SOCCER STAR'S WIFE AND 2 KIDS FOUND DEAD AFTER 72 HOURS AMID EARTHQUAKES IN VENEZUELA

Lucas Trejo was in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, when back-to-back earthquakes struck on Wednesday, June 24

Lucas Trejo, Yanina Maranella and their kids.
Credit : Lucas Trejo/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• Lucas Trejo's wife, Yanina Maranella, and their two children, Aarón and Ainhoa, died during Venezuela's back-to-back earthquakes on Wednesday, June 24

• “We inform all the people of Venezuela and Argentina that the bodies of Lucas Trejo's family members have been found,” fellow soccer player Edson Tortolero wrote on social media following a 72-hour search

• The earthquakes have reportedly left at least 1,430 dead and 2,300 injured

Lucas Trejo's wife, Yanina Maranella, and their two children, Aarón and Ainhoa, were killed in the devastating back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela.

After two earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, hit overnight on Wednesday, June 24, Deportivo la Guaira shared that the Argentine soccer player's family was tragically killed during what the U.S. Geological Survey described as a “severe seismic doublet sequence.”

“From the #DLG we join the grief that overwhelms player Lucas Trejo, for the sensitive passing of his wife, Yanina Maranella, and of his children, Aarón and Ainhoa Trejo,” the team wrote on social media. “Peace to their souls and comfort for Lucas and all his loved ones.”

Lucas Trejo, Yanina Maranella and their kids.
Lucas Trejo/Instagram

Having helped in the 72-hour search for Trejo's family before they were found deceased on Saturday night, fellow soccer player Edson Tortolero shared a statement on social media.

“We inform all the people of Venezuela and Argentina that the bodies of Lucas Trejo's family members have been found,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories. “We thank everyone for their support and ask for the utmost respect for his family during this time.”

“We pray for eternal life for them,” he continued. “And we also thank the family members, pastors, players and fellow fans who came to offer support.”

Just hours before they were found, Trejo shared a photo of himself and his family cuddling up on a couch to his Instagram Stories.

According to Sport Bible, he was with his club, Deportivo la Guaira, in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, for a league match when the quakes struck.

Since the earthquakes hit, Jorge Rodriguez, the leader of Venezuela's National Assembly, announced in a press conference that the death toll has risen to 1,430.

In addition to those who were found deceased, more than 2,300 people were injured and more than 3,000 were left homeless.

On Friday, June 26, Hector Bello, a soccer player for Maritimo de la Guaira, announced on Instagram that his wife, Andrea Bello, was one of the people who was killed as she shielded their 1-year-old daughter, Alana, from the earthquakes.

"You'll always be our favorite hero, Mommy. I'm going to make sure our baby remembers how wonderful you were, how much you loved her," he wrote alongside several photos of his late wife and their baby. "I'll tell her the story of how you saved her, how you gave your own life for our daughter, how you were a brave woman who, even with your last breaths, never abandoned her.”

- Desiree Anello

WHY TENNIS GREAT GABRIELA SABATINI RETIRED EARLY | MENTAL HEALTH

Gabriela Sabatini’s decision to retire at just 26 shocked the tennis world, but in hindsight, it reflected a deep, long-standing struggle with motivation rather than physical ability. By 1996, the Argentine star had already amassed 27 singles titles and nearly $9 million in prize money, including a memorable U.S. Open triumph in 1990. Yet despite her success, Sabatini admitted that she simply “couldn’t take it anymore.”

The source of her burnout wasn’t her body. She explained that the mental and emotional strain of the tour had gradually built up over years. “At 26, I was physically in great shape. I had already been processing it,” she revealed to ESPN, reflecting on the period that began around 1994. Working with a sports psychologist, Sabatini confronted a persistent sense of emptiness. “You feel like you’re hitting a rough patch and you say, ‘I don’t want to play, I don’t want to be in here,’ and it’s like everything is the same to you, and I wasn’t motivated to be there.”

This struggle traced back to her earliest years in tennis. A prodigy who turned professional at 14, Sabatini first experienced the same lack of motivation at 17, showing that even immense talent and early success couldn’t shield her from the mental toll of elite sport. Her candid reflections highlight the often unseen pressures faced by top athletes, reminding fans that the path to glory can come with profound personal cost.

#GabrielaSabatini #TennisLegend #MentalHealthInSports #USOpenChampion #TennisHistory #AthleteBurnout #WomenInSports #TennisRetirement #SportsPsychology

- Viral Y4

LAMINE YAMAL'S GIRLFRIEND NICKI NICOLE SHARES JOKES WITH RAPHINHA & DANI OLMO AS TRIO WATCH BARCELONA THRASH OLYMPIACOS

Barcelona smashed Olympiacos 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night at Montjuic and were cheered on by Lamine Yamal's girlfriend Nicki Nicole. The Argentine rapper was spotted in the stands and sharing jokes with Yamal's team-mates Raphinha and Dani Olmo, who missed the game due to injury. Yamal scored a penalty and grabbed an assist on a good night for Hansi Flick's side.

Nicole watches on as Barca run riot

Barcelona were in great goalscoring form on Tuesday as they hit Olympiacos for six. Fermin Lopez bagged a hat-trick and took home the match ball, Yamal was on target from the penalty spot and Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford grabbed a brace in an emphatic win. Olympiacos had been in the game at 2-1, but saw Santiago Hezze harshly sent off, and then were left further enraged when Barca were awarded a penalty after a VAR review when Rashford went to ground in the area.

Yamal coolly slotted home the resulting spot kick to thrill fans in the stands and Barca went on to win with ease. Girlfriend Nicole was also spotted having a great time as she smiled and joked with Raphinha and Olmo during the match. The duo were watching from the stands after being ruled out of the game through injury along with Joan Garcia, Gavi, Robert Lewandowski and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Getty Images Sport

Yamal makes more history at Barcelona

Yamal celebrated scoring by blowing a kiss up to the stands as he netted his fifth goal of the season in all competitions for Barcelona. The teenager also made more history during the game as he became the youngest player to reach 25 appearances in Champions League history at the tender age of just 18 years and 100 days. 

Manager Hansi Flick was happy to see his team return to winning ways in the competition after defeat to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain last time out. He told reporters after the victory: "The first thing is that we won today, which was the important thing, and this should give us confidence for that match. It's a tremendous game. We don't have time to waste. We're going to bounce back. Every game gives you confidence. We won last season, but that's in the past. We're in a different situation, but I'm optimistic because of last season and because I see ourselves capable. Maybe we'll get some players back. We'll see; we have time to rest and prepare for the match."

Flick not worried about Yamal's private life

Yamal's love life has been making headlines this season amid his burgeoning romance with Nicole. The rapper has said she's "very much in love" with Barcelona's brilliant 18-year-old and the duo have been offering fans regular glimpses of their time together on social media, most recently sharing a helicopter ride together during the international break.

There has been speculation that there is tension at Barcelona about Yamal's private life, something Hansi Flick was quick to shoot down at a pre-match press conference ahead of his team's win over Girona last time out in La Liga.

"For me, what counts is that when he's here, he puts in the effort and commitment. And that's what he does. He had a few days off after working hard, and I don't interfere in his private life," he told reporters.

Flick also denied vehemently denied suggestions he had wanted to drop Yamal against PSG, after he was late for a meeting, but was blocked from doing so by sporting director Deco. He explained: "I'd like to know where this comes from; this is garbage. I'm especially grateful that this club, and Deco in particular, believes in our work. They would never ask us to do this. It's not true; I have nothing to hide. It's garbage, and if anyone says it, they're lying."

- Gill Clark

FLAVIO BRIATORE SLAMMED FOR HIS 'UNNECESSARY' STATEMENT ABOUT FRANCO COLAPINTO'S FUTURE AT ALPINE

Credit: Kym Illman/Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Image

Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore has raised some eyebrows with his latest comments about Franco Colapinto’s future, as the Argentine fights for his F1 seat.

Uncertainty continues to hang over Colapinto, with the 22-year-old still only in possession of a race-by-race contract to drive for Alpine in the 2025 F1 season. He initially got a five-race deal to replace Jack Doohan this May, but Briatore has so far opted to keep him in the A525.

Sources have told F1 Oversteer that Alpine have shocked a lot of the F1 paddock by keeping Colapinto in the A525 for so long. Many expected Briatore to reverse his decision and allow Doohan to get back in the car. Yet the Australian has had to settle for a seat on the sidelines.

Colapinto has largely failed to prove himself as an upgrade on Doohan, who Briatore canned after the first six rounds of the season. Alpine are still waiting to see Colapinto score his first point, with the Buenos Aires native’s average Grand Prix finish so far P15.2 from nine results.

Flavio Briatore criticised for narrowing Alpine’s 2026 shortlist down to Franco Colapinto and Paul Aron

It has been said that Briatore has studied the F1 driver market to find a potential alternative teammate for Pierre Gasly for 2026. Alpine have spoken with Zhou Guanyu about a possible return to F1. It is thought that Alpine hold an interest in McLaren junior Alex Dunne, as well.

But Briatore has now told The Race that Alpine will decide between retaining Colapinto next year or promoting their other reserve driver, Paul Aron, into a 2026 race seat. Briatore does not see “any other possibility” for Alpine’s 2026 F1 driver line-up among their other options.

Briatore’s public declaration that Colapinto or Aron will be Gasly’s teammate at Alpine next year has frustrated Tiff Needell. The ex-F1 driver believes there are “at least” four stronger candidates for the 2026 Alpine seat on the current Formula 2 grid than Colapinto and Aron.

He noted on X after Briatore’s claim: “So unnecessary to make such statements! There are at least four drivers on the F2 grid I’d put ahead of these two. But this is the Briatore way…”

What has Flavio Briatore said about Alpine’s 2026 F1 driver line-up plans?

It had already emerged that Aron is the most likely candidate to replace Colapinto if Briatore decides to rotate Alpine’s line-up again before the end of the 2025 season. But it is also now between the pair to fight over the final seat in Alpine’s driver line-up for the 2026 F1 season.

Juan Pablo Montoya doubts Aron is “the answer” for Alpine, should Briatore give the seat to the Estonian next year. Montoya wants to see Briatore sign a driver who can really challenge or even beat Gasly with equal machinery, but he questions whether Aron would be able to.

Aron has spent 2025 on the sidelines as Alpine’s reserve driver, while making FP1 outings for Sauber in Britain and Hungary plus for Alpine at Monza. The 2024 third-place F2 finisher has also impressed Briatore, who only needs “one or two” more races to decide Alpine’s line-up.

“It’s between Franco and Paul,” Briatore told The Race. “Paul is a very nice guy [and] a very quick driver, as well. And I need to understand what is best for the team, you know?”

He added: “My only interest is to try to take in the team the best driver available and do the best job with us. It is as simple as that. I need another one or two races to see. But honestly, today I don’t know [which one].”

- Kyle Archer

BATTLING NADAL BEATS CACHIN TO REACH MADRID OPEN FOURTH ROUND

Reuters 

 Rafael Nadal survived a second set wobble to defeat Pedro Cachin 6-1 6-7(5) 6-3 in the Madrid Open third round on Monday.

Nadal, who beat 10th seed Alex de Minaur in the second round, held his nerve as he was tested by the 91st-ranked Argentine, who won his maiden ATP title at the 2023 Swiss Open.

"Some moments good, some moments not good, but I found a way," the 37-year-old Nadal said.

Cachin struggled against his powerful forehand in the first set as the Spaniard broke twice to take a 5-1 lead before the match was temporarily paused with a spectator feeling unwell.

When play resumed, the five-times Madrid champion broke again to win the set.

Cachin started the second on a better note, taking a 4-1 lead helped by some fine cross-court backhands and, though Nadal broke twice to make it 5-5, he claimed the set in the tiebreak.

Both players broke early in the third, which stood at 2-2, but local favourite Nadal then broke twice more to emerge as the winner with the fans giving him a standing ovation.

"Day by day... playing in front of this crowd means everything to me," said the 22-times Grand Slam champion.

Nadal next faces Czech Jiri Lehecka, who beat Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro 6-4 7-6(7) to reach the fourth round.

- Reuters 

GOALKEEPER NAHUEL GUZMÁN SUSPENDED FOEN11 GAMES, FINED FOR POINTING LASER AT RIVAL IN LIGA MX MATCH

 MEXICO CITY (AP) — Nahuel Guzmán, a goalkeeper for the Mexican club Tigres of Nuevo Leon, was suspended 11 games and fined for pointing a laser at fellow goalie Esteban Andrada during a tournament match last weekend, Liga MX announced Thursday.

The 38-year-old Guzmán is recovering from right knee surgery and was in the visiting team’s box at the BBVA stadium in Monterrey last Saturday during the first half when he pointed the laser in the direction of Andrada, a fellow Argentine and the starting goalkeeper for Rayados.

Monterrey's sports president, Jose Antonio Noriega, went to the box and took away the laser in the first half of the match, which ended in a 3-3 draw.

In addition to the suspension and fine, Guzmán must do unspecified community work.

This is the first time in the history of Mexican soccer that a player has been sanctioned for pointing a laser at a rival. The 2014 Apertura final between América and Tigres was stopped momentarily because a fan was aiming a laser at players.

Guzmán, who was on Argentina's roster for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, will miss the rest of the Clausura tournament because of the suspension. It's not clear when he will be healthy enough to play.

The fine of Guzmán was one of several stemming from the match.

Tigres was fined an unspecified amount for the behavior of its fans. A Tigres fan could be seen urinating in a glass and throwing it on Rayados fans in video posted on social media.

Andrada received a fine for a post on his Instagram account in which he made homophobic comments about Guzmán.

And Monterrey was also fined over fan behavior. A video posted on social media showed a Rayados fan throwing liquid at forward André-Pierre Gignac and making an obscene gesture.

Without revealing names or the teams they supported, the Disciplinary Commission of Liga MX said two fans would be banned from attending league matches, although it did not say for how long.