One of the most iconic boots of the 1990s, the Diadora Match Winner II SC was the signature shoe of Roberto Baggio, worn during some of the most memorable moments of his glittering career including the 1994 World Cup.
Instantly recognisable with their sleek design and the Italian maestro's name attached, they became one of the most sought after boots of their generation, cementing Diadora's place among the great football boot manufacturers of that era.
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| George Russell is looking to bounce back in Canada |
The Mercedes driver has fallen 20 points behind teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ standings, with Italian teenager’s blistering seeing him triumph in the last three Grands Prix.
The results have swung against the pre-season narrative that Russell was indeed the title favourite, which was initially furthered with success in the opening round in Australia.
Whilst McLaren and Red Bull have appeared to catch-up to Mercedes, the German marque is still the standout overall favourite for both title crowns, leaving Russell with what appears to be a big chance to close the gap to Antonelli.
And whilst Brundle, speaking to Sky Sports News, acknowledged there is a “long way to go” in the championship, a victory in Montreal this weekend would give Russell a chance to firmly press the reset button.
“There’s a long way to go. There’s 482 points available in this championship,” he said.
“I don’t think the points deficit is that much of a problem for George Russell.
“For example, last year in Canada, Lando Norris had a clumsy accident with his team-mate Oscar Piastri in the McLaren, and that looked like he’d hurt his championship chances, then he goes on to become World Champion.
“This is only our fifth Grand Prix of the season, and it’s going to be a challenging one. It’s the first Sprint in Canada.
“It’s going to be cold. It might be wet on race day. It’s going to be quite the challenge.
"George needs to stop Antonelli in his tracks and get a few points back against him, but I think it’s more psychological than the mathematics.”
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| George Russell struggled to keep with teammate Kimi Antonelli in Miami, and enters this weekend’s race 20 points behind |
Antonelli has certainly silenced the doubters, the teenager having been lambasted for a number of performances across his debut campaign, with Russell often outperforming the W16.
Brundle was full of praise for the sport’s youngest-ever title-leader, however did point out that Russell, who often performs well in Canada – winning the race last year, with Antonelli third – could prove to be a sterner test than he previously was last time out in the Miami Grand Prix.
“He’s been mighty, his speed, his consistency. He kept his head under pressure in Miami,” he said.
“George Russell struggles in Miami, but is very strong in Canada, so Kimi will have a bigger fight on his hands across the garage and a lot of teams are bringing upgrades.
“But, Kimi’s raw pace and consistency has been super impressive.”
With Antonelli still shaking off the 2025 criticisms, every Grand Prix feels like a litmus test for the young Italian. And if he can navigate the latest one, his title credentials will soar once again.
- Jack Oliver Smith
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| BILL STREICHER/IMAGN IMAGES Nolan Smith was reportedly arrested Friday for speeding and reckless driving. |
Philadelphia Eagles edge defender Nolan Smith was arrested last Friday for reckless driving and speeding. A mugshot of Smith first appeared at The Georgia Gazette, a site that appears to be a roundup of arrest records. Local CBS affiliate WMAZ-TV confirmed the arrest.
PhillyVoice has not yet been able to confirm the speed that Smith was driving, but reports online suggest he was either going 135 or 137 MPH in a 70 MPH zone.
There have been a number of recent incidents in which NFL players were cited for excessive speeding.
In 2023, Vikings WR Jordan Addison was cited for driving 140 MPH in a 55 MPH zone.
Browns DE Myles Garrett has repeatedly been cited for excessive speeding, including a 2025 citation for driving 100 MPH in a 60 MPH zone.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders also has multiple speeding incidents, including a 2025 citation for driving 101 MPH in a 60 MPH zone.
None of the above players were suspended by the NFL. It's also worth noting that Jalen Carter – Smith's teammate both with the Eagles and at Georgia – pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing in 2023. He received a year of probation, plus a small fine and community service.
Smith had a quiet rookie season in 2023 and his second season in 2024 got off to a slow start. However, the light seemed to come on for him after the Week 5 bye in 2024. In the 15 games he played from October on, Smith had 10.5 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles, and he did a lot of the dirty work in the defense like taking on pulling guards and burying them. He also led the NFL with four postseason sacks.
Smith entered 2025 as a budding star, and the Eagles' top edge defender. However, he did not have the season that he or the Eagles were hoping for, as he missed five games after aggravating a triceps injury that he suffered in the previous year's Super Bowl. He was also on a pitch count upon his return.
Smith will presumably be healthy to begin the 2026 season, and the Eagles will hope he picks up where he left off in 2024. The promise he showed in 2024 was enough for the Eagles to exercise his fifth-year option for 2027, at a cost of just under $14 million.
- JIMMY KEMPSKI
Ryan Garcia just announced he's fighting Conor Benn on September 12th in Las Vegas.
The same day Canelo is fighting Christian Mbilli
Two WBC titles on the line!
Top tennis players hit back as French Open reduces players’ share of prize money
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| AFP |
You know something is off when news of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic appointing a new coach or seven-time Major winner Carlos Alcaraz pulling out from both French Open and Wimbledon due to a right wrist injury don’t make tennis headlines like it should. True, Jannik Sinner has been hogging the limelight in recent months during his record-breaking Masters 1000 title-run and is the odds-on favourite to win his first French Open as well, but none of these developments are in the spotlight as we head into the second Grand Slam of the year.
Instead, it is the rising murmurs of discontent among top players regarding their share of the prize money that has grabbed all the attention. L'Equipe newspaper reported Wednesday that many players competing at Roland Garros, which begins Sunday, are planning to limit their conversations with reporters to 15 minutes during Friday's traditional pre-tournament media day.
The French tennis federation (FFT), which organizes the French Open, said in a statement to The Associated Press that it regrets the players' initiative "which penalizes all stakeholders involved in the tournament: the media, broadcasters, federation staff and the entire tennis community that enthusiastically follows each edition of Roland Garros."
For the record, men’s No 1 Sinner, women’s top-ranked player Aryna Sabalenka and No 4 and defending French Open champion Coco Gauff were among leading players who threatened a boycott of the Slams earlier this month if they didn't start receiving more compensation. According to them, the players' share of revenue at the French Open had been reduced to an alleged 14.3 per cent – compared to 22 per cent at other ATP and WTA events. They say the event generated 395 million euros in 2025, a 14 per cent year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by just 5.4 per cent, reducing players' share of revenue to 14.3 per cent.
The players are also seeking better representation, health options and pensions from the four Grand Slam tournaments: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open. The Australian Open this year increased the players' compensation by 16 per cent, and the US Open prize money last year went up by 20 per cent.
While conversations have mostly been about boycotts and disgruntled players, 38-year-old Djokovic, a three-time winner at the French Open, appointed Viktor Troicki, his former Serbian teammate and the man who guided him to Olympic glory in 2024, as his new coach. With Sinner in such commanding form leaving all his supposed rivals like world No 3 Alexander Zverev and No 4 Djokovic in the dust, it really would take a bad day in the office for the Italian to not win his first title at Roland Garros.
The woman’s draw is a bit more open, with Sabalenka not having a great run on clay in the lead-up and the likes of world No 2 Elena Rybakina snapping at her heels. And of course, never count out world No 3 and four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek, especially on this surface.
- Jaydip Sengupta
An ecstatic Prince William holds onto the Europa League trophy as he celebrates Aston Villa’s historic Europa League victory.
The future King, who is a huge Villa fan, was pictured last night with his hands on the trophy alongside the club’s manager Unai Emery.
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| PRINCE WILLIAM AND UNAI EMERY POSED FOR PHOTOS TOGETHER WITH THE EUROPA LEAGUE TROPHY ASTON VILLA |
It comes after photos showed William looking emotional as Villa clinched claimed their first major silverware in 30 years - and a first European title since 1982.
The Prince of Wales attended the Europa League final in Istanbul on Wednesday evening where his beloved Villa won 3-0 against German side Freiburg.
After the victory William erupted into cheers and celebrated with friends who had watched the game alongside him. He appeared to wipe away tears.
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| CAMERASPORT VIA GETTY IMAGES |
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| WILLIAM CELEBRATES ASTON VILLA’S VICTORY WITH HIS FRIENDS GETTY IMAGES |
It was Villa’s first major European final since the prince was born, their first silverware since the League Cup in 1996 and a first continental trophy since the European Cup in 1982.
After the match, Kensington Palace published the Prince of Wales’ message to the team: “Amazing night!!
“Huge congratulations to all the players, team, staff and everyone connected to the club! 44 years since the last taste of European silverware!”
The prince added: “Special shout out to Boubacar Kamara who has been out injured but is such an integral part of our team and helped lay the foundations of this success.”
Midfielder Kamara has been absent since suffering a knee injury earlier this year.
After lifting the trophy, Villa captain John McGinn said that William, who has followed the club since he was a schoolboy, met the players before kick-off.
“He is a classy guy,” McGinn told TNT.
“He was in the dressing room before the game. He is a massive Villa fan so he was never going to miss it.
“He is just a normal guy. It’s great to have his support and hopefully it continues and tonight he can have a couple of drinks with us and maybe get his credit card out at the end of the night.”
During the final, Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia each scored a goal at the end of the first half.
Morgan Rogers then added a third in the 58th minute, sparking jubilant scenes at the final whistle.
Striker Ollie Watkins revealed the secret to Villa’s triumph following the match.
A trophy parade is due to take place in Birmingham later on Thursday.
- MATT WATTS
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| Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images |
Three weeks on from the events in Miami, the Canadian Grand Prix marks Formula 1's second North American visit at one of its most unique and quietly beloved venues. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve may not offer a high-octane combination of fast corners, but with its unpredictable weather, long straights and the punishing proximity of its many walls, the race on the picturesque Ile Notre-Dame has delivered more than its fair share of classics.
For the first time in its history, Montreal will also host a sprint weekend, and rain appears to be on the horizon, too. With all that in mind, here are five things to look out for in Montreal.
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| Getty Images |
The current Formula 1 championship picture is arguably misrepresenting the battle between the dominant Mercedes duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. They occupy the top two positions with Antonelli on 100 points, 20 clear of his more experienced team-mate after three consecutive victories in Shanghai, Suzuka and Miami.
Antonelli is the only driver with a podium at every grand prix this season, having finished second at the Melbourne opener to Russell, who has since taken second, fourth and fourth again. So looking on paper, Antonelli has been the better driver and is rightfully the bookies’ favourite for the title heading into Canada this weekend - but this writer wholeheartedly disagrees.
That’s because Miami is a bogey track for Russell, who struggles with its low-grip nature and it was even witnessed last year. In 2025, when the Briton was significantly better than his rookie team-mate, he was still outqualified for both the Miami sprint and grand prix so Russell getting beat last time out was no surprise.
Fans should therefore expect the 28-year-old to come back fighting in Canada and for two reasons: a, he won from pole in 2025 and, b, Miami was the first time this year Antonelli held the upper hand throughout after Russell was hit by ill fortune in Shanghai and Suzuka.
So, in this writer’s mind, nothing has really changed since pre-season and surely last year taught us that title fights constantly ebb and flow…
- Ed Hardy
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| Getty Images |
That´s, of course, if Mercedes gets its own way in Canada as it has done at the majority of 2025's races so far. In Miami, McLaren took a big bite out of the Brackley squad's lead thanks to the first of a two-pronged upgrade package - with reigning world champion Lando Norris winning the sprint event from pole.
Meanwhile, Mercedes kept the vast majority of its novelties back for Montreal, which has made Antonelli's convincing pole-to-flag win during the Miami grand prix somewhat ominous.
Both teams are now bringing a suite of upgrades to Canada, with McLaren teasing "new components across the floor, chassis, front and rear wings, bodywork, halo and roll hoop." According to our information, it's still a significant package though not quite as massive as its Miami update. Mercedes hasn't shown its hand yet, but expect the Silver Arrows to be strong at a circuit Russell drove its predecessor to victory last year from pole.
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| TWJB Photography |
Alpine had already shown in China and Japan that it has the pace to lead the midfield fight this season, but in Miami it appeared to hold an almost surprising advantage over its direct rivals.
The team comfortably placed both cars inside the top 10 in both qualifying sessions, while Franco Colapinto finished seventh in the grand prix, 20 seconds clear of the next midfield runner. Pierre Gasly’s true potential, meanwhile, remained unclear after his race ended upside down on the opening laps after being tagged by Liam Lawson.
What is certain is that Alpine’s standout weekend in Miami coincided with the introduction of a significant upgrade package – with more developments expected in Montreal – while rivals such as Haas are set to roll out major updates of their own over the Canadian weekend.
That poses an intriguing question heading into round five. During a season where teams are unlocking performance at a rapid rate under this year’s major regulation overhaul, there is no guarantee Alpine can sustain this performance level. If it does in Canada, the Enstone-based outfit could begin to establish itself as the enduring midfield benchmark.
- Federico Faturos
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| Getty Images |
It was probably a surprise when, in Miami - after a month without racing - Aston Martin was the only team that didn’t submit updates in the document the FIA releases before each grand prix. The team and its engine supplier, Honda, focused on eliminating vibrations caused by the power unit and improving driveability. And while they seem to have put the vibrations behind them, another problem with the gearbox became more evident, and ultimately the result was similar, with Aston seemingly only able to spar with newcomer Cadillac.
Fernando Alonso dashed any optimism in front of the media when he all but confirmed his team's fortunes would remain unchanged for at least another couple of months, and that he does not expect major progress until after the summer.
Now, Aston and Honda have continued working on improving the car’s stability and gaining experience on the test bench in Japan, Canada can be a first opportunity to at least focus on squeezing more performance out of its flawed package, which would already be a step forward. Can the stop-start, traction-heavy Gilles Villeneuve circuit work in the team's favour?
It remains to be seen whether the team will introduce changes on the aerodynamic side or if its upgrade sheet will once again be completely blank. If that's the case, we’ll have to see if the progress in terms of deployment and driveability is enough to start seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, or if Canada is more of the same for Aston Martin, Alonso and local driver Lance Stroll.
2026 will mark the earliest Canadian Grand Prix in Formula 1 history, taking place on 24 May – as opposed to the previous ‘record’ of 2 June in 1991. Spring can be quite chilly in that part of the world, but the forecast is looking decent for this weekend, with 15C to 19C (59F to 66F) expected for the grand prix’s competitive sessions.
It should be mostly dry, too – with an important caveat: rain is forecast on Sunday, which might spice things up and provide a first picture of wet-weather racing with 2026-spec machinery. For the record, only one of the last 10 Montreal races took place on a wet track – the 2024 round, won by Max Verstappen.
Regardless, the freezing (figuratively speaking) cold of the very first grand prix at Ile Notre-Dame, with 5C (41F) on 8 October 1978, won’t be an issue this weekend. It will get pretty close to this temperature in some mornings, but the track action is scheduled late enough in the day.
- Ben Vinel
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| Southampton were on Tuesday expelled from the Championship play-off final after admitting to spying on a training session of semi-final opponents Middlesbrough. |
Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship playoffs after being found guilty of spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, the English Football League said on Tuesday.
Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 to Southampton in the two-legged semi-final, have been re-instated and will now face Hull City on Saturday in what is dubbed the world's richest football match.
Promotion to the Premier League is estimated to be worth in the region of 200 million pounds ($268.10 million) over three seasons. Southampton, who admitted the charges, were also found guilty of filming training sessions involving Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April during the regular season. They have also been deducted four points for the start of next season in England's second tier.
"An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs after the club admitted multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training," the EFL said.
"Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The effect of today's order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 play-offs and will proceed to the play-off final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kickoff time to be confirmed."
The EFL confirmed that Southampton could appeal against the decision and that "parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on May 20. "Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday's fixture," the statement said.
Middlesbrough had called for Southampton's expulsion after having a training session filmed ahead of the first leg of their playoff semi-final with Southampton which ended 0-0.
The club said it welcomed the decision. "We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct," Middlesbrough said in a statement. "As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday."
Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last season and were struggling in the early part of this campaign until a storming finish in which they went unbeaten in 19 league games to finish fourth and enter the playoffs.
- REUTERS/LONDON
