Detroit Tigers left fielder Akil Baddoo had himself an incredible inning Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays as he single-handedly helped starter Jackson Jobe out of a first-inning jam.
With two runners on and no outs, Baddoo made a tremendous leaping grab at the wall to save what would have been extra bases for Toronto's Daulton Varsho. Both runners on base had to retreat, giving the Tigers their first out with no damage done.
Alejandro Kirk was the next batter up for Toronto and he made good contact with a ball that headed Baddoo's way. The ball looked like it was bound to drop for a base hit, but Baddoo made a diving grab and immediately fired the ball to second base to beat Bo Bichette back for a double play.
Back-to-back incredible catches—one at the wall and one diving forward—to result in three outs instead of multiple earned runs. Maybe the best defensive inning ever? Some Tigers fans certainly thought so:
The stellar defensive effort certainly earns Baddoo a thank you from Jobe, who may have been in for a long afternoon otherwise.
Baddoo is in his fifth Major League season, all with the Tigers. He started this year in the minor leagues after dealing with injuries before he was called up from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.
Sunday marked just his second appearance for the Tigers this season and he started it off with an inning you'd have to see to believe.
أستأنف ليفربول مشواره في دوري أبطال أوروبا أمس الأربعاء، لكنه تعرض لهزيمة مخيبة للآمال برباعية لهدف واحد أمام آيندهوفن على ملعب أنفيلد.
وتعرض ليفربول للهزيمة في تسع من آخر 12 مباراة في جميع المسابقات، وهي أسوأ سلسلة له منذ الفترة بين نوفمبر 1953 ويناير 1954.
وتعد هذه الهزيمة الثقيلة هي الثانية على التوالي خلال أسبوع بعد الخسارة المخيبة للآمال لفريق ليفربول أمام نوتينجهام فورست بثلاثية نظيفة في الدوري الانجليزي.
ويواصل ليفربول بحثه عن صفقات جديدة قبل دخول سوق الانتقالات الشتوية، ويرتبط النادي بالعديد من المواهب الهجومية.
ووفقاً لصحيفة “بيلد” الألمانية فقد انضم ليفربول لسباق الأندية المهتمة بالتعاقد مع أسان أودراوجو نجم لايبزيج أحد أبرز المواهب الواعدة في ألمانيا.
أقرأ أيضاً.. مدرب مفاجئ على طاولة ليفربول لخلافة سلوت
وأصبح ليفربول ينافس أندية آرسنال وبرشلونة على ضم صاحب الـ19 عاماً، الذي تبلغ قيمته 100 مليون يورو وشارك في جميع مباريات البوندسليجا الـ12 هذا الموسم.
وظهر لاعب لايبزيج لأول مرة مع منتخب ألمانيا خلال فترة التوقف الدولي في نوفمبر وسجل هدف خلال الفوز ضد سلوفاكيا بسداسية نظيفة، ولكنه تعرض لإصابة في وتر عضلة الفخد الخلفية اليسرى.
ويستمر عقد أودراوجو مع لايبزيج حتى عام 2029 ولا يرغب النادي الألماني في التفاوض حول مستقبل اللاعب في منتصف الموسم، ومع ذلك ستكون مهمة أي نادي للتعاقد معه صعبة ومكلفة وقد ترتفع قيمته التسويقية في عام 2026.
O Corinthians retomou as conversas com o Athletico-PR e subiu a proposta para contratar o volante Erick. Contudo, o Timão vem esbarrando em entraves para concluir a negociação. A informação foi revelada pela jornalista Monique Vilela e confirmada pelo Lance!.
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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte
Após o Furacão recusar uma troca por Fausto Vera e uma tentativa por empréstimo, a diretoria alvinegra enviou uma proposta de 6 milhões de euros (R$ 32 milhões na cotação atual) ao clube paranaense para contratar Erick.
O Athletico mantém a postura de não querer negociar o volante, mas o Corinthians aposta no projeto esportivo apresentado ao jogador para convencer o Furacão a vendê-lo.
continua após a publicidade
– O Athletico não tem a intenção de vender, mas o projeto agrada o Erick, que já havia pedido sua liberação. Estamos negociando. Eles têm o direito de não querer vender e nós temos o direito de querer sair. Isso não quer dizer que falte respeito de ambas as partes. É uma questão de projeção profissional e financeira. E o Athletico seria muito bem remunerado por isso – disse Miguel Calluf, agente de Erick, ao UOL.
+ Veja como ficou a tabela do Brasileirão após a última rodada
Reforçar o meio-campo é uma das prioridades do Corinthians para 2024. A nova gestão já assegurou a permanência de Maycon por mais um ano e contratou o volante Raniele e o meia Rodrigo Garro.
No duelo de lendas no Morumbi, o São Paulo goleou o Milan por 4 a 1 com um hat-trick de Dodô. Os outros gols foram marcados por Válber, para o Tricolor, com Ricardo Oliveira fazendo o dos Rossoneros.
➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo
O amistoso foi em comemoração aos 30 anos do título mundial de 1993, quando o São Paulo bateu o Milan por 3 a 2 em Tóquio, no Japão. Cafu, Kaká e Amoroso jogam pelos dois times – Ídolos dos dois clubes, Cafu e Kaká jogaram o primeiro tempo pelo São Paulo e o segundo pelo Milan. Amoroso entrou na etapa final e atuou uma parte pelo Tricolor e outra parte pelo Rubro-Negro.
O JOGO ⚽
O São Paulo teve mais volume de jogo no primeiro tempo e conseguiu boas triangulações com Válber, Müller e Kaká, sendo este último o principal articulador das jogadas. O gol de Válber, inclusive, saiu de uma boa trama entre eles e contou com uma ajudinha do goleiro Dida, que falhou. O Milan acabou chegando ao empate na genialidade de Seedorf, que achou um lindo lançamento para Ricardo Oliveira mostrar que ainda tem um faro de gol afiado.
No segundo tempo, o Tricolor ampliou sua superioridade, principalmente com as entradas de Aloísio Chulapa, Richarlyson, Amoroso e, principalmente, Dodô, o “Artilheiro dos Gols Bonitos”, que fez logo dois e mostrou ainda estar em boa forma.
FICHA TÉCNICA:
SÃO PAULO 4 X 1 MILAN
Local: Morumbi, em São Paulo (SP) Hora: 18h Competição: Amistoso “Encontro de Gigantes” Árbitra: Edina Alves Batista Auxiliares: Fabrini Costa e Lilion Bruno Cartões amarelos: Cartões vermelhos: Gols: Válber, aos 12 minutos do primeiro tempo (SAO); Ricardo Oliveira, aos 21 minutos do primeiro tempo (MIL); Dodô, aos cinco minutos do segundo tempo (SAO); Dodô, aos 24 minutos do segundo tempo (SAO); Dodô, aos 30 minutos do segundo tempo (SAO).
São Paulo (Técnico: Darío Pereira)
Marcos Bonequini (Zetti) (Flávio), Cafu (Cicinho), Fabão (Ivan Rocha), Lugano e Júnior (Elivélton); Valber (Hernanes), Josué, Raí (Jorge Wagner) e Palhinha (Amoroso); Müller (Dodô) e Kaká (Richarlyson).
Milan (Técnico: Costacurta)
Dida, Panucci, Costacurta, André Cruz e Zaccardo; Brocchi, Emerson, Angelo Carbone e Seedorf; Serginho e Ricardo Oliveira.
Every West Bromwich Albion manager who has taken on the reins since Carlos Corberan’s exit in late 2024 is undoubtedly trying to achieve success with the Spaniard’s legacy weighing heavily on them.
Corberan would turn the Baggies into regular promotion contenders in the Championship, which made his departure to Valencia last year very much sting.
To make matters worse, the wheels would come off West Brom’s 2024/25 season at a worryingly quick pace after he moved on to La Liga, with his successor in Tony Mowbray only managing to collect a paltry five victories from 17 matches before being dismissed.
Now, the pressure is on Ryan Mason’s shoulders to deliver, and the strain is already beginning to show, with two recent Championship defeats on the spin for the perpetual promotion nearly-men even seeing some Baggies natives begin to grow restless with their new 34-year-old boss.
It hasn’t been completely bleak since Corberan returned to Spain, however, with a lot of star quality still on display from some new signings.
West Brom's mixed recruitment since Corberan left
In the direct aftermath of Corberan leaving, though, there were some underwhelming flops to stomach.
Namely, Adam Armstrong would relocate to the Hawthorns on loan and fail to live up to this well-known image of him being a prolific performer in the EFL’s top league, with just a forgettable three goals falling into his lap from 16 outings in the West Midlands.
Tammer Bany, who was purchased this January for a whopping £3.3m, has also failed to get up and running in England as a post-Corberan purchase.
But, there have been some success stories to hold onto.
Isaac Price is very much the first name that springs to mind in this regard, having signed for the Championship outfit a matter of days after Mowbray was unveiled.
While he was a Mowbray capture, he has very much come into his own this season under the fresh methods of Mason, with a stunning five goals and two assists next to his name in all competitions.
Other members of Mason’s first team are also in with a shout to be the best buy since Corberan moved on, with Chris Mepham one worthy candidate, as the Welsh centre-back has become an everpresent member of his new manager’s defence to soften the blow of Torbjørn Heggem exiting for Bologna.
But, it’s a different defensive monster who could be well handed the honour…
West Brom's best signing post-Corberan
While Price has dominated a lot of West Brom conversations this campaign with his goal and assist output, he has also been prone to a quiet day at the office, frustratingly.
Indeed, the Northern Ireland international would go the entirety of September without collecting a single goal or assist.
During this same month, it could be argued that Nathaniel Phillips was very much settling into his new Hawthorns environment, on the contrary, with the decision to bring in the Premier League-experienced defender for just £3m already looking to be an ingenious move.
The 28-year-old is yet to miss a Championship game this season, and for good reason, with the 6-foot-3 colossus very much living up to his billing as a “lion”, as he was lauded by his former Anfield coach in Pepijn Lijnders.
Indeed, in West Brom blue and white so far, Phillips has won a commanding 5.5 duels on average across his 12 league clashes to date.
Games played
12
Goals scored
1
Assists
0
Touches*
81.9
Accurate passes*
56.6 (86%)
Ball recoveries*
4.3
Clearances*
7.4
Total duels won*
5.5
Clean sheets
3
Looking at the table above in greater detail only further reinforces how much of a sterling purchase Phillips has already been, with his brute strength when rising up for duels also gifting him one goal at his new club, already, away from also cutting an assured presence on the ball with 56.6 accurate passes averaged per tense match.
EFL pundit Sam Parkin would likely agree with Phillips being one of West Brom’s best signings in recent memory, with him labelling the former Derby County loanee as “absolutely sensational” after he collected a clean sheet versus promotion rivals Stoke City.
Mason will need both Price and Phillips performing to their maximum to try and get his side out of their current sticky patch of form.
But, while the first of those named has shone in spurts and looks a top talent for the future, Phillips has been the real deal from minute one of his West Brom journey, with 19 Premier League appearances also under his belt, standing the Baggies in good stead if they can finally break their second-tier hoodoo.
West Brom have signed "explosive" star who is a bigger talent than Fellows
West Bromwich Albion have signed a new explosive star who is an even bigger talent than Tom Fellows.
Arsenal have become a far smarter club when it comes to the transfer market over recent years.
Mikel Arteta and Co have overseen a host of incredible additions to the squad that have turned them from a mid-table side into consistent Premier League and Champions League contenders.
Yet, the North Londoners lag behind their rivals when it comes to the selling side of transfers.
However, at least they don’t lose future stars for nothing anymore, like they did with a current world-class talent who is playing as well as Bukayo Saka.
Youngsters Arsenal released too soon
As with all big clubs, there are a number of international superstars that Arsenal let go as youngsters, only to regret that decision later.
However, unlike a lot of other clubs, they have gone on to re-sign one of them in a statement deal: Eberechi Eze.
The club released the summer arrival as a teenager and after spending time with Fulham, Reading and Millwall’s academies, he’d finally get a professional contract with QPR, where he’d be spotted and signed by Crystal Palace in the summer of 2020.
During his time south of the river, the Greenwich-born dynamo would rack up a brilliant haul of 40 goals and 28 assists in 169 appearances, which was enough to convince his former side to bring him home.
Another player who came back to North London after being released by Arsenal, although to the wrong side, is Harry Kane.
Released after just one season with the Gunners, the young Englishman would go on to join Tottenham Hotspur a few years later, and by the time he left the capital, he had scored 280 goals and provided 63 assists in 435 games.
The England captain is now tearing it up for Bayern Munich, and he’s not the only former Arsenal prospect doing so.
The former Arsenal youngster now looking like another Saka
There are actually two former Arsenal gems plying their trade for Bayern alongside Kane, and one of them is, of course, Serge Gnabry.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.
However, while getting rid of the German international was a mistake, the Gunners did at least get a fee for him, which they did not for Michael Olise.
Yes, before spending time in the academies of Chelsea, Manchester City, and Reading, the dynamic youngster spent a short period at the famous Hale End of the North Londoners, before leaving for nothing.
It was during his time with Reading that Crystal Palace spotted him, and in 2021 he earned an £8m move to the South London side.
During his three seasons with the Eagles, the French international scored 16 goals and provided 25 assists in 90 appearances, which caught the attention of Bayern, who agreed to pay £50m for him last summer.
Now, when we say that the 23-year-old is playing ‘like Saka’, we don’t necessarily mean in playstyle, but more in how important he is to his team from an output perspective.
For example, despite missing almost four months of action last year, the Englishman still racked up 26 goal involvements in just 37 appearances for Arteta’s side.
Olise’s Bayern Record
Appearances
62
Minutes
4410′
Goals
24
Assists
26
Goal Involvements per Match
0.80
Minutes per Goal Involvements
88.2′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In comparison, the former Eagles star scored a staggering 20 goals and provided 23 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3842 minutes.
In other words, he averaged a goal involvement every 1.27 games, or every 89.34 minutes, and as he’s already racked up seven goal involvements in seven games this season, it would be fair to say Oliver Glasner has been proven more than right when he claimed the Frenchman was “one of the best talents in the world.”
Ultimately, Arsenal have a brilliant team this year, but just imagine how dangerous they’d be with Saka and Olise in the squad.
Saved by Martinelli: 5/10 Arsenal man was even worse than Merino vs City
It was a game to forget for Mikel Arteta and this Arsenal star.
The season is deepening, moving toward patterns more tangible than those the early weeks comment on a team. For Newcastle United, this is the case.
Newcastle started the 2025/26 campaign poorly, but Eddie Howe’s side were rocked by upheaval across the summer transfer window and lost their talisman, Alexander Isak, after a long attritional battle with Liverpool.
Isak, 26, scored many goals for the Tynesiders. Too many to name. One of which, though, came against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, and so for all the negativity and understandable criticism that came with that unwanted transfer saga, Isak’s legacy lives on.
But he’s a Newcastle player no more, and Howe knew it was crucial that a fitting replacement was brought in.
Well, while Yoane Wissa still waits to make his bow after his transfer from Brentford, having injured his knee on international duty, Nick Woltemade has enjoyed a fast start to life in England, impressing once again in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Newcastle spent well on Woltemade
There are some out there who seem to think Newcastle overspent when welcoming Woltemade from Stuttgart in a club-record £69m deal.
Here’s the thing. Newcastle’s summer struggles for a striker were well-documented, to say the least. The Magpies have landed themselves one of the most exciting young strikers in the business, and if that makes them ‘fools’, as some have suggested, then so be it.
And against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League, the German, 23 years old, added to his goal tally, getting the last touch after Sandro Tonali’s strike took a deflection.
Six games into his Newcastle career, the intelligent, rangy striker has three goals, and he has also shown off a deft technical game that will only improve as he and Howe’s system get more comfortable with each other.
He has what it takes to make Isak but a distant memory at St. James’ Park and across Newcastle. Woltemade is the real deal, but he’s also young and unpolished.
Newcastle, actually, have another player who could be their next version of the Swedish sensation, and he showed he’s getting back to his best with a rip-roaring performance in Belgium.
Howe's new version of Isak
Class is permanent. This Howe knows. And so while Anthony Gordon toiled his way through the 2024/25 campaign and started off the current campaign on the wrong footing, he, and all involved at Newcastle, knew that time and hard work would see the England international rise back to his former, Player of the Year-winning form.
Anthony Gordon looks dejected for Liverpool
Gordon is 24 and considered one of the most talented wingers in the Premier League, with his rapid pace and persistence in driving play forward and making things happen in the final third, setting him apart from his positional rivals. He has described himself as a “nightmare for anyone” pitted against him.
But last season’s return of only six goals in the Premier League simply wasn’t good enough for a wide forward of his calibre.
Well, we’re still in the early phase of the new campaign, and Gordon hasn’t clicked into gear on the domestic front, but his performances in the Champions League suggest he is rising back to his best, awarded a 9/10 match rating by the Shields Gazette after converting two penalties and proving a livewire throughout.
Minutes played
90′
90′
Goals
1
2
Assists
0
0
Touches
28
62
Shots (on target)
1 (1)
3 (2)
Accurate passes
14/16 (88%)
24/31 (77%)
Key passes
0
0
Dribbles
1/3
5/8
Tackles
0
1
Ground duels
3/6
9/17
Journalist Henry Winter said his performance was “quick and clinical”, and if Gordon can capture and sustain that essence over the coming months, he could rise and provide a leading presence for Newcastle, much akin to Isak over the past few years.
Woltemade is talented and will score goals across the season. Wissa will too. However, Gordon, when firing on all cylinders, offers something more dynamic and complete, inspiring his teammates while applying prolific pressure himself. Across the 2023/24 season, in all competitions, he notched 28 goal involvements.
His contribution to Harvey Barnes’ conclusive fourth goal underscores that very point. Gordon has the full package, all right, and there is every confidence he will carry this form back into the Premier League and help Howe’s side make headway, 15th in the Premier League after six matches.
But to say Gordon has been abject across the opening weeks simply wouldn’t be true. He has endured some heavy moments, no doubt about that, but has also recorded six successful duels per game, also completing 71% of his dribbles.
With a bit more refinement in the crucial moments, Gordon might finally hit the heights envisaged and become the talisman Newcastle need now that Isak has left. After all, he has been chased by Liverpool too, with the Reds considering paying £100m for the Three Lions star’s services.
There is still work to be done. Gordon hasn’t enjoyed a good start to the Premier League season, sent off against Liverpool, but also missing three big chances in front of goal and lacking the clarity and composure he is capable of producing and sustaining.
But class is permanent. This Howe knows. And Gordon, too.
The 24-year-old has shown in the Champions League that he is ready to step up to the plate now that Isak has gone and assume the responsibility as Newcastle’s talisman.
Woltemade might be a number nine with the talent to match Isak, but Gordon, when on his A-game, is Newcastle’s main man.
Better than Gordon: Newcastle star is now one of the best in the world
Newcastle romped to a big win in the Champions League this week, with Anthony Gordon starring.
Will he or won't he? Lionel Messi has a massive decision to make and, just eight months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, we still don't know whether he'll lead Argentina's title defence. "At my age, it's only logical to think I might not," the 38-year-old told TyC Sports just last month. But, let's face it, there's never really anything logical about Messi's career.
He's football's miracle-man, blessed with a heavenly gift for making a mockery of the laws of physiology and physics. Truth be told, what he achieved with Argentina at the last World Cup in Qatar shouldn't have been possible either. He was 35 at the time and still running rings around the likes of Josko Gvardiol.
However, if Messi does decide to walk away from the international arena before next summer's tournament in North America, how would Argentina cope? After all, it would be an "enormous loss", as coach Lionel Scaloni recently admitted, because "there will be no heir to Messi". The man is irreplaceable, both as a player and a leader. Scaloni, though, has already been preparing for a future without his talismanic No.10 and there's already a strong support structure in place.
For starters, under Scaloni, the fundamental game plan has never changed thus far, whether Messi plays or not, while the coach also says that Argentina are already in possession of players capable of limiting the damage caused by their skipper's inevitable retirement. Nico Paz is undoubtedly one such player…
'A player for the future of Real Madrid'
As is obvious to anyone that watches Paz play, he's a pure street-footballer, a product of the piazzas he played on as a kid in Tenerife, where he was born and raised. His father Pablo was a centre-back, though, and good enough to earn 14 caps for Argentina – one of which arrived at the 1998 World Cup for a squad containing stars such as Gabriel Batistuta, Javier Zanetti, Diego Simeone, Juan Sebastian Veron and Hernan Crespo.
It was perhaps inevitable, then, that the young Paz would start out playing in defence. However, after Real Madrid signed him from Tenerife before he'd even turned 12, they quickly realised that Paz's street-honed skills were far more suited to an attacking role. Consequently, by the time Paz made his professional debut, in a routine Champions League win over Braga on November 8, 2023, he was impressing for Real Madrid Castilla both as a right winger and a centre-forward.
Then-Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti was often criticised for not trusting more in the club's youth sector but, credit where it's due, the Italian repeatedly invited Paz to train with the senior squad – a move that got the Toni Kroos seal of approval. "This boy should train with us every day because he is very good," the German playmaker enthused.
Ancelotti was also willing to bring Paz off the bench midway through the second half of another Champions League clash at the tail end of November – only this time against Napoli, and with the game tied at two goals apiece. It proved an inspired decision.
With just six minutes of normal time remaining, Paz cut inside onto his favoured left foot and deceived Alex Meret with a low strike from more than 20 yards out. Joselu may have added another goal for Madrid in the dying seconds but Paz was the talk of the Santiago Bernabeu after the game.
"He is a player for the future of Real Madrid," an understandably chuffed Ancelotti proclaimed after the 4-2 win. "He has all the quality that a Real Madrid player needs to have."
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The key move to Como
However, a mini-injury crisis had contributed to Paz making four appearances in total during the first half of the 2023-24 season, so when several key men returned to action, the youngster went back to playing predominantly for Madrid's reserve team in the third tier of Spanish football.
As a result, Paz and his representatives pushed for a transfer in the summer of 2024. Madrid agreed to let him go, too, but on the condition that a buy-back clause be included in the deal – which Paz was pleased about, given it meant he wouldn't have to give up on his dream of becoming a regular at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The only point of contention, then, was where he would go. Como were particularly keen. The Serie A side had done their homework on Paz and director Carlalberto Ludi was certain that they could help him realise his great potential by making him the "centrepiece" of their project.
The problem was that several other sides wanted the winger too. "There was a lot of interest," Ludi told . "We weren't in the front row, but we were the most determined to sign him."
Crucially, Como also had an ace up their sleeve in Cesc Fabregas and the World Cup winner's contribution was, as Ludi said, "decisive" in terms of getting the €6 million (£5.2m/$7m) deal done.
The Cesc Fabregas factor
Paz was on holiday with his family in Greece when his father received a message from Como coach Fabregas. The attacker admitted, "It was a really special moment for me." Crucial to his development, too.
"Having a legend as a coach is incredible," Paz told his club's media channel. "He's a person that puts you at ease and who teaches you a lot, both about life and about football."
It clearly wasn't just a case of Cesc speaking the same language as Paz. The former Arsenal and Barcelona ace clearly viewed the game in the same way. As one of the finest midfielders of his generation, Fabregas understood that desire to be on the ball all the time.
"The best thing is that he gives me the confidence to play my football," Paz told . "He keeps me calm and wants to have me playing in between the lines – and that's something really important for me.
"I also remember him as a player: he had so much quality, and had an amazing final ball. He knew when to arrive in the penalty area to score goals, and that's something I have to improve, to get into the box more. That final pass of his is something that I study a lot."
As a former prodigious talent himself, Fabregas also knew the potential pitfalls of restricting Paz in any way in these formative years.
"He's a special player and he must be free to express himself,” the Spaniard said after Paz scored his first goal for Como in a 1-1 draw with Parma on October 19, 2024. "We must not make him robotic."
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'The best moment of my career'
There's certainly nothing rigidly mechanical about Paz, who boasts a certain balletic quality to his movements, and particularly the Zinedine Zidane-like pirouettes that have become such a pleasingly regular sight in Serie A.
The way in which his tall and slender frame glides past opponents before dissecting defences with pin-point passes has also evoked memories of Kaka, while his left foot has provoked comparisons with Martin Odegaard.
Paz, though, says he spent – and still spends – hours watching clips of Messi in action to learn as much as possible from the player he considers the greatest of all time.
It, thus, won't come as a surprise to learn that he barely managed to utter a word to his idol when he was called up to the Argentina senior squad for the first time last October.
"I get nervous when I see him," Paz confessed to . "So, I didn't speak much at all because I was so embarrassed!"
Still, while Paz might not have been able to talk to Messi, he proved more than capable of passing to him, as the debutant teed up the No.10 for his hat-trick goal in the 6-0 rout of Bolivia at the iconic Monumental Stadium.
"It was the best moment of my career so far," Paz told Como's official website. "Providing an assist for the best player in history – and on my debut – was surreal. Considering Leo's age, I never thought I'd have the chance to play with him, but it happened, and was one of the best things that could ever have happened to me in my life." Being singled out for special praise from the great man himself probably ranks as a close second for Paz.
"Nico has a lot of quality," Messi said at the time. "He has a great head on his shoulders, he understands the game perfectly and I hope he continues like this. He played, he enjoyed it and I think he'll feel comfortable in this team because he likes having the ball." It was then pointed out to Messi that Paz was only one month old when he made his debut for Barca's senior side. "I knew about this!" he said, laughing.
The question now, of course, is whether we could see Paz and Messi combining at next summer's World Cup in spite of the 17-year age gap and, funnily enough, the only real doubt is over whether Messi will decide to take up his place in Scaloni's squad, because Paz looks like a shoo-in.
CSK dropped five catches before failing to chase another 180-plus target
Deivarayan Muthu08-Apr-20252:37
Jaffer: Hope to see Arya in India colours soon
Priyansh Arya announced his arrival in the IPL with a 39-ball century, the fastest by an uncapped Indian and joint-fourth-fastest by anyone, as Punjab Kings (PBKS) consigned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their fourth successive defeat in IPL 2025.CSK didn’t help themselves in the field, dropping as many as five catches, including two offered by Arya. The 24-year-old rookie capitalised on those chances to charge to his hundred as early as the 13th over. He holed out for 103 off 42 balls in the next over, but Shashank Singh (52*) and Marco Jansen (34*) provided the finishing kick for PBKS.CSK started well in the powerplay in their pursuit of 220 – Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra added 59 in the first six overs – but their soft underbelly was exposed once again in a chase. Conway retired out on 69 off 49 balls, with CSK needing 49 off 13 balls, but MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja couldn’t get the job done.CSK have now failed to chase a 180-plus target in their last 11 attempts, dating back to 2020.Arya’s assaultArya had triggered a bidding war at the auction after cracking six sixes in an over in the inaugural Delhi Premier League. In the lead-up to IPL 2025, his coach Ricky Ponting had talked him up as a “special” player. On Tuesday, Arya backed up Ponting’s comments in only his fourth IPL innings.1:50
Are Ashwin and Jadeja too defensive?
Arya is a bit like a left-handed version of the original Delhi basher Virender Sehwag. He sees the ball and hits the ball. He has also the gift of timing. When Matheesha Pathirana marginally missed a wide yorker and bowled a full toss – it was still a hard-to-hit full toss – Arya opened his bat face and carved it over point for six. He dispatched the next three balls from Pathirana for 6, 6, 4 to surge to a 39-ball hundred in the 13th over. In the next over, left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad had Arya dragging a catch to long-on.While Arya finished with 103 off 42 balls, the rest of the top six had a combined 23 off 25 balls in a bizarre scorecard. Arya could have been dismissed in the very first over had Khaleel Ahmed held on to a fairly straightforward return catch. Arya was on 6 at that point, having scythed the first ball over the point boundary. He then got another life on 35 when Vijay Shankar fluffed a more difficult chance at midwicket. Arya raced to his half-century, off 19 balls, when he backed away and carted R Ashwin over mid-off in the last over of the powerplay.In all, Arya took Ashwin for 28 off ten balls. The spinner came away with 4-0-48-2, his third-most expensive spell in the IPL.Shashank, Jansen join the funDespite Arya’s departure, PBKS kept attacking. Shashank forged an unbroken 65-run partnership off 38 balls for the seventh wicket with Jansen to push them to an above-par total. Shashank welcomed Noor into the attack with a slog-swept six over wide long-on, and pumped a carrom ball from Ashwin over his head for six more. Jansen had his own fun when he launched a no-look six off Pathirana in the 18th over.17:35
Bangar: Dhoni not playing for the crowd, he has a clear role at CSK
CSK fade away in another chaseCSK started positively in the chase, with the New Zealand pair of Conway and Ravindra scoring ten fours in the powerplay. However, they had to wait until the tenth over for their first six, when Shivam Dube swatted Lockie Ferguson over the midwicket boundary.Glenn Maxwell had broken the opening stand when he had Ravindra stumped for 36 off 23 balls. In the next over, Ferguson banged the ball on a hard length at 143kph and had Ruturaj Gaikwad chipping a catch to midwicket for 1 off three balls.CSK responded by pushing their designated spin-hitter Dube up to No. 4, but PBKS countered his promotion by not throwing spin at him. They held Yuzvendra Chahal, their premier spinner, back until Dube’s dismissal at the end of the 16th over. Once Dhoni arrived in the 17th over, PBKS matched Chahal up with him and raised the asking rate to almost 20. Chahal ended up bowling just one over for nine runs.Conway retired out in the 18th over, and Dhoni hit three sixes, but CSK were left with too much to do at the end. When Dhoni flapped a full toss from Yash Thakur, the Impact Player, to short fine leg, at the start of the final over, PBKS all but sealed victory.
The 39-year-old, who had already retired from Tests and T20Is, has now ended his ODI career
Mohammad Isam12-Mar-2025Mahmudullah has announced his retirement from the only format he was still active in – ODIs – via a social media post on Wednesday.”All praises only for the Almighty Allah. I have decided to retire from international cricket,” Mahmudullah wrote on his official Facebook page. “I would like to thank all of my team-mates, coaches and especially my fans who have always supported me. A big thank you to my parents, my in-laws, especially my father in law & most importantly my brother Emdad Ullah, who has been there for me constantly since my childhood as my coach & mentor.”And finally, thanks to my wife & kids, who have been my support system through thick & thin. I know Raeid will miss me in red and green jersey. Not everything comes to an end in a perfect way, but you say yes and move forward. Peace, . Best wishes to my team & Bangladesh cricket.”Mahmudullah, who turned 39 last month, had retired from Tests in 2021 and T20Is in 2024.Related
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Mahmudullah finishes as Bangladesh’s fourth-highest run-getter in ODIs, behind Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, with 5689 runs at an average of 36.46, including four hundreds and 32 fifties. His retirement came a week after Mushfiqur, who is also his brother-in-law, had retired from ODIs.On Monday, when the BCB said in its press release that Mahmudullah had requested the board not to consider him in the central contracts list after February 2025, it was seen as a sign of the impending announcement.All of Mahmudullah’s centuries came in ICC tournaments. After scoring two hundreds in the 2015 ODI World Cup, he made an unbeaten 102 against New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy in Cardiff. More recently, in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, he scored 111 against South Africa in Mumbai.The ODI retirements of Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur come after Bangladesh suffered an early exit in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Mahmudullah played just one innings, managing 4 off 14 balls against New Zealand in Rawalpindi. Mahmudullah’s form in the lead-up to the tournament, though, was excellent: he had scored four ODI fifties in a row, against Afghanistan and West Indies, away from home.Mahmudullah made his ODI debut in 2007 as a utility player, batting mostly at No. 7 and bowling offspin. The turning point came in the 2011 World Cup against England, when he added an unbroken 58 for the ninth wicket with Shafiul Islam to guide Bangladesh to a two-wicket win. The following year, his unbeaten fifties helped Bangladesh to a 3-2 ODI series win over West Indies.All four of Mahmudullah’s ODI centuries came in ICC tournaments•Getty ImagesMahmudullah enjoyed more success in the 2015 World Cup, when he struck centuries against England and New Zealand in successive matches while batting at No. 3. His hundred against New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy, in a 223-run stand with Shakib, is an iconic performance in Bangladesh cricket history.Mahmudullah made a comeback ahead of the 2023 World Cup after he had been dropped from the side.He also provided value with the ball, taking 82 wickets at an economy rate of 5.21. Mahmudullah never led Bangladesh in ODIs, though he had captained them in T20Is and Tests.Mahmudullah’s retirement brings the curtain down on Bangladesh’s most successful quintet of cricketers who played between 2006 and 2025 in white-ball cricket. Tamim reconfirmed his retirement from international cricket earlier this year. Shakib had announced his Test and T20I retirement in India last year, while also informing at the time that the Champions Trophy would be his last ODI assignment. Having missed the tournament due to non-cricketing reasons, his ODI career now seems over, too.Mashrafe Mortaza last played ODIs in 2020, when he also signed off from captaincy. Mushfiqur has retired from ODIs and T20Is, but is in line to become the first Bangladesh cricketer to reach the 100-Test landmark.