The San Diego Padres topped the Detroit Tigers 2-0 on Tuesday and, in the process, did something no MLB team has ever done.
San Diego shut the Tigers out behind seven immaculate frames from Nick Pivetta and two clean innings from relievers Jason Adam and Robert Suarez. It continued a pattern of dominance from the team's pitching staff. It was the seventh shutout of the season for the Padres, and they became the first team in major league history to total seven shutouts in March/April.
The Friars are now tied with MLB's best record at 17-7. Their seven shutouts are tied for the most ever through 24 games, and the last team to accomplish the feat was the 1992 Atlanta Braves. That pitching staff wasn't bad; it featured Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Steve Avery, and Charlie Leibrandt.
As a team, San Diego enters Wednesday's action second in MLB in ERA (2.77) and third in WHIP. Their relief corps has been stellar, posting an MLB-best ERA (1.43) that is more than a full run better than the second-place New York Mets (2.47).
Pivetta has been outstanding so far and is looking like the bargain of the offseason. The Padres waited out the market and signed the 32-year-old righty to a four-year, $55 million contract in mid-February. He has delivered so far.
After his win on Tuesday, Pivetta is 4-1, with a 1.20 ERA, a 0.77 WHIP and 30 strikeouts against seven walks in 30 innings. In five games he has already generated 1.4 WAR.
So far this season, the Padres are proving pitching wins games.
Singing the national anthem at a sporting event is no easy task. There are thousands of eyeballs fixated on you, and oftentimes millions more watching on television. And if the singer and anthem happen to draw attention, it's more likely because something went wrong than because it went right.
But the opposite happened on Friday afternoon before the start of the Chicago Cubs' home-opener at Wrigley Field against the San Diego Padres.
Singer John Vincent II did something so incredible and unbelievable that it warranted some extra attention for the right reasons. When he made it to the "Land of the Free" verse in the anthem, Vincent somehow held the note for a whopping 25 seconds in a remarkable display that has become commonplace for the Cubs fan favorite. It made for a perfect aesthetic with the flyover occurring during the duration of the note.
Of course, holding notes for long periods isn't a new thing for Vincent, who has been singing professionally since 2001 and was previously clocked holding the note at 21 seconds in a prior anthem.
But he may have outdone himself with this performance.
Penny for Alexander Isak’s thoughts? Liverpool’s record-breaking striker has been down by the wayside right since the summer, and the fans are desperate to see him recover his form and showcase that world-class quality.
Isak left Newcastle United for Anfield at the end of the summer transfer window, on strike throughout August following a breakdown in relations on Tyneside. It’s been a struggle ever since, with the lack of a pre-season and injury issues in recent months limiting him to just four Premier League starts so far.
This is all symptomatic of the deeper malaise at Arne Slot’s Liverpool. Slot’s Liverpool, last season’s dominant league champions, have been pants this year, with nine losses in their past 12 matches in all competitions.
Not good enough. Isak’s only goal came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, a competition the Merseysiders have since been dumped out of.
He will surely come good, but FSG will be anxiously waiting for proof that they have got bang for their buck. At the moment, Isak is offering less than Darwin Nunez before him.
Why Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez
Slot’s brand of football is built on structure and. Both he and Jurgen Klopp subscribe to attacking play, but where the German enjoys heavy metal, Slot is more of a purveyor of smooth jazz.
That was last season, though, with the Reds having left so much to desire this season. Liverpool are so tactically imbalanced, lacking the control of last season.
It’s for this reason that Nunez was sold. Wasteful in front of goal, yes, the Uruguayan was also erratic and mercurial, and given that Slot only started him once in the Premier League after Boxing Day, it’s clear he did not view him as the answer.
25/26(Al-Hilal
10 (6)
5 (2)
24/25 – Liverpool
47 (17)
7 + 7
23/24 – Liverpool
54 (33)
18 + 15
22/23 – Liverpool
42 (26)
15 + 4
21/22 – Benfica
41 (32)
34 + 4
So, it would not be that bold to assume that selling Nunez to Al-Hilal and replacing him with a clinical superstar like Isak was done with a view toward giving Liverpool more accuracy and presence in the final third.
It’s worth stressing that Isak is anticipated to be a success at Anfield. He is too good – and proven in the Premier League – not to click into gear.
But, as journalist David Lynch put it earlier in November, Isak is “offering Liverpool less than Darwin Nunez did” at the same stage last season, and that will certainly need to change going forward.
There is still full anticipation that the Sweden international will be a success story at the club, though, but the same can’t be said for another of Liverpool’s summer recruits, who has so much to prove after a wretched start to the season.
Liverpool's new version of Nunez
In fairness, Nunez scored on his Liverpool debut against Manchester City in the Community Shield. He posted a goal and an assist off the bench on his Premier League debut, a draw at Fulham.
Darwin Nunez looks frustrated for Liverpool
But, ultimately, the 26-year-old’s erraticness and his inability to conform to Klopp and then Slot’s tactical systems led to his sale.
Now, Liverpool may have landed their new version of the South American, and not in Isak, but Milos Kerkez, who completed a £40m move from Bournemouth to the Anfield club this summer.
Kerkez, 22, was named as a part of the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for 2024/25, exceptional on the south coast. That fine form is a world away from what Liverpool fans have witnessed over the past three months, with journalist Jean Paul Schiberras claiming he “looks like he has never played football before” in Slot’s set-up.
Following the defeat to PSV, content creator Mark Goldbridge remarked that Kerkez has been “such a bad signing” for Slot’s team. It was a collective shambles on Wednesday evening, but the Hungary international was culpable for lackadaisical defending as the visitors surged forward and took the lead in the second half.
It is incomprehensible to think that Kerkez simply doesn’t have what it takes to play for Liverpool. Last season, he was arguably the best left-back in the league, such a ferocious mix of power and athleticism and energy.
But he is lacking, as it were, street smarts. Kerkez has the skills to succeed at a club like Liverpool, but too often he has suffered from poor decision-making, lacking the awareness and positioning to read danger and ensure he is one, two, three steps ahead.
Matches (starts)
38 (38)
11 (10)
Goals
2
1
Assists
5
0
Touches*
59.6
50.8
Accurate passes*
28.6 (80%)
27.9 (86%)
Chances created*
1.0
0.6
Dribble (success)*
0.6
0.3
Recoveries*
4.7
2.8
Tackles + interceptions*
2.6
1.6
Clearances*
2.6
3.3
Duels won*
4.0 (54%)
3.6 (61%)
Errors made
4x
2x
This is why he is an endangered member of this squad. This is why he faces the potential of leaving with a reputation akin to Nunez, brimming with quality but arriving as a young and uncut gem, ultimately failing to bring it all together.
Is he a liability in this team? Perhaps so. It is useful to use Andy Robertson as a yardstick for the conundrum: last season, the Scotsman was clearly on the decline; a left-back was clearly a priority for FSG to sort out. But there are many calls now for the vice-captain to restore a nailed-down starting berth.
Slot has started using the 31-year-old more frequently, yes, but he has only started two of 12 Premier League fixtures this season, one of which includes the comprehensive 2-0 win over Aston Villa earlier this month.
Described as a “nervous wreck” by pundit Jamie Carragher, it’s clear that Kerkez is feeling the weight of moving to one of the world’s largest outfits. It doesn’t help that Slot’s tactics have proved so dysfunctional this term.
But left-back was a glaring weakness at Liverpool last year, and with Kostas Tsimikas out on loan and Robertson winding down, things have only gotten worse for the champions.
In this, Kerkez is becoming a major problem, a liability as concerning as Nunez was.
Gakpo upgrade: Liverpool could see bid accepted to sign £80m "superstar"
Liverpool are planning to enter the market for a new left-sided forward.
Sunderland returned to Premier League action after the international break with a whimper, instead of a bang.
Indeed, Regis Le Bris’ men lost 1-0 away at Fulham, which doesn’t seem like the demoralising result on first glance. But, on another day, Marco Silva’s hosts could have run away with the clash as resounding winners, having notched up a colossal 23 shots, to the Black Cats’ meagre five.
Le Bris will hope his side can return to winning ways in the top-flight when AFC Bournemouth come to Wearside next, before December kicks into gear, which sees huge contests such as the Tyne-Wear Derby arrive on the jam-packed calendar.
Before you know it, the January transfer window will also reopen to give Sunderland an apt opportunity to improve their ranks, ahead of a tough second part of the season, with some high-profile names already being linked to the Stadium of Light.
Transfer latest at Sunderland
Sunderland were very busy in the summer before jumping up to the big time in the Premier League, with a whopping £162m forked out on the likes of Granit Xhaka and Robin Roefs.
Therefore, it isn’t the wildest shout to suggest they could break the bank again if a tempting move comes their way in January, with recent reports from Spain suggesting that the Black Cats could boost their forward line with the acquisition of Real Madrid hotshot Gonzalo Garcia.
The biggest rumour of them all comes in the form of Matteo Guendouzi, the former Arsenal midfielder who worked under Le Bris at Lorient.
Keith Downie reported last week that the Mackems boss has not ruled out a move for the Frenchman as they potentially go about bringing another former ex-Gunner to the Stadium of Light.
He isn’t the only Lazio midfielder catching the eye, with concrete rumours emerging involving the Premier League newcomers being in the hunt for Lazio outcast Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
As per reports from Italy, Sunderland are named as one suitor taking a look at the ex-Sheffield Wednesday midfielder this January, with the centre of the park a clear priority position to improve.
Sunderland will hope, even if a move for Guendouzi isn’t forthcoming, that they can still clinch a deal for Dele-Bashiru to leave Serie A behind, as Le Bris potentially works his magic on another diamond in the rough, much like he did with Wilson Isidor.
How Dele-Bashiru can be Le Bris' next Isidor
Isidor hasn’t had the smoothest career up to this point, even if he is now four Premier League goals down in Sunderland red and white.
Unfortunately, the 25-year-old attacker has had to bounce back from a lot of adversity already, so early into his playing days, with the Rennes-born striker never going on to score a senior goal for AS Monaco, before many loan moves to the likes of Lokomotiv Moscow came to fruition.
Thankfully, the nomadic marksman has now found a home that suits him in Wearside, after such a well-travelled career, with Dele-Bashiru’s career path looking very similar.
Like Isidor, the “special” midfielder as he’s been labelled in Nigeria, is well-travelled, having already played in countries such as Turkey and Italy, after failing to make the grade at Manchester City at youth level.
Much like Isidor, though, he has shone in the EFL previously – which is where the 6-foot-1 striker bagged 13 goals to seal Sunderland’s promotion out of the Championship – with seven goal contributions coming his way on the books of the Owls in League One, as a rising youngster in South Yorkshire.
The nine-time Nigeria international has also shone in spurts for Lazio, even if only four appearances have come his way this season, with five goals and three assists from 33 appearances perhaps standing him in good stead to acclimatise to the Premier League effortlessly, as Isidor has managed.
Away from possessing a similar eye for a goal and assist like his Rennes-born counterpart, Dele-Bashiru would also be a useful buy when you consider his versatility across his up-and-down career to date, with his Lazio teammate in Boulaye Dia even hailing him as a talent who “can do everything”, whether that be from a central role, down the flanks, or even as an unorthodox defender.
CM
99
14 + 9
AM
41
7 + 6
RW
7
1 + 0
LW
7
2 + 1
RM
2
0
DM
2
0
RB
2
0
Valued at around the £4.7m mark, which is the amount he officially joined Lazio for, this is a deal that would be really worth exploring, with Dele-Bashiru lining up across seven different positions during his bumpy career to date.
Isidor only cost around the £5m price range, as well, and in January, another Isidor-style deal could soon be wrapped up.
Sunderland chief in contact with 14-cap midfielder who Cesc Fabregas "loves"
The Black Cats could land another transfer coup in 2026.
O Vasco enfrenta o Criciúma em São Januário, às 16h (Brasília), em São Januário, pela quarta rodada do Brasileirão. A semana de descanso para o time fez Ramón Díaz pensar em como escalar o Cruz-Maltino para o confronto contra o Tigre depois de duas rodadas sem pontuar.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco
É o Pirata do Vascão! Aposte R$100 no Lance! Betting e ganhe R$203 com gol de Vegetti sobre o Criciúma
A volta para casa é um fator para ser levado em consideração. Foi no Caldeirão que o clube carioca conseguiu sua primeira vitória do campeonato nacional. Além disso, desfalques de peso impactaram o rendimento da equipe nos dois jogos seguintes, contra o Bragantino e contra o Fluminense.
Agora, os vascaínos finalmente podem ter boas notícias. O zagueiro Gary Medel está de volta ao Rio após visitar sua mãe, que estava passando por problemas de saúde, no Chile. O jogador retornou na última quarta-feira e já participou dos treinos com a equipe. O defensor deve ser titular fazendo a dupla com Léo.
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A segunda novidade é a titularidade de Hugo Moura. O volante foi o único reforço da janela de transferência doméstica e já estreou com a camisa do Gigante no confronto contra o Fluminense. O jogador entrou bem na partida, no lugar de Matheus Carvalho, logo no início do segundo tempo, e deu uma assistência para o gol de Vegetti.
Após o clássico, Ramón Díaz elogiou a atuação do meio-campista:
– Me surpreendeu. Estava muito bem. Jogador que estávamos pedindo e necessitando. Agressivo, com boa qualidade com a bola nos pés, bola parada. Vai nos ajudar muito. – avaliou o técnico argentino.
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Outra novidade é que Rayan deve iniciar a partida entre os principais. O Cria da Colina treinou como titular durante a semana e deve entrar na vaga de Rossi, que não tem feito boas atuações. Em coletiva de imprensa, Ramón Díaz revelou que Josh Wander, dono da 777 Partners, pediu para que o treinador utilizasse mais a base.
– Quando nos reunimos com o presidente da 777, quando estivemos todos juntos conversando, me pediram para que eu coloque os jovens para jogar. Estou preparando eles para que eles possam render, na condição que estão, e estão melhorando.
O principal reforço para a partida é a provável volta de Dimitri Payet. O francês ainda não jogou pelo Brasileirão nesta temporada por conta de uma lesão no joelho direito. O camisa 10 tem se recuperado bem e treinou com a equipe titular durante a semana, segundo o ge. Com isso, o meio-campo deve ser formado por Sforza, Hugo Moura e Payet.
India’s batting hero spoke about the challenges she has been through during the World Cup
Sruthi Ravindranath31-Oct-2025
Emotional Jemimah Rodrigues waves at the crowd after her sensational innings•Getty Images
Jemimah Rodrigues revealed the mental battle she faced in the weeks leading up to her match-winning unbeaten 127 against Australia in the World Cup semi-final, describing a period of anxiety that left her feeling “numb” and brought her to tears. Rodrigues broke down during the post-match press conference, saying she hoped sharing her experience could help others facing similar struggles.”I will be very vulnerable here because I know if someone is watching, this might be going through the same thing and that’s my whole purpose of saying it. Nobody likes to talk about their weakness. I was going through a lot of anxiety at the starting of the tournament,” she said, pausing to hold back tears.”It was a lot, you know, before few games also, I used to call my mom and cry the entire time, let it all out. Because when you are going through anxiety, you just feel numb. You don’t know what to do. You are trying to be yourself. And also in this time, my mum, my dad, they supported me a lot. And also there was Arundhati [Reddy], who I think almost every day I have cried in front of her.Related
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Rodrigues completes her redemption arc as the silence turns to roars
The greatest chase: how India kept their cool amid the drama
“Later I was joking, saying ‘you don’t come in front of me, I will start crying.’ But she checked on me every single day. There was Smriti [Mandhana], who helped me. She also knew what I was going through. Few of the net sessions, she was just standing there. Even yesterday she came, she just stood there, just because he just knows that her presence is important for me.”There has been Radha [Yadav], who has, always been there, taking care of me. I am so blessed to have friends, I can call family, that I didn’t have to go through it alone. And it’s okay to ask for help.”Rodrigues had entered the semi-final on the back of a 76 not out against New Zealand, but her tournament began with a few low scores, including two ducks. She had also been dropped for the match against England as India opted for an extra bowler, a bold call given Rodrigues’ status as one of India’s top batters. She said it was difficult to stay patient, but she chose to hang in and trust that her moment would come.”My family went through a lot, but everyone stood by me, and believed in me when I didn’t, when I couldn’t,” she said. “And it started with the anxiety thing. Then I was dropped from the team [for the match against England]. That really hit me.”When you are dropped, you have a lot of doubts because I always want to contribute to the team. But that day, I couldn’t do much sitting out. And then, when you come back in, it’s a lot more pressure, than everything that was happening in the past month.’I am very grateful for the people who believed in me when I couldn’t, and were there for me and understood me because I couldn’t do this on my own’•ICC/Getty Images”But sometimes all you need to do is, just hang in there and, things fall into place. So, I am very grateful for the people who believed in me when I couldn’t, and were there for me and understood me because I couldn’t do this on my own.”During India’s chase of 339, Rodrigues was at the crease for nearly the entirety of the innings after entering at No. 3 in the second over. She remained unbeaten on 127 off 134 balls, guiding India to victory with five wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. Her innings, however, included a reprieve when she was dropped by Alyssa Healy on 82. Asked how she would rate her innings, Rodrigues reflected on her mindset.”I mean, how do I rate this innings? Actually, I have not let it sink in,” she said. “All I would say was I didn’t play for my 100. I didn’t play to prove a point at No. 3. I didn’t play for my 50. I just played to make sure India win. I wanted to see India win at the end and that was my only motivation.”I think when you have that thought process, I think God also favours you. You do it for the team, you don’t do it for yourself. And I think I have always played my cricket that way. I’m short of words actually.”Rodrigues also revealed that during a team discussion on the eve of the match, she had expressed a clear goal for the game.”We were just saying what all we could do better in this World Cup and all I said was that I want to be there till the end and finish the game. Whether we are batting first, I know if I am there, I can make a partnership. And get those 20-30 runs extra because I run well, pick gaps, unusual gaps.”And the second thing was if we are chasing, then I want to make sure I take the team through. And this just feels like a dream actually. It just felt like everything was such a set up. Because the last month wasn’t the easiest, but it just felt like a set up for this moment.”
حرص المهندس هاني أبوريدة، رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، على حضور مران منتخب مصر المشارك في بطولة كأس العرب بالدوحة.
وتنطلق منافسات بطولة كأس العرب يوم 1 ديسمبر، حيث يسعى منتخب مصر لتحقيق انطلاقة مثالية تحت قيادة المدير الفني حلمي طولان.
وعقد أبو ريدة اجتماعًا مع الجهاز الفني واللاعبين لرفع معنوياتهم قبل انطلاق منافسات البطولة.
وأبدى أبو ريدة ثقته الكاملة في المدير الفني وجهازه المعاون وجميع اللاعبين المختارين لتمثيل المنتخب، مؤكدًا أن الاتحاد يقف خلف الفريق بكل قوة ويدعم مسيرته في المنافسات العربية.
طالع | مواعيد مباريات منتخب مصر في كأس العرب 2025
وطالب رئيس الاتحاد اللاعبين ببذل أقصى جهد داخل الملعب، وتقديم أداء يليق باسم وتاريخ الكرة المصرية، والوصول إلى أبعد نقطة في البطولة لإسعاد الشعب المصري.
وحضر المران كل من وليد درويش ومحمد أبو حسين، عضوي مجلس إدارة الاتحاد، إلى جانب الدكتور مصطفى عزام، المدير التنفيذي للاتحاد.
One of Sheffield’s own is now in the running to buy Sheffield Wednesday, according to reports, after taking a key step ahead of the December 5 deadline.
Sheffield United merger rejected
The Owls have reportedly set a soft deadline of December 5 to find a new owner and narrow their search down. So far, they’ve not been short on candidates. Several potential buyers have shown proof of funds worth £50m and some have even been shown around the club’s facilities.
The biggest headline so far has arrived courtesy of Sheffield United, however. Wednesday’s rivals reportedly enquired about buying the club and were keen to merge the two Steel City rivals together in controversial fashion.
Unsurprisingly, any talks of that merger taking place have been shut down almost as quickly as they started gathering pace. Sheffield Wednesday, like many others, are keen to keep the derby alive and kicking instead, which is set to see them turn to other candidates.
Just who wins the bidding war is the big question. Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is reportedly among the interested parties, as is John McEvoy.
Many were quick to criticise Ashley at Newcastle in the past, but it’s worth noting that he cleared all of the Magpies’ debt. Financially speaking, he would arguably be a wise option.
Alas, it’s not just Ashley in the running. New names are now beginning to emerge and that includes Sheffield’s own Ryan Howsam. The Staysure founder has been based in Dubai in recent years, but could yet return to his home town to save his local club.
Who is Sheffield Wednesday takeover candidate Ryan Howsam?
So, is Howsam the man for the job? His impressive portfolio, which includes Avanti, PayingTooMuch, The Rock Group and several digital travel investments, certainly suggests that he’s got the funds to complete a takeover, but it would be his first venture into football.
The prospective owner has reportedly been given access to the club’s data in a key step towards potentially buying the club. He also recently told This is Money when asked about a return to England: “I would come back to the UK in a heartbeat if the environment was right.”
Sheffield Wednesday now braced for imminent "concrete" takeover bid
Things are looking up for the Owls.
By
Tom Cunningham
Nov 14, 2025
It would be fairly fitting for a Sheffield-born candidate to complete the takeover, but administrators would need to ignore their hearts and ensure that Howsam is the right man for the job.
Compared to someone like Ashley, Howsam is far from experienced in the world of football and the Owls simply need to steady the ship. It must also be noted that it may yet be neither of those options who emerge as frontrunners to buy the club.
With time ticking by before the December 5 deadline, Sheffield Wednesday must assess every possible option before making their final decision.
Mike Ashley position clear as Sheffield Wednesday takeover reaches final candidates
Former Manchester United, Newcastle, and Tottenham Hotspur striker Louis Saha has warned Lamine Yamal that he won't match the legacy of Lionel Messi because he doesn't have the same "obsession" with football as Cristiano Ronaldo. The Barcelona youngster has often been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons this season, with Saha the latest to fear that his potential could be wasted.
Lamine listless as Barca slump to defeat at Chelsea
Yamal lost his duel against Spanish national team-mate Marc Cucurella comprehensively on Tuesday evening at Stamford Bridge, with the left-back keeping his word. "I'll try to make things as difficult as possible for him," the left-back joked in September when talking about the matchup.
Even with his steady return of goals and assists, there’s been a subtle – but unmistakable – dip in the influence Yamal exerts on games this season. Granted, his performances have been affected after being diagnosed with pubalgia, with has prevented the 2025 Ballon d'Or runner-up from gaining the necessary rhythm.
However, over the past four months, he has made headlines for the wrong reasons more often than the right ones. He received severe backlash for his wild 18th birthday bash in July. Then, he accused eternal rivals Real Madrid of stealing and complaining.
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Yamal warned of wasting his talent
Saha, a Premier League icon, recently spoke to and warned that Yamal's "talent could be wasted because we are starting to see too many things in the papers about him."
“I think only PSG or Man City could afford to pay £300m for Lamine Yamal. I still think that if you look at his trajectory, it would be sad to see him go so early for a big move," said Saha.
“For the sake of the football we love, we want to see him develop in Barcelona, do well for Barcelona and be stable in Barcelona. I'm scared that this talent could be wasted because we are starting to see too many things in the papers about him.
“That's going to be a sad story because he's such a big talent for the next 15 years and I want to see the best from him so I want to protect this kid. Moving around is not good. I think Neymar left Barcelona for this kind of hype. He wanted to be the one big player at PSG.
“Neymar is such a waste because I think at Barcelona he will have really enjoyed himself and show that there was a complementary way to play with Messi over the years. Sometimes the management it's not easy to do because you have ego and you can find yourself dragged into something that is not very useful to your game.”
Yamal won't reach the heights of Messi & Ronaldo, says Saha
Yamal's meteoric rise to superstardom, all while being only 18, has drawn comparisons to Barcelona legend Messi. Recently, former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder even claimed that it was "possible" for Yamal to supersede the heights scaled by Messi. However, Saha disagrees, explaining that it's likely he will follow the footsteps of a Neymar rather than a Messi or a Ronaldo.
“Could Lamine Yamal one day overtake Lionel Messi? It would be good for him but I don't think so," the ex-Manchester United forward opined. "I doubt that he can achieve that because I see Lamine Yamal’s quality as a player but I don't see an obsession where you really focus on your football that Cristiano Ronaldo also has.
“These guys are absolutely insanely obsessed. Some distractions are already around Yamal, that's not good. I think you’ll find him dragged away from the game like Neymar, who has, for me, maybe better quality.
“Over the years, I've never seen anything like Neymar. Even if Yamal is incredible, I think Neymar was just at another level but he did not have the best lifestyle and over the years he got injuries and was dragged into things that are not helpful for his career.
“This is where I'm very scared that Yamal will try to choose the same kind of trajectory. That would be sad for football.”
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Yamal in it to win it all
While onlookers and naysayers may try to diminish Yamal's light, the youngster continues to remain a highly ambitious and motivated individual. The Barca academy graduate has laid the gauntlet for himself, targeting a treble of Champions League, World Cup, and the Ballon d'Or. "I want it all. I hope I achieve it all, and as long as we can play, it's possible," he stated to .
"All the individual titles indicate that it has been a great season for the team. For me, it brings me happiness and pride. Accumulating awards at my age is very positive. I'm going to keep working and fighting to achieve things like this."
Manchester City are now ready to snap up a “superstar” Champions League player, with the same agent as two members of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Man City looking to strengthen after Bayer Leverkusen setback
After putting together a solid run to re-establish themselves as Premier League title contenders, Man City have endured a dip in form over the past week, losing 2-1 at Newcastle United on Saturday, before succumbing to a 2-0 home defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.
It was a new-look defence for City, with Guardiola making wholesale changes to his starting XI, bringing in Abdukodir Khusanov to replace Matheus Nunes at right-back, despite the 27-year-old impressing in that area this season.
However, given that both Khusanov and Nunes aren’t natural full-backs, the Blues remain keen on bringing in another option, and there has now been a new update on their pursuit of Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento.
Transfer insider Dean Jones has now told TEAMtalk that Man City will be ready to sign Livramento if the opportunity presents itself, saying: “He’s happy at Newcastle, he is in a good position, he wants to push the limits of a new contract. But equally he knows he could secure a big transfer if he really wanted it.
“City have respect for his situation and have had to wait for him to decide what he does next. If he looks to leave, they are right there and will snap him up.”
"Superstar" Livramento could be perfect for Pep
Of course, any player in a Guardiola system must be comfortable in possession of the ball, and the Newcastle defender, who has the same agent as Stones and Nathan Ake, has averaged an 85.4% pass completion rate per 90 over the past year, placing him in the 87th percentile compared to other full-backs.
Once referred to as a “superstar” by Newcastle content creator Kendall Rowan, the three-time England international is also proven in the Premier League, having reached the 100-game mark in his side’s 2-1 win against City, during which the full-back made three clearances, two interceptions and two tackles.
Having been ranked as one of the best right-backs in the world, ahead of the likes of Nunes and Khusanov, Livramento could be a real upgrade for Pep at right-back, but a deal could be on the expensive side…
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Newcastle value Livramento at the £80m mark, which would make him one of the most expensive signings in Man City history, and given that Nunes has been impressing this season, it is questionable whether they should spend that much on another right-back.