Arne Slott was fired liverpool Ibrahima Konate’s plans will not change, he is almost certainly leaving Anfield this summer.

L’Equipe reports today ‘It’s definitely over’ for the French centre-back at Liverpool after his switch this week.

liverpool exit

The French newspaper reports that the 27-year-old has announced to his Liverpool teammates that there will be no change of heart. He will not extend his contract with Liverpool beyond this summer.

The centre-back is set to become a free agent at the end of the month. Reports initially stated that he would sign a new deal at Anfield and remain at the club.

However, that plan suddenly changed this week. Sport Witness covered a report in France Explaining that talks with Ibrahima Konate and his team had broken down due to ‘internal disagreements’ at Liverpool.

This has since been supported by reports in England. It has become clear from those reports that there is a huge gap between what Liverpool are willing to pay and what Konate is currently asking for.

And it seems that this decision will be final. According to L’Equipe, he has told the Liverpool team that ‘there will be no change of heart’ this summer. The decision to depart has not been influenced by the dismissal of Arne Slot on Saturday.

Where next for Konate?

It remains to be seen where Ibrahima Konate’s next stop will be. Reports have long linked him with a move to Real Madrid, but links have cooled in recent months due to turmoil at the Spanish club.

A report this week emphasizes that Chelsea intend to make an attempt for him this summer. They are planning a major build-up under Xabi Alonso, and the centre-back is reportedly one of their potential targets.

Konate is not expected to have a decision on his future before the World Cup. This means his name is likely to feature prominently in the summer transfer window.

On Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves 2025-26 season came to an emphatic end with a victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 by a score of 139-109. The loss means the Wolves are one of 10 teams to never win an NBA championship.

Still, the Timberwolves aren’t far off after reaching the conference finals the past two seasons and facing serious resistance against a team with the second-best record in the league. Still, if Minnesota wants to make a more serious run at its first title next season, changes must come this off-season.

They have a superstar scorer in Anthony Edwards, and a ton of front-court depth they could use in a trade to land another elite scorer or impressive veteran at point guard. With that in mind, we’re taking a look at eight stars the team needs to succeed this summer.

junior holiday

Mike Conley has been a good veteran for the last four seasons. However, at 38, his best days are well behind him, and he may retire this summer. Additionally, Ayo Dosunmu improved his free agent value with a strong postseason performance.

That’s why Jrue Holiday should be a target this offseason. Yes, he’s overpaid, but he’s a winner, and surprisingly, he played a key leadership role in getting the Portland Trail Blazers back to the postseason this year. With Damian Lillard returning next season, he will be the unique guy. Both teams could consider swapping him for Rudy Gobert this summer.

giannis antetokounmpo

After dealing with them in February, you can bet the Timberwolves will trade for Milwaukee Bucks veteran Giannis Antetokounmpo again this summer. The big question is, do they have the young players the Bucks will want?

If Milwaukee were to agree to take players like Gobert or Julius Randle in return, Minnesota would likely give up a hefty amount of draft picks to acquire the two-time MVP.

Fred VanVleet

Another possible option to get a veteran point guard would be Fred VanVleet. The 32-year-old has a player option he can exercise to sign a multi-year deal in the range of $15 million to $20 million annually. Like Holiday, the one-time All-Star is a winning player and could be a real difference maker leading Minnesota’s offense next season. That’s assuming he’s fully recovered from his ACL tear last year.

kyrie irving

If the Timberwolves want to be a little adventurous, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving could be available. There have already been reports that the team will consider moving him next year because the deadline he wants to work with doesn’t line up with franchise newcomer Cooper Flagg.

A package of Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo’s expiring contract, and a future first-round pick should be enough to get a deal done for the 34-year-old who is recovering from an ACL injury last year.

Kevin Durant

There were rumors last season that the Timberwolves had made a strong bid for future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. However, no deal was reached and the Phoenix Suns traded him to the Houston Rockets. While it’s unlikely Houston would move him, keeping a player close to retirement and trading Alpern Sengun would seem like bad business.

Wolves could make a great offer, and the combo of Edwards and his idol making the team for a season or two would be must-see television.

ja morant

One player who could be available at a reasonable rate would be two-time All-Star Ja Morant. The Memphis Grizzlies star’s value has hit an all-time low in recent years due to his injury problems and off-court drama. If the Timberwolves have trouble making big deals, Morant would be an interesting fallback option because if they can get him right, a Morant and Edwards combo would be awesome.

paul george

If Minnesota likes the idea of ​​a player like Durant, but he is unavailable, a backup option would be another future HOFer in Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George. Has he passed his prime and is prone to injury? Yes. But when healthy, he is still an impact player who would be a good third option behind Edwards, and if they keep Randle.

Domantas Sabonis

Speaking of Randle, the front office may decide a divorce is in the best interests of both parties. One player with a similar contract and who also needs a change of scenery is Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis. The three-time All-Star offers a similar skill set and could fit well into Minnesota’s system. The bigger issue is that he missed much of last season due to suffering a meniscus tear.

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

On May 16, World Elite Sumo, the top sumo league outside Japan, will return with a one-night, 12-man single elimination tournament inside New Jersey’s Prudential Center. Same location as this Saturday’s UFC 328 card.

It’s a very different time in combat sports as fans now have a ton of options. However, it also means more options for combat athletes beyond just boxing and mixed martial arts. Power Slap, Real American Freestyle and UFC BJJ are just some of the combat brands offering new paths to fame and fortune for athletes. You can also add WES to the list.

The company, founded in 2025 by sumo star Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shallan, is trying to bring the 2,000-year-old sport and martial arts closer to the American public than ever before. And as it grows, it could attract some interesting talent looking to blaze a trail in the new game.

With that in mind, we’re taking a look at six sports stars we’d love to see compete in World Elite Sumo.

aaron donald

Retired Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald was one of the NFL’s most dominant running backs this century. A big reason for this, beyond his football IQ, was that he was an eight-time All-Pro and a Hulk of a man. At 6-foot-1 and 280 pounds of pure muscle, Donald was an unstoppable force at times during his career.

Unlike some of his contemporaries, Donald seems to be handling retirement well as he walks away from the game in 2023. However, at only 34 years old, he may still have the will to compete hard. World Elite Sumo will offer an interesting alternative.

pacific ocean

After suffering his seventh consecutive loss at UFC Perth last week, falling to 14-10, it’s safe to say that Tai Tuivasa’s run in the UFC is over. Furthermore, a case can be made for reconsidering the idea of ​​greater brain damage in cage fighting. So why not try sumo wrestling?

At 6-foot-2 and about 265 pounds, he’s a big athlete. However, what made this heavyweight so popular in the UFC was his fun-loving, carefree attitude and, of course, drinking beer out of shoes. Tuivasa could become a star at WES with his personality alone.

Brock Lesnar

At WrestleMania 42, WWE and UFC legend Brock Lesnar ended his wrestling career. Winning major titles in amateur wrestling, the UFC, and WWE concluded what was to be the greatest combat sports career ever. Or maybe not.

As arguably the best combat athlete the world has ever seen, what if Lesnar looked to rise to the pinnacle of another great sport? Even at 48 years old, “The Beast” is still an amazing athlete and should be competitive. But more than anything, it will bring a lot of attention to the new promotion because Lesnar is such a big star.

Roy Nelson

Roy “Big Country” Nelson was a beloved fan-favorite in the UFC for eight years because of his unparalleled toughness and a physique that the average Joe could appreciate. Yet, while Nelson did not look like an athlete, Nelson was much more talented than he was given credit for.

Nelson has shown that he is always looking for a good payday. If he’s still in solid shape at 49, he could be a realistic option to bring to World Elite Sumo to create some fun matchups and moments.

bronson reed

WWE is always open to interesting crossovers and has had sumo stars in the ring in the past. If the No. 1 company in wrestling was interested in a fun crossover and sent one of its talents to WES, Australian Bronson Reed seems like the perfect fit for it.

His physical build is that of a classic sumo wrestler. However, he is an excellent athlete, and these gifts may allow him to become immediately competitive despite his inexperience in the sport.

rob gronkowski

While New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski left his post five years ago, he can still be found everywhere in the sports and entertainment world. Including appearances for WWE shortly after his retirement.

An NFL legend is always up for a good time if the pay is right. Seeing Gronkowski in a sumo match would be a lot of fun and would bring a lot of attention to World Elite Sumo. Furthermore, the 36-year-old is still in great shape and can continue to dominate when it comes to pure power.

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

of leeds united The long-running pursuit of Hidemasa Morita is now moving towards a concrete result, with the midfielder’s position strongly pointing towards a summer move – provided one key condition is met.

The Sporting CP player is on Leeds’ radar for 2025. At the time, the club had assessed a deal but backed out. The fee, estimated at around €10 million (£8.7 million), and concerns over fitness made the move difficult to justify.

Twelve months later, the same deal looks very different. Morita is now approaching the end of his contract and is expected to Skip to free transfer.

As we recently coveredSports fans are pleading for him to stop. His form has improved, his availability has been more consistent and he has become one of their most important players this season.

However, what has changed most is the level of clarity around the move.

Now move forward gathering real speed

As reported by Portuguese outlet to ballHidemasa Morita’s departure from Sporting is considered almost certain, with the midfielder having already decided not to renew his contract. “Leeds road tolls continue to decline”His latest piece says.

More importantly, the Japan international has made it clear that he wants to play in the Premier League and, importantly, that it is a condition rather than a priority.

He has indicated that he is only Interested in moving to England’s top flightShaping the entire conversation around that need.

Leeds are currently in a strong position to secure it, and that fixture strengthens their hand. Instead, the rest of the deal aligns naturally.

The club has maintained interest in it since last summer and it is again being ranked as the most likely destination. Contrary to previous reports, the move is now described as very advanced, suggesting that discussions have moved beyond simple surveillance.

Farc effect and strategic fit

Another important development is the role of Daniel Farke in this process.

The Leeds United manager is understood to be a driving force behind the interest. His intention to create a more possession-based midfield has influenced recruitment thinking, and Morita is seen as a player who fits that profile.

His ability to operate as both a No. 6 and No. 8 adds to that appeal. Although he is not a high-output player in terms of goals, his strengths lie in positional play, control and balance.

The scenario now is a free transfer, a player eager to make the move, a manager who wants him, and a club that is already familiar with his profile.

So the deal that Leeds once walked away from now looks like they are ready to complete.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson revealed on Monday that the “majorly driven talent” in WWE was asked and accepted to take a significant pay cut. The news came a day before Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were moved to WWE’s alumni section following their reported mutual departure from the company following a contract restructuring request.

“[We were] Reportedly a highly pushed talent was asked to take a 50% pay cut, and allegedly did so,” Johnson wrote. ”I’m not naming the genius because I have no way of yet confirming that this was the case, but the timing of that claim and what happened the next day was very interesting to say the least.”

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp said on X that several talents were asked to take pay cuts by WWE, although he did not specify which names were included.

Keeping all this in mind, let’s guess which famous star has accepted the pay cut rumor recently.

la night

LA Knight is the most obvious, seeing his decline over the last few years and not being used as often as he used to. Knight can stick with WWE for a few more years, be used as they see fit, and that will pay off his bank account. WWE might also know that Knight does not want to leave from there and go anywhere else.

logan paul

While this may be a reach, Logan Paul fits the bill as he has gone from being a guy in the mix in top tier storylines to now being involved in a tag team with Austin Theory. Money is not an issue for him, and he would probably do WWE for free at this point because of his love for the sport.

belle

Bayley likes wrestling and WWE. If the company comes to her asking for a pay cut, we can see her being happy to do so because she absolutely loves her job and coworkers. He is seen in regular roles on TV, although he is no longer the main announcer. Maybe Bailey is also thinking of big plans and is aiming to establish a job in the company after leaving the job.

The Miz

The Miz has been in WWE for two decades and has earned his keep, as well as being secure in whatever role WWE has asked him to play. He has fame and legacy. Now he wants to help young talents learn. He’s a good fit for the company, but he probably has a bigger contract than he’s used to. After the wrestling is over, he’s probably also thinking about the bigger picture and the work backstage.

Barcelona joins Bayern Munich in the race for this goal newcastle united Star Anthony Gordon ahead of the summer window.

There has been regular coverage of Bayern Munich’s interest in the forward over the past few weeks.

Last week, Sports Witness Covered claims from Germany The Bundesliga side expect Newcastle United to lower their asking price to around €85 million.

Barcelona’s interest in the 26-year-old could make a potential deal more complicated for Bayern Munich.

The La Liga team are looking to improve their left wing for next season and have set some targets.

Newcastle United star on Barcelona list

RAC1 report of the Catalan club’s interest in Anthony Gordon. Tuesday’s edition of sports world Picks it up and covers the latest one.

The Newcastle United man is a ‘hidden horse’ target for Barcelona sporting director Deco. The Camp Nou side appreciate his pace, ability to operate in multiple positions and other technical qualities.

Barcelona watched him closely during their two-legged Champions League tie in March and the England international made a positive impact.

Eddie Howe’s side are demanding €85m and that is a huge hurdle for the Spanish giants.

Another Catalan newspaper, gameSupport Barça’s interest in the attacker, following the release of RAC1’s report.

Journalist Carlos Monfort covered this report for Sport. he took xformerly known as Twitter, to post a video of Gordon’s agents arriving for a meeting with Deco.

Unique Sports Group represents Newcastle United. The agency’s agents Will Salthouse and Adam Dugdale have been touring Europe in recent weeks.

The agent was at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper [Barca’s training centre] For a transfer meeting last week. Hansi Flick’s side have held talks with representatives to find out the terms of signing the England international.

Game Status: ‘Sources claim they have already received offers worth around €80m, a figure that seriously complicates any move by Barca.’ No mention of which club[s] These proposals have been submitted.

At the moment, the Blaugrana are not ruling anything out. However, the price tag makes it difficult for them to bring the Newcastle United star to the Camp Nou.

Contracts, prices and statistics

Anthony Gordon has 17 goals and five assists in 46 games for Newcastle United this season.

His contract at St James’ Park expires in 2030, and transfer market The attacker cost €60m.

💣Deco Summit with Anthony Gordon’s agents!

Barça’s sporting director met with agents of the British left wing last Saturday.

The option, for now, is too complicated, although the player likes it a lot, as he has progressed @alexpintanel.

+ information one @game. pic.twitter.com/iJoQFa22DR

– Carlos Monfort (@monfortcarlos) 4 May 2026

The Dallas Stars have become accustomed to winning dramatic, seven-game series in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, as they have done so for two consecutive years.

So after a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on home ice in Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round, the Stars will have to do it again to advance in 2026.

Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen scored once each, with Robertson continuing his rough start in these playoffs by scoring for the fifth consecutive game. Jake Oettinger made 24 saves in the loss, and Dallas now trails the best-of-7 series 3-2.

Game 6 will be Thursday in St. Paul, Minn.

Stars didn’t do enough to win Game 5

Dallas hosted Game 5 of the first-round playoff series for the fourth consecutive year. They averaged 4.33 goals and 26 shots per game over the past three games, including a 4-0 win over the Wild in 2023.

So Stars fans could be forgiven for liking what they saw from the home team on Tuesday night. Dallas had only 22 shots on goal, and only 12 in the first 48 minutes, before a late-game push in an inexplicably flat performance for a veteran team in a decisive game that was too little, too late.

“Everyone needs to step up,” Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan said. “It’s a team effort to try and get it done. … We just need a little bit more from everybody.”

Oettinger’s playoff struggles again reared their ugly head, most notably on Michael McCarron’s insurance goal at 7:47 of the third period, which ultimately served as the game-winner. Oettinger lost his balance and failed to keep his pads on the ice, and McCarron slipped the puck under him, giving Minnesota a 3–1 lead at 7:47 of the third minute.

The Stars lacked the desperation expected in such an important game. They had no high-danger scoring chances in the first period – Minnesota led 6–0 in such chances over the course of 20 minutes – and dominated expected goal chances in the first period by 1.41–0.44, even though it was 1–1 to one.

Stars need to do more at 5-on-5

Robertson’s third-period goal will go down as an even-strength tally, but even that is misleading because it came on a 5-on-4 with Oettinger pulled for an extra attacker.

The Stars are not able to score strongly in this series also. He hasn’t scored a goal at five-on-five since Robertson scored in the first period of Game 3 – a span of nearly 220 minutes. The Stars’ three goals at five-on-five are the fewest of any team still playing – and are tied with the Ottawa Senators for 15th in the playoffs, ahead of only the Los Angeles Kings’ two.

“We thought we created some opportunities for ourselves,” Gulutzan said. “Now we have to take the next step and adopt some of those.”

Dallas made only 16 shots from five in the game.

The Stars are in the series thanks to their white-hot power play, which led to Heiskanen’s game-tying goal in the first period for the ninth time in the series. But the man-advantage went to 0 of 3 after the first period of Game 5.

Dallas needs win again at Minnesota

Dallas had earned home-ice advantage for two of the final three games after a double-overtime win over Minnesota in Game 3.

But two consecutive losses, one in OT and the other in Game 5 in a largely tied affair, have pushed the Stars to the brink of elimination. They’ll have to overcome both Matt Boldy (four goals) and the Wild, but also the noisy atmosphere at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, which certainly awaits.

Dallas is 1-3 in St. Paul this season, although one of its regular season losses came in overtime. The Wild must be feeling angry, too, as this core has yet to win a postseason series – Minnesota hasn’t won a playoff series since 2015.

But the Stars haven’t won a series since the 1999 Western Conference Finals, going down 3-2. They will need a better performance in Game 6 to have a chance to potentially win the series at home in Game 7.

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

Nils Lundqvist has become an unsung hero for the Dallas Stars this year.

But Dallas will need a win without the defenseman to take a 3-2 lead in the series against the rival Minnesota Wild.

The Stars ejected Lundqvist from Game 5 on Tuesday night after he skated into the face of Wild forward Michael McCarron.

Lundqvist has two points in the series, both assists, while his average time on ice is 16:45. He is playing on Dallas’ second pairing with Thomas Harley and is also killing penalties for Dallas.

Stars rule out Nils Lundqvist but ‘must watch’ him before series ends

Lundqvist did not need to go to the hospital with injuries to his face. But Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan confirmed he will not be available for the all-important game at American Airlines Center, although the Stars have him listed as day-to-day.

“You won’t see Nils in the game tomorrow,” Gulutzan told reporters on Monday. “We need to see that before the series ends.”

Lundqvist, whom Dallas acquired from the New York Rangers in September 2022, has been a regular on the Dallas blue line when healthy. He had 11 points this season and has skated in 16 Stanley Cup playoff games over the past three seasons – he missed the entire postseason last year due to shoulder surgery.

Tyler Myers is expected to replace Lundqvist with Harley on the Stars’ second pairing. The Houston-born, 6-8 defenseman has no points and is minus 3 while averaging 21:04 on ice over the course of four games.

Who will replace Nils Lundqvist in the Stars lineup?

Of course, the Stars will want to have Lundqvist ready for Game 5. But even with him out, they still have options.

Ilya Libushkin is the most likely player to be in the Dallas lineup against Minnesota. Libushkin played in 53 games with the Stars this season and was plus-1, plus he’s a veteran of 28 playoff games, including 14 games while filling in for Lundqvist in the playoffs a year ago.

But Alex Petrovic also suited up for 54 games and had 10 points for the Stars. Petrovic played in 17 postseason games for the Stars in 2025 and contributed one goal and one assist.

Both Libushkin and Petrovic are right shooting guards, so the decision depends on whether Gulutzan wants to go with the 6-5 Petrovic or the faster but equally bulky Libushkin.

Gulutzan is confident that no matter who he chooses, the game will not decline much.

“They all played well,” Gulutzan said. “That’s the beauty of our lineup, they all played well. That helps when you make your decision.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

The Dallas Stars were one shot away from sending the rival Minnesota Wild to the brink of elimination.

Instead the Western Conference First Round would return to American Airlines Center tied at two games apiece after Matthew Boldy scored at 19:31 of the first OT, giving the Wild a 3–2 victory at Grand Casino Arena.

Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen scored once each, and goaltender Jake Oettinger made 40 saves for the Stars.

Dallas did what it needed to by reclaiming home-ice advantage with its double-overtime win in Game 3. But he blew two one-goal leads, and so allowed a great chance to take a 3-1 lead by allowing Marcus Foligno’s goal with just 5:20 remaining in regulation.

Game 5 is Tuesday at Dallas at 7 p.m.

Here are the takeaways from Game 4:

Jason Robertson and the Stars’ power play stay red hot

Dallas entered the game Saturday on a special-teams burner, and its PK didn’t allow a single goal and its man-advantage remained very hot.

Both of Dallas’ goals came on the power play, with Robertson scoring his second man-up goal and Heiskanen scoring his first goal of the series.

“Our power play has been good,” Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan said after the game.

The Stars’ power play is now 8 of 19 (42.1%) in four games and second only to the Anaheim Ducks among all teams. The Ducks have 11 less PP than the Stars due to one less game.

Dallas has scored four consecutive goals on the power play. The Stars have found success moving the puck down high and then taking advantage of diagonal passes and beating Jesper Wallstad on sharp-angle shots – which is what Robertson, Heiskanen and Matt Duchene did on their own goals.

Robertson has now scored in every game of the series and is the only one of the three Star players with multiple PPG in the series. At this point the Stars need to figure out how to score at even strength, as they only have three goals at 5-on-5.

“We just couldn’t get any puck luck,” Gulutzan said. “We just have to start over to finish something.”

Jake Oettinger almost saved the stars

Oettinger has lost Stars games in the past, but their goalie wasn’t the reason for their loss on Saturday.

In Game 4 the Wild finished with a 3.84 expected goals against and outscored the Stars 24–17 in the third period and overtime. Foligno’s goal came from a rebound, where the Minnesota forward got over Oettinger and deposited the puck into the empty cage. Brock Faber’s goal was a shot worth watching.

Oettinger’s numbers in the series may not look impressive, but he has been excellent since Dallas’ 6-1 loss in Game 1. The Stars’ franchise goalie has a 1.38 all-situation goals-against average and a .924 save percentage over his last three games and could use some extra support from his teammates.

“I thought he made some massive saves,” Gulutzan said. “You need it this time of year, and he gave it to us.”

Oettinger made 10-belle saves after 10-belle saves throughout OT – Minnesota could only beat him when Boldy tried to kick the puck for a disallowed goal. But Boldy then redirected Jared Spurgeon’s shot from the point.

The Wild, Stars series deserves to be equal

Game 1 was lopsided, but the series went as we all expected.

The last two games have gone to overtime, including a double-OT affair in Game 3. The investigation is strict. The atmosphere is noisy. Both teams are highly-skilled. This series should be tied at two points after four matches.

It’s easier said than done, but Stars fans should try to enjoy the ride of Stanley Cup playoff hockey. This series seems destined to go seven games, and even Gulutzan has acknowledged that.

“There are a lot of guys playing good hockey in this series,” Gulutzan said. “It’s just two good hockey teams.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

On Friday, 23 veterans and prospects were released from their existing contracts in the latest round of WWE’s annual roster cuts. Some of the most notable names to be released this week were each member of the Wyatt Six, Kairi Sane, and wrestling power couple Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.

While this was bad news for those wrestlers, it does leave a group of interesting talents in pro wrestling free agency at a time when the industry is strong. All Elite Wrestling should seriously consider signing veteran performers soon. With that in mind, here are seven former WWE stars that AEW should target on the open market.

carry sen

AEW’s women’s division has come a long way over the years. However, that still pales in comparison to the absurd amount of talent on WWE’s roster. But WWE has just offered several talented female wrestlers that Tony Khan may want to quickly embrace. The most notable is Japanese veteran Kairi Sane.

Khan has mentioned being a fan of Sane in the past and has a clear love for the talent from the Land of the Rising Sun. While Sane may no longer be in her prime, she is still a good performer who one will have a lot of sympathy for as she was not given the chance to finish her long-running storyline with Asuka in WWE.

motor city machine gun

AEW probably has the best bell-to-bell wrestling in the world. Another thing they do well is highlight tag wrestling. This has been a weakness for WWE during the Paul “Triple H” Levesque era, and it’s why TNA legends the Motor City Machine Guns have had a disappointing run in the company.

When he hit free agency a few years ago, there were rumors that he might sign with AEW. A move back to TNA seems very unlikely, and there are far more interesting matchups for Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley in AEW as a team or singles.

alba fire

AEW has made huge inroads among European wrestling fans. That’s why they can go to Wembley Stadium every year and perform very well. Therefore, former Women’s Tag Champion Alba Fires should be a top target in free agency.

She is a strong wrestler and gives them another talent that attracts and keeps fans in the UK. Additionally, her former WWE tag partner, Isla Dawn, is already under the AEW umbrella.

Santos Escobar

AEW has strongly embraced its working relationship with Mexico’s CMLL as well as the Spanish-speaking audience. That’s why it would be wise to capture Santos Escobar. However, unlike most of the CMLL talent performing in AEW, Escobar is fluent in English and can connect with fans in both languages.

Furthermore, he is at his best right now and despite being a strong wrestler in the ring, he is underrated on the mic.

zoey stark

Zoey Stark was snake bitten by injuries during her tenure in WWE, including rupturing her knee ligaments twice. However, when healthy, she was one of the most athletic and skilled female wrestlers on the roster.

His latest knee injury has likely taken away his athletic gifts. However, at just 32 years old, she feels like a perfect fit for AEW and a great addition to the women’s division.

nikki cross

Nikki Cross is a talented performer who was treated poorly as a member of the Wyatt Six. Since WWE had trouble booking the unique group, he did not have a single match while a part of the faction. His wild character work is always entertaining, and he’s a rock-solid worker in the ring.

Additionally, like Alba Fires, she will be an addition that will not only strengthen the AEW women’s division but also strengthen the company’s relationship with UK Wrestling.

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

On Friday, 23 veterans and prospects were released from their existing contracts in the latest round of WWE’s annual roster cuts. Some of the most notable names to be released this week were each member of the Wyatt Six, Kairi Sane, and wrestling power couple Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.

While this was bad news for those wrestlers, it does leave a group of interesting talents in pro wrestling free agency at a time when the industry is strong. TNA Wrestling should consider signing contracts soon, including veteran performers. With that in mind, here are six former WWE stars that TNA should target on the open market.

apollo crew

At one time, Apollo Cruz was one of the must-see artists on the independent scene due to his impressive athleticism. More than a decade later, at the age of 38, Cruz is still an entertaining wrestler. But that was never his problem. It was always about finding a character that fans connect with and stick with for a while.

This is why he would be a better fit in TNA wrestling rather than battling the AEW roster for Best Match of the Night. TNA focuses a little more on character work, so if they find something that connects them with the audience, Crews could be a huge opportunity for promotion.

aleister black and zelina vega

The obvious assumption would be that, following his release, Aleister Black would return to AEW, where he found real success prior to his second stint in WWE. However, it would be wise for Carlos Silva to prioritize bringing Black and his wife Zelina Vega to TNA.

Their release this week surprised many as they were frequently used on SmackDown and seemed to be getting into a rhythm as characters. In TNA, this duo could be instantly catapulted to the top and become mainstays of the roster for the next few years, while also making some good money.

eric rowan

Erick Rowan has a useful talent for attacking enemies as a large monster. However, a performer like him doesn’t feel like a fit in this version of AEW. However, TNA could make better use of men like Rowan. They will be able to play to his strengths and get the most out of an artist whose prime years are still ahead of him.

Tyra Mae Steele

One of the other surprise releases by WWE this week was Olympic gold medalist Tyra Mae Steele. When the company signed her three years earlier, she was introduced as a future world champion and the female version of Kurt Angle. However, they may have felt that she was not developing at the pace they needed and dropped her.

He still needs further development, but has immense potential. TNA can help her become a better professional wrestler, and having a gold medalist would be a great addition to their women’s roster.

dexter loomis

Dexter Loomis has shown in the past that he can develop some strange but fun characters. Plus, he has great looks and is a very good athlete. TNA Wrestling seems like a perfect fit for a performer like Lumis, who needs time to let his character breathe. Also, rekindling their beloved history with Indi Hartwell in NXT but not in TNA would be a smart play.

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

On Friday, 23 veterans and prospects from the WWE roster learned that the company no longer needed their services. While the release after the WrestleMania season caught many fans by surprise, as the company refreshes storylines, they also refresh the roster. And pay cuts in the spring have become an annual event.

However, in recent years, there has been a second round of releases towards the end of the year. Although it looks like this set of cuts has been finalized, unfortunately these 10 WWE stars may be a part of more releases later this year.

Austin theory

Austin Theory really needs to hope that this effort goes further with The Vision. He has received several opportunities in the company, including a big push a few years ago that led to a victory over John Cena at WrestleMania.

Although he is currently one half of the World Tag Team Champions, this new version of his character has not gained much traction, and serves as the main damage taker for the faction. If The Vision doesn’t make serious momentum over the next six months, Theory could top the next roster cut list.

wendy chu

Wendy Chu has been in the WWE system for seven years. She is the longest performing player who has not reached the main roster. Currently, she holds the top women’s title at Evolve, but it is the lowest level in the WWE system. After going through some character changes, Chu should be making some big waves in Evolvable, as a release in 2026 is a real possibility.

Fraxiom

The tag duo of Axiom and Nathan Fraser is very talented. They were the anchors of NXT throughout 2024 and will go down as one of the brand’s greatest tag teams. Still, the main roster remains a place where tag teams disappear.

So far, this duo has been doomed on SmackDown as WWE creative can’t figure out how to showcase their tag division. Because Fraxiom creates so much buzz in the ring, both of them are in danger of taking a pay cut at the end of the year.

shinsuke nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura will go down as the greatest Japanese-born performer in WWE history. However, he has squandered the opportunity to push them into the main event for a longer period of time on several occasions. At 46, his best days are behind him. To make matters worse, his role on SmackDown last year has been very limited.

It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the WWE legend decides that he’s getting paid too much money despite how little he gets used to it.

creed brothers

There was a lot of hype about the Creed Brothers during their time in NXT. There was speculation that both could be future main eventers on the main roster. However, when he was promoted fans quickly discovered that his personality did not match his impressive skills in the ring.

When Chad Gable gets unmasked as the OG El Grande Americano, if the reborn version of American Made doesn’t gain popularity over the summer, Creed’s days in WWE may be over.

bronson reed

Bronson Reed showed in 2025 that he can become a major player in WWE. However, in the past year, he has also proven that he is having trouble staying healthy. Let’s not forget, this is his second innings in the company after being released in 2021. Nevertheless, he has suffered two major injuries since rejoining WWE in 2022.

Zoey Starks had similar talent and brilliance, but she also suffered several major injuries during her tenure. She was one of 23 cuts this week as she nears the end of her recovery from torn knee ligaments.

ivy blue

Ivy Nile is a rock-solid performer with a unique look. However, like his faction mates, the Creed Brothers, he lacks personality. There was an opportunity for WWE creative to create a long-term tag team with him and Maxxin Dupree. However, they took the latter in a different direction.

With NXT bringing out new female talent all the time, Niles needs to gain some momentum if she hopes to keep her spot for the rest of the year.

The Miz

Miz continues to prove why he is valuable and is willing to do whatever the company needs. However, change is inevitable, and after 20 years in WWE, it puts him in the target of roster cuts.

Making his situation even more difficult, Ethan Page was called to Raw this week. The NXT star is, in many ways, a younger and perhaps more cost-effective version of The Miz. Although it’s unlikely this year, The Miz should still have some concerns regarding his future in WWE.

jesse mateo

Jessie Mateo is a talented wrestler and has proven this during her stints in Lucha Underground and NJPW. However, he has been considered a henchman of MFT since he joined the company last year. It would be in his best interest to break away from the team and showcase his talents as a solo act. Because right now, they are easily placed in a position to change lines.

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

The NBA world is currently focused on the early rounds of the playoffs, but we’re only a month away from the start of the offseason and some major decisions will be made for a group of stars heading into the final year of their contracts.

Since free agency is no longer as attractive as it used to be, there are few people who will test the open market. Veterans like Andrew Wiggins ($30 million), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($21 million), and Draymond Green ($27 million) aren’t going anywhere.

However, others could certainly threaten to make a move in free agency to get even more paydays from their current teams. With that in mind, let’s take a look at eight NBA stars who are sure to opt out of their current contracts in the coming weeks.

james harden

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is one of the league’s premier mercenaries. He has no loyalty to any team and that is not going to change. While he is owed $42 million next season, it would be surprising if he joined and there have already been early reports that he intends to opt out.

Just months shy of his 37th birthday, the 11-time All-Star could take an annual salary cut in favor of a more guaranteed season.

Austin Reeves

Austin Reeves is having a career year at the perfect time. The Los Angeles Lakers veteran has emerged as a future All-Star talent and core member of the roster. There’s no way he’ll play for just under $15 million next season. He’s highly unlikely to leave LA, but he’ll likely get a huge pay raise this summer.

Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet is in an interesting situation. He took a pay cut to return to the Houston Rockets and is set to make $25 million next season. The veteran guard is also recovering from a torn ACL. A case can be made for him to be included next season. However, the Rockets have been in a mess this year and VanVleet is likely being used in a summer trade, considering he could opt out of the remainder of the year.

al horford

Al Horford’s decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors last summer proved to be the wrong one. They were expected to be title contenders, and injuries to their top stars completely derailed those plans. Expect him to opt to return east, either retiring with the Boston Celtics or finishing his career where it started, the Atlanta Hawks.

Kevin Porter Jr.

After being one of the few good things to happen for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025-26, Kevin Porter Jr. is set to opt out of the $5 million he earned next season. Since very few stars are expected to really test the market, the six-year veteran will be one of the top players available and is set to get a very nice pay rise this summer.

deandre ayton

When the Lakers signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal with an opt-out last summer, everyone knew he would use it. With so few reliable veterans in the game, and after staying healthy throughout the season, the eight-year veteran will surely opt to ask for a raise on the $8 million he will make next season.

bradley beal

Despite trying to bounce back from a broken hip and having a few bad seasons, you can bet Bradley Beal thinks he’s still worth more than the $5 million he’ll make with the Los Angeles Clippers next year. Plus, it looks like LA is in the early stages of a rebuild, and the 14-year vet won’t want to deal with that.

trey young

There are two certain things in the NBA offseason. Trae Young will opt out of the approximately $49 million he is owed next season. But he will do so in order to get a new long-term deal from his new team, the Washington Wizards. There is an outside chance that he may change his mind and test his value in the open market. But Washington is unlikely to get a better offer than what any other team will offer.

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

The NBA world is currently focused on the early rounds of the playoffs, but we’re only a month away from the start of the offseason and some major decisions will be made for a group of stars heading into the final year of their contracts.

Since free agency is no longer as attractive as it used to be, there are few people who will test the open market. Veterans like Andrew Wiggins ($30 million), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($21 million), and Draymond Green ($27 million) aren’t going anywhere.

However, others may certainly threaten to make a move in free agency to get even more paydays from their current teams. With that in mind, let’s take a look at eight NBA stars who are sure to opt out of their current contracts in the coming weeks.

james harden

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is one of the league’s premier mercenaries. He has no loyalty to any team and that is not going to change. While he is owed $42 million next season, it would be surprising if he joined and there have already been early reports that he intends to opt out.

Just months shy of his 37th birthday, the 11-time All-Star could take an annual salary cut in favor of a more guaranteed season.

Austin Reeves

Austin Reeves is having a career year at the perfect time. The Los Angeles Lakers veteran has emerged as a future All-Star talent and core member of the roster. There’s no way he’ll play for just under $15 million next season. He’s highly unlikely to leave LA, but he’ll likely get a huge pay raise this summer.

Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet is in an interesting situation. He took a pay cut to return to the Houston Rockets and is set to make $25 million next season. The veteran guard is also recovering from a torn ACL. A case can be made for him to be included next season. However, the Rockets have been in a mess this year and VanVleet is likely being used in a summer trade, considering he could opt out of the remainder of the year.

al horford

Al Horford’s decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors last summer proved to be the wrong one. They were expected to be title contenders, and injuries to their top stars completely derailed those plans. Expect him to opt to return east, either retiring with the Boston Celtics or finishing his career where it started, the Atlanta Hawks.

Kevin Porter Jr.

After being one of the few good things to happen for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025-26, Kevin Porter Jr. is set to opt out of the $5 million he earned next season. Since very few stars are expected to really test the market, the six-year veteran will be one of the top players available and is set to get a very nice pay rise this summer.

deandre ayton

When the Lakers signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal with an opt-out last summer, everyone knew he would use it. With so few reliable veterans in the game, and after staying healthy throughout the season, the eight-year veteran will surely opt to ask for a raise on the $8 million he will make next season.

bradley beal

Despite trying to bounce back from a broken hip and having a few bad seasons, you can bet Bradley Beal thinks he’s still worth more than the $5 million he’ll make with the Los Angeles Clippers next year. Plus, it looks like LA is in the early stages of a rebuild, and the 14-year vet won’t want to deal with that.

trey young

There are two certain things in the NBA offseason. Trae Young will opt out of the approximately $49 million he is owed next season. But he will do so in order to get a new long-term deal from his new team, the Washington Wizards. There is an outside chance that he may change his mind and test his value in the open market. But he is unlikely to receive a better offer from Washington than any other team.

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

Houston Rockets And Kevin Durant has a tough task ahead of him Los Angeles Lakers City are coming in and trying to take a commanding 3-0 lead over them in their first round playoff series. So, all eyes will be on Durant and how he responds after one of the worst stretches of his NBA career.

LeBron James has dominated his way into this series, but the Lakers have got excellent, timely performances from Luke Kennard (27 points in Game 1) and Marcus Smart (25 points in Game 2).

Meanwhile, Kevin Durant only played in Game 2 and while he finished with a strong line in the contest, he had one of his worst outings leading to the Rockets’ second straight loss.

The two-time NBA champion finished Game 2 with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists while shooting 7 of 12 from the field. But he had a career high with nine turnovers in the game, scoring only three points with five turnovers in the entire second half.

This was because the Lakers repeatedly used the tactic of double-teaming him, testing his decision-making abilities while forcing his Houston teammates to try to beat them.

But before Game 3, Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. was asked how the team can help Durant get involved offensively as he sees more and more double-teaming in the half-court. However, Smith’s reaction to his partner’s distress was quite surprising.

Jabari Smith Jr. gives surprising advice to Durant’s double-teaming trap

Responding to reporters who asked him what could be done to assist Kevin Durant in light of facing double teams, Smith Jr. said:

“They try to stop him and other guys have to be aggressive, so we have to be aggressive with that.”

“We’ve got to study it right, make the right decisions. And it’s on him to find ways to get himself involved and get to his spots without getting double-teamed.”

But then, Jabari Smith Jr. essentially seemed to tell Durant to come up with a solution himself, causing fans to lose their minds on social media.

“Just because he’s getting double-teamed, we still need him to be his KD, you know? There’s still ways around it, and we’ve got some solutions [the trapping of Durant]And we’ll get better the next two games,” Smith Jr. said.

Basketball fans react to Smith Jr.’s KD advice

His comments brought a ton of reactions from fans, many of whom were reminded of Durant’s recent chat about Jabari Smith.

“Kevin Durant you were the right guy,” one fan said along with crying emojis and a screenshot of Durant’s burner account DMs that surfaced during the NBA All-Star break.

Another fan said, “KD heard Jabari call him that and suddenly ankle injury pops up out of thin air lmao bro if you feel like that I’m leaving all y’all boys to die.”

Reactions varied widely, with some opining that KD could not be blamed when his teammates were absent in action.

NBA reporter Brett Siegel said, “Not sure why Kevin Durant has a problem when his teammates can’t catch the ball.”

One fan commented, “Open shots bro. Fuck everything else.”

Another fan wrote, “The chemistry on that team is worse than the Lakers in 2004.”

Another fan said, “These guys’ chemistry is in the gutter.”

However, it will be interesting to see how Kevin Durant Finds a solution to avoid these double teams. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night at 5 PM PST, and it will be the Rockets’ last stand before the series wraps up.

Since his first foray into online journalism in 2019, Peter Okereke has written widely on entertainment, politics and pop… More about Peter Okereke

The Dallas Stars were looking at a 2–1 series hole until their star-studded special teams took over.

Despite being outshot (61-60) and outscored (6-3) at 5-on-5, the Stars’ power play has been extremely hot in this series and scored three times in their 4-3, double-OT win over the Minnesota Wild in Game 3 on Wednesday in St. Paul, Minn.

Wyatt Johnson scored the game-winner on the power play at 12:10 of the second extra session. The Stars have won two consecutive matches and now lead the best-of-7 series 2-1.

Game 4 takes place Saturday at 4:30 pm CT in St. Paul.

stars power play is on

Dallas PP picks up where it left off in the regular season.

The Stars ranked second in the NHL during the regular season in power-play efficiency (28.6%), trailing only the historically great Edmonton Oilers (30.6). But where the Oilers’ man-advantage has faltered through two games, the Stars’ development is thriving.

Dallas is 6 of 17 (35.3%) on the power play in its series and has scored multiple man-up goals in each of its last two wins. Johnson and teammate Matt Duchene have a pair of power-play goals in the series and superstar wing Jason Robertson also scored on the power play in Game 1.

“When you get opportunities, it’s important to take them,” Johnson said. “Nice to have him [in double OT]. “I was just trying to move forward and do whatever I can to help.”

Duchene’s man-up goal gave Dallas the lead for good in a 4–2 win over Minnesota in Game 2, but his power-play marker in Game 3 set the stage for Johnston’s heroics.

The Stars trailed 3–2 in the final seconds of the third period on a PP after Bobby Brink tipped Radek Faksa at 8:27. Dallas had failed on three consecutive second period power plays which gave the Wild enough momentum to take the lead late in the second period.

“This is the time of year you’ve got to stick with it. You can’t get frustrated,” Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan said. “We are playing against an elite team and elite class [penalty] Killer. The swings are going to go in that direction. It is not going to be an easy journey.”

It was Dallas’ only PP in the third period or first overtime – meanwhile, the Wild had five man-advantages in that period. But Duchesne got a sharp-angle shot past Minnesota goalie Jesper Wallstad on a great cross-slot pass from Mikko Rantanen, tying the game.

“Quite important,” said Duchene of the power-play contribution. “We were just living with it. This team, I’ve talked about how balanced we are, and it feels even more calm than in years past, just how patient and in the moment we are.”

Stars penalty kill has also been very good

Special teams can be a big X-factor in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

A strong or shaky power play can turn the momentum of a game or series, especially if a result starts snowballing.

So even though the Stars have given Minnesota 15 man-advantages in the series, and been shorthanded seven times in Game 3, after going 2 of 4 in Game 1 they have answered the bell by shutting down 10 of the Wild’s last 11 power plays.

“Our special teams have been excellent,” Gulutzan said.

Additionally, the Stars PK faced three potentially game-changing situations after Duchene tied the game. Rantanen first went to the penalty box for tripping at 12:30 of the third period, then forwards Sam Steele and Jamie Benn were each cited in overtime, but Dallas did not even allow a shot against Jake Oettinger on the OT power play.

“I had my head down, looking out of one eye and was just like, ‘Oh my God, let us deal with this,'” Duchesne said. “They were incredible. We knew after getting those two we needed to move forward [power plays] In [double] OT.”

Of course, the Wild paid a hefty price to acquire defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks earlier this season so he could join Kirill Kaprizov (19 ppg), Matt Boldy (30 power-play points) and Joel Eriksson-Ek (16 ppg). Minnesota finished third in the league in power plays (25.2%), but have been indifferent in their last two losses.

“They’ve got some great players. It’s a talented power play,” Gulutzan said. “I thought our guys did a really good job.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

One of the things New Jersey Devils fans are hoping for is a first-round exit from the Minnesota Wild.

Why?

Because some people are still holding out hope that the Devils might take Hughes’ older brother if he is hesitant to commit to his new team. When the calendar turns to July 1, Hughes has one year left on his contract. So whether it’s a deal this summer or via free agency next offseason, the less successful Minnesota is, the more likely it is that Quinn won’t commit.

Personally, I see Quinn staying in Minnesota. But never say never. Especially when there are no results.

At the Links, a slow burn by Devils ownership before eventually firing Tom Fitzgerald.

Elsewhere, chaos in Philly, Alexis Lafreniere’s big deal, and goalie crisis in Buffalo?

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: Why didn’t Devils ownership fire Tom Fitzgerald sooner? At Sunny Mehta’s introductory press conference, managing partner David Blitzer explained that “there was no eureka moment.”

📺 devil’s rink report: So, what priorities will Mehta face as he steps into his new role as general manager in New Jersey? We break it down in the latest Devils Rink report.

Full episode here 👇🏼

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Buffalo hockey now: Yes, that’s my name in the byline. I’m helping with our Buffalo Sabers coverage while they’re in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. First, after heading into Game 2, does Buffalo already have a goaltender crisis?

Forever Blueshirts: The New York Rangers knew their top six wasn’t scaring anyone. Part of the issue is that Alexis Lafreniere hasn’t taken the step forward expected. The former No. 1 overall pick explained that he knows he can get even better, and wants to maintain his strong position in 2025-26.

Athletic ($): Devils fans are expecting it to be bad, but after the Minnesota Wild’s loss to the Dallas Stars last night, their reaction in Game 4 while falling behind 2-1 in the series will really tell us all if they are any different.

If not, maybe Quinn Hughes isn’t ready to live in Minnie.

Boston Hockey Now: As for the Boston Bruins, they do not have a captain in this Stanley Cup playoffs. However, Jeremy Swayman is establishing himself as a leader.

Philly hockey now: What a series this is shaping up to be for the Philadelphia Flyers. Amidst massive chaos last night they took a 3-0 series lead over their rivals from Pennsylvania. More from Will James here.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

of liverpool Alisson has been consistently pushed as a target for Serie A clubs by the Italian media. The deal is now proving more difficult than initially thought.

Earlier in March, the goalkeeper signed a new deal at Anfield, tying him down until the end of next season.

Temporarily, this silenced much of the discussion about his future. Soon, this escalated once again as Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti appeared keen to reunite with the Brazilian.

last week, sports witness The cover claims the goalkeeper would indeed be keen to return to his ex-Roma manager. Talks took place and Juve also became optimistic about the signing.

Now, it seems that optimism has been replaced by pessimism and Liverpool could keep Alisson.

Many discussions were held for Alison

Today, tuttosport Let it be clear that doubts are growing in Turin regarding the signing of the 33-year-old player.

Ideally, Spalletti would want Alisson at the club. In fact, he sees him as a dream target, with Mattia Perin and Michele Di Gregorio likely to leave the Old Lady in the summer.

Juve have attempted to meet the manager’s demands by holding talks with Alisson’s squad. They now realize that the deal is more complicated than initially thought.

Alisson earns €8m per season and will demand a significant signing-on fee. This would also include agent fees, with Liverpool themselves demanding €15m to let the Brazilian leave.

The goalkeeper’s team has had several discussions with Juve and now it seems that it will be very difficult for the Turin forward to make a move. Talks were also held with other Serie A clubs but those talks were also met with doubt.

Our opinion: Liverpool would have no objection to this

Alisson may be 33 and has been out of action for the past few weeks, but he still performed well earlier in the campaign.

Giorgi Mamardashvili has also not disappointed anyone but his candidacy as first choice remains unknown. Alisson will only help him grow and his presence will ensure that Georgians are not thrown into the deep end next season.

Furthermore, Liverpool have no need to offer a waiver to let Alisson depart. He has previously been linked to Saudi clubs who would be able to afford his salary and the Reds’ demands. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if Juve didn’t make the move.

On Wednesday night, AEW’s hottest underdog Darby Allin did the unthinkable and reached the pinnacle of professional wrestling.

After earning a championship opportunity with a victory over Andrade at AEW Dynasty this weekend, Allin immediately cashed in on that shot with a matchup against reigning champion MJF on this week’s Dynamite. After a violent battle, Allin shocked many by defeating the company’s top star to become AEW World Champion for the first time in his career.

It was one of the best moments in years. But given his history as an underdog, it is unlikely that Allyn’s reign will last until 2026. This will likely end in the next few months. But which AEW star can end Allin’s dream of becoming AEW Champion? We take a look at five possible options.

mjf

Don’t be surprised if Allin eventually hands the title back to the man he took it from, MJF, and it could come next month at AEW: Double or Nothing. Some fans will complain about such a short reign, but their wins – and losses – will benefit the brand as title changes can happen at any time, and reigns do not need to be long at all times.

It wouldn’t be surprising if AEW made the move at some point this spring to set MJF up for big matches at Forbidden Door in June, then AEW: All in London in August.

Kazuchika Okada

When AEW signed Kazuchika Okada, he left NJPW after a stellar performance and signed with AEW in 2024, so the expectation was that he would be in the main event like he was in Japan. That hasn’t been the case at all, and he’s been a near-top mid-carder for two years.

The company is paying him big money, and they really need to maximize that value. Pulling the trigger now in the main event and being the one to depose Allin would fit Okada’s character, as well as cleverly make him Public Enemy No. 1 among the fans.

bobby lashley

After being sidelined for months, Bobby Lashley finally returned to AEW TV this week to get the Hurt Syndicate back in the win column. Sooner or later, Lashley will find his way into the title picture. Now seems like the perfect time.

As one of the biggest and most powerful athletes on the roster, it makes perfect sense to target Allin and take his belt from him. Plus, it would be entertaining to see Lashley do this to his former faction mate MJF.

brody king

Speaking of the biggest and most powerful stars on the roster, now is the time to pull the trigger on Brodie King’s World Title run. He and Allin have a deep history and have had many great matches against each other. However, with King now being a popular baby face, he may be one of the few talents on the roster that can retain fan support even after Allin makes the title cut.

will osprey

Sooner or later, former IWGP Champion Will Ospreay will have AEW World Title gold. It’s a sure bet in 2026. Many AEW fans will expect Allin to hold on to the belt for several months. Keeping the leash until close to five and then dropping down to the Osprey in his home country All in London is probably the company’s plan for this summer.

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

It looks like another WWE legend is eyeing the end of his career in the near future.

The last 12 months have seen some big departures from three WWE legends. In July, WCW icon Goldberg competed in a WWE ring for the last time. In December, John Cena ended his incredible career. Then, in January, AJ Styles officially hung up his famous shoes. Strangely, all three were defeated by Gunther.

Still, there may be more coming in 2026. There has been speculation for quite some time that legendary luchador Rey Mysterio is preparing for his retirement this year. Additionally, there are rumors that this year’s SummerSlam in Minnesota could be Brock Lesnar’s last WWE match.

Becky Lynch confirms she is in her ‘final stages’

Well, while it may not be in 2026, we just got confirmation of another WWE great who will soon call it a career. During a new interview with Chris VanVleet, Becky Lynch confirmed that her current contract with the company will be her last, and that it is the “final run” of her career.

Lynch signed a new contract in January 2025, and it’s likely a three- or four-year deal. This means that she will be away from the business around WrestleMania in 2028 and 2029.

There were rumors going around for a long time that the deal he signed early last year could be his last deal. This isn’t entirely shocking since someone with a child like Seth Rollins would need to be home more often. While their daughter Roux often travels with them, eventually she will need to start school, and this requires the parents to be at home.

Lynch is considered the greatest female performer in WWE history and was part of the first all-female WrestleMania main event in 2019. Defeating both Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey to become unified champion.

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

Manchester CityBernardo Silva and ‘Liverpool’Alison finds her future uncertain. There is a possibility that they will unite at Juventus next season.

last week, sports witness Covered the Old Lady’s initial approach to the goalkeeper. The Brazilian had expressed his desire to join, even though he signed a new deal with the Reds last month.

As far as midfielders are concerned, Juve has made initial contact Also with his agent Jorge Mendes. They face competition from Barcelona but the Italian side remain firmly in the race.

With Luciano Spalletti himself now having signed a contract extension, Juve’s plans for the summer are ramping up.

Sporting director Damien Comolli was asked about the Liverpool and Manchester City stars and he revealed a lot about the Bianconeri’s intentions.

Duo may be keen on deal

french spoke gazzetta dello sport From a Juventus event yesterday. He was asked about the club’s plans for the future and the decision to hand Spalletti a new contract.

Interestingly, Alison and Bernardo also emerged as themes. Comolli indicated that both players were interested in a move to the Bianconeri even without Champions League football.

Smiling he said: “Bernardo Silva and Alisson? I won’t mention names (smiles). But yes, Juve always have the allure of attracting champions. What surprises me so far is that not every player we have spoken to has said, ‘I will only come if you reach the Champions League.’ “Players want to come to Juventus because it’s Juventus.”

The conversation didn’t end there as Comolli also spoke specifically about the Manchester City midfielder. He clarified that Juve is not the only one chasing free agents

“I hold him up as a good example, but he also hadn’t won a lot before joining City. We’re not necessarily looking for players who have won or necessarily free agents, but we’re looking for guys who have the personality to be successful and who can help young players become winners.”

Our Opinion: Strong competition is coming

It’s fair to say that Alisson’s Liverpool future should not be as uncertain as his Manchester City counterpart. The goalkeeper’s contract at Anfield expires in 2027 and he will not have to rush into a decision.

Even if Juventus are keen, there is a strong possibility that they will miss out on the Champions League. This would deprive Alison of earning as much as he would like, forcing him to take a pay cut.

As for Bernardo, things won’t be easy for the Old Lady. He is still 31 years old and is still doing very reliable work for Manchester City.

That is why he appeals to many clubs should he want to pursue European football and offer him higher wages than the Italian sides.

So even if Comolli could go the ‘Juve is Juve’ path, this could be a way to promote the club among the players. The truth is that both deals will not be easy.

Cody Rhodes is one of the most iconic WWE wrestlers and belongs to a wrestling dynasty. His father, brother and other family members have been involved in wrestling at one point or another. But what do we know about his early life and family? Let’s take a look at the family life of Cody Rhodes.

Who is Cody Rhodes father?

Before he became “The American Dream,” he was just Virgil Riley Runnels Jr., a Texas-born athlete who was lighting up the football field and baseball diamond. However, once Dusty Rhodes got to pro wrestling, it was game over for him in every locker room he went into. He dominated territories such as the NWA and Jim Crockett Promotions and made headlines in the ’70s and early ’80s with his signature charisma and blue-collar swagger.

By the late 80’s, he broke into WWE and began shaking hands with legends like Ted DiBiase and Randy Savage. The WWE Championship eluded him, but Dusty didn’t need a title shot to prove his toughness. And when his in-ring days were over, he evolved into guiding the next generation in wrestling.

Behind the scenes, he became a master guru, and shaped the next generation – including his own son, Cody Rhodes – into top-tier superstars. Dusty Rhodes gave his final performance in 2015 at the age of 69.

Who is Cody Rhodes mother?

Born on October 6, 1962, in El Paso, Texas, Michelle Rubio is the mother of Cody Rhodes. She was a dancer in the group The Devil’s Angels and performed in various nightclubs before meeting Dusty while working as a gym receptionist.

They married in 1978. Michelle has been widowed since Dusty’s death in 2015. They have three children: Cody Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, and a daughter, Teal Runnels.

How many brothers and sisters does Cody Rhodes have?

Cody has a sister, Teal; a half-brother, Dustin (a wrestler also known as Goldust); and a half-sister, Kristin, who was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. His uncles are wrestlers Jerry Saggs and Fred Ottman.

Yes, Dustin and Cody Rhodes are related. Both of them had worked together during the days of AEW. However, once the latter decided to return to WWE. However, Dustin Rhodes is now seen in AEW Collision and Ring of Honor. Currently, Rhodes is the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion with Marshall Von Erich and Ross Von Erich, and is one half of the World Tag Team Champions with Sammy Guevara.

What is the ethnicity of Cody Rhodes?

He has Cuban roots through his maternal grandfather.

Tottenham Hotspur star Xavi Simmons has found himself in the sights of Raphael van der Vaart, and the former Tottenham midfielder is not impressed.

De Telegraaf reports on Van der Vaart’s comments today. He has been critical of Simmons on Ziggo Sport’s Rondo. And he admitted he expected more from the 22-year-old.

“He disappoints me,” He said.

“I expected too much from him. He wants to show how good he is. It has the opposite effect

“He was a young talent and everyone was talking about him. He’s still playing somewhat the same way.”

“Nothing”

This disappointment is partly due to what came before Tottenham. Simons had established himself as a star man at RB Leipzig, scoring 22 goals and 24 assists in 78 games for the club.

He also impressed on loan at PSV Eindhoven, scoring 22 goals and 11 assists in a total of 48 games for the Dutch side. His record so far at Tottenham is four goals and five assists in 38 games.

Van der Vaart was watching and couldn’t understand how it went so badly at Tottenham.

“His spell at Leipzig was really good. Tottenham is nothing. After PSV, he showed it in the Bundesliga as well,” He added.

Van der Vaart is not the only one to be unsure about Xavi Simmons. Dutch icon Ruud Gullit is also watching. And as a result he is left surrounded by questions.

“He’s very hyped. I still don’t really know how good he can be,” He concluded.

Premier League statistics disappoint

Taking a cold look at the numbers certainly wouldn’t make a happy reading with Xavi Simmons, certainly in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has managed just one goal and four assists in 25 games this season. These are not the kind of figures Tottenham expect from a player who cost €65m in the summer. RB Leipzig certainly don’t regret this deal.

TransferMarket now values ​​him at €50m. This alone shows how much Simmons has struggled this season.

Now Van der Vaart has his sights set on him, and he wants everyone to know he’s not impressed. We’re sure Tottenham fans share this sentiment.

Norway manager Stel Solbakken has refused to elaborate on the details of Manchester City star Erling Haaland’s latest medical visit.

The striker has been Pep Guardiola’s first choice since arriving at the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. He has also been the No. 1 for the national team for many years.

Haaland has continued to impress for Manchester City this season, scoring 30 goals and providing seven assists in 43 appearances.

He’s only missed one game [1-0 win over Leeds United in February] Due to a knock this season.

Haaland’s Premier League statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 29
• Start: 28
• Target: 22
• Assists: 7
• Shots on goal per game: 1.7
• Big chances missed: 24

The 25-year-old was not part of the squad for Norway’s 2-1 friendly defeat to the Netherlands last Friday.

Solbakkan had already confirmed Last Monday it was said that their striker will not play in this match and will join the national team camp only on Saturday. They will be in contention to face Switzerland later today.

Manchester City player travels to Barcelona

Erling Haaland took advantage of last week’s break and traveled to Barcelona, ​​where he met Dr. Ramon Cugat. He has shared a picture with the famous specialist on social media.

Tuesday’s edition of daily newspaper says the frontman appeared happy and smiling during a training session with Norway.

His ‘body felt fine’ and Stel Solbakken has confirmed that he will start but not play the full match against Switzerland.

The newspapers were curious to know from the national team boss why the Manchester City man went to meet Cugat, a renowned knee specialist.

“From the little talk I’ve had with him, everything seems fine, so he’ll give it a try now,” He said.

When asked what kind of ‘injury we’re talking about’, Solbakken explained: “There must be a reason he went to the doctor, and it’s a secret, right?”

Dagbladet reported that Haaland himself did not speak to Norwegian media.

Haaland’s fitness key for Guardiola and City

Manchester City won the EFL Cup by defeating Arsenal in the final and are in the race to win the FA Cup and the league.

They are now second in the table, nine points behind leaders Gunners, with a game in hand.

Pep Guardiola needs Erling Haaland to get Erling Haaland in top shape to improve his team’s chances of winning the FA Cup and Premier League.

🇪🇸 Alejandro Balde | Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa initiate contact

Premier League’s interest in Barcelona player increased
➡️ A mix of left-back needs across the linked clubs https://t.co/agdaiKuXVN #free #mcfc #avfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 26 March 2026

Ohio State linebacker Arvel Reese put on a show during the NFL Scouting Combine. Participating with the edge rushers at the combine in Indianapolis, Reese ran a 4.46 40-yard dash with a 10-yard split of 1.58 seconds. Measuring 6-foot-4 1/8 and 241 pounds were also some of the most impressive measurements for a player at his position.

Reese totaled 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season in Columbus. He is widely expected to be taken in the top five of April’s NFL Draft and could go as high as No. 2 overall to the New York Jets. Reese has taken the college football world by storm this season, as he has seen his draft stock rise.

Now, as he prepares for the draft, let’s take a deeper look at what made Arvel Reese who he is today.

What high school did Arvel Reese go to?

Arvel Reese attended Glenville High School, where he won a state football championship playing for coach Ted Ginn Sr. He was also named a finalist for the 2022 high school Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top high school linebacker.

What college did Arvel Reese go to?

Reese attended The Ohio State University. He is currently majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. His GPA is still not public information.

What is Arvel Reese’s draft projection?

Reese is projected to be a top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

arvel reese college statistics

Reese put together a strong two-year college resume, showing clear development and defensive impact. In the 2025 season, he recorded 69 total tackles, including 34 solo stops and 35 assisted tackles, while adding an impressive 6.5 sacks and two pass deflections.

This is a significant jump from his 2024 campaign, where he recorded 43 total tackles (18 solo, 25 assisted) and 0.5 sacks. In both seasons, Reese did not record any forced fumbles, fumble recoveries or interceptions, but the increase in his pass-rushing production and overall tackle volume in 2025 highlighted his evolution into a more disruptive defensive presence.

Leeds United have a clear opportunity to sign Hidemasa Morita, as the midfielder’s position has now moved much closer to the club’s expectations from last year.

Sporting CP player is on Leeds United’s radar from 2025. At the time, a move was considered but ultimately rejected. The asking price of around €10 million (£8.7 million), coupled with doubts over his fitness, made the deal difficult to justify.

Twelve months later, both of those obstacles have disappeared.

Morita is now approaching the end of his contract and is expected to leave Sporting this summer. That single-handedly changes the financial equation. However, there has also been a massive change in how his position is viewed by both players and the market.

Exit is now considered inevitable

Sporting are already Planning for life without Morita. The club’s midfield is set for major changes next season, with several departures expected and internal solutions being developed.

Morita’s case is the clearest. He has long indicated that he would not renew his contract, and his exit is now considered internally certain. This clarity allows the club to move forward with succession plans rather than attempting to extend his stay.

At the same time, the player’s own priorities have not changed. Moving to the Premier League has been a long-standing ambition of his, dating back to his early career in Japan.

That ambition is now hitting the right contractual moment.

Conditions are now favorable for a move to Leeds United

Hidemasa Morita’s situation looks very different compared to last summer. Financial risk has been removedAnd concerns over his physical condition have subsided during the current season.

This is where Leeds United enter the picture again in a more meaningful way.

The club had already done the groundwork on the player. They were aware of his profile, his role at Sporting and his suitability for English football. What stopped them at first wasn’t a lack of interest, but the structure of the overall deal.

Now, with Morita available on a free transfer and showing greater physical reliability, the same move carries far less risk.

portuguese newspaper to ball Insist that interest from Leeds United remains and a move is looking increasingly likely, with the midfielder pushing to fulfill his long-held ‘dream’ of playing in the Premier League.

An agreement that is now equal for all parties

The situation has developed such that all elements are pointing in the same direction.

Sporting is ready to move on. Morita is determined to take the next step in his career. There is already interest from Leeds and now he faces a much more favorable deal.

There is still time for the window to open and other clubs to emerge. External factors, including international performance ahead of the 2026 World Cup, could also influence the market.

Still, this is no longer the uncertain scenario it used to be. What Leeds United previously rejected now appears to be an opportunity of new size – and one that may be too hard to ignore.

🇪🇸 Largi Ramzani | Leeds United want to bring loanee back

➡️Daniel Farke plans to use him
🦇 Valencia are unlikely to keep him
💵 #LUFC Will sell only for good offers
➡️ Bargaining situation may arisehttps://t.co/8UJHjj71Om #against

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 25 March 2026

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike suffered a neck injury early last season, leading many to wonder if it would threaten his career. Luckily for Baltimore, it appears all hope for a comeback is not lost.

According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, there is now “increasing optimism” within the Ravens organization that Madubuike may be able to return to football.

Head coach Jesse Minter and general manager Eric DeCosta have both been asked about Madubuike this offseason. Each time, top Baltimore officials refused to provide an update.

Madubuike, 28, has started the 2025 NFL season in great form. He earned a 73.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, recording 4 pressures, 3 quarterback hits, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks through two games. He was removed from the second week’s game with a neck injury and was placed on injured reserve a few weeks later, with the team never giving any indication that he would return.

Without the 6-foot-3 defensive tackle, Baltimore’s pass rush suffered. The Ravens finished the regular season with the fifth-lowest pressure rate (19 percent) in the NFL and the fifth-lowest ESPN pass-rush win rate (30 percent).

A possible indication regarding Madubuike’s long-term health could come as early as the 2026 NFL Draft. With the 14th overall pick, Baltimore can take one of the top interior defensive linemen available. If the situation isn’t addressed in the first three rounds, it’s a pretty good sign that Madubuike may have a real chance to play for Baltimore again.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Despite being on the verge of missing out on the playoffs, the New Jersey Devils defeated the surging Dallas Stars 6-4 on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Center.

The Devils did all their damage in the first period, scoring four goals in the first 17 minutes and 19 seconds of the game.

The Stars, who clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs over the weekend, made a serious effort to tie the game throughout, making the score 4–3 in the second period and 5–4 in the third. However, New Jersey was able to hold off the bombing, maintain its lead late, and walk away from Dallas with two points.

Jack Hughes continued his strong form, opening the scoring and adding another score before the end of the first period to extend his point streak to six. He scored five goals and 12 points in that span.

Jasper Bratt and Connor Brown also scored first for the Devils, scoring their 18th and 19th goals of the season respectively. Timo Meier reached the 20-goal mark in the third period, a much-needed insurance goal that later turned out to be decisive.

Dougie Hamilton, who was skating his 900th career NHL game, made a full-ice empty netter to make the score 6–4 in the final minute of the game.

The Stars’ dynamic duo of Wyatt Johnson and Jason Robertson kept Dallas in the game during the first two periods. Johnson scored twice in the first two frames for a total of 40 goals on the year, while Robertson tallied 39 in the second period.

Maverick Bourque scored in the third period to cut the Devils’ lead to one, but the Stars were unable to complete the comeback.

Jake Oettinger got the start for Dallas but was subbed off after 20 minutes. Casey DeSmith pitched in relief and made 15 saves on 16 shots in the second and third periods. Oettinger was credited with the loss, moving to 29–11–6 on the season.

Jake Allen got the nod from Sheldon Keefe on the opposite end, his second consecutive start, following New Jersey’s close 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday. With the win, Allen moved to 13–16–1 on the season.

first period

The game started with the Stars being on the front foot, dictating the pace of the game and having four shots on goal before the Devils fired one.

However, that didn’t stop the Devils from drawing first blood, as Hughes scored his first of the night on a nifty power move with New Jersey’s first shot of the game.

The early lead was eventually extinguished just four minutes later by Johnson, who scored his first of the night with a wide-open shot from between the hashmarks during a brief 4-on-4 period.

However, before the 4-on-4 timeout ended, the Devils regained the lead via another solo try, this time by Bratt at 10:49.

New Jersey continued to advance in the first round, getting more goals from its efficient second line of Bratt–Hughes–Brown. Brown found the net at 7:08 and Hughes missed a chance to score with 2:41 minutes remaining.

All four of New Jersey’s goals came from the same line, and all four came in transition moments.

The Devils led 4–1 after 20 minutes and defeated the Stars 8–6.

second period

DeSmith led the Stars out of the locker room for the second period and took over between the pipes for Glenn Gulutzan.

DeSmith excelled in the second period, stopping all nine shots he faced, helping the Stars get back into the game.

Dallas’ 29.1% effective power play started working early in the frame when Lenny Haminaho was whistled for traveling on Bourque in the opening minute of the second.

It was clear why the Stars have the second-best power play in the league, as Johnson scored his second goal of the game just 11 seconds in on the man-advantage.

To make matters worse for the Devils, as the second period ended, the Stars began to take over the game.

After a long period of possession in the offensive zone, Robertson scored from an acute angle with 7:29 minutes remaining, increasing the Devils’ lead to 4–3.

As DeSmith continued to thwart every puck that came his way, Allen had to be just as strong in the final minutes of the second, despite not facing as much rubber.

The Devils narrowly escaped with a one-goal lead in the second period, a margin that has proven vital to their success throughout the season.

Despite scoring twice and creating some serious chances during the period, the Stars were outscored by the Devils 9–7 in the second and 17–13 in 40 minutes.

third period

Sensing a change in momentum, the Stars came out in full flight to start the third period.

They outscored the Devils 6-0 in the first three minutes of the period and would have found the equalizer if not for some clutch saves from Allen.

Just when it looked like the Stars were going to tie things up, the Devils got a needed insurance goal from Meyer at 13:14, a glove-side snipe from an almost impossible angle. Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer were credited with assists.

The siege continued from the Stars, who pounded Allen with a total of 14 shots in the final frame.

Ultimately, Bourque broke through with a tip-in to tie the game at 5–4 with 6:52 left in regulation. The goal came with another increase in pressure from Dallas’ special teams and came as Hamilton’s penalty expired.

The Stars put more pressure on the Devils, who were barely able to weather the storm.

New Jersey did not actually record a shot for 7:16 straight at the end of the third period. That is, until 1:00 when Hamilton clinched the win with an empty netter from New Jersey’s end of the ice.

The 2025-26 New Jersey Devils may be embarrassingly worse than the sum of their parts and certainly won’t make the playoffs in April, but they’re still perfect when leading after two periods. With the win, they improved their record in that scenario to 22–0–0.

Not only this, but this is New Jersey’s fourth win in the last five games. A rare and welcome form going into the final stages of the season.

Next, they’ll head to Nashville on Thursday for another road game against the potentially postseason-bound Predators.

James Birley is an emerging sports commentator and journalist with extensive experience covering football and hockey. Recently graduated… More about James Birley

Sweden manager Graham Potter says Tottenham Hotspur’s Dejan Kulusevski will visit the national team camp in Spain.

The attacking midfielder missed the last three international breaks with Sweden and is not in the squad for the upcoming fixtures.

That’s because the Tottenham star is on the sidelines until May 2025.

In fact, his last appearance was in Spurs’ league defeat to Crystal Palace at the end of the 2024/25 season.

The 25-year-old suffered a shock and successfully underwent surgery. This caused him to miss the north London club’s Europa League final victory over Manchester United last season.

Initial expectations were that Kulusevski would return in late 2025 but this did not happen. He has yet to recover and has not made a Premier League appearance since the original issue.

witness the game provided a timeline of his recovery process.

• On 1 October, John Dahl Tomasson, who was the national team manager at the time, Spurs attacker explained He is in “a different phase of his rehabilitation”. Later that month, Sweden dismissed him and appointed Potter as his successor.
• Former Chelsea on 20 November the manager pointed out Kulusevski could return “around the New Year.”
• A month later, Potter was confident His players returned for the March international break, but optimism vanished in February. the coach accepted “It will be tough to get back in March.”

Last week, Potter shared negative news about his current situation.

“Dejan is progressing but not as fast as we would like,” He said.

tottenham players in spain

express Report former Juventus man ‘Injury and rehabilitation are a mystery’Without giving any further explanation.

The national team is in Valencia for a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine this weekend. The Spurs man is also in Spain, and Potter has confirmed he will visit his compatriots.

“He is in Spain and I think he will come here with us during the week,” He said.

evening paper Additional quotes have been released from the former West Ham United manager regarding Dejan Kulusevski.

“Dejan is in Spain so I think he will come here and meet us. It will be good to see him. At the stage he is at in his rehabilitation, it is fine for him.” Potter explained.

“For others it is more difficult because they are in the phase of their rehabilitation where it means it is more difficult to be on the pitch. But Dejan will come and it will be fantastic.”

Expressen and Aftonbladet did not clarify why he traveled to Spain in the first place. Chances are he’s trying to train in some warm weather, or at least warmer weather.

Sweden’s team and schedule for March

• World Cup qualifier vs Ukraine, March 27 in Valencia

Graham Potter’s entire team

goalkeeper: Christopher Nordfelt, Melker Aalborg, Noel Törnqvist

defenders: Victor Lindelof, Isak Hien, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Carl Starfelt, Daniel Svensson, Gustaf Lagerbijk, Herman Johansson

midfielder: Mattias Svanberg, Jesper Carlström, Yassine Ayari, Hugo Larsson, Lucas Bergvall, Besfort Zanelli, Gustav Lundgren, Williet Svedberg, Eric Smith, Elliot Stroud

Ahead: Victor Gyökeres, Anthony Elanga, Gustaf Nilsson, Benjamin Nygren, Rooney Bardaghji, Taha Ali

🇵🇹 Exclusive: Maxi Araújo

⏩Tottenham and Chelsea are in contact
➡️ Source gave information @UllalIBT
➡️There is also further Premier League interesthttps://t.co/K17lRpjlUG #thfc #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 22 March 2026

Many different players from different backgrounds have reached NBA stardom over the years, but historically, the best of the best players played in the McDonald’s All-American Game at the end of their high school careers before reaching the top level of basketball. However, the NBA has never before had so much foreign talent dominate the league.

Five of the consensus top six players currently in the NBA came from abroad or were not born in the United States. Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Victor Vembanyama are all European, and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Canadian. In fact some of the greatest American NBA players were not recruited well enough to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, including Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry and Donovan Mitchell. Even Cade Cunningham, an All-American selection, didn’t get a chance to play in the game when it was canceled due to COVID-19.

That means there isn’t the usual All-American turned All-NBA talent at the top of the league, but some of the NBA’s best players have their basketball roots tied to the McDonald’s All-American Game. So, how did the best NBA players who played in the McDonald’s All-American Game actually fare against the best high school basketball players in the country?

Note: All US statistics for McDonald’s found here.

The best American hooper in the world currently is Anthony Edwards. His basketball talent had been evident since his high school days, but he was not his usual dominant self in the McDonald’s All-American Game. That doesn’t mean he was bad. He was actually highly efficient (62.% from the field) on his way to scoring 12 points.

Fans have become used to the Minnesota Timberwolves star lighting up the scoreboard nightly. The 12 points he scored were tied for the eighth most in the 2019 game, and this was despite playing the most minutes (21) of all the participants. A poor performance by his standards did not prevent Edwards from becoming the number one overall pick. He put up big numbers at Georgia and is still getting better year after year.

LeBron James was the most hyped prospect in NBA history. He went straight into the league as the number one player after his high school career at St. Vincent-St. Mary. So, it should be no surprise that the kid from Akron made it to the McDonald’s All-American Game. In fact, his performance at the 2003 event was rated the best performance in the history of the sport.

Already labeled the pick, James filled up the stat sheet with 27 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals. That point total is tied for the seventh-best mark in the history of the game, and the six steals are tied for third-most all-time. James has long been an extremely versatile player who can do everything on the basketball court, which is why he is one of two McDonald’s All-American Game MVPs on this list.

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

With his running mate Jayson Tatum sidelined for almost all of this season, Jaylen Brown has a chance to remind fans what he can do as the top option. He was one of the top players in high school and was arguably the top scoring threat in the country during his high school days. Brown was the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Georgia.

However, Brown did not necessarily perform well in the 2015 McDonald’s All-American Game. He had only nine points in that contest. However, he added six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals, proving that he is a versatile player. The Browns’ defense really got Cal fans excited in this game. Brown thrives at the point of attack and can help on defense, and his steal/block totals showed that.

Another 2025 McDonald’s All-American named Jalen Brunson performed even better than Brown in the All-Star Showcase, at least in the scoring department. The Villanova-bound guard had only six points. He proved he can impact the game in other areas, even in sports where basketball isn’t a downer.

Brunson, just 6 feet 2 inches tall, had seven rebounds. He also added four assists. Brunson is a courageous player who dominates the field and plays bigger than himself. This became clear in 2015 itself.

Kevin Durant is also responsible for one of McDonald’s greatest All-American performances ever. Playing in the game in 2006, Durant had 25 points, five rebounds and four assists, resulting in co-MVP honors with Chase Budinger. Budinger only had 11 points, so it was controversial whether the MVP was split.

Still, this was just an example of Durant beating out the only recruit ranked higher than him, Greg Oden. Oden also went on to become the number one ranked player, although Durant was the first freshman to win Naismith Player of the Year honors. Oden became one of the greatest NBA draft picks of all time, while Durant still stands as one of the best players in NBA history.

Devin Booker was excelling on the basketball court at a young age. This was perhaps most evident when he became the youngest player to score more than 60 points in an NBA game. He scored 70 runs for Phoenix Suns at the age of just 20. Even before this, Booker had played in the McDonald’s All-American Game.

However, his scoring in that game was a far cry from what fans saw in his iconic 70-point performance. In the 2014 All-American Game, Booker had only eight points. He couldn’t find his stroke, as he only made 37.5% of his shots. Unfortunately, Booker didn’t do anything else. The only other statistic he recorded was a single assist.

James Harden has become one of the greatest scorers and greatest facilitators in NBA history. The guard who was recently traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers is ninth on the all-time scoring list with 29,160 points. The 36.1 points per game he scored in 2018–19 are the most in a season for any player not named Wilt Chamberlain or Michael Jordan. In recent years, Harden has also developed his game to become a multi-time assist leader.

He did not necessarily showcase his offensive talents in the 2007 McDonald’s All-American Game. With only eight points, 19 players scored as many or more points than him. He made only one assist in total.

Bam Adebayo just scored 83 points, the second most ever in a single game. The Miami Heat center was far from the first player fans would have anticipated such a scoring explosion, but his ability to put the ball in the basket has long been underestimated. Adebayo can put the ball on the floor and create rebounds. He also has an ever-improving jump shot.

Adebayo’s scoring was underestimated since the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game. He scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Josh and Frank Jackson took co-MVP honors, but Adebayo’s performance was commendable.

Tyrese Maxey had a solid game in the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game. He made half of his field goal attempts for a total of 13 points in just 19 minutes. This was better than his draft classmate Anthony Edwards, who ultimately went first overall in the NBA Draft.

The success of the Maxi comes as little surprise. After all, he was a Kentucky recruit, and John Calipari did nothing but get the best at the guard position at the time. Now, Maxi has become one of the best scorers in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Karl-Anthony-Towns, New York Knicks

The 2014 NCAA recruiting class was loaded with centers. Jahlil Okafor and Myles Turner were the top two big men in the class. Ultimately, Karl-Anthony Towns would prove to be the best pivot man from his class, as he became the number one pick and established himself as the best 3-point shooting center in NBA history.

Although he was highly recruited, he was not the top big man upon high school graduation, and his McDonald’s All-American performance did not do him much good. Towns had just six points in 19 minutes in that game.

The Montreal Canadiens host the New York Islanders on Saturday night, with both teams looking to improve their standing in a tightly contested playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

The Habs were powered by their first line, a recurring theme during the last few seasons. Against the Islanders, the trio scored four goals, leading to a decisive 7–3 victory.

With the win, Montreal’s playoff chances increased to 84 percent, which is a pretty healthy stat all things considered.

Let’s look at the highlights!

power in sports

The Canadiens broke the ice by scoring on the power play, an encouraging sign as they haven’t taken advantage of all their man advantage opportunities in recent games.

It was Juraj Slafkowski who scored, which should be no shock as he leads all Canadian players in power play goals this year, and by a good margin too. Slafkowski has scored 14 times on the power play, while Nick Suzuki is the only other Habs player to reach double-digit goals (10) with the man advantage.

Slough gets a point for the sixth consecutive game!

Six-game heater for Slafkowski!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/qbaRWRhuT0

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 21 March 2026

Secondary scoring in sports

The Islanders scored the next two goals, including a goal from former hub Emil Heinemann, his 20th goal of the year.

In response, Alex Newhook hit an excellent one-timer to tie the game with assists from Caden Guhle and Oliver Kapanen. It was Newhook’s 10th goal of the year, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Alex Newhook’s 10th of the season? Here it is!

Alex Newhook’s 10th of the season? coming right up!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Jf0aEUG0EQ

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 22 March 2026

mr saturday night

The Canadiens are always looking for secondary scoring, this is because they do most of their damage from the first line. For example, Cole Caufield, Mr. Saturday Night himself, gave the Habs a delicate one-goal lead heading into the second intermission. His 41st goal of the year was not a thunderous shot or a spectacular deke, but a smart shot from the forward, who evolved from a one-trick pony into a multi-scoring threat every time he was in the offensive zone.

What comes after 40? 41!!

What’s after 40? 41!! #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/nV4xHp9i9K

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 22 March 2026

big one is coming

With a power play goal early in the third period, the Islanders proceeded to tie the game again. The good news for the Habs is that they responded perfectly to adversity, starting with Caden Guhle’s second goal of the year to take a one-goal lead.

A ball of guhle! 💥

Guhle explodes!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/EDNUxLEiz6

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 22 March 2026

If you haven’t caught a single game in the last two years, what happened next is shocking. As per tradition, the first line attacked, as Slafkovsky scored his second goal of the game to give the Habs a 5–3 lead.

Appropriately, it was facilitated by the usual suspects, Suzuki and Caufield. Montreal’s trio continues to provide ample evidence to suggest they are one of the best lines in the NHL.

One goal of slaff is good, but two is better

One slap goal is good, but two is better#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/sF9Xt20KXA

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 22 March 2026

Sometimes a theme comes together perfectly.

On Saturday night, the dominance of the first line came to the fore on several occasions, including Caufield’s second goal of the game, giving the Canadiens a three-goal lead midway through the third period. Oh, and it was also Caufield’s 42nd goal of the season.

And that’s why we nicknamed him Mister on Saturday Evening

Anand, that’s why we call him Mr. Saturday Night#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ybzkoO6bKE

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 22 March 2026

To cap the night, Caufield recorded his third career hat trick to put the game out of reach. This was especially satisfying for the Habs, as the Islanders suddenly found their courage when they were down by three goals and had an extra skater on the ice.

Mathew Barzal, in particular, made a fool of himself trying to link up with Suzuki.

But in the end, it didn’t matter, as the Canadiens outshot the Islanders by a wide margin.

Third hat trick for Cole Caufield! pic.twitter.com/4SulrwCkz2

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) 22 March 2026

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Tuesday hosting the Carolina Hurricanes at the Bell Centre, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic will travel to England for talks with Manchester City over the Josko Guardiol situation.

On 4 January, the defender started in Manchester City’s 1–1 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League. He left the field after 51 minutes due to injury.

After this the Manchester City player underwent surgery and has been out of action since then.

At the time, there were concerns over the Croatia international’s availability for the World Cup. He made his senior debut in 2021 and has been a regular for the national team since then.

The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the key men in Dalic’s squad and his absence for the World Cup would be a blow for Croatia.

Last month, Croatia Head of Medical Services, Tomislav Vlahovic hinted Guardiol will be ready for the summer FIFA tournament.

Earlier this month, Sport Witness Covered Claims Manchester City are pleased with his recovery so far.

Need answers from Guardiola and company.

Croatia will face Colombia and Brazil during the upcoming international break. On Friday Dalic announced his squad for two friendlies and then spoke at a press conference. net.hour Has released his comments.

The national team boss was specifically asked about the Manchester City player’s chances of making the World Cup.

Dalic confirmed his visit to Manchester after the March international break to hold talks with Pep Guardiola and the Etihad club.

“After this tour, we will go to Manchester to talk to the coach to investigate the situation.” He said.

“Josko is very important for us, there is no doubt about that position, his energy and power. We will go to Manchester and try to get answers from the coach about what the plan is.

“We can’t let it affect us and we don’t want to do that. I believe he will be fine, no matter what position he comes in, it will be important for us. If he doesn’t play anything at the club until then, we will have two friendly matches to prepare him. I hope and believe he will be fine.”

Josko Guardiol statistics, contract and value

The centre-back, who can also operate as a left-back, has played 1,796 minutes in 23 matches for Manchester City this season.

His contract is until 2028, and transfer market He was valued at €70m, and had a high of €80m in October 2023.

Sandro Tonali could be at the center of a major Premier League transfer battle, with his agent hinting that both Arsenal and Manchester City could make moves for the Newcastle United midfielder after the World Cup.

Talking football and financeGiuseppe Risso revealed that the long-term plan has always been to push Sandro Tonali into the elite level of football.

“It’s true, the aim from the moment he went to England was to make him a great footballer. I think he is one of the highest-rated Italian footballers in the world.”

Arsenal and Manchester City circle as Tonali’s value rises

Tonali’s performances at Newcastle have already placed him among the Premier League’s most valuable midfielders.

Teatransfermarkt currently values ​​Tonali at €80mDue to which he became one of the most expensive midfielders of the Premier League. Declan Rice tops the chart with €120m.

Reports in England have already linked Arsenal with a possible move for the Italy international. Riso then responded to those rumors, He insisted that there have been no talks with the Gunners yet.

Now he has been asked about Manchester City also being in the mix. According to Risso, a strong World Cup could sharply increase the interest of both Arsenal and Manchester City.

“I don’t know, but it’s very likely,” he admitted.

“Everyone is waiting for the World Cup, then thousands of situations arise, but it all starts after the World Cup.”

World Cup set to light up the transfer market

Risso expects a turbulent market, with major Italian clubs preparing for significant reconstruction and negotiations behind the scenes already taking shape.

“It will be a very intense season, as many teams will have to renew themselves,” he said.

“In a World Cup year, the markets really start taking off when the tournament ends. Obviously, a lot of the conversations start setting them up right now.”

Will Newcastle cash in on Tonali?

The growing interest has left Newcastle in a delicate position, balancing between Tonali’s rising market value and their ambitions to remain competitive at the top of the Premier League.

Tonali remains a central figure under Eddie Howe, and Newcastle United are naturally reluctant to consider any sale.

His current deal also runs until 2029, so there’s no pressing need on that front. That deal also includes the option of a further year, which would further strengthen the Magpies’ hand.

This doesn’t mean Tonali won’t leave, but it does put Newcastle in a much stronger position financially if the midfielder were to move on. Reports indicate that this is the case, and now his agent has further opened the door to the idea.

The Montreal Canadiens were in Ottawa on Wednesday night, facing a Senators team looking to make the Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Moments before puck drop it was announced that Cole Caufield would be forced to leave the game due to the flu. Caufield was used sparingly in the third period of Tuesday night’s win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As a result, Alex Texier returned to the first line, playing alongside Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkowski.

It should also be noted that rookie Jacob Fowler was given the start by the Canadiens, and he was a big part of the youth movement that led to the 3-2 win. Fowler stopped 29 of 31 shots sent his way to ensure the victory.

Let’s look at the highlights!

strong start

The Canadiens started the game on the right foot, culminating with Juraj Slafkowski’s 24th goal of the year just one minute into the first period.

It was Slafkowski’s 164th career point, the most by a Canadiens player before turning 22 in franchise history. Some may suggest that this is an easy feat since you started playing in the NHL at the age of 18, but it is quite a difficult thing to quickly learn while playing in the best hockey league on earth.

Talking about young players, rookie Ivan Demidov recorded his 50th point of the season in this sequence.

Juraj Slafkowski worked ahead of time! 🚨 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/zCTJpkYJYR

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) 11 March 2026

senators respond

Josh Anderson plays a rough-and-tumble style of hockey that is guaranteed to come with a certain amount of time spent in the sin bin, but he has made a habit of taking penalties at bad times this season, and to make matters worse, they are almost always the epitome of unnecessary ones.

There’s no doubt that the lack of consistency in umpiring makes life more difficult for a player like Andersen, but the Canadiens can’t afford to be among the most penalized teams in the league, and the fact that Andersen is a repeat offender can’t be ignored.

With that in mind, the Senators tied the game late in the first period while Anderson was in the box for roughing. This proved to be a turning point when it came to Montreal’s ability to control the flow of the game.

I immediately knew it was a good goal 🤷‍♂️#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/bZs4BtEdjl

– Ottawa Senators (@Senators) 12 March 2026

Habs fans will be quick to tell you that Tim Stützle takes dives more often than a duckling learning to hunt, but he’s a very good hockey player, and he absolutely loves playing against Montreal.

He’s also highly efficient, and doesn’t need any help from his opponents to score, but the Canadiens still gave him a hand on Wednesday with minimal defensive coverage and incredibly soft clearing attempts.

To Alexander Carrier’s credit, despite the fumble before Ottawa’s goal, it must be said that the Habs forward blitzed the zone rather than supporting his defencemen, or offering good outlet options.

Tim Stützle can’t stop, and won’t stop 🔥#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/h0zPnPgY7G

– Ottawa Senators (@Senators) 12 March 2026

Crowded Threesome

It would be hard for you to argue that Saint-Louis has made a lot of bad decisions this year, but their lack of enthusiasm for Texier is a bit odd, especially since there are several players in the lineup who don’t perform as well offensively as the Frenchman.

Texier has done everything possible to earn his ice time, including some much-needed offense while dealing with a complete lack of consistency from a usage standpoint.

On that note, Texier tied the game for the Canadiens with a very strong individual effort late in the second period.

Alex Texier has 8 goals and 11 assists in 32 games #GoHabsGoWhile he averages less than 13 minutes per game when he is not a healthy scratch. pic.twitter.com/1Cvrf5Zu2U

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 12 March 2026

cardiac children

With the game tied 2-2, the Habs displayed great speed in transition, which was the biggest advantage of having a smooth skater like Alex Newhook in the lineup.

By scoring the go-ahead goal, Demidov tied Anaheim Ducks forward Beckett Seneca for the most points by a rookie this season with 51 points.

This marked the 13th consecutive game in which the Canadiens scored at least three goals.

Great speed in transition gave Ivan Demidov his 51st point of the season.#GoHabsGo Are ahead 3-2. pic.twitter.com/VTJ1f5oK5D

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 12 March 2026

The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Saturday facing the San Jose Sharks at the Bell Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

Galatasaray star Baris Alper Yilmaz will be fit for the second leg against Liverpool, despite picking up an injury in Tuesday evening’s 1-0 win.

This is according to Now Spor commentator Veli Yigit via Haber Sari Kirmizi. He told that he spoke to the 25-year-old player after the game.

Galatasaray beat Liverpool 1-0 yesterday in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie. Mario Lemina’s early goal separated the two sides.

Yilmaz started the game and played a key role in the victory. He was a constant threat to the team on the right wing before being substituted in the 93rd minute. His pace was a major issue for Liverpool’s defence, leading to yellow cards for Milos Kerkez and Virgil van Dijk.

impressive performance

He was also part of the controversy that saw Victor Osimhen’s goal ruled out, with VAR ruling that he was offside in the build-up.

It was a struggling performance throughout, evidenced by the knee injury he suffered during the game. Galatasaray showed off his battle wounds in a post with the hashtag #NeverGiveUp after the game.

He received treatment on the field for that injury but continued playing afterwards. Initially this caused some concern, but Veli Yigit says there is no need to worry.

Yilmaz! #never give up 💛❤️ pic.twitter.com/EkqU20qivJ

— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) 11 March 2026

Player’s message regarding fitness

“I talked to Baris Alpar. He’s not hurt.” Veli Yigit said.

Yilmaz’s fitness for the second leg will certainly give Galatasaray a boost as they look to pick up a big win at Anfield.

Liverpool’s performance in the first meeting will undoubtedly give them hope. It has already been made clear that the Turkish side ‘buried’ Arne Slott’s team in that game.

In fact, the feeling is that a win at Anfield will only increase Liverpool’s complaints. It has also been suggested that The Reds may send a letter to UEFA If they also lose the second leg. We are sure Yilmaz would love to be a part of this event.

Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes missed the club’s UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona on Tuesday due to injury. His teammate Lewis Hall has already made it clear how much the Brazilian will be missed.

Before the first phase meeting at St James’ Park, Hall spoke tnt sports brazil. The defender was asked about Guimaraes’ importance to Newcastle, especially in moments when the midfielder cannot play.

Timing of the interview matters. Hall’s comments came before the match, with Newcastle already preparing to face Barcelona without their captain.

The game ended in a 1–1 draw. Harvey Barnes put Newcastle ahead in the 85th minute, but Lamine Yamal equalized in stoppage time to seal the Champions League last-16 tie.

What did Lewis Hall say about Bruno Guimaraes?

Hall described Guimaraes as one of the most influential figures in the team and praised both his quality and personality inside the dressing room.

“Bruno is not only an incredible player, but also an incredible person,” He said.

The defender also highlighted the Brazilian’s relationship with the club since his arrival in January 2022, at a time when Newcastle United were still rebuilding.

“I think you can see in his performances and his passion, how much he loves this club.” Hall explained.

Hall also noted how Guimaraes developed into a leadership role at St James’ Park and eventually became captain.

“When he signed, the club was in a difficult situation. And now to have him as our captain and a big player for us is obviously a credit to him.”

Newcastle United missed him against Barcelona

During the interview, Hall openly admitted that Newcastle United were anticipating a difficult night without the midfielder.

“He’s a magical player. He does a lot of things in the game that a lot of people can’t do,” Hall said.

He also made it clear that the team expects Guimaraes to return soon.

“We will miss him terribly, but hopefully he will make a quick recovery and be back as soon as possible.”

The comments were made before kick-off against Barcelona. Afterwards, the match itself served as a reminder of how important Guimaraes is to Newcastle United as they prepare for the decisive second leg.

Eddie Howe will not be disappointed with his team’s performance, although Barcelona’s equalizer was a low blow given how late it came and how it happened.

Newcastle United are still in Champions League contention and will be hoping to keep it strong early on at the Camp Nou. The boost in Barcelona will help the Magpies. Then the goal will be to take advantage of that.

During this time, bruno guimares He is spending some time in Brazil as he fights to make a comeback. The midfielder wants to push back his return date to help his club as the World Cup is around the corner.

🇧🇷Bruno Guimaraes | Now working with Botafogo

📅 Newcastle United midfielder is trying to make a quick comeback
➡️ Working hard on recovery in Brazil
➡️Meeting with Carlo Ancelottihttps://t.co/L5dYG6Ghyr #nufc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 25 February 2026

When AEW alumnus Danhausen made his WWE debut at Elimination Chamber, he was warmly welcomed by the fans in Chicago. This was probably due to hopes for someone else in the mystery box opened at the event. However, the Very Good, Very Bad character has quickly gained his fan following after entertaining performances on WWE Raw and SmackDown last week.

Proof of that came Monday when he got a standing ovation from the crowd as he handed out T-shirts during a commercial break in Seattle. Seeing who he faces next is now a fun element of the upcoming editions of Raw and SmackDown. With that in mind, we take a look at seven stars we can’t wait to see the next time Danhausen meets them.

Roman Reigns

Multiple-time WWE Champion Roman Reigns is at the top of the WWE food chain. He is a serious character who does not want to see his time wasted. That’s why the encounter with Danhausen could be comedy gold. What does he think of the little man with face paint, and vice versa?

Reigns showed during the Bloodline saga that he can take comedic moments and entertain. If he and Danhausen were put on camera together they would be better than many expected.

‘stone Cold Steve Austin

WWE icon “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is known for his intensity. However, both as a heel and during his retirement years, he has been a part of many fun moments. Putting him in the ring with Danhausen could prove to be another stunner for the WWE rookie.

This meeting is actually a real possibility next week, with rumors circulating that Austin could be on Raw for the March 16 or 3:16 episode

entrepreneur

There is no character more deep, thoughtful and serious than the Undertaker. However, in retirement, he has taken a lighter approach and brought back his American Bad A** persona. This means he has a much better chance of appearing on screen with Danhausen.

Additionally, ‘Taker is now the person informing the Giants that he is going to the Hall of Fame, and Danhausen has included in one of his demands to sign with Raw or SmackDown, an encounter with “The Deadman” is a must.

joe henry

Denhausen is a very good, very bad, and very supernatural character. WWE fans have learned that once he puts a curse on you, it immediately disappears. But what if there was a character who could surprise her while still being too nice to abuse? Enter NXT Champion Joe Hendry.

Danhausen called out Hendry’s name and was surprised when the champion appeared out of nowhere, creating a viral moment that would make millions of fans laugh.

paul heyman

Paul Heyman is one of the best speakers in the industry. Apart from losing to a top star, nothing bothers him. However, how will he handle the meeting with Danhausen? And what is Danhausen’s opinion of the lawyer, the wise man, the oracle? It’s a strange and unexpected moment that WWE fans should enjoy.

jacob fatu

Jacob Fatu is one of the best performers on the WWE roster at the moment. Rarely does he not scream and writhe here and there. But could he maintain the same level of intensity against Danhausen? And if he does, how does the new addition to the WWE roster react? Either way, the interactions between them can be quite hilarious.

trick williams

Trick Williams is, arguably, the most cocky and confident performer in WWE today. That’s why the encounter with Danhausen must happen. No two characters are so opposite. Plus, WWE fans need to know what Danhausen thinks about Williams’ coat and of course his Lemon Peppa Steps.

Just imagine Danhausen wanting them and threatening to curse them if they didn’t get them?

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

Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez has received support from Liverpool’s Alexis McAllister and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez as he works on his recovery.

The Argentina international defender speaks to D Sports. TYC Sports The Liverpool star and Aston Villa goalkeeper commented on the effort.

Lisandro has suffered two serious setbacks since joining Manchester United from Ajax in July 2022.

He last played in February 2025 as the 28-year-old suffered a torn cruciate ligament. He had surgery and was sidelined for 10 months.

The centre-back recently said he was considering ending his playing career after suffering his last serious setback.

Liverpool and Aston Villa stars support

Lisandro has played alongside the Liverpool midfielder and Aston Villa star for the national team for several years. All three were part of La Albiceleste’s World Cup-winning squad in 2022.

The Manchester United player has now revealed the ‘tremendous gestures’ from McAllister and Emiliano during his toughest period.

The Liverpool man and Aston Villa stopper met him unannounced, which meant a lot to Lisandro.

“It was one of the most difficult situations. I needed everyone’s help; without them, it would not have been easy. You have to start from scratch again,” He said.

“return [Emiliano] And Mac Allister coming to my house to support me, it shows how we are in the national team, how we take care of each other.

“Deebu sent me a message. He said, ‘I’m coming to your house.’ And when he arrived he said, ‘Look, Mac Allister is coming too.’ ‘Oh okay, you handle it,’ I told her. It was a really nice moment.”

Lisandro’s importance to Manchester United

The South American regained full fitness in November and featured regularly for the Red Devils before suffering another setback in February. He played 14 matches in the Premier League and Manchester United remained unbeaten in all those matches.

Lisandro has missed the club’s last three matches at Old Trafford, including the defeat to Newcastle United. sports witness recently broadcast news His shock is not serious and he should not spend much time on the sidelines.

Results and performances both with and without the Argentine demonstrate his importance to Manchester United.

After several weeks of rumors, Max Crosby’s memorable tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders has officially ended. On Friday night, it was revealed that the Baltimore Ravens had won the sweepstakes for the five-time Pro Bowler and were sending their first-round pick to Las Vegas next month (14th overall) and their first in 2027.

According to Over the Cap, not only do the Raiders now have 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they have moved up to No. 1 in cap space with $121.7 million. Las Vegas has a lot of holes to fill this offseason, but now they have the means to do so and add some big-name talent to the roster for new head coach Clint Kubiak.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at 10 impact players the Las Vegas Raiders could target on the free agent and trade block soon.

trey hendrickson

While the Raiders got a great return in the deal for Crosby, they still lost one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. They need to fill that void if they hope to have any chance of being competitive in 2026. Since they have the most cap space in the league, Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson should be an option.

There is certainly risk in the deal since he is three years older than Crosby. However, if he’s willing to sign a shorter deal (three years) for a higher annual average, it would make sense because they would absolutely replace Crosby, but they also have two first-rounders that they didn’t have a week ago.

mike evans

With the Raiders expected to select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in April and start him in Week 1, the rookie will need some meaningful weapons to get used to. One of the best targets available in free agency this offseason is Tampa Bay Buccaneers great Mike Evans.

While the 32-year-old is showing clear signs of age-related decline, he is a year removed from consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl. Acquiring a reliable veteran target is essential for Las Vegas this offseason.

tyler linderbaum

The Raiders offensive line has been a mess for years. After taking Mendoza with the No. 1 pick, it’s very possible to use the extra pick at 14 on an offensive lineman. But that shouldn’t be where the team’s line rebuild ends.

Three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum is the best available on the free agent market this offseason and he needs to be a top target for the team. Making Mendoza a strong leader on the O-line is another important element that will help this rookie make a big impact in his first season.

Alvin Kamara

The Raiders will hope that 2025 first-rounder Ashton Jeanty has a better sophomore season for the team. However, pairing him with a good experienced player next season wouldn’t be a bad idea. That’s why New Orleans Saints great Alvin Kamara may be on Las Vegas’ radar.

Is he the player who went to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons? No. But he’s still a difference maker, especially with his pass catching skills. He’s in the final year of his contract, Mendoza needs more weapons, and the Kamara-Ginty combo could be very bad for a year.

Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts star Alec Pierce has quietly developed into a very good receiver in his first four seasons in the league. In 2025, he posted 1,003 yards, six touchdowns and an absurd 21.3 yards per catch average on just 47 receptions. At just 25 years old, he could be the hidden gem of this year’s free agent market.

The Raiders may have to overpay to get him, but Pierce has serious upside, and he could form a great combo with Mendoza for the next five years.

jaylen waddle

The Miami Dolphins have been in sell-off mode for the past few weeks. While there is talk that they would like to keep Jaylen Waddle, the Raiders should consider inquiring about a trade. Giving up one of the first rounders they got in the Crosby trade would be a big buck, but it’s a return Miami will definitely consider.

Although he hasn’t been a Pro Bowler, he has three 1,000+ yard seasons on his resume, he’s only 27 years old, and is locked in at a fair amount of money until 2028. Waddle will be needed for legitimate WR1 Mendoza.

trent williams

San Francisco 49ers veteran Trent Williams and the team have reached a standoff over his 2026 contract. They want him to take a pay cut, and he has no interest despite going to the Pro Bowl 12 times for the franchise. Release or trade is possible.

At 37 years old, he doesn’t have many miles left on his tires. But even after becoming a Pro Bowler again in 2025, he still has a lot of work left to do. Getting Mendoza an elite offensive tackle, even if just for a year or two, would be a huge benefit to the young man’s development.

alonte taylor

Another player who should be on the Raiders’ radar is former Saints second-round pick Alonte Taylor. The 27-year-old was a starter the past three seasons and showed his versatility covering both outside and slot receivers. He should come at a reasonable rate and is at his peak. Getting better in the secondary, especially if they can’t adequately fill the Crosby void, is a need for Las Vegas this offseason.

Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., a first-round pick, has disappointed in his first two seasons in the league after being the fourth overall selection in the 2024 draft. This may simply be a system of how messed up the Cards’ offense was at that time. Still, the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder still has a lot of untapped potential.

With Arizona trying to turn things around, they may be willing to move Harrison Jr. for a second and third rounder in 2026 and beyond. Although that price would be risky, he is still under contract for two more years at a reasonable rate. If offensive coordinator Andrew Zanocco can utilize his potential, he could be a steal.

tyreek hill

Another interesting option for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason is eight-time Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill. There is no doubt that the future Hall of Famer can make a big impact for the team in 2026. But he’s coming off a torn ACL, so it’s unclear how much the injury will diminish his elite athletic ability. Especially at the age of 32. However, this means he could come in at a reasonable rate and would be worth a short-term deal.

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

The appearance of Sandro Tonali’s agent ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion has raised fresh questions about his future at Newcastle United.

According to Tuttosport, Relayed by Sport Mediaset. The Italian outlet covered the Newcastle star today and revealed how he could be set for a move to Arsenal or Manchester United.

The newspaper reports that ‘signs from England’ speak clearly about the Newcastle midfielder. He is a long-term target for Juventus but, their hopes of getting him seem low.

That’s because his agent was recently in the stands at the Amex for Brighton vs Arsenal. This went unnoticed in Italy. The 25-year-old player is the ‘object of desire’ of the world’s top clubs.

Arsenal and Manchester United advance

While Juventus dream of bringing him back to Serie A, the path seems clear for the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.

According to their information, Arsenal are ready to make a fresh attempt following their February bid. Meanwhile, Manchester United see the midfielder as the ideal successor to Casemiro. The Brazilian is set to depart in the summer at the end of his contract.

Newcastle, for their part, are ‘putting up the front’. The Magpies want €100 million for their star man. But the pressure from big clubs is ‘extreme’ and increasing.

The positive for them is that Tonali’s current contract runs until 2029, so there is no immediate pressure to sell. Eddie Howe’s side also have the option to start another year on him and extend it until 2030.

Newcastle United’s contract until 2029

However, the rumors about Arsenal and Manchester United are not stopping. A report from Italy yesterday Reiterating that both sides were keen on the Newcastle star.

That report included Juventus’ efforts and competition from ‘Arsenal to Manchester United’.

Earlier a report said that Old Trafford officials Had already been contacted about a move this summer. It also presented the midfielder as a replacement for Casemiro.

Now his agent’s presence at Arsenal’s win over Brighton has further fueled the rumours. If he turns up for the Manchester United game before the summer, it would be another clear sign for the likes of Juventus.

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.

Vince Carter understands the challenges that come with being the face of Canadian basketball. The Toronto Raptors will never leave hockey behind and are often out of the spotlight within the NBA landscape, so it takes a certain type of player to lead the franchise. The 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee believes Scotty Barnes is occupying that role brilliantly this season.

Although Brandon Ingram is the team’s top scorer, the No. 4 is still widely considered the cornerstone of the Raptors. Carter praised his ability to remain impressive while also adjusting to fellow game-changers.

“I want to give Scottie his flowers,” he told reporters in Toronto before Tuesday night’s showdown with the New York Knicks, according to TSN’s Josh Levenberg. “This was his team for a long time. He was willing to make sacrifices for the good of BI coming in and his own survival. And look what he did. He still became an All-Star. He also brought another All-Star with him… So, it’s just a sacrifice for the good of the team. Yes, the numbers went down, but the accolades are coming your way now.”

T-Mac thinks the Raptors can win a playoff series and shows some love for VC Barnes. “I want to give Scotty his flowers.” pic.twitter.com/n8Yw0kiue

-Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) 4 March 2026

Barnes has yet to ascend to true superstardom, with his 29.1 shooting percentage from 3-point range serving as a hindrance in such a situation, but he’s still an undeniable difference-maker on one of the breakout teams this season. The 24-year-old forward is averaging 19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals while shooting a career-high 50.1 percent from the field. He’s also a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, having proven himself to be a two-way force in the Great White North.

Scottie Barnes now has to figure out how he can lead the Raptors (35-25) into the next stage of their development. The team is currently two games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Toronto will have a steep hill to climb if it draws the Cavs, Knicks or Boston Celtics in the early rounds of the playoffs (the latter is unlikely to face the first-place Detroit Pistons), but this group could still be dangerous.

The former No. 4 overall draft pick is filling the Raptors with needed intensity. If he can continue to step up and lead, Toronto will have a tough competition in the 2026 postseason. Vince Carter will be watching closely.

Mexico legend Hugo Sanchez insists he invented the technique that Fulham striker Raul Jimenez has adopted to take penalties.

ESPN covered the veteran striker’s comments today. It seems he wants some recognition for the Fulham striker’s current success.

The Mexican striker currently holds the record for taking the most penalties in Premier League history with a 100% conversion rate. He has scored in all 13 of his attempts so far.

This makes the 34-year-old the only player in the history of the league to pick and replace so many players. The previous record was held by Yaya Toure, who managed 11.

fulham penalty statistics

Jimenez’s career record is even more impressive. He has missed only two penalties from approximately 45 attempts in his entire professional career. This is a conversion rate of over 95.5%. Those misses occurred for Wolves vs. Mexico in 2018 and Sevilla in 2020.

Six of his penalties have come for Fulham, the latest coming in a 3-1 win over Sunderland last weekend.

His success from chances comes from his ‘goalkeeper dependent’ technique. The technique forces the goalkeeper to make the first move, often allowing the goalkeeper to put the ball into an empty net.

Although this technique has no English name, Portuguese-speaking regions call it paradinha. It translates as “little halt”.

Why is this seen as a smart trick?

This cleverly circumvents FIFA rules that prevent full stops at the end of the run-up. This style is a legal variation because his faints and stutters occur during the run-up rather than at the point of contact.

However, it seems that Mexico legend Hugo Sanchez wants some recognition for this technology. Many consider him one of the greatest penalty takers in football history, with a career conversion rate of 94%.

“I invented the ‘Paradinha’ penalty kick technique,” He said on Futbol Picante.

“I’m glad that it is being used in many parts of the world, and that Raul is becoming an expert.

“Raul is making headlines; he has scored 13 penalties in a row without missing, but be careful of Raul, because if he keeps this streak of penalties going he will score.”

Washington Capitals stars Tom Wilson, Logan Thompson and Martin Fehrvary will all have a chance to win a medal. It came after both Canada and Slovakia won their Olympic quarterfinal matches on Wednesday.

Canada’s game was absolutely thrilling, as they defeated Czechia 4–3 in overtime. The Canadiens trailed 3–2 until Nick Suzuki equalized, and Mitch Marner scored the OT game-winner.

Wilson received two penalty minutes in the win and currently has three points in four games, along with multiple hits. Thompson was the backup goaltender behind Jordan Binnington, allowing three goals. The 28-year-old Capitals netminder has started one game for Canada, coming away with a win and a .960 save percentage.

Meanwhile, Fehrváry recorded his first Olympic point (an assist) in Slovakia’s 6–2 win over Germany. The 26-year-old defenseman recorded a secondary assist on the team’s first goal, scored by Pavol Regenda.

Fehrváry led Slovakia in ice time on Wednesday with 22:01. He is the country’s leader in TOI as part of the top shutout pair so far through the tournament.

For now, Canada and Slovakia will wait to see who they play in the semi-finals. The last two quarterfinal matches of the day are Finland-Switzerland and USA-Sweden.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman

The Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey may not have returned with a good performance at the All-Star 3-Point Contest. However, the rest of the weekend was as ideal as could be, with Maxi’s Team Stars emerging as the winners of the tournament.

And well, the player had a very simple reason for his team’s victory.

“We won because we’re young and turned!” According to a post on X by ClutchPoints, he hilariously explained.

Tyrese Maxey explains why Team Stars won the All-Star Game 😅

“We won because we’re young and turned!”

pic.twitter.com/zwDc4xg2zQ

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 16 February 2026

Team Stars won the round-robin tournament, defeating Team World in the opening match, losing by a narrow margin to Team Stripes, and then dominating the championship rematch. Maxey’s best performance came in that final, where he scored nine points on 4-of-8 shooting, had three steals, and an assist in the decisive 47–21 victory.

During his tenure, Team Stars outscored Team Stripes by 22 points. The second game against Team Stripes was quieter statistically, as Maxey scored two points in nearly eight minutes during a close 42–40 loss decided by De’Aaron Fox’s buzzer-beating three.

Nevertheless, the short 12-minute game structure meant that individual production was often limited, and the scoring load was carried primarily by Anthony Edwards and Cade Cunningham. Maxi’s most impressive performance came in the title game.

He scored on several isolation drives, hit a deep three after forcing a turnover, and made a key defensive stop on Jalen Brunson, allowing a teammate to score a triple. His explosion helped Team Stars build a 26–9 lead midway through the contest, a margin that ultimately decided the championship.

From a broader perspective, the weekend also cemented Maxi’s growing position in the league. He entered the season scoring 28.9 points per game, ranking sixth in the NBA with 6.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals.

Portland Trail Blazers fans are accustomed to seeing Yang Hansen and Donovan Clingan working together to clog up the paint at Moda Center. However, Friday night’s NBA Rising Stars game forced the Twin Towers into a rare confrontation, which left Klingon on the wrong side of a viral moment.

The energy inside the building soared as the two giants faced off, turning a friendly exhibition into a massive battle for bragging rights in the locker room.

The highlight of the night came when Hansen was isolated against the Klingons at the top of the Keys. Hansen, China’s 7-foot-3 skilled center, gave a quick shoulder shimmy before selling a fake jump shot that completely fooled his teammates.

Teammate on teammate crime!

Yang Hansen fakes Donovan Clingan for inside bucket

pic.twitter.com/Gw4YBup6Lo

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 February 2026

Klingon made things a little more difficult to pass, moving to the perimeter while Hansen calmly slid past him to the rim. Henson finished the game with an easy bucket and a cheeky smile, and clearly enjoyed the chance to put his fellow rookie on the highlight reel.

Henson finished as the high-point man for Team Austin, scoring 10 points and one rebound while going 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Team Melo ultimately won 65–60, but Henson’s offensive versatility was the talk of the field.

Clingan, on the other hand, proved why he is a defensive threat by recording 3 rebounds, although those defensive stats may not be enough to nullify the pump fake just yet.

The game reached its climax when Dylan Harper hit the game-winning shot over his brother Ron Harper Jr., but the Trail Blazers’ internal rivalry provided the most entertaining subplot of the evening.

Portland has invested heavily in its frontcourt, and seeing both players flourish on the national stage confirms that the franchise is moving in the right direction.

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe has officially added the first of many awards to his NBA career: Rising Stars MVP.

Taking the court for Team Vince Carter, Edgecombe scored back-to-back game winners and clearly looked like the best player on the court whenever he wore the jersey, which is high praise indeed, considering players like Derrick Queen were also participating in the event.

And yet, as pleasing as it is for Edgecombe to secure the tournament, as was the MVP trophy that came with it, Edgecombe was not ready to rest on his laurels. No. When asked about his win after the game, Edgecombe explained that he was happy to get his first championship win of the calendar year, even though he would like to add another win to his resume in a few months.

“It feels so good, man. It feels so good, baby. For Philly, baby,” Edgecombe declared. “You know, hopefully that championship at Rising Stars will be the first championship I get this season.”

On paper, Edgecombe’s confidence was evident in terms of both his individual performances and the quality of his team. While Daryl Morey famously didn’t add a player to his roster before the trade deadline, instead opting to trade forward Jared McCann for four draft picks and Eric Gordon with one pick, the 76ers are still a top-6 team in the Eastern Conference and could theoretically punch their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time in the Joel Embiid era if things don’t go their way this spring. Given that Edgecomb ranks second on the team in minutes, it’s safe to say that Philly will be counting on him to deliver them to the promised land early and often in May and June.

“Hopefully that championship win at Castrol Rising Stars will be my first win this season.”

VJ Edgecombe after winning Rising Stars MVP 🗣️

(via @nba)pic.twitter.com/9qygMltJk2

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 February 2026