“My sponsors will be happy, because I seem to be in the press every four days,” laughed Ben Stokes.Rarely has a day gone by on this England tour that the Test captain has not been long lensed by local paparazzi. The latest shots of Stokes – wearing the odd bit of sponsored stash – were of him e-scootering around central Brisbane with some team-mates (without helmets, a fineable offense that plenty flaunt) at least added a bit of variety to the photo album of touring players. A welcome twist on already tired snaps of airport arrivals and departures, golf and even strolling out of aquariums.It is reasonable to wager that if England were 1-0 up rather than 1-0 down, the focus on them would not be as intense. Winning changes everything. And that may be the big takeaway from the various invasions of privacy. If England cannot square the series in this second Test – a day-night match which starts on Thursday – the vultures will be working overtime.All the squad knew what to expect before heading over. Stokes, Brendon McCullum and even Joe Root made a note of highlighting just how different Ashes tours are. You might get mobbed in India, but you get rushed in Australia.Related

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“Before we got out here those conversations happened as a group: ‘This is what it is going to be like, so it is not unexpected’,” said Stokes. “When we got here there were cameras in front of the hotel from 8am, following us on the golf course and even when we went out for some lunch yesterday.”One of the important things on tour when under pressure is to go out, free your mind, enjoy yourself, and whatever is going on in that world, let it be. They are going to be there and film us. The message to the group is please don’t make decisions based on the fact you might get caught on camera. We are human. We need to enjoy countries when we get the opportunity because we live in England where it is miserable, freezing cold and dark at 4pm.”It is what it is. It will probably continue throughout the rest of the tour and I don’t see anything wrong with going out and spending your time off on a golf course or having coffee or lunch, riding on a scooter. It’s fine. If they want to keep doing it, they are all polite and don’t intrude on our personal space. We have a job to do, they have a job to do.”England’s next job is huge. Australia’s dominance in pink ball Tests reads 13 victories out of 14. And though their only defeat came at The Gabba – against West Indies in 2024 – England last won here in 1986.Usually the site of the Ashes opener, there have not been many happy English memories since, barring 2010-11, and that was a draw. Even the team’s Sofitel hotel base has ghosts of Ashes past. It was here that Andrew Strauss, managing director at the time, had to come out and state the 2017-18 cohort were “not thugs”, after Jonny Bairstow’s ‘headbutt’ on Cameron Bancroft came to light, months after Stokes’ incident in Bristol.England confirmed on Tuesday that Will Jacks will be the only change to the XI from Perth, replacing the injured Mark Wood. Jacks was told by Brendon McCullum he had made the cut ahead of Shoaib Bashir after training on Tuesday.Opting for a part-time off spinner who is an accomplished batter is a calculated move. A deeper batting line-up has been forged, and the belief is Jacks’ bowling can provide both a change of pace and enough overs in key stages of the game; whether to cover through to the twilight period when the likes of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse will be unleashed, or to a second new ball.England have played seven day-night Tests, with Stokes featuring in six of them. Combined with Australia’s back catalogue, there is plenty of evidence to make informed decisions. Players have also been encouraged to go to bed later to get used to the match timings – and the two-hour shift forward from Western Australia. They have even put in a bulk order of sweat bands to help preserve the hardness of the pink Kookaburra in sticky conditions.Ben Stokes practises with the pink ball•Getty Images

Stokes has been practicing what he preaches, though did find himself awoken by drug testers at 6am earlier this week. He has been running point, consuming as much information as he can and distributing it accordingly.His one previous experience leading a day-night match, against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, was a tactical masterstroke. England declared on 325 for 9 in 58.2 overs as the lights took hold on day one, and prised out three wickets before the close. They then slow-burned their second innings (374 in 73.5 overs) to set the Black Caps 394 before winning by 286.This Test, however, will be a markedly different task. And not just because of their more experienced opponents, or that the floodlights will take over from around 6:30pm, with about half the day’s play to go. It is, at this juncture, Stokes’ most important assignment as captain.”We have amazing resources with information, data, all that kind of stuff,” he said. “I get our analyst to send me over all the info on the day-night cricket that’s been played at the Gabba and also in Australia recently.”There’s daylight, there’s the dusk period, and then also the period when the floodlights do come on. So you’re just trying to give yourself as much information as possible.”We’ve trained here three or four sessions and the humidity is very high. You step out in the sunlight and just start sweating. Something we’ve spoke about is being very conscious of keeping that ball as dry as we possibly can, because as soon as that pink kookaburra goes soft, it’s going to be a lot harder to feel like you can make a breakthrough with anything on the wicket.”We’ve been all around the world where you get a softer ball and making breakthroughs seems a lot harder just because of that soft ball. All those tiny little things we’ve had to consider for this week. I think our liaison officers got tasked with going out and buying about 60 sweat bands for all of us.”The broad cue from previous day-night Tests is once you are ahead, fight to keep it that way. Often, that has come through a more conservative approach, even the use of multiple night watchers. Australia, for instance, are amenable to using night watchers to open the batting during the twilight period.This England team do not have a reputation for being prudent, and their ceding of the first Test was the worst example of this. But contrary to the words that often accompany the covert photographs, this is not a team without care or nous.There is one more evening session on Wednesday for players to get better accustomed to the ball and the light before the real thing begins. And Stokes is unequivocal that history will not hold his team back, nor a lack of belief that they can upset the odds.”Many teams have gone to the Gabba and lost to Australia,” he said. “But this is a brand new outfit. Lots of guys are on their first Ashes tour so this is going to be a new experience for them. So no, it doesn’t hold too much fear. But you also understand that Australia know this is a very good ground for them and we’re excited for that.”Trust is one of the biggest things to have, not only as captain but also as a team and I have complete and utter trust in everyone in the squad but also particularly the 11 guys who have been given the opportunity to play in a Test match.”That’s one thing I’ll always tell the group – I have complete trust and faith in not only your ability but also your decision making in the moment when you are out there to assess the conditions, to assess what is required and to just have that mentality of mindset of ‘I’m going to be the person to influence this game in the right way that we want’.”And that’s all I can keep trying to do. Because if I ever lose that trust or lose that respect from anyone from within the team then it’s probably impossible to get back.”

Leeds United have proved to be more than a match for Premier League football and now have growing confidence they can seal a statement deal at Elland Road in January.

Leeds move forward after pivotal victory over West Ham

Daniel Farke has had his doubters in the top-flight and some reservations will always remain after his previous spell in the division with Norwich City. However, there can be no doubt that he has made the Whites a competitive force at the highest level.

Claiming 11 points inside nine matches, Leeds find themselves in a decent position to kick on after a much-needed victory over West Ham United on Friday, which may be symbolic in a way as the Hammers slide further towards the bottom of the table.

Either way, there is a long way to go and nobody will be getting ahead of themselves. Still, Farke singled out his players for the determination they showed to ensure three points were claimed in front of a raucous home crowd against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

He said, via BBC Sport: “First of all, I’m delighted to take the three points. It is difficult to explain how we were standing there after the last three games with one point. We had much more domination and controlled the performance. We had a difficult week, in terms of illnesses and injuries.

“It was a difficult week for us. You could feel it. We showed passion and bravery. In the last 20 minutes you could feel it was a difficult week. A big fighting spirit, will and passion to bring it over the line.”

Come the January window, Leeds could make a move for Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Issouf Sissoko and may look to his displays in Champions League qualifying matches as an indicator of his potential.

With the engine room a key priority, Farke and company are now said to be growing in confidence that they can sign an experienced international in mid-season.

Leeds could land Piotr Zielinski in January

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Leeds are hoping to sign Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski in January as the Serie A giants are now ‘definitely’ open to sanctioning his departure.

The reporter said: “He was linked with Leeds in the summer window and they were linked with a couple of other midfielders as well. He is well down the pecking order at the San Siro. He’s struggled for game time, had just two starts in the Champions League, so he’s not started a Serie A game.

Appearances

47

Goals

2

Assists

4

“Inter are definitely open to his departure to try and save some money and boost their own transfer coffers. Whether they’ll be able to sell Zielinski to Leeds, that remains to be seen. He’s 31 now, but I still feel he’s got a lot to offer and the player himself would be interested in a move away in January in search of regular first team football. If he’s not going to be getting that at Inter, he will maybe seek a move away.”

In a campaign where he has struggled for starts, the Poland international has still managed to create three chances in 167 minutes of Champions League football, per Fotmob, illustrating his capacity to cause danger.

While his £139,000 per week wages would be an expensive commitment, they are probably not out of the Whites’ budget, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Zielinski were to end up at Elland Road.

Ahead of Rob Edwards’ arrival, The Athletic’s David Ornstein has already shared one problem that the new Wolverhampton Wanderers boss will face in the January transfer window.

It has been a disastrous start for those in the Midlands, who recently sacked manager Vitor Pereira after less than a year in charge. Since returning to the Premier League in 2018, their top-flight status hasn’t looked as at risk as it is now. They currently sit eight points adrift of safety after 11 games and remain the only side in the league yet to pick up a win.

Turning things around from here will be far from easy, but it’s Rob Edwards who looks set to be handed that very task. The Middlesbrough boss wasn’t in the dugout for Boro’s victory over Birmingham City on Saturday and the club confirmed that he’s set to join Wolves, much to their reluctance.

The Championship side said in a statement: “Middlesbrough Football Club have, subject to the completion of an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, given head coach Rob Edwards permission to speak to Wolves.

“We initially rejected an approach from Wolves on the basis that Rob signed a three-year contract with MFC less than six months ago. Following discussions with Rob we were disappointed to learn that he wanted to speak with Wolves regarding their head coach vacancy. We have now agreed terms with Wolves, subject to completion of the relevant paperwork.”

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Rob Edwards could look to immediately ditch this Wolverhampton Wanderers flop when he enters the Molineux dug-out.

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Edwards now also has the chance for some Premier League redemption, having been relegated with Luton Town the last time that he was in England’s top tier. Guiding Wolves to safety from this point would more than put those demons to bed.

With a new manager on the way, Wolves should be ones to watch in the January transfer window, but the reality is that they’re already facing one frustrating problem.

Ornstein reveals first transfer problem for Edwards at Wolves

Speaking on NBC Sports ahead of the manager’s arrival, Ornstein revealed that Edwards may only be able to sign homegrown players at Wolves in the January transfer window.

It’s a move that will immediately limit the new manager, but one that – according to Ornstein – will be made to prepare Wolves for any potential Championship campaign next season.

Just who arrives as a result is the big question. Edwards could yet return to Middlesbrough in an attempt to lure some of his former stars to the Premier League, but whether they’d join a side who look destined for relegation remains to be seen.

Every Premier League and EFL manager sacked in the 2025/26 season

The success hasn’t always followed, but West Ham United have had some sensational players represent them in the modern era.

For example, while he ended up leaving for another London side, Declan Rice was unreal for the Hammers, making 245 appearances and captaining them to Conference League glory.

However, there is only really one player in the current side who can be classed as a legend: Jarrod Bowen.

The former Hull City star is the talisman and beating heart of the team, but in good news, there might now be another player on his way to becoming just as, if not more important to West Ham and Nuno Espírito Santo than Bowen.

Bowen's start to the season

While the rest of the team struggled last season, Bowen was once again the standout player and one of the very best attackers in the entire league.

In his 36 appearances across all competitions, totalling 3148 minutes, the England international scored 14 goals and provided ten assists.

That came out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or every 131.16 minutes.

Therefore, while there was plenty of discussion over how the rest of the team would fare this season, fans and pundits alike were quite certain the former Hull star would once again excel.

Unsurprisingly, they were right, as while he perhaps hasn’t been at his very best, the 28-year-old has been one of the only players to show any fight this year.

For example, in 11 appearances, totalling 990 minutes, he has scored three goals and provided two assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.2 games or every 198 minutes.

More importantly, though, he has scored some crucial goals, such as the opener against Nottingham Forest and the equaliser against Everton.

That second goal gave Nuno a positive start to life in East London, and while he hasn’t scored since, he did provide an assist against Leeds United.

Moreover, even without a goal involvement, he was excellent against Newcastle United, playing two key passes, taking four shots and hitting the woodwork once.

In all, Bowen has been and remains West Ham’s most important player, but there is now someone else who, in the future, could take that title off him.

West Ham's future talisman

Now, the first thing to say is that with everything Bowen has done for West Ham and the brilliant level at which he continues to perform, it is going to take some time before another player becomes as important as him.

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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, with him turning 29 next month, there is going to come a point at which that is the case, and the player who looks like they could take his place is Freddie Potts.

Yes, it is still early days in the Englishman’s West Ham career, but he looked utterly sensational against Newcastle.

For example, even though it was his first competitive start for the club and in the Premier League, the 22-year-old looked as comfortable as a seasoned veteran and played like one too.

From breaking up attacks to kickstaring them for the Hammer, the academy graduate was truly excellent in all phases of play, and as presenter Tom Rennie put it, looks like “an actual dynasty player.”

It might sound like hyperbole, but his statistics from the game suggest otherwise.

In his 90 minutes of action, the Englishman played two key passes, completed two crosses, was accurate in 33 of 39 passes, took 57 touches, won 66% of his tackles, made six clearances and won 75% of his ground duels.

Now, another reason he could eventually become more important to the Hammers than Bowen, beyond the simple passage of time, is where he plays.

As an all-action central midfielder, the Barking-born monster could become the linchpin around which the team is built, someone who picks up the ball deep and carries it to the attackers.

In other words, if he ends up being as good as so many expect him to be, he could be the one who makes Nuno’s side tick a few years from now.

Ultimately, it’s early in Potts’ career and Bowen remains West Ham’s most important player, but in time, that could change.

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Dominic Lund

Nov 3, 2025

Imagine making your MLB debut as a starting pitcher. Imagine the best possible way that evening could start out. Reds rookie Chase Burns basically did exactly that.

Burns got his call up to the bigs after just 13 games in the minors, where put up a 1.77 ERA over 66 innings pitched, throwing 89 strikeouts along the way.

Burns had a tall order in his debut, facing off against the New York Yankees. The third batter he faced in the majors was maybe the greatest hitter we’ve seen in two decades.

He struck out the first two batters he faced, and then struck Aaron Judge out too.

Burns wasn’t done there. He would strike out the next two batters he faced in the second inning, and then after giving up his first hit, stuck out Anthony Volpe, making it two straight innings without relying on his defense for an out.

Per OptaStats, Burns became the only rookie in the past 50 years to strike out the first five batters he faced in his MLB debut.

Burns is only a few innings into his major league career, but he’s already shown he has some serious power in his arsenal, and the baseball world took notice.

As Paul Skenes proved in his rookie season last year, if you have got the stuff, it doesn’t take long to establish yourself as an ace in the majors, and it looks very possible that Burns does indeed have the stuff.

There are very few things Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t achieved in football, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner winning three Premier League titles, two La Ligas, five Champions Leagues and a whole host of other major honours.

However, it is a testament to the 40-year-old’s work ethic and sheer determination that he still feels like there is more to do, and the fairytale ending to the forward’s international career would be lifting the World Cup with Portugal next summer.

There is also more to achieve at club level, with Ronaldo making it clear he wants to reach 1,000 goals earlier this year, despite his family telling him to call time on his illustrious career.

The Al-Nassr star said: “People, especially my family, say: ‘It’s time for you to stop. You’ve done everything. Why do you want to score a thousand goals?”

“But I don’t think so. I think I’m still producing good things, I’m helping my club and the national team, and why not keep going?

“I’m sure that when I finish, I’ll be fulfilled, because I gave it my all. I know I don’t have many more years, but the few I have, I try to enjoy to the fullest.”

Ronaldo closing in on 1,000 goals

The legendary forward is now closing in on the unbelievable milestone, having made a fantastic start to the Saudi Pro League campaign, scoring eight goals in seven games, with the recent brace against Al-Fahya taking his total tally to 952.

Remarkably, 143 of those goals have been for Portugal, with the Real Madrid legend breaking the international goal-scoring record all the way back in 2021, and having lifted the Euros in 2016, winning the World Cup, the one trophy that has alluded him, will undoubtedly be a priority.

‘GOAT’ rival Lionel Messi famously got his hands back on the trophy back in 2022, with Argentina becoming champions of the world for the third time, courtesy of a dramatic victory against France on penalties, after what was an enthralling final.

Since then, both Ronaldo and Messi have left Europe to try something new, with the Argentina legend maintaining a remarkable goal and assist record at Inter Miami, amassing 111 goal contributions in 84 appearances.

Given that the 38-year-old is over two years younger than his long-time rival, he is still trailing in terms of goals, currently 60 behind, having scored 892 in 1132 career appearances, excluding club friendlies.

Ronaldo

952

Messi

892

However, the Inter Miami star is some way out in front for assists, having created 399 goals, compared to 140 from Ronaldo, which arguably showcases that he is a more well-rounded player.

Regardless of who you consider to be the ‘GOAT’, both Messi and Ronaldo have enjoyed unbelievable careers, and there may still be plenty left to come, with neither player currently showing any signs of slowing down.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ranked among greatest wingers in football history The Greatest 20 Wingers in Football History

The best wingers the game has ever seen.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 22, 2025

He batted like a subcontinent pro at the Chinnaswamy, putting himself firmly in the conversation around Test cricket’s future Fab Four

Deivarayan Muthu21-Oct-20241:39

Manjrekar: Very rarely did Rachin defend against the spinners

Until Sunday, the last time New Zealand beat India in a Test match in India was in 1988. Michael Bracewell’s uncle John played that game, and bagged a six-for in the fourth innings at the Wankhede Stadium. Michael wasn’t even born at the time. Neither was anyone else from New Zealand’s current Test squad other than Ajaz Patel, who was just over a month old at the time.Rachin Ravindra wouldn’t arrive in the world until 11 years later.Thirty-six years after Mumbai 1988, New Zealand finally won another Test match in India, and Ravindra was in the middle of it all, scoring a dazzling first-innings century and following up with a composed 39 off 46 balls amid the mounting tension of a small run chase. New Zealand and Ravindra had done the unthinkable at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.Around this time last year, Ravindra had announced his arrival in India, scoring 578 runs in ten matches, drawing level with Kane Williamson for the most runs by a New Zealander in a single edition of the men’s ODI World Cup. Now, Ravindra slotted into the absent Williamson’s role and lived up to his billing as New Zealand’s future batting leader.A year on from a breakout ODI World Cup, Rachin Ravindra has returned to India and shown he can be just as prolific in Test cricket•BCCIWhen India first met Ravindra in 2021, he was batting at No.6 in T20Is and even further down the order in Tests, with his utility as a left-arm spinner earning him a red-ball debut in Kanpur. There, batting at No.8 in the fourth innings on day five with No.11 Ajaz for company, he salvaged a draw against an attack that included R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.It was the first glimpse of a special talent on the world stage. Ravindra has now harnessed that talent to move up to No.4 and become New Zealand’s premier all-format batter.Cricket is veering towards a new generation, with other young, supremely talented batters also emerging. Ben Stokes thinks Harry Brook can replicate Virat Kohli’s all-format success. Rohit Sharma reckons India have found a “great” player in Yashasvi Jaiswal. Just eight Tests old, Kamindu Mendis has been ripping up the record books for fun. Ravindra is now in the same conversation around cricket’s future Fab Four.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe most striking aspect of Ravindra’s batting in Bengaluru was the assurance he showed against India’s spinners. Most overseas batters are often stuck on the crease, reduced to picking spinners only off the pitch. But Ravindra is not most overseas batters. He batted like a subcontinent batter in the subcontinent. He was right forward or right back, opening up a number of scoring options for himself.”Rachin has made every post a winner in all the games he’s played,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “He was certainly at his very best in this game and played beautifully in both innings and put us in a position that we could win.”Ravindra’s ability to pick length early also enables him to manoeurve the ball against the turn. When Jadeja erred marginally short in the 75th over of New Zealand’s first innings, Ravindra jumped onto the back foot so quickly that he could caress the ball between slip and deep third. Then, when Ashwin dragged an offbreak short and outside off, Ravindra used his rubber wrists and the depth of the crease to shovel it away against the turn.Ravindra has been a strong back-foot player right from his age-group days in Wellington. To improve his front-foot game before New Zealand’s six-Test subcontinent expedition, he went to great lengths. He arrived in India before the rest of New Zealand squad and had a four-day preparatory camp at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai in exaggerated conditions, which included batting against spin on used black- and red-soil pitches.Decisive footwork and strong wrists were a feature of Ravindra’s batting in Bengaluru•AFP/Getty ImagesThat preparation has clearly served him well. In Galle, Ravindra made a magnificent fourth-innings 92 as Sri Lanka’s spinners ran through the rest of New Zealand’s line-up. And he went even better in Bengaluru. According to ESPNcricinfo’s logs, he scored 112 of his 173 runs in Bengaluru off the front foot, and a further 22 while stepping out of the crease.”As long as I’m clear when I get out to bat and have a plan, that helps a lot,” Ravindra told the host broadcaster after winning the Player-of-the-Match award. “And also the choice – having the intent to move forward and back, not necessarily trying to attack the game but taking care of my position in this part of the world. But yeah, preparation helps. When you have six subcontinent Tests in a row, you’ve always gotta do a little bit extra whether it’s indoors at the nets or head out somewhere else and do some training.”Having conquered what is arguably the toughest challenge in Test cricket right now, scoring big runs while beating India in India, Ravindra is firmly on the path to greatness.

Lionel Messi is still refusing to confirm his 2026 World Cup plans, with the all-time great leaving Argentina and the rest of a global audience guessing on whether he will form part of a global title defence from the reigning champions next summer. The mercurial No.10 remains part of Lionel Scaloni’s squad for now, but says he does not “want to be a burden”.

• MLS schedule causes concern for Messi

  It is difficult to imagine how the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner could ever be anything but a positive presence for his country, but the 38-year-old is aware that plying his trade in MLS may leave him short on match sharpness heading into a summer tournament.

  Messi is currently approaching the end of another domestic campaign in the United States, with Golden Boot-winning exploits allowing him to guide Inter Miami into Conference semi-finals of the MLS Cup play-offs.

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  Messi's Argentina record: Appearances and goals

  Ultimate glory there would see Messi end another memorable season on a high, with a new contract being committed to in South Florida. He is now tied to terms with the Herons through 2028. While having plenty of games at club level left in him, questions of Messi’s international future have been asked for some time.

  He has taken in a final outing on home soil, having helped Argentina through World Cup qualification, and is expected to bow out after gracing FIFA’s flagship event in 2026. He has already earned 195 caps for his country, while scoring 114 goals.

• Is Messi a burden? GOAT keeping Argentina guessing

  Messi is yet to reveal whether he will make himself available to Argentina next summer, having helped them to the most prestigious of prizes at Qatar 2022, with MLS seasons getting underway in the spring. Many of those that he is due to come up against in the United States, Canada and Mexico will head to the World Cup on the back of a full domestic campaign.

  With that in mind, Messi has told when asked again about his potential involvement. He said when having it put to him that having another World Cup fast approaching is “very exciting”: “Yes, obviously it is. It's a special World Cup. It's special to play with the national team, especially in major official competitions, and even more so considering what a World Cup means, especially after having won it.

  “But as I was saying, I don't want to be a burden, so to speak. I want to feel physically fit, to be sure I can help and contribute to the team. Our season is different from the European one. We'll have a pre-season in between, with few matches leading up to the World Cup, and we'll see how things go day by day to see if I really feel physically fit enough to be where I'd like to be and be able to participate.

  “But obviously, I'm aware that it's a World Cup, and it's special, and that the World Cup is the biggest competition there is. So, I'm excited, but I'm taking it one day at a time.”

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  Life after Messi: Argentina happy with squad depth

  Argentina have started to plan for life after Messi, with injury-enforced absences for the veteran forward allowing others to stake a claim for an iconic playmaking post. Scaloni is happy with the depth that his squad now boasts.

  He has said of eventually ending up in a position where a talismanic presence can no longer be called upon: “The team is now in a moment where it can play in the same way with Leo or without Leo, which used to be more complex in the past as we had to change some players. But now we don't have this necessity and the team works in the same way, that's good.”

  Messi is currently with the Argentina squad as they prepare for a friendly date with Angola. With that camp being held in Alicante, the former Barcelona superstar has taken in a secret visit to Camp Nou – ahead of that stadium being reopened after an elaborate upgrade. He is delighted to have revisited familiar surroundings and admitted that he and his family hope to return to Catalunya on a permanent basis at some stage in the not-too-distant future.

كشفت تقارير إعلامية اليوم السبت، عن سعي نادي برشلونة نحو التعاقد مع أحد اللاعبين في خط الهجوم ببطولة الدوري الألماني الممتاز خلال الفترة المقبلة.

برشلونة كان في سوق الانتقالات الصيفية الأخير متواضعًا بالنسبة له، حيث لم يستقطب البلوجرانا اسما كبيرا سوى ماركوس راشفورد، والذي وقع مع الفريق الكتالوني على سبيل الإعارة حتى نهاية الموسم قادمًا من مانشستر يونايتد.

كما جلب برشلونة كذلك حارس المرمى خوان جارسيا، والذي ضمه البرسا من نادي إسبانيول مقابل 25 مليون يورو.

وذكرت صحيفة سبورت بيلد، أن نادي برشلونة يرغب في التعاقد مع يان ديوماندي، جناح نادي لايبزيج خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي العام المقبل.

أقرأ أيضًا .. سبورت تكشف خطة برشلونة للتعاقد مع هاري كين الصيف المقبل

وأضافت الصحيفة، أن رغبة برشلونة في ضم ديوماندي جاءت بناءًا على ترشيح المدرب هانز فليك وإعجابه بشكل كبير بقدرات الجناح الإيفواري الشاب.

وأوضح المصدر، أن برشلونة يراقب عن كثب تطور ديوماندي والذي يقدم عروض رائعة في الدوري الألماني ، منذ انتقاله إلى لايبزيج قادمًا من ليجانيس هذا العام.

وتبلغ قيمة ديوماندي السوقية 25 مليون يورو، بينما شارك ابن ال19 عامًا مع لايبزيج خلال 13 مباراة في كافة المسابقات، حيث سجل خلالها أربعة أهداف وقدم ثلاث تمريرات حاسمة.

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O Nova Iguaçu enfrenta a Portuguesa nesta sábado (24) e pode garantir classificação histórica para as semifinais do Campeonato Carioca. Destaque do time na competição, o atacante Bill, revelado pelo Flamengo, falou com exclusividade ao Lance! sobre a campanha do Carrossel da Baixada. Segundo ele, muitos não acreditavam, mas ele não está surpreso com o desempenho.

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– No início, quando saiu a tabela, a gente ficou assustado pela sequência. Pegamos primeiro o Sampaio Corrêa, depois Flamengo, Bangu, Fluminense, Vasco e Botafogo. Você em cinco jogos enfrentar os quatro grandes é muito difícil. Mas a tabela acabou ajudando a gente, de certa forma, porque tivemos um desempenho maravilhoso. Você pegar quatro jogos contra time grandes, teoricamente são derrotas. Conseguimos surpreender muita gente. Eu não me surpreendi com os nossos resultados. No dia a dia vejo que nossa equipe é muito qualificada – afirmou Bill.

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O atacante também falou sobre o sentimento de estar brigando e poder conseguir a classificação às semifinais do Carioca. Bill comenta que, pelo fato de ser da Baixada Fluminense, ter família e amigos de infância em Nova Iguaçu, existe uma responsabilidade e cobrança diferente. No entanto, ele exalta a alegria pelo desempenho até aqui.

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– Sentimento de felicidade para nós. Para mim, que sou daqui, conheço todo mundo, quem vai aos jogos são meus amigos e a torcida me conhece, é uma felicidade, porque é muita responsabilidade. É diferente de você jogar em outro país, outra cidade. Acho que a responsabilidade aumenta. Sou muito cobrado pelos meus amigos, minha família. Mas é um sentimento muito bom, de estar levando o Nova Iguaçu a outro patamar. O clube tem uma estrutura imensa, profissionais bem qualificados, e acho que muita gente não enxerga isso – comentou o atacante.

➡️ Portuguesa x Nova Iguaçu: onde assistir, horário e escalações do jogo pelo Campeonato Carioca

Bill foi revelado pelo Flamengo e teve as primeiras chances no profissional entre 2018 e 2019. Chegou a ter boas atuações, sobretudo no Carioca, mas não se firmou no Rubro-Negro e foi emprestado diversas vezes, até deixar o clube em definitivo. Com passagens por times como CRB, Sport, Sampaio Corrêa e Dnipro, da Ucrânia, o atacante retornou ao Nova Iguaçu – onde fez base – e falou sobre a experiência acumulada e a volta para casa.

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– Faz total diferença você se identificar com o clube, com a cidade. Aqui eu me sinto em casa, me sinto feliz. Conheço tudo e todos, sei onde posso ir, o que devo fazer. Os profissionais que trabalham me viram crescer, até mesmo o nosso treinador, Carlos Vitor, que me conheceu quando eu tinha 13 anos e me viu crescer. Agora, mais maduro, com 24, poder ajudar a equipe é maravilhoso. A experiência, lógico, conta muito. A gente passa por outros lugares, vê o futebol de outra maneira, em outra escola, como o futebol europeu. Então foi e está sendo bom para mim e para a equipe, que tira proveito disso – disse Bill.

Sobre sua saída do Flamengo, o atacante diz que a decisão de deixar o clube foi dele, para ganhar mais experiência e ter novos desafios. O camisa 10 do Nova Iguaçu fala que, ao jogar em times grandes, o jogador muitas vezes não enxerga outras possibilidades. Ele ainda valoriza seu processo e se diz grato pelo amadurecimento.

– Cara, eu, juntamentamente com meu empresário, a gente conversou e aceitou um desafio, que foi teoricamente dar um passo atrás e jogar uma Série B. Os atletas na base, ainda mais de time grande, só pensam em coisas boas. Jogar em gigantes da Europa, Seleção Brasileira. Não que eu não pense. mas estar em time grande é estar numa bolha, a gente não enxerga outros lados. Confesso que tomei um baque quando saí (do Flamengo), estava acostumado com um nível e ir para outro. Mas foi muito bom para meu amadurecimento, para minha experiência e minha vida, como homem. A “rua” foi muito boa para mim – explicou o atacante do Nova Iguaçu.

Sobre a partida contra a Portuguesa, que pode garantir a classificação às semifinais do Campeonato Carioca para o Nova Iguaçi, Bill disse que o grupo está tranquilo. Apesar de admitir a ansiedade, afirmou que o foco não está abalado.

– Por incrível que parece a gente está bem tranquilo. Quero que entendam que não é soberba, mas a gente tem essa característica. Nosso time é difícil de se empolgar, uma “molecada” muito tranquila, que sabe levar as coisas. Lógico que a gente está ansioso para a partida de amanhã (contra a Portuguesa), uma partida importantíssima, a mais importante para nós. Mas ao mesmo tempo tranquilos, e convíctos que vamos fazer um bom jogo. O resultado só a Deus pertence. Nossa preocupação é fazer um excelente jogo – falou Bill sobre o confronto.

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Campeonato CariocaFutebol NacionalNova Iguaçu