Argentina backs “competitive animal” Messi’s vital presence ahead of …

Kansas City [US], June 16 (ANI): Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and defender Nicolas Otamendi highlighted the importance of World Cup-winning icon Lionel Messi in their side ahead of their FIFA World Cup campaign opener against Algeria scheduled for Tuesday.

Messi, who climbed the zenith of football by capturing the once-elusive FIFA World Cup title in the previous edition hosted by Qatar back in 2022, is once again the centre of attention and continues being a footballing heartthrob as the veteran aims to go back-to-back in what could be his last World Cup.

Ahead of the match, Scaloni was cited by Reuters as telling reporters that “everyone wants to see him on the pitch". freshyourfeel.org

“Not only Argentines, we believe everyone wants to see him on the pitch, wants to see him play," Scaloni said.

Messi missed out the friendly against Honduras on June 6, which the defending champions won by 2-0 easily, but was a substitute in their 3-0 win over Iceland last week, scoring from a penalty kick. Scaloni has dismissed any concerns that the 38-year-old could be a burden, saying that he has always been “fundamental" for the team, even when he has been battling fatigue and fitness-related issues recently.

“He has always been there, and he has always been fundamental for us. And now even more so," the coach said.

Messi’s long-time teammate Otamendi also reflected on the journey he has enjoyed with the icon, calling him “the best player in history" and a “competitive animal".

“We have lived many beautiful moments together," said the defender.

“He is a simple person who enjoys training camps and practices, and prepares himself for that. He is also a competitive animal. That pushes you to keep trying, not to relax, to try to be alongside him, to support him and help him," he signed off.

Argentina open their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 before facing Austria (June 22) and Jordan (June 28) in Group J. If they win the tournament, this will be their fourth WC win. (ANI)

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FIFA વર્લ્ડ કપ 2026ના ગ્રુપ Hની શરૂઆતની મેચ ફૂટબોલ ઇતિહાસમાં સૌથી મોટા અને સૌથી આઘાતજનક અપસેટમાંની એક જોવા મળી.ભવ્ય મંચ પર પોતાનું ડેબ્યૂ કરી રહેલા કેપ વર્ડેએ ટાઇટલના દાવેદાર અને યુરોપિયન ચેમ્પિયન સ્પેનને 0-0 થી ડ્રો કરીને ઇતિહાસ રચ્યો.આ નાના આફ્રિકન રાષ્ટ્રએ વર્લ્ડ કપ ઇતિહાસમાં પોતાનો પ્રથમ પોઈન્ટ મેળવ્યો.

ફૂટબોલના સૌથી મોટા મંચ પર સૌથી નાનાસિદ્ધિ

કેપ વર્ડેની સિદ્ધિ વિશ્વભરમાં ગુંજી ઉઠી કારણ કે તે ક્ષેત્રફળની દ્રષ્ટિએ ફિફા વર્લ્ડ કપ માટે ક્વોલિફાય થનાર સૌથી નાનો દેશ છે. જ્યારે વિશ્વમાં 64મા ક્રમે રહેલી આ ટીમે ભૂતપૂર્વ વિશ્વ ચેમ્પિયન સ્પેન જેવી મજબૂત ટીમનો સામનો કર્યો, ત્યારે કોઈએ આવા પરિણામની કલ્પના પણ કરી ન હતી. આશરે 500,000ની વસ્તી ધરાવતા આ દેશના ખેલાડીઓ દ્વારા મેદાન પર પ્રદર્શિત લડાયક ભાવનાએ રમતગમત ચાહકોના દિલ જીતી લીધા.

40 વર્ષીય ગોલકીપર વોઝિન્હા દિવાલની જેમ ઉભો રહ્યો

એટલાન્ટાના મર્સિડીઝ-બેન્ઝ સ્ટેડિયમમાં રમાયેલી મેચમાં, સ્પેને શરૂઆતથી જ બોલ પર નિયંત્રણ જાળવી રાખ્યું હતું અને લગભગ 70 ટકા સમય તેમનો કબજો હતો. જોકે, કેપ વર્ડેના 40 વર્ષીય અનુભવી ગોલકીપર વોઝિન્હા સ્પેનિશ ફોરવર્ડ્સ સામે દિવાલની જેમ ઉભો રહ્યો. તેણે પહેલા હાફમાં ફેરન ટોરેસના ત્રણ પ્રયાસોને નિષ્ફળ બનાવ્યા. સમગ્ર મેચ દરમિયાન, કેપ વર્ડેના ડિફેન્સે સ્પેનિશ આક્રમણને સંપૂર્ણપણે તટસ્થ કરી દીધું.

લેમિન યામાલ અને નિકો વિલિયમ્સ પણ બિનઅસરકારક રહ્યા.

મેચના નોંધપાત્ર સમયગાળા દરમિયાન સ્પેન કોઈ સફળતા મેળવવામાં નિષ્ફળ ગયા પછી, કોચે બીજા હાફની અંતિમ 20 મિનિટમાં તેના યુવાન સંવેદનાઓ, લેમિન યામાલ અને નિકો વિલિયમ્સને મેદાનમાં રજૂ કર્યા. યામાલે આવતાની સાથે જ કેટલાક સારા પાસ બનાવ્યા, પરંતુ કેપ વર્ડેના ખેલાડીઓએ તેને કોઈ ફ્રી પ્લે આપ્યો નહીં. પરિણામે, બંને ટીમોને પોઈન્ટ વહેંચવા પડ્યા.

આ પણ વાંચો - FIFA WC 2026: 9 કલાકની મુસાફરી, 10 બસની ધક્કામુક્કી, પ્રેક્ટિસ માટે પહોંચતો ખેલાડી આ ટીમનો છે કેપ્ટન

Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker will make their Test debuts for England in the second Test of the three-match series against New Zealand, which will start on June 17.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the playing XI on Monday, with Cox and Baker among four changes to the side.

Baker was close to making his Test debut at Lord’s in the previous match but missed out. The right-arm seamer has taken 22 wickets in six County Championship matches this season at an average of 24.86. His pace has particularly impressed the England coaching staff.

Jofra Archer returns to lead the bowling attack in the absence of Gus Atkinson, who has been left out of the squad, and the injured Ollie Robinson.

Matthew Fisher is set to play his first Test in four years, having last appeared in 2022. England have dropped Shoaib Bashir as they opt for an all-pace attack.

There were questions over who England would select in Stokes’ absence. Cox is expected to bat at No. 7, a position where Stokes batted in the first Test. The wicketkeeper-batter strengthened his case with a 201-ball 204 for Essex against Leicestershire in the ongoing County Championship.

Joe Root will lead the side in the second Test after Ben Stokes was ruled out amid an ongoing investigation involving him and Atkinson.

England XI for 2nd Test: Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox (wk), Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.

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England men’s team head coach Brendon McCullum has refused to comment on the future of Ben Stokes as captain of the Test side, saying his immediate focus is on ensuring the talismanic all-rounder is doing well following the nightclub incident.

On Monday, McCullum addressed a press conference and was asked several questions about Stokes, his future and the incident, which also involved Gus Atkinson.

“We need to go through a process,” he said when asked whether Stokes could return as captain. “I look at the last four years that I’ve worked closely with Ben. I’ve seen him be an unbelievable captain. I’ve seen him at his absolute best as a captain and at his best as a player.”

Having observed Stokes at close quarters, McCullum praised his leadership qualities and the impact he has had on the team, while remaining uncertain about his future as captain.

“He’s helped shape this environment over the last four years. He’s had some incredible success doing it and I feel very lucky that, during that time, we’ve worked so closely together. What will be will be down the line. Those decisions are not for now.

“The concern is making sure Ben is fine. We need to make sure we look after him, rally around him and, in time, we’ll get on to those sorts of decisions. For me, it’s just about checking in with him. That’s where things stand at the moment,” he added.

Stokes and Atkinson are still the subject of an investigation launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following the nightclub incident. A decision on Stokes’ future could be taken once the findings of the investigation are released, something ECB managing director of cricket Rob Key also hinted at.

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New York [US], June 16 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has been granted permission to take part in the World Cup trophy presentation, following his involvement in a similar role at the Club World Cup.

talkSPORT reported that FIFA has no objection to Trump handing the World Cup trophy directly to the winning captain and remaining on the podium during celebrations.

The US president has already been informed that FIFA would like him to present the trophy to the tournament winners. Officials from Mexico and Canada are also expected to be invited to attend the closing ceremony.

Trump drew attention at the Club World Cup when he remained on the podium beside Chelsea captain Reece James as he lifted the trophy.

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer appeared visibly puzzled, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino initially appeared to guide Trump away before later encouraging him to stay.

Under standard FIFA protocol, the World Cup trophy is typically placed on a plinth and carried by the winning team onto the stage for the presentation ceremony.

Sources indicate that FIFA will ultimately leave it to Trump’s discretion whether he remains with the winning team during the trophy lift or stands alongside officials during the ceremony, as per talkSPORT.

As per talkSPORT, Trump has been given a license to join the World Cup winners in their trophy lift, as he did at the Club World Cup.

Trump did not attend the USMNT’s opening victory over Paraguay due to a scheduling conflict, but is expected to be present at the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. (ANI)

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