Friday, 8 May 2026
LEBRON JAMES OFFERS BLUNT RESPONSE AFTER JJ REDICK'S VIRAL TAKE
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| Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix |
LeBron James kept his comments brief after the Lakers fell 0-2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, refusing to discuss the officiating drama despite JJ Redick’s strong postgame remarks.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was seemingly upset after their 125-107 loss on Thursday, which put them down 0-2 in the second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
There was plenty of drama with the referees during and after the game, from Austin Reaves' confrontation with one of the officials to head coach JJ Redick's postgame comment, where he stated that LeBron gets the worst whistle of any star player he has ever seen.
LeBron, meanwhile, who finished Game 2 with 23 points and 6 assists, didn't engage in any talks about the refs and gave a short and blunt response after the loss.
"We're down 2-0," LeBron said while talking to the media postgame, via Dave McMenamin.
He was also asked about the viral JJ Redick take, to which he gave another short response.
"I don't know," he stated.
The series is now heading to Los Angeles, where the Lakers will try to protect their home court.
Game 3 will be played at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
- Basket News
FABIO WARDLEY AND DANIEL DUBOIS GETS INTO A HEATED ROW OVER 'BINDMAN' COMMENTS
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| Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois will not need all 12 rounds in their heavyweight title fight. Photo: Queensberry Promotions |
Daniel Dubois accuses Fabio Wardley of being disrespectful
Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) addressed Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) over his disrespectful comments during yesterday's final press conference in Manchester, ahead of their May 9 world heavyweight championship clash, "By the way, I heard you call me the dust man, and I'm gonna collect the trash, boy!"
During a fight week interview, the WBO world heavyweight champion was asked to assign Dubois an occupation in a playful scenario where he wasn't a professional boxer. Wardley guessed that he would likely be a binman.
Dubois did not take the comment well, "Na, it's disrespect, so I'm going to put it right in the ring, boy. I'm gonna bust his bubble anyway. That's what I've got to do."
Wardley replied back, "What did you say, dustman? I didn't call you the dustman. Someone asked me what you might have as a job and I said, 'He might be a binman'.
"There was no negative with that, don't let other people get into your head and tell you what it comes across like," Fabio advised.
Dubois interrupted him, "Na, I heard what you said. It's disrespect."
"You didn't hear it," Wardley quickly replied. "You didn't hear what I said because you don't run your own social media. So you didn't hear it. You let other people talk to you and tell you what you should be like. It wasn't like that. I just asked what job you might have and I said a binman. I didn't say it was a bad job."
A former recruitment consultant, Ipswich's Wardley is unbeaten in 21 contests and has won English, British, Commonwealth, two Interim world titles, and a WBO World heavyweight title, which is remarkable considering he had just four white collar bouts behind him and didn't start boxing until his 20s.
Dubois is the opposite to that, he has been boxing since he was a kid, had a stellar amateur career winning 69 from 75 bouts, collecting national and international titles. He turned pro to much acclaim after famously dropping the reigning IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in sparring as a teenager. Promoter Frank Warren built him with the moniker #everybelt, which came to fruition as he currently has at least 14 titles in his trophy cabinet, which includes the WBA Regular and IBF World heavyweight titles.
Their collision this Saturday night in Manchester is set to produce fireworks with both explosive heavyweights sharing a powerful 95% HO ratio, hence why the event is called, 'Don't Blink'.
- Tim Rickson
REAL MADRID PREPARING FAREWELL TRIBUTE FOR CLUB CAPTAIN AT THE BERNABEU
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| Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images |
According to journalist Alberto Pereiro, Real Madrid are finalising preparations for a grand farewell tribute to club captain Dani Carvajal during the final home match of the season against Athletic Club on 24 May.
The veteran right-back is set to leave the club upon the expiration of his contract this June, with no renewal being offered to the 34-year-old.
His departure stems from a difficult final campaign marred by persistent injuries and a significant reduction in playing time following the arrival of new defensive reinforcements in Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Santiago Bernabeu says goodbye to a legend
A recent foot fracture has sidelined him, casting doubt on whether he can physically participate in the final league fixtures.
Regardless of his fitness, the Bernabeu tribute will celebrate a legendary career that began as a ten-year-old in the club’s academy.
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| An icon says goodbye. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) |
Since his first-team debut in 2013, Carvajal has amassed over 430 appearances and won a joint-record 27 major trophies, including six Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns.
His legacy as one of the club’s greatest-ever defenders remains untouchable, even amidst a tense final few months for the squad defined by internal friction with manager Alvaro Arbeloa and some of his staff members.
The tribute on the final matchday against Athletic Club is expected to be a highly emotional affair, marking the departure of the last active member of the squad that secured the historic “La Decima” in 2014.
Fans attending the Santiago Bernabeu will have the opportunity to show their appreciation for a player who set an example for every young prospect coming through the Real Madrid youth academy.
- Raghavendra Goudar
IT THIS THE NEXT 'WAKA WAKA'? SHAKIRA WITH BURNA BOY TEASES NEW FIFA WORLD CUP SONG | VIDEO
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| Colombian singer Shakira performs during a free concert at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 2, 2026. — AFP pic |
LOS ANGELES, May 8 — Colombian pop idol Shakira on Thursday teased the new official song for the 2026 World Cup, releasing a brief video of the track filmed at Brazil’s iconic Maracana Stadium.
The singer – who also created the 2010 World Cup anthem “Waka Waka” – announced the song, titled “Dai Dai” in a post on her Instagram account.
In the 67-second video, Shakira appears on the pitch at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, where she performed in a free concert at the city’s Copacabana Beach last Saturday before two million people.
Holding the “Trionda”, the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup, Shakira performed excerpts of the song in English, joined by dancers dressed in the colors of teams including the United States and Colombia.
The song was produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and is set for official release on May 14. The clip, also shared by the Fifa World Cup account, ends with the message: “We’re ready!”
Shakira has a long association with the World Cup, performing at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals in addition to producing “Waka Waka” for the 2010 tournament. — AFP
'LEAKED' AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI DM'S RELEASED AFTER BURST-UP WITH FEDERICO VALVERDE
The drama between Real Madrid teammates Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde has taken another twist.
Real Madrid released a statement on Thursday evening confirming they have opened disciplinary action against both midfielders following the training ground incident that left Valverde with a head injury.
The Spanish giants said: "Real Madrid CF announces that, following the events that took place this morning in the first team training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. The club will announce the resolutions of both cases in due course, once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed."
In a separate statement, Real Madrid revealed Valverde has been “diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury” following the altercation with Tchouameni. However, they added Valverde is “at home in good condition” and “must remain at rest between 10 and 14 days” as he recovers.
The diagnosis means Valverde, one of Real Madrid’s standout performers in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Los Blancos, will miss Sunday’s crucial El Clasico against Barcelona away at Camp Nou.
Barcelona will secure the 2025-26 La Liga title with a win or draw this weekend.
Federico Valverde Released Statement
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| Federico Valverde |
The injured Valverde released a statement via social media, insisting his bust-up with Tchouameni was a “disagreement” rather than a “fight”.
The Uruguay international, who is considered one of the world’s best midfielders, added: “During the argument, I accidentally hit a table, causing a small cut on my forehead that required a routine visit to the hospital.
“At no point did my teammate hit me, and I didn't hit him either, although I understand it's easier for you to believe we came to blows or that it was intentional, but that didn't happen.
“I feel that my anger about the situation, my frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through the end of the season, giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a teammate.
“I’m sorry. I'm truly sorry because this situation hurts me, this moment we're going through is painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life, and I can't be indifferent to it.
“The result is an accumulation of things that culminate in a senseless fight, damaging my image and leaving room for doubt that they'll fabricate stories, slander, and add fuel to the fire of an accident.”
'Leaked' DMs From Tchouameni Released
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| Aurelien Tchouameni |
Over on X (Twitter), the account @AQABABE has posted screenshots claiming to be from a conversation with Tchouameni.
The France international allegedly said: "Something happened but I can't say anything,” before adding, "I told you nothing happened yesterday in the sense that there was no fight."
Tchouameni then allegedly said: "I didn't punch him, it’s not true, that’s all I can tell you." He added: "His head hit the ground."
@AQABABE then released a screen recording in an attempt to convince doubters that the DMs legitimately came from Tchouameni’s official Instagram account.
If the DMs are legit then it confirms that both Valverde and Tchouameni agree no punches were thrown during the bust-up, despite reports to the contrary.
- Rob Swan
Thursday, 7 May 2026
WHY WRC DRIVERS EXPECT PORTUGAL TO DELIVER A RALLY THAT HAS “EVERYTHING”
The first pure gravel rally of the season looks set to be one of the most demanding and unpredictable of the season
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| Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Photo by: Toyota Racing |
Rough gravel stages, long periods without service, changeable weather and increased competition will make Rally Portugal a challenge that will have “everything”, according to World Rally Championship drivers.
The first pure gravel rally of the season looks set to offer up one of the biggest tests of 2026 for crews and teams, and perhaps the hardest-fought rally of the campaign to date.
The reason is down to a number of factors that have combined to make this edition of Rally Portugal particularly challenging.
Rally organisers have made changes to the itinerary this year following criticism from drivers after a packed Friday leg that saw drivers spend 15 hours behind the wheel. It prompted the FIA to introduce mandatory rest periods for 2026. A minimum of 10 hours per day must be dedicated to rest, with one leg featuring at least 12 hours.
As a result, Rally Portugal has now added an extra day of competition to avoid a repeat of last year. While the rally distance remains more or less the same – 344km of stages and approximately 1500km of road sections – it will be spread across four days more evenly.
“There will be everything I think. It is not like Africa, but here the speed is higher. I would expect a very close battle and changing positions," Toyota’s Oliver Solberg told Motorsport.
“I think a lot can happen with punctures and tyres. We don’t have a lot of tyres so tyre wear will be tricky. I think this will be a big topic on Friday and then we will have rain on Saturday and Sunday, so we will have everything.”
The speed-versus-preservation battle
Crews will have to navigate through Thursday’s three stages and Friday’s seven tests without a return to the service park for a full service. The legs will only be punctuated by remote services where minimal repairs can be carried out, which will increase the emphasis on finding the right balance of speed and preservation on the rough gravel stages, where the puncture risk is high.
“It is already a very tough rally, and the format – especially Thursday and Friday when you don't have so much support from going to service areas – you have to play the long game,” M-Sport’s Jon Armstrong told Motorsport. “You can’t afford to be too cautious but for sure you want to be as fast as you can be. You need to keep some margin so you don’t abuse the car or damage something.”
On the whole, the drivers see the itinerary change as an improvement from last year, but it has meant the pre-event recce has resulted in the crews doing 700km a day from Monday to Wednesday to prepare the all-important pace notes.
“It is still long but not really in stage kilometres. It is the thing you want to try and avoid, but it is what it is. It is more sensible than last year,” said Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
Toyota team-mate Sami Pajari added: "I think this year there will be a little bit more rest time, so that is good.”
Increased competition as Hyundai rejoins the fight
There is a very high chance that this will be the most hotly-contested rally of the season so far, as Hyundai appears to have a package to take the fight to rivals Toyota.
The Korean marque challenged for the victory at this event last year with both Ott Tanak and Adrien Fourmaux before suffering mechanical issues.
Hyundai has since made improvements to its i20 N Rally that has so far struggled this year, and a new engine upgrade should offer a further boost this weekend. Thierry Neuville, who topped Wednesday’s shakedown, expects this will be the first rally of the year where he can properly fight for Hyundai’s first win of the year. It is a view shared by their rivals Toyota.
“On paper in shakedown you can see the performance is there and they [Hyundai] were the fastest last year,” Ogier told Motorsport.
“Ott was clearly the fastest driver here last year and without his problem he would have won the rally. Like always, rallying is about speed but consistency, and let’s see what happens. But on pure speed I think they can definitely be a competition for us.”
Rain showers expected to shake up the order
It is highly likely that after two dry, gruelling days on Thursday and Friday, rain showers will arrive on Saturday and Sunday to add even more spice to the mix.
The arrival of rain will offer those starting at the top of the road order a reprieve from sweeping duties, but it will create even more treacherous conditions and increase the possibility for mistakes. With crews limited to 16 soft tyres, preserving rubber throughout the rally will also be key to victory.
“The approach we will not change but of course we want to be better [than last year],” said championship leader Evans, who will open the road on Thursday, having had the same duty last year.
“But sometimes your hands are also quite tied. For sure we want to do as well as we can and maybe with the weather looking unstable it will not help us at the start of the rally, but it might keep things open even if the start is difficult.”
Hyundai’s Neuville added: "I think overall road conditions will not really help us here this weekend but it will not penalise us either. I think the fight is on. The weather will be critical and demanding, and it might turn the leaderboard around, and hopefully it plays in our favour.”
- Tom Howard
FEDERICO VALVERDE IN HOSPITAL AFTER FIGHT WITH AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI IN REAL MADRID LOCKER ROOM
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| Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) |
Real Madrid players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were reportedly involved in a heated bust-up in the club’s locker room that has led to the Uruguayan being treated in hospital.
Valverde is said to have suffered a cut to his head after hitting the table during a physical altercation with Madrid teammate Tchouameni.
This is not the first time the pair have come to blows, according to Marca, but it seems to be the most serious incident yet, with a maximum punishment thought to be awaiting the players.
It seems disciplinary proceedings are now set to go ahead, with this really being far from what Real Madrid needed after some disappointing results in a frustrating season, and with a huge game against rivals Barcelona coming up next.
How Real Madrid players lost their discipline
Speaking to CaughtOffside, Spanish football expert Ruairidh Barlow, editor of Football Espana, provided some background to this crazy story coming out of Madrid.
“The Valverde-Tchouameni tension is not something that we have heard about before this week, but it is symptomatic of a volcanic dressing room right now,” Barlow told us.
“In that specific incident, after a fight on Wednesday, Valverde reportedly refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand, which led to another training session of intense tackles, and culminated in the fight.
“More widely, it’s just the latest incident in a number of feuds ongoing. As many as six players are supposedly not talking to manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio and Dani Carvajal have all fallen out with Arbeloa, and the latter’s frustration led to an injury to a youth player after a rash tackle.
“In the past week, we’ve heard about Kylian Mbappe getting angry at a member of the coaching staff, and Antonio Rudiger getting physical with Alvaro Carreras too.
On the whole, the consensus is that this is the product of a dressing room that has been without leaders for some time, and without a manager to impose authority. With President Florentino Perez backing his stars over managers, and doing little to curb their behaviour himself, the lack of discipline has descended into the chaos we’re seeing this week.”
Kylian Mbappe sees the funny side as Real Madrid descends into chaos
At least Kylian Mbappe seemed in a good mood as he was pictured laughing on his way out of Real Madrid training today.
See below for footage originally captured by El Chiringuito, which shows Mbappe in good spirits despite the apparent chaos unfolding behind the scenes…
Mbappe himself has been at the centre of some controversy recently as Madrid truly enters meltdown mode.
The France international recently had an injury problem that saw him given permission to take a holiday, but this did not go down well with some fans, as a petition pushing for him to leave the club is rapidly gaining momentum.
A video explainer below from Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol sums everything up nicely, with the feeling being that Mbappe is being made a scapegoat for the team’s problems, and, honestly, when you hear about the incident between Valverde and Tchouameni it’s hard not to agree that there are bigger problems at the Bernabeu right now…
Real are known for being a club of superstars with big egos, but that has usually helped them to great success throughout their history.
At the moment, though, they’re going through a difficult period, with the team set to finish trophyless this season, while they’ve gone out of the Champions League early both this year and last.
Who can solve Real Madrid crisis?
With Xabi Alonso leaving his position as manager earlier this season, Alvaro Arbeloa has been unable to steady the ship during his time as interim manager.
A new long-term appointment will be needed this summer, and it may be that a strict disciplinarian like Jose Mourinho is needed to put things in order.
Having said that, the Portuguese tactician is also known for being a bit of a difficult character himself, so that could perhaps just make things worse.
Los Blancos fans will surely want the legendary Zinedine Zidane back, but ESPN have reported on him agreeing to become the next manager of the French national team…
- REAL MADRID CF
THAT TIME TED TURNER (BRIEFLY) CONSIDERED CHANGING THE BRAVES NAME
At the time of acquiring the Atlanta Braves, Ted Turner had an idea that they'd join the flock of other local sports names
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| When Ted Turner acquired the Braves, he considered a name change | Image originally published by the Atlanta Constitution |
The Atlanta Braves mourn the loss of their former owner, Ted Turner, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87. Upon his death, many started to look back at the stories that helped shape his legacy. One story that arose involved a brief idea that he didn't act on.
When he was finalizing his purchase of the team in 1976, Turner admitted he was considering a name change. He already had one in mind: The Eagles. While this is a name that immediately makes one think of the NFL team in Philadelphia, and then maybe Emory, Turner had a logical reason behind the choice.
For starters, Turner had nothing against the name Braves. According to the Atlanta Constitution, which has since merged with the Atlanta Journal, it was part of a vision to change the whole image of the team. He also felt that local teams of the same feather should flock together.
"That would tie in with the names of our other teams, the Hawks, the Falcons," he said in 1976. "I am thinking about changing the name, though, although legally, it would take a year to get it done."
A column in the paper the following day jokingly noted that the Firebirds would be more appropriate since Atlanta also had the Flames of the NHL.
At the time, the Atlanta Constitution lent some defense to the notion of changing the name. The team had gone through multiple names in its history, and they had abandoned the name "Braves" before. They've been the Beaneaters, Red Stockings, Reds (which has since been claimed elsewhere), Red Caps, Doves, Rustlers, and, mostly infamously, the Bees.
The Braves had been the name since 1941, though they went by that name previously from 1912 to 1935. Apart from a bee-related hiatus, they had been using the name for nearly 60 years. It was the name of the team when Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews and Warren Spahn represented them, and it had traveled to three different cities.
However, the name didn't have the same association with winning that it does now. While they won the World Series twice, along with four pennants and a division title with the name, they were mostly known for being a mediocre team.
They played second fiddle to the Red Sox in Boston, regardless of name. Following their appearance in the World Series in 1958 and their divison title in 1982, the Braves saw postseason action once in 1969. That was also the only time during that multi-decade stretch where they won 90 games or more.
The year before Turner acquired the Braves, they had finished 40 and a half games behind first. However, despite this limbo period for the team, Turner never circled back to the name change.
In time, the Braves' name built national recognition, being broadcast to millions coast to coast on the TBS Superstation. Eventually, it became associated with more Hall of Famers, one of the best starting rotations of all time and two more World Series titles.
It was an idea that Turner likely had no regrets leaving as an idea. That being said, he didn't fully give up on his idea of matching bird names. The succeeding NHL team in Atlanta, the Thrashers, which he owned at their inception in 1999, joined the flock.
- Harrison Smajovits
MBAPPÉ OUT: OVER 30 MILLION REAL MADRID FANS PETITION FOR STAR STRICKER TO BE SENT PACKING THIS SUMMER
Kylian Mbappe is not a popular man among the Real Madrid fanbase at the minute
Over 30million ‘Real Madrid fans’ have signed a petition demanding star striker Kylian Mbappe is sold this summer with organisers claiming it is “best for the club’s future”.
Mbappe has become a symbol for Madrid’s current woes and received widespread criticism for his decision to leave the camp last weekend and go on holiday with his girlfriend.
The France striker is currently working his way back from a hamstring injury sustained against Real Betis on April 24 and fighting to be fit for Sunday’s El Clasico clash with arch rivals Barcelona at Camp Nou.
But rather than stay with the rest of the squad and focus on his recovery, Mbappe was pictured over the weekend relaxing on a yacht off the coast of Sardinia.
It led to his representatives releasing a statement defending their client that read: “A portion of the criticism is based on an over-interpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club, and does not reflect the reality of Kylian’s commitment and daily work for the team.”
Real Madrid fans target Mbappe despite individual success
Mbappe has scored 41 goals in 41 games in all competitions this season but Madrid still look highly likely to finish without a trophy. Indeed, Barcelona need just a draw on Sunday to retain the title.
And the lack of collective success has prompted an online campaign calling for the 27-year-old to be sold. Although a petition of this nature is open to manipulation – it is highly likely thousands of Barca fans have mischievously given it a click – it does give an indication of the current ill feeling towards the former Paris Saint-Germain star.
Underneath a graphic that reads Mbappe Out, the reasoning on the website www.mbappeout.replit.app reads: “Madridistas, make your voice heard. If you believe change is needed, don’t stay silent — sign this petition and stand for what you think is best for the club’s future.”
Mbappe safe at Real Madrid but others may move on
Mbappe almost certainly won’t be sold by Madrid this summer. He is their best player and most valuable commercial asset.
However, there will undoubtedly be changes at the Santiago Bernabéu after a miserable season that has seen underwhelming performances on the field and numerous stories of discord off it.
Just yesterday, left-back Alvaro Carreras felt it necessary to defend his relationship with his team-mates, and also confirm he had been involved in an altercation with centre-half Antonio Rudiger.
Reports suggested Carreras had been slapped by the Germany international in a training ground fracas in February after senior colleagues expressed their unhappiness with his attitude.
Carreras wrote on Instagram: “In recent days, certain insinuations and comments about me have emerged that do not correspond to reality.
“My commitment to this club and to the coaches I’ve had has been unwavering since day one, and it will continue to be so. Since I returned, I have always worked with the highest level of professionalism, respect, and dedication. I have fought very hard to fulfill my dream of returning home.
“Regarding the incident with a team-mate, it was an isolated matter without importance that has already been resolved. My relationship with the entire team is very good.”
Madrid has looked a largely unhappy club for much of the campaign with Xabi Alonso’s short tenure ending in January amid claims of player unrest while his successor Alvaro Arbeloa seems certain to leave this summer after failing to oversee an improvement.
Whoever comes in will have to inspire a dressing room of egos and return them back to the top of the domestic and continental game.
- Jon Fisher
REAL MADRID LOCKER ROOM HAS TURNED ON KYLIAN MBAPPÉ
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| FBL-ESP-LIGA-BETIS-REAL MADRID | CRISTINA QUICLER/GettyImages |
Real Madrid fans are at a point where they want to clasp their hands together against their ears, dive under the pillows, and block all the noise in the world and that endless screaming. But when it rains at the Santiago Bernabeu, it pours, and not even the most expensive retractable roof that Florentino Perez could by can keep out the barrage.
Superstar forward Kylian Mbappe has the goals, but he has brought nothing else to Real Madrid. And slowly but surely, as the losses pile while PSG and Barcelona win trophies, the frustrations are mounting. That includes frustrations from within the building, and now the floodgates are opening with reports, stories, rumors, and anecdotes of malcontent with Mbappe.
The latest comes from veteran Real Madrid reporter Jorge C. Picon, who states that tensions with Kylian Mbappe had already been boiling in the background within the locker room as players have blamed his lack of defensive effort as one of the reasons for the team underperforming. But apparently, the images of him on vacation in Italy did hit hard back home, annoying players. Picon even says that Real Madrid players are questioning the nature of Mbappe's injury and have noted other instances of him not giving his all to the team, including in training.
Kylian Mbappe is not everyone's golden boy
Finally, Picon goes on to say that while Vinicius Junior himself is on good terms with Mbappe, it is the other players who may be behind the supposed battle between Vini and Mbappe that everyone talks about. It is because they view Vinicius as more of a leader and someone who gives more to the club; they feel Mbappe is the one not giving enough to Madrid.
It is an unsurprising series of revelations from Picon, and though Vinicius Jr. was the villain of the hour at the beginning of the season, the two time Champions League winner for Real Madrid is now emerging as a more positive figure. Perhaps the players at Real Madrid, seeing how Kylian Mbappe has been less scathed than their former Ballon d'Or candidate in 2023/24, are going to bat for Vini and trying to highlight Mbappe's ills for the sake of balance.
But these stories are really no good for anyone at Real Madrid, regardless of whether or not it is true that Mbappe is causing the same problems at the Bernabeu that he did at PSG - a PSG that has been the best team in Europe since his departure from France. The locker room may be slowly turning on Mbappe, lashing out at the golden boy who disrupted their harmony two years ago.
- Joe Soriano
ALEXANDER ZVEREV LAMBASTED OVER 'DELUSIONAL' COMMENTS ON JANNIK SINNER AND CARLOS ALCARAZ
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| Alexander Zverev looks on during his match |
Former doubles world No 1 Rennae Stubbs has described Alexander Zverev as “delusional” following the German’s comments about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Zverev was dismantled 6-1, 6-2 by world No 1 Sinner in just 58 minutes in the Madrid Open final last week — his ninth consecutive loss to the Italian star.
Following the match, Zverev controversially claimed that Sinner is ahead of “everybody else” and placed himself in a category with Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
“Well, I think there’s a big gap between [Jannik] Sinner and everybody else right now,” said the world No 3.
“It’s quite simple. I think there’s a big gap between Sinner and everybody else.
“And I think there’s a big gap between [Carlos] Alcaraz, myself, maybe Novak [Djokovic], and everybody else. I think there are two gaps right now.”
Stubbs reacted to what Zverev said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, and the six-time major doubles champion did not hold back.
“The delusion. The delusion,” said Stubbs. “And here’s the thing. If he had said this, my respect level for him would go up. If he said, ‘Look, bottom line is, I’m a really good player. I get to a lot of finals. I get to a lot of semis. I usually beat every player,’ which is not the case, because who did he lose to the week before?
“It’s like, ‘I usually win X and Y matches, but the standard between Jannik and Carlos is clearly, as you can see by the points category, head and shoulders above me. I need to improve and figure out a way to even remotely push these two guys’.
“That, I would be like, respect, right? But to lump himself in with Carlos Alcaraz — who has literally won every major title, all of them, all four, by the age of like 21 — is insanity.
“And yet this guy, who has not even won a Grand Slam, is saying that he’s in that same category. Dude, what?
“And on top of it, can I add, the final was so bad, and he looked like a petulant child. And I know, apparently, from what Jim Courier said, he didn’t think he (Zverev) was 100%, whether he was injured or what was going on.
“But he looked like a petulant child who was in the sandbox and had thrown all his toys out and did not even think to dig his way out of anything. He tanked the last few games.”
- Ewan West
ANDY RUIZ WARNS ALEKSANDR USYK ABOUT VERHOEVEN'S POWER "HE'S NO JOKE"
Andy Ruiz Jr. shared details from a recent interview about stalled talks for a fight with Oleksandr Usyk. The former unified heavyweight champion said Usyk’s team reached out before the Rico Verhoeven matchup got set. He knows Usyk’s manager from sparring days at Freddie Roach’s gym.
Ruiz Spills: Usyk Ditched Me For Kickboxer Verhoeven Showdown
In an interview with casino.org/us, Andy Ruiz Jr. explained how the Usyk fight slipped out of his fingers in favor of Verhoeven. He said:
“So before that fight was organised, they messaged me and asked me if I would like to fight Usyk in the United States – I know his manager from when I was younger at Freddie Roach’s gym because I used to spar with all of the heavyweights when I was a little kid.”
Ruiz figured better money pulled Usyk to Egypt for the kickboxer. The May 23 clash at the Pyramids of Giza puts Usyk’s WBC and lineal titles on the line against Verhoeven, who has two pro boxing rounds under his belt after a 60-10 kickboxing run.
Usyk, undefeated in 24 pro bouts, holds Olympic gold and two undisputed heavyweight reigns. He last fought in a knockout win over Dubois last summer. Verhoeven, “King of Kickboxing,” retains power from fights like his shutout of Ismael Lazaar and Badt Hari with jabs and range control.
Andy Ruiz Jr Reveals Failed Oleksandr Usyk Talks Ahead Of Rico Verhoeven Fight
Ruiz picks Usyk but flags Verhoeven’s bag work and clips as real. He ties the edge to experience and Usyk’s style edge without kickboxing legs in play.
“Usyk should win. He’s an experienced fighter. He’s the champion. He’s the undisputed heavyweight champion. But I heard a lot of people saying for him to be careful against Verhoeven. He’s no joke. I’ve seen a few little videos of him hitting the bag and some fights, but I think Usyk beats him, especially if he’s not using his legs.”
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| LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 3: Andy Ruiz jr ( black with white shorts) and Jarrell Miller (Blue with whites shorts) during their Heavyweight Contest at BMO Stadium on August 3, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images) |
Ruiz eyes a future clash as a money draw with Mexican-Ukrainian-American appeal. He sees a technical start turning to body shots. His forward speed could test Usyk early.
“At first, it would be a technical fight to get our distance and assess the countering, but I think I would stop him. I would stop him in the body because he doesn’t like getting hit in the body.”
Ruiz plans tune-ups this year, targeting an elite December foe to prove he’s current. Usyk chose his path as undisputed king.
- Timothy Wheaton
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