Liverpool have completed the £106 million signing of 23-year-old Bradley Barcola from PSG, with the deal potentially rising to £123 million. The French forward has signed a five-year contract and will wear No.29. A long-term Liverpool target, Barcola joins after winning two Champions League titles and three Ligue 1 crowns, aiming to win the Premier League.
Lionel Messi’s international retirement has reignited Piers Morgan’s long-running Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT argument. Morgan points to Ronaldo’s record 146 international goals, compared with Messi’s 125, as proof that Ronaldo is football’s greatest. Messi leaves Argentina with a World Cup, two Copa América titles and 125 goals, while Ronaldo continues chasing 1,000 career goals before retirement.
Ballyspallen were forced to concede their Northern Ireland cricket match against Eglinton after a broken printer prevented officials from producing a required Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) sheet following rain. Eglinton had scored 159, while Ballyspallen were 19-0 when play stopped. League rules require the home side to concede if the DLS sheet cannot be provided to teams and umpires.
With JioStar the only serious bidder in sight, Indian cricket risks leaving value on the table
India kicked off their Women's T20 Asia Cup with an impressive 94-run triumph against Thailand. Shafali Verma ignited the innings with her electrifying batting, laying a robust foundation for the team. The bowlers showcased their prowess, limiting Thailand to a modest score. Highlighting the match, Deepti Sharma reached a remarkable milestone, claiming the title of leading wicket-taker in women's T20I history, ensuring a triumphant start to the tournament for India.
Manav Suthar has impressed in his first three Test matches, taking 23 wickets. His ability to generate drift and deceive batters is a significant strength. Ajinkya Rahane noted Suthar's effectiveness regardless of pitch conditions and his quick learning. Suthar's adaptability strengthens his prospects for a larger role in India's spin attack. The team faces a challenging series in New Zealand with different conditions.
José Mourinho has backed Kylian Mbappé for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, arguing that individual brilliance should outweigh team trophies. Mbappé’s record-breaking World Cup, plus his prolific La Liga and Champions League campaigns, strengthens his case. Mourinho insists the award should recognise the world’s best player rather than automatically rewarding those who win the Champions League or World Cup.
Jose Mourinho has challenged the traditional Ballon d’Or criteria, arguing that the award should recognise individual greatness rather than simply major trophies. The Real Madrid manager believes several of his players belong among the world’s elite, with Kylian Mbappé emerging as a leading contender after a remarkable 2025-26 season and outstanding World Cup performance.
India's ambitions for World Test Championship qualification took a blow following a drawn Test match in Colombo. This result denied them a chance to sweep the series against Sri Lanka. Cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth expressed concerns about the implications for the team's future. With only seven matches left, India must secure victories in at least six to stay in contention for the title.
India's spirited hockey fightback concluded with heartbreak against Belgium. The teams played to a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time. Belgium ultimately prevailed in a tense penalty shootout after the match. India had initially taken the lead through Abhishek's early field goal. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice to force the shootout, but Belgium won.India's spirited hockey fightback concluded with heartbreak against Belgium. The teams played to a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time. Belgium ultimately prevailed in a tense penalty shootout after the match. India had initially taken the lead through Abhishek's early field goal. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice to force the shootout, but Belgium won.
Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly requested to be substituted at half-time during Al-Nassr’s 3-2 comeback win over Al-Ettifaq, with Saudi journalist Khalid Al-Shanif claiming the star was “crying intensely” afterward. Ange Postecoglou said Ronaldo was always scheduled to play 45 minutes as his fitness is managed. Ronaldo then watched from the bench as Al-Nassr overturned a two-goal deficit.
In a remarkable display of skill and tenacity, R Praggnanandhaa clinched victory at the Grand Chess Tour Finals in St. Louis, overturning a daunting six-point deficit against renowned competitor Fabiano Caruana. This landmark win not only made him the first Indian champion of the Grand Chess Tour but also earned him a hefty prize of $200,000, solidifying his status in the chess world.