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Barcelona sporting director Deco has delivered a powerful challenge to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, declaring that the path to becoming the world’s best lies entirely in his own hands. With sky-high expectations at both club and international level, the 17-year-old Spain international is being tipped for greatness by those inside Camp Nou.

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Deco says Yamal’s greatness depends entirely on himselfBarcelona starlet ended season with 18 goals, 21 assists17-year-old tipped for greatness by club and countryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Deco addressed Yamal’s rapid rise and potential, calling him a “phenomenon” while making it clear the forward’s future depends on his mindset and own ethic, which has come under question from fans over the summer. The 17-year-old has become a key starter for both Barcelona and Spain, with Deco urging him to keep striving for the top.

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Speaking to Marca, Deco said: “Lamine Yamal is a phenomenon. Being the best in the world depends on him.

“He’ll be at Barca for the next few years, competing at the highest level, in the Champions League, in La Liga, competing with Real Madrid and the big clubs.

“I also say this for the Spain national team, which will shine in tournaments because it’s very strong.

“He grew up in the neighbourhoods of Mataro, and that’s helped him to become so mature now. He understands he has a responsibility as a player.”

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Yamal was instrumental in Barcelona’s domestic treble-winning campaign under Hansi Flick, finishing the 2024/25 season with 18 goals and 21 assists. His explosive form has made him a Ballon d'Or contender and a cornerstone for both Barcelona and Spain ahead of a packed 2025/26 calendar that will end for the 17-year-old with La Roja's World Cup campaign in the United States.

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The 17-year-old superstar will lead Barcelona’s frontline again next season alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha as they aim to defend their domestic crowns and go on to win the Blaugrana's sixth Champions League title. With the 2026 World Cup also looming, the pressure — and spotlight — will only grow for the generational talent.

But with Magala and Parnell picking up injuries, South Africa are rather thin on fast-bowling resources

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-2023

Keshav Maharaj has been “cleared for selection” for South Africa’s white-ball squads for the ongoing exchanges against Australia at home. However, Sisanda Magala has been ruled out of the second T20I with a left knee injury, Wayne Parnell has had a recurrence of a left shoulder injury, and Marco Jansen has been released from the squad to take part in his sister’s wedding festivities and will miss the second and third T20Is.Maharaj hasn’t played international cricket since the Johannesburg Test against West Indies in March because of a ruptured left Achilles. He is available from the second T20I onwards, with South Africa 1-0 down having lost the first game by a whopping 111 runs. His rehabilitation “has progressed positively”, a CSA statement said, confirming that he had “successfully participated” in a pre-season 50-over match for Hollywoodbets Dolphins against AET Tuskers on Tuesday.This is along expected lines. When the squads for the games against Australia were announced on August 14, Maharaj was included, with white-ball head coach Rob Walter saying, “he is ahead of where we thought he would be, so things look positive”.Regarding Magala, CSA said that he “felt discomfort during training and subsequent scans revealed an infrapatellar tendinopathy”. The medical team will continue to manage him ahead of the third T20I on Sunday.With Parnell out for the immediate future and Jansen, who had played the first T20I unlike Parnell, South Africa’s fast-bowling resources look fairly thin. Apart from Jansen, the first T20I featured Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams in the pace attack, and while Williams got three wickets, all five bowlers on view – Tabraiz Shamsi the lone spinner – conceded at least 40 runs from their four overs, Ngidi going for 49.The T20I squad doesn’t have another quick bowler.

RB Leipzig are aiming to offload Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons for lucrative sum in the summer window.

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Simons wants to leave RB LeipzigGerman club aiming to cash-in on the 22-year-old The Red Bull-owned club won't feature in any continental competition next season Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report by The Athletic, Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons has informed his club, RB Leipzig, that he wants to move this summer. The 22-year-old believes his developmental stage at the Red Bull Arena is over, and the club too, agrees that this is the right time to sell the player, who has two years left in his contract.

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Simons initially joined Leipzig back in 2023 summer window on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, before securing a permanent move in January 2025. However, the German club, which finished seventh on the standings, witnessed their worst season ever since qualification to the German top-tier – Bundesliga, and failed to achieve a place in any continental competition. The club now, are willing to sell the midfielder; however, they will look at offers which are more than €70m ($80.6m/£59.7).

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Simons delivered 21 goals and 23 assists across 76 appearances for Leipzig.

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The Dutch midfielder will now wait for Leipzig to weigh the potential offers and go ahead with the one that suits both him and the German club.

Nick Gubbins marked his first appearance against boyhood club Middlesex by grinding them down with an ultra-patient unbeaten 98 as he and centurion Liam Dawson wrestled control for Hampshire in the LV= Insurance County Championship.Gubbins batted for six sticky hours and 262 balls on a dry and flat pitch, while Dawson added 111 not out of his own in a slightly sprightlier four hours. The pair put on 190 to break a 100-year record for the fifth wicket for Hampshire against Middlesex, beating the 149 scored by Lionel Tennyson and Tom Jameson in June 1923.Middlesex, who had been asked to field first, had been in the ascendancy at 94 for 4 after Josh de Caires had taken two-for but were kept at bay thereafter as Hampshire reached the close on 284 for 4.Gubbins left Middlesex in 2021, initially on loan, after 152 first-team matches in seven years having come through the age groups. That departure was made with Gubbins keen to play of more his home cricket on batter-friendly wickets – with Lord’s then towards the bottom of the runs-per-wicket tally – and, he hoped, push his case for an England call-up.He has averaged a smidgeon under 36 since his entrance at the Ageas Bowl – with his twin centuries against a Lancashire attack containing James Anderson and Hasan Ali in 2022 the highlight in two inconsistent years.Gubbins has often walked to the crease in the formative overs of innings, and Fletcha Middleton’s footwork-less drive at Toby Roland-Jones in the fifth over meant another early arrival. A frenetic period saw Joe Weatherley dropped at gully, Gubbins almost run out by half the pitch, and Weatherley caught at square leg taking on a shorter Tom Helm delivery – the fast bowler particularly accurate in the morning.The dry pitch, unblemished blue skies, the heat of the sun and the Kookaburra ball – being trialled in this round of Championship fixtures – means spin is likely to be prevalent in this match.Offspinner de Caires, one of four spinners between the two sides, was introduced as early as the 15th over and picked up the wickets of James Vince and Ben Brown. Vince had picked him up for two sixes in his lively 35 before he was leg before to one which straightened before Brown hard-handedly pushed to short leg. De Caires, on his first Championship appearance of the season, only previously had Shan Masood as a first-class victim.The slowness of the pitch needed batters to settle in to succeed, Gubbins took on the challenge and thrived. He only had 32 off the first 100 balls he faced, with his full force and naturally aggressive tendencies shelved for an occupation, which dragged Dawson along with him.In fact, despite coming to the crease 30 overs later than Gubbins, Dawson reached his half-century first. Dawson, perhaps unfortunate not to be named as Jack Leach’s replacement in the England Ashes squad, was a master at manoeuvring gaps, running hard and cutting.He reached his third fifty in his last five Championship innings in 87 balls, before Gubbins punched through the covers later in the over to notch up his milestone in 148 deliveries. Dawson also won the race to three figures, after more careful batting, in 164 balls. It was his 12th first-class century and first at the Ageas Bowl since 2019.Gubbins – who had only faced his former county in non-competitive or 2nd XI games – was given a life after a simple chance was shelled at square leg and despite batting almost all day a century will have to wait.

Sheffield Wednesday will be willing to let an attacking “game-changer” leave this summer, according to an update from former Owls midfielder Carlton Palmer.

Sheffield Wednesday struggling for playoff finish

Danny Rohl’s side have endured a difficult period in their season, having looked like challenging for a place in the Championship playoffs a few weeks ago.

Instead, Wednesday have lost their last three matches in the league, not to mention four of their last five, dropping down to 13th place in the table in the process.

Last Friday’s 2-1 loss at home to Sunderland was another damaging defeat, and it means that the Owls are now seven points adrift of sixth-place West Brom, highlighting how much work needs to be done in the remaining 11 matches.

Regardless of where Rohl’s men finish once the season is done and dusted, fresh faces need to arrive in the summer transfer window, while others will be moved on to pastures new.

Sheffield Wednesday "game-changer" backed to leave

Speaking to Football League World, ex-England international Palmer backed Michael Smith to leave Sheffield Wednesday at the end of this season:

“Now the question is about the likes of Josh Windass, who will be out of contract in the summer (although there is a one-year option in his deal) and Michael Smith. I think he’ll be disappointed that he wasn’t allowed to go to Wrexham and I understand why Danny Rohl wouldn’t have wanted him to go, but he had a chance to go to Wrexham on what would’ve been a two or three-year contract. It’ll be interesting to see.

“I’d be very surprised to see Smith at the football club next season. Given his age and everything else, I think Danny will be looking to bring in a younger player, somebody who can score consistently at Championship level, although Smith has had an impact when he has played or come off the bench this season. Still though, I’d be very surprised to see Michael Smith signing a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday.”

This summer definitely feels like the right time for Wednesday and Smith to part ways, even though Darren Moore hailed him during their time working together at Hillsborough, saying:

“Michael Smith is a game-changer today. The quality showed at the end of it, and that’s what Michael is. He was in the right place at the right time and that’s what quality strikers do.”

Now 33 years of age, Smith is out of contract with the Owls at the end of the current campaign, and given his age, it makes little sense in him being handed an extension, considering his best days are arguably behind him.

Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season

Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 22, 2025

Wednesday simply have to focus on attacking reinforcements in the summer window, with Josh Windass the only player to reach double figures for goals in the Championship this season – he is also now 31, so isn’t the long-term solution – highlighting the importance of new additions in the attacking third.

Leeds United have made an approach for an international midfielder who is enjoying a superb breakthrough season in the Turkish Super Lig, according to a new report.

Farke calls for calm after Portsmouth defeat

Leeds’ charge towards the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League hit a bump in the road at the weekend as they were beaten 1-0 by Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Leeds dominated much of the game, but couldn’t make it count, with Portsmouth defending valiantly and Daniel Farke’s side spurning a number of chances, most notably Joel Piroe, who fired over when faced with an open goal early in the second half.

The Lilywhites were then made to pay when Colby Bishop capatilised on a mix-up at the back to prod home what proved to be the winner in the 61st minute.

The defeat, combined with Sheffield United’s 1-0 win over Preston North End, means Leeds’ points gap at the top of the Championship table has now been completely erased, with Farke’s side now leading only by goal difference.

Worse than Aaronson: 4/10 star just dropped his worst game for Leeds

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ByDan Emery Mar 9, 2025

Speaking after the defeat, the German head coach called for calm, insisting that the race for the title “always goes to the wire”.

“If you want to finish in the top positions in this league you have to show consistency – the title is not won in February or March,” he said, via BBC Sport.

“You have to prove yourselves every single game, we have some difficult matches coming up and we don’t take anything for granted. I know we can be better and much more effective.”

Leeds make approach for Anthony Dennis

Though there are still plenty of games left this season, it seems Leeds are already preparing for next year – whether that be in the Championship or the Premier League. According to Africafoot, Leeds, alongside German side Stuttgart, are one of two clubs to have already made an approach for Nigerian midfield prodigy Anthony Junior Dennis, who has been enjoying a fine breakthrough season in Turkey with Göztepe.

The 20-year-old has been Göztepe’s standout player in their first season back in the Super Lig since 2021/22, helping put them firmly in contention for an unlikely top four finish and qualification for Europe next year.

In an interview with Africafoot, sources from the Elite Project Group, the agency that manages Dennis’ interests, said: “He is playing at the highest level this season, so it’s no surprise that Stuttgart and Leeds are interested. Both have made approaches this week about a possible transfer.”

The souces added, however, that “Gotzepe are reluctant” to accept any offers right now and are holding out for bids from elsewhere before making a decision. The Turkish club are understood to value Dennis, who has been touted as Wilfred Ndidi’s long-term successor for Nigeria, at around £4.2 million.

Over the last couple of years, Ange Postecoglou has endured a turbulent spell as manager, kickstarting his career as Tottenham Hotspur manager with a bang, sitting top of the table after the first few weeks in 2023/24.

However, the Aussie has since struggled in periods to match the ambitions of the fanbase after his appointment, leading to criticism over his long-term future in the role.

He did lead the Lilywhites to Europa League football last season, but despite reaching the knockout stage, it looks almost impossible his side will reach the same stage through the Premier League this time around.

The club currently sit in 14th place, 13 points off a European spot with just 14 games remaining of the campaign, with the injury crisis at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium massively impacting their performances.

Regardless of the issues, questions continue to be asked of the former Celtic manager, unable to repeat the feats set by one of his predecessors in North London.

Mauricio Pochettino’s time at Spurs

Back in the summer of 2014, Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as Spurs boss, looking to point the club in the right direction after finishing sixth in the year before his arrival.

The 52-year-old would be a huge hit with the supporters, transforming them into constant Champions League contenders, even finishing second in the 2016/17 season, just seven points off title winners Chelsea.

He would provide the fanbase with countless memories during his time in charge, from Derby Day victories to leading them to a Champions League final in the 2018/19 campaign – losing to Liverpool in the final.

However, he would receive the sack just a couple of months after the defeat, losing his job after a poor start to the league campaign the following season.

Nearly six years on from his dismissal, it remains to be seen whether the decision to part ways with the manager was the right one, with the club yet to hit the heights he achieved since leaving.

He also tipped one player to be a star during his time in North London, with the club potentially ruing his departure given his form since leaving the Lilywhites.

The former Spurs star who’s outscoring Richarlison

Brazilian striker Richarlison joined the club after Pochettino’s departure, costing £60m in the summer of 2022, moving from Everton will real expectations of transforming the club’s attack.

He’s struggled to nail down a regular starter role, with the 27-year-old also one of the players recently hit with injury, limiting him to just three goals in his 14 appearances in 2024/25.

He could’ve been aided in his attempts within the final third had the club kept hold of youngster Marcus Edwards, who was once seen as a talent with huge potential in North London.

The winger, who was once compared to Lionel Messi, came through the club’s academy after joining as an eight-year-old but struggled to break into the first-team, making just one senior appearance for his boyhood side.

He would subsequently depart on a free transfer at the end of his contract, joining Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes in the summer of 2019 – a move that would ignite his professional career.

He featured nearly 100 times, before moving to Sporting Lisbon in January 2022, starring under Ruben Amorim, leading to rumours linking him to some of the biggest teams in Europe.

However, he’s been starved of game time in 2024/25, dropping down to the Championship and joining Scott Parker’s Burnley on loan for the rest of the season.

How Edwards compares to Richarlison in 2024/25 to date

Statistics (per 90)

Edwards

Richarlison

Games played

12

14

Goals scored

4

3

Progressive carries

5

2.6

Progressive passes

5.1

3.2

Shots taken

3.5

1.9

Fouls won

2.9

2.3

Goals per game

0.7

0.6

Stats via FBref

Despite his lack of minutes over the last couple of months, the Englishman has still managed to score four times – a tally one higher than Richarlison, showcasing his quality when having the opportunity to feature.

Whilst he may now be featuring in England’s second tier, the 26-year-old is a player who is way better than the level he’s playing at, but he’s in desperate need of valuable minutes to continue his progression.

Given the club’s current injury situation, he would’ve provided a valuable option in the final third, especially considering how he’s outperformed Richarlison so far in 2024/25.

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Antony continues to star during a loan spell at Real Betis from Manchester United, with the Brazilian pointing out that he is "The Chosen One".

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Struggled for a spark with Red DevilsThriving during loan spell in SpainBrazilian playing with confidence againFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The South American winger endured a tough time at Old Trafford on the back of a big-money transfer from Ajax in the summer of 2022. He registered just 12 goals and five assists for the Red Devils through 96 appearances.

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A change of scenery was clearly required, and Antony found that in the winter window of 2025 when heading to Spain. The 25-year-old forward has been a revelation for Betis, finding the target on six occasions in 19 outings.

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His latest strike was a stunner, as he crashed a half-volley beyond former United team-mate David de Gea with his right foot during a Conference League semi-final clash with Fiorentina. Antony worked through several celebrations after hitting the net.

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One of those saw him point to a tattoo on his neck. That inking says ‘Iluminado’, which translates into English as ‘The Chosen One’. Antony is proving to be just that at present, with Betis desperate for him to remain on their books beyond the end of the season.

تعرض نجم فريق ليفربول، محمد صلاح، لانتقادات لاذعة من جانب عدد من مشجعي النادي الإنجليزي بسبب ما وقع خلال موكب الاحتفال بكأس الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، مساء أمس.

كان ليفربول قد حسم لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، في وقت سابق من شهر أبريل الماضي، بعدما فاز على توتنهام بخمسة أهداف لهدف في الجولة الرابعة والثلاثين.

وحصل ليفربول بشكل رسمي على كأس الدوري الإنجليزي في مباراته الأخيرة على “الأنفيلد” يوم الأحد ضد كريستال بالاس.

وأقام ليفربول موكبًا شرفيًا للاحتفال بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي العشرين في تاريخه، في شوارع المدينة وسط حشود من الجماهير التي حرصت على الاحتفال رفقة لاعبيها.

ولكن احتفال ليفربول لم يمر بسلام حيث وقع حادثًا مأسويًا نتيجة اصطدام سيارة بحشد من الناس، مما تسبب في حالة من الهلع وسط المتواجدين، وأصدر النادي بيانًا رسميًا، وكذلك الشرطة (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

لكن محمد صلاح أثار غضب عدد من جمهور ليفربول، بعدما تجاهل كل ذلك ونشر صورة له عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع إكس، وهو يقبل كأس الدوري الإنجليزي.

جاءت الصورة نحو الساعة الثامنة والنصف مساءً، في حين أن خدمات الطوارئ كانت لا تزال تعمل على قدم وساق في موقع الحادث.

وأبدى عدد من مشجعي ليفربول غضبهم تجاه تصرف محمد صلاح، حسبما نشرت صحيفة “ديلي إكسبريس” الإنجليزية، والتي أرفقت عددا من التغريدات الساخطة تجاه المصري.

وكتب أحد مشجعي ليفربول: “ليس هذا الوقت المناسب، احترم الحادث المؤلم”.

It’s not the right time, respect the painful incident. — باسـل 🇵🇸 (@PresidentofTW) May 26, 2025

وأضاف ثانِ: “لهذا السبب لا يجب عليك أبدًا منح إدارة حساباتك على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي لفريق إعلامي بلا روح، هذا غير لائق إطلاقاً”.

This is why you should never relinquish control of your socials to a soulless media team. Completely inappropriate. — CFChris. (@EmenaIo) May 26, 2025

وكتب ثالث: “جاء هذا المنشور المجدول في وقت غير مناسب، عليهم احتواء الموقف”.

This scheduled post has landed at a bad time
They need to do damage control — Kerry 🇰🇪 (@kerubo_hillary) May 26, 2025

في حين دافع البعض عن محمد صلاح ووجهوا اللوم ناحية فريق العلاقات العامة الخاص به، حيث قال أحدهم: “من الواضح أن فريق العلاقات العامة لمحمد صلاح كان ينبغي أن يكون أكثر درايةً بالأمر، فهو لن يفعل هذا أبدًا”.

Obviously Mo’s PR team who should know a lot better – he would never do this — Bear Down 🐻 (@c36870401) May 26, 2025

وأكد آخر: “هذه إدارة سيئة لوسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، نشر هذا مباشرة بعد حادثة موكب ليفربول، كان يجب إلغاء المنشور لو كان مجدولًا”.

This is bad social media management. Posting this just after the Liverpool parade incident… should have cancelled if it’s scheduled — wes ultra (@wes_ultra) May 26, 2025

ومن الملاحظ أن التغريدة المنشودة قد حُذفت حيث لم تعد متواجدة على الحساب الشخصي لـ محمد صلاح، وليس من المعلوم ما إذا كان السبب هو هجوم الجماهير ضده أم أن هناك أمر آخر.

The season will commence on August 30 with the National T20 Cup and will end with the 50-over Pakistan Cup on January 3

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jul-2022

The PCB has ushered in a number of major changes to the domestic structure for the 2022-23 season, where 187 matches will be played across formats over five months starting August 30.The second XI tournaments, played between six teams, will now be played on a double-league basis across formats. In the T20 tournament, each side will play a minimum of ten matches and a total of 30 matches as compared to the previous seasons when the event was held on a single-league basis with 15 matches overall. The three-day tournament that used to be played as a pathway to first-class cricket will now be played over four days [though it still won’t be a first-class tournament], and just like the T20s and the 50-over tournaments, each side will get a minimum of ten matches in a total of 30.The domestic season will commence with the National T20 Cup, which will be held in Rawalpindi and Multan from August 30 to September 19. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the premier first-class event, will continue to be played on a double-league basis, and will run from September 27 to November 30. The season will end with the 50-over Pakistan Cup, which will be staged in Karachi from December 10 to January 3.The board has also rejigged the venues this season and slotted a significant chunk of the first-class and second-grade cricket in the northern part of the country, including Abbottabad, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The final stages will take place in Karachi, where a new venue – the Naya Nazimabad Stadium – is set to get first-class status.The season will be wrapped up in January, unlike the previous seasons where domestic cricket was usually played from September to March.”We have introduced a new concept whereby the non-first-class CA [provincial associations] Championship matches will be four-day fixtures,” Nadeem Khan, OCB’s director of high performance, said in a statement. “This will ensure the matches are well-contested and result-oriented, and the players get full opportunity to make the best of these games.”This will also help in narrowing the gap with our first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in which only the best of the best participate. We have also tried to streamline the player development and progression. Now, a talented U-19 cricketer will not have to wait until the next year before playing in the seniors’ competition.”I am sure that this year, we will see a few outstanding U-19 cricketers from the CCA, CA and National tournaments that will feature in the topline events, as the pathways events have been designed to lead into the main competitions.”The PCB has completed its review of all the coaches from last season and is set to announce the appraisals soon. The teams for each association will be selected next month.