Global Pulse

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  • Arsenal wins again and Malen the main man in Italy as Roma score four once more

    Arsenal wins again and Malen the main man in Italy as Roma score four once more

    The second matchweek of Europe’s top domestic soccer leagues delivered another round of dramatic results on Monday, with three of the continent’s biggest clubs retaining their perfect start to the new season and early title contenders sending a clear statement of their title credentials.

    In England’s Premier League, defending champions Arsenal claimed a hard-fought 1-0 away victory over Aston Villa, clinging to their 100% record to open the campaign. The decisive goal came in the 59th minute from Bukayo Saka, who converted the only clear-cut chance of the night to secure all three points for the Gunners.

    The result marks a tough opening stretch for Aston Villa, which has struggled to find form following a series of high-profile player exits over the transfer window. Unai Emery’s side failed to register a single shot on target for the second consecutive match, leaving them rooted at the bottom of the table with zero points from their first two outings. For Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, the win carried extra personal significance: it marked his 250th Premier League match in charge of the club, and left Arsenal one of only four Premier League clubs to claim maximum points from their opening two fixtures.

    Over in Spain’s La Liga, Barcelona turned in a dominant attacking display to beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at home, extending their unbelievable run to 21 consecutive home victories and climbing to the top of the league table. The match got off to a surprising start when Rayo, which entered the game still searching for its first win of the season, took an early lead in the 12th minute: Sergio Camello finished powerfully from an Álvaro García cutback from the left flank to put the visitors ahead.

    Barcelona responded rapidly, however, and had turned the game around to lead 2-1 before the 25-minute mark. Raphinha netted the equalizer with a clinical finish in the 18th minute, and 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal put Barca ahead just 90 seconds later with a trademark solo goal: cutting inside from the right wing before unleashing a blistering left-footed strike into the top corner of the net.

    Hansi Flick’s side extended their lead shortly after halftime, when Florian Lejeune turned an Anthony Gordon cutback into his own net for an own goal. Though Camello pulled one back for Rayo with a strong headed finish, Raphinha restored Barcelona’s two-goal advantage shortly after, and Yamal wrapped up the scoring with a low driven shot from just outside the penalty area in the 89th minute. The brace from both Yamal and Raphinha, paired with two assists from English winger Gordon, gave Barca the convincing win that pushed them above Real Madrid to claim first place on goal difference, while Rayo Vallecano sits third from bottom after the result. In another La Liga fixture on Monday, Osasuna claimed a 1-0 win over Getafe to retain their own unbeaten start to the season.

    In Italy’s Serie A, Roma made an early statement of their title ambitions with a rampant 4-0 away win over Lecce, retaining their 100% start to the campaign. Donyell Malen continued his scorching early form, taking his goal tally to five goals in just two matches after notching a brace to put Roma 2-0 up by the midway point of the first half. Matias Soulé added a third before halftime, and substitute Rodrigo Mora put the finishing touches on the result with a fourth goal 20 minutes into the second half. The back-to-back 4-0 wins lifted Roma straight to the top of the Serie A table after two matchweeks.

    The final fixture of Monday’s Serie A action delivered a late dramatic winner, as Atalanta snatched a 1-0 victory over Bologna with a stoppage-time goal from Lazar Samardžić. The match was a largely unremarkable affair with neither side dominating, but Samardžić’s long-range effort slipped past the Bologna goalkeeper in added time to secure all three points for Atalanta. The result was a harsh one for Bologna, which has now dropped two opening matches and remains pointless on the season, while Atalanta climbs into the top five and joins the group of five other clubs still holding a perfect record.

  • New York Liberty lead the WNBA with 7 players headed to the FIBA World Cup

    New York Liberty lead the WNBA with 7 players headed to the FIBA World Cup

    As the WNBA pauses its regular season to allow players to compete in the 2024 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, one franchise stands out for its unprecedented international presence: the New York Liberty. No other WNBA club will send more players to the tournament, kicking off September 4 in Berlin, than the Liberty, whose roster has become a microcosm of global basketball talent mirroring the cultural diversity of its home city.

    Currently, the Liberty’s active roster features athletes hailing from eight different nations across four continents: France, Nigeria, China, Germany, Australia, Spain, the Bahamas, and the United States. Of these, seven players have earned spots on their respective national teams for the World Cup. The only exception is Germany’s Satou Sabally, who remains sidelined from the tournament as she continues recovering from a concussion sustained earlier this season.

    Describing the team’s uniquely international makeup, star forward Breanna Stewart compared the Liberty’s locker room to a global diplomatic body. “It truly is like the United Nations here,” Stewart said of the diverse backgrounds of her teammates.

    The team’s current multicultural composition marks a stark shift from even a decade ago, according to Australian forward Rebecca Allen, the Liberty’s longest-tenured player who first joined the franchise back in 2015. When Allen first arrived in New York, she was the only international player on the entire roster. While she recalled being embraced by her teammates and staff immediately, the current depth of global representation is a transformative change for the organization.

    “I was the only foreigner on the team back then. Everyone made me feel welcome, but now it’s different with so many countries represented here,” Allen explained.

    For first-year WNBA forward Pauline Astier, who will suit up for France alongside Liberty teammate Marine Johannes at the World Cup, this built-in global community has made the transition to playing professional basketball in a new country far smoother than expected. Astier noted that the inclusive, diverse environment within the Liberty has helped her adapt to cultural changes and new on-court dynamics without the isolation that many international rookies experience when joining North American leagues.

    The Liberty’s standout World Cup delegation is more than just a fun team fact—it underscores a broader, ongoing shift across the entire WNBA: the league’s rapid growth into a truly global competition that attracts top talent from every corner of the world. To celebrate this unique identity, Allen has already floated a lighthearted idea for when the team reunites after the World Cup concludes: a team potluck where every player brings a traditional dish from their home country to share.

    Beyond the New York roster, the AP’s latest weekly WNBA power poll and player awards brought new updates to the 2024 regular season narrative. The Golden State Valkyries climbed to the top spot in the power rankings after a perfect 4-0 road week, which included a statement win over the previously top-ranked Minnesota Lynx. Minnesota dropped to third place, with the Las Vegas Aces moving into second. The top five was rounded out by Atlanta and Indiana, followed by New York at sixth, Dallas at seventh, and Washington at eighth. Portland, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, Connecticut, Seattle, and Toronto closed out the 13-team rankings.

    The week also saw Atlanta Dream rookie Angel Reese continue her historic inaugural season, breaking a new WNBA single-season record. After notching 26 rebounds to set a single-game franchise record just days earlier, Reese earned her 29th double-double of the 2024 season against Minnesota, surpassing the previous single-season record of 28 set by Alyssa Thomas back in 2023. Finally, Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton was named the Associated Press Player of the Week for her dominant performance in the team’s four undefeated road wins. Burton averaged 11.3 points, 8.8 assists, and 2 steals per game over the stretch, earning the award over other notable nominees including Indiana’s Caitlin Clark, Atlanta’s Angel Reese, Los Angeles’ Nneka Ogwumike, and Washington’s Kiki Iriafen.

  • By the numbers: A look at Lionel Messi’s 21 years with Argentina

    By the numbers: A look at Lionel Messi’s 21 years with Argentina

    After two decades of donning Argentina’s iconic Albiceleste jersey and rewriting men’s international soccer record books, Lionel Messi — widely regarded as the greatest player to ever step onto a football pitch — has played his final match for his national team. The 39-year-old announced his retirement from international competition on Monday, closing the book on an unparalleled 21-year career representing his home country. To honor his historic legacy, we break down his extraordinary run with Argentina through the numbers that defined it.

    One World Cup title stands as the crowning achievement of Messi’s international career, claimed in a dramatic 2022 tournament in Qatar where he cemented his status as a global sporting icon. He also led Argentina to two additional World Cup finals, falling short against Germany in 2014 and Spain in 2026. That three total final appearances mark one of the most impressive World Cup resumes in the history of the sport.

    Messi competed in six consecutive World Cup tournaments spanning 2006 to 2026, a feat that ties him with his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the most World Cup appearances by any male player in history. Across those six tournaments, the Argentine legend found the back of the net 21 times. That goal tally puts him in second place on the all-time World Cup scoring leaderboard, just one goal behind France’s Kylian Mbappé — who has accumulated 22 goals across only three World Cup appearances to date.

    Messi’s international journey began in August 2005, when he made his Argentina debut as a teenager in a friendly match against Hungary. In a fittingly unforeseen start to a legendary career, he was sent off less than a minute after entering the game, penalized for elbowing an opposing player. From that inauspicious beginning, he built a legacy that will stand for generations, announcing his retirement 21 years after that debut at the age of 39.

    Across his entire international career, Messi scored 125 goals for Argentina — more than double the previous national record of 54 goals set by Gabriel Batistuta, who played for the Albiceleste from 1991 to 2002. On the global all-time men’s international scoring list, Messi sits second once again, trailing only Ronaldo, who has notched 146 goals for Portugal to date.

    Messi also holds Argentina’s all-time record for senior international appearances, with 207 caps across his 21-year career. Like his goal tally, this mark places him second on the all-time global men’s rankings, again behind Ronaldo, who has earned 233 caps for Portugal throughout his own career.

    This retirement brings an end to one of the most celebrated international careers in soccer history, leaving behind a legacy of records, memorable matches, and a long-awaited World Cup title that completed Messi’s journey to sporting immortality.

  • Erasmus fumes at Rennie rugby scrum claims as Springboks and All Blacks brace for 3rd test

    Erasmus fumes at Rennie rugby scrum claims as Springboks and All Blacks brace for 3rd test

    As world rugby powerhouses South Africa and New Zealand gear up for the third match of their landmark four-test series this Saturday at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, a war of words over the Springboks’ scrum play has emerged as the dominant talking point ahead of kickoff.

    The series is currently tied at one win apiece, after New Zealand claimed an opening 33-16 victory at Ellis Park, and South Africa fought back to secure a narrow 33-26 win in Cape Town last weekend. The pre-match friction began when All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie raised criticisms of the Springboks shortly after arriving in South Africa a month ago. His first complaint centered on claims that South Africa deliberately slowed the pace of play to neutralize New Zealand’s attack. After the first test, he doubled down on his critiques, alleging that the world-champion Springboks were illegally “walking around” during scrum engagements.

    Rennie repeated the scrum accusation following his side’s second-test defeat, prompting an angry, expletive-laced response from South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus during his post-match press conference. On Monday, as Erasmus announced his matchday squad for the third test, he clarified that his frustration stemmed less from Rennie’s mind games and more from the way the unsubstantiated claims were being treated as confirmed fact by media and fans.

    “Once you put that narrative out like that, everybody starts focusing on that — all media, all podcasts — and a lot of people have got no real expert knowledge about how scrums work,” Erasmus told reporters. “I would not claim to be an expert on scrums myself, but I do know how our assistant coach Daan Human trains our scrum, and we would never instruct our pack to walk around. That is not how we play the game, that is not our strength, and there is no reason we would start doing that now.”

    Erasmus went on to note that he understood the strategic motivation behind Rennie’s comments, acknowledging that mind games are a common tactic in top-level rugby. He added that he holds his own grievances about aspects of the All Blacks’ play, but has chosen not to air those criticisms publicly through the media. Erasmus speaks from experience: he was suspended twice by World Rugby in 2021 and 2022 for publicly criticizing match officials, a penalty that taught him to keep public complaints in check.

    Observers of the series have weighed in on the pre-match spat, with former Springboks head coach Nick Mallett noting that psychological tactics aimed at putting pressure on an opponent are standard across elite rugby. Speaking to the *Talking Boks* podcast, Mallett warned that the back-and-forth between the two coaching staffs should not overshadow the historic nature of the four-test series. “Every coach does it,” Mallett said. “You identify an opposition strength, you try to negate it, and you use every tool available — including calling into question whether their advantages are legal. It is a common tactic.”

    Beyond the off-field drama, Erasmus has confirmed only one enforced change to the Springboks squad that secured the second-test win. Cheslin Kolbe will shift to fullback to replace injured starting Damian Willemse, with Kurt-Lee Arendse stepping into Kolbe’s vacated wing spot. Erasmus added that Willemse and three other injured backs — Handré Pollard, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie — are expected to recover in time to travel to Baltimore for the fourth and final test of the series next week.

    The Springboks have made clear they are entering Saturday’s match with the goal of securing a series lead, rather than settling for a split and heading to the United States for a decisive final match with the series still tied. “We’re desperate to make sure we don’t go to Baltimore to play for a draw,” Erasmus said.

  • Lionel Messi says he’s retiring from playing for Argentina

    Lionel Messi says he’s retiring from playing for Argentina

    BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — After two decades of donning the Argentina national team jersey and delivering countless historic moments to football fans across the globe, one of the sport’s greatest ever players, Lionel Messi, has announced his retirement from international soccer. The 39-year-old Inter Miami captain shared the emotional news on his Instagram account on Monday, opening up about the profound difficulty of his decision.

    “It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote in his retirement statement. He went on to reaffirm his unwavering commitment to the national side throughout his entire career, adding: “I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

    Over his 20-year international career, Messi built a legacy that will stand the test of time. He matched the all-time record by competing in six FIFA World Cups, claiming the sport’s biggest prize with Argentina in Qatar 2022, and led the side to the 2026 World Cup final earlier this month, where Argentina fell to Spain in extra time in New Jersey. Across the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, Messi started and played all eight of Argentina’s matches, netting eight goals — just one strike behind top scorer Kylian Mbappé of France. When he hangs up his international boots, he leaves as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer, with a staggering 125 national team goals, 21 of which came in World Cup appearances.

    Messi revealed that he actually drafted his retirement announcement on July 21, just two days after the 2026 World Cup final, but delayed publishing the post out of respect for his father Jorge, who was battling serious health issues that ultimately led to his passing on August 8 in Messi’s hometown of Rosario.

    Notably, this is not the first time Messi has stepped away from international football. A decade ago, following a missed penalty in Argentina’s 2016 Copa América final defeat to Chile on penalties, the star announced his first international retirement. At that point, he had endured years of near-misses and frustration with the national side, having made his senior Argentina debut back in 2006. But he reversed that decision, went on to lead Argentina to the 2021 Copa América title, the 2022 World Cup triumph, and the 2024 Copa América crown, cementing his legacy as a national hero.

    While his international career has drawn to a close, Messi will continue his club career with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. Just this past weekend, he showcased he still has elite level finishing, scoring four goals in the club’s 7-1 routing of CF Montreal. The two-time defending MLS Most Valuable Player and reigning league champion did not specify how much longer he intends to continue playing at club level in his retirement announcement.

    In a heartfelt closing to his statement, Messi thanked Argentine fans for two decades of support, saying: “Thank you for all the love these past 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’m going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside (through thick and thin, even more so). I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — along with my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. Experiencing this with you was incredible. I love you all.”

    Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni, who worked alongside Messi through the side’s recent golden run, praised the forward’s unparalleled legacy during the 2026 World Cup, simply saying: “He is pure history. History. A legend.”

    AP Sports writer Tim Reynolds contributed reporting from Miami, Florida.

  • Dramatically low flyby by passenger jets over packed South African stadium sparks safety debate

    Dramatically low flyby by passenger jets over packed South African stadium sparks safety debate

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa – A high-drama pre-game aerial stunt featuring two commercial passenger jets screaming just meters above the roof of Cape Town’s DHL Stadium has electrified a sell-out crowd of 56,000 rugby fans, but ignited fierce global discussion over whether the event crossed unacceptable safety lines. The low-altitude formation flyby, carried out by South African regional carrier Airlink ahead of a blockbuster rugby clash between the world’s top two ranked teams – South Africa and New Zealand – on Saturday, went viral almost immediately after footage from broadcast cameras and fan witnesses spread across social media.

    Flight tracking data from the widely used aviation monitoring service Flightradar24 estimates the lead Embraer jet passed as close as 12 to 14 meters (41 to 46 feet) above the stadium’s roof, with thousands of spectators and both competing teams positioned directly below. Trailing just behind its lead, the second jet flew straight through a cloud of pink ceremonial dust that had been released from the stadium roof as part of the pre-game entertainment program. As the primary sponsor of the South African national rugby team, Airlink has moved quickly to defend the event, insisting every step of the flyby was planned and executed in full compliance with South African civil aviation safety rules.

    According to a statement released by the airline Sunday, the stunt underwent weeks of detailed planning and multiple full rehearsals before the match. The jets, which carried no commercial passengers, were crewed by three senior captains each: one serving as flight commander, one as co-pilot, and a third dedicated exclusively to monitoring on-board safety conditions. When passing over the stadium, the aircraft maintained a steady speed of approximately 150 knots (278 kph/172 mph), a speed the airline says was well within regulated limits. The airline also noted that both the South African Civil Aviation Authority and national Air Traffic Navigation Services reviewed the plan, issued formal approval, and provided ongoing guidance throughout the preparation and execution of the flight. Post-flight analysis of flight data from both jets, Airlink added, confirms all altitude and speed parameters remained within official civil aviation safety limits.

    Low-altitude stadium flybys are a long-standing tradition for major South African rugby matches, dating back to the iconic 1995 Rugby World Cup final – also between South Africa and New Zealand, the sport’s most storied fierce rivals – when a Boeing 747 completed a low pass over Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium. But this weekend’s event was far lower and more dramatic than any previous flyby, drawing international attention and immediate pushback from aviation safety experts, who argue the stunt left an unacceptably small margin for error.

    Chris Martinus, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association South Africa, told the Associated Press that the lead jet’s altitude adjustments as it passed over the stadium – dipping and climbing to follow the roof contour – created unnecessary risk. “Basically, that lead aircraft … was kind of like dodging over the roof and climbing over the one side and dipping below and then climbing over the other side. That was a little bit uncomfortable,” Martinus said. He emphasized that at such an extremely low altitude, pilots have almost no room to respond to an unexpected emergency: if any unplanned adverse event occurs, there are simply no actionable options to avoid disaster.

    Keith Tonkin, an Australian aviation consultant and former military and commercial pilot, echoed those concerns, noting that Embraer regional jets like the ones used for the stunt are designed for medium-altitude commercial passenger routes, not low-level aerobatic-style operations. Tonkin also warned that the event sets a dangerous precedent that other organizers may try to replicate in the future. “The bigger picture is that a benchmark has been established and others may expect to do something similar, and that’s not going to end well,” Tonkin said. He pointed to common in-flight hazards that become catastrophic at low altitude: even a minor bird strike or unexpected turbulence would leave pilots with too little space to maneuver to avoid crashing into the crowded stadium below.

    As of Monday, South African civil aviation authorities have not issued any additional public comment beyond the Airlink statement confirming their prior approval of the event. The debate over the stunt continues to unfold across aviation and sports circles online, with spectators praising the unforgettable pre-game experience even as safety experts call for stricter rules for future aerial stunts at public sporting events.

  • South African airline defends low-altitude aerial stunt over packed stadium

    South African airline defends low-altitude aerial stunt over packed stadium

    A high-stakes pre-match aerial stunt by South African regional carrier Airlink has sparked fierce public debate, after two of its jets executed an extremely low close formation flyover Cape Town’s packed DHL Stadium just ahead of a hotly anticipated rugby test between South Africa and New Zealand, two of the sport’s most bitter rivals.

    Flight tracking data from industry platform Flightradar24 shows the lead aircraft passed within 15 meters, or less than 50 feet, of the stadium’s upper structure, a maneuver that has drawn accusations of reckless endangerment from critics while winning praise for its technical precision from aviation and sports fans alike.

    In the wake of growing criticism, Airlink has pushed back to defend the event, emphasizing that the stunt was months in the making and received full regulatory approval from South Africa’s civil aviation authorities. In an official statement published on a South African government news portal, the airline detailed the extensive precautions taken to mitigate risk: both aircraft were crewed exclusively by top veteran pilots, with each flight deck staffed by three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot, and dedicated safety and technical observer respectively.

    The airline added that all flight parameters, including altitude and speed, were pre-approved in protocols and rehearsed extensively ahead of the public event, with strict safety limits enforced throughout the flypast. Airlink doubled down on its confidence in the maneuver in a social media post accompanied by viral footage of the stunt, tagging the post with three words: “Planning. Precision. Performance.”

    The polarizing reaction to the flypast has split public opinion. Critics have questioned the wisdom of conducting such a high-risk maneuver over a stadium filled with thousands of spectators, warning that even a small technical error or pilot mistake could have led to catastrophic consequences. Conversely, many South Africans have embraced the stunt as a display of national skill and pride, echoing the long-standing tradition of low-altitude flypasts ahead of major South African rugby matches.

    That tradition dates back to one of the most iconic moments in South African sports history: the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, also hosted against New Zealand in Johannesburg. That event, immortalized in the Clint Eastwood-directed Hollywood feature *Invictus*, carried profound national symbolism, marking a unifying moment for South Africa just years after the end of apartheid, when then-president Nelson Mandela – the country’s first Black head of state – wore the Springboks jersey, a symbol once closely tied to the apartheid regime, to celebrate the team’s victory.

    As debate over the 2026 stunt continues, the flypast has cemented its place as a beloved, if controversial, pre-ritual for the country’s biggest rugby matches, balancing national pride against ongoing questions about public safety.

  • Djokovic in tears during US Open first-round exit

    Djokovic in tears during US Open first-round exit

    For nearly two decades, Novak Djokovic has owned a perfect record at the opening round of the US Open. That unbroken streak came to a stunning and emotional end on the opening days of the 2026 tournament, where 39-year-old tennis legend dropped a five-set defeat to Argentina’s 25-year-old Mariano Navone, capping a match marked by visible physical struggle and uncharacteristic vulnerability.

    Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion and the tournament’s fourth seed, entered the match having never fallen in the opening round at Flushing Meadows, and had not lost a first-round Grand Slam match since 2002. Through the four-hour contest in New York’s oppressive humidity, the Serbian icon fought through severe physical distress, repeatedly feeling nauseous and vomiting into a court-side towel bin, before ultimately succumbing to a 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 defeat.

    The match unfolded with a promising start for Djokovic, who broke Navone’s first serve and jumped to an early 4-1 lead. But a grueling extended rally sapped his energy, and his physical struggles quickly derailed his momentum. By the end of the first set, he was bent over double between points, his serve and groundstroke speed dropped dramatically, and he called for a medical timeout to take medication to ease his symptoms. Navone, ranked world No. 49 and never advancing past the second round at the US Open, held his nerve to take the first set in a tiebreak.

    Cooler conditions under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof briefly revitalized Djokovic, who fought back to level the match at one set apiece and even claimed a break lead in the third set — a position the legendary competitor has almost always turned into a comeback win throughout his career. But this time, Djokovic could not close out the match. As his health deteriorated further, Navone kept pressing, and the contest slipped away from the 39-year-old in the final two sets, culminating in a lopsided 6-1 fifth set that left the capacity crowd at Ashe Stadium stunned and somber.

    It was in the final set that the emotion boiled over: Djokovic broke down in tears as the match slipped away, a raw display of disappointment few fans have seen from the notoriously tough competitor. After the final point, he mustered a smile to congratulate Navone on what will go down as one of the biggest upsets of his career, but could not hold back emotion as he walked back to the locker room, clearly distraught over the result.

    The defeat ends Djokovic’s bid for a 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would have given him the outright all-time record, breaking a tie with Margaret Court. The tournament had been viewed as a strong opportunity for Djokovic, with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner sidelined by injury and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returning from a long wrist layoff. This loss comes just two weeks after another shocking early exit to Argentine player Thiago Tirante at the Cincinnati Open, where Djokovic struggled in similar humid conditions.

    After the match, Djokovic opened up about a long-standing “serious” health issue that has plagued him for years in high heat and humidity, causing vomiting, cramping and widespread muscle pain that left his body unable to compete. “It’s something that I have been carrying pretty much every match this year — vomiting, throwing up,” he told reporters. “And then my whole body starts to collapse basically, cramping and pain — the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”

    The result has stoked long-simmering questions about Djokovic’s eventual retirement, questions the legend has repeatedly pushed back on. In a documentary released earlier this month, he insisted he has never placed an “expiry date” on his career, noting: “Why would I talk about retirement when I still keep proving to myself that I can still win?”

    Despite the historic first-round exit and his ongoing health struggles, Djokovic says retirement is not on his immediate agenda. His priority, he says, remains finding a solution to the undiagnosed health issue that has disrupted his 2026 season, leaving his legendary career hanging in a rare moment of uncertainty.

  • FIFA president Infantino ‘must go’, says ex-UEFA boss Platini

    FIFA president Infantino ‘must go’, says ex-UEFA boss Platini

    A major upheaval is roiling global football governance, as former UEFA president and French football icon Michel Platini has publicly demanded that current FIFA chief Gianni Infantino step down immediately in the wake of cascading scandals that have undermined the credibility of world football’s top governing body.

    Infantino, who previously served as Platini’s general secretary during the Frenchman’s tenure leading UEFA, has faced growing backlash in recent weeks. The 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator drew early fire for his scrapped proposal to open FIFA flagship events including the World Cup to private outside investment. Criticism has only intensified following the conclusion of the recent 2026 World Cup hosted in North America, where multiple procedural controversies sparked public outrage.

    Speaking in an interview with French broadcaster Canal+, Platini laid out his core accusation against Infantino: that as the official guardian of international football’s rules, the FIFA president has fundamentally failed to uphold those standards. “Economic affairs are one thing but Infantino has failed because he is the guarantor of the rules of the game and he didn’t respect them,” Platini stated.

    Platini called out multiple specific rule breaks from the recent World Cup. He criticized the extended four-minute hydration breaks introduced during matches, which host broadcasters repurposed for extra commercial advertising slots that have no basis in official competition rules. He also called out the overextended half-time show during the World Cup final, which stretched 15 minutes past the maximum allowed duration. Most damaging, Platini argued, was the reversal of a red card suspension for United States forward Folarin Balogun, which came immediately after a personal phone call from former U.S. President Donald Trump to Infantino.

    “The ad breaks are not in the rules, the 30-minute half-time break in the final is not in the rules, and the red card, that’s the worst,” Platini said. “He’s the guarantor (of the rules), he doesn’t respect them, he must go.”

    The call for Infantino’s resignation comes amid a coordinated push against his leadership from multiple continental football confederations. UEFA has already threatened to boycott all FIFA tournaments unless Infantino abandons his FIFA Forward Enterprises plan for private investment, and has formally leveled accusations of “criminal mismanagement” against him over the financing proposal. Top confederations from CONCACAF and Asian football have joined the pressure campaign, as Infantino prepares to stand for re-election to the FIFA presidency in March.

    Platini argued that institutional pressure alone will not be enough to force Infantino out of office. “It won’t be sporting institutions that sort this out and bring him down,” he said. “If UEFA wants to bring down Infantino, it will be through the courts.”

    The falling out between Platini and Infantino is rooted in a decade-long power struggle that reshaped global football. In 2015, Platini — who was widely expected to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president — was accused of fraud over an alleged illegal $2 million payment from Blatter. Though Platini was ultimately acquitted of all criminal charges in 2025, he was forced to step down from UEFA at the time, clearing the way for Infantino to win the FIFA presidency in 2016 elections.

    “I always knew that he loved money and power,” Platini said of his former protégé. “He didn’t bring me down, he benefitted from it. But now that there are lots of investigations into him all over the world, there is some noise about how he knew about certain things — let’s see what happens next.”

    Platini is currently pursuing legal action against Infantino alongside former FIFA officials Marco Villiger and Domenico Scala in French courts. The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for damages Platini claims he suffered from a coordinated conspiracy to block his 2015 FIFA presidential bid. He accuses the three men of criminal conspiracy, false accusations, influence peddling, and aiding and abetting corrupt activity.

  • ‘Return to play’: Sam Walker undergoes surgery as Roosters star races clock to play again this year

    ‘Return to play’: Sam Walker undergoes surgery as Roosters star races clock to play again this year

    The Sydney Roosters’ 2024 National Rugby League (NRL) premiership aspirations now hang in the balance, as the club confirms star halfback Sam Walker underwent successful surgery on a severe syndesmosis injury to his left foot this past Sunday – while leaving the door ajar for a potential comeback before the end of the current season. The injury unfolded during the team’s round 26 clash against the Dolphins, when Walker was brought down in a tackle by Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the 53rd minute of play. Clearly in severe pain, the playmaker was unable to leave the pitch under his own power, requiring assistance from training staff to exit the field, and the match ended in a costly defeat for the Roosters. In the wake of the injury and back-to-back poor results, the Roosters have dropped two places in the NRL ladder standings, sliding from first position to fourth over just two weeks. Even with the loss and Walker’s unexpected injury, however, the club has already secured a top-four finish in the regular season, a result that guarantees them a second chance via the semi-finals knockout structure in September. That safety net does little to soften the impact of Walker’s absence, though: the Roosters’ long-held title ambitions are overwhelmingly dependent on the young star recovering fast enough to be cleared for game action before the end of the 2024 campaign. In the immediate lead-up to the team’s upcoming match against South Sydney Rabbitohs, utility back Hugo Savala has shifted into the halfback position, a role he is widely expected to retain for the upcoming fixture. In an official public statement confirming the injury and procedure, the Sydney Roosters outlined the next steps for Walker’s recovery. “Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker sustained a syndesmosis injury during the club’s round 26 NRL match against the Dolphins,” the statement read. “Walker underwent surgery on Sunday and will work closely with the club’s medical and rehabilitation staff towards a return to play as his recovery allows.” Team representatives and Walker’s teammates are scheduled to address assembled media on Monday afternoon to deliver an additional, more detailed update on the playmaker’s recovery timeline and progress. The injury has sent immediate ripple effects through the NRL title race, with experts and fans now debating how Walker’s potential absence – or a limited, late return – could shift the dynamics of the upcoming finals series.