MADELEINE MCCANN'S BROTHER SEAN, 21, COMPLETING FOR SCOTLAND IN COMMONWEALTH GAMES

The Games, which take place in Glasgow from this Thursday until 2 August 2026, will mark Sean McCann's Commonwealth debut for Scotland

(Image: Getty Images for Commonwealth Sport)

Madeleine McCann’s brother will take part in the Commonwealth Games after being selected to swim for Scotland. Sean McCann is getting ready to step out onto the global stage this week when the Games begin in Glasgow.

Madeleine was three when she went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in southern Portugal on May 3 2007, shortly before her birthday. Sean and his twin sister Amelie were just two when their older sister disappeared.

According to Scottish Swimming, Sean will compete in the freestyle disciplines as he looks to qualify for Team GB and swim at the LA Olympics in 2028. The 21-year-old began competing aged eight and previously raced for Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023 in the 400m and 1500m freestyle.

Speaking about his competitive journey a few years ago on the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust website, he revealed: “I started competitive sport when I was eight, joining Charnwood triathlon club. It was here that I discovered my passion for swimming and I joined Loughborough Town swimming club to increase the number of swim sessions I did per week.

"At the age of 10, I was selected to swim at City of Leicester and I have since gone on to win multiple county titles as well as becoming regional and National champion in my age group. In order to have achieved this, I have had to remain extremely dedicated, getting up at 4am multiple mornings each week to train, since the age of 11.

"I train nine times a week in the pool, as well as three gym sessions, totalling over 20 hours of training per week. I’m aiming to compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and also the 2028 Olympics in LA.”

It is not known if his parents Kate and Gerry McCann will be in attendance at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre during the 11-day event, which begins on Thursday, July 23.

Mr and Mrs McCann criticised a true-crime drama about their daughter’s disappearance back in May, saying the programme was made without their consultation or consent.

Kate and Gerry said they 'had no involvement whatsoever' in the making of Channel 5’s 'Under Suspicion: Kate McCann', which depicts Madeleine’s mother being treated as a suspect during the investigation into her disappearance in May 2007.

In a statement released on the day the show aired, Kate and Gerry raised concerns over the 'negative impact' such programmes have on their family as they continue to grieve Madeleine’s disappearance 19 years on.

Kate McCann, the mother of the missing British girl Madeleine, carries her son Sean after piking him up from the local nursery at the Ocean Club holiday resort on May 22, 2007 in Praia da Luz, Portugal. (Image: Getty Images)

“Thank you to everyone who has offered support & kindness this month,” they wrote on the Find Madeleine Campaign website. “May is never the easiest. We usually start to feel a bit ‘lighter’ at this stage of the month.

“We are disappointed however, knowing that a Channel 5 ‘docu-drama’ will air tonight. We have not given, or been asked for, our consent and have had no involvement whatsoever in its making.

“We fail to see how it will help. Programmes like this, always have a negative impact on our family.”

The Metropolitan Police’s probe into the 2007 disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine has been active since 2011. German authorities identified Christian Brueckner as the prime suspect in Madeleine’s case back in 2022.

Gerry (L) and Kate McCann (R) leave their home in Rothley, Leicestershire in central England with daughter Amelie and son Sean, 12 September 2007. (Image: Getty Images)

However, Brueckner has never been charged over Madeleine’s disappearance and has previously denied any involvement. Speaking in December, dad Gerry, from Glasgow, said the hope of finding her after all this time is 'slim', but not 'extinguished'.

“Madeleine’s been missing for 18 years, and the bottom line is, we still don’t know what’s happened to her,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Gerry added: “I don’t even mean ‘convincing’ evidence – there is no evidence to say she’s dead.

“Now we fully understand she may be dead, it may even be probable, but we don’t know that. I’d love to find her alive, but we need to find out what happened and bring whoever’s responsible to justice, and other children and people are at risk while that perpetrator is free.”

- Connor O'Neill

FRENCH OPEN HANDS ADOLFO DANIEL VALLEJO LARGEST FINE IN HISTORY FOR SEXIST REMARKS ABOUT FEMALE UMPIRE

 

Adolfo Daniel Vallejo has been handed a whopping 65,000 euros (£56,250) fine after sexist comments he made after losing a thrilling five-set battle against 17-year-old Frenchman Moise Kouame at the French Open.

He claimed it was unsuitable for a female umpire, in this instance Ana Carvalho, to be officiating the match. He stated this due to the partisan crowd passionately supporting Kouame as he looked to continue his progress in front of his home support.

Female umpires have been officiating men's tennis matches at Grand Slam level since 2007, almost two decades now. Vallejo would have been very annoyed after he ended up losing an absolute thrilling match of tennis

.After going two sets down, the Paraguayan mustered up what seemed to be a hugely impressive comeback as Kouame started to struggle. He was 5-2 up in the fifth and had the chance to serve it out but Kouame struck back. The tiebreak was also ridiculously tense and tight, but Vallejo would come the wrong side of a 10-8 deficit.

Afterwards, he told clay about his displeasure of the crowd not being under control. "This sort of match needs to be umpired by a man; it’s very difficult for a woman to do it," he said. “It has to be refereed by a man because it is a very heavy crowd, and you need a lot of strength to go against the crowd."

A lot of backlash came from this and Vallejo responded, apologising on social media. “I want to clarify that my comments were not meant in the way they have been understood. I have respect for the umpire and for the job they do, after a 5 hours battle I was very heated and with a lot of emotions, I apologise,” he wrote.

“I also want to clarify that I didn’t blame the loss on her; she did a good job throughout the whole match. I will learn and get better with this. I also have great respect for Roland-Garros, the French Tennis Federation, and everyone involved in tennis.”

Vallejo handed huge fine

This apology has not got him out of the woods. Deemed sexist, Roland Garros’ tournament director, Amélie Mauresmo, confirmed that he would be fined by the French Tennis Federation a large 65,000 euros. This is a large chunk of his earnings from the tournament, collecting 130,000 euros for reaching the second round.

“A financial penalty was imposed, amounting to approximately 65,000 euros—roughly half of his prize money,” Mauresmo said. "As far as we’re concerned, the situation is very clear: this kind of remark is unacceptable. Neither for the tournament nor for the Federation.”

It is a sorry end to Vallejo's Grand Slam debut. A rapid rise into the top 80 has seen him automatically qualify for the tournament, getting the better of Cameron Norrie in the first round after the Brit had to retire. He was not able to repeat the fate against Kouame as he now reaps the punishment for his comments made after the match.

- Lucas Michael

THIS DAY IN BOXING HISTORY: FIGHTS THAT MADE NOVEMBER 10TH UNFORGETTABLE

This Day in Boxing History: Fights that Made November 10th Unforgettable

Time and again, November 10th has hosted some electrifying fights, championship showdowns and career-defining performances. From Hagler’s grit to Mayweather’s precision, from Cotto’s rise to Usyk’s brilliance, November 10th has become a date when boxing history refuses to take a night off.

The War at Caesars Palace: Hagler vs. Durán (1983)

It was November 10, 1983, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas — and the middleweight division was about to witness a collision of legends. “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, the undisputed champion, stood across from Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán, the Panamanian icon chasing an unprecedented fourth world title across as many weight classes.

For fifteen tactical, punishing rounds, the two men waged a battle of wills. Durán, moving up in weight, boxed smartly and even led on two of the three scorecards after 13 rounds. But Hagler, ever the calculating fighter, closed the show in the championship rounds, grinding his way to a unanimous decision victory (144–142, 144–143, 146–145). It was the first time Hagler had gone the distance as champion — a testament not only to Durán’s durability but to the razor-thin margins separating greatness from defeat.

That night, November 10th became etched in boxing lore as the evening when two masters of their craft tested each other’s mettle and left with reputations unblemished. Hagler remained king; Durán proved, once more, that legends never fade quietly.

A Statement Win: Mayweather vs. Chávez (2001)

Fast forward to November 10, 2001. A young Floyd Mayweather Jr., already a two-division world champion but still years away from global superstardom, stepped into the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco to defend his WBC super-featherweight title against rugged challenger Jesús Chávez.

Chávez brought pressure and pride, carrying with him a 35–1 record and a relentless come-forward style. But Mayweather, sharp as ever, turned the fight into a masterclass in defensive brilliance and precision counterpunching. By the ninth round, Chávez’s corner had seen enough — their man retired on his stool, beaten but unbroken.

For Mayweather, it was another step in a journey that would redefine modern boxing. Looking back, November 10, 2001, stands as a snapshot of “Pretty Boy Floyd” before the world knew him as “Money.”

Passing the Torch: Cotto vs. Mosley (2007)

Madison Square Garden has always loved a warrior, and on November 10, 2007, it had two. Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto, the WBA welterweight champion, faced off against future Hall of Famer Shane Mosley in a fight that had the makings of an instant classic.

The bout lived up to the billing. Over twelve rounds, Cotto blended youth and aggression with technical brilliance, matching Mosley’s experience with crisp combinations and disciplined ring control. When the scorecards were read — 115–113, 116–113, 115–113 — Cotto had not only defended his title but also announced his arrival as one of the elite welterweights of his era.

That November night was more than a win; it was a symbolic shift. Mosley, the veteran warrior, passed the torch to a new generation of champions ready to carry the sport forward.

A Knockout Statement: Usyk vs. Bellew (2018)

In Manchester, England, on November 10, 2018, Oleksandr Usyk walked into the ring as the undisputed cruiserweight champion — and left it with an even greater aura. Facing local hero Tony Bellew, the Ukrainian southpaw delivered a clinical performance, gradually breaking down the challenger before finishing him with a stunning eighth-round knockout.

It was the last fight of Usyk’s reign at cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight, where he would later conquer Anthony Joshua and become a two-division king. That night in Manchester, November 10 added another classic to its growing highlight reel — one part farewell, one part foreshadowing of a historic rise.

The Date That Keeps Delivering

From the smoky rings of Las Vegas to the bright lights of Madison Square Garden and the roaring arenas of Manchester, November 10 has quietly become a tradition — a day when the gloves lace up and history holds its breath. November 10 has delivered everything boxing stands for — heart, skill, endurance, and the pursuit of legacy. Fighters have been tested, dynasties have begun, and legends have left their mark. While champions come and go, great fights never truly disappear.

Fun Fact

Duran, Hagler, Mayweather, Jr, Mosley and Usyk.  Be it for only a few months or a handful of years, each prizefighter mentioned can lay claim to having been called the  mythical Pound-for-Pound King at some point in their career.  No easy task when you stop and think about just how deep the talent pool runs in this sport.  There was a moment in time when the boxing world looked upon each of these champions as the single best fighter in the entire world.  Major props to you ridiculously great warriors.

- TSS Press

RICKY HUTTON CAUSE OF DEATH: EX-WBA IBO, IBF, WINNER HITMAN DIES AT AGE 46, LIFELONG MANCHESTER CITY FAN WAS TO MAKE COMEBACK IN DUBAI THIS YEAR

Boxer Ricky Hatton. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)

Synopsis

Ricky Hatton had a perfect 43-0 record until he was floored by Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas in 2007 and was never the same again. Hatton's second loss came in 2009, when Manny Pacquiao knocked him out.

Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester. One of the most popular fighters in the sport was 46. Nicknamed 'the Hitman', Hatton won the WBA, IBO and IBF light-welterweight titles and the WBA welterweight world championship during his 15-year professional career before retiring in 2012. He had been due to make a comeback for an event in Dubai this year. Outside of the ring, Hatton was a lifelong fan of Manchester City. The club said there would be a minute of appreciation for Hatton at Sunday's derby against Manchester United.

Hatton had 45 wins in 48 bouts over his career but in the years after he retired he said he had tried to kill himself several times and had been open about his struggle with depression, drink and drugs. Hatton's best performance came in 2005 when he stopped Australian Kostya Tszyu to add the IBF light-welterweight title to the WBU belt he already held.

He had a perfect 43-0 record until he was floored by Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas in 2007 and was never the same again. Hatton's second loss came in 2009, when Manny Pacquiao knocked him out.

- The Economic Times, Global Desk

SNOOP DOGG TO HEADLINE AFL GRAND FINAL ENTERTAINMENT

The AFL has guaranteed this grand final’s pre-game will be entertaining – and different.

Iconic American rapper Snoop Dogg has been confirmed to headline the pre-game show on September 27 at the MCG.

He was an unlikely and undisputed star of last year’s Paris Olympics, joining TV personality Martha Stewart to provide commentary for NBC.

The pair went to the dressage final dressed in full equestrian gear, including helmets.

“100,000 fans. And the two best teams. And your boy big Snoop D-O-double G at the M-C-G,” the rapper said in his video announcement on Tuesday.

“Can’t wait to see y’all in September for the Telstra pre-game entertainment brought to you by … me.”

He’s the latest big-name international act lured to the grand final, following Robbie Williams, Katy Perry and Kiss.

Snoop Dogg was a man about town at the Paris Olympics, taking old friend Martha Stewart to the dressage.

Snoop Dogg’s career spans more than three decades and features hits such as Gin and Juice, Drop It Like It’s Hot, Beautiful and Young, and Wild & Free.

In 2007, he was banned from applying for a visa to enter Australia to co-host the MTV Music Video Awards. Then immigration minister Kevin Andrews said he did not meet the “character requirements”, due to convictions for drug and firearm offences.

But times have definitely changed, with the AFL rolling out the red carpet.

“The AFL grand final is the biggest event on the Australian sporting calendar – and this year, it just got a whole lot bigger,” chief executive Andrew Dillon said.

“Snoop Dogg is a pioneer, a performer, and a true entertainer. He’s played to packed stadiums around the world – but we think 100,000 fans at the MCG might just be his most iconic crowd yet.

“We want grand final day to be an unforgettable celebration of footy – and beyond the four quarters of the match, a celebration of culture, energy, and entertainment. Snoop fits that brief better than anyone.

“From Long Beach to the biggest stage in Australian sport, Snoop Dogg is coming to the MCG. And we’re ready to make history.”

He said Snoop Dogg he had toured since his visa ban, and expected no issues.

“If you saw his performance at the end of the Olympics, he’s got family-friendly ways of doing that,” he said.

Dillon also said the rapper would probably collaborate with local artists as part of his pre-game set.

Quizzed on the announcement later on Tuesday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan was low key.

“I’m going to make a confession. I’m really only a Snoop Dogg fan when he’s collaborating with Katy Perry, which probably gives you the answer,” she said, when asked for her favourite song by the rapper.

“But look, it’s great that he’s coming … It’s an international event, the AFL grand final, and having an international act headline that event is another great win.”

Elsewhere, Dillon said Snoop Dogg already supported the Western Bulldogs and might find his way into the commentary box on grand final day.

“That’s a very good question – he’s all-in on it, he has his Sherrin and he’s practising his handball, his kicking skill,” he said.

“Who knows, he might get a little cameo in the commentary box as well.”

- The New Daily with AAP

GREGG POPOVICH ENDS LEGENDARY COACHING CAREER AFTER 29 SEASONS

The NBA's all-time winningest coach will transition to the role of Spurs president of basketball operations.

Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, amassed 1,422 wins as head coach of the Spurs.

Gregg Popovich stepped down as coach of the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, ending a three-decade run that saw him lead the team to five NBA championships, become the league’s all-time wins leader and earn induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said.

He will transition to team president. Mitch Johnson, a Spurs assistant who filled in for Popovich for the season’s final 77 games, becomes the team’s coach.

Popovich, 76, missed all but five games this season after having a stroke at the team’s arena on Nov. 2. He has not spoken publicly since, though he had addressed his team at least once and released a statement in late March saying that he hoped to return to coaching.

That won’t be happening.

“I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me,” Popovich said.

Popovich’s career ends with a record of 1,422-869, which does include the 77 games — 32 wins and 45 losses — that were coached by Johnson this season. He also won 170 playoff games with the Spurs, the most by any coach with any one team and the third-most overall behind only Phil Jackson’s 229 and Pat Riley’s 171.

“The best there ever was,” Spurs great Manu Ginobili said last year of Popovich.

Popovich was a three-time NBA Coach of the Year, led the U.S. to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and coached six Hall of Famers in San Antonio — Ginobili, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Dominique Wilkins and Pau Gasol. He went up against 170 different coaches during his time in the NBA and there have been 303 coaching changes made in the league, including interim moves, during the Popovich era.

“I’ve got a video on my phone that’s, like, priceless,” said Chris Paul, who played for the Spurs this past season — going there, in large part, because of the lure of playing for Popovich. “It was us in Oklahoma City, before shootaround, and Pop is doing ballhandling stuff. All these years I’ve always seen Pop coaching in a suit, but I didn’t know how hard of a worker he was when it comes to training.”

That work ethic, Paul said, carried over into this year after the stroke and Popovich’s commitment to his rehabilitation process.

“I was the first one to get to the arena for games, and I would walk past the training room and Pop would be on the treadmill,” Paul said. “I actually had a chance to be in there while Pop is doing rehab or whatnot. So, to see how hard he works, that’s what I’m glad I got a chance to see. It had nothing to do with basketball. It just showed who he is.”

Popovich, in his role as general manager of the Spurs, made the move to fire coach Bob Hill and promote himself into that job on Dec. 10, 1996. The timing seemed, at best, awkward. The Spurs were 3-15 at that point, having played all 18 of those games without Robinson, who was just about to come back from injury. Popovich took over on the day that Robinson returned to the lineup.

“A change in direction was necessary,” Popovich said that day.

The Spurs hadn’t changed direction again since.

“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt said. “His accolades and awards don’t do justice to the impact he has had on so many people. He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader and coach. Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”

The fortunes changed — Duncan was picked No. 1 overall in the 1997 Draft — but the direction under Popovich always stayed the same. The first championship came in 1999; others followed in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. In his first 22 seasons as coach, the Spurs had 22 winning records, the first 20 of those seasons winning at least 60% of the time.

His decision to step away now comes with the Spurs having just completed the second year of a rebuild around French star Victor Wembanyama, who arrived touted as the next San Antonio great and has done nothing to suggest he won’t live up to that billing.

Popovich played at the U.S. Air Force Academy, famously wasn’t picked in a bid to make the 1972 U.S. Olympic team — some still say he merited a spot on that team — and wound up becoming a coach who might have been perfectly content to run Pomona-Pitzer, a Division III program in California, for the entirety of his professional life. That school had lost 88 consecutive conference games when he arrived; it didn’t take long for Popovich to deliver a conference championship.

Eventually, the NBA called. In time, Popovich would be paired with Robinson, then the patriarch of a dynasty fueled by Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. And out of that, Popovich put together a career like none other.

“Everyone knows the amazing job he’s done and all the accomplishments,” longtime coach Larry Brown said in 2021. “I wish more people really could know the type of person that he is.”

He was famously grumpy, liked to clash with reporters, rarely offered any details of his basketball or private life other than what was necessary. It was simultaneously real and an act; Popovich has a much softer side as well — he quietly championed causes like the San Antonio Food Bank for years and wasn’t afraid to make his political views known. And those lucky enough to know him find him hilarious.

“He has an amazing sense of humor,” Boston forward Jayson Tatum said while playing for Popovich during the Tokyo Olympics four years ago. “I guess the casual fan sees the person who does those interviews postgame, but that’s not the case of who he is at all. I absolutely love spending time with him.”

A loss in the 2013 NBA Finals crushed Popovich, whose Spurs were in position to close out the Miami Heat in six games, lost Game 6 in overtime after Ray Allen’s 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation kept the Heat alive, then fell in Game 7. But in the moments after the final horn, as Miami coach Erik Spoelstra embraced his staff, Popovich joined the hug with a wide smile.

"Spoelstra, who became coach of the Heat in 2008, becomes the league’s longest-tenured in his current position.

“He’s always just been an incredible example of class, dignity,” Spoelstra said of Popovich. “To be able to do that after wins or losses, I just think it’s a great example that you can still have class regardless of how the outcome comes during a game.”

When the Spurs beat the Heat for the title in a finals rematch in 2014, it was Spoelstra who felt the sting of losing. And once again, it was Popovich who sent congratulations on a job well done.

“There is no one out there like Pop,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said.

Popovich’s was a tenure like few others. Popovich coached the Spurs for 29 seasons, a span nearly unmatched in U.S. major pro sports history. Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, George Halas coached the Chicago Bears for 40 years and John McGraw managed the New York Giants for 31 years. Those three tenures — all wrapping up well over a half-century ago — are the only ones exceeding the length of Popovich’s coaching run with the Spurs; his 29-year era in San Antonio was matched by the Dallas Cowboys’ Tom Landry and the Green Bay Packers’ Curly Lambeau.

“It means I’m old,” Popovich said last year."

Popovich broke a gender barrier of sorts in the league when he hired Becky Hammon as the league’s first female full-time paid assistant coach. Hammon, now coach of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, would also become the first female head Summer League coach in the NBA and first female acting head coach when she replaced Popovich for a game in 2020.

“Basketball is basketball,” South Carolina women’s coach Dawn Staley said when asked about Popovich in 2017. “It doesn’t have a gender. It has a mind. It has an approach. It has a willingness. Given the opportunity, women can excel in this game. As you can see. Becky Hammon is doing a great job. You need more people like Coach Popovich to give them opportunities to learn, to grow, and to embrace it. I don’t think he sees gender. I think he sees someone that has a great basketball mind, that’s tireless. Once you’re given that opportunity, you see great things come out of it.”

Popovich spoke about wine whenever he could and offered his views on politics and current events but rarely offered much insight into coaching decisions or personnel matters. It was almost military-like secrecy, which made sense given that Popovich was a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and was an expert on, among other things, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union.

His love of country led to him taking a small side job during his San Antonio tenure — that being coaching USA Basketball for the 2019 World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics two years later. His World Cup team finished seventh, the worst placing ever for a U.S. team with NBA players. His Olympic team won gold.

“It’s impossible to separate it if you have been in the military,” Popovich said when asked about the parallels of being at the Air Force Academy and coaching the country’s national team. “I’ve had classmates that have fought in wars — I have not — and some of them are no longer with us. You get an appreciation for people who have sacrificed. So, when you have an opportunity to do this for your country, it’s impossible to say no. I love being part of it.”

 - NBA.com News Services

 

TOP 5 HIGHEST-PAID MLS PLAYERS IN 2025: WHERE DOES MESSI STAND?

Ever since former Manchester United great David Beckham moved to the United States by signing for LA Galaxy in 2007, the country’s Major League Soccer has been perceived differently.

Whereas soccer superstars would traditionally opt to see out their careers in lesser profile teams in Asia or even Europe, they now started seeing the United States as a good retirement place, as well as to give them a great platform to prepare for life after retirement.

In 2023, Lionel Messi joined a long list of football stars who had previously played for some of Europe’s elite clubs but chose to move to the United States at the twilight of their careers.

Unsurprisingly, he is one of the highest earners in the league. But where exactly does he rank among the five highest-earning players based in that country?

Pulse Sports brings you a detailed and fact-checked listicle on the Top 5 Highest-Paid MLS Players in 2025, showcasing the financial allure of Major League Soccer and its ability to attract global stars:"

 5 Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls)

Leipzig's Swedish midfielder Emil Forsberg (L) has signed a three-year contract extension Emil Forsberg joined New York Red Bulls in 2024. Image || FILE
 

After a successful career in Europe with RB Leipzig, Emil Forsberg joined the New York Red Bulls in 2024. 

His creative midfield play and knack for scoring crucial goals have made him a standout performer.

According to a list released by MLS in 2024, Forsberg earns a reported $6,035,625.00 a year for his contributions in helping New York achieve their targets.

4.  Federico Bernardeschi (FC Toronto)

Federico Bernardeschi joined Toronto in 2022. Image || MLS
 

Fourth on our list is Euro 2020 winner Federico Bernardeschi, who joined FC Toronto in 2022 after a five-year spell in Turin.

A quick, strong, creative, technically gifted, and hard-working player, Bernadeschi joined as a designated player on a four-year contract; he reunited with Italian compatriots Lorenzo Insigne (more on him later)  and Domenico Criscito.

He has scored 22 goals in 79 league appearances for the side, showing his importance to the side, and why he is on his salary package.

The former Juventus forward earns an estimated $6,295,381.00 annually.

3. Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami FC)

Inter Miami announce Sergio Busquets Inter Miami when they announced Sergio Busquets' arrival in 2023. Image || Inter Miami
 

The first of two Barcelona academy products on the list, Sergio Busquets is considered one of the greatest deep lying playmakers of all time given the influence he has had in helping both his former employers and the Spain national team dominate games.

Busquets brings his world-class midfield expertise to the MLS. His presence has strengthened the team's core, and his earnings highlight his value to the club.

He helped the side win the MLS Eastern Conference title in 2024, but they were knocked out of the playoffs at the quarter-final stage. Regardless, his brand has helped elevate the status of Inter Miami, and as a result, his $8,774,996.00 annual earnings justify that.

2. Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC)

"The Italian winger remains a key figure for Toronto FC, both on and off the pitch. Insigne's technical brilliance and leadership have made him indispensable to his team. 

After a 13-year spell for his boyhood club Napoli, a period in which he was able to represent his country at the 2014 World Cup, as well as the 2016 and 2020 UEFA European Championships (winning the latter), he opted to move to Canada.

Now, the winger earns a mammoth $15,400,000.00, and his  salary reflects his status as one of the league's marquee players.

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi | Credit: Imago Lionel Messi is the MLS' highest paid player. Image || FILE
 

Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi tops the list as the highest-earning MLS player.

His move to Inter Miami in 2023 not only elevated the league's profile but also set new benchmarks for player earnings. 

Messi's contract includes lucrative revenue-sharing agreements with global brands like Apple and Adidas, making his financial package even more impressive. At 37, Messi continues to dazzle fans with his playmaking and goal-scoring abilities, proving that age is just a number.

While most players, including Messi’s arch-nemesis Cristiano Ronalo are now being attracted by the allure of Saudi Arabia, the MLS is still an attractive league for players who wish to elevate their profile and earnings in the twilights of their careers.

As MLS continues to expand and evolve, the salaries of its top players reflect the league's ambition to compete with the world's best.

- Mark Kinyanjui 

REAL MADRID LEGEND CONFIRMS RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

• Marcelo announces retirement from playing career

• Legendary left-back enjoyed incredible success with Real Madrid

• 36-year-old left Fluminense in November 2024

Marcelo has called time on his career / Laurence Griffiths/GettyImages

Former Real Madrid left-back Marcelo has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 36-year-old earned a reputation as one of the greatest left-backs of all time during his 15-year spell with Madrid, which began all the way back in 2007 when the La Liga giants recruited him from Fluminense.

During his time in Spain, Marcelo racked up an enormous 546 appearances for the club in all competitions, becoming the club's first foreign captain in over 100 years as he won enough trophies to become Madrid's most successful player of all time.

Marcelo departed Madrid in 2022 with no fewer than 25 trophies in his cabinet - six LaLiga titles, five Champions Leagues, two Copas del Rey, five Spanish Supercopas, three UEFA Super Cups and four Club World Cups.

"At 18, Real Madrid knocked on my door and I arrived here," Marcelo said in a video on social media. "Now, I can proudly say that I am a true madrileno. Here, alongside my wife, I have built a family.

"16 seasons, 25 titles, five Champions Leagues, one of the captains and so many magical nights at the Bernabeu. What a journey!

"My journey as a player ends here, but I still have so much to give to football. Thank you for everything."

After leaving Madrid in 2022, Marcelo took his talents to Greek side Olympiacos, but he would last less than a year before making his emotional return to boyhood side Fluminense, where he helped the club win the Copa Libertadores before departing in November 2024.

- Tom Gott

BEHIND INDONESIA'S STUNNING DECISION YO PART WAYS WITH SHIN TAE-YONG

Despite enjoying a successful five-year spell in charge of Indonesia, Shin Tae-Yong was abruptly given the sack on Monday despite his contract still running through to 2027. Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

Given they are still in the hunt for what would be quite remarkable qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the fact that he has been the man responsible for their remarkable rise from the doldrums, Indonesia's decision to sack coach Shin Tae-Yong provided major headlines on Monday.

It would have been an even bigger bombshell had rumours not been steadily gathering steam on Sunday, with an evening announcement from PSSI -- Indonesian football's governing body -- that they would be holding a news conference the following noon all but providing the necessary confirmation.

With local media gathered at Menara Danareksa, a short 20-minute drive from the association's headquarters on the outskirts of the famed Gelora Bung Karno stadium, Shin's fate was sealed.

"We see the need for a leader who is better able to implement the strategies agreed upon by the players, and who has better communication," said PSSI chairman Erick Thohir, also a government minister who previously owned Serie A giants Inter Milan.

"Correspondence regarding the end of our relationship has been received [by Shin] and I would like to express my gratitude.

"We have also found a replacement, who will arrive on the 11th [of January]. A news conference will be held on the 12th."

Predictably, Indonesia fans reacted to the news with a mixture of sadness and bewilderment.

The comments section of the official Instagram post announcing Shin's departure was flooded with messages of gratitude, but some even suggested that Indonesian football was about to "return to the dark ages" and that Gelora Bung Karno would be empty for future matches.

Experienced Indonesian football journalist Alvino Hanafi revealed that the supporter base was immediately divided into a faction who will be accepting of a new coach, and those who are ardently in support of Shin.

"It is difficult to make sense of this decision, particularly as Shin Tae-Yong was steering the team towards progress when he was terminated," Hanafi told ESPN.

"Yet, the federation has full authority over such matters. This gamble can only be evaluated in the future.

"However, firing Shin Tae-Yong will definitely face resistance from football fans."

Just exactly how did it get to this?

Where were Indonesia when Shin took over?

Shin agreed to take charge of Indonesia in December 2019.

It signified a real coup given his credentials, having led his native South Korea at the previous year's World Cup -- where he even masterminded a stunning 2-0 victory over Germany that ended the then-champions' title defence.

That was certainly the sentiment in his homeland.

"Shin Tae-Yong was well known in South Korea, having led the national team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia," said Kim Hee-Ung, a reporter with Ilgan Sports -- South Korea's first sports publication founded in 1969.

"Despite the relatively low-profile challenge in Indonesia, South Korean fans were eager to hear about the new history he was making. Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of support for Shin, with the dominant view being that he was doing the country [Indonesia] a favour."

Before Shin's arrival, no predecessor had lasted more than two full years in the job since 2010, highlighting the instability and strife plaguing Indonesian football -- which also included FIFA suspensions for a breakaway domestic league and government interference in the sport.

When Shin agreed to take a huge leap of faith in a managerial career that already had stored a decent amount of credit, Indonesia were 173rd in the FIFA world rankings. They are now 127th.

Before Shin's arrival, Indonesia had also failed to make it out of the group stage of the ASEAN Championship in three of the previous four editions. In his first major assignment in the COVID-delayed 2020 edition of Southeast Asia's premier international tournament, he led them all the way to the final.

What did Indonesia achieve under Shin?

Other than a steady rise up the world rankings, Indonesia have quite simply reclaimed their place as one of the region's dominant forces, as well as punched above their weight on the continental stage, under Shin.

Reaching the third round of the ongoing third round of Asian qualifiers for the World Cup -- the only Southeast Asian team to do so -- was already a feat in itself. Since then, they have pulled off impressive draws against Saudi Arabia and Australia before recording an almighty victory over the former last time out.

The result means they are currently third in Group C and in with a legitimate chance of advancing to the next stage at the very least, even if they miss out on the top two automatic qualifying berths, and keep alive their dream of a first World Cup since 1938 when they were still the Dutch East Indies.

Shin Tae-Yong's final FIFA World Cup qualifier at the helm of Indonesia will always go down as that historic 2-0 triumph over heavyweights Saudi Arabia back in November 2024. Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

Indonesia have also featured at the Olympics before in 1956. Last year, they came so close to returning to that stage -- only losing out to Guinea in an intercontinental playoff after exceeding expectations to finish fourth at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup ahead of the likes of South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Qatar.

There was also a first AFC Asian Cup appearance since 2007 at the start of last year, where Indonesia did well to reach the round of 16.

On the regional front, while ASEAN Championship success continued to elude the Indonesians, Shin did at least guide them to the last four in both 2021 and 2022, before his final outing at the recently-concluded 2024 edition saw them bow out in the group stage with a youthful and experimental squad missing a whole host of senior stars.

For many keen observers, Shin getting the sack had been an unthinkable prospect.

Kim, who had only interviewed Shin last September about looking ahead to qualifying for the World Cup, admitted he was in "disbelief" upon learning about the news.

"In Korea, the reaction is mostly that it is very absurd," he shared. "Korean fans feel that this is betrayal -- Shin Tae-Yong has done so much [for Indonesia] so why are they suddenly firing him?

"I find the decision baffling."

According to Kim, who spoke to one of Shin's sons earlier on Monday, their family only learned of his dismissal through the news and were "understandably outraged" as they had been staunch supporters of Indonesia given the familial connection.

Was there a breaking point?

Thohir's choice of words in announcing Shin's dismissal was peculiar.

"Strategies agreed upon by the players" suggests that members of the squad had a significant influence in the team's playing style and philosophy, which is usually the prerogative of the coach.

It must be noted that while the early stages of Shin's reign saw him bring through a whole host of talented local youngsters, Indonesia's continued rise in more recent times had coincided with an influx of European-born heritage imports -- who may have learnt their craft with different man-management styles or tactical approaches.

Perhaps, while he had more pliable minds to work with initially, Shin was now having to work with more-credentialled players more set in their ways.

ESPN also understands that the esteem which Indonesian fans held for Shin -- which bordered on reverence -- was a concern in some quarters of the PSSI, as it afforded the South Korean a major bargaining chip whenever negotiations for a new deal came around.

Indeed, Hanafi revealed that there had been underlying friction.

"Erick Thohir said that problems with Shin Tae-Yong started during the [World Cup qualifier] against China [in October]. Maybe even earlier," he added.

"This shows the issue has been around for a while. Like a couple who can't work together anymore, a big decision had to be made for the good of their 'children' -- in this case, the national team."

Ultimately, Shin still resorted to a more conservative, counterattacking approach especially in tougher tests.

PSSI chairman Erick Thohir confirmed on Monday that Shin Tae-Yong's successor will arrive in Indonesia on Jan. 11 and will be unveiled the following day. BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images

If Indonesia are making to change purely because they feel they have outgrown Shin, and are looking to develop an expansive style of football even when coming up against more-illustrious opposition, then there could be validity to this decision -- especially if more foreign-groomed players that will only enhance their overall quality are introduced.

Nonetheless, the tactical discipline and self belief that Shin drilled into his charges are attributes that also cannot be overlooked.

The move also came a huge surprise in South Korea given his achievement had actually led to some calling for a second stint in charge of the Taegeuk Warriors.

"It was known in Korea that Indonesia had treated Shin Tae-Yong very well," revealed Kim. "I don't think Korean fans had a bad perception of Indonesia before the sacking. On the contrary, Korean fans supported Indonesia.

"There were even some who wanted Shin Tae-Yong to become the head coach of the Korean national team because of his good performance in Indonesia. Even before the appointment of [current coach] Hong Myung-Bo, Shin Tae-Yong's name was being talked about among fans."

How do Indonesia move forward?

Another curious aspect of Monday's announcement was that PSSI felt a need to state that Shin's successor will be "accompanied by a high-quality assistant coach".

Although it could prove to be otherwise, it immediately gives the impression that the new man in charge could be a high-profile but inexperienced selection.

Regardless, Indonesia's new coach will face a massive in task in maintaining the momentum that they have gathered under Shin.

Dropping out of contention for World Cup qualification would be an immediate disaster, and it does not help that their next games in March include a tough away trip to Australia.

"If the successor to Shin Tae-Yong delivers better results and greter achievements, those opposing the federation's choice today might forget this event," Hanafi explained.

"If, however, the successor falls short and the team fails to perform better, the federation may find itself under fire for what could be remembered as one of the biggest mistakes in PSSI history."

Kim acknowledged speculation that PSSI are leaning towards a Dutch coach given the amount of Netherlands-born imports they currently boast. He is also of the opinion that this could be a decision Indonesian football ends up regretting, especially given "the chemistry between Shin and the players" and "what has been achieved so far".

As regional rivals Vietnam have shown, following in the footsteps of someone so adored by a football-mad nation can be a poisoned chalice.

Even though he also had detractors over his style of play, Park Hang-Seo oversaw Vietnam's most-successful era until he left the job at the start of last year. His replacement was a savvy choice on paper -- the vastly-experienced Philippe Troussier -- but he only managed to last just over a year.

Indonesia are on the verge of something special.

Given this is not a well-received decision, it will really have to be a case of taking one step back to go two forward, rather than the other way around.

- Gabriel Tan

ABU DHABI GP: LEWIS HAMILTON ENDS MERCEDES CAREER WITH P4 FINISH

Lewis Hamilton finished his Mercedes career with an impressive comeback, clinching fourth place after starting 16th at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton, rolling back the years, overtook teammate George Russell on the final lap.

The race called time on the most successful driver-team partnership of all time -- in his 12 years since joining Mercedes, Hamilton won 84 races and six world championships, adding to the title he won with McLaren in 2008.

The partnership even surpassed Michael Schuamcher's legendary stint at Ferrari between 1996 and 2006.

The British driver will now look to follow in Schumacher's footsteps by ending a drivers' championship drought for Ferrari, which stretches back to Kimi Raikkonen's 2007 title in Hamilton's rookie season.

If he does so, he will also move clear of the joint record of seven world championships he shares with the German driver.

Lewis Hamilton is waving goodbye to Mercedes ahead of his move to Ferrari for the 2025 season Joe Portlock/Getty Images

"That was the drive of a world champion," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said to Hamilton on team radio after the race.,

Hamilton, meanwhile, told race engineer Peter Bonnington: "We dreamed alone but together we believed. What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books."

Hamilton's debut Ferrari appearance will not take place until early 2025.

There was a chance he could have appeared for the team in the post-season test taking place at the Yas Marina circuit next week if an early release was settled on, but he is still contracted to Mercedes until the end of the calendar year.

"It's been a really turbulent year, probably the longest year of my life," Hamilton added to reporters in Abu Dhabi. "Lots of ups and downs, emotionally, but we finished off with a high today."

Lewis Hamilton performs donuts on the grid after finishing fourth at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Mercedes. ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images

Next week Hamilton will visit Mercedes' title sponsor, Petronas, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as well as Mercedes' headquarters in Stuggart, Germany before visiting the team's two UK-based Formula 1 factories in Brixwoth and Brackley.

Mercedes has said the visits will be a celebration of Hamilton's career with the team.

Italy's Andrea Kimi Antonelli has already been confirmed as Hamilton's replacement for 2025 -- the teen prodigy will partner George Russell.

Hamilton, who stood on his Mercedes car after performing donuts on the Abu Dhabi grid, concluded: "Every moment that I've got in the car this week I've known that it's one of the last.

"It's been really hard to let go."

- Nate Saunders, Senior Writer, F1

FORMER SNOOKER WORLD CHAMPION TERRY GRIFFITH DIES AGED 77 FOLLOWING LONG BATTLE WITH DEMENTIA - AS WORLD NUMBER ONE JUDD TRUMP LEADS

• Snooker icon famously won at Crucible in 1979 in second professional tournament

• He went on to win Masters and UK Championship to complete career Triple Crown 

• Griffiths then became an esteemed coach working with the game's top players

Former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77 after a long battle with dementia.

The legendary Welshman famously won at the Crucible in 1979 as a qualifier in just his second professional tournament.

The Welshman won a career Triple Crown before moving into coaching upon his retirement

Griffiths went on to win the Masters and UK Championship to complete a career Triple Crown before becoming an esteemed coach and working with some of the game's top players, including Mark Williams and Mark Allen.

'It is incredibly sad news,' said Judd Trump after winning the UK Championship in York on Sunday night. 'He is a legend of the game.

'Terry was a very witty guy. Whenever I was at the Welsh Open, he would come over and make a joke. I had a good connection with him.

'It is hard to connect with some of the older generation but he was someone I felt I could get along with. It is a sad day for Welsh sport.'

World No3 Allen posted on social media: 'What a legend of a man who helped shape my career and life both on and off the table. Absolutely heart broken. He wasn't just a coach, he was family.'

Griffiths pictured alongside Dennis Taylor during the the Embassy World Professional snooker championship in Sheffield

Shaun Murphy, who in 2005 became the only man since Griffiths to win a world title as a qualifier, said: 'Just hearing the news that Terry Griffiths has passed away. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones 

The World Snooker Tour's official X account posted: 'We are deeply saddened tonight to hear that Terry Griffiths, a former World Champion and all-time snooker great, has passed away at the age of 77.

'Our sincere condolences to Terry's family and many friends. He was loved and respected by everyone in the sport.'

The Welsh Billiards and Snooker Association said: 'We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of WBSA President Terry Griffiths OBE. 

'We send our deepest condolences to Terry's family. 

'RIP Griff.'

Griffiths pictured at the Embassy World Snooker championships at Sheffield Crucible Theatre

BBC Wales journalist Sue Charles added: 'Sad to say goodbye to a Llanelli legend. My dad Phil, was in school with Terry Griffiths. 

'One of his favourite tales was that they’d both occasionally skipped school to play snooker, which worked out much better for one than the other! Farewell Terry, forever a world champion.' 

The WPBSA posted on X: 'This evening we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our 1979 world snooker champion Terry Griffiths OBE at the age of 77. All our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.'

Griffiths's memorable win in 1979 was only the second time a qualifier had won snooker's premier competition after Alex Higgins achieved the feat seven years prior. 

After his final appearance at the Crucible in 1997, Griffiths commentated on major matches for the BBC.

He was awarded an OBE for services to snooker in 2007. 

KNICKS' JALEN BRUNSON ACCEPTS $156.5M, $113M LESS THAN '25 DEAL

 In a largely unprecedented financial concession to give roster flexibility to a contending franchise, New York Knicks All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson has agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension -- $113 million less guaranteed than he is eligible to sign for a year from now -- his agent, Sam Rose of CAA, told ESPN on Friday.

The deal, which begins in 2025-26 and will cost Brunson $37.1 million over the next three years, comes with a fourth-year player option, Rose said, and that would set up Brunson to recoup the $113 million on a four-year, $323 million maximum extension in 2028 or a new five-year, $418 million deal in 2029.

Brunson, 27, became eligible to negotiate and sign the maximum extension Friday.

While there is an inherent risk of injury and unforeseen complications that come with Brunson's decision to push back his most lucrative NBA paydays, his priority remains to maximize the prime of his career with the franchise's most talented and deepest roster since the 1990s.

The repercussions of Brunson choosing the four-year, $156.5 million max deal over the five-year, $269.1 million deal in 2025 are massive for the Knicks' ability to keep this team together and continue making roster moves to close the gap on a championship. Brunson's deal keeps the Knicks out of the second-apron level of the salary cap, a punitive threshold that severely limits a team's ability to make trades, sign players and use draft picks.

Getty Images 

Brunson's study of championship organizations and franchise stars -- Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs, the Tom Brady New England Patriots and the Derek Jeter New York Yankees -- gave him a blueprint for MVP-level players who structured contracts to give their teams the best chances at sustainable title runs.

Brunson's arrival to the Knicks on a four-year, $104 million free agent deal two years ago has been one of the league's most transformative acquisitions of the past decade. After starting his career as a backup point guard with the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson has blossomed into one of the NBA's most impactful players and leaders. Brunson had his finest NBA season in 2023-24, earning All-NBA honors and finishing top five in the MVP voting. He averaged 28.7 points per game and scored or assisted on a franchise-record 3,481 points. Brunson, who had 11 40-point games in the regular season, became the first Knicks player with 40 points and five assists in four straight playoff games, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

The Knicks presumably became better -- and inarguably more expensive -- this offseason. New York signed OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212.5 million deal and traded for Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges and the two years, $48 million left on his contract.

Brunson's ties to the Knicks are deep and reflect his faith in the organization. Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose had been Brunson's agent prior to joining the team in 2020. Brunson's father, Rick, is a Knicks assistant coach and was a longtime client of Rose's in his agent days. The Knicks have surrounded Brunson with a starry cast of his former national championship teammates at Villanova to create a remarkable synchronicity on and off the floor.

In the modern era, All-NBA player discounts to allow salary cap flexibility have included San Antonio's Tim Duncan taking $11 million less than the maximum in 2007 to keep Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker and Golden State's Kevin Durant taking $10 million less to keep Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala in 2017. LeBron James accepted $2.6 million less on a two-year, $101 million deal this offseason to avoid the second apron for the Los Angeles Lakers.

This time, Brunson is taking a $37 million loss that comes with $113 million of total risk to chase a title with the Knicks.

ESPN's Bobby Marks contributed to this report.

- Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN