4 REASONS FOR JEFF BEZOS TO BE BULLISH ON LIVERPOOL

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 06: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Soobum Im - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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According to a report early Monday from Sky Sports, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium that is nearing a purchase of one-third of Liverpool Football Club. The transaction will value the famous English Premier League outfit at about $6 billion, per that report.

With a current net worth estimated at $283.8 billion, Bezos is the world’s third-wealthiest man. And while Amazon Prime Video has become an increasingly prominent player in the world of live sports TV rights, the investment would be Bezos’ first directly into a major professional sports team.

Bezos wouldn’t be anywhere close to a majority investor in the club, given that there are several members of the consortium that would take one-third control of the 20-time English league champions.

Even so, it’s intriguing that Bezos might begin his dalliance in sports ownership in the Premier League, rather than an American league such as the NFL, where he was once linked to a potential purchase of the Washington Commanders.

Why might one of the world’s most influential businessmen think the Premier League is the right place to invest right now? Read on for four possible reasons.

Bang for the Buck?

While $6 billion is a substantial figure, it’s less than half of the going rate for the Dallas Cowboys, currently the world’s highest valued sports franchise at $13 billion.

Yet Liverpool has exponentially more followers worldwide, a figure estimated in the hundreds of millions thanks to the Premier League’s unrivaled global distribution.

Of course, the overwhelming majority of Cowboys and other NFL fans live in United States, the world’s wealthiest economy, and it’s the NFL’s domination of that economy that leads to the high valuation of the Cowboys and other franchises. But there’s still a case that global soccer entities like Liverpool bring more for their investment buck.

Unique Growth Potential

The immediate aftermath of the 2026 World Cup in the United States could prove uniquely favorable when it comes to global soccer brands growing their profile among American audiences.

For better or worse, the assumption among sports media types has been that fans newly infatuated with the sport will seek to continue their interest by watching the Premier League, rather than MLS or other domestic U.S. leagues. And there could be a lot of those folks if the TV numbers are any indication.

The final between Spain and Argentina on July 19 drew an audience of more than 60 million viewers in the United States, according to data provided by rights holders Fox and Telemundo. That made it the most-watched non-NFL sporting event in the U.S. since the Nancy Kerrigan-Tanya Harding scandal captivated audiences at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games.

Premier League audiences on NBC have already proved sizable, rivaling national NBA or MLB regular season broadcasts on network TV.

More Revenue Control

Unlike NFL franchises, which operate with widespread revenue sharing between the 32 teams, Liverpool FC and other huge soccer brands have more control over their own revenue generation.

Money from the Premier League’s TV contracts are distributed partially by merit, meaning higher achieving clubs and those appearing in more televised games take in a larger share. And unlike the NFL, soccer clubs keep all of the revenue they generate from commercial partnerships, matchday revenue and merchandise sales.

If this is truly a watershed moment for major European soccer in the U.S., the revenue potential of that moment may be even larger than an equivalent opportunity within U.S. pro sports leagues.

Better Competitive Prospects

After a famously long drought, Liverpool have won two of the last seven English Premier League titles. And with Pep Guardiola departing as Manchester City manager following last season, it feels like there is an opportunity for another club to overtake City as the dominant force in English football.

Liverpool certainly won’t be the only team trying to do that. But they are among the clubs most suited to be successful, given the combination of their recent upward trends and history of success.

On the flip side, global soccer isn’t constrained by the same North American competitive models that create the parity of the NFL. Only seven clubs have won the Premier League since it split from the old English Football League in the early 1990s. So if Liverpool can emerge as the new dominant force, their place atop the English football pecking order could become relatively stable.

- Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes

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SCOTLAND, NETHERLANDS CRITICISE ICC'S WORLD CUP FORMAT

Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) have criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for changing the format of the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup less than 18 months before the tournament.

The ICC introduced a new Super Series phase under which the teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th in the qualification process will contest a tri-series, with only one progressing to the second round, where 12 teams will be split into two groups.

The two Associate Member boards described the lack of communication as "disappointing and disrespectful".

"These changes represent a setback to Associate Member cricket and risk undermining the progress made in recent years to grow the global game," they said in a joint statement on Monday.

"At a time when cricket is seeking to expand its reach, attract new audiences and strengthen its position on the international sporting landscape, reducing meaningful opportunities for emerging nations sends entirely the wrong message."

Associate Members are nations that belong to the ICC but do not hold Full Member status, which is reserved for the game's leading countries.

The 2027 World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

- Reuters

JOSÉ MOURINHO REVEALS HE SIGNED CONTRACT TO SUCCEEDED ALEX FERGUSON AT MAN UTD

 

The Portuguese has said in a new Netflix documentary about his life he had agreed to move to Old Trafford in 2013.

José Mourinho has revealed he signed a contract to succeed Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully renege on the deal and return to Chelsea.

The football world was rocked when the Scottish great announced he was retiring having overseen a 13th Premier League title triumph win during a spell of unrivalled dominance at Old Trafford.

United have failed to return to the top of the English game since Ferguson stepped down, with successor David Moyes sacked after only 10 months in charge.

David Moyes did not last long as Alex Ferguson’s successor at Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA)

Mourinho was later brought in, spending two and a half years in charge from 2016, but revealed in a new Netflix documentary about his life that he had agreed to come earlier.

“I go to Chelsea in 2013 but in that period there is something nobody knows,” the Portuguese said in ‘Mourinho’.

“I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth, and I think the objective of this work that we are doing is to tell the truth.

“When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after .”

Mourinho continued: “I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible appeal.

“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close.

Jose Mourinho celebrates Real Madrid scoring against Ferguson’s United (Martin Rickett/PA)

“But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club.

“I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.”

Ferguson was one of the footballing figures interviewed for the new documentary and admits he was under the illusion Mourinho was accepting the offer, only for the situation to change in a matter of hours.

“Early evening he phoned me and he was crying,” the United great said. “And he says, ‘Alex, I can’t take it – I’ve given my word to Chelsea, and I’m not going to break my word’.

“The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed.”

Mourinho had a strong bond with Chelsea after leading them to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups during an unforgettable first spell.

The Portuguese parked differences with owner Roman Abramovich to return to Stamford Bridge after leaving Real Madrid, winning another league crown and League Cup before being sacked in December 2015.

Mourinho took in two spells as Chelsea boss (John Walton/PA

“For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don’t regret because it was a decision that I made with my heart,” Mourinho, now back in charge of Real Madrid, said.

“And I think it is nature that says something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I think it’s nature. I did it for love.

“I went back with the feeling of, yes, I go home, but with big responsibility because what I did before is history, and you don’t want to destroy your legacy.”

- Simon Peach

VFB STUTTGART SIGN DŽENAN PEJČINOVIĆ FROM WOLFSBURG

Dženan Pejčinović scored 12 goals in 34 appearances for Wolfsburg in 2025/26. - © DFL/Getty Images/Boris Streubel

VfB Stuttgart have completed the signing of Dženan Pejčinović from Wolfsburg on a contract until 2031.

Former Bayern Munich youngster Pejčinović scored 12 goals in 34 appearances for the Wolves last season but was unable to prevent the club from being relegated to Bundesliga 2.

The 21-year-old striker is Stuttgart’s sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Marius Funk, Leo Sauer, David Preu, Grischa Prömel and Tim van der Leij.

"I can hardly wait to get started at VfB, I’m really looking forward to it," said Pejčinović. "I already know some of my new teammates from the DFB youth teams and had very good talks with the management, so I didn’t have to think twice when I heard about VfB’s interest. Now I want to settle in as quickly as possible and contribute to a successful season for VfB.”

“Dzenan has everything it takes to be a valuable option in attack immediately, and as a young player, he still has a lot of potential for development,” added Fabian Wohlgemuth, Stuttgart’s board member for sport. "Last but not least, it's a great sign that a player who is highly sought after on the market has decided to join us. This also confirms VfB Stuttgart's continuous upward trend in recent years."

Born in Munich to Montenegrin parents, Pejčinović started his career with Bayern before moving to Augsburg in 2017.

He signed for Wolfsburg in 2022 after five years with Die Fuggerstädter’s academy, making his debut for the club in a 2-1 defeat at Hertha Berlin on the final day of the 2022/23 season.

Pejčinović spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf before returning to Wolfsburg for the following campaign. He scored eight goals in 18 league outings between December and May, and was also on target in the second leg of the Wolves’ play-off defeat to Paderborn.

The young frontman represented Montenegro at Under-15 level before pledging his allegiance to Germany. Currently part of their Under-21 squad, he scored 39 goals in as many youth international appearances between October 2020 and September 2024. In total, he has bagged 41 goals and provided 10 assists for German youth teams.

- BUNDESLIGA 

LIVERPOOL OWNERS CLOSE TO €1.58BN SALE OF 30% STAKE TO CONSORTIUM INCLUDING JEFF BEZOS

Group including Amazon founder has held talks with Fenway Sports Group

It is understood the deal is effectively agreed but may take up to a month to complete. Photograph: Jan Kruger/Getty Images

A consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is close to completing a deal for a 30 per cent stake in Liverpool after months of talks with Fenway Sports Group.

The investors are led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, who previously was a shareholder at Queens Park Rangers. Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is another member of the group who are set to pay in the region of £1.35 billion (€1.58 billion) for almost a third of the Premier League club. It is understood the deal is effectively agreed but may take up to a month to complete.

Bezos has a personal fortune of around $257 billion (€223 billion), according to Forbes, making him the fourth-richest person in the world, while Saverin is reportedly worth $32 billion (€28 billion). This will be Bezos’ first investment in football but he has previously looked into bidding for NFL franchises. The 62-year-old will receive equity as part of the deal, which it is understood Deloitte has advised on.

Bezos is the executive chair of Amazon having relinquished day-to-day control when he stepped down as chief executive five years ago. Under his leadership the online retailer has looked to diversify as an entertainment provider in recent years and has bought numerous sports rights for its streaming service.

Amazon had live UK rights for 20 Premier League games each season for six seasons until the end of last year, and broadcasts the Champions League in several European countries, as well as NFL in the US.

FSG bought the Merseyside club in 2010 and have overseen an era which has included two Premier League titles. FSG previously sold 3 per cent of the club to the US private equity firm Dynasty Equity in 2023.

It has been a summer of change at Anfield, with Andoni Iraola replacing Arne Slot as head coach, while Mohamed Salah left on a free transfer and has since joined Trabzonspor. Meanwhile, Michael Edwards departed his role as chief executive officer at FSG.

FSG has been approached for comment. 

– Guardian

- Will Unwin

FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO ACCUSED OF 'DECEPTION' AS UEFA, CONCACAF, AND AFC LAUNCH SENSATIONAL JOINT ATTACK

 

Getty

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing the most significant threat to his leadership yet after three of the world’s most powerful football confederations launched a scathing joint attack. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global game, UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC have officially accused the governing body of "deception" following the fallout of a plan to sell off commercial rights to the World Cup.

Infantino accused of abandoning duty

The civil war at the heart of world football has reached a boiling point as UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC issued a searing open letter directed at Infantino. The document, signed by the presidents and general secretaries of the three continental bodies, pulls no punches in its assessment of the current FIFA administration.

In a direct shot at Infantino’s personal conduct, the three confederations suggest that Infantino has prioritised personal power over the collective interests of the member associations, stating: "When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned."

It continued: "Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding - or demanding - power to be held. It is a duty of service to the football family that entrusts it."

Getty

The FFE controversy

The root of the anger lies in what letter described as a "profound failure of judgement" regarding the FFE project. They specifically criticised Infantino's conduct during a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, where he allegedly shut out FIFA Council members and member associations, choosing instead to summon only senior staff employed directly by FIFA.

The letter also makes it clear that FIFA’s recent admissions of procedural mistakes regarding the FFE process do not go nearly far enough to repair the damage done. The letter added: "It did not acknowledge that the proposal itself was inherently wrong. There remains no recognition that attempting to sell an interest in the FIFA World Cup was a profound failure of judgement.

"Not just a procedural misstep, but a fundamental breach of trust with the very institutions FIFA exists to serve."

Despite FIFA committing to a report for the next Council meeting in October, the three confederations are demanding a much more rigorous and transparent investigation. They argue that the current internal review lacks the necessary independence to be credible. Their letter adds: "There is silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness." The tension has reached a point where legal warnings have been issue, with UEFA explicitly warned FIFA that it must not delete or destroy any documents related to the abandoned plans for the private investment deal.

The threat of breakaway competitions

Perhaps the most significant development is the looming threat of a total fracture in the global football landscape. According to Telegraph, preliminary discussions have already taken place between UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC regarding the creation of breakaway competitions should Infantino remain in his post. While the parties have not yet provided specific details on what these tournaments would look like or when they might begin, the mere mention of such a move serves as a nuclear option in their standoff with FIFA.

UEFA has been the most vocal in its opposition, previously threatening a boycott of all FIFA competitions. Despite FIFA's attempts to defend Infantino's record, the European governing body insists that these defences "change nothing" regarding their potential refusal to participate in future World Cups or other FIFA-sanctioned events.

Getty

A divided house and upcoming tests

However, despite the strength of the joint letter, the opposition to Infantino is not entirely unanimous within the confederations themselves. While the leadership of CONCACAF and the AFC have signed the letter, several of their member nations have already publicly declared their support for the current FIFA president. In North America, Mexico has come out in support of Infantino, while in Asia, eight countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Kuwait, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Bhutan, have officially backed him.

The first true test of this brewing rebellion is less than a month away. The FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to begin in Poland, featuring five European nations, including England. While UEFA has floated the idea of a boycott, the implementation remains a logistical and political minefield. France has already indicated that they still plan to compete in the tournament, as per BBC, highlighting the potential for cracks in the unified front.

- Muhammad Zaki

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DON NELSON. SECOND-WINNINGEST COACH IN NBA HISTORY, DIES AT 86

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, a five-time NBA champion as a player and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has died, it was announced Sunday. He was 86.

"On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family," Nelson's family said in a statement. "Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories."

In 31 seasons as an NBA head coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors (twice), New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks, Nelson finished with a regular-season record of 1,335-1,063. He retired with the most coaching wins ever, a mark that was broken by the San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich in March 2022.

Nelson made 18 playoff appearances as a coach, finishing with a 75-91 postseason record.

As a player, Nelson won five NBA titles in 11 seasons with the Boston Celtics, who retired his No. 19 jersey in 1978. He played 14 seasons in the NBA.

"The Celtics extend our deep condolences to Nelson's family, loved ones, and everyone he touched through his rich and impactful life in basketball and beyond," the Celtics said in a statement.

Immediately following his playing career, Nelson joined the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach for the 1976-77 season. Only 15 games into that season, he was promoted to head coach after Larry Costello was fired.

From there, Nelson, who added general manager to his title the following season with Milwaukee, used an unorthodox coaching style that became known as "Nellie Ball" to put together a Hall of Fame résumé during his 31 seasons. Nellie Ball proved to be ahead of its time, utilizing smaller, more athletic players to fuel a fast-paced offense that prioritized creating mismatches through speed. It was a philosophy that was adopted across the league long after he retired.

"Don Nelson was a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said in a statement Sunday. "He consistently challenged conventional thinking, experimented with different lineups and styles of play and saw possibilities in the game that others often did not. So much of what is now commonplace in the modern NBA can be traced back to the way Nellie approached the game."

Nelson's fast-paced offenses were probably best on display during his first stint in Golden State in the early 1990s -- the "Run TMC" era featuring future Hall of Famers Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Nelson said he wanted the trio of guards on the court at the same time, a daring idea at the time.

"Nellie was ahead of his time and there was nobody else like him," Hardaway said. "He had an incredible impact on my career and on the game of basketball. I'm going to miss him, and my thoughts and prayers are with Joy, Donnie and the entire Nelson family."

Richmond and Mullin also shared heartfelt gratitude toward Nelson in statements released Sunday, a sentiment shared by several of the longtime coach's former players.

Nelson was a three-time winner of the NBA Coach of the Year award (1983, '85, '92) but never won an NBA championship as a coach.

Boston Celtics' Don Nelson (19) goes to the basket against Milwaukee's Cornell Warner (35) during an NBA championship game in 1974. AP Photo, File

With Milwaukee, Nelson missed the playoffs only twice in his 11 seasons, winning seven straight Central Division titles. But he never reached the NBA Finals as he couldn't overcome Eastern Conference powerhouses Boston or Philadelphia, and he resigned after the 1986-87 season.

After one season of TV analyst work, he returned to the bench with Golden State, where he spent seven seasons before he resigned midway through the 1994-95 season. He returned for a second stint with the Warriors before the 2006-07 season and stayed four more seasons in his final NBA stop.

Nelson accepted the coaching job with the Knicks before the 1995-96 season but was fired with a 34-25 record and replaced by assistant Jeff Van Gundy.

The following year, Nelson joined the Mavericks, where he helped turn around the franchise's fortunes by working draft-day deals to acquire future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. He coached eight seasons with the Mavericks, and his son Donnie, who served as his assistant, also was the team's general manager before an acrimonious split in June 2021.

"We hid Dirk for several weeks before the draft," Nelson told Sports Illustrated about Nowitzki flying under the radar while practicing with Athletes in Action in Dallas before the 1998 draft. "We made a commitment that we were going to draft him. We just wanted to keep him from going anywhere else to work out. He was going to be ours. He was happy with that. So, he hid for a week in Donnie's basement."

In a social media post Sunday, Nowitzki thanked Nelson for all his former coach did for him.

Nelson is also credited for helping land another franchise-altering superstar in his final years as Warriors head coach. During the 2009 NBA draft, he went against consensus and pushed Golden State to draft Stephen Curry with the No. 7 pick.

"One of the big reasons I was drafted by the Warriors was because of Don Nelson," Curry said in a statement. "The story is he never liked rookies, but from Day 1 he challenged me and gave me an opportunity to be my best self on the court. He taught me a lot during our one season together and I'll never forget the night he became the winningest coach in NBA history in Minnesota. We were so happy for him.

"He had an immeasurable impact on the sport and will go down as one of the greatest minds in the history of the game. He's a true icon and will be missed by the countless number of people he touched, including myself, during a legendary career."

Nelson twice coached in the NBA All-Star Game, and he led "Dream Team II" to a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championships.

Nelson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2025, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Miffed that the Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade, Nelson wore a pair of Doncic's signature Jordan Brand sneakers to the awards ceremony. He called the trade a "tremendous mistake."

Doncic, who shared a close relationship with Donnie Nelson during their time together in Dallas, called Sunday a sad day for basketball in a social media post.

After a standout college career at Iowa, Nelson broke into the NBA as a player with the Chicago Zephyrs, who selected him with the 17th pick in the 1962 draft. The Los Angeles Lakers claimed him off waivers before the 1963-64 season, but Nelson did not play much. Celtics general manager Red Auerbach then came calling before the 1964-65 season, signing him as a free agent. Nelson went on to average 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while winning five titles during his 11 seasons in Boston.

His most celebrated moment as a Celtic came in the final minutes of Game 7 of the NBA Finals in 1969 against the Lakers, when Nelson's foul-line jumper that initially bounced high off the back rim gave Boston a three-point lead.

Overall, he played 1,053 regular-season games as a small forward and power forward, averaging 10.3 points and 4.9 rebounds. In 150 career playoff games, he averaged 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds.

"Don Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. "He spent nearly 50 years in the NBA -- winning five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics before building one of the most successful and pioneering coaching careers in league history. He brought an unmistakable personality to everything he did, and his impact on our sport will continue to be felt for generations."

After his coaching career, Nelson retired to a 22-acre farm in Maui, Hawai'i, and became an entrepreneur. He told HBO's "Real Sports" in 2019 that he grew flowers, coffee and cannabis on the farm.

After the deadly Maui wildfires of 2023, Nelson opened his rental properties to families who had lost their homes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN

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RAUL FERNANDEZ WINS BRITISH MOTOGP AS MARTIN EXTENDS TITLE LEAD

Trackhouse rider claims his first Grand Prix victory of season while Jorge Martin increases his championship advantage to 31 points

Raul Fernandez won the British MotoGP on Sunday after recovering from a crash in Saturday's Sprint, while Jorge Martin finished second to extend his lead in the championship standings.

This was Fernandez's first Grand Prix win of the season and the second of his MotoGP career after his triumph at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix.

The Trackhouse rider started second but took the lead at the opening corner before controlling the 20-lap race to finish about 2.5 seconds ahead of Martin.

Pole-sitter Martin dropped to fourth at the start because of a technical problem but recovered by overtaking Marc Marquez and Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi to finish second.

Bezzecchi completed the podium in third after holding off Alex Marquez in the closing stages.

The Italian, who returned to competition after recovering from injuries sustained at the German Grand Prix, climbed to second in the championship standings.

Martin collected 20 points to increase his total to 240, while Bezzecchi earned 16 points to move to 209, leaving the Spaniard with a 31-point championship lead.

Ai Ogura, who started third on the grid and entered the race second in the standings with 203 points, crashed out around the halfway stage and dropped to third in the championship.

Despite climbing from sixth to third at the start, reigning champion Marc Marquez slipped to seventh, collecting nine points to remain fourth in the standings with 200.

Fabio Di Giannantonio finished sixth to earn 10 points and remained fifth in the championship with 199.

British MotoGP race results

Raul Fernandez

Jorge Martin

Marco Bezzecchi

Alex Marquez

Pedro Acosta

Fabio Di Giannantonio

Marc Marquez

Brad Binder

Luca Marini

Diogo Moreira

Franco Morbidelli

Fabio Quartararo

Jack Miller

Pol Espargaro

Toprak Razgatlioglu

Augusto Fernandez

Did not finish: Ai Ogura, Francesco Bagnaia, Cal Crutchlow, Iker Lecuona, Enea Bastianini, Alex Rins and Joan Mir

- Halis Sunnetci

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MESSI RETURNS ROSARIO AFTER HIS FATHER'S DEATH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FAREWELL CEREMONY

Lionel Messi (Photo/Archive)

Rosario, Argentina – Argentine star Lionel Messi, captain of Inter Miami, arrived in his hometown of Rosario on Saturday evening, following the death of his father Jorge Messi, to participate in the farewell ceremony with family members.

Jorge Messi died at the age of 68, after a long battle with illness, leaving behind one of the most prominent figures who had a significant impact on the life and football career of the Argentine national team captain.

Jorge played a pivotal role in the beginning of his son’s career, managing his business affairs and overseeing many of his off-field matters from his early years. He was also strongly present in Messi’s journey from Argentina to Europe and the beginning of his career with Barcelona.

During Messi’s time at Newell’s Old Boys, Jorge took care of providing his son with the necessary treatment and monitoring his condition, before accompanying him during his move to Spain and joining the Barcelona academy, while his mother remained in Rosario to take care of the rest of the family.

Despite his name being linked to his son’s famous career, Jorge Messi maintained a limited media presence, preferring to stay out of the spotlight and focus on supporting his son and family away from media attention.

Jorge Messi leaves behind his wife Celia Cuccittini, his sons Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol, along with his grandchildren and the rest of the family.

- Ahmed Khairy

ARSENAL ESTABLISH CONTACT FOR BRADLEY BARCOLA MOVE

Arsenal will attempt to sign 23-year-old French international Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain this summer after being snubbed by Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Bradley Barcola is also the subject of interest from Liverpool. The Reds are eager to bolster their offensive unit by signing a wide attacker in the ongoing transfer window, and they have their sights set on the 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger.

Per TEAMtalk, the Merseyside giants remain the front-runners in the battle for Barcola’s signature, even though Arsenal have contacted his camp to discuss a deal. Meanwhile, the report has added that PSG continue to hold out for €150 million to sell the Frenchman in the coming weeks.

Bradley Barcola and his time at PSG so far

Bradley Barcola has established himself as one of the world’s best young wingers since joining PSG from Lyon in August 2023. The 23-year-old hit the ground running at Parc des Princes, and he has made exponential progress in the last three seasons. Even though he has not been an undisputed first-choice starter, his pace, work rate, and technical ability have won him widespread recognition while making him a valued asset.

Barcola scored 13 goals and provided 7 assists in only 2,971 minutes of game time across 49 appearances in all competitions during the 2025/26 season. The French winger carried that form into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making his mark in France’s campaign. Meanwhile, his exploits have provoked interest from several high-profile clubs, with Arsenal and Liverpool among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

Premier League move on the horizon?

Bradley Barcola has been on Arsenal’s wishlist for several months. The continued interest makes logical sense, as the Gunners need a productive attacker on the left flank after Gabriel Martinelli’s struggles in the 2025/26 season. With Leandro Trossard joining Besiktas, Barcola is now a primary target, particularly in the wake of Vinicius Junior’s decision to sign a new deal with Real Madrid.

As for Liverpool, the Reds are preparing for life after Mohamed Salah, who has departed from Anfield this summer. While Victor Munoz has been signed to fill Luis Diaz’s void on the left flank, they need another wide attacker to fill the quality gap in the final third. With Cody Gakpo struggling to perform consistently, Barcola represents a potentially transformative addition to their offensive arsenal.

Meanwhile, reports have revealed PSG’s hard stance on Barcola’s price is making a summer deal difficult. However, with PSG holding firm on their €150 million asking price and Barcola reportedly eager to leave Parc des Princes, a summer move to the Premier League remains on the agenda.

- Keshav Awasty

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