標籤: Completely

Luka Vuckovic’s agent left wondering amid reports of talks over a potential new contract Tottenham Hotspur.

MOPO reports thisAccording to his knowledge, a recent report about the Tottenham youngster was widespread.

The tottenham report is wrong

The newspaper reports that a recent paragraph in a British newspaper had caused excitement at HSV Hamburg. In an article about the team’s plans at Tottenham, it was claimed that the 19-year-old player was expected to sign a new contract with Tottenham.

He would then be loaned out once again to Hamburg. This would be a dream scenario for HSV. He has almost resigned himself to making up for Tottenham losing the defender this summer.

But, according to MOPO, the part given in the report is not true. Their information is that there have currently been no talks between Luka Vuckovic’s representatives and Tottenham regarding a new contract.

And, as a result, there is no need to speculate about any potential contractual agreement between HSV and Vuckovic. The England report has caused ‘some surprise’ even in Vuckovic’s camp.

world cup focus

The 19-year-old player is not currently focused on his future. The World Cup is the main focus for them. He recently joined the Croatian national team in Rijeka to prepare for the tournament.

Croatia are set to face England, Panama and Ghana in the group stage of the competition next month. Talks with Tottenham will only take place once Croatia’s participation in the tournament ends.

It’s likely that Luka Vuckovic will play a big role in Tottenham’s plans for next season. This is especially the case if Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Veen were to depart in the coming months. Reports have linked both to the exit.

This has also been indicated in the reports. Vuckovic wants to leave Spurs this summer. Either way, the second loan remains ‘unreal’. This is despite what has been said in the English report.

ranger people Manager Danny Rohl led the Ibrox club to third place in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Russell Martin was in charge at Ibrox at the start of the season and Rangers parted ways with him in October after a string of poor results.

Later that month, the Scottish club appointed Röhl as his successor and the German managed 40 matches.

His record for the Glasgow club is as follows:

• Matches played: 40
• Win: 22
• Draw: 7
• Defeat: 11
• Goals scored: 88
• Target allowed: 52

image Met with the Rangers manager to review his time at the club and also spoke on topics including plans for the summer window.

Rohl discusses Rangers’ summer plans

The German newspapers were curious to know what should be done for the Rangers ‘A championship dynasty like the one they enjoyed in the late 1990s and 2000s.’

When answering this, Danny Rohl talked about the importance of having common goals and focusing on long-term gains.

“We need to rebuild personnel, but also more continuity. Many coaches have come and gone in recent years, each with his own philosophy, each trying to build a team.” He said.

“Now I’m here, and there is a clear roadmap. With the board, that is, with the club’s decision makers and investors, we want to find players who can help us. The goal is not to create a one-hit wonder, but to win titles in two, three or four years. Maybe that’s why we have to go through this difficult period again.”

Bild immediately asked if this meant a buying spree for Rangers in the summer.

“I think we’re starting to change. But there are clear processes in place.” Rohl explained.

“I work closely with the technical director, the CEO and the performance director at the club. If players become interesting to me, the board assesses the feasibility of signing them, and ideally, takes the decision and implements the move.”

germany option for rangers

Andreas Skov Olsen and Ryan Naderi arrived at Ibrox from VfL Wolfsburg and Hansa Rostock in the winter market.

Asked if Rangers will be signing Bundesliga players in the upcoming window, Danny Rohl talked about the pressure at Ibrox.

“We are well aware that the team needs leaders. You cannot meet the demands only with young players. This club is extremely unique and demanding.” He said.

“And I’ve experienced Bayern Munich; I know there’s pressure to win titles. Here it’s even more brutal. Because here, too, the media and the surrounding environment scrutinize everything every day. You can’t celebrate wins too enthusiastically, and you can’t let losses depress you too much. The team needs calmness and composure.”

support from the 49ers

The Rangers manager has the support of the current owners, who have so far not criticized him.

“No [need to travel to America]. Decision-makers come here frequently, almost weekly. This makes things easier. It’s almost a European model, and so almost completely different from, for example, Sheffield,” he explained.

“No [criticism from investors]. Full support only. They want me to lead the club to the title again. “We will tackle this in the summer with a proper preseason and a completely new team.”

🇩🇪 Danny Rohl talks to German media: Rangers experience, exit clause, interest and hip Glasgow https://t.co/jLVuPLA5Hp #rangersfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 18 May 2026

Nick Voltmead’s future newcastle united ‘Completely unsure’ as he is unhappy with his playing time at St James’ Park.

sky sport germany report That the striker is ‘currently very unhappy’ with his playing time at Newcastle after a disappointing few months in the North East.

From hero to zero in newcastle

Just a few months ago, Nick Woltemade was considered the brightest star among Germany’s striker options. After impressing at VfB Stuttgart, he was eyed by Bayern Munich.

Instead, he joined Newcastle United in the summer on an €80m deal. And the early signs were positive as he made an immediate impact under Eddie Howe.

He was also a strong player in the Germany team under Julian Nagelsmann, scoring five goals in six qualifiers between September and November. According to Sky, six months later, ‘enthusiasm in Germany has largely faded.’

The country is watching as Voltmead and Newcastle are ‘in crisis’. Voldemort has failed to score in the Premier League this season and has only managed 25 minutes of playing time. He spent the win over Brighton sitting on the bench.

According to Sky, Voltamede is ‘very dissatisfied’ with his playing time. This leaves his future at St James’ Park this summer ‘completely uncertain’.

The 24-year-old plans to focus solely on the World Cup and then take a full decision on his future. There are no plans at the moment to move to Bayern Munich.

summer transfer is hard

The problem for both Newcastle and Nick Voltamede is the fee the Magpies paid last summer. This matter was greatly increased by the departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool at the last moment.

Now, he is valued at €65m, but there are few clubs in European football who would pay that amount. Voltameda may not have been a flop, but it wasn’t a complete success either.

Newcastle will either have to be sold at a very low priceWhich is unlikely, otherwise the striker would need to be forced out. It certainly wouldn’t end well after Isak’s actions last summer.

This leaves both of them in an awkward position. Even if Newcastle and Wolves wanted to go their separate ways, doing so in reality is a difficult prospect.

Five years ago, an American Formula 1 fan had two choices on Sunday morning: find ESPN on your cable package or miss the race. The broadcast was good. Commercial-free, Sky Sports commentary, respectable production. It moved the needle from niche to mainstream, especially after drive to survive In 2019, Paddock was adapted into a Netflix drama.

That era ended on March 7, 2026, when the Australian Grand Prix became the first F1 race to be broadcast exclusively on Apple TV in the United States.

The game didn’t just change the platform. It really changed what it meant to watch Formula 1 in America.

Watch Formula 1 action live at the Miami Grand Prix: Now available on Apple TV

From Netflix to Apple TV: how the door opened

drive to survive did something that no broadcast deal could do on its own. It introduced F1 to an audience that had no idea it was missing. By the time Netflix released season one in 2019, the game’s US fan base was approximately 25 million. By 2025, it was up to 52 million – up 11% a year – and growing faster than any other major sport on the planet.

ESPN rode that wave well. Formula 1 averaged 1.32 million viewers per race across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC during the 2025 season, its last year on the network, with 16 individual races setting event viewership records. The Abu Dhabi closing ceremony alone attracted 1.5 million people. This is up 53% from last year’s closing. Growth was real and accelerating.

Apple then paid $750 million over five years to acquire it exclusively. No cable bundle. No channel flipping. One app, one subscription, $12.99 per month.

The skeptics had a point – taking games to a paywall has historically reduced viewership. Ask NASCAR, which saw a 14% decline in revenue in 2025 when it moved some races to Amazon Prime. But Apple was betting on something different: The F1 fan created by ESPN was a streaming-native, device-forward consumer who would follow the sport anywhere. Apple’s senior vice president of services, Eddie Cue, confirmed after the Australian Grand Prix that viewership had increased year-on-year compared to 2025, exceeding the expectations of both F1 and Apple.

So far the bet is succeeding.

Apple TV’s approach to Formula 1 coverage

The production difference between what ESPN delivered and what Apple launched is not subtle.

ESPN shows Sky Sports’ feed with British commentary and a ticker at the bottom. This was fine for fans who already knew the game. It wasn’t designed to draw in newcomers.

Apple redesigned the entire viewing experience. Each Grand Prix is ​​now streamed in 4K with Dolby Vision and 5.1 surround sound – the first time F1 has been broadcast in that format in the United States. That alone is important. An F1 car at full speed in 4K Dolby Vision is a fundamentally different visual experience than American fans have had before.

But the big change is what lies beneath the main broadcast. Apple TV offers up to 30 live feeds simultaneously across all sessions – Driver Tracker for a bird’s-eye view of the race, real-time telemetry, a mixed onboard feed that automatically switches between driver cameras as the action unfolds, and a podium feed that dynamically follows the top three. Fans can watch up to four feeds simultaneously via Multiview, with pre-configured team layouts or a fully customized setup. Apple Vision Pro users get five simultaneous feeds.

The casual fan taps a button and gets a curated experience. Hardcore fans create their own broadcasts. No other sport in America offers this.

And it goes beyond the screen. The Apple Sports app offers real-time leaderboards and live updates. Apple Maps features custom circuit guides with 3D grandstand and turn-by-turn navigation for fans attending in person. Apple Music plays a free live audio broadcast during the race. They have also partnered with free streaming service Tubi to offer exclusive live F1 altcasts for several races, available at no cost on every device. Yahoo Sports gets practice and qualifying streams. The Canadian Grand Prix will be simulcast on Netflix.

This is not a broadcast deal. It’s an ecosystem game.

Apple was built for an audience

Here’s the thing about American F1 fans drive to survive Built: He didn’t love the lap time. American fans fell in love with Lewis Hamilton’s championship hunt in 2021. He fell in love with being a constant competitor to Max Verstappen. The audience fell in love with the paddock politics, team orders, driver fights and the overall dramatic production.

In other words, they’re exactly the same audience Apple has spent a decade developing — streaming-native, content-forward, device-loyal, and accustomed to paying for premium experiences they actually use.

Apple launches an expanded Apple Maps experience with immersive 3D landmarks for the F1 Miami Grand Prix!

It will take place on May 3 in Miami pic.twitter.com/77ZKZALzzC

– Apple Cycle (@theapplecycle) 24 April 2026

The United States is now Formula 1’s largest market for YouTube viewers, with 171 million video views in 2025, and social media followers are up 17% year on year. The 18-49 demographic – which every advertiser and platform covets – watched F1 on ESPN last season, averaging 511,000 viewers per race, a jump of 24% from 2024. These fans weren’t watching because F1 was on cable. Despite this they were watching.

Apple gives them a reason to lean in more. The Multiview feature is designed for a single fan who follows a specific driver. It’s got what the viewer wants: George Russell’s onboard in the corner, the main feed in the center and drivers championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s telemetry in the third window. He is not a traditional sports spectator. He’s a fan who got into it through a streaming show and now wants to delve as deep into the game as it will allow.

2026 Miami Grand Prix: where it all comes together

Coverage and spectacle are now co-designed. This is the part that gets overlooked in broadcast conversations.

Miami’s visual identity – the fake marina, the palm trees inside the stadium complex, the paddock that looks like a luxury brand activation – was always created for the cameras. But now it is specially designed for the cameras brought by Apple. The cinematic 4K production deployed by Apple in Australia, China and Japan was not accidental. It was purpose-built for a circuit that was purpose-built for television.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said at Apple’s press day in February that Apple’s reach through its streaming and connectivity platforms would ultimately be bigger for Formula 1 than that of ESPN. It’s a significant statement from the man who helped ESPN transform its sport from a niche European import to a 52-million-fan American phenomenon.

The Miami Grand Prix week is a clear expression of what F1 has become in America, and now it has a broadcast partner whose entire business model is built around exactly the type of fans it came for. Celebrities, 4K cameras, 30 simultaneous feeds, multiview layout, Tubi Altcast for fans who don’t want to pay, Netflix partnership for fans who already want to pay.

drive to survive Opened the door. Apple passed by and renovated the house.

American fans no longer watch F1 on cable. They open an app, select their camera feed, and watch a 19-year-old break records in 4K Dolby Vision on a circuit built specifically to look good.

This is the new normal. Miami is the clearest proof of this.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

Aston Villa Barcelona are among the clubs put forward as contenders to sign Alejandro Balde.

On 26 March, Game Witness Covered claims from Spain Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United have made contacts to sign him in the summer.

Earlier this month, we broadcast news Willans’ interest in a left-back receives further support.

He is a product of Barcelona’s youth system and has been with their first team since 2021.

The Spain international is now Hansi Flick’s first-choice pick, having made 36 appearances so far this season. The fullback’s playing time has been partially restricted due to two separate injuries.

His La Liga statistics this season are as follows:

• Appearances: 22
• Start: 19
• Total minutes: 1583
• Minutes per game: 71

Aston Villa clarify the situation

The latest claims say Unai Emery’s side are willing to spend €60m to bring him to Villa Park in the summer.

game Contacted the Premier League team to inquire about Alejandro Balde’s intentions.

Sources close to Aston Villa have wasted no time in ruling out any move to sign the 22-year-old. In fact, the English club are refusing to sign a new left-back in the next window.

Emery has Lucas Digne as first-choice left-back and 24-year-old Ian Matson as the Frenchman’s backup. Therefore, no possible move for the player to Barcelona for the summer is on the cards.

This should be enough to end Aston Villa’s claims as a replacement for Balde. It is unclear whether other contenders are willing to move forward after this season.

Barcelona, ​​for their part, are not closing the door to the Spain international’s exit and are open to listening to offers that meet their financial criteria. However, the fullback is not thinking about leaving the Camp Nou.

Our opinion: Aston Villa’s stance makes sense

Alejandro Balde has a contract until 2028 with a €1bn release clause. According to its value transfer marketis €55 million, which is €5 million less than March 2025.

Agency Gestifute, owned by super-agent Jorge Mendes, is representing the Spaniard.

Barcelona would need a concrete offer to consider sanctioning his sale.

Given that Aston Villa’s left-back position is well covered and they have other priorities, it is unlikely for the Villans to spend big on Balde. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for Unai Emery to rule out any potential move for the Barça player.

When you’re really under pressure, like Arne Slott is right now liverpoolSo every aspect of your job is under scrutiny. And, this also includes how you look.

English fans are used to seeing a manager under pressure suddenly become lethargic, tired, unkempt or simply look as if he has had too much to do.

However, for Dutch journalist René van der Gijp, there is another issue at play for the slot at Liverpool; The way he is currently dressing.

casual in france

Van der Gijp was watching like everyone else as Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League this week.

While the performance on the pitch was worrying, with Liverpool dominating throughout and fortunate not to concede more, it seemed the journalist was distracted by something else entirely.

He was not impressed with how Arne Slott had prepared himself for the game. This is something he has seen before from the Dutch coach and has called him out on it.

“He was standing there like a swimming instructor,” Voetbal Primer reported him as saying.

“His first match at Feyenoord, he was still wearing the T-shirt. And at the next press conference I was there and I said: You shouldn’t wear a T-shirt, because it is not acceptable for the Feyenoord coach to be standing on the sidelines in a Ziman shirt.”

Slott agreed with Driessen on that point. “But now he’s wearing that Ziman shirt again, so the guy has completely lost his way.”

“Can’t afford to lose”

For fellow journalist Valentin Driessen, time is now running out for Arne Slott at Liverpool. Indeed, he believes the Dutch coach has two games to save his job at Anfield.

“They have two more matches,” he said.

“Now he faces Bournemouth, who he can’t afford to lose. And he has to get it out in a proper way against Paris Saint-Germain.

“I have to say, I saw him in that little T-shirt and it’s not good. He’s the manager of Liverpool.”

A new report suggests that the New York Mets and pitcher Freddy Peralta will not agree to a contract extension during the season.

The top priority for the Mets during the offseason was to acquire a legitimate ace, if possible. A big reason for their poor performance at the end of the season in 2025 was that they had no losing-streak stopper leading their rotation.

Well, they addressed it in January when they made a blockbuster trade for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. 2025 was a historic year for the two-time All-Star as he posted 17 wins and a 2.70 ERA – both career bests. Unsurprisingly, shortly after the deal, speculation began regarding the impending free agent extension.

Locking the 29-year-old to a multi-year deal rather than letting him hit the open market would be a smart move. However, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic, an in-season extension is not something the Mets ever do.

Britton wrote, “The Mets’ hesitation to extend has persisted over nearly two decades of varying player cores, front offices and even ownership.” “The Mets are 27th in baseball in extensions signed this decade with three. They are 28th in extensions signed in the last decade under Wilpon ownership, with six.

“Since 2010, the Mets’ nine extensions are ahead of only the Detroit Tigers (eight) and New York Yankees (five).”

Sources suggest NY Mets will not give Freddy Peralta a season extension

Still, the club’s long history of being resistant to in-season extensions is not the only reason this is unlikely. Britton also said, “The Mets are unlikely to get deeply involved in extension talks across their entire roster, according to people familiar with the club’s thinking.”

Considering the big money the team has already invested in multiple players, it would be understandable if they would at least want to see how Peralta handles half a season in New York. Additionally, team president David Stearns has consistently shown that he is against major extensions for players 30 or older. Peralta will turn 30 in June.

However, if Peralta posts another All-Star season in 2026, the Mets are at major risk of losing his services in free agency this winter.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has found himself under scrutiny again, now drawing criticism from Argentina after his scathing post-match comments during the international break.

The Aston Villa number 1 remains a central figure for both club and country. However, his words have sparked debate after Argentina’s recent 2-1 win over Mauritania. We covered those comments earlierWhere Martínez openly questioned his team’s performance, and the response has now come swiftly.

According to local journalist Horacio PaganiThe goalkeeper went too far.

Strong reaction from Argentinian media

Speaking live on TV, Pagani did not hold back in assessing Emiliano Martínez’s comments.

“His statements were completely disorganized, seriously compromising his colleagues,” He said. “If the goalkeeper says ‘we didn’t play well, the team didn’t work’, that’s one thing. But if he says ‘there was no blood in the team, no intensity’…”

Pagani’s point focuses on tone and impact. In his view, Martínez’s choice of words placed unnecessary pressure on the team, especially as Argentina still won.

The criticism follows the Aston Villa player’s own strong statements after the match. The goalkeeper described it this way “One of the worst games we’ve played” And warned that if Argentina performed like this in a big match, it would lose.

The context behind Martinez’s comments

Emiliano Martínez has built a reputation as an assertive leader. This has often worked in his favor at both Aston Villa and Argentina.

This season, he has again been a key player for Villa. According to FBRef data, with a strong save percentage and consistent minutes played, he is one of the Premier League’s most reliable shot-stoppers.

Yet their role also brings responsibility. As a senior figure, his words carry significance beyond the dressing room.

Argentina is preparing for the 2026 World Cup, which has further increased tensions. With another friendly match scheduled against Zambia, scrutiny will remain high.

What does this mean for Aston Villa

But this situation is certainly unlikely to become a major issue for Aston Villa. Martínez has long been outspoken, and Unai Emery has consistently supported his leadership.

However, this episode highlights the fine balance he must manage. Their integrity is valued, yet public criticism from teammates can quickly become a distraction.

Villa will hope the focus returns to their performances. On the field, he remains one of their most important players.

Jorgen Strand Larsson has explained why he had to leave Wolverhampton Wanderers for Crystal Palace in the winter market.

Crystal Palace sign Wolves striker for club-record fee of £48m [€55.3m] On 2 February.

The Norway international first arrived in the UK when the Molineux club signed him on loan from Celta Vigo in July 2024. He finished his first season with the Premier League team with 14 goals and five assists in 38 matches.

In July 2025, Wolves made his stay permanent and secured him on a contract until 2029. A month later, Newcastle United submitted several offers.

However, Wolves did not entertain them, which left the players unhappy. Earlier in the season, he said he was open to join magpies And never give up hope of taking the next step in your career.

This was made possible when Oliver Glasner’s side came forward in the last window and signed him on a permanent deal.

Crystal Palace offered an escape route

Jørgen Strand Larsson failed to replicate last season’s form at Wolves this season. To put it into context, he managed just one goal and one assist in 1,404 minutes in 22 league matches.

Wolves also struggled generally, resulting in them parting ways with Vitor Pereira and appointing Rob Edwards as his successor in November. They are now bottom of the table, 18 points behind 14th-placed Crystal Palace.

Monday edition of VG Has published an interview with Norway International. He spoke to Wolves about his move to Selhurst Park.

“It’s been a completely frustrating six months. It’s been very difficult mentally, physically and in every possible way.” He said.

“I didn’t want it to end like this at Wolves, because it’s a fantastic club that I care about.

“I was hopeful that things would change, but it was important for me to take a step forward.

“When you get zero wins after half a season, there’s obviously a lot of pressure from outside. We footballers also put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Our expectations are very high and everyone wants to take new steps and be the ‘main guy’. Especially me who couldn’t achieve that. So, it was tough, but now that’s a thing of the past.”

On joining Crystal Palace, Larsson explained: “Palace suits me very well. It’s a style of play that suits me. We have players who can put me in good situations, so I think it’s going to be great.”

Norwegian Crystal Palace statistics and contracts

• Appearances: 10
• Start: 10
• PL Attendance: 6
• Target: 3
• Help: 1

Jørgen Strand Larsson has signed a contract with the Eagles until 2030 transfer market He is worth €45 million. Crystal Palace have raised €5m since moving.

The Carolina Hurricanes did it again.

With their 5–2 win on Saturday, the Hurricanes completed a season series sweep against their Metropolitan Division rival, the New Jersey Devils. The last time they did so was during the 2023–24 season, although the series then consisted of only three games.

During the first period of play, things were close between the Hurricanes and Devils in terms of pressure and possession, but thanks to old-fashioned ‘fly the zone’ tactics a goal from Timo Meyer in the final minutes of the frame gave the Devils the lead.

This was a strategy they continued to implement throughout the game, making things difficult for the Hurricanes.

But, Carolina proved that rest is also a weapon once the rust is cleared, as they rebounded in the second frame – scoring not just one, but three goals throughout the period.

Nikolaj Ehlers was the first to score on the power play, followed by Jackson Blake on a goal in the slot, followed immediately by Jordan Staal’s great tip-in on a shot from Ehlers.

It was a great frame by Carolina offensively and defensively, as they limited the Devils to just five shots.

last twenty minutes

As they entered the third frame, with the game up 3–1, the Hurricanes continued to press forward offensively. Shayne Gostisbehere, who was in his first game back after missing nine consecutive games due to a lower body injury, scored the fourth goal for Carolina. However, less than 30 seconds later, he was given a rare charging penalty after a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on Evgeni Dadonov, who had the puck at the time of his commitment to the hit.

Nevertheless, Seth Jarvis found the back of an empty net during the penalty kill and scored his 30th goal of the season for the third consecutive season, becoming only the sixth player in franchise history to accomplish the feat.

Still, the Devils made do with what they had, and Dadonov managed to score a goal with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game – his first of the season.

Onward to the next game

As the game ended, Ehlers was given his first star of the game and he went to the bench for a quick interview with reporter Hannah Yates, discussing the game and goals, before capping it off with a simple statement:

“We have to go get some revenge tomorrow.”

The Montreal Canadiens, to whom he was referring, will be their next opponent after a 5-2 loss to them on Tuesday.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNut. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

Max Verstappen has called Formula 1’s 2026 rules “like playing Mario Kart”, declared them “fundamentally flawed”, and told anyone who actually enjoys yo-yo racing that they “don’t really know what racing is” – and the disturbing thing is, he’s not wrong.

The 2026 tech overhaul produced something really strange. The new power units run on an almost 50-50 split between internal combustion engine and electric power, meaning battery management now drives the race as much as driving talent. The Overtake Mode button gives the driver a surge of power to propel ahead – but doing so burns the charge, leaving them sitting on the next straightaway. Exchange of posts. The fight continues. The lap counter has stopped and no one has really gone anywhere.

Verstappen illustrated it clearly this week.

“You boost past, then on the next straight your battery drains, and they boost you again,” Verstappen said. This is not a hot take. This is a mechanical description of what the spectators saw happen in Melbourne and Shanghai. The Australian opener made 75 more overtakes than in last year’s race on the same circuit. Impressive numbers. Almost meaningless in context.

An overtake which reverses after two corners is not an overtake. It is a position exchange, operated by a button. And presenting it as close racing is exactly the kind of thing F1’s marketing department loves and race engineers quietly despise.

So yes – there is merit in the criticism. The problem is that Max Verstappen is the least reliable man in the paddock making it.

Verstappen’s complaints are selective

Max Verstappen is eighth in the championship with eight points after two rounds. Red Bull is nowhere to be found. The car he is driving hits the front window. Verstappen retired from sixth in Shanghai while trying to keep pace with Oliver Bearman in the Haas. This is the context of this crusade. And context matters.

Toto Wolff said candidly: “Obviously, for a guy like Max to lift and coast for a qualifying lap, who is completely aggressive, it is difficult to cope and digest. But I would say it is a car-specific issue that exacerbates the problem.”

Wolfe is also not wrong. Verstappen has a habit of linking his complaints to his results. This is the same driver who had nothing but contempt for him until he won the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The same driver who, during four years of Red Bull dominance, told fans struggling to connect with procession racing that they were not properly appreciating greatness. He was still enjoying the gatekeeper, from the other direction.

When pressed on his selective outrage, Verstappen was, well, Verstappen.

“If I was winning the race I would say the same, because I care about the racing product.”

Perhaps. But the line would be even more difficult to draw if he had not spent the last several years with absolute ease, with critics calling his era boring.

Charles Leclerc, who is actually in dispute, offered a different reading.

After China he said, “I enjoy it and from inside the car it doesn’t seem so artificial.” He finished second in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, watched Lewis Hamilton climb to the podium in the race, and walked away with a car that looked like a genuine championship contender. His stance on regulations doesn’t detract from his results, but at least he’s taking an honest look at what the new formula actually produces instead of trying to demonize the whole thing.

F1’s real issue isn’t Max Verstappen

The real problem facing Formula 1 here is not Max Verstappen’s state of mind. It’s their underlying argument – ​​that manufactured position swaps are not the same as earned overtakes – is a conversation the game needs to have seriously, and can’t have seriously because the loudest voice making the case is the one with the obvious ax to grind.

When the person who has the most to gain from a change in a rule is the one shouting the loudest for that change, it spreads poison. Valid criticisms get filed under sour grapes. Fans who might otherwise engage with the nuance dismiss the entire argument. And F1’s leadership, already financially comfortable with the current direction, gets to do exactly what Verstappen accused them of doing – count the engagement numbers and move on.

He is not wrong about what the rules produce. He is just a wrong messenger. And in Formula 1, those two things are equally important.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

Dominic Szoboszlai’s agents have been forced to respond after the Liverpool star was left somewhat insulted by a TV star in Hungary.

Blick clarify the situation todayAnd how Szoboszlai’s agents have taken steps to play down ‘completely baseless’ claims about the 25-year-old.

For those who don’t know, the Liverpool midfielder is the star man in his native Hungary. He is considered the leading player of the national team, their captain, and the Hungarian David Beckham.

In fact, the recent revelation of his new hairstyle sparked newspaper articles. He is so popular. It’s even been said that they should consider leaving liverpool To help their image.

Hungary’s popularity

This means that he is also the main target of attention, especially when it comes to autographs. Radio 1 presenter Balazs Sebastian is one such autograph seeker.

He is a popular TV show personality and producer in Hungary, as well as working on various radio shows. In one of his shows famous people are reading a page from an interview with the son of former Sicilian Mafia leader Salvo Riina.

The show’s guests then advise another star to continue reading. A recent guest, Patty Merricks, suggested that Szoboszlai should be next. Sebastian rejected this and claimed that the Liverpool star does not like him.

“We had a recommendation for Szoboszlai, but it didn’t pan out. We’re always open to him, but we’re knocking on closed doors.” He said.

It comes after he previously claimed the Liverpool star doesn’t like him. Sebastian was critical of Hungarian football, claiming that Szoboszlai took it personally. Not only this, he even refused to give autograph to that person.

“He didn’t sign it, but I understand it was for me,” Sebastian explained.

“I really like Dominic, but he doesn’t like me. I don’t have a very high opinion of Hungarian football and have been criticizing football since Dominic was not playing for Liverpool. But he took it badly.”

The Liverpool star’s agent wants to resolve the matter. And as far as they are concerned, these claims by TV personalities are baseless.

“Neither Dominic nor our agency wish to comment on the above, as we have not previously done so, as the above statements are completely unfounded.” He responded when asked by Blick.

liverpool focus

Szoboszlai, for his part, clearly does not want to get involved. But he also does not want anyone to make false claims about his personality.

His focus, at least as far as Liverpool are concerned, should be elsewhere anyway. The Reds now find themselves firmly in the Champions League battle after defeat by Wolves this week.

That leaves Arne Slott’s side in sixth place, three points outside the top four and with Brentford perhaps looking four points off their shoulders in seventh.

The Reds need to focus, and quickly, and can surely do so without dragging star men like Szoboszlai into unnecessary drama in Hungary. Perhaps that is why his agents have now intervened.

In January, sports witness La Liga interest in Leeds United’s Illan Meslier covered.

Not long ago, the goalkeeper was also attracting the attention of AC Milan. At the time, there was uncertainty regarding Mike Maignan’s future.

The France international signed a new deal, putting an end to Meslier’s thoughts of a move to San Siro.

While things changed for Maignan, they have remained exactly the same for the Leeds United player. He hasn’t played once this season, which is causing concern in France.

FootMercato: Key points on the Leeds United player

footmarket State Meslier has ‘completely disappeared’ from the Leeds United scene. And they wonder how it all happened, given that the Whites were so promising when they returned to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa.

The outlet believes this is a sign of a complete breakdown of relations between the two parties after Meslier was suddenly fired by Daniel Farke in March 2025.

There is also a question mark on his future. The 26-year-old was close to a move to the Turkish club in January. Last summer, Lorient were also looking for him.

He would leave Leeds United on a free at the end of the season. Footmercato believes a return to Lorient is possible and would be a way for Meslier to revive his career.

Meslier’s exclusion causes concern

There was never any obvious reason for excluding the French. This is not to say that Leeds United’s goalkeepers are bad but the lack of clarity is raising concerns.

Fortunately, Meslier is still only 26 years old, which is very young for a goalkeeper. If he makes the right career choices in the summer, it could get him back on track.

He has shown enough promise in the past to join a recognized club. It would not be surprising if the situation improves drastically by the end of 2026.

Contract status, price and agent

Illan Meslier is currently valued at €12m by Transfermarkt, down from a peak of €22m in 2022. Unfortunately for Leeds United, they won’t see any of it.

The goalkeeper’s contract expires at the end of June, and he could leave the Whites as a free agent. There is no announced agent for the player, and he has worked with several people in his career.

At the time of Milan’s claims, Pini Zahawi was credited as being behind it. Perhaps the lack of a stable agent was the reason he was not transferred in January.