Lionel Messi intends to end his illustrious international career by representing Argentina at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The 39-year-old forward has ruled out competing at the 2030 World Cup, conceding that the tournament will prove a bridge too far for him physically.
Instead, the former Barcelona superstar views a second Olympic gold medal as the perfect conclusion to his time on the international stage.
He previously led the Argentina Under-23 side to Olympic glory at the 2008 Games in Beijing.
A glittering international career
The veteran attacker is currently attempting to secure back-to-back World Cup titles this summer.
He has made a blistering start to the ongoing tournament in North America, scoring five goals in his opening two group matches.
Argentina will face Jordan in Dallas this weekend before heading to Miami for a confirmed round-of-32 fixture.
Despite his status as the most decorated footballer in history with 46 team trophies, he has never won the World Cup Golden Boot.
Chasing further historic milestones
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is currently locked in a fierce battle for the top goalscorer award alongside European strikers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Securing another major international trophy this summer would represent a fourth successive continental or global triumph for his nation.
The Inter Miami talisman famously ended his long wait for senior international silverware by lifting the Copa America in 2021.
Since then, the relentless goalscorer has added the 2022 World Cup and successfully defended his South American crown.
Setting sights on California
With 201 caps and 122 goals already to his name, stepping down after the Los Angeles Games provides a clear timeline for his departure.
The Rosario native plans to continue playing professional club football for as long as his body allows.
However, he has acknowledged that leading his country at the age of 43 in 2030 is an unrealistic ambition.
Leading tennis players will expand their media protests at Wimbledon next week to demand a greater share of tournament revenue, despite a record 20% increase in the total prize fund.
Competitors plan to restrict both pre-tournament press conferences and post-match appearances to just 15 minutes throughout the opening week of the championships.
This strict time limit is designed to symbolise the 15% of revenue that Grand Slam events broadly allocate to competitor compensation.
It is understood that the collective decision currently holds the backing of the majority of the world’s top 20 ranked stars.
Previous action in Paris
Similar demonstrations took place at the recent French Open, where several high-profile individuals limited their pre-tournament media availability.
Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka notably cut short her initial press conference at Roland Garros.
Reigning major champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek also followed the strict ‘work to rule’ directive in the French capital.
However, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic opted against participating in the media restriction.
Record prize fund falls short
Earlier this month, athlete representatives welcomed the All England Club’s decision to boost the tournament purse to £64.2m.
The respective singles champions will each receive £3.6m, while those exiting in the first round are guaranteed a minimum of £80,000.
Despite acknowledging the historic increase as a meaningful statement of intent, the playing cohort insists the total figure remains roughly £7m short of their expectations.
Alongside higher financial compensation, competitors are requesting mandatory contributions to a benefit pool and a stronger voice in tournament operations.
Organisers reject percentage model
Tournament officials have firmly pushed back against the idea of linking player pay directly to overall event income.
We don’t look at percentages, we don’t actually believe that is the right metric.
Deborah Jevans, chair of the All England Club, noted that significant expenses such as infrastructure and grass-court investment must be factored into the annual budget.
You cannot run a sustainable business, and we have nearly been around for 150 years, just by looking at revenue. That is just plainly wrong.
Newcastle United are targeting Koln’s teenage winger Said El Mala as they search for a replacement for Anthony Gordon ahead of the new Premier League season.
Manager Eddie Howe is under immense pressure to rebuild his squad following a disappointing domestic campaign.
The Magpies are keen to recruit a dynamic left-sided attacker after Gordon’s high-profile departure from St James’ Park.
Having already missed out on Victor Munoz to Liverpool, the North East club have shifted their focus to Germany.
Rising star commands hefty fee
El Mala previously rejected a proposed £43m transfer to Premier League side Brentford.
The player’s camp, heavily influenced by his mother, ultimately shut down the lucrative move to the London club.
However, Newcastle possess the financial resources to exceed that valuation following their recent outgoing transfer business.
The 19-year-old arrives with an impressive pedigree, having registered 13 goals and five assists during his last campaign.
European heavyweights take notice
The Koln prospect is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young attacking talents.
His reputation in his homeland is particularly strong, drawing high praise from Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany.
“If the counter ends with his goal, this boy has a lot to do with it, of course.”
“He’s got that first burst of acceleration, and then a second one in the same move. That surprises many defenders. From that high-speed action, he can get into a shooting position, and he does that very well.”
Alternative targets remain
Should a deal for the lightning-fast attacker fail to materialise, Newcastle are also monitoring Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Kerim Alajbegovic.
Liverpool are reportedly showing interest in Fernandez-Pardo, potentially creating another transfer battle between the two English heavyweights.
Meanwhile, Howe is simultaneously looking to strengthen his goalkeeping options by pursuing Manchester City’s James Trafford.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves intends to sign a record-breaking four-year, $185m maximum contract extension to remain with the NBA franchise.
The American guard previously declined his $14.9m player option to clear the path for this lucrative new agreement.
This landmark deal represents the richest contract ever handed to an undrafted player in the history of the league.
Representatives for the versatile playmaker spent the past ten days negotiating terms after teams were officially permitted to engage with their own free agents.
Overcoming injury setbacks
The dynamic scorer enjoyed a stellar individual campaign when healthy, averaging an impressive 23.3 points on 49% shooting.
He also contributed 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 36% from beyond the arc.
However, the shooting guard was restricted to a career-low 51 appearances during the regular season.
Nagging calf and oblique injuries repeatedly sidelined the rising star as the franchise navigated a fiercely competitive Western Conference schedule.
Securing the long-term future
This massive financial commitment ensures one of basketball’s premier breakout talents remains anchored in California through his prime years.
The final season of the arrangement, covering the 2029-30 campaign, will include a valuable player option.
Retaining their most consistent perimeter threat secures vital continuity for the storied organisation as they look to build a championship-contending roster.
Luka Modric has become only the fourth male player in football history to reach 200 international appearances after starting for Croatia in their narrow World Cup victory over Panama on Tuesday.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner joins an exclusive club alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kuwait’s Bader al-Mutawa.
The veteran midfielder achieved the landmark during a crucial Group L fixture in Dallas.
Enduring class on the global stage
Doubts had briefly surfaced over his international future following a substitution during his nation’s opening defeat by England.
However, the former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur playmaker responded with an accomplished performance against Panama to guide his team to victory.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic praised his captain’s character and lasting impact on the national setup.
“It could be that Luka might want to avoid all of this, that this would not be happening all around him,” said Dalic.
“He’s very humble, he’s very simple and he’s not for major celebrations, but I am very glad that we marked this occasion.”
A golden era for Croatian football
The midfield maestro has been the driving force behind unprecedented success for his country over the past decade.
Alongside Dalic, he famously led the European side to a World Cup final in 2018 before securing a third-place finish in Qatar four years later.
Ahead of the milestone match, the manager emphasised the importance of having such a seasoned professional guiding the next generation.
“He is the captain of our team, my right-hand man on the pitch and it means a great deal to our team,” Dalic added.
“We have young players and they should be happy to have Luka next to them, as he shows them how to work and fight for the Croatian shirt.”
Overcoming early career doubts
The 40-year-old’s longevity stands in stark contrast to the initial skepticism he faced during his early days in Europe’s top leagues.
After struggling to find his rhythm immediately following a move to English football in 2008, his relentless work ethic quickly turned opinions around.
A similar pattern emerged in Spain, where a fan poll notoriously labelled him as the worst signing of 2012 before he embarked on a glittering 13-season spell in the capital.
Today, he is widely recognised by his peers as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, with England’s Jude Bellingham recently describing him as “the one and only.”
The International Olympic Committee has committed more than $100m to establish a new fund that will provide direct $10,000 grants to competitors following future Summer and Winter Games.
The unprecedented financial initiative was announced on Wednesday from the governing body’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Former NBA star and current committee member Pau Gasol revealed the details of the extensive compensation project.
The payout scheme will officially launch by opening applications to nearly 3,000 participants at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Growing pressure for prize money
This major policy shift arrives after years of increasing public pressure demanding that the sporting organisation directly compensate its competitors.
While the Swiss-based authority generates billions in global broadcasting revenues, individuals competing at the pinnacle of sport have traditionally relied on national federations or private sponsorships for income.
The debate over athletic compensation intensified recently when other international sports governing bodies began offering direct financial rewards for gold medal winners.
How the direct payment system works
Rather than offering performance-based bonuses exclusively to podium finishers, this new financial structure is designed as an accessible support mechanism.
Eligible sportspeople will be able to apply for the flat-rate $10,000 payment immediately after completing their respective events at the quadrennial tournaments.
The global sporting authority hopes this nine-figure commitment will significantly alleviate the financial burdens placed on elite competitors following their demanding training cycles.
Derek McInnes has been unveiled as the new manager of Rangers, returning to Ibrox to replace Danny Rohl with an immediate vow to win the Scottish Premiership.
The 54-year-old takes charge of his boyhood club after a highly successful stint at Hearts, where he narrowly missed out on the league crown last season.
He arrives following the sudden departure of Rohl, who left Glasgow to join Austrian side RB Salzburg last week.
A return to familiar surroundings
The former midfielder is no stranger to the blue side of Glasgow, having made over 70 appearances for the club between 1995 and 2000.
Taking the reins at Ibrox represents the culmination of a long-held ambition for the veteran Scottish coach.
“Becoming Rangers manager is something that I always wanted to do,” McInnes stated during his unveiling.
“The call was a surprise when it came about because obviously the manager was in place here.”
Ending the title drought
The incoming boss faces a significant rebuilding task to close the gap at the top of the Scottish flight.
The Govan outfit have lifted the domestic championship just once in the past 15 years, a statistic the new man is desperate to change.
“We want to try and deliver a team that meets the demand here,” he explained.
“I feel as though the Rangers fans have suffered for a long time and it’s up to us to try now and play a key role in driving the standards.”
Ready for the challenge
Despite the unexpected nature of his appointment while on holiday, the experienced tactician feels completely prepared for the intense pressure of the role.
“I feel as if I belong here and I’m ready to get going with it and looking forward to just getting started,” he added.
His tenure will officially begin with a tricky away fixture against Dundee United on 31 July.
Swedish footballer Maja Göthberg has secured a landmark legal victory after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered Italian club Lazio to pay compensation for ending contract talks due to her pregnancy.
The 28-year-old former youth international will receive more than £60,000 in lost salary alongside damages for the infringement of her personality rights.
A mandatory five per cent interest charge, accrued over the past two years, has also been applied to the total payout.
Contract collapsed after pregnancy reveal
The global players’ union, Fifpro, published the historic verdict on Wednesday following a successful appeal to sport’s highest court.
The Swedish athlete had informed the Serie A side of her condition during negotiations for a new deal valued at a gross salary of £55,000.
According to the official ruling, the relationship broke down immediately after the disclosure.
The Rome-based outfit subsequently claimed that no formal agreement existed and that the player no longer wished to continue.
WhatsApp evidence proves decisive
The promotion-winning star initially lost her claim at a Fifa tribunal before escalating the dispute to Cas.
Crucial evidence in the successful appeal included WhatsApp messages exchanged during the aborted negotiations.
These digital exchanges clearly demonstrated that club officials were fully aware of the expectant mother’s situation.
Fifpro legal director Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud emphasised the wider importance of the decision.
“The significance of this ruling goes beyond Maja Göthberg and confirms clubs cannot simply walk away from an employment relationship, even if this is not fully formalized, once they learn a player is pregnant.”
Setting a new precedent
The union noted that the Cas ruling establishes an important precedent regarding the confidentiality of pregnancy-related medical information.
It clarifies that athletes remain protected when essential terms are agreed and both parties act as if a contract is in place.
The former Under-19 European Championship winner played a pivotal role in helping Lazio secure promotion to the Italian top tier during the 2023-24 campaign.
She is yet to represent the senior national side and is married to Finnish ice hockey player Miika Pitkanen.