Author: Agence France-Presse - AFP
Marc Marquez has set his sights on equaling Valentino Rossi’s seven MotoGP world titles as he joins forces with Francesco Bagnaia in a formidable Ducati lineup for the 2025 season. Six-time world champion Marquez was unveiled by Ducati on Monday as the Italian manufacturer’s factory racing team revealed its new Desmosedici GP25 bike. Bedecked in red, the 31-year-old made no secret of his intention to win more titles after last year’s impressive performances for Ducati satellite outfit Gresini. Marquez finished third behind eventual winner Jorge Martin, now with Aprilia, and two-time champion Bagnaia and won three Grands Prix, his first…
The Champions League kicks off a year of intense strain on the global football calendar with an unprecedented January schedule, as top European clubs battle to avoid early elimination from the elite competition. There is no bigger game this week than Paris Saint-Germain against Manchester City, with two clubs who have transformed the face of football over the last 15 years at risk of early elimination. Qatar-owned PSG and Abu Dhabi-backed City, the latter winners of the Champions League two years ago, have stumbled their way through this first season since the tournament’s expansion. City have taken just one point…
Romelu Lukaku’s decisive goal secured Napoli a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atalanta on Saturday, extending their Serie A lead to six points, while Juventus climbed into the Champions League spots with a 2-0 win against AC Milan. Belgium striker Lukaku nodded home his eighth Napoli goal from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s perfect cross in the 78th minute to give Antonio Conte’s team a statement win in Bergamo. Matteo Politano and Scott McTominay also scored for Napoli, who have 50 points and have made it clear that they are now the team to beat in this year’s title race. Napoli are gunning…
Romelu Lukaku’s decisive goal secured Napoli a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atalanta on Saturday, extending their Serie A lead to six points, while Juventus climbed into the Champions League spots with a 2-0 win against AC Milan. Belgium striker Lukaku nodded home his eighth Napoli goal from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s perfect cross in the 78th minute to give Antonio Conte’s team a statement win in Bergamo. Matteo Politano and Scott McTominay also scored for Napoli, who have 50 points and have made it clear that they are now the team to beat in this year’s title race. Napoli are gunning…
A series of jaw-dropping upsets of top 10 players at the Australian Open by fearless teenagers has fueled excitement about the future of men’s tennis as the old guard fades into history. With Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray retiring last year and Novak Djokovic in the twilight of his record-breaking career, the torch has already passed to the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. But the giant-killing exploits in Melbourne of Joao Fonseca, Learner Tien and Jakub Mensik signaled another generation is already knocking on the door. Highly-rated Brazilian Fonseca, 18, thrust himself to the world’s attention with a…
A series of jaw-dropping upsets of top 10 players at the Australian Open by fearless teenagers has fueled excitement about the future of men’s tennis as the old guard fades into history. With Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray retiring last year and Novak Djokovic in the twilight of his record-breaking career, the torch has already passed to the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. But the giant-killing exploits in Melbourne of Joao Fonseca, Learner Tien and Jakub Mensik signaled another generation is already knocking on the door. Highly-rated Brazilian Fonseca, 18, thrust himself to the world’s attention with a…
Brazilian striker Neymar said Thursday that former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe became “jealous” of his relationship with Lionel Messi when the Argentine superstar joined the club in 2021. Speaking on a podcast hosted by former Brazil striker Romario, Neymar blamed a clash of egos for the failure of the three stars to gel during their spell together at the French club. The 32-year-old Neymar, who left PSG for Saudi club Al-Hilal in 2023, said he initially got on well with Mbappe when the France international joined him at PSG in 2017. “I had my issues with him. We had…
Brazilian striker Neymar said Thursday that former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe became “jealous” of his relationship with Lionel Messi when the Argentine superstar joined the club in 2021. Speaking on a podcast hosted by former Brazil striker Romario, Neymar blamed a clash of egos for the failure of the three stars to gel during their spell together at the French club. The 32-year-old Neymar, who left PSG for Saudi club Al-Hilal in 2023, said he initially got on well with Mbappe when the France international joined him at PSG in 2017. “I had my issues with him. We had…
Brazilian striker Neymar said Thursday that former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe became “jealous” of his relationship with Lionel Messi when the Argentine superstar joined the club in 2021. Speaking on a podcast hosted by former Brazil striker Romario, Neymar blamed a clash of egos for the failure of the three stars to gel during their spell together at the French club. The 32-year-old Neymar, who left PSG for Saudi club Al-Hilal in 2023, said he initially got on well with Mbappe when the France international joined him at PSG in 2017. “I had my issues with him. We had…
Atalanta’s bid for a first Serie A title will come in for a huge test Saturday when the plucky provincial upstarts host league leaders Napoli, while Inter Milan lurk in an intriguing three-way Scudetto battle. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are unbeaten in 15 league matches but three consecutive draws have left the ambitious outfit from Bergamo four points behind Napoli ahead of this weekend’s big match at the Gewiss Stadium. Napoli’s visit comes after Atalanta were held to a 1-1 draw by Juventus on Tuesday night, a brilliant match but disappointing result which leaves an unprecedented challenge for a league…