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.
The Champions League draw is set, with 36 teams facing eight league-phase opponents each. Arsenal meet Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, while Manchester City face PSG and Barcelona. Liverpool draw Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan, and Manchester United return with Bayern Munich. Aston Villa also face PSG and Barcelona, setting up a league phase packed with blockbuster fixtures.
UEFA is seeking evidence in the United States as it considers criminal proceedings in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan. UEFA alleges the proposal undervalued FIFA’s commercial assets, was developed secretly, and could have harmed FIFA and its members. The dispute intensifies pressure on Infantino ahead of FIFA’s 2027 presidential election.
India's prospects in the second Test against Sri Lanka loom uncertain as rain delays threaten their World Test Championship ambitions. A draw would see India slipping to fifth place, jeopardizing their path to the finals. With limited matches left, the team must secure victories to enhance their standing and continue competing at the highest level in the championships.
FIFA’s mandatory three-minute hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup have sparked criticism for disrupting match flow and turning halves into “quarters.” Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster fears commercial incentives could see similar breaks introduced in the Champions League and eventually the Premier League, despite the Premier League rejecting mandatory breaks for 2026-27.
Al Nassr produced a stunning comeback against Al Ettifaq despite being reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Bento was sent off in the 12th minute. After falling 2-0 behind and losing Cristiano Ronaldo at half-time, Sadio Mané scored twice while João Félix inspired the comeback, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory and maintaining Al Nassr’s perfect start.
Bruno Fernandes has completed a clean sweep of major individual awards after being named PFA Players’ Player of the Year for his outstanding 2025-26 season. The Manchester United captain broke the Premier League assist record with 21, scored nine goals and helped United finish third. He is the club’s first PFA Players’ Player winner since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
Former Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry believes Erling Haaland could eventually leave the club if their dominance and trophy success decline. Despite his contract until 2034, Barry says Haaland may seek a new challenge if City struggle over the next two seasons. He also expects Arsenal to be favourites for the Premier League following City’s major changes.
Former Manchester United and Serie A forward Giuseppe Rossi has warned that Neymar joining Inter Miami would boost MLS commercially but do little to improve its footballing quality. While he supports a reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Rossi criticised MLS for prioritising superstar signings, clicks and club valuations over developing the league’s overall sporting standard.
Salman Butt defended Pakistan's cricket team against harsh British media criticism. He argued the team never claimed to be world champions or a dominant force. Butt highlighted England's diverse player origins while defending Pakistan's homegrown talent. England secured a significant innings victory over Pakistan in the first Test. This defeat marked a new era for the English team after coaching changes.
Former Indian cricketers expressed their disappointment over Yashasvi Jaiswal's fiery exchange with Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando during the second Test match, which followed Jaiswal's dismissal. Both players faced fines and demerit points from the ICC as a consequence. Pujara and Raman highlighted the impact of Jaiswal's frustration on the incident, while Karim emphasized the importance of setting a positive example for young cricket enthusiasts.
Max Verstappen's Dutch Grand Prix ended early after a first-lap crash on a damp track. Lando Norris capitalised on the chaos, securing a crucial victory for his title hopes. Norris made a daring overtake to take the lead and hold it until the finish. Kimi Antonelli finished second, with George Russell completing the podium. The Dutch Grand Prix is departing the Formula 1 calendar after this season.
Indian women’s Hockey World Cup campaign ended after Australia held them to a 0-0 draw and advanced to the semifinals on goals scored. Australia had two goals ruled out after reviews, while India missed key chances and penalty corners. Despite a strong second-half push and removing their goalkeeper late on, India could not find the winner and will now play for fifth place.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur experienced surprising opening-day Premier League losses. Promoted Hull City defeated Manchester United 2-0, while Brentford secured a 3-0 victory over Tottenham. Other promoted clubs like Ipswich and Leeds United achieved victories in their respective matches. Everton also began their campaign with a win against Crystal Palace. Arsenal had already secured a win in their title defence.
Cheteshwar Pujara reminisces about his remarkable innings at the Sinhalese Sports Club back in 2015, expressing admiration for Devdutt Padikkal's potential to fill the number three batting position. He emphasizes that Padikkal must deliver consistent performances to solidify his role. Additionally, Pujara advocates for considering Sai Sudharsan for upcoming Test selections, noting that Padikkal can establish himself with impressive displays against formidable teams.
Cristiano Ronaldo has reached an incredible milestone in football by scoring in twenty-five consecutive league seasons. This unprecedented achievement highlights his enduring talent, having maintained an unbroken scoring streak that dates back to the 2002-03 season. With a career total of nine hundred seventy-seven goals, he remains focused on reaching the remarkable one thousand goal mark in his illustrious career.
Pakistan achieved an unwanted Test record by losing their opening wicket for zero runs in both innings. This rare feat occurred for the seventh time in their Test match history. England's bowlers dominated the match, securing an innings victory inside three days. Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue were instrumental in Pakistan's batting collapses. The result gave England a lead in the ongoing three-match series.
Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage edged Neeraj Chopra by just nine centimetres to beat him for the third time this season at the Lausanne Diamond League. Chopra briefly led with an 88.05m second-round throw, but Pathirage responded with 88.14m. Chopra settled for silver, while Anderson Peters took third, with the result also boosting Chopra’s hopes of reaching the Diamond League Final.
The defeat leaves India with a tough task in their final second-round match. India will face Australia on Sunday and need a win to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive. Australia were held to a 1-1 draw by China in another second-round match earlier on Friday.
In a groundbreaking achievement, Joe Root has scored 3,000 runs as captain in the World Test Championship, marking a historic moment during England's first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. Root's remarkable batting skills have firmly established him atop the WTC captaincy run charts. His stellar performance has not only propelled England to a commanding first-innings advantage but also reinforces his legacy in Test cricket.
A Lionel Messi shirt worn during Barcelona’s 2012 friendly against Manchester United has sold for $66,107 at auction, more than six times the price of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid shirt. Signed by Messi for former United masseur Rod Thornley, the jersey topped a collection featuring shirts from Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville.
Tottenham Hotspur legend Terry Dyson has died aged 91. A key member of the club’s historic 1960-61 Double-winning side, Dyson scored in the FA Cup Final and twice in the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final. He also remains the only Spurs player to score a hat-trick against Arsenal, cementing his place in Tottenham history.
Ronaldinho is set to make a professional football comeback with Italian third-tier club Ravenna, 11 years after his last competitive appearance. The 46-year-old Brazilian has confirmed he will play in an official match, with the club hoping he can score the final goal of his career. Ronaldinho has also joined Ravenna’s ownership group and will be presented to around 6,000 fans in Italy.
Manav Suthar delivered a dazzling performance, leading India to victory over Sri Lanka by claiming a remarkable ten wickets, including a stunning five-wicket haul. Prasidh Krishna's fiery bowling in the final innings also played a crucial role as Sri Lanka's robust start crumbled on the last day. This triumph bolsters India's hopes in the ongoing World Test Championship.
In a stunning debut, Manav Suthar has made history as the first spinner to secure five wickets in both his first home and away Tests, a remarkable achievement not seen since Mohammad Nisar in 1933. At just a young age, he also became the youngest Indian to claim ten wickets in a single Test match, eclipsing Harbhajan Singh's previous record.
India will have five key matches on Day 4 of the BWF World Championships. Ayush Shetty faces Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan, while PV Sindhu takes on China’s Wang Zhi Yi. Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty will also compete in the Round of 16, keeping India’s campaign busy.
As the final day of the Galle Test match unfolds, India edges closer to victory with crucial wickets. A contentious catch by Dhruv Jurel has left the Sri Lankan team in uncertainty. With 288 runs required for a win, Rishabh Pant shines, scoring 66 runs and achieving a milestone of 100 sixes in Test cricket. However, rain is looming, potentially impacting the conclusion of this thrilling match.
Jamal Musiala has revealed he has been diagnosed with brief absence seizures, caused by temporary abnormal brain activity. The episodes led to collapses during two Bayern Munich friendlies but are treatable and being managed by specialists. Musiala says he feels well, has medical clearance to continue football, remains optimistic and asks for privacy regarding further details.
Jamal Musiala has revealed he has been diagnosed with brief, temporary absence seizures caused by a neurological dysfunction. After two recent collapses, against Leipzig and Heidenheim, he says he is receiving specialist treatment, feels optimistic, and faces no additional health risk. With medical clearance, Musiala intends to continue playing football and pursuing his career.
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan was reportedly caught in a physical altercation between his two wives at a hotel on Egypt’s North Coast. Hassan allegedly collapsed while trying to intervene, while reports later claimed he divorced his first wife, Howaida. However, his lawyer denied any health crisis. The incident has drawn widespread attention following Egypt’s recent World Cup campaign.
Wolverhampton Wanderers legend and former captain Mike Bailey has died aged 84 following a long battle with dementia. Bailey spent 11 years at Wolves, making 436 appearances and leading the club to League Cup glory in 1974. He also earned two England caps and later enjoyed a managerial career. His family had previously said they believed years of heading footballs contributed to his dementia.
India hosts the World Championships as a badminton powerhouse. The sport's popularity and participation have significantly increased across the nation. Indian players have achieved consistent success at the World Championships and Olympics. Para-badminton also shows substantial growth with numerous international medals. New Delhi's hosting marks a new chapter in India's badminton journey.
João Cancelo is set to return to Barcelona for a third spell after terminating his Al Hilal contract by mutual agreement. The Portugal international will join the Spanish champions as a free agent after two previous loan spells, having helped Barcelona win LaLiga last season. Cancelo is expected in Barcelona on Tuesday to complete his move and sign a permanent contract.
Barcelona have reportedly agreed a €76.5 million deal to sign Rodri from Manchester City. The Spain captain is set to return to La Liga after seven trophy-filled seasons in England. Rodri, who won the 2026 World Cup and Golden Ball, could be presented before Barcelona’s Joan Gamper Trophy match, while City prepare to lose their midfield anchor.
A consortium spearheaded by Amit Bhatia is set to acquire a thirty percent interest in Liverpool FC, with an estimated investment around one point seven billion pounds sterling. The current owners, Fenway Sports Group, will maintain their majority stake and operational oversight. This group also includes contributions from the Mittal Family Trusts and K5 Sports, alongside Eduardo Saverin's family office, marking a notable chapter in the club's financial landscape.
Devdutt Padikkal’s career has been marked by such recoveries. After a modest 119 runs in five matches in the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he responded with 465 runs at 155 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and 556 at 92.66 in the Ranji Trophy, including three centuries.
