate. The Seahawks’ Wednesday showcase is only the opening salvo. Roughly 16 hours later—Thursday, September 10—the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will collide in the first NFL game ever played on Australian soil, launching from the Melbourne Cricket Ground at a locally inconvenient 10:15 a.m. to preserve U.S. prime-time visibility. Two opening nights, two different weeknights, one sport that no longer asks permission before redrawing its own map. Social media erupted as soon as the dates leaked. Longtime supporters called the Wednesday kickoff “ridiculous,” accusing the league of “completely disregarding the dependable rhythm of the schedule.” The outrage centers on a single idea: football’s cultural power came from scarcity. Sundays were church, Mondays were dessert, Thursdays were a bonus. Now fans joke they’ll need a spreadsheet to track a single week that could stretch across seven days if the league finalizes its rumored Thanksgiving Eve game on November 25. What officials haven’t trumpeted is that Wednesday wasn’t a marketing whim; it was a legal escape hatch. The 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act bars the NFL from televising games on Friday nights from the second Friday in September through mid-December to protect high-school and college gates. In 2024 and 2025, an early Labor Day left the first Friday of September outside that window, letting the league stage its Brazil games. In 2026, Labor Day lands on September 7, pushing Week 1’s first Friday to September 11—legally off-limits. Thursday was already booked for Australia. The only runway left was Wednesday. The Melbourne factor shaped everything. To fill the 100,000-seat MCG, the NFL built the entire Week 1 framework around that contest first, then back-filled the domestic schedule. Seattle’s reward for winning Super Bowl LX was supposed to be the traditional Thursday curtain-raiser; instead, the champs inherit the league’s first Wednesday opener since 2012, when the Giants and Cowboys were shifted to avoid a presidential convention. That move was sold as a one-time political courtesy. This one is structural, driven by international expansion, streaming revenue, and broadcast windows that now span six of the seven weekdays—Tuesday alone remains unused. Networks are following the money. NBC retains its season-opener rights, while the Melbourne telecast is still on the block, with streaming heavyweights circling after Netflix reportedly paid $75 million per game for the 2024 Christmas doubleheader. The league’s economics have turned every new day into a potential inventory slot: Black Friday since 2023, international Fridays since 2024, a Christmas Day doubleheader, and now a Wednesday in Week 1. OutKick distilled fan anxiety into a single line: “Scarcity helped elevate football to America’s new pastime. The NFL is taking that away.” Players face a different squeeze. A Wednesday opener compresses preparation for clubs assigned to Sunday Week 1, and the NFLPA has previously flagged short-rest situations as safety issues. With 17 games already in place and an 18th reportedly under discussion alongside a record nine international fixtures in 2026, the union may soon confront a season that stretches both bodies and calendars to new limits. For all the backlash, history says viewers will still tune in. The league is betting that convenience is no match for habit—and that fans who complain today will still click the remote tomorrow night. In the zero-sum contest between tradition and expansion, the NFL just tore up the old contract in broad daylight and dared anyone to change the channel. Seattle will open defense of its title under the lights on a weeknight that never used to belong to football, against an opponent yet to be named, in a schedule that drops this May. By then, Wednesday, Australia, and streaming will be baked into the narrative, and the seven-day football week will feel less like an experiment than the new normal.

Liverpool’s march toward a seventh European Cup remains alive after a commanding dismissal of Galatasaray at Anfield sent them into the Champions League quarter-finals, yet the road ahead is anything but smooth. On 8 and 14 April the Reds must confront the reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, the very side that ended their run last season and fresh from an 8-2 aggregate rout of Chelsea in the previous round. Manager Luis Enrique can call upon a glittering forward line that includes Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Goncalo Ramos, a quintet that punished the London club with ruthless efficiency and will sniff any lapse in Liverpool’s occasionally errant back line. Arne Slot’s men, therefore, must tighten the defensive gaps that have surfaced at key domestic moments if they harbour genuine ambitions of reaching the final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena on 30 May. Should Liverpool topple the Parisians, the degree of difficulty will scarcely diminish. The semi-final draw pits them against either Bayern Munich, who struck ten times past Atalanta in the round of 16, or a Real Madrid team that has repeatedly frustrated the Merseysiders in Europe over the past decade—though Madrid have twice tasted defeat at Anfield in the last 18 months. Whichever heavyweight advances, a familiar face is guaranteed to return: Trent Alexander-Arnold if Bayern progress, or Luis Diaz should Madrid prevail. A hypothetical passage to the final would then pair Liverpool with one of Arsenal, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon or Atletico Madrid. While the Premier League and La Liga frontrunners appear the most likely to emerge from that bracket, Sporting and Atletico underlined their credentials by dispatching Bodo/Glimt and Tottenham Hotspur respectively and will relish the underdog label. Although the Reds cannot afford to gaze too far down the line while PSG loom large, the tantalising prospect of a fourth Champions League final appearance in nine seasons—and a shot at continental immortality—will fuel every training session between now and spring. Overcoming the holders in April would not only exact a measure of revenge but also broadcast a resounding statement of intent: Liverpool believe the trophy can return to Anfield come the end of May.

Madrid, Spain – With the city derby looming, former Real Madrid midfielder Guti has stoked the flames of cross-town rivalry by naming the one Atletico Madrid player he would immediately sign for Los Blancos: Argentine forward Julian Alvarez. Speaking at a promotional event for sponsors Mahou alongside veteran Atletico midfielder Raul García, Guti was asked which rival he would transfer across the Spanish capital. His response was instant. “I would sign Julian Alvarez because I think he’s a game-changer for big teams,” Guti told reporters, according to Mundo Deportivo. The 42-year-old, who lifted five LaLiga titles and three Champions League trophies during his 15-year senior career at Real Madrid, believes Alvarez’s ability to influence high-stakes matches would make him an ideal fit for the club’s demanding environment. Beyond transfer hypotheticals, Guti offered insight into the current squad’s locker-room dynamics, praising the work of Alvaro Arbeloa, who has taken an active role with the first-team group. “Arbeloa has found the right approach with the locker room,” Guti said. “It’s had an impact.” Turning to Saturday’s derby at the Bernabeu, Guti acknowledged Real Madrid’s recent difficulties against Diego Simeone’s side, noting that the fixture could prove pivotal in this season’s title race. “A lot can happen because it’s a game where many players can make a difference,” he warned. “Madrid is struggling to beat Atletico, and the stakes are high for staying in the LaLiga race.” Guti also reflected on Real Madrid’s European form, highlighting the squad’s resilience after a turbulent start to their Champions League campaign. “It’s in their DNA: when things are really bad, the team stands tall for the crest they wear,” he said. “No one believed they could make it through, and they’ve had a great run.” Finally, the ex-Spain international tipped emerging midfielder Thiago Pitarch for a bright future, citing the 20-year-old’s demanding attitude as a catalyst for the squad. “He’s breathed new life into the team,” Guti explained. “He’s told the team that either you work hard or we’ll come up from the bottom to stay. He’s a very complete player, and let’s hope that when the injured players return, he continues to get playing time.” As anticipation builds for the latest chapter in Madrid’s fierce rivalry, Guti’s endorsement of Alvarez adds an intriguing subplot to an already charged encounter. SEO keywords:

Haworth — Calder Valley Fell Runners delivered a commanding display at the weekend’s Haworth Hobble, completing the punishing 32-mile circuit across the Pennine moors without a single slip in form. Starting and finishing in the historic village of Haworth, the annual endurance test once again proved a showcase for the Valley squad’s resilience over the unforgiving terrain.

London – Trent Alexander-Arnold’s resurgent form at Real Madrid has not been enough to earn him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s final England squad before this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The 26-year-old right-back, who swapped Anfield for the Bernabéu last summer, has shaken off an injury-plagued start to the campaign and started regularly under Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa while veteran Dani Carvajal has been relegated to the bench. Yet when Tuchel unveiled his 26-man selection on Thursday, Alexander-Arnold’s name was conspicuously absent. Instead, Tuchel has placed his faith in Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Tottenham’s Djed Spence to provide cover in the right-sided defensive role, leaving the European champion on the outside looking in. The decision is all the more striking given the inclusion of two of Alexander-Arnold’s club colleagues. Jude Bellingham, sidelined since early February with a shoulder complaint, has been retained despite ongoing doubts over his availability for Sunday’s Madrid derby against Atlético. Bellingham is pencilled in for a late fitness test but England’s medical staff are prepared to manage his rehabilitation within the camp. Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has also been summoned after a productive, if inconsistent, season at Barcelona. The 27-year-old has featured in only four of Barça’s last seven matches, failing to register a goal or assist in that sequence, yet Tuchel believes his experience and versatility across the front line merit inclusion. The England manager has history with both Madrid stars. In September he issued a public apology for describing aspects of Bellingham’s on-field conduct as “repulsive”, while weeks later he praised Alexander-Arnold’s “unique qualities” and insisted the defender “needs to feel the faith of his managers” to flourish. That faith has not, for now, translated into a ticket to North America. With the World Cup draw looming, Alexander-Arnold faces a stark reality: a starting berth for the European champions may no longer guarantee international recognition.

Wayne Rooney’s career was book-ended by generational midfield talent, and on the newest episode of the Wayne Rooney Show the former striker sifted through the memories to rank the very best he shared a dressing-room with. From Manchester United’s treble-winners to England’s golden generation, Rooney’s verdict blends raw ability with the intangible influence each man exerted on the group. At the summit of his personal list sits Steven Gerrard. “The complete midfield player,” Rooney insists, recalling how Liverpool’s captain “could do everything” – tackle, shoot, dictate, switch play, even fill in at full-back when asked. Rooney marvels at the way Gerrard reinvented himself beside Fernando Torres, becoming “more the assist man” while still striking 25-yard thunderbolts. “I would have loved to have seen him at Manchester United,” he admits, before naming Gerrard the advanced runner in his all-time Premier League three-man midfield. Alongside Gerrard, Rooney selects Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick for balance. Scholes earns the ultimate modern compliment: “He was basically a Barcelona player.” Rooney details the Salford magician’s evolution from No. 10 to deep-lying conductor, praising the timing of his movements and the way he manipulated pressing traps. “The one time you don’t get tight, he turns and kills you.” Carrick’s inclusion is framed around presence and poise. “People don’t realise how big he is,” Rooney laughs, arguing that the Geordie’s calm positioning allowed the more adventurous Gerrard to burst forward without leaving the defence exposed. It is Carrick’s understated intelligence that edges Frank Lampard out of the hypothetical trio, though Rooney is quick to salute the Chelsea man’s unique gift: “The timing to run into the penalty area was the best out of any midfield player.” Ryan Giggs transcends conventional categories. Rooney still shakes his head at training-ground memories of no-look finishes and impossible escape acts. “He’s the one who could do things which no-one else could do … even at an older age.” Thirteen league titles, Rooney notes, only tell half the story of a winger who morphed into a central strategist. David Beckham’s work-rate shattered stereotypes. “He didn’t stop running,” Rooney stresses, revealing how Beckham’s selfless tracking gave licence to flair merchants such as Joe Cole. A quiet dressing-room voice, Beckham led instead with aura and dead-ball precision, setting the tempo for England camps that too often promised more than they delivered. Roy Keane’s aura lingers even though their on-pitch overlap was brief. Rooney chuckles at the contradiction of Keane demanding phones be banned while secretly charging his own, yet recognises the Irishman’s fierce standards. “You certainly see how much of a leader he was,” he concedes, placing Keane in the “could-have-been-great-to-learn-from” file. Darren Fletcher and Ji-sung Park are hailed as the undervalued engines of United’s success. Fletcher’s bleep-test dominance and Park’s tireless shuttling gave the starrier names freedom to operate. “We knew exactly what they were giving us,” Rooney says, “but they don’t get the credit and the headlines.” Rounding out the Premier League’s five “complete” midfielders Rooney never actually lined up with is Patrick Vieira. “Horrible to play against,” he smiles, recalling long limbs and stride that “was so hard to keep up with.” Off the pitch Vieira was charming; between the lines he was the sort of adversary who made Rooney grateful for the protection Scholes and Carrick provided. In the end, Rooney’s selection process blends admiration with pragmatism. Gerrard supplies the dynamism, Scholes the brain, Carrick the anchor. Around that trio swirl the memories of Beckham’s crossing, Lampard’s late runs, Giggs’ sorcery and the self-sacrifice of Fletcher and Park – a tapestry of talent that carried England’s record scorer to the biggest prizes the domestic game can offer.

Atlanta—Nearly seven weeks after Tuskegee University head basketball coach Benjy Taylor was handcuffed and led from the gymnasium following a heated rivalry game at Morehouse College, the veteran coach is taking his fight to court. Taylor, flanked by a team of prominent civil-rights attorneys, will announce a federal lawsuit Friday against Morehouse and two campus officers, R. Clark and M. Roberson, alleging unlawful detention and civil-rights violations stemming from the Jan. 31 post-game confrontation that stunned players, fans, and the broader HBCU community. The incident, captured in a viral social-media clip, occurred moments after Morehouse edged Tuskegee 77-69 in front of a raucous home crowd. According to Taylor and Tuskegee officials, the coach approached game security to report what he termed a “security breach”: members of the Morehouse football team had joined the traditional handshake line, a move Tuskegee Athletic Director Reginald Ruffin says contravenes standard Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference protocol. Taylor says he asked officers to intervene when the football players “followed right behind me and the team yelling obscenities,” creating what he feared was a dangerous environment for his players and their families. Instead of de-escalating the situation, campus police handcuffed the 35-year coaching veteran and escorted him outside the arena, an image that ricocheted across sports media within hours. No charges were filed, and Taylor traveled back to campus with his squad that night, but the fallout was immediate. Tuskegee President and CEO Mark A. Brown issued a statement praising Taylor’s conduct as “measured, professional, and entirely consistent with the expectations of a head coach entrusted with the safety of his team.” Now Taylor is seeking accountability. Represented by Harry Daniels, John Burris, Gerald Griggs, and Gregory Reynald Williams—attorneys known for high-profile civil-rights litigation—Taylor’s suit will claim unlawful seizure and emotional distress. “To put him in handcuffs, humiliate him and treat him like a criminal in front of his team, his family and a gym full of fans is absolutely disgusting,” Daniels said. Morehouse has not publicly commented on the impending litigation. Friday’s press conference, scheduled for 11 a.m. EST in downtown Atlanta, is expected to detail damages sought and broader allegations of inadequate game-management protocols that Taylor’s legal team argues placed both teams at risk. The case adds a legal chapter to one of the most visible HBCU basketball rivalries and raises fresh questions about security procedures at collegiate sporting events—particularly when emotions run high and conference traditions collide. Keywords:

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler addressed the media on Friday ahead of the Seagulls’ lunchtime Premier League meeting with Liverpool, declaring Kaoru Mitoma fit for selection and urging supporters to turn the Amex into a venue “that no-one wants to go”. Mitoma, the Japan international winger, had been a doubt after a recent setback but is now available, giving Hurzeler a welcome boost as he plots a first victory over the Reds since taking charge in the summer. “There are no new injury concerns and winger Kaoru Mitoma is available for contention,” the German confirmed. Brighton arrive at the weekend looking to arrest a wobble that has seen them slip from the European conversation, yet Hurzeler insists the squad’s mentality has not wavered. “I never stop thinking about how I can improve the team and how we can improve as a club, on the pitch and off it,” he said. “My team always stick together. It’s important to keep working hard and keeping standards high. We do that well.” With the Premier League table tighter than ever, the 31-year-old believes every remaining fixture carries cup-final significance if Brighton are to re-enter the top-eight picture. “The Premier League is unpredictable this season,” he noted. “We need to play every game like it’s a final to see if we can get into the top eight.” Saturday’s assignment is daunting: Liverpool swept past Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday and have lost only once in all competitions since September. Hurzeler praised the Merseysiders’ form, saying: “We all know Liverpool are still one of the best teams with incredible individual quality. They came into a flow and when Liverpool get into a flow they are dangerous for every team.” The Albion boss, however, sees no reason to be passive. “It’s our responsibility to disrupt Liverpool’s flow,” he stated. “We can do that by being prepared and intense.” Central to that plan will be the club’s 12th man. Hurzeler revealed his “relationship with the fans has never been closer” after navigating a testing run of results together, and he hopes the bond will translate into decibels at a sold-out Amex. “Be as loud as possible, be behind us, be pushing, be creating an energy,” he implored. “We can create a place that no-one wants to go and that will help our intensity and performance. The fans against Arsenal were on it and they influenced the game.” Selection dilemmas also occupy the coach’s thoughts. Competition for starting berths is fierce, but Hurzeler views the variety of profiles across his squad as an asset rather than a headache. “The competition is on for a starting place,” he acknowledged. “A lot of my players have different attributes and the squad can benefit game-to-game.” Kick-off on Saturday is at 12:30 GMT, with Brighton seeking a statement result to reignite their season and Liverpool aiming to maintain the momentum that has carried them to the summit of domestic and European competitions.

London – When Thomas Tuchel names his teamsheet for England’s March friendlies, the page will bear little resemblance to the XI that walked out in Berlin for the Euro 2024 final. Only five of the 35 players summoned to St George’s Park this week started that showpiece, and the overhaul is most striking in midfield, where Kobbie Mainoo’s recall headlines a fresh cast auditioning for the holding role that has eluded the national side for a generation. Mainoo’s renaissance is the story of the squad. Frozen out under former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, the 20-year-old saw loan requests rebuffed in successive windows and slipped from England view after his September 2024 cap. The appointment of interim United manager Michael Carrick, a long-time public admirer, changed everything. Mainoo has started all nine matches under Carrick, re-energising both club and country hopes, and Tuchel has responded by opening the World Cup door once more. The Manchester United theme continues with Harry Maguire, who last pulled on an England shirt in the same September window. Like Mainoo, Maguire’s club renaissance under Carrick has convinced Tuchel to offer a final pre-tournament audition. The centre-back’s inclusion underscores a broader trend: form over reputation. Jason Steele, James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin—all playing pivotal roles for Brighton, Everton and Leeds respectively—are first-time call-ups under the German coach, pushing established names to the periphery. Tuchel’s search for a deep-lying orchestrator remains the tactical subplot. Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson were trialled in November; Wharton’s composure drew particular praise. Mainoo now joins that audition, tasked with proving he can both knit passes and shield the back line. With Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham automatic picks, the third midfield slot is the last genuine vacancy in the projected Qatar 2026 starting XI. The goalkeeping corps also reflects a changing of the guard. Jordan Pickford retains seniority, yet four other keepers—Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale and the uncapped Steele—have been invited to press their claims in the final window before squads must be trimmed to 26. At the back, John Stones and Marc Guéhi bring major-tournament pedigree, but the likes of Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah and Nico O’Reilly arrive untested at this level yet flush with club momentum. Further forward, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden provide continuity, but even the attack carries fresh faces. Dominic Solanke and Noni Madueke return after strong domestic campaigns, while Marcus Rashford—reinvigorated on loan at Barcelona—offers Tuchel a different wide profile. The message is clear: past service guarantees nothing. England’s evolution will be stress-tested in two March friendlies that double as the last live auditions before Tuchel must submit his World Cup roster. For Mainoo, Maguire and a host of new faces, the stakes could scarcely be higher.

Liverpool will travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday without Mohamed Salah after head coach Arne Slot confirmed the Egyptian forward has been ruled out of the Premier League encounter against Brighton & Hove Albion. Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Slot delivered a sobering update on two senior squad members, revealing that Salah will also sit out forthcoming international duty. “Salah is out for Brighton, and he won’t travel to Egypt,” Slot said. “Hopefully he can recover quicker because he takes care of his body. Let’s hope he is okay and back after the international break but we don’t know in this moment.” The news removes Liverpool’s primary source of goals and attacking thrust at a juncture when rhythm and momentum traditionally shape the season’s final stretch. Salah’s presence stretches opposition back lines, sharpens passing patterns and provides a constant reference point for team-mates; without him, Liverpool must re-engineer their attacking approach. Brighton, renowned for meticulous positional play and intelligent pressing, are adept at exploiting sides that lose attacking fluency. Roberto De Zerbi’s team will look to dominate possession, draw Liverpool into uncomfortable defensive shapes and strike during transitional moments. The Seagulls will sense a rare opportunity to claim points against a side that has often relied on individual brilliance to unlock stubborn defences. Compounding Slot’s selection headache, defender Joe Gomez is also unavailable. The 26-year-old informed staff he “didn’t feel good” before the previous fixture and has not recovered in time to start on the south coast. Gomez’s capacity to operate across the back line has underpinned Liverpool’s defensive adaptability this season; his absence narrows tactical flexibility and places greater emphasis on cohesion among the remaining centre-backs. Slot must now decide whether to lean on experience or introduce fresh legs to counter Brighton’s fluid rotations. The visitors will need measured build-up play, compact pressing triggers and disciplined wide defending to subdue a Brighton outfit that can suffocate opponents through sustained possession spells. For Liverpool, the task is clear: compensate for the loss of star power through collective structure, intensity and intelligent game management. Injuries are an unavoidable reality of a congested campaign; the response often defines a team’s trajectory. Against Brighton, resilience and tactical clarity will be required to ensure the absence of Salah and Gomez does not translate into dropped points.

The scoreboard is set for another fascinating duel of forecasts as Essential Football renews its head-to-head with artificial-intelligence rival ChatGPT ahead of a potentially seismic round of Premier League fixtures. With ten points awarded for nailing the exact scoreline and five for calling the correct result, bragging rights are once again up for grabs. Saturday’s early kick-off sees AFC Bournemouth welcome Manchester United to the south coast. Essential Football labels the Cherries the division’s great enigma—no side has drawn more games—while tipping Erik ten Hag’s visitors to exploit their openness in a 2-1 away win. ChatGPT largely concurs, citing United’s top-four motivation and Bournemouth’s habit of letting promising displays drift into draws; the algorithm forecasts the same 2-1 score, only reversing the order of the scorers. Liverpool’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion shapes as the weekend’s headline tussle. Buoyed by a dramatic Champions League fight-back in Istanbul, Jurgen Klopp’s men remain erratic domestically. Essential Football believes the Reds’ continental momentum will be enough to edge a revitalised Seagulls side that has won three of its last four. ChatGPT, noting Brighton’s expansive but defensively vulnerable approach, foresees Liverpool’s pace on the break producing a comfortable away victory. At Craven Cottage, Fulham are viewed as bankers against a Burnley outfit still anchored in relegation trouble. Essential Football argues Marco Silva’s side, chasing a late surge toward the European places, cannot afford another slip, while ChatGPT highlights Fulham’s home control and the Clarets’ chronic scoring woes in predicting a routine home win. Sunday’s early assignment pitches Everton against Chelsea at Goodison Park. Essential Football contends that the Toffees’ organised, limitation-aware approach under David Moyes can ambush a Blues outfit bruised from a mid-week setback. ChatGPT, emphasising Everton’s deep-block resilience and Chelsea’s well-documented inconsistency, anticipates a low-scoring draw. Leeds United versus Brentford offers a contrast of styles in West Yorkshire. Essential Football flags the Bees’ proficiency from set pieces and on the counter, weaknesses Leeds have repeatedly displayed. ChatGPT echoes that assessment, forecasting a narrow Brentford triumph born of superior efficiency. The Tyne-Wear derby promises raw emotion. Essential Football expects a scrappy 1-1 stalemate, citing Newcastle’s wounded pride after a 7-2 Champions League humbling and Sunderland’s poor away form. ChatGPT agrees, arguing derby fever often overrides league logic and produces a high-scoring, mistake-riddled 2-2 draw. In the Midlands, Aston Villa’s wobble has seen European hopes fade after three straight league defeats. Essential Football fancies West Ham to capitalise, backing the Hammers to spring an upset. Data-driven ChatGPT, however, trusts Villa’s home strength and motivation to secure a slender 2-1 win. Monday Night Football closes the gameweek with Tottenham hosting Nottingham Forest in what Essential Football labels a relegation six-pointer. Spurs’ recent uptick in urgency leads the column to forecast a home win, while ChatGPT, citing both sides’ inconsistency, opts for a 1-1 draw. With each forecast carrying either ten or five points, the running tally between flesh-and-blood pundits and silicon-powered algorithms remains too close to call—setting the stage for another dramatic swing when the final whistle blows.

Manchester United and Real Madrid have emerged as rival suitors for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, with both clubs prioritising the Brazilian as they prepare to overhaul their midfield options ahead of next season. Guimaraes, 28, has become one of the Premier League’s most influential performers since arriving from Lyon in January 2022. Operating as the heartbeat of the Magpies’ engine room, he has helped the club secure Champions League qualification twice in three campaigns and captained the side to their first domestic trophy in 70 years with last season’s League Cup triumph. According to Reuters, Manchester United have already opened negotiations for a deal worth approximately £69 million. Officials at Old Trafford are confident an agreement can be struck should Newcastle fail to finish inside the top five; Eddie Howe’s side currently sit seven points adrift with only eight league fixtures remaining. Real Madrid are also closely monitoring developments. The Spanish giants are open to sanctioning the departure of Eduardo Camavinga this summer and view Guimaraes as the ideal candidate to reinforce their midfield ranks. With Champions League qualification hanging in the balance for Newcastle, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether their skipper remains on Tyneside or becomes the subject of a high-stakes tug-of-war between two of Europe’s most decorated clubs.

London – A change to British law will make it a criminal offence to enter a soccer match without a valid ticket, with the new rules coming into force in time for Sunday’s English League Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. The legislation, announced ahead of the showpiece fixture, means that anyone found inside a ground without the appropriate accreditation will face potential prosecution. Authorities say the measure is designed to strengthen crowd-safety protocols and protect legitimate supporters. The timing of the law’s activation underscores its immediate relevance, as tens of thousands of fans are expected to converge on the national stadium for the high-profile contest. Officials have not detailed specific penalties, but the reclassification marks a significant shift from previous civil regulations. With the new statute now on the statute book, stewards and police will have expanded powers to intervene before, during and after matches across the country.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has singled out young defender Mamadou Sarr as the player whose future excites him most, insisting the 19-year-old remains central to the club’s long-term plans despite a difficult night against Paris Saint-Germain. Sarr, recalled from a season-long loan at Strasbourg in January to shore up an injury-hit back line, was handed a surprise start in Tuesday’s Champions League knockout clash. Operating on the left of a three-man defence alongside Trevoh Chalobah and Jorrel Hato, the Senegal international was culpable inside eight minutes when he was dispossessed by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who rifled home the opener. Rosenior replaced Sarr at the interval, but the interim Blues boss moved quickly to protect his player ahead of this weekend’s visit of Everton. “I’ve worked with him for nearly two years. I’m so excited for his career,” Rosenior told reporters on Friday. “That’s why he’s here. You have to go through negative experiences at times to improve. He’ll come back. He trained very well today. He’s completely a massive part of our plans moving forward. And this, in the long run, for the pain that he’s gone through, will make him an even better player.” Sarr has now featured five times since his premature return to Stamford Bridge, and while raw moments are inevitable, Rosenior believes the centre-back’s exposure to elite-level pressure will accelerate his development. The west Londoners are nevertheless expected to re-enter the market for defensive reinforcements at the end of the season after missing out on French prospect Jeremy Jacquet, who opted for Liverpool in January. Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and Lazio’s Mario Gila have since emerged as potential targets as the club weigh experience against upside. For now, though, Rosenior’s message is clear: Sarr’s talent merits patience, and his best days lie ahead.

Los Angeles Knight Riders will finally have a place to call home. The Knight Riders Group on Wednesday announced that their Major League Cricket franchise will stage matches at the newly-christened Knight Riders Cricket Field, built inside Fairplex in Pomona, California, beginning with the 2026 season. The move ends three years of nomadic fixtures for the league. Since MLC’s inception, contests have been scattered across Lauderhill, Florida; Grand Prairie, Texas; and Oakland, California, with no club able to host regular, distinct home dates. With the completion of the Pomona venue, LAKR becomes the first team in league history to operate from a purpose-aligned, self-branded stadium, potentially giving the side a tangible home advantage for the first time. Situated in eastern Los Angeles County, the ground arrives at a strategic moment: cricket will feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, its first appearance at the Games since 1900. League and civic officials hope the facility will help grow the sport locally ahead of that spotlight. Knight Riders Sports co-owner Shah Rukh Khan hailed the development, saying, “The USA is a great sporting market with passionate fans, and we hope this field becomes a place where people come together to celebrate the game and support the team. I’m really looking forward to this new chapter for the Knight Riders in Los Angeles.” Fairplex, long known for hosting the LA County Fair and a slate of trade expos and sporting events, will now add top-tier cricket to its portfolio. “As the home of the LA County Fair, one of the largest fairs in the country, we are excited to partner with Knight Riders to present cricket, one of the world’s largest sports, on our campus,” Fairplex president and CEO Walter M. Marquez said. “Fairplex continues to seek new experiences that are unique to Southern California and the Knight Riders will create the field where the community will come together and celebrate.” While the exact number of 2026 fixtures to be played at Knight Riders Cricket Field has yet to be finalized, the franchise views the ground as a long-term hub. On-field results have been elusive so far; LAKR finished last in two of the league’s first three seasons and second-from-bottom in the other. Club officials hope a stable home environment can help reverse that trend as MLC enters its fourth campaign. Construction timelines and seating capacity were not disclosed, but the venue is expected to meet league standards in time for the 2026 opener. The announcement also raises the possibility that other franchises may pursue similar permanent facilities as MLC continues to mature.

Real Madrid’s search for midfield reinforcements has gained fresh momentum after developments in London indicated that Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández is increasingly open to a summer departure. According to a report from Defensa Central, the Argentine international is reassessing his future following a season that has failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge. The tipping point arrived with Chelsea’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, a result that ended the club’s hopes of competing for European silverware this season. In the aftermath, Fernández addressed reporters and, when asked directly about his long-term plans, replied: “We’ll see after the World Cup; there are eight Premier League games left and the FA Cup.” The ambiguity of that answer has been interpreted across the continent as an invitation for interested parties to make their move. Los Blancos have placed midfield rejuvenation high on their agenda and have been scouring the market for elite talent capable of slotting into the club’s trophy-driven environment. Club scouts view Fernández as a player whose technical range, positional intelligence and competitive mentality fit the profile sought by the Bernabéu hierarchy. Since his headline-grabbing transfer to Chelsea, Fernández has found major honours elusive. With the team struggling to mount a sustained Premier League challenge and now out of Europe’s premier competition, sources in England claim the 23-year-old is eager to join a club where competing for the biggest trophies is an annual expectation rather than an aspiration. Real Madrid, perennial contenders domestically and in Europe, offer exactly that platform. Madrid’s decision-makers are currently weighing a number of midfield options, yet Fernández has leapt to the forefront of their shortlist after this week’s revelations. The Spanish giants are expected to continue monitoring the situation closely, ready to act should Chelsea indicate a willingness to negotiate.

Barcelona winger Raphinha has revealed the reason behind his decision to let 16-year-old Lamine Yamal take the potentially pivotal penalty against Newcastle United in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter. With the tie delicately poised at 2-2 and seconds remaining before the half-time whistle, Raphinha earned the spot-kick after a driving run into the box. The Brazilian, who has regularly assumed penalty duties for the Catalan club, collected the ball and appeared ready to shoot before pausing and instead placing it in the hands of Yamal. The teenager calmly dispatched the kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Barcelona a 3-2 lead at the interval. Speaking after the match, Raphinha underlined the importance of intuition in such moments and praised Yamal’s assertiveness. “These days, goalkeepers are always well prepared. It doesn’t matter who takes them. But during the game, you get a sense of it. It’s about the confidence you have that night,” he explained. “And Lamine told me he was really keen to take it. When you see his confidence, you trust him, and it worked out well! He took it very well.” The goal was Yamal’s second from the spot in as many games against Newcastle. In the first leg at St James’ Park, the winger converted a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 2-2 draw, handing Barcelona a valuable pair of away goals ahead of the return leg at Camp Nou. Raphinha’s willingness to defer spot-kick responsibility highlights the squad’s faith in the academy graduate, whose composure under pressure continues to belie his tender age. The successful conversion ultimately contributed to Barcelona edging through the tie, although the final aggregate score was not specified in post-match comments.

Kobbie Mainoo is poised to end a nearly two-year England exile after Thomas Tuchel prepared to name the 20-year-old in his March 2026 squad, sources confirmed to Sky Sports on Friday. The Manchester United midfielder, last capped in September 2024, is set to be the headline inclusion when Tuchel unveils the group for the final international window before June’s World Cup. Mainoo’s return caps a dramatic reversal of fortune: having been frozen out under former United head coach Ruben Amorim, the academy product has started nine of ten Premier League matches since interim boss Michael Carrick took charge, helping the club to seven wins and a draw while contributing two assists. Those displays have convinced Tuchel that Mainoo merits an immediate recall. The German coach, who has experimented with a deep pool of midfielders including Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson in November 2025, is expected to trim at least one name to accommodate the United youngster. Mainoo started England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain but disappeared from subsequent squads as his club minutes evaporated. With this month’s fixtures widely viewed as the last audition for World Cup places, the timing of his resurgence could hardly be better. England staff believe players who have both recent top-level form and experience of knockout football give the squad its best chance of success, placing Mainoo firmly in that category. Confirmation of the squad is anticipated later this morning. Should Mainoo feature in the upcoming matches, it will mark his first appearance under Tuchel and a significant step toward booking a seat on the plane to the tournament this summer.

Chennai, once the undisputed fortress of MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings, is preparing to anoint a new protagonist. Sanju Samson, fresh from steering India to the T20 World Cup title and walking away with the Player-of-the-Tournament award, has landed in Tamil Nadu carrying more than just his kitbag. His mandate is unambiguous: resurrect a five-time champion that has missed the play-offs in each of the last two seasons and restore the roar to the Chepauk stands. The parallels are impossible to ignore. In 2008, Dhoni arrived in Chennai as the newly crowned World Cup-winning captain, the marquee face of a fledgling franchise. Sixteen years later, Samson steps off a similar wave of national euphoria, his blade still hot from three successive match-winning knocks that sealed India’s global crown. The Super Kings management, who once built an empire around Dhoni’s aura, have wasted no time framing the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter as the catalyst for a fresh cycle of dominance. Yet the assignment is nuanced. Samson is neither designated captain nor brand ambassador; Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue to lead the side. Instead, the 31-year-old’s primary brief is cricketing consistency—an attribute CSK have craved since their batting cartel began misfiring at the top of the order. Indications from the camp suggest Samson will open alongside young Ayush Mhatre, allowing Gaikwad to drop to the security of No. 3 and lengthen a lineup that leaked wickets in the powerplay last year. Numbers from his most recent IPL campaign justify the gamble. In 2024, wearing Rajasthan Royals colours, Samson amassed 531 runs at a strike-rate of 153.46, the most prolific season of his career. Replicating that output inside the yellow bubble would instantly solve a riddle that has puzzled the think-tank since Dhoni’s offensive capabilities waned. Equally significant is the glove work. Club officials have all but confirmed this will be Dhoni’s valedictory lap, and CEO Kasi Viswanathan has hinted the icon may not play every fixture. Samson, who kept for India during their World Cup surge, is poised to take over behind the stumps for the majority of the season, unless a tactical crisis demands Dhoni’s mid-game acumen. The incoming keeper has already sought counsel from the outgoing legend, revealing post-tournament that the pair have spoken at length about handling the dual load of batting and marshalling the field. “I’ve spoken to Mahi bhai over the phone and interacted with him,” Samson told reporters after India’s trophy celebrations. “Being with him in a team for two months and seeing first-hand how he approaches cricket and prepares for games will be a huge benefit for me.” Off the field, Chennai’s famously partisan crowd could offer Samson a softer landing than most imports. A sizeable Malayali diaspora has long thronged the Marina, many of whom already followed his exploits from Royals days. Add his childhood trips to the city and working knowledge of Tamil, and the bridge to the locals shortens considerably. Still, converting curiosity into the devotional fervour once reserved for ‘Thala’ Dhoni requires one currency above all: runs. For the first time in a decade-long IPL journey, Samson enters the tournament free of the insecurity that a lean patch might slam the door on his India aspirations. The World Cup haul has secured his national spot, and that liberation, teammates believe, could unlock the audacious stroke-play that makes him so destructive when set. If he can parlay that freedom into relentless match-winning starts, the narrative will shift from nostalgia for a fading emperor to excitement over a new sovereign. As the Super Kings begin pre-season drills under the scorching Chennai sun, the sense of anticipation is palpable. Ticket platforms report a surge in searches for opening-weekend seats; merchandise stalls are already stacking Samson jerseys alongside the timeless No. 7. The franchise that turned Dhoni into a cultural phenomenon is betting that lightning can strike twice—that another World Cup hero can preside over a fresh dynasty. The script is unwritten, but the prologue is complete. Sanju Samson, the boy from Vizhinjam who once idolised Rajinikanth, now has the chance to become the leading man in Chennai’s next blockbuster. All that remains is for him to deliver the climactic innings that return CSK to the summit they once owned. The stage is set, the crowd is waiting, and, as the city loves to say, the ball is well and truly in his court.

By Saturday evening the Championship will fall silent for the international break, but not before a weekend that could redraw the promotion picture and intensify the relegation fight across the English Football League. Ipswich v Millwall, 12:30 GMT at Portman Road, is the headline act. Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys have taken 14 points from the last 18 and sit third, level on points with Alex Neil’s Millwall, whose four-match winning run was halted by a controversial 2-1 loss to Blackburn. Zak Sturge’s red card in that game has been overturned, leaving the left-back free to face Ipswich as the Lions chase a fifth consecutive away victory. Should Millwall leapfrog Ipswich, Middlesbrough—winless in four at the Riverside—would need at least a point at Blackburn to cling to second place. Coventry, seven points clear at the summit, are the only side guaranteed to spend the break in an automatic spot, yet the identity of their nearest pursuer could change twice before tea-time. At the bottom, only four points separate the teams in 20th and 24th. Oxford, third-bottom, travel to a Southampton side unbeaten in 13 and chasing a top-six place, though the U’s won the reverse fixture 2-1 on Boxing Day. Leicester, a point beneath Oxford, have lost nine away matches in a row and visit Watford, still in the play-off mix. West Brom, lifted out of the drop zone by a thumping defeat of Hull, have not won on the road since 1 October and now head to Bristol City, who have taken one point from their last four home games. Portsmouth, above Albion on goal difference, face QPR hunting a first victory in six. The drama is equally fierce in League One. Gary Caldwell returns to Exeter exactly a month after leaving St James Park for a second spell at Wigan. When he departed, Exeter were 13th and comfortable; on Saturday they sit 19th, level on points with Caldwell’s new side, who are a point above the relegation places. Exeter are winless in 12; Wigan have taken 11 points from Caldwell’s seven matches. A Blackpool win at Cardiff in the lunchtime kick-off could dump Exeter into the bottom four by full-time. The play-off picture is equally volatile. Three points cover fifth-placed Stockport to Plymouth in 10th. Stevenage, eighth with a game in hand, host Reading, who occupy the final play-off berth. Huddersfield, seventh, travel to in-form Argyle after blowing a 2-0 lead to draw with leaders Lincoln. Stockport, meanwhile, visit Luton in a dress-rehearsal for next month’s Vertu Trophy final. In League Two, only two points separate the bottom four. Barrow, on their fifth manager of the season, are winless in seven ahead of a trip to promotion-chasing Grimsby. Harrogate, a point better off, visit an Oldham side unbeaten in nine and eyeing a late surge into the play-offs. Newport, a point above the drop, go to resurgent Walsall after a last-gasp loss to leaders Bromley, while Crawley, winless in nine but drawing five of their last six, make the long journey to Fleetwood. By the time British Summer Time begins, the league tables from Coventry to Barrow could have a very different complexion. March, as the old saying almost goes, has one more chance to plant the seeds for May’s final harvest.