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da roleta： O Vasco quitou nesta semana a dívida que tinha com o Atlético-MG por conta da transferência do volante Jair. O pagamento foi possível por conta do recebimento da última remessa do aporte anual da 777 Partners na terça-feira (10).

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da marjack bet： O valor pago ao Galo foi de aproximadamente R$ 3,32 milhões, referente à segunda parcela da trasferência, que estava atrasada desde do dia 25 de julho. A informção foi dada pelo jornalista Fábio Torres.

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O montante total é de R$ 13 milhões e, por conta do atraso, o Atlético-MG chegou a acionar a Câmara Nacional de Resolução de Disputas para receber o valor.

Com o pagamento, agora o Gigante está em dia com o clube mineiro até janeiro de 2024, quando vence a próxima parcela. A quarta e última parte do pagamento está prevista para abril de 2024. Jair é uma das grandes contratações desse momento de reconstrução do Vasco.

تحدث الإعلامي أحمد شوبير، عن الأزمة المثارة مؤخرًا بين رابطة الأندية المحترفة والمدير الفني لمنتخب مصر الثاني، الكابتن حلمي طولان، بشأن طلب تأجيل مباريات فريق بيراميدز بسبب مشاركة عدد من لاعبيه مع المنتخب، مشيرًا إلى أن الموقف معقّد وأن كل طرف له مبرراته.

وقال شوبير خلال برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الأربعاء: “دعوني أبدأ بحدوتة أصفها بأنها “ملتوتة” بعض الشيء، أي معقدة وصعبة الفهم، وهي أزمة الرابطة مع الكابتن حلمي طولان، بصراحة أنا لا أحب مثل هذه الأمور، خاصة أننا نتحدث عن منتخب وطني يستعد لخوض بطولة مهمة في الأول من ديسمبر، بعد أن خاض عدة مباريات ودية أمام تونس والمغرب والبحرين، ويستعد لمباراتين أمام الجزائر”.

وتابع: “الكابتن حلمي طولان، وهو شخصية محترمة جدًا وصديقي العزيز، خرج مؤخرًا ليقول إنه لا يجد ملاعب للتدريب، وإنه يريد تأجيل بعض المباريات لأن لاعبي بيراميدز يجب أن يكونوا معه في المنتخب، والحقيقة أنني بالأمس أيّدت هذا التوجه، وما زلت مؤيدًا لفكرة الاستعانة بلاعبي بيراميدز، لكن بيراميدز لديه أزمة، إذ يخوض مباريات متلاحقة، ولا أحد يعلم حتى الآن هل سيتم التأجيل أم لا”.

وأضاف: “المهندس هاني أبو ريدة صرّح بأنه طالب الرابطة بتأجيل مباراتي بيراميدز أمام بتروجيت والإسماعيلي يومي 3 و6 ديسمبر، لكن حتى هذه اللحظة الرابطة ترفض التأجيل حفاظًا على انتظام المسابقة، خصوصًا أن الجدول مزدحم للغاية، وفيفا حدد يوم 31 مايو كآخر موعد لانتهاء الدوريات حول العالم، وإذا تأخرنا عن ذلك، سنضطر لاستكمال الدوري بعد كأس العالم، وهذا أمر صعب جدًا”.

وأردف: “الرابطة تقول إنها مندهشة من تصريحات الكابتن حلمي طولان، وتؤكد أنه لم يقدّم حتى الآن برنامج إعداد واضح للمنتخب الأولمبي، على عكس الكابتن حسام حسن الذي قدّم خطة إعداد المنتخب الأول منذ فترة طويلة، وتم بناء جدول الدوري على أساسها، وبالتالي لم يكن هناك منتخب ثاني واضح قبل انطلاق الموسم ليُراعى في الجدول”.

وواصل: “مسؤولو الرابطة يرون أن انتظام المسابقة أولوية قصوى لا تقل أهمية عن إعداد المنتخب، ويقولون إن الكابتن حلمي يمتلك قائمة موسعة تضم أكثر من 20 لاعبًا يمكنه من خلالها تعويض غياب لاعبي بيراميدز، خاصة أن المنتخب المشارك في كأس العرب قائم بالأساس على اللاعبين المتاحين في الدوري المحلي، دون اتفاق مسبق على استثناءات أو مواعيد خاصة”.

طالع أيضًا.. خاص | رابطة الأندية توضح حقيقة تأجيل مباراتي بيراميدز في الدوري بسبب منتخب مصر الثاني

واستطرد: “لكن من ناحية أخرى، الكابتن حلمي طولان يرى أن الأمر صعب، لأن الحارس الأساسي للمنتخب أحمد الشناوي من بيراميدز، وكذلك عدد من العناصر المهمة الأخرى، مما يجعل موقفه الفني معقدًا، أما الرابطة فتؤكد أن الموضوع كله لن يتجاوز أسبوعًا، وأن بيراميدز نفسه مرتبط بمباريات رسمية في بطولة كأس إنتر كونتيننتال، منها نصف النهائي يوم 13 ديسمبر، أي أن الفريق سيكون مشغولًا قبلها بأيام قليلة، وهو ما يجعل التأجيل شبه مستحيل”.

واختتم: “الأزمة صعبة فعلًا، فالمباريات يومي 3 و6 ديسمبر، ثم بيراميدز مرتبط بلقاء مهم يوم 13 ديسمبر، أي أن الجدول مزدحم تمامًا، السؤال الآن: هل سيتدخل المهندس هاني أبو ريدة لحل الأزمة؟ أم سنعود بعد ذلك لنلوم الرابطة لأنها رفضت التأجيل؟ الرابطة تقول إنها تحاول فقط الحفاظ على انتظام الدوري، فهل هذا خطأ؟”.

The Premier League trophy’s ribbons run red once again, with Liverpool dethroning Manchester City after their historic four-in-a-row dynasty at the peak of English football.

Arne Slot oversaw Anfield’s success, and it was a triumph that few beyond the club’s fanbase saw coming. But it’s happened, Liverpool so dominant through the course of the campaign, easing the intensity over the past month, picking up two points from 12 available after thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 in April to wrap up the title and spark frenzied celebrations.

It’s got to be said, the job Slot and FSG have done over the past year has placed Liverpool in a promising position, surely primed for a sustained period of success at the forefront of domestic and European football.

With the elite support, peerless conditions and illustrious history, prospective transfer targets must leap at the chance to join Slot’s side, especially when looking at the sky-high growth of talents such as Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.

This is certainly applicable in the case of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.

The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool

FSG have a certain way with finalising transfers swiftly once settled on a top target. This is especially true in the case of Wirtz, who is in the final stages of a transfer to Merseyside less than two weeks after Manchester City cooled their interest in the German international, citing concerns over the bulk of the financial package.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Wirtz, 22, has been enticed by the Liverpool project and only wanted to leave Leverkusen for Slot’s project, with the structure of the package all that stands in the way of that glorious official announcement.

It will break the bank, for sure, with FSG ready to crush their transfer record by signing Wirtz for a fee rising to £110m with add-ons and bonuses.

It’s a stunning show of strength from the Anfield side, ready to defend their title by making impactful additions. Bringing Wirtz in shouldn’t spell the end of the forward arrivals, however.

Liverpool join race for PL talent

According to Stretty End, Liverpool are among the contenders to have joined the race for Brighton & Hove Albion talent Yankuba Minteh, alongside rivals Manchester United.

With the Red Devils looking to strengthen their attacking flanks this summer, Liverpool may be forced into acting now, should they want to sign the 20-year-old after his promising breakout campaign in the Premier League.

Brighton signed Minteh from Newcastle United for £30m last summer before he had ever kicked a ball in black and white, swooping as Seagulls do when presented with an opportunity.

Why Liverpool want Yankuba Minteh

Slot knows Minteh well, having managed the Gambian prospect across the 2023/24 campaign at Feyenoord, the loanee hitting 16 goal involvements from 37 matches.

Now, he’s passed the first level of the Premier League test, scoring seven goals and providing five assists across all competitions this season.

With his explosive pace and budding eye for goals and assists, Minteh could become Liverpool’s new version of Sadio Mane, three years on from the 33-year-old’s departure to Bayern Munich, ending his illustrious Merseyside career.

The key point of difference, of course, would be that Minteh is typically more of a right-sided forward, thus illustrating a future role as Mohamed Salah’s successor, but maybe more in the mould of the one-time Jurgen Klopp favourite.

One football scout has even put it more directly, saying Minteh “can reach Sadio Mane[‘s] level” in the future, with his athletic properties and killer instinct reminiscent of the Senegalese sensation in his pomp.

As per FBref, Minteh ranked among the top 8% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers this season for touches in the attacking box, the top 12% for successful take-ons and the top 13% for tackles per 90.

Here you can see the strength, progressive power and tenacious attitude, all wrapped into one. Minteh is, undoubtedly, one of the most talented young wingers in the Premier League, and he could explode in the coming years, especially if he makes the move to Merseyside and replicates Mane’s own rise.

As you can see below, Minteh has produced this season a similar sort of roundedness to Mane before his big break, with work to be done on his finishing, sure, but not a drastic amount. Indeed, Minteh is proving to be the full package, with his existing ability to find the back of the net something which could develop in the years to come, especially if under Slot’s wing.

The Southampton version of Mane still has the edge over Minteh, but not by a significant margin. Moreover, the legendary Premier League winger joined Liverpool in a £34m deal when he was 24 years old; Minteh, conversely, is still only 20.

This all points toward an auspicious future for Minteh, and Liverpool would be wise to invest their stakes now, before his value skyrockets.

If rumours of Federico Chiesa and Ben Doak’s respective departures carry truth, this would be the perfect way for FSG to sign a new Salah understudy after the elation of bagging Wirtz.

And given his similarities to one Mane, it might be a deal that fans look back on in the years to come as yet another masterstroke on Michael Edwards’ part.

Another Suarez situation: Liverpool expect bid for "world-class" £72m star

Liverpool may have to contend with the sales of a few stars this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 30, 2025

“The players are ready and raring to go in the multi-day format; to adjust to that is a different story,” India head coach says

Sruthi Ravindranath26-Jun-2024India are going into the one-off Test against South Africa on the back of successive white-ball series sweeps – T20Is in Bangladesh and ODIs vs South Africa at home – but head coach Amol Muzumdar believes there’s scope for improvement in every department for the team.”We do have the momentum – we won in Bangladesh, we won against South Africa,” Muzumdar said two days out from the Test in Chennai. “They are different formats, but at the same time, we are trying to focus on every game as it comes. The demands [of playing a Test] are different. I think the team is up for it, and I think as far as improvement is concerned, I think all three departments – batting, bowling, and fielding, and fitness – four departments [can improve].”India last played a Test in December, beating Australia in Mumbai by eight wickets. That came on the back of another one-off Test at home, against England, which also India won. Also, most of the top players were also part of the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-day Trophy in Pune in March-April.Related

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The teams got only five days to prepare for the upcoming Test against South Africa following the conclusion of the ODIs on June 23, but Muzumdar feels the players are aware of the challenge of switching formats, considering red-ball cricket is part of their long-term plans.”In December, we played against England and Australia; we played back-to-back Tests,” he said. “We are aware that red-ball cricket will be a part of women’s cricket going forward, and hence I feel that the inter-zonal, which happened in March-April, was very critical. So that the players also get the message that it’s not just white-ball cricket or just T20s that we are focusing on. We are also focusing on the red-ball stuff, and I think they are aware and they are ready and raring to go in the multi-day format. To adjust to that is a different story.”Those are the demands of modern-day cricket. You know you cannot escape that as a team. So we try to cater to all the demands. It’s not easy, but at the same time it’s a challenge and we accept it as a challenge to adapt to different formats.”While the core of the team won’t change as India switch formats, the likes of Shubha Satheesh, Sneh Rana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Meghna Singh, who did not play the ODIs, will be coming in for the Test.”I think those four players are very important players. We did have a camp that happened at the NCA about 15 days back, and they were specifically given red-ball stuff to be done in the camp,” Muzumdar said. “So they’ve already had the workload. The workload has been shared to them, and also when they went back home, they were told a few things to do. Their weekly chart was organised and given to them. So they’re completely fresh and raring to go. Even when they’ve come here and [are] in the squad, we just had a practice session yesterday with those four players, and they look absolutely fine.”India won back-to-back Tests against England and Australia late last year•Getty ImagesWhile the ODIs against South Africa were part of the Women’s Championships, Muzumdar said he wouldn’t mind a men’s style World Test Championship for women to add more context to the format. However, only four teams – Australia, England, India and South Africa – currently play Test cricket.”It’s not a bad idea to have Test Championships,” he said. “That’s something to look forward to, but that is for the board to decide. And if it happens, it’s even better for the game. Test cricket is always special. We like to keep it that way, that you know every game is important [regardless of the context] – whether it’s ODI, T20 or Test match. I know there is no Test Championship to look forward to, but at the same time, every game is important. We take part to win them.”Muzumdar also said that Shabnam Shakil, the 17-year-old uncapped medium-pacer, was brought into the side for all three formats so she could get a feel of the team culture. Shakil was part of the U-19 World Cup-winning India team last year, and also made an impression at WPL 2024 for Gujarat Giants, especially when she took 3 for 11 against Mumbai Indians.”She’s definitely a superb talent, and that’s the reason she is here,” he said. “We’ve made a conscious decision of including her in the team so that she gets a feel of the dressing room, and also the atmosphere and the culture that we’re building. She gets a first-hand experience to that. She’s definitely a good talent, and we will hear more about her in the future.”

Liverpool are set to soften their stance on Luis Diaz and accept a bid of under €80 million (£69.9m/$93.9m) from Bayern Munich. The Colombian forward, who still has two years remaining on his current deal, has already expressed his desire to leave Anfield this summer, with his preferred destination being the German champions.

Liverpool ready to soften stanceBayern determined to sign DiazLeft out of squad for Milan friendlyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Diaz, along with Darwin Nunez, was left out of Liverpool's matchday squad for their first pre-season friendly of the Asia tour against AC Milan on Saturday. Reds boss Arne Slot later confirmed that Diaz was not included in the team due to the ongoing speculation over his future.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

According to journalist , Liverpool have accepted that Diaz will leave the club this summer, while they are ready to soften their stance and accept a bids of less than their previous €80m valuation. Diaz, however, has still travelled to Tokyo for the next part of their Asian tour.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bayern are determined to get Diaz's signing over the line this window after seeing their earlier bid worth €68m turned down by the English champions.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Slot's men will be back in action on July 30 when they take on Yokohama F. Marinos in a pre-season friendly. Diaz is unlikely to feature again given the latest updates surrounding Bayern's interest.

da betsul： As Sunderland prepare for life back in the Premier League, they have suffered a blow this week with news emerging of Jobe Bellingham’s pending exit, but the Black Cats are acting quickly and have already found a Premier League talent to replace him, according to a recent report.

Bellingham set for Borussia Dortmund move

da dobrowin： Since arriving at the Stadium of Light in July 2023, Bellingham has been a breath of fresh air for the Black Cats. While the midfielder didn’t manage to score as many goals in the 2024/25 campaign as he did in the 2023/24 season, his overall performances were very consistent and helped Sunderland seal a return to football’s biggest league.

Related Sunderland now set to sell "excellent" 19 y/o for £9m less than they wanted

He is now reportedly in advanced talks over a move away.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Jun 3, 2025

Despite that accomplishment, Bellingham has been weighing up his future in the last couple of weeks. The 19-year-old is under contract until 2028, but there has been significant interest in a possible transfer this summer, particularly from Germany.

Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig were two teams who made a move to sign Bellingham, but the young Englishman has decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother and make a move to Borussia Dortmund. Bellingham wants to join Dortmund, and now, according to Keith Downie, Sunderland are in advanced negotiations and are set to sell the midfielder for £25 million.

Sunderland want to sign £3m Wolves ace as Bellingham replacement

So as the Black Cats work on selling Bellingham to Dortmund, the club’s hierarchy already have a player in mind when it comes to replacing him. According to TEAMtalk, Sunderland are interested in signing Tommy Doyle from Wolves this summer.

The report states that the Black Cats want to strengthen the spine of their team as they prepare for life back in the top flight, and Doyle has been earmarked as a potential arrival. Sunderland tried to sign the 23-year-old on loan back in the January transfer window, but ultimately failed.

Now they want to try again, but this time on a permanent basis, as Doyle has been told by Wolves that he is free to leave the club. The midfielder has fallen out of favour under Vitor Pereira, failing to make five of the last nine Premier League matchday squads.

Tommy Doyle’s 24/25 Premier League stats

Apps

24

Starts

3

Assists

1

Interceptions per game

0.2

Tackles per game

0.5

Balls recovered per game

1.8

Clearances per game

0.5

Wolves have put a £3 million price tag on Doyle’s head, but the Black Cats are not the only team chasing the former Man City man, as Sheffield United, whom Sunderland beat in the play-off final, are also interested in a deal, as well as Wrexham, who are playing in the second tier next season.

But Sunderland may hold an advantage – Doyle has the same agent as current Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien, who has been key for the club for a number of seasons now, perhaps smoothing negotiations along.

Indeed, it is claimed that Sunderland are in the box seat to sign Doyle, who was dubbed “unbelievable” by former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil. He’s played over 50 games in the Premier League, so his mixture of top flight experience and youthful exuberance could go a long way to replacing a departing superstar.

Manchester United booked their place in the Europa League final last night, after a 4-1 win at Old Trafford against Athletic Club, building on their triumph from the first leg.

Goals from Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro secured the win for Ruben Amorim’s side, setting up a tie with fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur.

The 7-1 aggregate victory demonstrated the clinical nature posed by the Red Devils, something which they will need to replicate if they are to claim the title at the end of the month.

Should they manage to once again win in Bilbao, it would secure Champions League football for the club, putting a superb end to what’s been a terrible season on the pitch.

Despite the convincing victory, numerous players failed to deliver at the Theatre of Dreams, potentially putting their places in the side at huge risk.

United’s poor performers against Athletic Club

After Diogo Dalot’s injury, Noussair Mazraoui was forced to operate in an unnatural right wing-back role, largely featuring as part of the back three since Amorim’s arrival.

The Moroccan failed to win any of the tackles he entered, whilst losing 100% of the ground duels he contested – with last night’s showing one to forget for the former Bayern Munich star.

He wasn’t alone in failing to impress, with forward Alejandro Garnacho once again falling way below the high levels of performance he’s set for himself at United.

The youngster only managed to complete one of his three attempted dribbles and only registered one effort on goal as he failed to add to his tally in Europe this campaign.

However, despite the showings from the aforementioned duo, one other Red Devils star failed to deliver, potentially becoming a new version of one other former failure at Old Trafford.

The United player who’s becoming the new Amrabat

Midfielder Sofyan Amrabat arrived at United with high hopes of being a success last season, but ultimately failed to deliver during his temporary spell at the club.

The Moroccan, who joined on loan from Fiorentina, featured for a total of 30 times across all competitions, often being utilised as a bench player and brought on late in matches.

However, despite his poor displays, he was useful in terms of seeing out games, managing to regain possession and winning 60% of the tackles he entered at Old Trafford.

Fast forward to the present day, Amorim has found his own version of the 28-year-old in Uruguayan Manuel Ugarte, who failed to impress once again last night.

The former PSG ace has been impressive during his early days at the club, managing to follow in Amrabat’s footsteps of impressing in regaining the ball for the Red Devils.

Last night was no different, winning two tackles and seven duels, managing to break up the play in the heart of the side – undoubtedly contributing to the victory.

However, with the ball at his feet, he struggled to make a huge impact, losing possession 15 times and managing to complete just 67% of the passes he attempted.

Minutes played

62

Touches

48

Passes completed

22/33 (67%)

Possession lost

15x

Tackles won

2

Duels won

7

Dribbles completed

1/2 (50%)

Ugarte also only competed 50% of the dribbles he attempted and was unable to make a single key pass, having little to no impact on the club’s goalscoring antics.

As a result, the midfielder was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst – further highlighting how poor he was throughout the triumph.

After such a showing, it’s safe to say the Uruguayan could be on borrowed time within the starting eleven, with other options needing to be considered ahead of the final.

With nothing left to play for in the league, Amorim can use the matches as an opportunity to trial other players in such a role to bolster their ambitions of claiming the trophy in the coming weeks.

Not just Mount: Man Utd's undroppable 8/10 ace now "has to start the final"

Man Utd’s late show helped to rubberstamp their place in the Europa League final

1 ByRobbie Walls May 9, 2025

With that, USAC has met one of the two critical requirements to avoid disqualification as an ICC Associate member

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jul-2024USA Cricket (USAC) on Saturday appointed Johnathan Atkeison as its new CEO. The move comes after the ICC put them “on notice” earlier this week for not having a fit-for-purpose governance and administrative system and structure.With this appointment, USAC fulfilled one of the two critical requirements to avoid disqualification as an ICC Associate member. The other requirement was to have governance norms set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) necessary for it to earn the National Governing Body (NGB) status, which is mandatory for all sports that were last year added to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.”I’m honored to join the team at USA Cricket. It’s an incredible time for the sport here in the United States with the historic performance of the men’s national team in the recent T20 World Cup, the completion of the second season of Major League Cricket, and the first opportunity to showcase cricket in the Olympics here on home soil during the LA28 games,” Atkeison said in a media release.Related

• ICC confirms review into conduct of T20 World Cup 2024

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“Our goal is to build a world-class organization to capitalize on that momentum, and firmly establish cricket’s position in the American sporting landscape. The passion the cricket community has for the sport is amazing, and the enthusiasm is infectious. I can’t wait to get started.”Atkeison most recently served as the Chief Operating Office of USA Rugby and has over 15 years of national governing body experience. He is credited for leading USA Rugby through a financial restructuring in 2020. His tenure will start from August 1.Ahead of its AGM, the ICC circulated a note titled “Associate Member Membership Update” to all its members, wherein it noticed that USOPC had “expressed serious concerns” over the governance of USAC. It was the second time in the year that the ICC put USAC on notice and gave them 12 months to make rectifications.”The board agreed that a normalisation committee comprising of board and management representatives will be set up to oversee and monitor USA Cricket’s compliance roadmap and the ICC board will reserve its right to suspend or expel the member for continued non-compliance,” the ICC had said in a statement after the AGM earlier this week.

Mic'd Up: The AppleTV+ analyst talked about his interest in the Club World Cup and why it's such a big tournament for MLS

Diego Valeri is arguably Major League Soccer’s first true Argentine star. His resume speaks for itself: a bona fide legend not just with the Portland Timbers – the club he called home for nearly a decade- but across the league as a whole. Few foreign players have reached Valeri’s level in MLS, and even fewer sustained it as long as he did.

Valeri's own stardom, though, doesn't exempt him from marveling at MLS' current star Argentine, Lionel Messi. As a man who has worn that No. 10 shirt himself, Valeri, too, often finds himself mystified at what Messi can do, and, as the Club World Cup looms, Valeri is as excited as everyone to see Inter Miami's star lead his side against some of the game's best once again.

"It's insane still," Valeri tells GOAL. "It's the best player in history, and he's won everything, the World Cup, and he shows the mentality it takes to compete, to lead the team, to win more trophies. That's how you make a league better, right? That's what I like most."

The Club World Cup, ultimately, is a tournament that the now-Apple TV+ analyst finds himself gravitating towards, largely because it unites so many parts of his own fandom. There are the MLS sides, of course, including the Seattle Sounders, his once-hated rival whom he now finds himself begrudgingly pulling for this summer. There are the European heavy-hitters, including Porto, a club that he played for once upon a time. And then, of course, there are the Argentinian powerhouses, Boca Juniors and River Plate, two clubs that have long set the tone for the South American game.

Valeri talks about the brilliance of Messi, the Argentina-USA connection, his expectations for the Club World Cup and more in the latest edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

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  ON THE CLUB WORLD CUP

  GOAL: We have the Club World Cup coming to the U.S. this summer, and it's such a unique experience and unique tournament, particularly for the teams in MLS. As someone who knows and loves the league, and knowing the challenges they'll face in terms of opponents, what are you looking forward to?

  VALERI: I feel inside that I really want to play! This is a dream come true to play in tournaments like these. It was my biggest wish to play in finals or in these types of tournaments with the Timbers, but I also really want the MLS teams to succeed. Obviously, it's not easy, and you can see how hard it is in that Champions League final where PSG score five against Inter, right? Soccer is a special sport in that it's just 11 against 11 and, no matter what, you can still compete. There are so many epic moments in history where the team that isn't the best wins a championship because they played better for those 90 minutes, right?

  In this case, MLS has a home advantage, and they have to use it. They'll need to play a perfect game against these teams, have some luck, get some points, and then, who knows? Things can happen in soccer. If you win the first game, maybe you get a result in the second one and, hey, you have a chance, right?

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  ON THE SOUNDERS

  GOAL: One of the teams representing MLS in this tournament is, of course, the Sounders. As a Timbers legend, you're not legally allowed to say nice things about them, right?

  VALERI: Usually, I'm not allowed to say good things about the Sounders, but actually, for this Club World Cup or for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, I'm an MLS supporter. Any team in MLS that is there, I'm supporting them. It's weird, but I do want them to succeed because I know how much talent all of the teams have here, and even though it's still a process of growing and making this a better place, these are the moments to do it.

  In terms of the Sounders, people who know me know that I'm always trying to be fair, and you have to say that the Sounders, in the last decade, they deserve this. They make the finals. They win trophies. They have had the same coach [in Brian Schmetzer] for years, and that's fantastic. They did it right, and I think that's something that's good for the Timbers, actually, as a rival. We want all of the teams to keep improving and we want to win an international trophy. The Timbers need to be there next time. We need to make those tournaments, but it's healthy to be competing in an environment like that. So, when I have to talk about rivals, I put aside my feelings of being a Timbers supporter and being so identified with those colors.

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  ON MESSI

  GOAL: For someone with one foot in Argentina and one foot in the U.S., what's it like for you having Messi here? Now that he's been here for a while, what changes have you seen, both in the U.S. and abroad?

  VALERI: All of the skills, the goals, the magical moments, but also the way he's competing, I think he's leading the way. MLS, young guys, even the other South Americans that have come to MLS, he's shown the way you can arrive in MLS and compete. Having the chance to broadcast him on Apple TV, every game is pure story, right? He does small things that nobody knows, and he makes it look easy, like it's nothing. I love soccer and I love to watch an Argentinian transcend our flag, but at the same time, to lead the right way.

  GOAL: You have to get a little jealous, though. He gives his shirt to other Argentinians after every game!

  VALERI: After every game, he's giving his shirt to someone! That shows character, too. Sometimes he gets pissed off at the referee and that's genuine and that's good! He's still a kid when he's playing. I did have the chance to meet him, and I said thanks when I shook his hand. I told him he chose the right place. He had all of these different countries and different leagues he could play in, and now, it's about us having the chance to enjoy it and having everyone learn from the best.

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  ON CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ARGENTINA AND THE U.S.

  GOAL: Obviously, you are part of a long line of Argentinian stars to come play in the U.S., but there are so many connections. Mauricio Pochettino is the U.S. head coach. When Argentina play here, it's always a huge party. What's it been like seeing that connection build as someone who is part of growing it?

  VALERI: Soccer is social, right? That's a big part of it. Argentinians can always adapt in different leagues, and that's why there's been so much success in America. The MLS game is an American game, which is trying to score goals, trying to create chances, and looking to attack your rival. That's good for the Argentinian style of playing, for playmakers.

  At the same time, the rest of the world, maybe at some point in the last 15 years, it's changed a bit. They've transitioned to systems without No. 10s anymore. In the other direction, we have talent everywhere. Just in Buenos Aires, there's a No. 10 on every block! That's why there's a connection. Argentinians are very ambitious and very competitive, and that's something that always makes a difference here. Some people may say the league here is easy, but Argentinians don't. They come here to compete and make a difference.

  GOAL: Obviously, Boca and River are coming for the Club World Cup. What will that be like for them? Surely the crowds will be huge?

  VALERI: I think they're going to play like they're at home! Stadiums will be full of Argentinians. All of the Argentinians that live here will go to see River and Boca Juniors because these types of performances are very important, and other Argentines know that this tournament gives us prestige. We want to play Inter Milan and PSG, right? It's a measurement. There may not be the same level of investment as the European teams or even the Brazilian teams, but Argentinian teams will always come and compete. Success for them is making it out of the group and then moving forward and making it to a semifinal or final. Otherwise, people in Argentina will be saying they fell short. Exiting in the group stage is not going to be acceptable for that. They have set their own bar really high.

The Queensland quick claimed eight wickets in his two outings against West Indies

AAP07-Feb-2024Australia’s one-sided ODI series sweep against the West Indies may have unleashed the country’s pace bowler of the future. Xavier Bartlett, 25, picked up man-of-the-series honours in his debut for the nation, finishing with the staggering figures of 8 for 38 across his two outings in the 3-0 whitewash.Building on a BBL campaign where he led the competition’s wicket-taking and helped the Brisbane Heat win the title, Bartlett’s sky-rocketing stocks could see him on the fringes of Test selection in the near future.Related

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Much like fellow paceman Lance Morris has been with the Test side to deputise for Australia’s front-line quicks, ODI captain Steven Smith believed Bartlett could be in line for similar treatment soon.”It’s possible, there’s plenty of options out there,” he said. “We’re certainly not short of fast bowlers at the moment, you throw [Michael] Neser in there, [Scott] Boland, obviously he’s been around a lot, Jhye Richardson, he’s played a bit and he’s quality as well.”Smith was glowing in his praise of Bartlett, who tore apart the West Indies and took 4 for 21 as Australia rolled them for just 86 at Manuka Oval on Tuesday.”I remember facing him probably five or six years ago in the Gabba nets before a Test match…I thought ‘jeez, this guy presents a beautiful seam’, which you don’t often see,” Smith said. “I just remembered that randomly, and then seeing him come out in this series and bowl the way he did was outstanding.”He presented that seam I spoke about, swung it and got the rewards so it looks like he’s got a bright future.”Batting starlet Jake Fraser-McGurk also enjoyed his first run in the national team, flashing his considerable potential making 41 off 18 balls in Australia’s easy chase.”It was exciting, wasn’t it? When he hits them, they certainly stay hit,” Smith said. “He’s certainly not short of confidence and it’s cool to see someone come in and at the age of 21, just play with such freedom and no fear at all.”It’s cool to watch and I’m sure he’s gonna have some learnings along the way and things like that. But the way he’s playing right now, it’s exciting for everyone to watch.”