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Inter Miami make their Club World Cup debut this Saturday against Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium

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They share Group A with Al Ahly, Palmeiras, and PortoMascherano spoke to the media ahead of the matchOnly William Yarbrough was added as a reinforcement ahead of the tournamentWatch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

The wait is over for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and the first teams to take the field will be Inter Miami and Al Ahly this Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Ahead of the opening match, Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano spoke at a press conference, addressing both the club’s challenges and its ambitions.

The Argentine coach was candid about the club’s struggles in the transfer market, which go beyond just preparing for the Club World Cup.

“Anyone following us closely knows we’ve spent months trying to reinforce the squad – not just for now, but also thinking ahead to the season. Injuries have exposed our depth," he said. "At the end of April, we made the decision to open up two roster spots for potential additions. I’ve said it before – my role is to prepare the team, and that’s what I focus on."

Mascherano isn't the only member of Inter Miami to point out the lack of depth on the roster. Luis Suarez also made similar comments Friday.

"Obviously, we know about the restrictions MLS imposes that don’t allow us to compete at the economic level we would like, but we have to go into tomorrow's match and give it our all with the players we have," he said.

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Mascherano emphasized the significance of the Club World Cup for Inter Miami, calling it potentially the most important competition in the club’s young history.

“It’s a privilege that in the present day I can coach a team that’s going to take part in a competition as important as the FIFA Club World Cup, and that’s a responsibility," he explained to DAZN. "I think it’s going to be similar to what a FIFA World Cup might be like, with different cultures, different languages, but a bit more passion, because when it comes down to it, usually football fans are first and foremost fans of their club and then their country. So, it’s going to be slightly different but I’m sure there will be a very similar atmosphere to what we’re used to during FIFA World Cups with national teams.”

Despite Inter Miami's lack of signings, Mascherano insisted the club has high expectations for this tournament.

“The objective is to try to compete to the best of our ability, just as we do in all competitions, knowing that it’s a top-level competition, that we’re going to face top-class teams. In our minds, it’s about trying our best and having the ability to take it one game at a time, trying to give ourselves a chance of making it through the group stage and getting into the last 16. So, we’ll try to do our best, try to compete at the highest level and if we do that, hopefully we’ll do well," he told DAZN.

Looking ahead to the opening match against Egyptian giants Al Ahly, with Espérance de Tunis and Porto also in their group, Mascherano outlined his tactical goals.

“The plan is to be the protagonist, to compete, to neutralize their key players, and limit their strengths. We want to control the match and give ourselves the best chance to get a good result in our debut. This may be the most important tournament Inter Miami has ever played,” he told reporters.

He also addressed the status of Lionel Messi, who trained with the team Friday morning and is expected to start.

“Leo is doing well. There were times we had to manage his workload, but he’s played in our last 15 matches – except for the Dallas game, where we rested everyone. He’s been available and in good form. Luckily, he was also rested during one of Argentina’s recent matches, so he arrived healthy. We have high expectations for him,” Mascherano said.

He added, "He [Lionel Messi] is the No. 1 and the No. 1 transcends sport. They transform sport and revolutionize all the places that they go to. In the case of Leo, it’s striking, the way he’s managed to have such a huge impact on this country, and we have to make the most of the impact that he’s had.”

Getty Images SportWHAT JORDI ALBA SAID

Veteran left back Jordi Alba is also eager to start playing in the Club World Cup, a competition he's played in once before as a member of Barcelona in 2015.

“All the group games will be special. We’ll be facing very difficult opponents, but we have a home advantage, and we hope the fans will come to support us and enjoy the games," he told DAZN. "We know it’s a tough group against great teams, but we are dreaming big and have high hopes to compete and do a great job in a very tough tournament.”

He won the competiton on a team that also featured Messi in his prime along with Luis Suarez in the final against River Plate. Alba, now 36, hopes for more magic from Messi in this tournament.

“The chance to come here and share the dressing room [with Lionel Messi] once again at Inter Miami, as soon as we saw each other, we understood each other again. We’ve been fortunate to combine for many goals, and it’s really easy to do that and play alongside the best player in history," he said.

“It’s a privilege for me, and I have always said this: having Leo makes any team better, and in my case, it also made me a better player. I’ve taken advantage of his passes so many times to score goals, and thanks to him, I have also provided lots of assists. It’s important for any player to improve their stats, and I hope that we get to play together for many more years.”

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AFPWHAT JOSÉ RIVERO SAID

Al Ahly’s Spanish head coach, José Riveiro, spoke at the pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game, emphasizing his team’s plan to contain Inter Miami star Lionel Messi.

“Messi is a great player with extraordinary abilities and global recognition. We’ve prepared well to face him and try to stop him,” said Riveiro. “But he’s not the only threat – they have other experienced players who can make a difference.”

Liverpool are now keen on signing a “total footballer” in the summer transfer window, but there is set to be fierce competition from a number of rival Premier League clubs, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Reds set to continue Premier League title pursuit vs Everton

Despite Arsenal’s 2-1 victory against Fulham on Tuesday, the Reds remain in a strong position to win the Premier League title, and they have the opportunity to restore their 12-point lead at the top of the table in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Having crashed out of the Champions League before going on to lose the EFL Cup final, the league title is the last remaining piece of silverware up for grabs this season, but if they manage to go all the way, it will undoubtedly still be considered a successful campaign.

One of the slight criticisms that could be made of Arne Slot’s side this season is perhaps their overreliance on Mohamed Salah, with Diogo Jota struggling with injuries while the likes of Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez haven’t exactly set the world alight.

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As such, Slot seems intent on bolstering his attacking options this summer, and Liverpool are now keen on signing RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, as reported by Romano for GiveMeSport.

There is a concrete chance Simons is on the move this summer, despite only recently signing for Leipzig permanently from Paris Saint-Germain, and several other Premier League clubs are also in the race for his signature, such as Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Dutchman could be available for a fee of around £58m – £62m, and the Premier League is one of the top destinations in his mind, particularly with Barcelona’s financial issues making it difficult for the La Liga side to compete for his signature.

"Total footballer" Simons could be destined for the top

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson is clearly a huge admirer of the 21-year-old, having lauded him as a “total footballer”, while also claiming he has “superstar potential” and the IQ to play all over the pitch.

Since then, the attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, has continued to impress for RB Leipzig, picking up seven goals and four assists in 19 Bundesliga outings this term, building on an impressive first season in Germany.

The Netherlands international has also been in top form for his country during the recent international break, being lauded as a “game-changer” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig after scoring against European champions Spain.

Liverpool could do with some more attacking depth if they are to compete on all fronts next season, with Jamie Carragher of the belief there are four or five players Slot doesn’t rate in his current squad, and Simons has proven he could be an excellent addition.

The reason for Jamie Gittens' failed transfer to Chelsea has been revealed by Borussia Dortmund's sporting director.

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Gittens looked set for Chelsea moveSeveral bids rejected by BVBDirector claims value not metFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Gittens looked on the verge of sealing a transfer to the Blues, but a move never materialised ahead of the transfer deadline on Tuesday. Borussia Dortmund Sporting director Sebastian Kehl has now lifted the lid on why the young winger remained in Germany.

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Speaking on the failed deal, Kehl said: "In the end, we didn’t come to an agreement on Jamie because we have different ideas about the player’s current value.

"But the talks were very, very respectful. We have been in very good dialogue with Chelsea for many years.

"And yet we have a different point of view and are happy that Jamie will now be part of our team at the Club World Cup and are delighted that he is staying.

"I’m not responsible for the late offer. But of course I still have to deal with it and that’s what we’ve done.

"Let’s see how things develop in the future."

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Chelsea had several bids knocked back for the 20-year-old, which reportedly led to the Englishman speeding away from the BVB training ground in fury. He has since been named in the Club World Cup squad, which starts this week.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GITTENS?

Chelsea will likely approach Dortmund for Gittens again when the window re-opens, with the player hopeful that his current club will lower their £55million asking price.

Knight hails series as ‘best in history of women’s game’ as England target outright ODI win

Valkerie Baynes16-Jul-2023This Australian side isn’t going away any time soon. That was the message from Alana King after helping her side to an Ashes-retaining victory with three crucial wickets in the second ODI in Southampton.The nail-biting win, by three runs off the final ball, broke a three-game losing streak in the series which had allowed England to draw level on six points all and give themselves a chance of winning back the Ashes, held by Australia since 2015.But with England needing to stage their second record run-chase in as many matches after their successful pursuit of 264 in the first ODI in Bristol, this time needing 283, King blew the game open with a crucial spell yielding the key wickets of in-form opener Tammy Beaumont, captain Heather Knight and Alice Capsey for 15 runs in the space of 23 balls.And, despite Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 111, Australia’s four-pronged spin attack, chosen for the conditions but also to change things up and “throw something different at England”, as King put it, prevailed. Ashleigh Gardner took three wickets and bowled a miserly penultimate over while Jess Jonassen typically held her nerve at the death with England needing five off her final delivery and Sciver-Brunt managing just one.”They’ve been really close games, and we’re glad that we got the win today,” King said. “It just shows that this team is not going anywhere, no matter what everyone throws at us.”A theme of this multi-format series has been whether the gap between Australia, dominant for so long, and England is closing, given the close nature of all the contests so far. Australia won the Test by 89 runs but were pushed at various stages before winning the first T20I by four wickets with just one ball to spare and losing three more close encounters. But King still believes Australia are a step ahead.”Yeah, I think there is,” she said when asked if there was still a gap between the sides. “And I think we’re still going to try and be ahead of the game. Yes, we want to bring other countries along because it’s going to improve the game worldwide, but I don’t see us slowing down anytime soon. I think we still want to be ahead and make sure that gap keeps getting bigger. So I don’t see it closing anytime soon.”Australia have maintained all along that their goal is to win the Ashes, not simply retain them, and that hadn’t changed after Sunday’s achievement.”We’ve come here to win the Ashes,” King said. “No-one really wanted to retain it but it’s great that we’ve ticked that box. If we win the Ashes that will be a job done for us and I think we keep stretching that. Yes, we want people to come with us but also we don’t want them to get too close. We want to still be ahead in world cricket and hopefully we can keep showing that.”Don’t get me wrong, it’s an exciting time, we’ve won a game in the Ashes series and it’s great that we’ve retained it, but there’s definitely no complacency with that. So we’ll go out there on Tuesday to make sure that we finish off this series the way we came in.”King hadn’t played since the Test, but she returned to great effect, her stunning legbreak to remove Beaumont after her 60 from 62 balls had set England’s run-chase off to a bright start was a gem, which had her father in raptures in the stands, among a crowd of 12,380.Related

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Australia overcome sensational Sciver-Brunt to retain Ashes

“I actually haven’t seen it but people keep telling me it was a great ball and my dad kept screaming out on the balcony that it was a ripper ball,” King said. “Glad to be back in the squad and glad that we got the win today.”For England’s part, Knight doesn’t believe there is a gap between the sides any more and her side would be out to prove that by seeking to add a 2-1 ODI victory to their T20I scoreline from earlier in the Ashes, which she described as the best series in the history of the women’s game.”This series has shown that we’re very evenly matched,” Knight said. “Cricket-wise we’ve definitely gone toe-to-toe with them. Our work on this has been trying to manage those big moments and trying to be a lot clearer and calmer in those situations. We’ve really done that brilliantly. There’s certainly the belief that we’re good enough to beat this side.”We probably could do a lot of things a little bit better and different today but it’s just been an unbelievable series, two titans going head to head and fighting it out. It’s certainly been entertaining, albeit nerve-racking, to play these games. I don’t think there’s too much between these sides, for us it’s to try and prove that and win the ODI series at Taunton, and try and level the series overall.”It’s got to be the best series there’s ever been in the history of the women’s game,” Knight concluded. “It’s been unbelievable. Two sides going toe-to-toe fighting it out. Every game has been pretty close. Obviously disappointment but pride as well in the fact that we got so close.”

Ansu Fati’s proposed move to Monaco is stuck as the French club refuse to budge on how much of the Barcelona star’s salary they’ll cover.

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Monaco unwilling to meet salary demandsNegotiations with Barcelona have stalledCatalan giants want to offload Fati this summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona and Monaco were in advanced talks over Fati’s transfer, but now the deal has stalled due to disagreement over his wages, according to . The French club is only willing to pay a limited share of the forward’s salary and has made it clear they won’t shift from that position. The club’s current attacking depth gives them leverage, meaning they’re in no rush to finalise the signing.

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The Catalan giants are keen to trim their wage bill and part ways with Ansu, who no longer features in the club’s long-term plans. Monaco had emerged as the top destination, with Fati and Paul Pogba expected to be high-profile signings. But without a compromise on salary, the transfer hangs in limbo, affecting both clubs’ summer strategies.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fati, who came from the famous La Masia academy became Barcelona’s youngest-ever goal scorer in La Liga at just 16 years old, and wears the No. 10 shirt vacated by Lionel Messi, a sign of the enormous expectations placed on him early in his career. However, he has struggled in recent seasons. After spending the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Brighton, he made just 11 appearances in all competitions for Hansi Flick's side last term.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ANSU FATI?

Unless Monaco shifts its stance or Barcelona agrees to subsidise more of Ansu’s wages, the deal could collapse. Other clubs may enter the race if talks break down completely, but for now, his move to Ligue 1 is on hold.

The PCB, hosts for the tournament, agreed to the decision reluctantly after the ACC sent out a message to stakeholders without consulting the PCB

Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Sep-2023The PCB has reluctantly agreed to have the last five matches of the ongoing Asia Cup played in Colombo, as scheduled. This is despite the Pakistan board having strongly objected to the games staying in Colombo and not moving to Hambantota, as well as the manner in which the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) made that decision.The PCB had been on board with plans to move the Colombo matches to Hambantota, on account of rains being forecast in Colombo during the next ten days – this information is understood to have been provided by Sri Lanka’s department of meteorology. On Monday evening, and on Tuesday morning, the ACC appeared to be working on the understanding that the games would shift to Hambantota.But suddenly, around midday on Tuesday, the ACC sent a mail to the stakeholders stating that the matches would be played in Colombo as originally scheduled. This incensed the PCB officials, who not only would have preferred the matches to have been played in Hambantota but were also alarmed that the ACC had made this decision unilaterally, without adequately consulting them, the hosts of the tournament.In response, the PCB called for an immediate ACC executive board meeting, and has also sent a letter to ACC president Jay Shah, protesting the decision-making process at the ACC. But beyond pulling out of the tournament, there is little the PCB can do now. While deeply troubled by the events of Tuesday, the PCB appears unlikely to take a drastic step.On Tuesday afternoon, Shah himself made a statement as ACC president, which addressed the matter of the tournament’s scheduling.”All the full members, media rights holder, and in-stadia rights holders were initially hesitant to commit to hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan,” Shah said in this statement. “This reluctance stemmed from concerns related to the security and economic situation prevailing in the country.”However, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have visited Pakistan for bilateral tours since 2019, and have also played matches there in the group stage of the ongoing Asia Cup. Neither team has publicly expressed a reluctance to play there, nor have their boards expressed a reluctance to send teams to Pakistan. In fact, two BCCI officials – board president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla – have visited Lahore over the past two days, and were hosted by the governor of (Pakistani) Punjab.The background to all of this is that the PCB had originally wanted the whole tournament to be played in Pakistan, but the BCCI refused on the basis that their government would not allow the team to travel to Pakistan. Much of the tournament was then shifted to Sri Lanka.This seemed a workable compromise, until the Pakistan vs India match in Pallekele was rained out on Saturday, prompting fears that the whole tournament would be severely affected by the weather.BCCI president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla flank PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf during their visit to Lahore•PCBIn any case, the SLC is pleased the tournament will stay in Colombo, and has always preferred the tournament to be played there, as it is logistically the easiest city in which to host a multi-team tournament. SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva told ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday that one of the reasons the ACC decided to keep the games in Colombo was because “a lot of fans had already made arrangements to watch the matches in Colombo” and because “the last few days it hasn’t been raining as much” in the city.He also cited Sri Lanka’s largely successful history with hosting ODIs. In the last ten years, 79 of the 84 men’s ODIs played in the country have been completed. Of the five abandoned matches, Saturday’s game was the only match to be abandoned in the month of September, which historically is not an especially wet month.Jay Shah points to ‘several changes’ in PCB for confusion
In his statement, Shah also said, “In my capacity as ACC President, I was committed to finding a viable and mutually agreeable solution. To this end, I had accepted the hybrid model that was proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in collaboration with the ACC management. However, it’s important to note that the leadership of the PCB underwent several changes, and this resulted in some back-and-forth negotiations, particularly regarding crucial aspects such as tax exemption and insurance for matches.”In response to initial PCB suggestions that the tournament be played in Pakistan and the UAE – aired again in recent days given the weather in Sri Lanka – Shah said there was a difference between playing 20-over games and 50-over games in the UAE in September.”The Asia Cup 2022 edition was played in the UAE in the T20 format. It’s important to emphasize that the dynamics of a T20 tournament cannot be directly compared to those of a 100-over One-day format. In this context, ACC members received feedback from their respective high-performance teams, expressing concerns about playing One-day matches in the UAE in the month of September. Such a schedule could have potentially led to player fatigue and an increased risk of injuries, particularly right before the all-important ICC Cricket World Cup.”The decision-making process regarding the Asia Cup 2023 format and venue was guided by a sincere desire to prioritise the well-being of the players, as well as the overarching interests of the sport. Ultimately, the goal was to strike a balance that would allow for a competitive and successful tournament while ensuring the health and readiness of the participating teams for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.”

He moved his feet well and timed punches and half-drives to perfection, but did not undertake any wicketkeeping drills

S Sudarshanan07-Sep-2023After linking up with the India squad in Colombo on Tuesday, KL Rahul had his first session at the Nondescripts Cricket Club indoor nets on Thursday. Heavy rain accompanied by winds lashed the Sri Lanka capital in the morning, forcing India to have their optional training indoors.Rahul was part of a select group – Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur were the others – that trained under the watchful eyes of head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour. He began with a few throwdowns and batted in rotation with Iyer. There was no visible discomfort as he moved his feet well and timed the punches and half-drives to perfection.Related

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Last leg of Asia Cup matches to be played in Colombo as scheduled

Rahul, who last played an ODI in March, tore a tendon in his right thigh during the IPL and had to undergo surgery in May. He was selected in the Asia Cup squad following extensive rehab at the NCA but was ruled out of the first two matches after picking up a fresh niggle.”KL is looking good. We feel this gives us the best balance to try and do well,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said after Rahul was named in the World Cup squad earlier this week. “With KL, he was part of the camp in Bangalore. He looked really good there and has got over his niggle. He played a couple of games over the last two days. I think he kept for 50 overs and batted for around 50 overs too. So he looks good and we’re happy to have him.”Rahul then got through two sessions of throwdowns, with the second focused primarily on the left-arm over-the-wicket angle with throwdown specialist Nuwan Seneviratne feeding him deliveries. A while later, he ran a few sprints in one of the nets. Rahul, though, did not undertake wicketkeeping drills.Rahul may not have played a competitive game since the start of May, but he remains firmly in India’s plans as their wicketkeeper. With Ishan Kishan scoring a fighting half-century and helping India recover from a shaky start against Pakistan, the choice between him and the returning Rahul will be a tough one.Since the 2019 men’s World Cup, Rahul has averaged 55.64 – behind only Sanju Samson among all keepers to played at least five games in the period – and struck at 97.61 in 18 ODIs as India’s designated wicketkeeper. Agarkar did not reveal if India would leave out Kishan, who brings in the left-hand factor, for India’s Super Fours clash against Pakistan and said, “The captain-coach will sit down and decide what’s best for the team on a given day. We’re happy to have two options who will fight for a place in the team than the other way round.” Gill prepares for round two against Afridi
Rahul aside, Gill had a longish stint in nets, facing throwdowns from Seneviratne. The India opener was kept quiet by the Pakistan pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah before inside-edging one off Haris Rauf for 10 off 32 balls.Gill was consciously trying to get a stride forward while playing his drives and was mindful of not falling over while playing the flick through the on side. After a stint in the nets, he looked at video footage of his session before proceeding to have another spell.

Como star Dele Alli linked up with Stormzy at Milan Fashion Week as he hit Prada's runway show.

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Dele invited to Prada showGrime star Stormzy present tooSouthampton's Walker-Peters in Milan tooFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Dele has posted a selection of pictures on Instagram, showing his exploits at Milan Fashion Week, as he was invited to a runway show for Prada. Dele wore a chocolate-coloured crew-neck, and chinos, as he took snaps in Milan alongside rapper Stormzy and soon-to-be ex-Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters, and watched on as models hit the catwalk.

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Dele has a contract with Como until 2026 but he has thus far only played once for the club in Serie A. He was actually sent off on his debut, but will aim to get back to full fitness under Cesc Fabregas as he finally bids to get some regular first-team football under his belt.

WHAT DELE SAID

Dele wrote on Instagram: "Train, drip, sleep repeat. Thank you very much Prada."

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WHAT NEXT?

Dele has reportedly split from former girlfriend Cindy Kimberly, and was recently spotted in France, undergoing a workout with former Everton team-mate Amadou Onana.

Ivan Rakitic has officially hung up his boots after a trophy-laden career with Barcelona and Sevilla, leaving behind a heartfelt farewell.

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Croatian hero Rakitic retires aged 37 Won host of titles including UCL with BarcelonaWill join Hajduk Split's sporting leadershipFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Rakitic announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37 through an emotional Instagram video. The Croatian midfielder, who starred for Sevilla and Barcelona, played nearly 1,000 matches across his club and international career.

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The Croatian international's career was packed with silverware and unforgettable moments. He lifted 17 titles including two Europa Leagues with Sevilla, a Champions League crown with Barcelona and four La Liga titles.

He played a crucial role in Barcelona’s 2014–15 treble, scoring the opening goal in the Champions League final vs Juventus. With 310 official matches and 13 trophies in six seasons at Camp Nou, Rakitic became a core figure in one of Blaugrana's most dominant eras.

WHAT RAKITIC SAID

In his farewell message, Rakitic poured his heart out: “Football, you gave me more than I ever dreamed of. You gave me friends, emotions, joy, tears. You gave me a whole life. A life I will always carry with pride. Now it's time for me to say goodbye. Because even if I walk away from you, I know you'll never walk away from me.”

His former clubs, including Barcelona and Sevilla, posted tributes online. Barca’s message read: “Football will miss you, Ivan. We wish you the best in this new stage of your life.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR RAKITIC?

The 37-year-old will now begin a new chapter off the pitch, transitioning into a sporting leadership role at Hajduk Split alongside Goran Vucevic. He will help shape the club’s sporting strategy from the executive level at Poljud Stadium.

Melbourne Renegades are now in danger of finishing bottom having been promisingly placed for victory

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff12-Nov-2023Melbourne Renegades appear at serious risk of claiming their second wooden spoon after a four-run loss to rivals the Melbourne Stars that went down to the final over with Australia’s past and future playing a key role.Renegades had looked on track, needing 26 off 19 balls with seven wickets in hand, when Georgia Wareham fell to Sophie Day then Annabel Sutherland dispatched Hayley Matthews and Sarah Coyte in consecutive balls in the 18th over to swing the momentum of see-sawing contest squarely into Stars’ favour.Related

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Sasha Moloney was able to defend 14 off the last over although there was a borderline wide not called on the fourth delivery.Sutherland earlier bowled Tammy Beaumount and had Harmanpreet Kaur caught behind after both internationals got a start on the road to 145 for victory.Jess Duffin needed a six from the last ball to snatch a win that had looked likely at the mid-point of the Renegades innings. But she could not find the rope past long off and the Stars held on.There is now a four-point gap between the seventh-placed Stars and Renegades, who likely need to win at least two of their last four games to climb from the bottom of the ladder. They have won only one of 10 matches this summer.Earlier, Meg Lanning led the Stars to 144 for 5 in her second knock since announcing her international retirement on Thursday.Dropped on 42, Lanning brought up her third half-century of the WBBL summer with a single to backward square leg in the 18th over.