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Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa narrowly missed out on earning a $200,000 performance bonus this season after he was not in the lineup for the team’s final game against the New York Yankees on Sunday, but the 29-year-old said after the game that he had been given the option to play in the game and decided against it.

Kiner-Falefa’s contract included a clause that would pay him $200,000 if he made at least 500 plate appearances during the season. After batting leadoff in Saturday’s game in the Bronx, he was sitting on 496 plate appearances. If he had been slotted into the same spot in the lineup for Sunday’s season finale, he almost certainly would have gotten the requisite number of plate appearances to earn the bonus. But Kiner-Falefa wasn’t in Sunday’s lineup—partly due to his own choice.

Kiner-Falefa said on the SportsNet Pittsburgh postgame show that he had seen the lineup for Sunday’s game the night before and when he saw he wasn’t in it, he “had no problem with it.” About an hour before the game was set to start, once the team realized how close he was to triggering the bonus, he was offered a spot in the lineup. Kiner-Falefa passed it up.

“At that point, I had kind of already checked out,” Kiner-Falefa said. “I didn’t think it was fair to take Peggy [Liover Peguero] or one of the young guys who hasn’t had the opportunity to play at Yankee Stadium away from them.

“I got hurt this year and missed a month. If that doesn’t happen or we’re actually in a real (playoff) race, I crush those incentives by a long shot. At the end of the day, I feel like I didn’t deserve it. From that aspect, it was nothing the team did. They tried to make it right at the end. That meant a lot to me right there.”

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said he was impressed with how Kiner-Falefa handled the situation.

“When I did find out about that situation, I called him in and said, ‘Hey, you’re this close. I’ll be more than happy to adjust the lineup,’” Shelton told SportsNet Pittsburgh. “I think that speaks to the leader that he is. He said no. We had multiple conversations about it. I wanted to make sure that he was in a spot that he understood that we would make that adjustment, that I would make that adjustment.”

Kiner-Falefa’s pursuit of the bonus drew extra attention because the Pirates released first baseman Rowdy Tellez last week when he was just four plate appearances shy of triggering a $200,000 bonus. General manager Ben Cherington said the looming bonus had “zero factor” in the decision to cut Tellez, who batted just .116 in the month of September.

Kiner-Falefa was acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays just before the deadline. He is under contract for one more season and will earn $7.5 million next year.

Former Bayern Munich and Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski isn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet. The 40-year-old World Cup winner has hinted he could extend his playing career at Gornik Zabrze beyond this season if the Polish side continue their remarkable title charge proving once again that the German forward’s love for football still burns bright.

Podolski leaves door open to another season at 40

Even at 40, Podolski is refusing to call time on his extraordinary career. The German forward, who has been playing for Polish side Gornik Zabrze since 2021, has hinted that he could delay retirement if the club achieve something special this season. His contract with Gornik expires in June 2026, and while he had previously suggested that this campaign would be his last, the 2014 World Cup winner now admits the door remains slightly ajar.

“Basically yes, this is supposed to be my last season,” Podolski told Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger, before adding with a smile: “If we should manage a sporting coup, it could be that I would like to take part in that one more time.”

Podolski has been more than just a player at Gornik. A hometown hero in Upper Silesia, he has taken on the roles of mentor, ambassador, and leader for the Ekstraklasa side, who currently sit top of the Polish league after 15 matchdays. Despite featuring in just eight games this season, his influence off the pitch has been immense.

“I still love playing, and I also get great pleasure from helping the young players in the team with my experience,” he explained. “But I’m not 30 anymore, so I start to feel a few aches and pains here and there.”

AdvertisementAFPA storied career across Europe’s elite

Few footballers have enjoyed a journey as rich and diverse as Podolski’s. From Koln to Bayern, Arsenal, Inter and Galatasaray, the left-footed forward carved out a career built on thunderous goals, infectious charisma, and unwavering commitment.

His breakout years came at Koln, where he scored 79 goals across two spells, establishing himself as one of Germany’s most exciting young talents. That earned him a move to Bayern in 2006, though competition from Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni limited his opportunities despite winning a league and cup double in 2008.

A return to Koln in 2009 revived his form, and in 2012, Arsene Wenger brought him to North London, where he quickly became a fan favourite. Known for his fierce finishing and love for the supporters, Podolski scored memorable goals, including one in Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Anfield and helped end the club’s nine-year trophy drought by lifting the FA Cup in 2014.

Podolski was also part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad, playing alongside Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker. Across 130 international caps, he netted 49 goals, ranking among the nation’s all-time greats.

Still leading – on and off the pitch

Since joining Gornik, Podolski has become the heartbeat of the club both on and off the pitch. The Polish side are unexpectedly leading the Ekstraklasa, with European qualification now within reach – a “sporting coup” that could convince their veteran talisman to stay another season.

“I greatly enjoy the work off the pitch,” Podolski noted. “I’m 40 now, so my priorities have shifted. The club has allowed me to get a taste of many different areas.”

Beyond football, the forward has evolved into a successful entrepreneur. He co-founded the Baller League, an innovative indoor football competition alongside Mats Hummels, and owns a chain of kebab shops, ice cream parlours, and an indoor soccer complex in North Rhine-Westphalia. He also operates his own fashion brand, cementing his post-football footprint in Germany.

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Getty Images SportPodolski’s next chapter could wait a little longer

While many assumed that Podolski’s move to Gornik in 2021 would serve as the final chapter of his playing career, the veteran continues to defy expectations. His enduring commitment, leadership, and emotional connection with his boyhood club have given him fresh purpose, both as a player and mentor. Now, with Gornik chasing an unlikely Ekstraklasa title and European qualification, the idea of retirement seems premature. Podolski’s influence on the squad extends far beyond goals or minutes – it’s his presence, energy, and guidance that have defined this resurgence.

Sean Williams takes over as Zimbabwe captain in Craig Ervine’s absence

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Aug-2025Craig Ervine, the designated Zimbabwe captain, has been ruled out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka after sustaining a calf injury on the eve of the first match, played at Harare Sports Club on Friday. In his absence, Sean Williams will lead Zimbabwe.The injury took place on Thursday, and an MRI scan confirmed that Ervine had suffered a Grade II strain in his left calf as well as a chronic and resolving Grade I strain in his right calf.Ervine, 40, is one of Zimbabwe’s more experienced players and a key member of the batting unit. He has missed some cricket in recent years, often because of injury, but the most recent absence, in a Test against Ireland in February 2025, was to be with his wife for the birth of their child. Williams, too, had missed that Test with a back injury, but both of them returned to the squad for the Test series in Bangladesh at home in April-May. His last ODI appearance was in that series against Ireland.Ervine’s absence, while a blow for Zimbabwe, comes at a time when Brendan Taylor, one of the country’s best batters of the last decade, makes his comeback to the format as part of his return to international cricket after a three-year ban for corruption-related offences. It’s been Taylor’s best format over the years, one where he has scored 11 centuries in 203 innings over the years.Ervine has played 128 ODIs in his 15-year-long international career, scoring 3600 runs at an average of 33.02 with four centuries and 23 half-centuries, including a best of 130 not out, against New Zealand in Harare back in 2015.

Liverpool have had their fair share of special European nights over the years, with the famous comeback win against Barcelona back in 2019 in the Champions League – which saw the Reds overturn a 4-0 deficit – still sticking out as the Premier League giants at their thrilling best.

The entertainment levels weren’t through the roof in a similar fashion mid-week when Arne Slot’s men got the better of Barca’s arch rivals Real Madrid by a single goal, but the impressive all-round display would have definitely pleased the Anfield masses watching on.

Indeed, away from Alexis Mac Allister grabbing the winner, faces such as Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah also stood out, when they have otherwise failed to get going this season, with the heavily scapegoated German covering a staggering 11.37km in total.

To make the win even sweeter on Europe’s grandest stage, Liverpool managed to get one over on ex-star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who would only come on for the final few exchanges for Los Blancos.

Yet, despite a chorus of boos greeting his every touch, it’s clear – when analysing Liverpool’s wobbles this season – that they have desperately missed the creativity of their former homegrown product from the right-back spot.

Why Liverpool have missed Alexander-Arnold

Of course, all of the animosity directed towards the former number 66 comes from a place of pain that he deserted his hometown club for a shot in La Liga.

Being able to replace the creativity Alexander-Arnold possessed in spades at Anfield instantly was also going to be an extremely tough ask, with his ability to burst forward and cut open a defence for Liverpool, dubbing him a “dream for strikers” by Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Alexander-Arnold would become a modern-day icon at Liverpool, with a mighty 23 goals and 92 assists falling into his lap on Merseyside.

Liverpool had their work cut out for them in the summer to try and find an attacking full-back of the same calibre as the Englishman; therefore, with the Anfield giants presumably thinking they’d hit the jackpot with the capture of Milos Kerkez.

Unfortunately, the former AFC Bournemouth star – who amassed five Premier League assists last season – has no assists next to his name for Liverpool in league action, leading to him being branded as “out of his depth” by journalist Tim Spiers.

Thankfully, Conor Bradley showed the Liverpool masses why he could be in with a shout to be a long-term fix for Trent deserting the building.

He was phenomenal against the Spanish giants, dealing with the effervescent Vinicius Junior with an energetic display, seeing him win eight duels against Xabi Alonso’s visitors.

But, there was another standout performer on Wednesday night, who could be a surprise shout to be Slot’s next Trent-style figure.

Liverpool's new Trent is in midfield

Liverpool haven’t just experienced a crisis in the full-back areas this season, with the aforementioned Mac Allister struggling in the midfield areas in patches this campaign, too.

He does look to have exited his slump now, with the winning goal against the visitors from Madrid. Dominik Szoboszlai, on the other hand, has only gone from strength to strength this season, even as meltdowns have occurred around him.

The Hungarian would live up to his reputation for being a dead-ball specialist – which saw him hammer home a glorious free-kick against Arsenal earlier this season – against Alexander-Arnold’s new employers, with Mac Allister ultimately thankful for the 25-year-old’s incisive eye for an assist.

The two-time Premier League title winner would, time after time, also come up trumps when taking his very own corner kicks and corners at Anfield, with Szoboszlai now taking on this role expertly, as seen in him already picking up three Champions League assists for the campaign.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

1

Touches

54

Shots

5

Accurate passes

30/39 (77%)

Key passes

3

Accurate crosses

3/3

Ball recoveries

6

Back in the bread and butter of the Premier League, Szoboszlai is in a league of his own in terms of progressive carries and crosses attempted.

Two standout characteristics of Alexander-Arnold’s expansive game in England, the Hungarian has registered 26 carries and 25 crosses already in 2025/26. That’s more than any midfielder in England’s top-flight this season.

Slot has even chucked the “unbelievable” number 8 – as he has glowingly labelled him – into the right-back spot on occasion this season, with their similarities almost becoming eerie at this point.

However, as was evidenced on Wednesday night, the 25-year-old can still be an influential figure – like the number 66 – from a number ten position.

More wins will no doubt be collected this season, off the back of Szoboszlai’s “genius” alone, as his former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp also labelled him.

Arne Slot has just unlocked Liverpool's new Coutinho vs Real Madrid

Liverpool may have unearthed their next Philippe Coutinho after getting the better of Real Madrid 1-0.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 5, 2025

The most important player in the history of the New York Mets glances dozens of times a day at a photo of himself in a Washington Nationals uniform. 

For more than five years, Juan Soto’s iPhone lock screen has borne a photo of him hoisting the World Series trophy in 2019. He kept it when he rejected a $440 million, 15-year contract extension offer from the Nationals in ’22; when they traded him to the San Diego Padres that July; when the Padres, shedding salary, traded him to the New York Yankees a year ago. And that photo was beside him this week as he signed the largest contract in the history of sports, $765 million over 15 years, with the Mets. He will change it, he has long said, only when he wins his next title. 

The Mets got him in large part because they convinced him that would happen in New York, and it would be soon. 

Two days before Soto made his decision, Mets owner Steve Cohen hosted him for lunch in Boca Raton, Fla. Soto, 26, asked how many championships Cohen planned to win in the next decade. Cohen, who at his opening press conference after buying the team for $2.4 billion in 2020 said he would consider it “slightly disappointing” if the Mets did not win a title in the next five years, said, “Two to four.”

Soto liked that answer, he said in his own opening media session on Thursday at Citi Field. 

“That’s what it’s all about,” he said, adding, “We look at everything, we look at the chances, and we look at what other teams wanted to do, and what everybody wants to do for the next 15 years, and I think we have the best chance to win here.”

Read that again. Sure, the Mets offered more than $300 million in real value more than the previous richest contract. (Two-way star Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is mostly deferred and comes out to about $461 million in current money.) But they also offered, in Soto’s estimation, his best chance to win. When is the last time someone said that about the Mets?

This is the Cohen effect. The hedge-fund chief is the richest owner in the sport by a factor of three with what estimated this fall to be a net worth of $21.3 billion. But more than that, he is a collector of beautiful things. He and wife Alex own more than $1 billion worth of art, including works by Jeff Koons, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. Cohen grew up a Mets fan in Great Neck, six stops east of Citi Field on the Long Island Rail Road, and when he took over the franchise, he said he wanted to change its perception as a group of losers, the forever little brother to the Yankees. 

There is something different about Arsenal this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have got close to Premier League glory but fallen short in the last three campaigns, and yet they seem more determined than ever.

The North Londoners sit atop the table, four points clear of Manchester City, and while they dropped points away to Sunderland, they put in a decent performance.

Moreover, while a lacklustre squad has seen the team falter in the past, Arteta’s side is full of incredible talents, including one prospect who could eventually become one of the best players in the world, surpassing the likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.

Rice & Saka's performances vs Sunderland

Even though Arsenal dropped points against Sunderland and weren’t at their best in the first half, their second-half display, at least from an attacking perspective, was one of their best all season.

Chalkboard

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

Likewise, it was also one of Saka’s best displays of the season so far, as from the start of the second 45 up until Leandro Trossard scored the side’s second goal, the Hale End superstar was a constant threat.

If he wasn’t getting past the Black Cats’ defence with some silky close control, he was playing quick one-twos or, on occasion, switching the play to help create space.

Moreover, it was his brilliantly driven effort from his right that opened the scoring for the North Londoners and gave them a foothold in the game.

Like his captain for the day, it was a game of two halves for Rice.

The former West Ham United captain was poor in the first half and should have done better for Dan Ballard’s opener, but improved significantly in the second half.

For example, he provided the assist for Saka after winning the ball off Enzo Le Fee, and then for the rest of the game, he seemed to be everywhere.

Minutes

97′

Expected Assists

0.20

Assists

2

Key Passes

1

Accurate Passes

61/65

Shots

3

Touches

91

Interceptions

1

Clearances

4

Recoveries

3

Ground Duels (Won)

4 (3)

Aerial Duels (Won)

1 (1)

Despite his poor first half, the Englishman still ended the game having made four clearances, three recoveries and one interception while also winning four of five duels.

In all, Rice and Saka showed why they are two of Arsenal’s best players in the second half on Saturday, but even so, both could well be surpassed by one of the club’s most exciting talents, who looks destined to become one of the best in the world.

The Arsenal star destined to be the best in the world

While Arsenal have more than a few talented youngsters in the squad, there is one who seems to have the most potential of all: Max Dowman.

The Hale Ender is still just 15 years old, but has been a player of interest for over a year now, with talk of the club trying to include him in senior squads last season.

That might sound absurd, but at the start of last season, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig described him as the “most exciting prospect” he had seen “since Lamine Yamal.”

Then, this time last year, Hale End expert Will Balsam called him “the biggest talent in England.”

Unless they were watching his performances for the youth sides, fans had to take those in the know at face value; that was until pre-season.

The Chelmsford-born star in the making was finally given a taste of first-team action on the club’s summer tour and against Newcastle United, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, instantly began “humiliating Premier League players.”

He did the same thing to Leeds United on his Premier League debut and then became the youngest player to start a game for the club in their 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup.

Not satisfied with just breaking a club record, Arteta then made the Hale End monster the youngest player in Champions League history when he came off the bench against Slavia Prague last week.

Now, the youngster is yet to score a senior goal for the North Londoners, but every time he’s made an appearance, he has passed the eye test with flying colours.

Unlike some of the senior players, he seems to relish taking on defenders and has a level of close control that is unrivaled in the squad.

Ultimately, it’s still early in his career, but as things stand, it does look like Dowman could, in the words of one analyst, become one of “the best in world” and surpass Saka and Rice in the process.

Arsenal sold Hale End "colossus" for £2m, now he's playing just like Gabriel

Arsenal have struggled to brew defensive talents at Hale End down the years.

ByMatt Dawson Nov 10, 2025

Toby Albert gives Hampshire the edge until formidable chase, with Dickson and Gregory key to finale

Alan Gardner13-Sep-2025Somerset came out on top in a clash of the T20 Blast titans, pulling off the highest successful run-chase in the competition’s final to overcome Hampshire and claim a record-equalling third title under the Edgbaston lights. Will Smeed blazed 94 off 58 to get Somerset most of the way there, before Lewis Gregory obliterated the tension in the stands by hammering a four and two sixes in five balls to seal victory with an over to spare.Hampshire, whose total of 194 for 6 had been underpinned by 85 off 48 balls from young opener Toby Albert, seemed to be in control as the requirement for Somerset ticked beyond two runs per ball just past the halfway mark. But Scott Currie’s drop of Sean Dickson was to prove crucial, as a fourth-wicket partnership of 88 off 51 dragged the contest back Somerset’s way.Having been asked to bat, Albert and James Vince made up for the early of loss of Chris Lynn with a stand of 97 in 59 balls to put Hampshire in a formidable position. Albert, in particular, produced some audacious shot-making – including four reverse-hit boundaries in the space of six balls – as Somerset were asked to make the highest-ever score in the final of the competition.Their start was given the required fizz by Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who hit one enormous six over the roof of the Hollies Stand and out of the ground, and although Hampshire frequently seemed one good over from shutting the chase down, Smeed and then Dickson – the linchpin in Somerset’s 2023 Blast success – kept landing timely blows. With both teams making their 11th Finals Day appearances, it was always likely to be a tussle for the ages.Victory for Somerset ended the hoodoo for winners of the first semi-final, as they became the first team since Worcestershire in 2018 to lift the trophy after kicking their heels during the second game. It also marked a fifth consecutive triumph for the South Group – though that was confirmed earlier in the day by the exits of Lancashire and Northamptonshire.Toby Albert played some audacious reverse-ramps in his 85•Getty ImagesTKC lands first blow, Baker hits backBatting second on a surface that was being used for the third time in the day meant Somerset knew they had to get a shuffle on. Smeed picked up boundaries in each of the first two overs – Sonny Baker also contributing with five wides from his first ball – and Kohler-Cadmore then took up the cudgels, hammering his fourth ball, a pull off Chris Wood, over the heads of those in the Hollies and out towards the River Rea.Scott Currie’s first delivery also flew all the way, as Kohler-Cadmore unleashed a scything uppercut over deep third. Baker returned, switching to the Pavilion End, only to be thrashed through the covers. But the Hampshire fast bowler showed why he is on England’s radar by splattering Kohler-Cadmore’s stumps with an 88mph yorker to end the opening stand at 46.Smeed carries the fightSmeed had ticked along to 18 off 15 but responded to the loss of Kohler-Cadmore by twice cracking James Fuller through point at the start of the sixth. Tom Abell departed for a duck in the same over, Somerset finishing the powerplay on 55 for 2, but James Rew picked off early boundaries as Smeed bedded into the middle overs.Currie’s return in the 10th saw the back of Rew, chopping on to his stumps, and Hampshire looked to squeeze through the nous of South Africa spinner Bjorn Fortuin. The required rate was approaching 12 an over, but Smeed kept Somerset in touch with back-to-back fours off Fortuin and then a thump off Howell. Then came the crucial drop of Dickson, with Smeed turning the screw in the following over by taking three more boundaries off Fortuin. That meant Somerset finished the 15th over on 136 for 3 – exactly the same score as Hampshire as the same stage of their innings.Sean Dickson played a key hand for Somerset•Getty ImagesFinisher Dickson does it againWith 59 needed from 30 balls, Dickson produced his first flourish by ramping Baker over the keeper for his first boundary. Another driven four followed, and Smeed then crunched Currie into the Hollies to keep Somerset in touch. With dew becoming a factor, the 18th over was to prove decisive as Dickson – who is leaving Somerset for Glamorgan after not being offered a new contract – twice took Benny Howell for sixes, the first an outrageous reverse-swipe that sailed over deep third.Nineteen runs came off the over, leaving Somerset needing 18 from 12, and although Smeed picked out long-off to fall short of becoming the second man on the day to reach three figures, he walked off with the highest individual score in a final. The jig was up for Hampshire, and in came Gregory to ice the chase with a flurry of boundaries and spark a raucous rendition of “Somerset, la-la-la” in the stands.No Lynn-sanity this timeAfter his semi-final heroics, in which he became the first man to score a hundred on Finals Day, Lynn joked that he would be happy to keep batting, with just a 45-minute turnaround to the final: “Got the pads on, let’s go.” He got his wish, with Somerset opting to chase, and duly smoked his fourth ball back down the ground for his 12th six of the day; but he didn’t last much longer, chipping Craig Overton to cover in the third over.But where Lynn’s top-order colleagues had gone missing against Northants, here they stood up. Albert had got going with back-to-back drives for four, in the process overtaking D’Arcy Short at the Blast’s leading run-scorer for the season. After Vince chimed in with whipped sixes off Overton and Jake Ball, Albert signalled the Hampshire charge was well and truly on by taking Migael Pretorius’ only over of the night for 25 with a sequence of 4-6-6-4-4, only interrupted by a wide.Vince then launched Overton for his third six at the start of the sixth over, followed by consecutive fours – which meant eight legitimate deliveries in a row had disappeared to the rope. Even without the Lynn-sanity, Hampshire had piled up 83 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.Albert takes overWith the fielding restrictions relaxed, Hampshire opted for consolidation during the middle of the innings. Albert was the first to fifty, off 29 balls – his sixth of a breakthrough campaign – while Vince also reached the mark in the 12th over, from 32. Three balls later, the partnership was broken when Vince dragged Lewis Goldsworthy to deep midwicket, and Somerset then chipped out another when Ball’s brilliant return catch saw off James Fuller.Hampshire had only scored three boundaries between the start of the seventh over and the midway point of the 16th. Despite the slowdown, Albert decided it was time to jam the gearstick in reverse. Ben Green was twice reverse-swept off the stumps, despite bowling near-yorkers, over and past short third for back-to-back fours, and Albert then did the same to Ball when he went short, slapping another brace of boundaries to move into the 80s.Albert fell at the start of the next over, missing a swipe at Gregory’s change-up to see his off stump rattled. But Howell cleared the ropes twice in a useful cameo at No. 5, as Hampshire equalled Northamptonshire’s total of 194 for 2 (made from 18 overs) in the 2013 final. Somerset needed to set a new benchmark to claim their record-equalling third title. They duly obliged.

Lionel Messi will forever be held in the highest regard at Barcelona, but that does not mean that the Liga giants will be changing the branding of their stadium in order to pay homage to the Argentine icon. Messi, who is currently in MLS with Inter Miami, has admitted that he intends to return to Catalunya at some stage. There are, however, no plans for Camp Nou to take his name.

Messi's Barcelona record: Goals, appearances & trophies

Messi became an all-time great while on Barcelona’s books, with the bar of individual brilliance being raised to heights that have never been seen before. He plundered 672 goals for the club through 778 appearances, landing 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns along the way.

He was forced to bid an emotional farewell in 2021, when joining Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, and decided to go chasing the American dream alongside a number of familiar faces in 2023.

Messi has committed to a new contract in Florida through 2028, with a playing return to Barcelona – even on a short-term loan – being ruled out. The 38-year-old has, however, revealed that he and wife Antonela plan to set up base again on Catalan soil once his playing days are over.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWill Barcelona include Messi in Camp Nou name change?

It has been suggested that he could receive ultimate recognition from Barca, as an iconic venue is renamed in his honour, but close friend Jordi Alba doubts that will ever be the case. The former Blaugrana defender, who is heading into retirement at Inter Miami, told : “Camp Nou Leo Messi? I don't think Leo wants that either. Camp Nou is fine, but anything done around Leo is positive for all Barca fans.”

Blaugrana vice-president Elena Fort has told on the same subject: “In Barcelona we try not to personalise the facilities and spaces too much, with some exceptions. It is true that there is the Johan Cruyff Stadium. There was an attempt to name the stadium after Gamper, who is the founder, and the Barcelona fans themselves did not accept it. There are much better ways to pay tribute to him than by replacing the name of the Spotify Camp Nou with that of Leo Messi.”

Messi immortalised: Statue & exhibition game being planned

A statue is being planned for Messi at Camp Nou, which will see him immortalised, while friendly or exhibition fixtures continue to be discussed that would allow the all-time great to turn out in familiar surroundings one last time.

Alba added, with Messi having left Barca in tears after playing his final games in empty stadiums: “For me, it was a bitter pill to swallow to see him leave overnight. That farewell wasn't ideal for him. I trust that the tribute will happen and that it will be a great celebration. I found out through the press, and it was a tough blow for everyone. His departure wasn't the best, or the one he would have liked, that tribute will be paid to him one way or another.”

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GettyMore trophies & Neymar reunion: What's next for Messi?

Messi has been showing no sign of slowing down at 38 years of age. He landed Golden Boot honours in 2025, hitting 40-plus goals across all competitions, and remains in the hunt for ultimate MLS Cup.

He is already the most decorated player in history, with 46 major honours to his name, but remains determined to enhance that glittering CV. Alba admits as much, saying when asked if Messi is still hungry for success: “Yes, or even more so. We all know what Leo is like, his desire to win and how he inspires others. He seems very happy here, and that's why he signed that renewal. Whatever he wants, he'll be here. He continues to make a difference. It's a privilege to have come here to continue sharing this journey with him and the others.”

Messi has aired his surprise at seeing Alba and Sergio Busquets announce their retirement, but Luis Suarez is yet to make a decision on his future – ahead of turning 39 in January – and a reunion with fellow ‘MSN’ member Neymar continues to be mooted as the Brazilian forward runs down his deal at Santos.

The Atlanta Braves are signing veteran catcher James McCann to a minor league contract, according to Robert Murray of

McCann, 34, is an 11-year veteran and played in 65 games for the Baltimore Orioles last season, where he batted .234 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in 214 plate appearances.

The Braves' catching situation heading into Opening Day later this month was becoming dire. Starting catcher Sean Murphy is set to start the season on the injured list. His backup, Chadwick Tromp, is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, because Atlanta released catcher Curt Casali and assigned veteran Sandy Leon to minor league camp.

Unless the Braves added another catcher, top prospect Drake Baldwin would have joined the Major League roster for Opening Day before the club believed he was ready. McCann's entrance into the fold at least provides some competition for Baldwin for the second catching spot behind Murphy.

Manchester United have an exciting production line of stars for the future, and now appear to be interested in adding to that by capturing a gem that shone at the Under-17 World Cup.

The Red Devils will have enjoyed taking some time over the international break to digest what has been a credible start to the Premier League campaign, even if Ruben Amorim came under pressure during the early stages at Old Trafford.

Sitting tenth with a game in hand, Manchester United could move as high as fourth position with three points against Everton on Monday night, albeit they could be without Matheus Cunha due to a surprise injury concern.

Ben Jacobs confirmed on X that the Brazilian had suffered a head knock during training, forcing him to miss Altrincham’s Christmas light switch-on as a result, sparking attention on social media.

Nevertheless, the nature of his injury looks only to be minor, so there may still be a chance that he features against the Toffees if deemed fit to do so by the Red Devils’ medical staff.

As ever, Manchester United will hope to avoid a mounting list of absentees over the festive period. However, that is bound to affect everyone, especially with a heavy fixture schedule.

The January window could prove pivotal at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils are now favourites to sign Ajax prodigy Jorthy Mokio ​​​​​​amid concerns over Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo.

Now, they also have eyes on a gem who performed at his best during the Under-17 World Cup, which has garnered attention from clubs around Europe.

Man Utd make approach to sign Mohamed Zongo

According to Africa Foot, Manchester United have made an approach to sign Tenakourou Academy star Mohamed Zongo, who they are now keen to hold discussions over signing on a permanent basis.

At only 15 years of age, the Burkina Faso youth international shone at the Under-17 World Cup with two goals and three assists to his name, leading to him being dubbed a “revelation” in some quarters.

Earning man of the match awards several times during the competition, his highlight came in a 1-0 victory over Germany where he was the only scorer in a famous victory for his country.

An attacking midfielder by trade and capable of featuring across the forward areas, Zongo is also on the radar of Manchester City, Villarreal and Anderlecht, illustrating how high his ceiling could potentially be with the correct development path.

Ultimately, he still has a tonne of growth left before coming into contention at first-team level overseas. However, Manchester United may be the best environment to earn his stripes.

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