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As Manchester United look to balance their books this summer amid early incomings, Al-Nassr could now reportedly offer INEOS their biggest payday of the window in pursuit of an attacking ace.

Man Utd readying summer clear-out

With Matheus Cunha already signed and Bryan Mbeumo reportedly likely to follow suit, Manchester United will have little choice but to clear some room in Ruben Amorim’s squad.

In what feels like a never-ending cycle, the Red Devils must rebuild once again and, in doing so, show the door to any unwanted stars in a ruthless summer plan.

Among those heading for the exit door is likely to be Rasmus Hojlund. The struggling striker has never truly made his mark at Old Trafford, despite costing an eye-watering £72m in 2023. Now, two years on, Inter Milan have reportedly come calling for his signature in a deal that could eventually cost around £38m.

Whether Hojlund, himself, accepts a summer departure may be another question, though. The young forward told Danish media when questioned about his Manchester United future this week: “I have a contract until 2030, so I expect to play for Manchester United. I’m looking forward to going on a summer vacation, and then I’m fully dedicated to the project that’s underway.

“I know I can’t get much out of reading things. I know what the facts are, and that is that I have a contract with Manchester United until 2030. I expect to play there, so I’m just getting ready for some summer vacation and then hopefully a good pre-season.”

Man Utd submit bid for once-£57m ex-Man City ace who’s desperate for move

He won six Premier League titles at Manchester City.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 7, 2025

Whilst Hojlund is keen to stay put, however, the same can’t be said for another struggling Man United star, who could yet hand the Red Devils an impressive financial boost on his way out.

Al Nassr now eyeing Garnacho swoop

One player who has looked almost certain to be heading for the exit door ever since Amorim arrived is Alejandro Garnacho. In Amorim’s first Manchester derby, the Argentine found himself dropped alongside Marcus Rashford. The latter soon left on loan and went on to thrive at Aston Villa. Garnacho, however, stayed put but things have not become better in recent months.

Now, according to The Mirror, Al-Nassr could hand INEOS their biggest payday of the summer by signing Garnacho. The Saudi giants have been pursuing a move to sign Luis Diaz from Liverpool, but may turn towards the £50,000-a-week winger if the Premier League champions remain reluctant to sell their South American star.

If that does prove to be the case, Amorim may well be glad to see the back of the winger after Garnacho publicly disagreed with his decision to start Mason Mount in his place in the Europa League final.

Since then, Amorim has reportedly told the young winger to find a new club in front of the rest of his teammates in a public dressing down. Unless anything dramatic happens at this stage, Garnacho’s exit is one that would be best for all parties.

حقق فريق الشباب لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، مواليد 2005، الفوز بأربعة أهداف مقابل ثلاثة، أمام نظيره بيراميدز، في مباراة مثيرة أقيمت بينهما اليوم الأحد، ضمن منافسات دوري الجمهورية للشباب.

والتقى الأهلي مع ضيفه فريق بيراميدز، في تمام الساعة الثالثة عصر اليوم، على ملعب الأهلي بمدينة نصر، ذلك في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة من بطولة دوري الجمهورية 2005.

وتقدم النادي الأهلي بالهدف الأول عن طريق حسام عادل، برأسية رائعة من داخل منطقة الجزاء، وذلك في الدقيقة 5 من الشوط الأول للمباراة.

وعند الدقيقة 21، أضاف الأهلي الهدف الثاني بواسطة محمد رأفت، بعد تسديدة من داخل منطقة الجزاء، بأسيست رائعة من حسام عادل.

طالع | بالتوقيتات.. مواعيد مباريات كأس السوبر المصري 2025

وقلص بيراميدز الفارق مع الأهلي، وسجل لاعبه علي حمودة الهدف الأول لفريقه في الدقيقة 53 من الشوط الثاني، بعدما تلقي تمريرة رائعة داخل منطقة جزاء القلعة الحمراء وضعها في الشباك.

وعزز عمر سيد معوض بالهدف الثالث للنادي الأهلي عند الدقيقة 60 بتسديدة يسارية رائعة من على حدود منطقة الجزاء.

وجاء الهدف الرابع للنادي الأهلي أمام بيراميدز، عن طريق الغاني صامويل أوبونج بعد متابعة لكرة مرتدة من الحارس داخل منطقة الجزاء في الدقيقة 70.

وعاد فريق بيراميدز، وسجل هدفين متتالين، عن طريق لاعبه أحمد فكري، الأول في الدقيقة 78 والثاني في الدقيقة 90. 

ويضم الجهاز الفني لفريق أهلي 2005 كلا من سامر عبد الرحمن مديرًا فنيًا، وعصام الغندور مدربًا للحراس، ومحمد راشد المدير الإداري، ومحمد حمدي طبيب الفريق، والحفني عبد المقصود مخطط الأحمال، وعبد الحميد حسين إخصائي التدليك. أهداف الأهلي اليوم أمام بيراميدز في الجمهورية 2005

ملخص مباراة الأهلي وبيراميدز اليوم في دوري الجمهورية 2005

MatériaMais Notícias

da 888casino： Com a eliminação do Palmeiras na Copa do Brasil para o São Paulo na noite desta quinta-feira (13), a torcida do Verdão protestou contra a diretoria, puxando cantos de cobrança. A equipe de Abel Ferreira perdeu, de virada, por 2 a 1 para o rival em pleno Allianz Parque e se despediu da competição, o que gerou muita insatisfação por parte dos palmeirenses.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoEx-jogadores provocam Palmeiras após eliminação: ‘Estão com raiva? Morde as costas’Fora de Campo13/07/2023Humor EsportivoZoações com o Palmeiras bombam após eliminação para o São Paulo; veja os memesHumor Esportivo13/07/2023Fora de CampoEliminação ‘cai na conta’ de Leila Pereira, e torcida do Palmeiras protesta: ‘Levando o clube para o buraco’Fora de Campo13/07/2023

da dobrowin： + Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil-2023 clicando aqui

Os gritos de protesto foram direcionados especialmente à presidente Leila Pereira. As atuais decisões da dirigente, incluindo também suas prioridades, como a compra de um avião, estão sendo muito contestadas pela torcida. Inclusive, muitos consideram esta a maior crise desde o início de sua gestão. 

Mais de 41 mil pessoas estavam presentes na eliminação do Palmeiras nesta noite, e os cânticos foram: “Vergonha, vergonha, diretoria sem vergonha”, “Não é mole não, Libertadores não é mais que obrigação”, “Ô Leila, incompetente, pegou o Palmeiras para brincar de presidente” e “Ô Leila, faz um favor, pega o avião e contrata jogador”.

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Há duas semanas, a maior organizada do Verdão protestou em frente à Crefisa, empresa de Leila, exigindo reforços, visto que o clube já conta com algumas saídas certas, como Bruno Tabata, Rafael Navarro, Giovani e Vinicius Silvestre, mas ainda não trouxe peças para repor.

+ ATUAÇÕES: Piquerez marca, mas defensores vão mal em eliminação do Palmeiras na Copa do Brasil

Agora, só resta ao Palmeiras a Libertadores e o Campeonato Brasileiro. Na competição continental, vai enfrentar o Atlético-MG nas oitavas de final, enquanto no Brasileirão é o quinto colocado com 24 pontos, 12 a menos que o líder Botafogo.

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da leao： Chelsea chiefs are expected to undergo another hectic summer window of incomings and outgoings, with many players set to be put on the transfer list by BlueCo and face uncertain futures.

Players expected to leave Chelsea this summer

da spicy bet： It is perhaps a given that, barring any U-turns from Enzo Maresca, a plethora of loaned-out senior players in the form of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alfie Gilchrist, Renato Veiga, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi are all but set to quit Stamford Bridge.

Related £60m Premier League forward has spoken to friends about joining Chelsea

He’s apparently interested.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 21, 2025

BlueCo’s mountainous task ahead of June 1 is beginning to find new homes for all the surplus to requirement, out-of-favour members of Chelsea’s full to the brim squad list.

Race for Champions League qualification with one game remaining

Points

3. Man City

68

4. Newcastle

66

5. Chelsea

66

6. Aston Villa

66

7. Nottingham Forest

65

As things stand, they’re all set to return to Chelsea once their temporary spells elsewhere conclude, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell both commanding huge salaries and proving a drain on the club’s wage bill.

Chelsea will be especially keen to find new homes for the England international duo, and the same can be said for summer flop Joao Felix.

The Portuguese returned to west London in 2024 for around £45 million, with Cobham academy graduate Conor Gallagher heading the other way to Atlético Madrid in a separate deal.

However, since that ‘sort of’ swap deal was agreed, both players’ fortunes have contrasted significantly. While Gallagher has gone on to become a mainstay under Diego Simeone, making 46 appearances in all competitions and racking up nine goal contributions, Maresca has already deemed Felix an unwanted man just one season into his stay.

Felix was shipped off on loan to AC Milan in January, failing to impress at the San Siro, with the Rossoneri deciding long ago that they’re not interested in keeping the 24-year-old beyond this season (Fabrizio Romano).

Benfica working to re-sign Joao Felix from Chelsea

It seems pretty inevitable that Chelsea will attempt to rid themselves of Felix’s £130,000-per-week wages once he returns to Cobham.

This is echoed by Spanish news outlet Estadio Deportivo, and their journalist Manuel Pedrero, who provides an update on Felix’s precarious situation.

He writes that Felix is aware he’ll need to pack his bags and quit Chelsea this summer, and he could have a golden chance to return to his former club. Benfica are said to be working on bringing the attacking midfielder back home, with the Portuguese heavyweights viewed as his most credible next destination as things stand.

In an alternate universe, and one where Aston Villa had the financial capabilities to match his demands, Felix would be working under Unai Emery right now. The ex-Arsenal boss once confirmed that he couldn’t quite get him over the line at Villa Park before Chelsea swooped in, but does rate the forward very highly.

“He’s a special player and it was not totally impossible for us (to sign him), but he wanted to play for a team in the Champions League,” Emery said last year.

“We are realistic about how we can improve and how we can add players to improve our squad. He has a high salary and Chelsea paid a lot of money for that.

“I like him, but we were never really in the running for him. He can assist, score goals, drop deep to build up and he can play in the small spaces and drive into the box. He’s special.”

Wes Agar has become the first player in the BBL to be traded as part of a pick exchange in the overseas draft. Agar joins Sydney Thunder after leaving Adelaide Strikers, who have improved their draft position in the second round.Agar will head to Thunder after eight seasons with Strikers. He played only four matches last season, having previously been an integral part of their attack. Thunder and Strikers swapped their second-round picks as part of the exchange.Strikers will receive Thunder’s early pick in the second round – the exact pick number will be determined in the draft lottery later in the year – while Thunder will get Strikers’ later pick. Thunder are set to get an earlier draft pick because they finished eighth last season while Strikers get a later pick after finishing third.Related

• Wes Agar leaves Kent early with shoulder injury

• BBL multi-year overseas deals could see big-name moves

• BBL takeaways: crowds flock back, now to keep overseas stars

It is the first move made by former New South Wales and Australia Test bowler Trent Copeland in his new role as Thunder’s General Manager.”He’s a proven performer in this format, and one of the Big Bash’s most likeable guys,” Copeland said. “We want to bring in players who will ultimately perform and win games for the club, but it’s also vitally important for us to attract good people who want to be a part of what we are building here.”Meanwhile, Strikers’ interim General Manager Shaun Williams was understanding of Agar’s decision to request a move.”We understand Wes’ desire for a fresh opportunity at the Sydney Thunder, and wish him all the best with the move,” he said. “We are pleased we were able to improve our draft position as part of this trade ahead of the BBL 14 draft later this year.”Agar, 27, had been Strikers’ best player in the 2020-21 season, taking 22 wickets at 20.77. He also took 18 wickets in 13 games in 2022-23. But he only managed to play four matches last year as Henry Thornton emerged as a preferred pace-bowling option, even as Strikers opted to play two legspinners.Despite only playing four matches and claiming just two wickets at an economy rate of 10.38, Agar is still highly rated by the Australian selectors and was called up as cover for Australia’s final T20I against West Indies in February. He moves to Sydney hoping for a fresh start as Thunder look to reconfigure their attack after a season where they struggled to strike with the ball.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s livid outgoing boss at Al-Nassr, Majed Jaman Al-Sorour, has vowed to sue the club after his "inappropriate" dismissal.

Article continues below

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Article continues below

• Al-Nassr have sacked their CEO
• Vows to take legal action against club
• Ronaldo is also yet to commit to an extension

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Majed Al-Sorour has announced plans to pursue legal action against the Saudi Pro League club after being sacked from his role as CEO at the start of the week. The controversy comes as Al-Nassr also grapple with the ongoing speculation surrounding Ronaldo's future.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Al-Sorour’s rise in Saudi sports leadership includes key positions at major institutions. He also served as the CEO of Saudi Golf and played a significant role in the country’s efforts to promote the sport globally. Additionally, he was appointed to Newcastle United’s board of directors in May 2022, following the club’s acquisition by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). His time on the board was short-lived, ending in December 2022. In January 2025, Al-Sorour took over as chief executive of Al-Nassr, becoming responsible for overseeing one of the Saudi Pro League’s most high-profile clubs.

• WHAT AL-SOROUR SAID

  Al-Sorour's removal stems from allegations that he publicly shared inaccurate information regarding the club on social media, which Al-Nassr’s board said was intended to mislead the public.

  “Today my services were terminated in a manner that I consider unprofessional, inappropriate and unacceptable,” he said in a statement. “Therefore, a litigation process will begin between me and the management that runs our club.”

  Al-Nassr also released a statement, which read: "With reference to what was observed in the tweet attributed to Mr. Majed Mohammed Al-Sorour (via the X platform on June 12, 2025), it contained incorrect information and was an attempt to influence public opinion without relying on documented facts. Accordingly, the Board of Directors of Al-Nassr Club Company would like to clarify the following:

  “Reports were received from external and internal parties regarding some of the practices carried out by the CEO. Pursuant to this, the Board of Directors unanimously issued a decision to freeze the powers of CEO Majid bin Mohammed Al-Sarour on May 8, 2025, and to investigate the veracity of the reports.

  “The CEO was officially notified, fully aware of the details, and signed a declaration and pledge regarding the suspension of his powers until the completion of these investigations. He also signed a declaration and pledge of confidentiality not to disclose any information related to the company. The CEO (during the investigation period) violated his contractual obligations by posting a tweet from his personal account, damaging the company's reputation on social media platforms. After the Board took all necessary legal measures and granted the CEO the right to defend himself and have his statements heard, the Board of Directors unanimously decided to terminate the contract of the CEO of Al-Nassr Club Company.

  “The Board affirms that the CEO has not presented any comprehensive strategic or operational plan since assuming his position in January 2025 that reflects the requirements or aspirations of the current phase. He has also failed to demonstrate sufficient engagement with a number of priority issues, despite his full administrative empowerment and the approval of all his proposals without exception. Al-Nassr Club Company reiterates its commitment to operating in accordance with relevant regulations and the highest standards of governance.”

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

  Amid this executive fallout, Al-Nassr’s biggest concern remains the uncertain future of Ronaldo. As per , a source close to the PIF told that efforts to retain the Portuguese were active but difficult.

  "There are difficult negotiations underway to convince Ronaldo to stay and (continue) to play," the source said. "The main option was a transfer to Al Hilal, with the opportunity to play in the Club World Cup."

  Despite the rumours, Ronaldo is currently enjoying time off after a demanding campaign. He will return for pre-season training in July as Al-Nassr prepare for the 2025–26 campaign, if he agrees to sign an extension.

da betobet： Arsenal hold a serious belief that they’ve now signed a “world-class” player for Mikel Arteta ahead of next season, and they’re behaving like it is a done deal behind-the-scenes.

Arsenal's main transfer plans for this summer

da roleta： Buoyed by the arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta, Arteta has already admitted that Arsenal are set for a “big” summer transfer window after the Italian’s appointment.

Related Arsenal demand major Thomas Partey concession in talks over new deal

The Ghanaian has arguably enjoyed his best campaign at Arsenal.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Apr 25, 2025

A host of incomings across multiple areas of the squad are anticipated ahead of what is expected to be a busy debut window for Berta, with GiveMeSport recently reporting that £300 million could be spent on seven major signings.

As per GMS, Arsenal are believed to be prioritising a new second-choice goalkeeper to replace Neto, a full-back, new midfielder, left-winger, right-winger and striker. Kieran Tierney is off to Celtic, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to be sold after falling down Arteta’s pecking order.

Arsenal’s final Premier League games

Date

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Southampton (away)

May 25th

While Thomas Partey is in talks to extend his Arsenal contract, Jorginho remains likely to depart when his contract expires, meaning the addition of a centre-midfielder is still pretty imperative before 2025/2026.

Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard’s long-term future is uncertain, as his contract expires in 2026, with Arsenal arguably in need of another winger who can provide Arteta with a quality alternative to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz’s long-term injuries have also emphasised the need for Arsenal to finally sign a prolific striker, so there is plenty to do for Berta. Indeed, Arteta confirmed last week that he wants Arsenal to bring more strength and depth into the squad, sending a subtle message to his director.

“Squad quality and availability. Without those two, we cannot compete in four competitions,” said Arteta on his Arsenal transfer wish.

“At this level, especially in this country, it’s impossible. The higher the quality, the higher the availability, the more chances, probability you have. After you have to do it. But the probability goes high.”

Arsenal "internally" behaving like Martin Zubimendi deal is "done"

One top target for Arsenal, as per multiple reports, is Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

They’ve been in negotiations over the Spain international’s acquisition for quite some time, with The Mail first reporting advanced pre-summer talks in January. Since then, the consensus has been that Arsenal are confident they can sign Zubimendi before June, while Marca journalist Juan Castro reported this week that an agreement appears to be struck already.

Now, the reliable David Ornstein has somewhat backed up Castro’s claim, stating that Arsenal are “internally” behaving like Zubimendi is a “done deal”.

This interesting update from a very credible source should fill supporters with confidence, as the feeling within N5 appears to be that it is inevitable the 26-year-old will finally make his long-awaited move to England, just a year after he publicly rejected Liverpool’s advances.

Called a “world-class” player by Tierney, during their time together at Sociedad, Zubimendi has been likened to Balon d’Or winner Rodri and played a key role for Spain in their Euro 2024 final triumph against England.

The La Liga mainstay is indispensable for his boyhood club, but it appears he’ll soon be waving goodbye if all goes to plan.

MatériaMais Notícias

da apostaganha： Desde o início da temporada, o Botafogo convive com um paradoxo que irrita a torcida. Por um lado, Luís Castro tem a manutenção da espinha dorsal do trabalho de 2022. No entanto, o primeiro trimestre da equipe deixou a desejar, sobretudo quando mediu forças com os principais rivais, ficando de fora das semifinais do Carioca. A meta era estrear bem no Brasileirão para recuperar a confiança também para a Sul-Americana.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

Para triunfar sobre o São Paulo, era necessário encontrar o equilíbrio e quebrar um jejum de onze anos sem vencer em estreias na competição nacional. Somado a isso, o time tinha dois aliados importantes para o restante da temporada. O retorno ao Nilton Santos, que passou por reforma com a troca para o gramado sintético, e a presença da torcida.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBotafogoJohn Textor fala sobre possibilidade do Botafogo contratar James RodríguezBotafogo15/04/2023BotafogoTextor assume responsabilidade por fraco início de ano do Botafogo e destaca: ‘Temporada começou hoje’Botafogo15/04/2023BotafogoEduardo critica árbitro em vitória do Botafogo e fala sobre fase goleadora na temporada: ‘Quero só ajudar’Botafogo15/04/2023

da fezbet： Sem Marçal, Luís Castro optou por escalar Rafael e viu o Alvinegro ter os melhores dez primeiros minutos do ano. Com intensidade e volume de jogo, a equipe entendeu que a bola aérea era o caminho, e Eduardo a colocou na cabeça de Tiquinho Soares para abrir o placar. Parecia que a grama sintética ajudaria o estilo de jogo em velocidade e que o Alvinegro construiria uma boa vantagem no primeiro tempo.

+ ATUAÇÕES: Tiquinho e Eduardo marcam e Lucas Perri fecha o gol em triunfo do Botafogo pelo Brasileirão

Entretanto, a partir disso, o Glorioso voltou a oscilar e teve dificuldade em oferecer perigo. Com a bola nos pés, o time produzia pouco e só era efetivo quando recuperava o domínio e partia para o contra-ataque. Foram dois momentos completamente distintos dentro dos primeiros quarenta e cinco minutos. Indo da intensidade à apatia mesmo tendo a vantagem no placar.

Diante da queda de rendimento, a defesa do Botafogo voltou a falhar, e Calleri aproveitou. Para o segundo tempo, o português teria que fazer mudanças para encontrar o equilíbrio e perceber o ponto fraco do adversário. O lado direito do São Paulo era o mais frágil, com Rafinha dando espaço para Júnior Santos se infiltrar. Mas somente no etapa final o atacante finalizou com perigo, assim como Luís Henrique, que entrou na volta do intervalo no lugar de Gustavo Sauer, apagado no jogo, e explorou os lados do campo

Outro grande nome da partida foi Lucas Perri. O goleiro, mais uma vez, mostrou que irá brigar pela posição mesmo com a volta de Gatito Fernández. Duas defesas seguras que impediram uma possível virada do adversário e deixaram o Alvinegro vivo no jogo. Ao longo do ano, o arqueiro tem dado demonstrações de estar no auge de sua forma física e ser um trunfo do time nos momentos mais difíceis.

+John Textor fala sobre possibilidade do Botafogo contratar James Rodríguez

Ao perceber o caminho das pedras, o português lançou Matías Segovia para dar velocidade e incomodar. Mas foi novamente pelo alto que os donos da casa se destacaram e sacramentaram o triunfo. Víctor Cuesta achou Eduardo na área para, de cabeça, recolocar o time carioca na frente e trazer os três pontos em uma estreia de Brasileirão. Algo que não acontecia há onze anos, contra o mesmo adversário.

O triunfo é importante para dar confiança ao grupo que disputa três competições e sonha em alçar voos maiores no segundo ano de SAF. Luís Castro terá que trabalhar as oscilações e fazer com que a equipe tenha a mesma intensidade dos dez primeiros minutos, sobretudo em casa. Ao contrário da temporada passada, o foco é utilizar o Nilton Santos como alçapão e mostrar força diante da torcida não só com bom desempenho, como também com resultados.

Estreias do Botafogo nos últimos onze anos
​
2012 – Botafogo 4 x 2 São Paulo
2013 – Corinthians 1 x 1 Botafogo
2014 – São Paulo 3 x 0 Botafogo
2016 – Botafogo 0 x 1 São Paulo
2017 – Grêmio 2 x 0 Botafogo
2018 – Botafogo 1 x 1 Palmeiras
2019 – São Paulo 2 x 0 Botafogo
2020 – Bragantino 1 x 1 Botafogo
2022 – Botafogo 1 x 3 Corinthians
2023 – Botafogo 2 x 1 São Paulo

“You don’t want to play with my colleagues and you want to play with me? It means I’m putting my colleagues down as well”

Nagraj Gollapudi16-Apr-2024Rashid Khan is “hurt” by Cricket Australia’s decision recently to indefinitely postpone Australia’s scheduled three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. In response, Rashid, who is currently playing for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024, will reconsider participating in the 2025 edition of the BBL.The T20I series, a part of the ICC’s future tours programme, was scheduled for August at a neutral venue, but CA said in January that it was postponing the engagement after consultations with the Australian government because of “a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls” in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.”It does hurt you,” Rashid told ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday in Ahmedabad, where Titans will play their next IPL 2024 game, against Delhi Capitals, on Wednesday. “You do want to play against the best teams and that’s where your cricket is going to improve more and more. You only get the opportunity playing against them [Australia] in the World Cups, but not in bilateral series.”Related

• ACB to CS: Don't succumb to 'external pressures and political influences'

Rashid, who will lead Afghanistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, said that playing against top-ranked teams would be hugely beneficial for the growth of his team. As an example, Rashid cited the three-match T20I series Afghanistan played this January against India, which they lost 3-0.”Recently, we played three T20s against India, and it helped us a lot,” he said. “We nearly chased 200 [212] against India. Imagine if you wouldn’t have played that, where would the confidence come from? Playing against big teams is huge for us.”This was the third time CA had chosen not to honour a bilateral engagement with Afghanistan: in 2021, what would have been the first Test match between the two teams, was postponed, and then, in 2023, an ODI series was called off.”As a player you can’t do much about it,” he said. “It’s the issue of governments to resolve. But what hurts me the most is when things like that happens, why it is hurting cricket [in Afghanistan]?”If something is [in the hands of the] governments, why is hurting cricket? Why it comes to cricket? Can cricket solve those issues? I think if cricket is solving those issues, then it’s fine, then I’m happy with it.”Rashid stressed that cricket was a “source of happiness” for Afghanistan, and that was something Australia needed to understand.”Cricket is the only source back home in Afghanistan which give people happiness,” he said. “And if you are taking that happiness [away] from the people as well, you are hurting more people as well back home. And that is something which I feel like is more hurting as a captain where you are so excited as a youngster playing against Australia and then this thing just happens.”Rashid Khan and the other Adelaide Strikers’ players high-five fans•Kelly Barnes/Getty Images

Rashid on BBL: ‘Nothing is bigger than my country’

Last year, Rashid had threatened to withdraw from the BBL, but changed his mind and entered the BBL draft, before missing the tournament because he had to undergo a back surgery. Rashid said that CA’s latest move had again forced him to reassess his stance on participating in the BBL, where he has represented Adelaide Strikes since 2016-17.”Lots of things come in the mind,” he said. “Like, if you don’t want to play against my team, then why you want me to play in your country? Because I’m not allowed then in your country as well to play cricket.”You don’t want to play with my colleagues and you want to play with me? So what’s the difference? It means I’m putting my colleagues down as well. My country down as well. So if I’m playing there, if money in these things comes, nothing is bigger than my country. Money will just go and come. That’s not the point.”If they play with us and we play against them, that’s the only way we can play there as well. That’s the only solution for this problem to be solved.”

The Atletico Madrid star invited the NBA legend to attend the club's upcoming CWC matches at the Rose Bowl

• Griezmann hopes to connect with basketball idol
• Atleti face PSG, Seattle Sounders, and Botafogo in group
• Griezmann's NBA fandom includes social media interactions

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  Antoine Griezmann has reached out to NBA superstar LeBron James with an invitation to attend Atlético Madrid's FIFA Club World Cup matches in the United States this summer. The French international, a well-known basketball enthusiast, expressed hope that James might attend one of Atlético's three group stage matches at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

  “Well, maybe,” Griezmann said in an interview with Sports Illustrated about the Club World Cup. “We’re playing two games in Los Angeles, at the Rose Bowl. He might come; he’s certainly invited, and we’d like to welcome him to one of our training sessions. Why not?”

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• WHAT ANTOINE GRIEZMANN SAID

  Griezmann spoke about his love for American sports but asserted that he’ll in Los Angeles to play in the CWC and his focus is solely on that, and helping Atletico Madrid do their best.

  “Yes, I’ve been to Los Angeles once or twice. As you know, I’m a big fan of the NBA and the NFL, I’m new to baseball. So, for me, it’s going to be cool to be able to play there," he said. "That said, I’m not going there as a tourist, I really want to play, to win, and to do well. It’s about enjoying the occasion, and hopefully we can have a great tournament. And yes, to be honest, playing there is going to be nice.”

  The 2018 World Cup winner further talked about the Club World Cup and admitted that he’s honored by the fact that Atletico Madrid was picked to play in the first iteration of the tournament.

  “What excites me most about this FIFA Club World Cup is that it’ll be the first. So it’s an honor for me and the club to be a part of it. Ultimately, we’re looking forward to going to the United States and playing our first match, which will be against PSG,” he added.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup represents a major expansion of the tournament, with 32 clubs from around the world competing across the United States. Atlético Madrid's schedule presents a unique challenge, facing teams from three different confederations: Paris Saint-Germain (UEFA) on June 15 at the Rose Bowl, Seattle Sounders (CONCACAF) at Lumen Field on June 19, and Botafogo (CONMEBOL) back at the Rose Bowl on June 23.

• AFP
  

  WHAT’S NEXT?

  Atlético Madrid will continue their preparations for the Club World Cup while completing their domestic season. The face Girona away from home in their final game of the regular season on May 24.