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Ruben Amorim had some strong words for a £120,000-a-week Manchester United star in front of the rest of the squad at their Carrington training ground, it has been revealed.

Amorim says Man Utd “have a lot to do” after Tottenham draw

The Red Devils boss bemoaned United’s inability to kill off Tottenham and insisted they still have “lots of problems” after a dramatic 2-2 Premier League draw.

Matthijs de Ligt struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a point for United, who faced a first loss since a difficult September following Spurs goals from Mathys Tel and Richarlison.

“We have a lot of problems. We are just in the beginning. I know that sometimes the results show to people that we are improving. We are improving but we have a lot to do,” Amorim reflected candidly.

“You can divide the game into the final 10 minutes and also when we have to take out Harry Maguire, then suffer two goals and then losing Ben. To overcome everything and manage to score is a good thing.

“If you look at the rest of the game, I think we were comfortable in the game but we should do better. Be more aggressive, feeling the environment in the stadium that the three points were there, the space was there and I think we felt too comfortable during the game.

“We need to expect that in one play anything can happen and change the mood of the stadium. Today was that. I think we control well the game, but we need to do better because the game was there to take.”

It was the first time United faced Spurs since the Europa League final, and it has now been revealed that Amorim was fuming with one of his players after the defeat in Bilbao.

Man Utd slammed Ugarte in front of teammates during Carrington meeting

The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell wrote an in-depth story on Amorim’s first year in charge at Old Trafford.

He revealed that Amorim wasn’t happy with Manuel Ugarte following the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham and let him know in front of his Man Utd teammates during a Carrington meeting.

Amorim felt that Ugarte ‘had let his work rate slide from their time together at Sporting’ adding that the midfielder ‘had gotten comfortable and said he did not recognise him as the same player from their first stint together’.

Whitwell added that ‘criticising a former player in front of his team-mates certainly caused a ripple of reaction among those in the squad’ and ‘showed them that Amorim was hard, but broadly fair, when it came to assessing application’.

Games

55

Goals

2

Assists

6

Yellow cards

15

Red cards

0

Minutes played

3,239

The Uruguay international, on £120,000-a-week in Manchester, is yet to be fully trusted by Amorim during the 2025/26 season, considering that he’s started just two Premier League games so far.

Playing under 350 minutes in all competitions, Ugarte has been preferred to Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in central midfield, so by the looks of things, he still has plenty of work to do to get back in Amorim’s good books.

Casemiro's stance on new contract as Man Utd make U-turn and contact his agent

AC Milan have stepped up their pursuit of Robert Lewandowski, scheduling a new round of talks with his agent Pini Zahavi as the Barcelona striker weighs his future as his contract nears its end. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic pushing internally to bring the 37-year-old to San Siro and Milan rebuilding under Max Allegri, the Rossoneri sense an opening, but salary demands remain a major hurdle.

Milan accelerate pursuit as Lewandowski weighs future

According to , Milan are preparing a fresh approach for Lewandowski, with a new meeting scheduled between sporting director Igli Tare and the striker’s agent Pini Zahavi in the coming weeks. The Rossoneri have made the 37-year-old a priority target for June, convinced that his arrival could transform the club’s rebuild under Allegri. Lewandowski’s contract with Barca runs until June 2026, but uncertainty around his long-term role coupled with the club’s plan to sign a new No.9 next summer has placed his future firmly in play.

Milan rejected the idea of approaching him last year due to salary constraints, but with Champions League qualification now a central objective, the Rossoneri believe the timing may be right to formalise negotiations. The San Siro hierarchy have already tested the waters with Lewandowski’s entourage. This next meeting is expected to focus on possible salary parameters, with the Pole currently earning €20 million (£17m/$22m) net at Barcelona, almost triple the wages of Milan’s highest earner, Rafael Leao.

With Barcelona evaluating replacements and Lewandowski keeping all options open, the situation is edging into a crucial phase, one that could reshape the summer transfer market.

AdvertisementGettyIbrahimovic’s influence and Barcelona’s search for a new No.9

This renewed push from the Rossoneri comes with the backing of their former striker Ibrahimovic, now a senior advisor at RedBird and one of the most influential voices behind Milan’s sporting strategy. He views Lewandowski as the type of elite striker who can immediately elevate the squad, much like his own transformative return to the club in 2020.

On the Barcelona side, their search for a new striker highlights how the club is preparing for life after Lewandowski. Reports indicate that Harry Kane sits at the top of their shortlist, with the England captain scoring 108 goals in 113 games for Bayern Munich since 2023. Other names include Julian Alvarez, long admired by Barca, and even a dream move for Erling Haaland, described internally as Joan Laporta’s “obsession”. Financial realities, however, mean the Catalan giants are also analysing cheaper alternatives such as Etta Eyong, underlining the scale of the transition being planned.

Lewandowski’s reduced role this season, a result of injuries and the emergence of Ferran Torres has only added to uncertainty. Despite this, he remains Barca’s leading scorer with seven goals in nine La Liga matches, second only to Mbappe in the Spanish scoring charts.

Lewandowski speaks out and Milan’s project takes shape

The ex-Bayern striker has been open about his indecision regarding the next step in his career. While on duty with Poland, he made it clear that he does not intend to rush any decision: “I still don’t know the answer. That’s why I’m not in a hurry, I’m at peace with myself. Even if, for example, the club contacted me now, I still wouldn’t answer that question. Because I also have to feel what’s best for me. Now I’m calm, I’m not in a hurry and, at the moment, I don’t expect anything else.”

His stance aligns with Milan’s long-term approach under Allegri and Tare, who are intent on recruiting experienced leaders to stabilise the squad. Zahavi’s strong relationship with Milan further strengthens their position. For Milan, landing Lewandowski would represent both a sporting coup and a symbolic statement that their project is entering a new era.

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gettyThe next meeting could shape the summer market

The Rossoneri's upcoming talks with Zahavi will be pivotal. If the two sides can find common ground on salary structure, potentially through bonuses or multi-year guarantees, negotiations could accelerate rapidly ahead of June. Barcelona, meanwhile, are expected to continue planning for a major reshuffle in the forward department, with the Lewandowski decision acting as the first domino.

As interest from multiple European clubs quietly grows, all eyes now turn to Milan’s next meeting. The battle for Lewandowski is only just beginning and the outcome could define one of the summer’s biggest transfer sagas.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional perdeu para o Coritiba por 4 a 3 neste domingo (29), no Beira-Rio, e se complicou na briga por uma vaga na próxima Copa Libertadores. Logo nos primeiros minutos de partida, a equipe mandante perdeu Vitão, que foi expulso após entrada em Maurício Garcez. Com um homem a mais em campo, o Coxa pressionou e abriu o placar com Garcez, aos 27 minutos. O Inter pouco atacava, mas encontrou um pênalti, quando Maurício foi derrubado por Bruno Gomes. Alan Patrick bateu e converteu. Porém, seis minutos depois, Matheus Bianqui voltou a colocar o Coxa na liderança.

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+ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Na segunda etapa, o Colorado tentou pressionar, mas viu Robson, de pênalti, ampliar o placar. Bruno Henrique contou com falha de Gabriel para diminuir. Novamente de pênalti, Robson anotou seu segundo na partida, e Enner Valencia deu números finais ao duelo.

Com o resultado, o Internacional estacionou na décima primeira posição, com 38 pontos. Por outro lado, o Coritiba permaneceu na décima nona colocação, mas diminuiu a vantagem para o Goiás, que abre o Z4.

CINCO LANCES QUE MARCARAM A PARTIDA

>RUA! Vitão recebeu cartão amarelo por entrada perigosa em Garcez na entrada da área colorada. Após revisão no VAR, o árbitro optou por trocar a cor do cartão e expulsou o zagueiro do Internacional aos oito minutos da primeira etapa.

>DESENCANTOU! Maurício Garcez aproveitou o rebote depois da bola bater na trave e abriu o placar. Esse foi o primeiro gol do camisa 33 com a camisa do Coxa.

>TUDO IGUAL! Maurício foi derrubado por Bruno Gomes dentro da área. Alan Patrick cobrou no canto direito de Gabriel, que acertou o lado, mas não evitou o gol.

>NOS ACRÉSCIMOS! Aos 47 minutos do primeiro tempo, Matheus Bianqui aproveitou cruzamento de Robson Fernandes e mandou para o fundo das redes.

>QUARTO PÊNALTI DA PARTIDA! Enner Valencia desperdiçou a cobrança, mas, no rebote, marcou e deu números finais ao duelo. 4 a 3 para o Coritiba.

COMO FOI O PRIMEIRO TEMPO?

O Jogo permaneceu equilibrado até os nove minutos, quando Vitão foi expulso por cometer falta em Garcez. Com superioridade numérica, o Coritiba começou a pressionar e abriu o placar com Maurício Garcez. Após sofrer o gol, Coudet acertou o sistema defensivo com a entrada de Igor Gomes e viu a equipe gaúcha equilibrar as ações. De pênalti, Alan Patrick igualou o duelo, porém, seis minutos depois, Matheus Bianqui voltou a colocar o Coxa na liderança.

E A ETAPA FINAL?

O Internacional voltou para a segunda etapa pressionando, mas Robson, de pênalti, ampliou para o Coxa. A equipe gaúcha continuou ditando o ritmo, e Bruno Henrique contou com a falha do goleiro Gabriel para diminuir. Novamente de pênalti, Robson marcou, e Enner Valencia deu números finais à partida.

O QUE VEM POR AÍ

Na próxima rodada, o Internacional enfrenta América-MG na quarta-feira (1º), às 19h (de Brasília), no Beira-Rio. No mesmo dia, o Coritiba encara o Grêmio, às 20h (de Brasília), no Couto Pereira.

FICHA TÉCNICA
INTERNACIONAL 3 x 4 CORITIBA
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO – 30ª RODADA

Local: Beira-Rio, em Porto Alegre (RS)
Data e hora: 29/10/2023 (domingo), às 18h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: André Luiz Skettino Policarpo Bento (MG)
Assistentes: Guilherme Dias Camilo (MG) e Leonardo Henrique Pereira (MG)
VAR: Jose Claudio Rocha Filho (SP)
Cartões amarelos: Enner Valencia, Aránguiz, Alan Patrick, Mauricio, Jhonny, Pedro Henrique e Keiller, para o Internacional; Matheus Bianqui, Natanael, Marcelino Moreno, Hayner e Reynaldo, para o Coritiba.
Cartão vermelho: Vitão (9’/1ºT), para o Internacional.
Gols: Maurício Garcez (27’/1ºT), Alan Patrick (42’/1ºT), Matheus Binaqui (48’/1ºT), Robson (25’/2ºT), Bruno Henrique (38’/2ºT), Robson (45’/2ºT) e Enner Valencia (57’/2ºT).

INTERNACIONAL (Técnico: Eduardo Coudet)
Rochet; Fabricio Bustos, Vitão, Nicolás Hernández e Dalbert (Dalla Corte/26′-2ºT); Aránguiz (Bruno Henrique/26′-2ºT), Jhonny, Maurício (Pedro Henrique/25′-2ºT) e Carlos de Pena (Igor Gomes/28′-1ºT); Alan Patrick e Enner Valencia.

CORITIBA (Técnico: Thiago Kosloski)
Gabriel; Natanael (Hayner/28′-2ºT), Henrique, Thalisson e Victor Luis (Jamerson Bahia/13′-2ºT); Bruno Gomes, Matheus Bianqui (Fransérgio/1′-2ºT) e Sebastián Gómez; Marcelino Moreno (Gabriel Silva/41′-2ºT), Maurício Garcez (Reynaldo/41′-2ºT) e Robson.

Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are enamored with another young “potential superstar” at the club who could be set to rival teenage duo Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.

Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray making real progress at Tottenham

When called upon, Thomas Frank could hardly ask for more from both men.

The youngsters have played key roles at times under Frank, and not just the Dane, with Gray forced to play out of position with extreme professionalism and stuck to his duties as best he could during Spurs’ injury crisis last season.

Gray’s versatility was invaluable for Ange Postecoglou, who struggled for options throughout 2024/2025, and he can certainly feel hard done by when it comes to match action this term.

The former Leeds United starlet has played just one Premier League minute since starting against Burnley on the opening day, but he showed flashes of true quality when coming off the bench away to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League recently.

Frank, despite barely picking him so far, has tipped the Englishman for a “big future”.

Gray is looking to battle his way into a stacked Tottenham midfield where Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha have formed an indomitable partnership in his position, with the 19-year-old also having to contend against Bergvall.

Every time the latter plays, Bergvall makes his £8.5 million transfer fee from Djurgardens look like daylight robbery.

Appearances

55

Goals

2

Assists

7

Bookings

9

Minutes played

2,881

via Transfermarkt

In the space of a few days against West Ham and Villarreal earlier this season, the Swede picked up two Player of the Match awards, scoring his first ever Premier League goal against Spurs’ London rivals and impressing when given the nod ever since.

The Lilywhites also signed 22-year-old Dutch sensation Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in the summer, in a deal which could be worth £125 million when factoring in wages over a possible seven-year contract (Paul O’Keefe).

The attacking midfielder notched his first Premier League assist for the club against West Ham, swinging in a corner for Pape Sarr to head home, but hasn’t managed to register a goal contribution since then.

Tottenham convinced Xavi Simons is a "potential superstar"

Some minor concerns have surrounded the Netherlands international’s form as a result, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, there are zero worries inside Tottenham.

It is quite the opposite, as Spurs insiders are “so impressed” by Simons and believe the North Londoners have a “potential superstar” on their hands.

Interestingly, Ruud van Nistelrooy has already said that Simons has an “unprecedented” mentality, and this appears to be coming to fruition at Hotspur Way as the versatile forward turns heads behind-the-scenes.

Simons could’ve joined Chelsea, but according to super agent Ali Barat, Frank was key in convincing the former PSG sensation to choose the other side of London instead.

A Spanish manager who once sued Barcelona over his dismissal from the La Liga club is now in the frame to become the next Rangers boss, with the Ibrox hotseat vacant.

McCoist reacts to Martin's sacking at Ibrox

Russell Martin is now a former Gers manager, with the club finding it impossible to justify keeping hold of him any longer, following yet more dropped points in the Scottish Premiership.

Speaking on talkSPORT on Monday [via The National], Rangers legend Ally McCoist gave his thoughts on the decision to sack Martin, actually criticising the players in part, as well as the Englishman.

“It’s easy to blame the manager; that’s where the buck stops, that is where the responsibility is, at the manager’s door. We all know that is what happens. But the players have got to take some responsibility as well. Some of the defending…

“Sometimes when you get on the pitch, you have got to take responsibility, and Rangers just look like wee boys.”Falkirk outran Rangers, they outfought Rangers. And that can happen occasionally but it’s been happening on a regular basis. Not good enough.”

Spanish manager linked with Rangers hotseat

According to AS [via Sport Witness], Quique Setien is now a potential contender to become Rangers’ next manager, having quit his role at Beijing Guoan. Personal reasons are cited as being key to the decision, with the Spaniard finding it difficult being so far away from his family in China and wanting a return to Europe.

Setien would be an intriguing choice by Rangers, with the 67-year-old having a long and distinguished career in management, and taking charge of over 500 matches.In fact, he even managed Barcelona for a short period, and sued Barca back in 2020 after his spell in charge ended with a humiliating loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, claiming they did not fulfill his contract in regards to a payout.

“In my case, Quique Setien, it is public and well known that on August 17, both the club and the president announced my dismissal with immediate effect. However, it was not until yesterday, September 16 (one month later), when they sent me, for the first time, the written communication of said dismissal (without any settlement).”

Beijing Guoan

32

2.00

Villarreal

39

1.54

Barcelona

25

2.08

Real Betis

94

1.48

Las Palmas

78

1.23

CD Lugo

258

1.45

CD Logrones

20

1.05

Guinea

1

0.00

Poli Ejido

3

1.33

Racing Santander

36

1.78

Setien has managed 10 clubs in total, including Racing Santander and Villarreal, and if Rangers feel a hugely experienced figure is needed after the younger Martin, he could be a shrewd appointment.

Rangers bosses love "amazing" coach who makes players "roll their sleeves up"

Would he be the ideal successor?

ByHenry Jackson Oct 6, 2025

Reaction to Setien coming in could be mixed, however, with Gers supporters potentially a more proven boss in British football, and a younger choice.

Shepherd helped RCB smash 54 in the last two overs

ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-20253:50

Chawla analyses why spinners have been better this season

High-intent half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell set the base for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Romario Shepherd launched from there at the death, as the hosts posted 213 for 5 on a fairly flat, hit-through-the-line pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.Shepherd, picked ahead of Liam Livingstone once again, muscled a 14-ball fifty – only Yashasvi Jaiswal has hit a quicker fifty (13 balls) in the IPL. Ten of the 14 balls Shepherd faced went to the fence or cleared it.Fittingly, Shepherd surged to the landmark by launching a six into the top tier over wide long-off, off the final ball of the innings bowled by Matheesha Pathirana.Shepherd had come in to bat when RCB were 157 for 5 in the 18th over. In the 19th, he lined Khaleel Ahmed up for four sixes and a brace of fours, leaving him nursing figures of 3-0-65-0. Pathirana, who had done well in the middle overs, was then taken for two fours and two sixes in the last over.A 200-plus total didn’t look as likely when CSK’s overseas bowlers had pulled RCB back in the middle overs. CSK’s overseas bowlers, led by Pathirana, staged the fightback. Pathirana’s change of action has come under scrutiny in IPL 2025 – his release point is higher than it was during the last season – but he showed better control on a small ground, executing his yorkers and slower variations, including the bouncer.It was Pathirana who provided CSK with the first breakthrough in his first over when he drew a mis-hit from Bethell, with Dewald Brevis pulling off a screamer running in from deep square leg to dismiss him for 55 off 33 balls. Bethell’s knock could have been cut short on 27, but Pathirana ended up colliding with Ravindra Jadeja, grassing the chance.Bethell went on to bring up his first IPL half-century, in only his second innings, off 28 balls. As for Kohli, he got to his fifty off 29 balls and looked good for a big one, but a slower bouncer from Sam Curran removed him for 62 off 33 balls.RCB’s 71 for 0 in the first six overs was their highest powerplay total at home this season. Pathirana then combined with Noor Ahmad and Curran to bring CSK back, but Shepherd’s sixes flipped the script in the end overs and set RCB up nicely.CSK have now gone seven years without successfully chasing a 180-plus target.

نجح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي في التقدم بالهدف الأول أمام إيجل نوار البوروندي، خلال المباراة التي تجمع بين الفريقين حاليًا، في ذهاب دور الـ32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا لموسم 2025-2026.

وجاء الهدف في الدقيقة 36 من زمن الشوط الأول، بعد هجمة منظمة من الجبهة اليمنى، بدأت بتبادل تمريرات بين محمد علي بن رمضان ومحمد هاني، قبل أن يرسل الأخير كرة عرضية أرضية اصطدمت بمدافع الفريق البوروندي ودخلت الشباك، لتمنح الأهلي التقدم في النتيجة.

طالع أيضًا | لاعب إيجل نوار يعترف لـ “بطولات”: أشعر بالخوف وسأحقق حلمي أمام الأهلي

ويخوض الأهلي اللقاء في بوروندي ضمن مرحلة الذهاب، على أن تُقام مباراة الإياب يوم 25 أكتوبر الجاري على ستاد القاهرة الدولي.

وكان الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم (كاف) قد أعفى الأهلي من خوض الدور التمهيدي الأول (دور الـ64) بفضل تصدره تصنيف الأندية الإفريقية، فيما تأهل فريق إيجل نوار إلى هذا الدور بعد تخطيه أساس تيليكوم الجيبوتي، بالتعادل السلبي ذهابًا والإيجابي (1-1) إيابًا، ليتأهل بأفضلية التسجيل خارج الديار. هدف الأهلي الأول أمام إيجل نوار بدوري أبطال إفريقيا

They are also set to tour India for two Tests in 2025

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Feb-2025A three-match home Test series against Australia and a two-Test tour to India will be the highlight of West Indies men’s Test fixtures for 2025. They will begin the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle with the Test series against Australia, for the Frank Worrell Trophy, from June 25 to July 16. This will also be West Indies’ first Test assignment under Daren Sammy, who will take over from red-ball coach Andre Coley.The Kensington Oval in Barbados will host the first Test and the Grenada National Stadium will host the second. The series will end at Sabina Park in Jamaica and will be followed by five T20Is. West Indies will close out their home summer with three T20Is and three ODIs against Pakistan from July 31 to August 12. Broward County in Florida will host the T20I series and the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad the ODI ones.They will then travel to India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand from September 21 to December 23. They are set to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Bangladesh. The New Zealand tour will be an all-format assignment comprising three Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is.Related

Chase: 'There's a legacy attached to captaining West Indies'

Sammy to take over as West Indies' all-format coach from April 2025

Before all that, West Indies, having missed the qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup, will prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup with three ODIs in Ireland, followed by three in England. During their visits, they will also play three T20Is each against both teams.The CWI release also stated that the West Indies women will begin their 2025 campaign with the World Cup qualifiers in Pakistan from April 4-19, where six teams will compete for two spots in the marquee event in India, scheduled from August to September.West Indies women will then travel to England for three T20Is and as many ODIs from May 21 to June 8. They will then return home to face South Africa women in three ODIs and three T20Is, with the 3Ws Oval in Barbados hosting all six games.Malahide will host all three ODIs in Ireland from May 21 to May 25 before West Indies will play against England in Headingly (May 29), Cariff (June 1) and June 3 (The Oval). West Indies will also play three T20Is in England before returning to Ireland for three more T20Is in Belfast. Their UK tour will end with the third T20I against Ireland on June 15. They will have a ten-day gap before their Test-series opener against Australia in Barbados.

If the voting process for the Ballon d'Or were truly fair, Lionel Messi would have 14 Golden Balls to his name instead of eight. The Barcelona legend was by far the best footballer in the world between 2008 and 2021, but had to concede defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo five times, and Luka Modric once, as the Real Madrid duo were rewarded for spearheading their team's unprecedented success in the Champions League.

The generational rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo divided fans, with very little to separate the two superstars in terms of goal output, but there was always a huge gulf in quality. The truth is, Messi never had any equal. Even after being forced to leave Barcelona, the place he'd called home for 21 years, the diminutive maestro was able to claim a final Ballon d'Or after almost single-handedly inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.

How to watch the Ballon d'Or 2025 on TV

Karim Benzema is the only player who can honestly claim to have beaten Messi to the award while eclipsing him on individual performance, having enjoyed a stellar 2021-22 season for Madrid while the Argentine struggled to settle in his first year at Paris Saint-Germain. For the most part, the system failed Messi, and there is now a chance that it will also fail Lamine Yamal on September 22.

Barcelona's latest jewel, who has just inherited Messi's iconic No.10 jersey, will – if the betting odds are to be believed – have to watch Ousmane Dembele lift the Golden Ball in Paris on Monday evening. The France winger is the overwhelming favourite for the 2025 prize after leading PSG to the treble, but Dembele wasn't better than Yamal last season. Like Messi before him, the 18-year-old is the purists' champion and, in an ideal world, he'd be automatically vaulted to the top of the podium.

GettyNumbers favour Yamal

Let's get the raw numbers out of the way first: Dembele recorded 46 goal contributions for PSG in 2024-25, seven more than Yamal managed at Barca. Per 90 minutes, the France international also had a shot conversion rate of 17.4 percent compared to Yamal's 8.1%, created more chances (3 to 1.8), and posted more touches in the opposition box (9.2 to 7.5).

Those statistics suggest that Dembele was more effective than Yamal, but further context is needed. Yamal played 4,548 minutes across all competitions, significantly more than Dembele's total of 3,286. The vast majority of those came in La Liga, too, which is a much more competitive division than Ligue 1. That is backed up by the fact that Barcelona only finished four points ahead of Real Madrid in the Spanish title race, while a whopping 19 points separated runaway French champions PSG and runners-up Marseille. Luis Enrique's side retained their crown with six games to spare, which should never happen in one of Europe's top-five leagues.

Spain's Copa del Rey is also levels above the French equivalent, and Barca had to see off Real Betis, Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid en route to the trophy, while PSG beat lower-league sides Le Mans, Stade Briochin and Dunkerque before seeing off soon-to-be-relegated Reims to lift the Coupe de France.

Dembele's exploits in the Champions League are, therefore, the main driver for his Ballon d'Or claim. He scored eight goals and laid on six assists in 15 appearances, which was enough to earn Dembele the Player of the Tournament award, but technically speaking, he didn't outperform Yamal. Barcelona's teenage sensation hit nine goals and set up 13 in two fewer games, and it could be argued that he was unfairly penalised for the Blaugrana's semi-final exit at the hands of Inter.

AdvertisementGetty Images/GoalDembele myth debunked

According to , Yamal also boasted a higher dribbling success rate than Dembele (53.5% to 44.4%), and won more duels (8 to 3.5) per 90 minutes. That means not only was Yamal superior in one-v-one situations, but he also did more meaningful work off the ball, which goes some way to debunking the myth that Dembele was the most monstrous presser in the game last season.

Consistency across the entire campaign must be factored in, too. Yamal stayed at the same incredibly high level all the way through, but Dembele didn't really explode into life until December, and was even dropped from Luis Enrique's squad for PSG's Champions League league-phase clash with Arsenal due to an apparent lack of commitment in training.

As if all that wasn't enough evidence in Yamal's favour, Dembele was also second-best at international level. The 28-year-old only scored twice in seven appearances for France between September and June, while Yamal notched three goals and one assist in the same number of games for Spain.

Crucially, it was Yamal who edged their 'Ballon d'Or play-off' in the Nations League semi-finals, as he scored a superb brace in Spain's thrilling 5-4 win against France after extra-time, while Dembele failed to get on the scoresheet after squandering several clear chances.

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"Today, Lamine made a statement. He proved he’s the best in the world and deserves the Ballon d'Or," Spain boss Luis de la Fuente declared after Yamal's Player-of-the-Match display against France. In truth, that was just one of many similar statements Yamal made in the most important matches last season.

Real Madrid were especially sick of the sight of the teenager by the end of May. La Masia's remarkable academy graduate scored in both of Barca's La Liga victories over their arch-rivals, as well as in their Clasico triumph in the Supercopa de Espana, while he also produced two assists against Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey showpiece as Flick's side ran out 3-2 winners after extra-time.

Yamal found the net against top-six clubs Atletico, Athletic Club and Villarreal, too, while in the Champions League, he scored in each of the knockout rounds. It's normal for talented youngsters to freeze up on the biggest stage, but Yamal seems to relish it.

"Obviously I know I am playing for Barca. I know the importance of that, but I don't think about pressure," Yamal told in April. "I play, enjoy myself… And that's all."

That enjoyment was clear for all to see in Barca's 3-1 win against Benfica in the second leg of their last-16 tie. Yamal provided the moment of magic that broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes, humiliating two Benfica defenders with a delightful dummy after gliding to the edge of the box, before playing in Raphinha to score (albeit with what looked like a mis-hit shot).

Benfica hit back with a quick equaliser, only to be undone by Yamal again, as the Spaniard cut in from the byline to unleash a sublime curling strike that nestled perfectly into the far corner of the net. Going away from goal with such a small target to aim for, it was the kind of effort most players would only dare to attempt on the training ground, but Yamal's audacity is his superpower.

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That remarkable finish against Benfica would have been worthy of winning Goal of the Tournament, but Yamal somehow managed to better it in Barcelona's semi-final clash with Inter. Barca fell 2-0 down inside 21 minutes in the first leg at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, and desperately needed a spark to get back into the game, which Yamal provided on his 100th senior appearance for the club.

After shaking off a challenge from Marcus Thuram on the right flank, Yamal skipped past Henrikh Mkhitaryan and tiptoed into the penalty area. At this point, the wiry attacker was surrounded, but he somehow got off a shot without breaking stride, and it flew in off the post past the completely helpless goalkeeper Yan Sommer.

In that moment, Yamal became the youngest player to score in the last four of the Champions League at 17 years and 291 days old, smashing Kylian Mbappe's previous record at Monaco. There were no remonstrations in the Inter defence afterwards, just a series of stunned faces wondering what on earth had just happened.

It was a feeling they got used to over the next 65 minutes. Yamal didn't deliver any more decisive blows, but he was a constant thorn in Inter's side and practically every Barca attack went through him. He had more shots than anyone else on the pitch (six), completed more dribbles (six), and 17 of his 102 touches came in the opponent's box, the second-most in a Champions League semi-final ever, behind Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery against Real Madrid in 2015. Barca eventually battled to a 3-3 draw, and then-Inter boss Simeone Inzaghi expressed his relief at having survived Yamal's masterclass after the final whistle.

“I have never seen a player like Yamal in the last eight or nine years,” Inzaghi said to . “He is a phenomenon. We had to triple him and obviously, spaces opened up elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, former Manchester United and Bayern midfielder Owen Hargreaves described Yamal as a "cheat code" in the studio, before adding: "I just want to see Lamine Yamal get the ball and everybody else get out of the way."

A decade ago (allow us the leniency of three weeks because it was actually Boxing Day 2014), a young Temba Bavuma made his Test debut at St George’s Park to mark one of the most significant full circle moments in South Africa cricket.Bavuma, who traces his roots back to the Eastern Cape, was the first black African specialist batter for the national men’s team and represented hope and change; the former for a majority population disenfranchised by segregation and the latter for what a team of the future could look like: inclusive, representative, and accessible to all.Now, Bavuma is captain of that same team and their most senior batter. He leads a side that is in the running for their first World Test Championship (WTC) final. Like the narrative that has (perhaps unfairly) followed him from day one, he has come the full circle.Related

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So, what’s changed between the Bavuma of 2014 and the Bavuma of 2024?”I’ve got less hair,” he joked at St Georges’ Park on the eve of the second Test against Sri Lanka. “In terms of the way I view the game, I see it a bit differently. When I came here as a 24-year-old, I was naive to a lot of things. Now, ten years later, having gone through the journey, the ups and downs, you appreciate things a lot more. You don’t take things for granted. And you try to find moments and memories in everything that is happening around you.”The Bavuma of 2014 entered a team filled with superstars who had already started retiring and that were about to enter a slide. They beat West Indies in his first outing, but went on to lose heavily in India, which ended a nine-year unbeaten away run, and opened up a period of uncertainty. In every year that Bavuma played, a big name called it a day.The leadership changed hands three times in the first two years from Hashim Amla to AB de Villiers to Faf du Plessis and the champion fast bowlers were battling serious injuries. South Africa slipped down the rankings and were taken less seriously as a Test team while Bavuma himself was considered a bit-part player.Temba Bavuma is airborne as he upper-cuts•Gallo Images/Getty Images

In his first eight years, he scored only one century and though most of his 20 fifties came in trying situations, numbers mattered. As did reputation. Between 2021 and 2024, he missed ten Tests through injury, was made white-ball captain and led the T20 side through two group stage exists at World Cups.Bavuma was also replaced as T20 captain and promoted to the Test leadership. Some of what Bavuma went through would have made a less steadfast cricketer walk away, but the strength of his conviction made him stay and now that he marks a decade as an international, he is glad he did.”I’ve been very grateful for the journey that I’ve been on, everything that has come with it. People always say that in hard times you really get to discover yourself, and I really do think that is true,” he said. “The one thing that hasn’t changed or won’t change is my passion and love for the game. It’s through that I’ve been able to overcome everything that has come my way. And, also there’s an ambition and a fire inside of me of certain things that I want to achieve.”One of those things must be the WTC final, which he spoke about as having put a “bigger value on Test cricket.” Another has to be hundreds. He now has three, two of them as captain. When Bavuma leads the side, he averages 54.22 which speaks to how that has brought out the best in him even as he has worked to balance the roles of skipper and senior batter.”The challenge that I’ve found as captain is separating those two. It’s important that you are able to do so,” he said. I focused a lot more on Temba the captain, to be honest, and everything that comes with it and I haven’t really given the energy and time that Temba the batter requires.”Yet the runs have come and Bavuma puts that down what time away from the game has forced him to do. “Being injured and not being able to be in the middle gave me time to kind of reflect on myself as a batter, what my goals are, how I want to go about doing my business, and obviously putting in the time and effort to do so.”Bavuma’s latest niggle is an elbow problem which kept him out of the matches in Bangladesh. He now bats with significant strapping and has had to put his beloved golf clubs down to prioritise his batting. Those are all things Bavuma is willing to do as he chases his cricketing dreams and despite being ten years in, he has promised there’s more to come.”I feel that I’ve got a couple of more years in me. Mentally, that is; physically, not too sure,” he said. “As long as I’m still enjoying the game, I’m still passionate about the game, I still get joy from seeing other guys perform and become inspired, I’ll still be well and truly on this journey.”