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Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham has just told rivals Leeds United to go and sign one particular Old Trafford ace when the transfer window opens in January.

Leeds' January transfer plans

Credit where it’s due, Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland have all got off to better starts than anyone could have imagined. All three promoted sides are vying to end the trend of sides crashing straight back down to the Championship and the pressure was on after the last six teams did exactly that. But the record books will show that their respective attempts have so far been more positive than those previous clubs.

All three clubs aren’t resting on their laurels, however, and Leeds have already set their sights on the January transfer window. Daniel Farke has reiterated several times that his side were left short in attack during the summer and solving that problem should be the 49ers’ top priority this winter.

On that front, a number of names have already been mentioned. Recent reports have name-dropped the likes of Josh Sargent when it comes to potential targets and there’s no doubt that the American is ready to take the Premier League step.

Whilst Norwich City have struggled to get going under Liam Manning, Sargent has scored six goals in seven Championship games to get himself on the radar of Premier League clubs.

Alas, it’s not just Farke’s frontline that the 49ers could focus on in the winter window. They’ll be well aware of just how important it is to build on a strong start and secure survival at the first time of asking in the Premier League. As a result, midfield foundations and potentially the addition of a rival star could prove all important.

Sherringham tells Leeds to come and get Mainoo

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, former Premier League striker and Man United legend Sheringham has told Leeds to go and get Kobbie Mainoo in 2026.

Leeds and Daniel Farke now ready to sell once-£50m player on the cheap

Is this the right decision by 49ers Enterprises?

By
Henry Jackson

Sep 26, 2025

The Old Trafford midfielder wanted to leave the club on loan in the summer and the Whites were reportedly among the interested parties before United shut down any potential exit for their academy graduate. Now, after failing to see his game time increase, Sheringham has told Leeds that they should push to sign Mainoo when they get the chance.

Whether those at Elland Road take Sheringham’s advice is the question. In a World Cup year, welcoming a player of Mainoo’s calibre who is fighting for his England place certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Kylian Mbappe has been told that he is still “missing something” in his bid to land an elusive Ballon d’Or. The France international was expected to dominate Golden Ball discussions as all-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo step out of that spotlight, but he has been informed by a fellow World Cup winner that being a ‘Galactico’ at Real Madrid may not be enough.

• Mbappe swapped PSG for Real Madrid as a free agent

  Mbappe agreed a move to Santiago Bernabeu in 2024 that had been mooted for some time. He severed ties with Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent after reaching the end of his contract. He left the French capital as PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer and embraced a fresh start in the heart of Spain.

  His debut campaign with the Blancos delivered 44 goals, alongside UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup honours, but the biggest of domestic and European prizes eluded him. That led to more frustration being endured in the Ballon d’Or vote, with former PSG team-mate and international colleague Ousmane Dembele going on to be named the best player on the planet in 2025.

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  What is Mbappe's highest finish in the Ballon d'Or vote?

  Mbappe could only muster a seventh-place finish. Claiming third spot behind Messi and Erling Haaland in 2023 – on the back of enduring World Cup final heartache with France at Qatar 2022 – remains his highest ranking to date. Others, such as Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, are threatening to rise above Mbappe when it comes to future awards.

  Marcel Desailly, who helped France to global glory in 1998, admits that Mbappe cannot expect to land the most prestigious of individual accolades until his wait for Champions League glory has come to a close and Real Madrid reassert their dominance in Spain.

• Can Mbappe win a Golden Ball? Desailly delivers his verdict

  Speaking in association with , Desailly told GOAL when asked for his assessment of an iconic countryman: “Mbappe. Wow, he made the move that eventually allowed him to be that Ballon d'Or that he himself is looking for. And he had great years in Paris Saint-Germain. Unfortunately, it was a Paris Saint-Germain with all these stars allying and they've not been able really to score. But Mbappe, when he was 24/25 in Paris, was just amazing.

  “I feel that he was, the agility, the speed and all what he was showing back in the days was much more accurate than what he's showing now. Even though this year he has performed, I don't know his statistics, but he has scored more than 40 goals, he left Paris with 40-odd goals and he came back in Madrid and did the same thing, he scored similar stats.

  “So it's just unfortunate that Madrid has dropped. The cycle of Madrid has dropped a little bit. It's not the end of a cycle. It's dropped in the cycle with a new coach, a new philosophy now, because [Carlo] Ancelotti, he didn't find a way to make the team to be sparkling again, you know. You could see that tactically something was missing in the squad. They were still winning by luck.

  “Because the gods of football love Madrid they've been able to find some good opportunities to win some games, but it's not enough. It's not enough for the Champions League and for their Spanish league. But now they are back into kind of stability, but you are not sure because lots of injured players…

  “So I believe that he's that key player. The problem he has is the association. The association with the other players. You see? So the association with Vinicius is not that great. They have these new players in the midfield. Xabi [Alonso] is giving him the opportunity to become that important offensive player. So I don't know, it depends on the others also to have that extra. The statistics are magnificent, but he's missing something that will push him to become a Ballon d'Or.”

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  Trophy bids: La Liga, Champions League & World Cup targets

  Mbappe has registered 15 goals for Real this season through 12 appearances in all competitions. He is also just four efforts away from tying with Olivier Giroud as the greatest marksman that France’s national team has ever seen – while being seven appearances short of a century for Les Bleus.

  He is in the midst of another Champions League campaign, with the 2026 World Cup to come next summer, and has helped Madrid make an impressive start to their latest La Liga title bid. A Clasico clash with arch-rivals Barcelona is next on the agenda for Alonso’s side.

The Houston Astros are the favorites at +100 to win the AL West in 2024.

Houston Astros +100
Texas Rangers +200
Seattle Mariners +300
Los Angeles Angels +4500
Oakland A’s +20000

According to FanGraphs, there are only three teams projected to win 90-plus games this season. Houston (+100) is one of those teams. The Dodgers (-450 to win the NL West) and the Braves (-240 to win the NL East) are the other two.

Now, whether you should tie up your bankroll for 162 games for the chance to double your money is a different question, but there are strong reasons why the favorites are a solid bet.

The Astros have won the AL West six of the last seven seasons, including in 2023, when they edged out the eventual World Series champion Rangers for the division title. The only anomaly was the shortened 2020 season, which went to the A’s.

Looking to close out the holiday weekend with some MLB winners?

You've come to the right place, as here at SI Betting, we give out a pick for every MLB game in action every day, including the 15-game slate on Sunday, July 7.

The oldest rivalry in baseball closes out this weeked with the New York Yankees hosting the Boston Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball, but before that we have several intriguing matchups to consider betting.

Here's a look at where I'm leaning for all 15 games today.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction and Pick

Simply put, Reynaldo Lopez has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, registering a 1.83 ERA for the Atlanta Braves while leading them to a 10-5 record in his 15 outings.

I have to give him the edge against Philadelphia's Michael Mercado, who is making just the third appearance of his MLB career.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals Prediction and Pick

The Washington Nationals aren't a great team this season, but they do have a key advantage on Sunday with lefty DJ Herz on the bump.

The St. Louis Cardinals are just 29th in MLB in OPS against left-handed pitching, a sign that Washington could get off to a fast start in this game. Plus, Kyle Gibson (3.88 ERA, 4.24 FIP) has been far from lights out in 2024.

I'll take the home underdog to win the series on Sunday.

New York Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction and Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates are starting reliever Luis Ortiz for the second time this season, and that could spell trouble.

Pittsburgh's bullpen is 27th in ERA (4.48) this season, so using an opener may not be as effective as it would like on Sunday.

Plus, New York Mets lefty Sean Manaea has been solid in 2024 with a 3.67 ERA, leading the Mets to a 10-6 record in 16 outings.

Detroit Tigers vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction and Pick

AL Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal gets the ball for Detroit on Sunday, and the Tigers are a must bet when he's on the mound.

Not only has Skubal led the Tigers to an 11-6 record in his starts, but he's posted a 2.45 ERA overall. Meanwhile, Cincinnati Reds starter Graham Ashcraft has a 5.45 ERA in 14 starts, allowing at least three earned runs in eight straight starts.

San Francisco Giants vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction and Pick

I'm taking a shot on the San Francisco Giants and young starter Hayden Birdsong, who is 1-0 through two outings in MLB.

The Cleveland Guardians have struggled with Carlos Carrasco on the mound, going 6-9 in his outings while he's posted a 5.21 ERA.

Chicago White Sox vs. Miami Marlins Prediction and Pick

Chicago is playing better as of late, winning five of its last 10 games, and it may have the edge over the struggling Miami Marlins on Sunday.

Miami is a dreadful 17-31 at home, and it looks to be going with a bullpen game in this matchup. Overall, Miami's 'pen is in the middle of the pack in ERA at 4.04. I don't mind a shot on the underdog in a matchup between two last-place teams.

Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins Prediction and Pick

I love the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, as they'll send Simeon Woods Richardson (3.52 ERA) to the mound against Houston's Spencer Arrighetti (6.13 ERA).

Houston is somehow 7-8 in Arrighetti's outings this season, but he has multiple outings with seven or more earned runs in the past month. I'll gladly take the Twins, who are 10-4 when Woods Richardson takes the mound in 2024.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction and Pick

Chicago Cubs youngster Hayden Wesneski recently returned to the rotation, and it hasn't gone well, as he's allowed eight runs in two starts (9.0 innings of work) while the Cubs have gone 0-2.

I think that will move to 0-3 on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, who have Jose Soriano (3.77 ERA) on the bump.

The Cubbies are in last place in the NL Central, and I'm far from sold on their offense — 23rd in MLB in OPS. The underdog is worth a shot on Sunday.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers Prediction and Pick

Can the Texas Rangers win a third straight?

I'm willing to take a shot on them at home with Nathan Eovaldi (3.15 ERA) on the mound fresh off of seven scoreless innings in his first start of July.

Rays starter Zack Littell has been solid in 2024, but his ERA is much higher on the road (4.46) than it is at home (3.57). He's a fade candidate in this one.

Kansas City Royals vs. Colorado Rockies Prediction and Pick

Colorado Rockies starter Tanner Gordon is making his MLB debut on Sunday, but I don't think Colorado is going to pull off the win.

Brady Singer is on the bump for the Kansas City Royals, and he's been great in 2024, posting a 3.05 ERA and leading the Royals to a 10-7 record in his 17 starts. Trust the playoff-hopeful Royals to earn the win in this one.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Oakland A's Prediction and Pick

It's been pretty clear this season that Baltimore is a far better team than the lowly Oakland A's, but today's starting pitching matchup furthers that case.

The Orioles are 11-4 when Grayson Rodriguez is on the mound in 2024, while the A's are just 2-7 in Mitch Spence's nine starts since he joined the rotation. I'll lay the juice with the O's on Sunday.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction and Pick

Milwaukee Brewers veteran Dallas Keuchel is in trouble on Sunday against a Los Angeles Dodgers offense that is No. 1 in MLB in OPS against left-handed pitching.

Keuchel has been in and out of the league the past few seasons, and he has a 6.75 ERA in two starts in 2024. I can't back him against one of baseball's best offenses on Sunday.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Prediction and Pick

Is this a bounce-back spot for Dylan Cease, who allowed six runs in his last start for the San Diego Padres?

I think so, as he'll take on Arizona Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson (5.42 ERA), who was rocked by the Padres in his last outing against them, giving up six runs in 3.1 innings.

Cease (4.24 ERA) has a 3.28 FIP this season, a sign he's due for some positive regression.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners Prediction and Pick

Seattle has been money at home this season (30-17), and it should tee off on Jose Berrios, who is due for some regression with a 5.07 FIP compared to his 3.63 ERA.

Plus, I love backing Mariners starter George Kirby, who has allowed two or fewer earned runs in six straight starts since the beginning of June, lowering his ERA to 3.32.

Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Prediction and Pick

The Yankees bounced back from a bad loss on Friday night, scoring 14 runs on Saturday to beat Boston and even this three-game set, but can they pull off a win on Sunday Night Baseball?

I'm not sold on it, especially with the struggling Luis Gil on the mound. The rookie had been lights out through the first 2.5 months of the season, but his ERA has ballooned from 1.82 on June 4 to 3.41 heading into this start.

He did allow just one run over five frames in his last start against Boston, but Gil's lack of command as of late is something to worry about for Yankee fans. He's allowed 13 walks in his last four starts, giving him very little margin for error — especially against an offense like Boston's.

With New York struggling over its last 20 games, I'll take Boston as a short underdog to win the series.

Liverpool centre-forward Hugo Ekitike stole the headlines for the right and the wrong reasons in the club’s 2-1 win over Southampton in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

The France U21 international came off the bench to grab the winning goal against the Championship outfit, slotting into the back of the an empty net from Federico Chiesa’s ball across the box.

Unfortunately, the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker turned a joyous moment into a sour one, taking his shirt off to celebrate and earning himself a second yellow card in the process.

Ekitike will now be unavailable for Arne Slot when the Premier League champions travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Dutch head coach, as evidenced by his comments in the clip above, was less than pleased with his striker’s decision to take his shirt off after the goal.

Parking the silly red card to the side for a moment, Ekitike’s goal off the bench was reminiscent of former Reds forward Daniel Sturridge, who was an excellent super sub for the club.

Liverpool's best goalscoring substitutes of all time

The Reds have had some terrific goalscoring substitutes over the years, whether that has been a key player coming off the bench to make an impact on the rare occasion that they did not start, or a designated impact player who consistently contributed in cameos.

Sturridge played both of those roles at different times in his Liverpool career. He started off as a key player in the Brendan Rodgers era, forming a lethal front three with Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling, but was more of an impact substitute in the Jurgen Klopp era.

Thanks to his cameos off the bench, largely under Klopp, the former England international currently ranks fourth in the all-time rankings for goals off the bench as a Liverpool player.

As you can see in the table above, Sturridge only sits behind three players in the all-time rankings, two of them being Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, who were always key players but made their way up the list through longevity.

David Fairclough, who left the club in 1983 and may not be too familiar to many supporters in the current day, leads the list with a staggering 18 goals off the bench.

Sturridge was mainly a substitute during his time under Klopp in the Premier League, but was still able to contribute by playing his role well off the bench, making an impact on a regular basis as a substitute.

Whilst it was Ekitike who came off the bench in Sturridge fashion to score the winner against Southampton, it was one of the players who started the game who could be Slot’s own version of the English striker.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Federico Chiesa has not had too many opportunities to shine as a starter for the Reds since his move to the club from Juventus last year, but he caught the eye with an impressive showing against Southampton on Tuesday night.

Why Federico Chiesa can be Liverpool's next Daniel Sturridge

The Italy international started on the right flank for Liverpool and played a crucial role in the win for the home side, assisting Alexander Isak and Ekitike’s goals.

As shown in the clip above, Chiesa did brilliantly to read and intercept Alex McCarthy’s sloppy pass out from the back to get there before Josh Quarshie to tee Isak up for a simple finish.

The Italian forward later made a fantastic darting run in behind the Saints defence before unselfishly laying the ball off to Ekitike to score the winner by tapping the ball into an empty net.

Chiesa created a stunning four ‘big chances’ in the 90 minutes, per Sofascore, which is more ‘big chances’ than any Liverpool player has created in five Premier League matches so far this season.

The right-sided attacker is unlikely to take a starting spot off superstar Mohamed Salah, but the quality he has displayed when called upon suggests that Slot should utilise his talent off the bench more often.

Chiesa, as shown in the clip above, made a big impact off the bench in the Premier League earlier this season with a crucial goal against Bournemouth, putting his side 3-2 up in the match in the 88th minute.

The 27-year-old attacker only played six times in the top-flight last term, starting one game, but his form in limited minutes suggests that he deserves more opportunities to shine off the bench and become the new Sturridge as an impact substitute for Liverpool.

As writer Bence Boscak stated, Chiesa is “making an impact every time” he plays for the Reds with his quality off the bench or as a starter when selected. His return of seven goals and assists combined in 603 minutes for the club proves that.

The Italy international was unfortunate that one of his big moments off the bench meant very little in the end after he came off the bench to score in the League Cup final last season, only for it to end with a 2-1 win for Newcastle United.

Saved by Ekitike: Slot must drop 5/10 Liverpool star who lost the ball 15x

Liverpool left it late once again as they beat Southampton to advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 24, 2025

The former Fiorentina star has shown that he can make a big impact when called upon, which is why Slot must continue to provide him with opportunities to shine in a Liverpool shirt, which will put him on course to become the new Sturridge at Anfield.

Rafinha Alcantara called out Lamine Yamal's "lack of maturity" following Barcelona's 2-1 loss to Real Madrid. Yamal was involved in a war of words with Madrid pair Vinicius Junior and Dani Carvajal in the heated El Clasico encounter at the Bernabeu. Ex-Barca star Rafinha pointed the finger of blame at Yamal for the defeat, claiming he gave Los Blancos "extra motivation" with his comments in the build-up to the game.

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  Real torment Yamal at the Bernabeu

  Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham saw Real Madrid secure a huge 2-1 win over Barcelona on Sunday afternoon. Mbappe even saw a second half penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny as Los Blancos went five points clear of the defending La Liga champions at the top of the table.

  Tempers flared after Pedri received his marching orders for a foul on Aurelien Tchouameni deep into second-half injury time, having been booked in the first half. There were a number of confrontations between Real Madrid and Barcelona players after the match, with Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal and Thibaut Courtois all seen remonstrating with Yamal.

  The Barcelona wonderkid riled the Madrid squad with his ill-advised pre-match comments. "Yes, of course, they steal, they complain…" Yamal said when talking about Real Madrid on Twitch. The comments also didn't sit well with former Barcelona star Rafinha, who called out the teenager after full-time.

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• 'His words gave extra motivation to Madrid'

  Speaking with DAZN, Rafinha blamed Yamal for giving Real Madrid added fuel to go out and secure all the spoils in front of their fans. "He sinned through youth and a lack of maturity in saying what he said. His words gave extra motivation to Madrid," Rafinha said.

  Former Real Madrid midfielder Guti echoed the Brazilian's sentiments, adding: "Lamine Yamal is too young to know the history of Real Madrid and Barça. I too would have called him out on his words."

  Yamal struggled in the game at the Bernabeu as he failed to directly contribute to a Barcelona goal, with Fermin Lopez on hand to score the Blaugrana's first-half equaliser. The Spain attacker has only scored twice in La Liga this season, but injuries have played a major role in his reduced output in the final third.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  De Jong and Araujo defend Yamal

  Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong defended the teenager after the 2-1 loss. Yamal was roundly booed whenever he touched the ball as the home support voiced their disdain for the Spanish winger for his pre-match comments.

  "When the referee blew for full time, several Madrid players went straight for Lamine. It was over the top," the Dutch midfielder said in the mixed zone after the match.

  De Jong also called out Carvajal for his heated exchange with the 18-year-old, adding: "If Carvajal wanted to talk to him, he could’ve done it privately. Making gestures on the pitch just fuels the fire. Lamine never said Madrid cheats, I never heard that."

  Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo also threw his backing behind his team-mate, adding: "He’s a great professional; he knows what he’s doing."

  On the result itself, the Uruguayan, who scored a late winner against Girona last week, said: "We’re sad, but we move on. There’s a long season ahead, and we trust the work we’re doing."

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• 'It gave us a little boost'

  Real Madrid midfielder Tchouameni has backed up Rafinha's theory that Yamal's pre-match comments did give Xabi Alonso's side an extra boost. The Frenchman was on the receiving end of a nasty Pedri tackle in the dying embers of a heated Clasico affair, with the former Monaco man admitting that Yamal's words gave Los Blancos an extra spark.

  "It gave us a little boost. There’s no bad blood, but those things light you up," Tchouameni said after Real Madrid's 2-1 win.

  Real Madrid will be confident about extending their unbeaten home start to the season to six games when they host a Valencia side winless in five next weekend.

Celtic moved to within two points of Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership table with a dramatic 3-2 win over Motherwell at Parkhead on Sunday.

The Hoops needed a stoppage-time winner from Daizen Maeda, who bundled in a cross from Michel-Ange Balikwisha, to claim all three points in front of their own fans.

In fact, they had to come from 2-1 down to claim a win in the second half. Benjamin Nygren equalised after snatching the ball inside the Motherwell box, before Maeda’s winner.

They had to produce a stunning comeback, in part, because Marcelo Saracchi conceded a penalty that allowed the away side to take the lead.

Why Marcelo Saracchi should be dropped

The Uruguay international was brought into the side in place of Kieran Tierney to provide the Scottish full-back with a rest, but failed to put in a solid performance.

He attempted a challenge in the box with the wrong foot, stepping on the attacker with his left foot instead of using his right to make a block, which resulted in a penalty to Motherwell.

That came after he gave Tawanda Maswanhise too much time to put a cross in for Motherwell’s first goal in the first half, standing too far off the winger out wide.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Despite those errors for the goals, which should see him dropped from the XI, Luke McCowan was even worse than the Boca Juniors loanee in the middle of the park.

Why Luke McCowan should be dropped

Brendan Rodgers should ruthlessly ditch the Scottish central midfielder from the team after the international break because of his disappointing performance against Motherwell.

The left-footed star was put in the midfield to provide a spark and creativity in possession for the Hoops, yet he played 60 minutes without registering a shot on goal or a chance created, per Sofascore.

This shows that the former Dundee star was completely ineffective in possession for the Scottish giants, because he did not provide any sort of threat as either a scorer or a creator of goals.

The 27-year-old central midfielder’s general play throughout the match was not much better, unfortunately, as he was even worse than Saracchi with his all-round performance in and out of possession.

As you can see in the table above, Saracchi won more duels, made more defensive contributions, and completed more dribbles during a similar amount of time on the pitch.

McCowan was far too wasteful with the ball at his feet, losing possession 13 times, when you consider that he did not create a single chance for his teammates in an hour for Celtic.

It was a big chance for the central midfielder to impress, given that Rodgers now has two weeks to reflect on this performance, ahead of the next block of matches.

Unfortunately, the experienced star failed to grasp his opportunity to nail down a place in the starting XI, as he did not do enough in or out of possession to suggest that he should retain a starting berth.

Celtic are brewing next McGeady in "danger man" who "unsettles defences"

Celtic are brewing their next version of electric winger Aiden McGeady with this star.

By
Dan Emery

Oct 4, 2025

Hopefully, McCowan will be able to show a better version of himself when the manager next decides to offer him a chance to play in the starting line-up.

Mexico have revealed the jersey they’ll wear at the 2026 World Cup, marking a return to the traditional green that fans have long associated with El Tri. Inspired by the nation’s cultural roots, the kit features subtle Aztec motifs and will debut on Nov. 15 against Uruguay in Torreón – months before Mexico open the tournament on home soil.

• @MiSeleccionMX
  

  Back to tradition

  After experimenting with darker and alternative tones in recent years, and Adidas have unveiled a home kit that brings back one of the country’s most recognizable colors while paying homage to Mexican heritage.

  The jersey features the brand’s signature three stripes across the shoulders, an embossed holographic crest, and a central pattern inspired by the Piedra del Sol – a nod to the design worn during the 1998 World Cup in France. Red and white details on the collar and sleeves complete the classic look, while the phrase “Somos México” is printed on the back of the neck.

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• @MiSeleccionMX
  

  Connecting with Mexican culture and pride

  “Every design starts from the idea of connection – with the people, with culture, with pride,” said Rafael Pereira, Adidas’ sports marketing director, in an interview with . “We wanted a shirt that feels iconic, that makes Mexicans proud of their identity.”

  Mexico will debut the new uniform on Nov. 15 in a friendly against Uruguay in Torreón, Coahuila, before wearing it again four days later against Paraguay – closing out their 2025 calendar ahead of the World Cup.

• @MiSeleccionMX
  

  Debut date set

  The full kit includes white shorts and red socks with green and white accents, evoking memories of Mexico’s classic World Cup look. Fans, however, are already divided on social media – many have praised the design’s cultural tribute, while others expected something bolder for a host nation’s kit.

  The fan version of the home jersey will retail for $107, while the authentic “player” edition will cost $161. Long-sleeve and goalkeeper versions will range from $107–172.

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• @MiSeleccionMX
  

  Mexico gears up for opening day

  Mexico are set to open the 2026 World Cup on June 11 at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City, where the team is expected to take the field in their new green uniform – a symbolic moment marking both a return to tradition and a celebration of national identity.

The Arizona Diamondbacks missed out on the postseason despite winning 89 games in 2024. With their fate out of their hands, the D-Backs found themselves on the outside of the playoffs looking in after the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves split their doubleheader on Monday, resulting in both NL East teams reaching the postseason.

Speaking candidly during an appearance on Arizona Sports radio's Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick took responsibility for one of the team's failed offseason signings.

When discussing the acquisition of starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery, Kendrick admitted that he was responsible for the signing, going as far as to call it a "horrible decision."

"Let me say it the best way I can say it. If anyone wants to blame anyone for Jordan Montgomery being a Diamondback, you're talking to the guy that should be blamed. Because, I brought it to their attention. I pushed for it, they agreed to it. It wasn't in our game plan," said Kendrick.

"Looking back, in hindsight, a horrible decision to invest that money in a guy who performed as poorly as he did. It's our biggest mistake this season from a talent standpoint, and I'm the perpetrator of that," he added.

Montgomery, formerly a client of Scott Boras, signed with Arizona after spring training on a one-year, $25 million deal, which includes an option in 2025. He endured the worst campaign of his career, logging a 6.23 ERA across 25 appearances and eventually getting demoted into a bullpen role.

It certainly wasn't the production the Diamondbacks anticipated when bringing him on board. Rather than shift the blame elsewhere, Kendrick took ownership of what was ultimately a catastrophic acquisition for the franchise.

USMNT star Folarin Balogun experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows on Saturday against Lens. The AS Monaco striker drew his side level with a 37th-minute penalty, only to be sent off before halftime – a turning point that left Monaco reeling. Lens capitalized, surging to a 3-1 lead by the break before sealing a 4-1 victory.

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  Balogun’s penalty

  Lens took an early lead in the 21st minute through Odsonne Edouard, who capitalized on a swift attack to put the hosts ahead. Monaco struggled to respond until Balogun earned a penalty and confidently converted it in the 37th minute, leveling the score at 1-1. The American striker’s composed finish from the spot was a key moment, signalling Monaco’s intent to fight back.

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• Red card disrupts Monaco’s momentum

  However, Balogun’s influence was curtailed when he received a straight red card in the 45th minute for stamping on an opponent. The stamp was judged violent enough to dismiss him, reducing Monaco to 10 men at a pivotal moment. That marks the first red card of the American striker’s career, and it severely impacted their ability to maintain control as the half drew to a close.

• AFP
  

  Lens capitalize

  Before Balogun’s red card, Wesley Said had already restored Lens’ lead in the 40th minute, and the visitors wasted no time capitalizing on Monaco’s numerical disadvantage. Mamadou Sangaré added a third deep into stoppage time (45+3), giving Lens a commanding 3-1 lead heading into the break.

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• AFP
  

  What comes next…

  In the short term, Balogun faces suspension and a spell on the sidelines that will test Monaco’s depth up front and force others to step up. He’s expected to miss the club’s next two league matches after the international break – possibly more, depending on Ligue 1’s disciplinary decision.