David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, has hinted that he expects Lionel Messi to continue playing, citing Messi's persistent hunger for success despite his age. Beckham's comments come amid ongoing speculation about Messi's future in soccer.

Messi, who is 38 years old, has a history of retiring from international soccer twice before returning to achieve major victories with Argentina, including recent honors. His contract with Inter Miami is set to expire in December, and he has not yet committed to an extension, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his career.

After playing what is believed to be his final competitive international match on Argentine soil—a 3–0 win over Venezuela—Messi admitted that he likely will not participate in the next World Cup due to his age. He emphasized that he is taking his future day by day and match by match, without making definitive decisions.

When pressed about the 2026 World Cup, Messi stated that no decision has been made, and he was similarly non-committal about his club future, noting that he will evaluate how he feels after the MLS season ends and during the preseason.

Beckham reinforced his belief in Messi's continued drive through an Instagram post, praising Messi's dedication to his country and celebrating his achievements, suggesting that Messi "still wants more" for Argentina rather than for personal glory.

Despite his seniority, Messi's performance remains elite; in 17 MLS starts this year, he has recorded 19 goals and 8 assists, leading Inter Miami as their top scorer and playmaker. For the Argentine national team, he remains a key figure, contributing directly to eight goals in seven appearances since their Copa América triumph in 2024.

Lionel Messi cast doubt over his involvement at the 2026 World Cup and is yet to sign a new Inter Miami contract.

‘Special’—David Beckham Drops Lionel Messi Career Hint

The Atlanta Dream secured a significant victory over the LA Sparks on Friday night, extending their winning streak to four games and improving their season record to 28-14. The win was dominant, with a final score of 104-85, achieved despite the absence of superstar guard Allisha Gray.

In Gray's absence, star guard Rhyne Howard delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 37 points, along with five rebounds and six assists. She shot 13-26 from the field and 9-17 from three-point range, tying the WNBA single-game record for most three-pointers made. This marked the fifth instance in league history a player reached this mark, but Howard became the first to achieve it multiple times and twice in one season.

Howard had the opportunity to break the record with a tenth three-pointer but went 0-3 from deep in the fourth quarter. Despite being close to making history, head coach Karl Smesko pulled the starters, including Howard, with over a minute left due to the large lead. Smesko later explained he was unaware of Howard nearing the record and admitted he might have kept her in the game if he had known, though he acknowledged her performance had cooled off by the final quarter.

Ultimately, it was a historic night for Howard and the Dream, highlighting her record-tying achievement and the team's strong season performance.

Atlanta Dream's Karl Smesko benched Rhyne Howard while she was on the verge of WNBA history.

Dream Coach Defends Shocking Rhyne Howard Decision Amid Historic Game

Manchester City will kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign with a home match against Napoli on September 18 at the Etihad Stadium, featuring the notable return of former club legend Kevin De Bruyne, who now plays for Napoli.

The club has submitted its squad for the Champions League league phase, showcasing significant changes from the previous season. Key players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gündoğan, Manuel Akanji, and Kyle Walker have all departed, marking a major shift in the team's composition.

The current squad includes goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford, Stefan Ortega, and Marcus Bettinelli; defenders Nathan Aké, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov, Matheus Nunes, John Stones, and Rayan Aït-Nouri; midfielders Rodri, Mateo Kovačić, Nico, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Rayan Cherki; and attackers Sávio, Jérémy Doku, Oscar Bobb, Omar Marmoush, and Erling Haaland, with Rico Lewis and Nico O'Reilly on List B.

Despite the overhaul, the squad appears strong and deep across all positions, providing manager Pep Guardiola with numerous options. The team aims to improve on last season's disappointing Champions League performance and hopes to adapt quickly to the changes for a successful campaign.

Manchester City will begin their UEFA Champions League campaign with a home fixture against Napoli on September 18 at the Etihad Stadium. The game will see City legend Kevin De Bruyne return to the Et...

Manchester City have confirmed their Champions League squad which highlights the level of change at the club

Real Madrid defender David Alaba has been the subject of exit rumors in recent months, with speculation about his role under manager Xabi Alonso. The Austrian international has recently returned from injury after undergoing his third surgery in two years.

Alaba suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that required a second operation, and just four months after returning, he sustained another knee injury in April that needed surgery. With Real Madrid reportedly placing their defensive future in Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen, the club allegedly offered to terminate his contract this summer, and several clubs were rumored to be interested in signing him.

In response to transfer links to Turkey and Serie A, Alaba firmly dismissed the rumors, stating that he laughed at the false reports and does not dwell on such speculation. Despite not having played under Xabi Alonso yet and facing doubts about his ability to secure a starting role this season, Alaba expressed confidence in his fitness.

Alaba declared that he feels good and has made significant progress, believing he could play 90 minutes for the national team. He subsequently started and played 70 minutes in Austria's 1-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Cyprus, marking his first start since April.

Real Madrid star David Alaba has opened up about his experience of the summer transfer window amid talk of offers and an exit from the club.

Real Madrid star reveals truth about his summer transfer window – ‘All lies’

Manchester City treble winner Manuel Akanji has joined Inter Milan on loan on Deadline Day, reuniting with manager Cristian Chivu. The deal includes an initial €2 million fee and a €15 million purchase clause, which becomes mandatory if Akanji plays in 50% of Inter's games or if the club wins Serie A.

The move follows Pep Guardiola's decision to reduce squad size, leaving Akanji as an out-of-favor player. Guardiola informed six central defenders that only two would start and two would be on the bench, making it difficult for the rest. Akanji expressed disappointment, stating he always expected to play.

Akanji, who did not feature in Manchester City's first three matchday squads beyond bench appearances, fell behind defenders like Abdukodir Khusanov, John Stones, Nathan Aké, and Rúben Dias. When asked about losing favor, he responded, "You’ll have to ask him," referring to Guardiola.

Despite the loan, Akanji remains under contract with Manchester City until 2027 and did not rule out a return, noting he and his family were comfortable in Northwest England. During City's treble-winning 2022–23 season, he made 29 Premier League appearances, primarily as a center-back, and started in the Champions League final victory over Inter Milan.

Akanji is expected to make his Inter debut after the international break, with a potential first match in the derby against Juventus next Saturday.

Manuel Akanji completed a loan move to Inter Milan on deadline day.

Man City Star Reveals Brutal Pep Guardiola Message That Resulted in Summer Move

The Milwaukee Bucks are retaining faith in Kyle Kuzma despite his poor playoff performance and plan to have him in the rotation for the upcoming season. However, the team recognizes the need for contingency plans if he struggles again, underscoring the importance of not letting Amir Coffey leave after training camp.

Beyond stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kuzma, the Bucks' forward depth is limited to Taurean Prince and two inexperienced prospects, making the position a potential weakness. Coffey is viewed as arguably the best option in that group and could serve as a valuable role player, but his current contract only covers training camp, and roster adjustments would be required to retain him.

Allowing Coffey to depart could prove costly for Milwaukee, as he offers NBA-ready skills as a rotational wing rather than just a camp invite. His combination of size and shooting provides versatility that addresses the team's recent depth concerns, making him a useful asset even if Kuzma performs well.

The Milwaukee Bucks must find a way to keep Amir Coffey. He could be their go-to if Kyle Kuzma falters again.

Bucks can't afford to disown Kyle Kuzma insurance policy

The New York Liberty defeated the Seattle Storm 84-76 on Friday night, snapping a five-game road losing streak. Kennedy Burke emerged as the pivotal player, scoring all 13 of her points in the second half to spark the comeback victory.

While Breanna Stewart led the team with 24 points and a season-high five blocks, and Leonie Fiebich contributed a career-high 21 points, Burke's impact was decisive. After being scoreless in the first half, she entered late in the third quarter with New York trailing by nine and scored eight points in the period to narrow the deficit to one heading into the fourth.

Burke's aggressiveness and defensive effort were crucial; she forced a key turnover in the final quarter and finished with a game-high +17 plus-minus rating. Her performance underscored the trust placed in her by coach Sandy Brondello, allowing her to play through early struggles and deliver in critical moments.

Despite a bench strengthened by high-profile additions, Burke's continuity from last season's Finals team provides stability and understanding of the system, making her an essential presence for the Liberty's title aspirations. The team avoided a season sweep by Seattle and will next face the Washington Mystics.

One New York Liberty reserve's second-half surge lifted the team over the Seattle Storm, snapping a five-game road skid behind her season-best scoring and defense.

Liberty Reserve Sparks Comeback Over Storm

Israel's national basketball coach Ariel Beit-Halahmy made a controversial joke when asked about defending against Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of their Round of 16 match, suggesting "You'd need an M-16" to stop him.
Following the remark, the team's staff attempted to prevent it from being published, indicating concerns over its appropriateness and potential backlash.

Israel Aims to Bounce Back With Tough, Smart Defense After Struggling Against Top Players as They Face a Historic Challenge, Not Having Beaten Greece in 32 Years

Israel's Coach Says 'You'll Need an M-16' to Contain Giannis Before Greece Showdown

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Luka Dončić to a long-term contract extension shortly after acquiring him from the Dallas Mavericks during the 2024-2025 NBA season. The move has been widely praised, with the Lakers receiving a positive offseason grade for securing Dončić's future with the franchise.

Dončić's new deal is a three-year extension worth over $160 million. He will complete the final year of his current contract, earning $45.9 million in the 2025-2026 season, before starting the new extension with approximately $49.6 million in 2026-2027. The contract includes a player option for $57.5 million in 2028.

The Lakers were motivated to extend Dončić quickly to avoid the risk of him leaving as an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Reports indicate that the team leveraged his potential free agency to retain additional first-round picks in the trade with Dallas. The front office viewed the extension as essential to avoid criticism similar to what the Mavericks faced for not securing a long-term commitment.

Since joining the Lakers, Dončić has demonstrated his elite talent, averaging 28.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 28 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he elevated his performance to 30.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game over five appearances. Throughout his 450-game career, he has maintained averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.

The Lakers are counting on Dončić to lead the team back to the Western Conference Finals and make a push for the NBA Finals, something the franchise has not achieved since 2020. With LeBron James still on the roster, the organization hopes the Dončić extension will yield immediate success and help James win another championship before retiring.

What do you do if you make a blockbuster trade in shocking fashion to land one of the most prominent young players in the game? You lock them up long-term as soon as they are eligible.

NBA Writer Hands Lakers Clear Grade for Luka Doncic Decision

Tottenham Hotspur made several good signings in the summer transfer window, improving their first-team squad compared to June, but they still face issues in three key positions: left wing, full-back, and center-back. These weaknesses could hinder their performance, and the club is expected to address them in the January transfer window.

On the left wing, Tottenham has a clear deficiency. Mathys Tel is the only natural left winger but was excluded from the Champions League squad, indicating he is not yet ready for the first team. Brennan Johnson has been starting in that position, but with a busy fixture schedule, he may need to serve as a backup to Mohammed Kudus, highlighting the need for a more reliable option. The club has been linked with a move for Savinho in January to strengthen this area.

In the full-back positions, while Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, and Destiny Udogie provide decent options, depth is a concern. An injury to multiple players could cause problems, as Archie Gray, who played right-back at Leeds United, is primarily a center-back or midfielder at Tottenham and may not be a long-term solution. Additionally, with Yves Bissouma potentially exiting, Gray might be needed elsewhere, underscoring the need for reinforcement.

At center-back, Tottenham has top players like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, along with Kevin Danso, but other options such as Kota Takai and Radu Dragusin have not impressed and were left out of the Champions League squad due to injuries. Ben Davies is included but is aging and losing pace, making him less reliable. The club missed out on targets like Manuel Akanji, Piero Hincapie, and Nathan Ake, and ideally, they should aim to have four solid central defenders to ensure depth and quality.

Tottenham Hotspur made some good signings this summer, but Thomas Frank is still short on options in some positions.

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