Southampton defeats Man City in EFL Cup

Southampton shock Man City; knocks them out of EFL Cup

Manchester City’s stocks have been on the decline recently. After being 5 points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League, the club has crashed out of the EFL Cup, aka Carabao Cup. The Premier League defending champs lost to Southampton 2-0 thanks to goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo.

Pep Guardiola’s decision to name an under-strength squad for the match backfired massively. There was no chemistry in the playing XI. The second-half substitutes Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ederson also didn’t quite help the cause. The Blues didn’t muster a single shot on target as Pep Guardiola lost a domestic cup quarter-final for the first time in his managerial career.

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse told Sky Sports that his side played without fear and praised new manager Nathan Jones. He said, “[It is] a special night. These games are special to play in especially when you’re struggling in the league. We knew this was a distraction from the league and a great showcase. We showed no fear.”

Southampton will now take on Newcastle United in the semifinals for a chance to meet either Manchester United or Nottingham Forest in the final.

Ronaldo and Messi Playing Football

Ronaldo will square off against Messi in a friendly clash

Lionel Messi’s Paris St. Germain will play a friendly against an all-star team comprising players from Saudi clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. The match will see Ronaldo and Messi go against each other on January 19 in Riyadh.

Qatar-owned PSG will travel to Doha on January 17 before moving on to the Saudi capital for the match at the King Fahd Stadium, which will see Messi and Ronaldo renew their rivalry. Their rivalry grew over nine years when they came up against each other in Spain when Messi was starring for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr in a shocking move that saw him become the most expensive player of all time with a deal worth around $200 million per year. While his long-time competitor recently lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy cementing his status as one of the game’s greats.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo hasn’t made his debut for the Saudi club. It is reported the superstar will be available for the friendly game. The game will broadcast live on PSG’s social media platforms for the benefit of fans.

Gareth Bale announces retirement

Wales star Gareth Bale announces retirement from football

Former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspurs great Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from football. Bale confirmed his decision in a statement on Instagram on Monday, saying he has taken an “opportunity for a new adventure.”

 

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A post shared by Gareth Bale (@garethbale11)

The Wales superstar posted on Instagram: “After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from the club and international football.” He further added, “I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. The highest of highs over 17 seasons that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.”

Bale began his career at Southampton before moving to Tottenham, where he spent six seasons and won two PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards. His exploits with Spurs earned him a blockbuster move to Madrid in 2013 for a reported fee of £ 77 million (€91m).

The Wales great further said, “To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC. All of my previous managers and coaches, back room staff, team-mates, all the dedicated fans, my agents, my amazing friends and family, the impact you have had is immeasurable.

Gareth Bale has been part of Southampton, Tottenham Hotspurs, Real Madrid and Los Angeles FC. The superstar has won three La Liga titles, the Champions League five times and the Club World Cup on three occasions during his time at Real Madrid.

Bale’s last appearance on the pitch was during their 3-0 defeat to England as Wales was knocked out of the World Cup group stage in Qatar. Bale had an impactful role in Wales. He led the team to an unimaginable run to the semi-finals at the 2016 Euro. He also played a vital role in the team qualifying for its first-ever FIFA World Cup.

Benfica are under investigation for 'match fixing' after hacked emails were accessed

Portuguese club Benfica are under investigation for match fixing

As per reports, Portuguese club Benfica is currently under investigation for match-fixing. The reports say the investigation has come about as a result of hacked emails being accessed by prosecutors and relates to a four-year period between 2016 and 2020.

The investigation comes just a year-and-a-half after the club’s president, Luis Filipe Vieira, was forced to resign after getting arrested on tax evasion, aggravated fraud, forgery and money laundering charges.

Former Benfica, AC Milan and Portugal star Rui Costa, who became the club’s vice-president in 2020 but took over the president’s post when Vieira resigned, is also involved in the investigation, as per the reports.

Benfica released a statement, saying, “Taking into account the news made public today, Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol SAD confirms that it appeared in court on January 3, as well as, among others, the members of the Board of Directors from 2016 to 2020 and who are currently in office.”

The club further added, “Benfica SAD will not comment further as the trial is under legal secrecy. Benfica expresses its total willingness to collaborate with the competent authorities, as has always happened up to now.”

Romeo Beckham

Beckham Jr. joins Premier League side Brentford on loan

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend David Beckham’s son, Romeo Beckham, has joined English Premier League side Brentford on loan. The youngster who played for Inter Miami II will appear for Brentford B till the end of the season.

“Brentford are delighted to announce the signing of Romeo Beckham from Inter Miami CF on loan until the end of the 2022-23 season,” the club said.

“The 20-year-old will join Neil MacFarlane’s B team for the rest of the campaign to continue his development as he makes the temporary switch from the MLS club. The move is subject to international clearance.”

The new recruit said he was relishing his opportunity, telling Brentford’s website: “I’m very proud and very happy to be here. He further added, “I came here at the start to keep fit during the off-season. The chance then came to come on loan here, and I’ve never been so excited.”

The right winger has appeared for Fort Lauderdale CF and Inter Miami II and played 6 and 20 games, respectively. He has scored 2 goals for Inter Miami II in the 2022 MLS Next Pro season.

Romeo Beckham’s dad David Beckham also started his journey the same way. He was loaned to Brimsdown Rovers’s youth team.

Breaking: Daley Blind signs a short-term deal with Bayern Munich

After much speculation, Netherlands international Daley Blind has made a shocking move to Bundesliga champs Bayern Munich. The Netherlands defender had been heavily linked with Royal Antwerp, but he jumped at the chance to join Bayern.

“I can hardly wait to play here. We’ve got the most important part of the season coming up, where it’s about titles – and a club like Bayern can win every trophy. The hunger for titles here at the club was key in my decision. I hope I can bring my experience to help the team. I’ll give everything for Bayern Munich,” Blind said in a release from Bayern Munich.

“We’re delighted that Daley is joining our team. Daley is a versatile defender, capable of playing on the left or in the centre. He has great international experience and leadership qualities. I’m sure he’ll help us,” sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said.

Blind left his former club Ajax unceremoniously. Across two spells at Ajax, he made over 300 appearances and won the Eredivisie on seven occasions – only Johan Cruyff and Sjaak Swart won more league titles with the Amsterdam giants with eight apiece. After knowing that one of his experienced players is leaving the club, Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar said, “I hope he can find another club to end his successful career with.”

Blind will be a massive boost for Bayern, with injuries to key players such as Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer already ahead of their return to league action. Therefore, he could prove a strong addition to replace Hernandez.

Sanju Samson ruled out of T20Is vs Sri Lanka due to knee injury- God of Sports

Sanju Samson suffers knee injury; ruled out of T20I series against Sri Lanka

Kerala’s star wicketkeeper Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the remaining T20Is against Sri Lanka. The right-hander has suffered a knee injury after hurting his left knee during the first game in Mumbai.

During the first T20I, Sanju Samson made a diving attempt to take a catch which resulted in the injury. Although he caught the ball, he could not hold on to it after falling to the ground. He continued fielding in the match, but, it is learnt, he later experienced swelling, because of which he was asked to take medical advice by the BCCI Medical Team. Although, he is ruled out of the T20I series against Sri Lanka. It is unlikely that he will be available for the New Zealand series.

“Team India wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the remainder of the 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Samson hurt his left knee while attempting to field a ball near the boundary ropes during the 1st T20I at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He was taken for scans and a specialist opinion this afternoon in Mumbai by the BCCI Medical Team and has been advised rest and rehabilitation,” BCCI said in a statement.

The wicketkeeper-batter did not travel with the Indian team to Pune, staying back in Mumbai for scans and a specialist opinion, and was advised rest and rehabilitation. Jitesh Sharma, the 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Vidarbha, has been named Samson’s replacement.

India’s updated squad for Sri Lanka T20Is: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.

Image of Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova diagnosed with early-stage Throat & Breast Cancer

All-time tennis legend Martina Navratilova announced that she has been diagnosed with early-stage throat and breast cancer. The 66-year-old said, “This double whammy is serious but still fixable. “I’m hoping for a favourable outcome. It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all have I got.”

Navratilova, who was previously diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer—ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS—in 2010, has been diagnosed with an unrelated form of breast cancer, still in its early stages, and was discovered during throat examinations.

Martina Navratilova’s agent, Mary Greenham, said the tennis legend discovered an enlarged lymph node in her neck during the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, which was held from October 31 to November 7.

A biopsy was done, and she was later diagnosed with stage one throat cancer, her agent said. When Navratilova was undergoing throat tests, her agent said a suspicious form was found in her breast, which later was diagnosed as cancer. Navratilova announced that the diagnosis at such an early stage is good for her health, and she will begin the treatment soon.

The all-time great has been an inspirational figure in the Tennis world. She has won 18 grand slam singles titles, 31 grand slam doubles titles, and 10 grand slam mixed doubles titles. She still holds the WTA Tour’s all-time record of 167 titles.

Rishabh Pant unlikely to be available for IPL 2023

Rishabh Pant unlikely to be available for IPL 2023

India’s star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is looking at a long hiatus from the game. The left-hander sustained a gamut of injuries from the near-fatal crash near Gurukul, Narsan, in the state of Uttarakhand, including a couple of cuts on his forehead. Although the wicketkeeper is stable, he has suffered abrasion injuries on his back besides the ligament tear in his right knee that will take some time to recover.

As per a Cricbuzz report, the exact nature of treatment and time required for recovery and rehab can be decided only after the treatment of the ligament tear on the right knee starts. The medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is monitoring the progress of the 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, and they may fly him to Mumbai when he is in a position to move.

According to The Times of India, who quoted a doctor who looks after the sports injury department at AIIMS-Rishikesh, it will take three to six months for Rishabh to recover from the ligament injury he suffered during the car crash. AIIMS-Rishikesh’s Dr Qamar Azam, who looks after the sports injury department, told TOI, “Pant will take at least three to six months to recover from the ligament injury. And if it’s severe, he may take more time. Further evaluation can be based on his detailed injury report.”

Pant, who was recently dropped from the white ball squad for Sri Lanka, was in great form in red-ball cricket for the Indian team in 2022. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter was India’s best Test batsman in 2022, amassing 680 runs in seven Tests at 61.81.

With the serious injury, it is certain that Pant will miss the 4-match Test home series against Australia. This will present an opportunity for KS Bharat, who might see his Test debut, or will we see the comeback of experienced man Wriddhiman Saha behind the wickets?

Pant, who plays for Delhi Capitals, will be under pressure to fill the gap left by Pant’s absence. They will likely turn to David Warner or Prithvi Shaw to lead the team.

Saudi club Al-Nassr finally signs Ronaldo on a free transfer

After much speculation, Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has finally confirmed his next destination. The former Manchester United star has been signed by Saudi club Al- Nassr on a two-year deal worth over €200 million. The contract will see CR7 play in the Saudi Pro League till 2025.

Al-Nassr announced the signing via Twitter. The club tweeted, ” History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC.”

After the announcement was made public, Cristiano was quoted as saying, “I can’t wait to discover a new football league in a different country.” He further added, “The vision with which Al Nassr operates is very inspiring, and I am delighted to join my teammates so that together we can help the team achieve greater success.”

Ronaldo heads to the Gulf after a year that saw him relegated to the bench for Portugal and cut adrift by Manchester United. The club parted ways with the Portuguese star after the veteran forward gave an explosive TV interview in which he said he felt “betrayed” by the club and had no respect for coach Erik ten Hag.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s move is being criticised by a lot of his fans. In a time when his long-time competitor Lionel Messi is scaling new heights, Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr is seen as an end to his numero uno status.

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