标签： South America

On a Saturday evening Serie A clash against Chapecoense, Brazilian football side Coritiba stepped onto the pitch with a powerful, unexpected twist to their matchday kits. Ditching their standard front-of-shirt sponsor branding, the entire starting lineup and squad wore jerseys emblazoned with the name of Jonny Butcher, a 29-year-old English fan living with motor neurone disease (MND), in a moving gesture to raise global awareness of the incurable neurodegenerative condition.

Butcher’s connection to the Curitiba-based club is a story of love and coincidence rooted in personal history. A lifelong supporter of England’s Norwich City, he first crossed paths with Ana Clara, a Coritiba supporter and native of the club’s home city, on a Christian dating app back in March 2023. Just a few months after their first meeting, Butcher traveled to Brazil to visit Clara, and quickly fell in love with both the city and its beloved football club. By a striking twist of fate, Norwich City and Coritiba had already established an official strategic partnership back in 2022, making Butcher’s decision to embrace the Brazilian side feel like fate.

The couple married in 2024, but their new life together was upended when Butcher received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — the most common form of MND — this past February. MND is a progressive, incurable disorder that attacks the nervous system, gradually breaking down motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, the condition causes muscle weakness, atrophy, and eventual loss of function, leaving patients with declining mobility and often severe breathing challenges.

After his diagnosis, Butcher compiled a bucket list of meaningful experiences he hoped to enjoy while he still retains his physical capacity. At the top of that list was attending a Coritiba match at the club’s iconic Couto Pereira stadium alongside his brother-in-law. Unfortunately, advancing symptoms, including mobility loss and breathing difficulties, have made that trip impossible. But when Coritiba’s leadership learned of Butcher’s story and his unfulfilled dream, they moved quickly to honor him in a way that would bring him and his wife joy from across the Atlantic.

Beyond printing Butcher’s name across the front of every match jersey, Coritiba added a heartfelt message of solidarity: “Your strength inspires us. We stand as one.” The kit design also integrated a sunflower, the globally recognized symbol of awareness for non-visible disabilities, to further amplify the message of MND advocacy. After the playing of Brazil’s national anthem ahead of kickoff, the entire squad gathered for a group photo holding a large banner signed by hundreds of Coritiba fans, players, and club staff that also bore Butcher’s name.

Watching the tribute unfold from their home in England, Ana Clara told BBC Sport that the moment left the couple completely overwhelmed. “To see Jonny’s name inside Couto Pereira, surrounded by thousands of people who had never even met him but chose to stand behind him, was incredibly emotional,” she said. “We sat there watching it all from England, completely overwhelmed and honestly struggling to believe that this was really happening.”

After the match, Coritiba announced that the special game-worn jerseys would be put to use beyond the tribute: some will be shipped directly to Butcher and his family, while others will go to a charitable institution that supports people living with MND and other rare diseases.

Ana Clara shared that her husband was deeply moved by the gesture, saying: “Last night Jonny said he wishes he could shake every hand and tell each person individually what this meant to him. We may never be able to properly express our gratitude, but we hope they know that this is something we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. Even in the hardest chapter of our lives, there is still so much love and kindness in the world. This will forever be a part of our story.”

Founded in 1909, Coritiba is one of Brazil’s most decorated traditional clubs, claiming the country’s top-flight national title in 1985 and winning a record 39 Paranaense State championships throughout its history.

MIAMI — In a dramatic late turn of events in Saturday night’s Leagues Cup group stage clash, Diego Rossi netted the game-deciding goal in the final minute of regulation to deliver Monterrey a hard-fought 2-1 victory over an Inter Miami side forced to compete without global superstar Lionel Messi.

Messi, the 36-year-old Argentine icon, departed for his home country earlier the same day following the passing of his father and long-time agent Jorge Messi at age 68. As of the post-match report, no official timeline has been confirmed for his return to the Major League Soccer club.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had recently wrapped a two-week hiatus after leading Argentina to a runner-up finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He made his first comeback appearance off the bench in Inter Miami’s August 1 MLS fixture, which ended in a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew. Just three days before Saturday’s match, Messi put on a vintage performance in Miami’s opening Leagues Cup group game, notching two goals and one assist to secure a 4-2 win over Atletico San Luis.

The first half of Saturday’s match saw Inter Miami draw first blood in the 32nd minute, when Rodrigo De Paul fired a 25-yard strike that curved into the left side of the net past the Monterrey goalkeeper. In a show of solidarity with his grieving club and country teammate, De Paul pulled off his own number 7 jersey to reveal Messi’s iconic number 10 underneath the kit. The celebration resulted in a yellow card per competition rules, but the gesture quickly drew widespread support from fans across the globe.

Monterrey, which trailed 1-0 going into the halftime break, turned the tide in the second half. It only took two minutes after the restart for Hugo Cuypers to slot home the equalizer. The Belgian striker, who earned 2026 MLS All-Star honors and notched 13 goals in 11 appearances for the Chicago Fire before transferring to Monterrey on July 23, brought his side level to set up the final showdown.

Rossi, who was acquired by Monterrey from Columbus Crew on July 3, sealed the three points with his stoppage-time winner. The 2022 MLS Golden Boot winner, who previously helped Columbus claim the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup titles, capped off Monterrey’s second-half comeback with the decisive late strike.

An early injury disrupted Monterrey’s game plan in the first half: defender Carlos Salcedo was forced to exit the match in the 15th minute, with Jorge Rodríguez stepping in as his replacement.

With one group stage match remaining for both sides, both clubs currently hold an even 1-1-0 record with three points apiece. For Inter Miami, the defending 2023 Leagues Cup champions and 2024 tournament finalists, their path to the knockout round has grown significantly narrower after Saturday’s loss. Both teams will wrap up their group phase action next Wednesday: Inter Miami will play host to León at their home stadium, while Monterrey will travel to face Nashville SC.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The South African Springboks secured a hard-fought 17-10 test rugby victory over Argentina’s Pumas on Saturday, but the win came with a major potential setback: inspirational captain Siya Kolisi was forced off the pitch with a recurring hamstring injury, putting his participation in the upcoming high-stakes series against New Zealand in doubt.

Kolisi’s early exit in the 25th minute marked just his first match action in seven weeks, after he had spent time on the sidelines recovering from a previous hamstring issue. Speaking after the match, the captain acknowledged the disappointing setback, saying, “I hurt my hamstring again unfortunately. It’s tough but I can’t be sad about it. There’s nothing I can do but go in for a scan and see how long I’m out for.” The injury leaves his availability for the opening test of the blockbuster “Greatest Rivalry” series against the All Blacks, scheduled for two weeks from now on South African soil, uncertain.

The Buenos Aires test was structured as a tune-up fixture for the Springboks ahead of the All Blacks series, and head coach Rassie Erasmus deliberately reshuffled his squad, making 13 changes from the side that swept Wales 43-0 in their last outing. The starting line-up centered on giving match time to star players recovering from long-term injuries, who had missed the July Nations Championship due to their recovery processes. Alongside Kolisi, Springboks cap record holder Eben Etzebeth played the full 80 minutes, rising star flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also went the distance, and lock Lood de Jager, returning from a hip injury, played through the third quarter of the match.

Stripped of their top Europe-based players including captain Julián Montoya, Marcos Kremer and Joaquín Oviedo because the fixture fell outside the official international rugby window, the depleted Pumas fielded four debutant forwards and put on a far more competitive performance than most observers predicted. The underdog side came agonizingly close to snatching a last-gasp draw after the final fulltime hooter had sounded. Awarded a tap penalty just in front of the South African posts, the Pumas built a 15-phase attack that ended with a high pass to an unmarked Matías Moroni, who dropped the ball. A devastated Moroni left the field in tears, while Pumas head coach Felipe Contepomi reacted by slamming his boot in frustration at the missed opportunity.

The opening 20 minutes of the match saw both sides trade penalty goals: Santiago Carreras slotted a long-range effort from 45 meters out for the Pumas, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu responded with one of his own for the Springboks. Argentina broke the deadlock shortly after, when prop Boris Wenger held off multiple defenders to offload a pass to flanker Benjamín Grondona, who broke clear to score the opening try.

For the remaining 30 minutes before halftime, South Africa pinned Argentina deep in their own half. The Pumas held firm, however, with solid set-piece play and intelligent kicking that let them win the battle for aerial territory, though they repeatedly failed to convert pressure into points with a decisive final pass. The Springboks, for their part, struggled to break through Argentina’s well-organized defense, with frustration boiling over when Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s drop goal attempt ricocheted off the crossbar.

South Africa finally broke through to score their first try on the brink of halftime. A sequence of offloads from the Springbok centers, followed by a well-timed line run from fullback Aphelele Fassi, created space for right winger Edwill van der Merwe to round the Pumas defense and touch down, putting South Africa ahead 10-7 at the break.

Erasmus emptied his substitutes bench in the third quarter to inject fresh energy, and the impact of the Springbok reserves quickly showed. The more rested South African pack dominated the scrums, putting consistent pressure on the Pumas. That pressure told in the 63rd minute, when Canan Moodie trapped Pumas fullback Gerónimo Prisciantelli to force a five-meter scrum for South Africa. The Springboks splintered the Pumas scrum on the tighthead side, allowing No. 8 Cameron Hanekom to cross untouched for the match-winning try.

South Africa’s defense held firm through the final minutes to secure the result, extending the team’s winning streak to 12 consecutive test matches. While the result was a positive outcome heading into the All Blacks series, the entire build-up to the blockbuster rivalry clash will now be overshadowed by the uncertainty over Kolisi’s fitness as the team waits for scan results to confirm the severity of his hamstring injury.

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.

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.

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.

The embattled leader of soccer’s global governing body, FIFA, is now under intense public scrutiny after the BBC openly questioned the continued support for Gianni Infantino’s presidency. The controversy ignited after Infantino’s controversial plan to sell private stakes in the World Cup collapsed at the eleventh hour, triggering a wave of demands from across the global soccer community that he resign from his post.

What was supposed to be a behind-the-scenes deal to offload private shares of soccer’s most lucrative tournament was derailed, bringing the questionable proposal into the public spotlight. The failed initiative has thrown the leadership of FIFA back into crisis, with critics arguing that the scheme raises serious questions about governance and transparency within the organization. Multiple high-profile voices and soccer stakeholders have now joined the chorus calling for Infantino to step down, turning what began as an internal deal gone wrong into a major leadership challenge for the head of world football.