Author: Associated Press
Bayern Munich fans protested against Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during Tuesday’s Champions League match between the two teams. In the Sudkurve of Bayern’s stadium, supporters displayed several banners voicing their opposition to the Qatari businessman during the first half of Bayern’s 1-0 victory. One banner featured Al-Khelaifi’s face with a line drawn through it, while another labeled him “plutocratic,” accompanied by an expletive. Additional banners read: “Minister, club owner, TV rights holder, UEFA ExCo member & ECA chairman all in one?” The 51-year-old Al-Khelaifi is unpopular among Bayern fans due to his influence on European football as chairman of…
Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s eldest son, Thiago Messi, made his debut in the “Newell’s Cup” tournament in the city of Rosario. At just 12 years old, Thiago wore the No. 10 jersey for an Inter Miami youth team, which was narrowly defeated 1-0 by Newell’s Old Boys on Monday in the prestigious under-13 competition. The team also played Tuesday. This tournament holds special significance, as it was at Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario, located 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires, where Lionel Messi began his football journey. Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and several family members, including grandparents Jorge…
Formula One confirmed Monday it will expand its grid in 2026, adding a U.S.-based team partnered with General Motors, marking a major milestone in the sport’s global expansion. The new team, Cadillac F1, is set to debut with Ferrari engines for its first two seasons before GM develops its own Cadillac engine for the 2028 season. General Motors President Mark Reuss expressed excitement about the partnership, saying, “This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The move is seen as a step toward boosting American presence in F1,…
Max Verstappen secured his fourth straight Formula 1 championship with a fifth-place finish at Saturday’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, dominated by Mercedes. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth consecutive driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. Verstappen needed only to finish higher than Norris to win the title, which he…
Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has admitted he would consider an offer from Real Madrid, calling them “the best team in history.” Speaking on a popular Spanish sports talk show Thursday evening, Rodri was asked how he would respond if Madrid made an approach. “When Real Madrid, the best club in history, with the most titles and all it represents, comes calling, it’s obviously an honor, and you have to pay attention,” Rodri said, before quickly affirming his happiness at City. Spanish stars outside Real Madrid and Barcelona often face questions from local media about potentially joining one of…
It’s no surprise that Rafael Nadal couldn’t move a step at the Davis Cup Final 8 without being asked for a handshake or selfie, with requests coming not just from fans but from fellow professional tennis players as well. At 38, Nadal’s retirement carries weight both inside and outside the sport, following a career riddled with injuries. While his 22 Grand Slam titles cement his place in history, perhaps his most enduring legacy lies in how he inspired generations of players. The all-time great’s career came to an end when Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarterfinals late…
Pep Guardiola has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of Manchester City for another two seasons, the club announced Thursday. The City manager’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season, but Guardiola ended speculation about his future by agreeing to a deal that would bring him to 11 seasons in Manchester. The Catalan coach has overseen a period of unprecedented dominance since joining City in 2016. He has gone on to win six Premier League titles in seven years and also lifted the Champions League among 15 major trophies at the…
Pep Guardiola has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of Manchester City for another two seasons, the club announced Thursday. The City manager’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season, but Guardiola ended speculation about his future by agreeing to a deal that would bring him to 11 seasons in Manchester. The Catalan coach has overseen a period of unprecedented dominance since joining City in 2016. He has gone on to win six Premier League titles in seven years and also lifted the Champions League among 15 major trophies at the…
Costa Rica’s most successful football club, Alajuelense, is demanding a spot in next summer’s Club World Cup and has warned FIFA it will pursue legal action if its request is denied. The club, which boasts 30 league titles, is urging FIFA to enforce its rule barring clubs with shared ownership from competing in the tournament. “The claim is based on the eligibility principles set out in the tournament’s rules,” Alajuelense said in a statement. Spokesman Marco Vazquez pointed out that Mexican clubs Leon and Pachuca, both owned by Jesús Martínez of Grupo Pachuca, are in violation of this rule. “FIFA’s…
There’s never been a more dramatic 180-degree turn than Max Verstappen’s shift in opinion a year ago at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Dutch driver initially voiced disdain for the event, even before setting foot in the city. Local residents shared their outrage for different reasons, while Verstappen criticized what he saw as a shift from a sporting event to a spectacle. The massive, glowing Sphere on the Strip flashed driver images, while everything – from tickets to hotel rooms – came with a hefty price tag. Liberty Media, it’s believed, spent nearly $1 billion promoting its first…