Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Wissa & Toure star as Jaissle wins first Newcastle friendly – ratings

    Wissa & Toure star as Jaissle wins first Newcastle friendly – ratings

    Newcastle United kicked off the Matthias Jaissle era with a hard-fought 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over La Liga side Valencia at Mestalla Stadium, with substitute forward Yoane Wissa stealing the show with two late goals.

    Valencia drew first blood in the encounter, as Filip Ugrinic curled a stunning effort past Newcastle’s keeper to put the hosts ahead. The game took a pivotal turn just before half-time when Valencia captain Jose Gaya was shown a red card for a dangerous late tackle on Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga, leaving the Spanish side down to 10 men for the remainder of the match. Elanga, who had been one of Newcastle’s most dangerous attacking players before the challenge, was stretchered off the pitch in visible discomfort. However, Newcastle’s medical team has since expressed optimism that the injury is not severe, confirming the winger only suffered a bruised shin.

    With a numerical advantage to exploit, Jaissle made key half-time substitutions that would turn the tide of the match. Wissa, who endured a difficult first season at St James’ Park, only notching three goals in all competitions, leveled the score with a cool, composed close-range finish after Valencia turned over possession. The DR Congo international, who earned confidence from his strong showing at the 2026 World Cup with his national side, then put Newcastle ahead, finishing calmly after fellow new signing Bazoumana Toure made an unselfish square pass across the penalty area to leave Wissa with an open goal.

    The match marked the competitive debut for two of Newcastle’s high-profile summer transfers: Aladji Bamba, who joined from Monaco for a fee that could rise to £34 million, and Toure, who arrived from Hoffenheim for £43 million. Bamba, who played the full 90 minutes, showed glimpses of quality, looking comfortable on the ball and constantly asking for possession, though he was guilty of a few careless passing errors on his first outing. Toure, meanwhile, was instrumental to both of Newcastle’s goals, pressing Valencia’s Guido Fernandes into the mistake that led to Wissa’s equalizer before setting up the winner, showcasing the pace and awareness that convinced Newcastle to spend big on the winger. 18-year-old academy prospect Sean Steur also turned heads on his senior outing, looking far more mature than his age would suggest, keeping possession cleanly and showing great desire to get on the ball to earn an 8/10 rating.

    Jacob Ramsey was the highest-performing outfield starter, notching an 8/10 after delivering a brilliant clipped through ball that would have given Elanga a goal if not for an offside flag, putting in an energetic display that constantly drove Newcastle forward. Several other young players also impressed: 19-year-old full-back Leo Shahar looked dangerous pushing down the right flank, while Malick Thiaw wore the captain’s armband on his 25th birthday in what many see as a sign of his key role in the club’s future under Jaissle. A few players struggled to make an impact, however: striker Nick Woltemade struggled to hold up play and influence the match in the number 10 role, earning just a 5/10 for his performance, while Sven Botman survived a scary moment where a defensive mix-up nearly saw him score an own goal, recovering well enough for a 6/6 rating.

    For Jaissle, the result marks a positive first step in his tenure at Newcastle, as the German head coach begins implementing his vision for the club after taking over this summer. While the win provides a boost of confidence heading into the rest of the pre-season schedule, Jaissle has already moved to play down expectations, emphasizing that the project to rebuild Newcastle is still in its early stages.

  • Infantino denies allegations of affair, favouritism while at UEFA: report

    Infantino denies allegations of affair, favouritism while at UEFA: report

    Global football’s top administrator is facing a new wave of controversy, just weeks after being forced to scrap a divisive private investment plan for the World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is currently campaigning for re-election next March, is now confronting explosive allegations of an improper affair and workplace favoritism stemming from his time as Secretary General of UEFA, European football’s governing body, between 2009 and 2016.

    According to a report published by British newspaper The Telegraph in late Friday, the Italian-Swiss football executive is accused of engaging in an intimate relationship with a female UEFA employee during his tenure. The outlet, which did not name its sources for the story, further claims that Infantino abused his position at the organization to secure a promotion for the woman. The report also alleges that upon her departure from UEFA at an unspecified date, the employee received a six-figure severance payout, in addition to coverage of roughly £45,000 (equivalent to $60,700) in tuition fees for a graduate business program.

    Infantino, who has been married to his spouse since 2001, has issued a full and categorical rejection of all claims made in the report. A FIFA spokesperson told The Telegraph that the allegations are “categorically untrue”, adding that any suggestion of inappropriate conduct or violation of organizational regulations amounts to defamation. The statement further noted that no formal complaint regarding Infantino’s behavior has ever been filed by any staff member at either UEFA or FIFA, because no such improper incident ever occurred.

    When reached for comment by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Saturday, UEFA confirmed that a departure payment and MBA tuition coverage were indeed provided to the individual in question during Infantino’s tenure. However, the European governing body emphasized that both payments were fully compliant with the staff departure regulations in place at that time, noting that these rules have been tightened significantly since 2016. As of Saturday afternoon, AFP had not received a response from a FIFA spokesperson to its request for additional comment.

    This latest scandal comes amid an ongoing crisis for Infantino, which began when he introduced a controversial plan to open FIFA World Cup tournaments to outside private investment late last month. The proposal drew fierce pushback from multiple global football stakeholders, with UEFA emerging as one of its most outspoken opponents. Even after Infantino was forced to shelve the plan earlier this week, UEFA maintained its hardline stance, confirming Thursday that its threat of a future World Cup boycott remains in place, as the withdrawal of the proposal alone was not enough to address its concerns.

  • Messi’s father Jorge dies aged 68 after illness

    Messi’s father Jorge dies aged 68 after illness

    The global football community is in mourning following the passing of Jorge Messi, the father, foundational mentor and long-time agent of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, at 68 after a prolonged battle with illness. He died in the early hours of Saturday at a hospital in his native Rosario, Argentina, the city where the Messi story first began.

    Speculation over Jorge’s health had circulated widely during this summer’s World Cup, prompting the Messi family to release a statement confirming he was managing an undisclosed private health issue, without sharing further details of his condition at the time. This was not the first time unfounded rumors of his death spread: earlier this year, an Argentine television presenter falsely announced Jorge’s passing during Argentina’s opening World Cup match, leading to the presenter’s resignation and a sharp rebuke from the family, who condemned the irresponsible violation of their privacy.

    Jorge Messi’s legacy is inextricably tied to the rise of Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest men’s footballer to ever step onto the pitch. He began serving as his son’s agent when Lionel was just 14 years old, guiding every major step of his career from a prodigious child prospect to a global icon. He was present in Qatar in 2022 to witness the crowning achievement of Lionel’s career, as Argentina lifted their third World Cup trophy, fulfilling a decades-long dream for both father and son.

    Jorge, a lifelong supporter of Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys, first brought 7-year-old Lionel into the club’s youth academy, laying the groundwork for his extraordinary career. When Lionel was scouted and signed by FC Barcelona at age 13, the family relocated to Spain in 2001. While Messi’s mother and three siblings later returned to Rosario, Jorge remained in Barcelona to support his son through the early, formative years of his professional career.

    Tributes have poured in from across the global football community following the announcement of his passing. Newell’s Old Boys, the club that Jorge supported his entire life, honored his foundational role in a post on X, writing: “Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini. His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas [youth academy] to the pinnacle of world football glory. Thank you for teaching him to love these colours.” The club also extended its condolences to the entire Messi family during their period of grief.

    FC Barcelona, the club where Lionel spent the first 21 years of his professional career winning four Champions League titles and 10 La Liga crowns, thanked Jorge for his trust and contribution to the club’s most successful era: “for his commitment to our club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career.”

    The Argentine Football Association also released a statement mourning his loss, saying it “deeply mourns with sadness and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and emblem, Lionel Messi. From here, we stand in solidarity with the entire family during this difficult time and send the most heartfelt, warm and affectionate embrace.”

    Lionel Messi, currently 39, plays professionally for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. He has not yet released a public statement following his father’s passing as of the publication of this report.

  • Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father and longtime agent, dies at 68

    Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father and longtime agent, dies at 68

    In a sad announcement that has rippled through the global soccer community, Jorge Messi, the father, first mentor, and long-time professional manager of Argentina captain and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68 at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, on Saturday.

    The death was first confirmed via a social media statement from Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys, the Rosario-based soccer club where Jorge Messi once rose through the youth ranks. The club shared that Jorge had been receiving ongoing treatment for an undisclosed health condition over the past several months, and remembered him as “the pillar and the person who, with vision, rigor and affection, supported the career of the best player of all time, alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.”

    Shortly after the confirmation, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) released an official statement extending its sincere condolences “with respect and affection for Lionel” and the entire Messi family.

    Though the public only learned of Jorge’s passing Saturday, his health struggles first became public knowledge during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when Lionel Messi gave an uncharacteristically emotional post-match interview after scoring against Algeria in Argentina’s opening group stage match. At the time, the star said his tears were prompted by “a reason unrelated to sports,” adding that he had just navigated “some difficult, complicated days” and thanked his national team teammates for supporting him through the crisis. Unfounded and invasive media speculation about Jorge’s health in the wake of that interview drew sharp condemnation from the Messi family, which released a statement days later confirming Jorge was dealing with a health issue but rejecting intrusive reporting. The statement pushed back against the “lack of sensitivity, respect and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family matter,” noting that “a person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media interest.”

    Beyond being the father of one of the greatest athletes in history, Jorge Messi built his own working-class background before devoting much of his adult life to nurturing his son’s unprecedented career. A trained chemical technician who worked for years as a steelworker, Jorge was a skilled youth soccer midfielder who earned a spot in Newell’s Old Boys’ youth system, only to be forced to abandon his own playing aspirations to complete mandatory military service in Argentina.

    That unfulfilled soccer dream turned into a legacy of supporting his third son, Lionel. From Lionel’s earliest youth matches in Rosario to his global stardom, Jorge served as his son’s agent and primary advisor, managing all of his professional contracts, business affairs, image rights, and diverse business investments spanning real estate, hospitality, and restaurants. Most famously, Jorge was the one who traveled with a 13-year-old Lionel to Barcelona in the early 2000s for the trial that earned the young prospect a spot at La Masia, FC Barcelona’s legendary youth academy, launching the career that would redefine modern soccer. Lionel would go on to make his professional debut in 2005, claim a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, and lead Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title.

    In a 2007 interview with Radio del Plata, Lionel Messi opened up about the quiet sacrifice his father made during their earliest, hardest days in Barcelona. “My dad was always by my side,” he recalled. “Sometimes I would lock myself in my room to cry when we arrived in Barcelona, or my dad would do the same without me seeing him, or thinking I didn’t see him. We pretended we were both OK, but we weren’t. My dad even asked me what I wanted to do when we were feeling down, if I wanted to stay or go back, and I wanted to stay, and he stayed with me.”

    The pair also faced professional controversy together: in 2016, both were convicted of tax evasion by a Spanish court. They avoided prison time, as the sentenced term was less than two years, a requirement for suspended sentences under Spanish law at the time.

  • Lionel Messi’s father Jorge dies aged 68

    Lionel Messi’s father Jorge dies aged 68

    Jorge Messi, the father, first coach and long-time professional agent of global football icon Lionel Messi, has passed away at the age of 68, according to an official announcement from Newell’s Old Boys, the Argentine club where Lionel Messi launched his childhood football career. The confirmation was made public by the club on Saturday.

    Local Argentine media outlets have reported that Jorge Messi died on Friday at a hospital in Rosario, the central Argentine city where the Messi family has deep roots. The 68-year-old had been facing publicized health struggles in recent months, during which the Messi family made a public plea for media privacy and empathy amid widespread speculation over his condition.

    In a heartfelt social media statement shared Saturday, Newell’s Old Boys paid tribute to Jorge Messi’s foundational role in his son’s unprecedented career, noting: “His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel.”

    The story of Jorge Messi is inextricably tied to Lionel’s rise from a young prospect in Rosario to one of the greatest footballers in history. He served as Lionel’s first coach when the future star began playing the sport at the grassroots level in Argentina, and was the only person to accompany the 13-year-old Lionel when he moved across the Atlantic to join FC Barcelona’s youth academy, a move that set the stage for his legendary career. Later, he stepped into the role of Lionel’s official agent, managing the off-pitch business and logistics that allowed the footballer to focus on his performance on the pitch.

    Looking back on his father’s influence in a 2022 interview with DirecTV Sports, Lionel Messi publicly acknowledged the outsized impact Jorge had on his career and personal growth, saying: “My father helped me enormously. He is very critical of me. That made me always want to push myself further.”

    The news of Jorge’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the global football community in the hours following the announcement, with fans, fellow players and football institutions extending their condolences to the Messi family.

  • Australia survives red card and Japan rally for a 35-32 win in Les Kiss debut

    Australia survives red card and Japan rally for a 35-32 win in Les Kiss debut

    In a gripping, physically demanding test match in Osaka on Saturday, Australia’s national rugby union team, the Wallabies, secured a nail-biting 35-32 victory over Japan, delivering a winning start for newly appointed head coach Les Kiss. The result was far from straightforward, however: Australia was reduced to 14 players before halftime after lock Miles Amatosero received a red card, forcing the side to fight through extra pressure, sweltering conditions and a late Japanese fightback to claim the win.

    Kiss stepped into the Wallabies’ top coaching role last month, taking over from Joe Schmidt after a mixed opening phase of the Nations Championship, where Australia finished with a 1-2 record – picking up a victory over Italy following back-to-back losses to Ireland and France. For the opening match of this two-test series against Japan, Kiss made several notable selection calls: he named just one uncapped player, center Isaac Henry, recalled experienced Queensland Reds forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and opted to leave veteran prop James Slipper out of the matchday squad.

    Throughout the 80 minutes, temperatures at the Osaka venue hovered near 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), adding an extra layer of fatigue for both sides. The game’s turning point came in the 32nd minute, when Amatosero was penalized for a dangerous cleanout on Japan captain Warner Dearns. Referees initially issued a yellow card, but upgraded the sanction to a red following a bunker review just before halftime, with the two sides locked at 14-all at the break.

    Down a player for the entire second half, Australia still managed to stretch its lead early after the break, with tries from Max Jorgensen and Fraser McReight pushing the Wallabies’ advantage to nine points. But Japan fought back methodically, cutting the deficit with two well-taken penalties from fly-half Takuro Matsunaga.

    The difference in the final 20 minutes proved to be Australia’s depth off the bench, as the Wallabies’ replacements maintained intense pressure on the Japanese defense. With 10 minutes remaining, prop Taniela Tupou crashed over the try line to extend Australia’s lead back to 10 points, appearing to put the game out of reach.

    Japan, however, had one final push left. Dearns, the host nation’s captain who was on the receiving end of Amatosero’s controversial foul earlier in the match, crossed for a late try to cut the gap back to just three points. Despite the frantic final minutes, Australia held firm to defend its narrow lead and close out the win.

    Saturday’s match also pitted Kiss against Japan head coach Eddie Jones, a former Wallabies coach who is currently serving his second stint in charge of the Japanese national side. The two teams will meet again next weekend in the second test of the series.

  • Vollering wins Stage 8 to take overall lead at Women’s Tour de France from Niewiadoma-Phinney

    Vollering wins Stage 8 to take overall lead at Women’s Tour de France from Niewiadoma-Phinney

    NICE, France – The 2024 Women’s Tour de France delivered another chapter of high-stakes cycling drama on Saturday, as Dutch star Demi Vollering pulled off a spectacular late-stage attack to claim victory on the eighth leg and wrestle the overall race lead away from Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney heading into Sunday’s decisive final stage. The 2023 race champion left her closest title rivals in her wake on the day’s final categorized climb, surging clear with six kilometers remaining to secure a result she had visualized only hours before the start of the race.

    The 172-kilometer route from Sisteron to the Mediterranean coastal city of Nice was designed on paper to favor sprinters, with mostly flat terrain broken up by just four short, low-elevation climbs. That rolling profile added an element of uncertainty, however, as general classification contenders sought to conserve energy for the final day’s challenging course, opening the door for early breakaways. Early in the stage, French rider Maeva Squiban and Dutch competitor Loes Adegeest managed to pull away from the peloton and build a significant gap, holding off the main chase group for most of the day.

    The breakaway bid hit trouble when Squiban crashed on a downhill turn, sliding off her bike and landing hard on her left side. The incident left her with cuts and scrapes, and she screamed in pain as a motorbike medic patched up her arm while she continued riding. Despite the injury, Squiban pushed on to finish the stage, while Adegeest was reeled back in by the peloton with less than nine kilometers left to race.

    In the wake of the catch, the stage’s climax unfolded on the day’s final climb, when Vollering made her decisive move. The Dutchwoman upped her pace, putting pressure on Niewiadoma-Phinney – who had claimed the yellow jersey just one day prior with a stunning solo victory up Mont Ventoux – who eventually cracked under the intensity. Once Vollering surged clear, neither Niewiadoma-Phinney nor Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini, a former Giro d’Italia winner, could close the gap as the leader rode the iconic Promenade des Anglais to the finish line.

    Crossing the line, Vollering raised her arms in triumph before collapsing on the ground, gasping for breath to recover from her all-out effort. Speaking to reporters after the stage, she opened up about the mental and physical toll of her victory, revealing she had predicted the turnaround that morning. “It’s funny but only this morning I saw myself taking the yellow jersey,” Vollering said. “I thought it might come true, that maybe that’s the way things should be. During the day, I tried to remind myself I could do it.” She added, “I was in so much pain, I can hardly describe it, but I made it happen. This goes to prove that if you really believe in something, if you dream big, it doesn’t matter how much risk you take or how much pain you have to go through.”

    Longo Borghini crossed the finish line second, with Niewiadoma-Phinney taking third, both riders 17 seconds behind the stage winner. The result gives Vollering an 8-second overall lead over Niewiadoma-Phinney heading into the final stage, and also cements a historic milestone for the Dutch star: she has now won all three of women’s cycling Grand Tours in the same calendar year, taking the Giro d’Italia earlier in 2024 to complete the rare treble.

    Saturday’s stage was not without off-the-road news, as defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt withdrew from the race shortly before the start after reporting feeling unwell. The French rider, who is also the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist in mountain biking, pulled out following consultation with medical staff from her Visma-Lease a Bike team, who announced the decision on social media platform X. Ferrand-Prévôt made headlines last year when she won the Women’s Tour de France on her debut, but struggled through the 2024 edition and sat 14th overall before her withdrawal.

    All eyes now turn to Sunday’s ninth and final stage, which will see riders tackle four testing climbs up Col d’Èze, a hilltop route that overlooks the tiny Principality of Monaco. The parcours sets up a tense showdown for the overall title, with a history that adds extra drama: two years ago, Niewiadoma-Phinney beat Vollering on a final-day mountain stage to claim the overall victory by a razor-thin 4-second margin. Vollering is well aware of the stakes ahead of the decisive leg. “Tomorrow’s course is going to be super hard,” she said. “We know it from the beginning of the Tour.”

  • Arsenal sign Brazil midfielder Guimaraes from Newcastle

    Arsenal sign Brazil midfielder Guimaraes from Newcastle

    In a high-profile transfer move that shakes up the Premier League landscape, reigning English top-flight champions Arsenal have finalized the acquisition of Brazilian midfielder and Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, both clubs confirmed in official statements released on Saturday. Reports peg the transfer value at £75 million, equal to roughly $101.2 million.

    After four and a half seasons with the Magpies, the 28-year-old Brazil international has put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Gunners, who ended a 20-year trophy drought to claim the Premier League title last season. Guimaraes marks Arsenal’s most high-profile incoming transfer of this summer transfer window, joining already completed signings goalkeeper Illan Meslier and winger Christos Tzolis at the Emirates Stadium.

    Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta emphasized the transformative impact of Guimaraes’ arrival, noting that the addition further solidifies the club’s midfield core. “As we have all seen, Bruno can operate both as a holding midfielder and a dynamic box-to-box option. He blends technical quality with relentless work rate, and has contributed consistent goals and assists for his side every season across his career,” Berta explained. “Bruno will give Mikel [Arteta] greater flexibility to evolve our playing system, while also boosting healthy internal competition – a key factor if we want to maintain the high standards needed to compete for major honours.”

    While the full transfer fee remains officially undisclosed by both clubs, Newcastle confirmed that the deal ranks among the top 10 highest transfer fees ever received for a player aged 28 or older. This is not the first time Arsenal have been linked to Guimaraes: the club was in the running to sign him back in January 2022, before he ultimately left French side Lyon to join Newcastle.

    Across his tenure on Tyneside, Guimaraes made 195 appearances for Newcastle and found the back of the net 31 times. Playing under former manager Eddie Howe, he was a central figure in the club’s 2023 League Cup triumph, which ended a 54-year wait for a major silverware for the St James’ Park side.

    Reflecting on his departure, Guimaraes called the choice to leave one of the hardest decisions of his career. “When I first arrived at the club, we were in a really difficult position, and I am incredibly proud of everything we built and achieved together,” he said in Newcastle’s official statement. “I fell in love with this place, and I truly mean that.”

    Guimaraes’ departure comes just one week after Howe stepped down from his role as Newcastle manager, with the club already appointing German coach Matthias Jaissle as his replacement. The Brazilian, who represented his nation at the most recent FIFA World Cup, will now compete for a starting spot in Arsenal’s midfield alongside established names including Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino, as well as young prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly.

    The new Premier League season is fast approaching, with Arsenal set to kick off their campaign against last season’s second-place side Manchester City in the FA Community Shield next Sunday. Five days after that showpiece, they will get their title defense underway against newly promoted Coventry City. Newcastle, meanwhile, will open their 2025-26 campaign at home to Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 23.

  • Arsenal lands Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle ahead of Premier League title defense

    Arsenal lands Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle ahead of Premier League title defense

    In a high-profile transfer deal that shook up the Premier League on Saturday, defending champion Arsenal announced it has finalized the acquisition of star Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United, for a reported transfer fee of £75 million (equivalent to $101 million). The 28-year-old has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the north London side, officially completing his move to the Emirates Stadium.

    Speaking after the announcement, Guimarães expressed unbridled excitement about his new chapter, noting he is at a stage in his career where he is hungry for a new challenge. “I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I’m in the right place to do it,” the midfielder said, adding that he enters the move at his physical peak, with ambitions to cement his legacy at the club. “It’s massive what I have done so far, but I want more. I want to win for Arsenal. Someday, when I leave, I want players to come here and say I want to do exactly what Bruno did for the club.”

    The transfer comes even as Newcastle resisted efforts to offload their club captain. Guimarães had made clear to the Magpies that he intended to pursue a move, forcing the hand of the northeast club. Since joining Newcastle from France’s Ligue 1 side Lyon in January 2022, Guimarães quickly emerged as the team’s talismanic figure and one of the most impactful central midfielders across the entire Premier League. During his tenure at St James’ Park, he led the club to its first major domestic silverware in 70 years — the 2025 English League Cup — and was instrumental in helping the side qualify for the UEFA Champions League on two separate occasions.

    In an emotional statement posted to Newcastle’s official website, Guimarães called the choice to leave one of the hardest decisions of his career. “When I arrived, the club was in a challenging position and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together. I fell in love with this place. I really mean that,” he said. “This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me, but I wanted to experience something new in my life. I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family. I had a very positive conversation with Matthias Jaissle, and I leave knowing the club is in very good hands.”

    Guimarães’ exit marks the third high-profile departure for Newcastle this transfer window, following fellow star players Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali out of the club. The regime change at the top also preceded the transfer: long-serving head coach Eddie Howe stepped down at the end of last month after nearly five years in charge, and was replaced by former RB Salzburg manager Matthias Jaissle.

    Now, Guimarães will join an already formidable Arsenal midfield anchored by England international Declan Rice, as Mikel Arteta’s side look to defend their Premier League title and chase further domestic and European honors. On the international stage, the Brazilian brings a wealth of experience, having earned 48 caps for the Brazil national team including appearances at the most recent FIFA World Cup, and won a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

    Ahead of his first appearance for the Gunners, Guimarães confirmed he will continue his longstanding tradition of wearing the number 39 shirt, a tribute to his father. The number holds deep personal meaning: it is the dispatch number for his father’s taxi in Rio de Janeiro, where his father worked for more than 20 years to support the family. “The taxi, of course, gave me everything for my family, the place we live, the food, my clothes, everything,” Guimarães explained. “When I got the chance to sign to a top club in Brazil, I asked my father which number I should take and he said 39. I was upset a little bit because I wanted to take the 97. He said: ‘No, no, take the 39. The 39 gave you everything.’ I even have a tattoo of the number 39 to honor this legacy,” he added.

  • Melbourne produce stunning late comeback to shatter Fremantle in MCG classic

    Melbourne produce stunning late comeback to shatter Fremantle in MCG classic

    In a high-scoring, edge-of-your-seat Australian Football League clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, home side Melbourne pulled off a stunning late comeback to defeat ladder-leading Fremantle by four points, leaving major question marks hanging over the Dockers’ ability to claim a maiden premiership title in September. The match lived up to every bit of its pre-game hype, ending as a 34-goal shootout that kept a sellout crowd of more than 40,000 fans on their feet until the final siren.

    Fremantle entered the encounter as favorites, having only played one prior match at the MCG this season – a 43-point blowout of bottom-placed Essendon in Round 10. The Dockers got off to a blistering start, leading by 15 points as late as the middle of the final quarter, thanks to a dominant performance from their elite tall forward group. The trio of Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy and Patrick Voss combined for 11 goals on the day, with Voss notching four before halftime, including a candidate for goal of the year that came just before the main break. The star forward picked up possession 65 meters out from goal, spotted an open goalsquare, and slotted it home to swing all momentum firmly in Fremantle’s favor heading into the second half.

    However, the result would ultimately be shaped by a controversial pre-game call from Fremantle head coach Justin Longmuir, who opted to rest star captain and starting key defender Alex Pearce for the cross-country trip. It was Pearce’s third missed match of the season, with Longmuir justifying the decision by pointing to Pearce’s long history of injury issues, even as he conceded post-match that the absence likely cost the Dockers the win. With Pearce sidelined, Fremantle’s remaining backline defenders failed to contain Melbourne’s attacking pressure, conceding 65 first-half points – the most the Dockers had allowed in a single half all season. By the final siren, Melbourne notched 113 points, the highest score any side has put up against Fremantle in the entire 2024 campaign.

    Melbourne, who entered Saturday with 10 wins from 10 previous home games at the MCG this season (their only prior loss a 20-point defeat to Geelong in Round 20), found another gear in the final 15 minutes of play. Timely goals from Harrison Petty and Bailey Fritsch, followed by a crafty soccer-style finish from Harry Sharp, turned a 15-point deficit into a four-point victory that will go down as one of the most memorable wins of Melbourne’s season. Petty turned in one of his best performances of the year, finishing with three goals and nearly adding a fourth from point-blank range.

    The result has thrown renewed scrutiny on Fremantle’s ability to win high-stakes matches at the MCG, which would be required for the club to win its first ever premiership should it advance to the September decider. Longmuir acknowledged post-match that his side lacked the necessary composure in the tight final stretch, noting that the club had not faced a high-pressure away situation like this in 12 weeks. “We haven’t been in that situation much over the last 12 weeks so we’ll learn a lot out of that,” Longmuir told reporters. He added, “We’ve obviously been practicing those situations, but it’s different, you’re away from home, then the opposition crowd gets into it, the scoreboard is real.” Despite the loss, Fremantle remains almost mathematically guaranteed to claim the 2024 minor premiership, and will close out the home-and-away season with matches against top-10 sides Adelaide and Carlton before hosting their first home qualifying final since 2015.

    For Melbourne, the comeback win has injected massive belief into the club’s premiership push, with acting head coach Steven King jokingly coined the side’s late-game surge “demon time” – a playful nod to the club’s “Demons” nickname. King called the win the biggest of his coaching career so far, noting that the statement victory over the league’s top side was a critical step for his group. “We needed to signify to our opposition that ‘yeah we’re here’,” King said. “We’re not just shooting to play a final, we want to make it count and we’ve got as much right as every other team in the competition to have a crack at this. Not saying the players didn’t believe beforehand, but it just builds more belief the way the game was played, especially here where grand finals are played against Fremantle, they’re the best team in it, make no mistake about it.”

    The opening half of the match was so high-octane that former West Coast head coach Adam Simpson called it “the best half we’ve seen this year” during his commentary for SEN radio, with 21 of the match’s 34 total goals scored before halftime.