Wolves chiefs may “cash in” on key midfielder Joao Gomes in the January transfer window, which would be an immediate blow to Rob Edwards’ chances of keeping his side in the Premier League.
Edwards made a losing start to life as Wanderers boss last weekend, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and admitting it isn’t going to be a quick fix for the top flight strugglers.
“It’s not going to be done in a week. We knew it was never just going to be a click of your fingers and that’s it. There’s probably quite a lot there that has been the story of our season so far, fairly tight, maybe a little bit of a lack of confidence and belief, but not much in the game, and then you get punished.
“We need to try and find that first goal, and you can’t just say, ‘Right lads, we need to score first’. We’ve got to make sure that we do everything right, do the basics really well, and work hard and work harder. We’ve definitely tried to up the intensity, but it was quite a bitty week, we’ve not had all the players in.”
Edwards will know the importance of new signings when January rolls around, but equally it is vital to keep hold of key players, and a new update suggests that one star man could be on his way out of Wolves.
David Ornstein talks up potential Joao Gomes exit
Speaking to NBC Sport, journalist David Ornstein claimed that Wolves may look to sell Gomes midway through the season, in order to receive good money for him, amid rumoured interest from Manchester United.
Losing Gomes, Wolves’ highest earner on £105,000-a-week, is clearly something that Edwards won’t want to happen, but those high up at the club will be looking at the bigger picture, in terms of receiving the highest amount of money possible for him.
The 24-year-old is such an influential figure at the heart of the midfield, starting 10 Premier League games this season, and Mathues Cunha has made it clear that he would love to see him at United.
Wolves register interest in January loan deal for Real Madrid "goal machine"
The Old Gold have made an approach for a forward, following the 2-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
ByDominic Lund Nov 24, 2025
Ultimately, it does feel as though Gomes’ future lies away from Wolves, unless drastic improvements are made, but selling him in January would feel like a defeatist attitude in the relegation fight.
Before Gomes: Edwards must sell Wolves star who's made them a "worse side"
Tottenham Hotspur have endured a topsy-turvy spell over the last couple of years, with Ange Postecoglou’s reign one that was as turbulent to say the least.
The Aussie achieved a fifth-placed Premier League finish in the 2023/24 campaign, but he was ultimately unable to replicate such levels in his final year in North London.
He could only guide the Lilywhites to a 17th-placed finish last time around, subsequently losing 22 games in the process – the most of any side who haven’t been relegated from England’s top-flight.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou
However, the 60-year-old did win the Europa League last campaign, ending the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the role in North London.
He was subsequently sacked in the summer, with Thomas Frank taking the reins as a result, with the Dane potentially wanting to offload numerous of the Aussie’s additions in the upcoming window.
The players who could leave Spurs in the January window
During Postecoglou’s tenure at Spurs, he made numerous high-profile additions, with Dominic Solanke arriving in a club-record £65m transfer from Bournemouth in 2024.
Such excitement was generated given the nature of the transfer fee, but ultimately, his move to North London has been a failure, with injuries massively halting his progress of late.
The 28-year-old has only featured for a total of 31 league minutes in 2025/26, with Frank often unable to call upon the Englishman when needed during the early months of his tenure.
As a result, the manager may look to move the centre forward on in January, according to recent reports, which could allow for added investment in a new striker to bolster the attacking department.
He could also be joined in departing the club by numerous other players, with Manor Solomon a player who is seemingly edging closer to the exit door.
Like Solanke, the Israeli international joined under Ange’s guidance, but he’s also struggled to make the impact he would’ve envisaged upon his switch to North London.
yago-santiago-manor-solomon-tottenham-opinion
He’s only made six senior appearances for the Lilywhites, even being sent on various loan spells – with the 26-year-old currently spending the year on loan at Spanish side Villarreal.
However, his tally of five combined goals and assists in just six games could lead to a permanent exit, which could bring his two and a half year spell at the club to an end.
The Spurs player who may now need to leave
The lowly Premier League finish last season highlights the job Frank has had on his hands since taking over, but the Dane has been unable to fully fix the problems at Spurs.
His side currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League 2025/26, even sitting 10th in the Champions League table, but the underlying problems are still evident.
The Lilywhites have only won one game on home soil in England’s top-flight to date, with such a record placing them second bottom for home form in the division.
However, away from home, the club appear unstoppable, with Frank’s men winning four and drawing one of their five league outings – subsequently boasting the best record in the league.
Other problems are also evident within the first-team squad, with Brennan Johnson a player who has seen his form take a nose-dive over the last couple of months.
The Welshman joined in a £47.5m transfer from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023, with many supporters raising eyebrows at the nature of the fee.
Last season was by far and away his best of his career in North London, as the 24-year-old ended 2024/25 on a total of 18 goals across all competitions – the highest of any player in the squad.
However, Mohammed Kudus’ arrival has pushed the Welsh international down the pecking order and highlighted his struggles which were masked by his goalscoring tally last year.
Johnson has only started five times in the league to date, only scoring on two occasions, with his last effort in England’s top-flight coming way back in August.
His underlying figures further suggest he’s underperforming this year, with Frank desperately needing to sell the £100k-per-week star in the upcoming window.
Johnson has only completed 0.5 dribbles per 90 at a success rate of just 42%, which has led to criticism from the supporters over his lack of talent at getting past his opponents.
Games played
11
Games started
5
Goals scored
2
Dribbles completed
0.5
Dribble success rate
42%
Shots on target
0.3
Shot on target accuracy
30%
Big chances missed
2
In front of goal, he’s been just as terrible, only achieving a total of 0.3 shots on target per 90, at an accuracy rate of just 30% – with the winger unable to match his goalscoring heights from last year.
In the view of talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan, he’s a “work in progress” and a “speedboat without a brain”.
Given Kudus’ arrival and Johnson’s lack of impact, it would be a surprise to no one if the club decided to cash in on his services to avoid losing a small fortune on their investment.
It’s clear both parties need a fresh start in the months ahead, which could allow the club to invest needed funds in other areas to help them rise up the Premier League table in the second half of the season.
Spurs have another Kane in the making but he's likely to leave like Parrott
Tottenham have to watch from afar as Troy Parrott emerges as a clinical forward on the global stage.
Chasing 113 in 31 overs, Pakistan were well in control before rain ended the game prematurely
Valkerie Baynes15-Oct-2025
Fatima Sana wrecked Pakistan’s top order•ICC/Getty Images
No result Pakistan will never know, and England won’t want to know after they escaped what had threatened to be the upset this World Cup craved, thanks to the start of the Colombo monsoon.Both teams took a point – Pakistan’s first from four matches and England’s moving them to the top of the table, leading Australia on net run rate – after what had shaped as a thriller ended in a washout, the second in as many days at the R Premadasa Stadium.But it is Pakistan who should hold their heads high after a devastating opening spell from their captain Fatima Sana, who put England on the canvas at 78 for 7 before a 47-run stand for the eighth wicket between Charlie Dean and Em Arlott dragged them to 133 for 9 in 31 overs.Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 113, Pakistan were well in control, reaching 34 without loss after 6.4 overs before heavy showers returned to end the match prematurely.Related
Fatima Sana – a captain burdened, a fast bowler unrestrained
England's lucky break masks deeper batting issues
England, unbeaten heading into the match, were without their spin and seam-bowling spearheads when Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell were ruled out through illness and replaced by legspinner Sarah Glenn and seamer Arlott.But it was their misfiring batting line-up that came unstuck. Of England’s recognised batters, only Nat Sciver-Brunt, with a century in the previous match against Sri Lanka in Colombo, and Heather Knight, with a gritty 79 not out that rescued England from the threat of another upset at the hands of Bangladesh, had been in the runs since England chased down a paltry target of 70 without loss in their opening game with South Africa.Arlott, who had impressed England head coach Charlotte Edwards with a century at the start of the domestic season and went on to make her international debut during the English summer, was run out for 18 off 23 balls in the penultimate over while Dean expertly picked gaps in the field to top-score with 33 before becoming Sana’s fourth wicket, scooping to Omaima Sohail at short fine leg.Tammy Beaumont was bowled for 4•Getty ImagesEarlier, openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones continued to struggle and both departed inside the first three overs of the match. Beaumont left a dazzling nip-backer from Diana Baig to her peril as the ball clipped the off bail, leaving her with scores of 21 not out against South Africa followed by 13, 32 and 4 so far.Jones, meanwhile, helped herself to two fours off Sana’s first over before the latter produced a superb nip-backer which clattered into the top of middle and off, Jones departing for a second single-figure score in three innings.Knight, who had three dismissals overturned against Bangladesh, challenged an lbw decision in Sana’s next over and replays showed the ball was missing down the leg side. She also survived a hopeful Pakistan review for lbw two balls later when the ball was tracking outside off.But Sana’s biggest and best wicket was arguably that of Sciver-Brunt, done by yet another one that nipped back off the seam. She shaped to cut only for the ball to slide under her glove and onto the top of middle stump.Knight tried her luck once more when she was rapped on the pad by Sana but, with the ball on target to hit the top of leg stump, England were left floundering at 38 for 4.Sadia Iqbal chimed in for the spinners when she bowled an out-of-sorts Emma Lamb, sitting back in her crease to an arm ball that dipped and slid through her defences. Lamb had entered the World Cup in great form with half-centuries in warm-up games against India and Australia but she is another England batter yet to reach 20 at this tournament.Omaima Sohail scored an unbeaten 19 off 18 balls•ICC/Getty ImagesLikewise, Sophia Dunkley, who was removed for 11 via a successful review when she was struck on the pad attempting to sweep with the ball homing in on leg stump as Iqbal celebrated her second wicket and England lurched to 57 for 6 in the 12th over.Alice Capsey, on 8, swept Rameen Shamim’s first delivery, a low full toss, straight to square leg where Muneeba Ali shelled a simple chance. But Shamim had Capsey lbw for 16 when she missed a sweep shortly before the rain arrived for the first time, with England 79 for 7 after 25 overs.After a stoppage of around three hours and 45 minutes, play resumed with England needing to bat out another six overs, during which time they added 54 runs, thanks largely to Arlott and Dean.Pakistan have never beaten England in ODIs and have just one win against them in T20Is in 2013, which only added to their sense of what might have been had the weather not intervened.Sohail hadn’t played since her first-ball duck in Pakistan’s defeat to Bangladesh in their opening game but, recalled to bolster a batting line-up which – apart from Sidra Amin – had proved fragile at this event, she marshalled Pakistan’s pursuit here, easing to 19 off 18. She was supported by Muneeba, who remained unbeaten on 9.Pakistan’s performance offered some encouragement for a side that also had Australia 76 for 7 before losing by 107 runs, although that may well be an empty consolation.For England, it is a sharp reality check for a side which perhaps hasn’t fully exorcised the demons of a year ago, where their shortcomings under pressure knocked them out of another global showcase.
The committee, which included Brian Lara and Clive Lloyd, has identified the major challenges facing West Indies cricket and plotted short- and long-term actions for overall improvement
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Oct-2025
“Our commitment to cricket development across the region is unwavering,” Miles Bascombe said•Associated Press
The cricket strategy and officiating committee of Cricket West Indies, comprising a group of former legends and current leaders, have identified key areas of focus to raise the standard of West Indies cricket as well as short- and long-term actions. In the next six months, the CWI said, specialist coaches will be hired, a “state-of-the-art” high-performance centre will be set up, and there will be close coordination with franchises that employ West Indian cricketers so player fitness can be monitored.The committee, set up in August in the aftermath of West Indies’ 27 all out against Australia in Kingston, Jamaica, brought together Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, Shai Hope, Roston Chase and Ramnaresh Sarwan, among others. The first step was to identify the challenges faced by West Indies cricket. A CWI statement on Thursday listed the major issues as: Declining quality of regional tournaments Technical, tactical, and mental skills deficiencies Underperforming franchise system Gaps in infrastructure and facilities Lack of specialist coaching support Limited ICC revenue share and financial constraints Fragmented player development pathways Inadequate fitness and conditioning standardsThese, as well as the “action items” were “presented to and approved” by the CWI’s board of directors on September 25 at the quarterly meeting.In the short term, within the next months, “an internationally proven batting coach will be hired to work across the system, and a full-time sports psychologist/performance coach will join the senior men’s team” while “the women’s team role will also be upgraded to a full-time role”. That aside, “a capital [high-performance] project proposal will be advanced for a state-of-the-art facility at Coolidge Cricket Ground, including modern nets, gym, and rehabilitation infrastructure”, and “franchise teams will now submit individual development plans and meet new minimum standards” with player fitness “closely tracked, supported by a new regional fitness leaderboard”.The longer-term actions are more exhaustive, and include: A national cricket development framework unifying grassroots, school, academy, and high-performance pathways Comprehensive franchise reform to ensure accountability for player development and consideration of alternative professional models Establishment of standardised academies for ages 11-18 to feed into the high-performance programme Completion of the high-performance centre in Antigua as the regional hub for elite development Greater focus on financial sustainability, including lobbying for equitable ICC revenue distribution and new partnerships with governments, private entities, and philanthropists A structured mentorship framework connecting current and former West Indies players with emerging talentClive Lloyd has been vocal about lobbying with the ICC for more money•ICC/Getty Images
In early August, at the time the committee members met the press, Lara had said, “It’s been that case for years, where we are not in the same level-playing field as other playing countries. Back in the days when skill was the prominent factor, we excelled, we were the best team in the world. But the game has evolved, and technology and analytics, and we now have to see a new way of finding ourselves back to being very competitive.”I said not a level-playing field because a lot of the countries are far ahead in these sorts of areas. The skill factor of the game is still there, but not as prominent as it was in the past.”It’s a long road; it’s not going to happen tomorrow. It was not about the 27 runs. If it was 57 or 107, will we be feeling any better? I don’t think so. It was the fact that we’ve got something to address, and for us to get back on top, or to be a competitive nation in world cricket, we’ve got to address these situations and address them shortly, quickly, and hopefully we can reap the benefits in the years to come.”In many ways, it’s a starting point for West Indies cricket – at the moment, there is a women’s ODI World Cup which West Indies failed to qualify for, while the men are on the back foot after just one day’s play in a two-Test series in India – and CWI’s director of cricket, Miles Bascombe said, “While challenges remain, our commitment to cricket development across the region is unwavering, and all efforts will be made to prioritise the execution of these initiatives.”
Ruben Amorim has admitted to "stealing" piece ideas from his Premier League rivals following Manchester United's 2-1 win at Crystal Palace. Both Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount's second-half goals came from Bruno Fernandes' free kicks. The Portuguese manager also suggested his side were able to capitalise on the hosts' tiredness, three days removed from their latest Conference League fixture.
United exploit Palace tiredness with set piece goals
The visit to Selhurst Park looked set to be another frustrating outing for United, as they were outplayed by the Eagles in the opening 45 minutes. Oliver Glasner's side took the lead after Jean-Phillippe Mateta won a penalty when he was felled by compatriot Leny Yoro. The French international eventually converted from the spot, after he was allowed to re-take following an accidental double-touch on his first attempt.
Despite being second best for the majority of the opening hour of the game, Amorim's side were constantly threatening from set pieces. They could have taken the lead in the opening minutes, had it not been for a smart double save by Dean Henderson at the feet of Casemiro following a long throw. The visitors eventually made their dead-ball routines pay dividends in the second half. Captain Fernandes was the provider on both occasions. The equaliser came via Zirkzee's swivelling finish from a tight angle to score his first league goal in over a year. Mount found the winner as he struck home from the edge of the box after Fernandes took a quick touch from a free kick to catch the hosts napping.
In his post-match comments, Amorim admitted he was putting a greater emphasis on set pieces as teams in the Premier League continue to innovate in that phase of play. He also suggested his ability to work with his players on the training paddock without European football is helping, while the opposition struggling to keep pace in the second half due to their European exploits. Palace lost 2-1 away to Strasbourg on Thursday.
Advertisement'We are stealing a lot of things'
When asked about United's improvement at set pieces, Amorim said: "'We have more time to work. We work a lot and we learn a lot in England. We are stealing a lot of things to score goals."
He added: "We need to understand the opponent was tired in the second half. When you increase the rhythm and the opponent suffers a goal right away a goal, we had control.
“In the last 10 minutes of the first half, I felt the opponent was struggling and they would struggle in the second half. We had that feeling that we needed to do something to change the way we were playing.
“We tried to change little things in the game. But the intensity and the quality in the way we connected, especially Zirkzee, was better and that improves a lot the way we play.”
Set pieces cover up United's lack of creativity
While Amorim is right to herald his team's performance at dead ball situations, the lack of creativity in open play should remain an ongoing concern. United generated 1.25 xG over the course of 90 minutes at Selhurst Park, while the hosts created 1.97xG, according to Opta.
However, just 0.2xG of those chances came from open play for the visitors. Despite Amorim's assertion that his side took control of the game in the second half, you could just as easily argue the Red Devils were lucky to take the lead when looking at the underlying data. Both sides generated 0.26xG after the break, with Zrikzee and Mount's goals coming on chances worth just 0.05xG.
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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for United?
The Red Devils will be happy with a battling three points away to a well-drilled Palace side, regardless of how they get their goals. Amorim has bought himself more time over the course of the past few weeks, which could well be a result of the additional time on the training pitch without European competition. Now sitting in 7th in the Premier League table, the goal must be to return to continental competition next term. That endeavour continues when the Red Devils host West Ham at Old Trafford on Thursday.
نجح الدولي الفرنسي كيليان مبابي، لاعب فريق ريال مدريد في تسجيل هدف التعادل لصالح فريقه أمام أولمبياكوس في المباراة التي تجمعهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على أولمبياكوس في اليونان، في المباراة التي تجمعهما ضمن مباريات الجولة الخامسة لمرحلة الدوري، دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026، على ملعب “جورجيوس كارايسكاكيس”.
وجاء هدف التعادل في الدقيقة 22 إذ مرر الدولي البرازيلي فينيسيوس جونيور تمريرة رائعة بوجه القدم الخارجي لينفرد مبابي بالمرمى ويحرز هدف التعادل.
وفي الدقيقة 24، سجل مبابي سريعًا الهدف الثاني بطريقة رائعة ومميزة للغاية إذ أرسل جولر عرضية رائعة بقدمه اليُمنى سددها مبابي برأسه في مرمى حارس الفريق اليوناني.
وفي الدقيقة 29 سجل النجم الفرنسي الهدف الثالث له “هاتريك” والثالث في اللقاء ليسجل واحد من أسرع “هاتريك” في تاريخ دوري أبطال أوروبا إذ جاءت الـ 3 أهداف في 7 دقائق فقط.
Kane Williamson will miss the T20I series at home against England, but targets a return for the following ODI series. Williamson, who had returned to New Zealand from overseas on Thursday, had last played international cricket in the Champions Trophy final against India in Dubai in March earlier this year.Williamson, 35, is among a group of players who have a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC). He had earlier made himself unavailable for the three-match T20I series against Australia and missed the Zimbabwe tour to play county cricket and the Hundred as part of his deal with Middlesex.New Zealand coach Rob Walter said that Williamson was also dealing with a “minor medical issue” in the past month and that it was agreed that he needed more time to recover.”He’s obviously a world class player and we’re hoping these two weeks will ensure he’s ready for the ODIs against England and the following tour by West Indies,” Walter said in a statement.Regular white-ball captain Mitchell Santner returned from an abdominal surgery to take charge of the team while fast bowler Ben Sears was sidelined with a left-hamstring injury, sustained during training last week. An MRI scan revealed a hamstring tear, which will require three-four weeks to recover.Sears’ good friend and Wellington team-mate Rachin Ravindra, though, is set to return to action after being ruled out of the Australia T20Is with a facial injury. The allrounder had collided with the boundary boards during fielding practice at Bay Oval in the lead-up to the first T20I.Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) were all unavailable due to injury.There was no room for wristspinner Ish Sodhi, who became New Zealand’s most-capped T20I player earlier this month. Ravindra will be the third spin-bowling option behind captain Santner and Bracewell. Mark Chapman can also pitch in with left-arm spin, if needed.”It’s great to have Mitch back,” Walter said. “Alongside being our leader, he’s one of the very best white-ball spinners in the world and his skills and experience will be a welcome addition.”Likewise, it’s nice to welcome back Rachin who was unlucky to miss out on Australia and I know is really excited for this series.”Auckland mates Jimmy Neesham and Bevon Jacobs are part of New Zealand’s T20I squad•Zimbabwe Cricket
Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes have all been retained along with allrounder Jimmy Neesham.Neesham had originally been picked as a replacement player for the Australia T20Is after Ravindra had hurt his face, but he was particularly impressive in the third T20I in Mount Maunganui where he cut through Australia’s middle order with figures of 4 for 26.Neesham, who turned 35 last month, has ambitions of playing for New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.”I want to win a World Cup for New Zealand and that’s the reason I’m still playing and I’m still available,” Neesham said at his press conference after the third T20I against Australia. “It’s a very, very clear goal of mine. What happens with selection in the six months leading up to the tournament is up to powers above me. But no, I’ll just stay ready. If I’m in the squads or not leading up to the tournament, I’ll just take that in my stride and try and provide performances as best as I can when I’m selected in most teams.”The T20I series against England will kick off at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 18. Hagley Oval will also host the second T20I, on October 20, before the teams will shift to Auckland for the third – and final – T20I. The three-match ODI series will run from October 26 to November 1.Williamson could make his New Zealand return at his home ground, Bay Oval, on October 26.
NZ T20I squad
Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk)
Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to excel as a taekwondo kickboxer after investing in MMA promotion WOW FC, with boxing star Ryan Garcia insisting the Al-Nassr icon’s elite footwork could translate directly into the cage. Garcia praised Ronaldo’s “LeBron James–like longevity” and remarkable physique, fuelling fresh debate over the 40-year-old’s potential future beyond football.
Ronaldo forays into MMA as WOW FC shareholder
Ronaldo made headlines this week after officially joining the world of mixed martial arts as a shareholder in WOW FC, the Spanish promotion co-owned by UFC champion Ilia Topuria. His move into MMA investment has sparked widespread reaction, including from high-profile combat athletes who see a natural crossover in his athletic profile. Among them is Garcia, who believes Ronaldo’s famed explosiveness and footwork could translate into a competitive taekwondo-based discipline.
Ronaldo’s arrival at WOW FC coincides with the organisation’s rapid expansion across Europe and LATAM, fuelled by soaring live attendance and ambitious plans to innovate in fan-athlete interaction. The company views Ronaldo as both a global face and a strategic driver of growth, aligning with the sport’s increasing mainstream popularity.
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Ryan Garcia believes CR7 could become a 'taekwondo kickboxer'
Speaking to Covers.com, Garcia reacted enthusiastically after meeting Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, suggesting the Portuguese star has the ideal attributes to succeed in taekwondo-style kickboxing. He said: “[Cristiano Ronaldo] has got feet for a reason, not hands. Anything with your feet, maybe he could be a Taekwondo kickboxer.” He highlighted Ronaldo’s agility, balance, and lower-body power as key reasons he could adapt to the sport’s technical demands.
Garcia also praised Ronaldo’s personality, recalling their meeting at the Usyk vs Dubois fight. He explained: “When I met him he was a charming fellow, a very strong figure, and a very sweet dude, a gentleman. He’s inspirational.”
The boxer then compared Ronaldo to one of the greatest athletes on the planet, saying: “For him to keep his body intact, and perform at such a high level at his age is… he’s like LeBron James.” He added that Ronaldo’s example gives him personal inspiration, concluding: “Hard work, discipline, and belief could take you anywhere.”
Ronaldo reportedly has a body age of 28.7
Ronaldo’s foray into MMA has come at a time when his physical condition continues to defy all conventional expectations for a 40-year-old footballer. According to advanced biometrics collected by WHOOP, his body performs more like that of an elite athlete aged just 28.7, a finding grounded in data spanning sleep quality, recovery rate, heart-rate zones and metabolic efficiency.
The company’s analysis suggests the Al-Nassr forward possesses exceptional metabolic control that enables sustained high-intensity performance. WHOOP highlighted elite haemoglobin levels and oxygen delivery efficiency, attributes that underpin both explosive movement and long-duration endurance. That profile helps explain why Ronaldo, even in his forties, continues to perform at a world-class level while maintaining a professional workload that rivals much younger players.
Ronaldo himself responded humorously to the findings, posting “The data doesn’t lie” on X as fans reacted to the revelation. His ability to maintain low inflammation, rapid recovery cycles and consistent energy output has long been seen as a fundamental part of his branding as the sport’s model athlete. It also strengthens the argument made by Garcia; if any footballer could theoretically adapt to the physical demands of combat sports, it might be Ronaldo.
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AFP
Ronaldo to promote MMA in key regions
Ronaldo’s investment in WOW FC will see him play a key strategic role as the promotion expands into new global markets across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. His involvement is expected to boost visibility, attract sponsors and help develop new athlete-fan experiences as the company looks beyond Spain. While speculation about a career switch remains playful, no such transition is expected, and Ronaldo’s immediate future lies in football and shaping WOW FC’s rise within the MMA landscape.
Shohei Ohtani had a monster game on Thursday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers blew out the Athletics 19-2 at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani hit home runs in back-to-back innings to move into a tie for the league lead during the victory. If there was a bright spot for the A's, it may be that they found someone who can effectively deal with the three-time MVP at the plate: backup catcher Jhonny Pereda.
Trailing by 14 heading into the 8th, Pereda took the mound to try and save the arms in the bullpen. Ohtani came to the plate with two runners on and no outs. Pereda threw four straight fastballs that were clocked between 62 and 68 MPH. After Ohtani took three pitches and fouled one off Pereda reached back and threw an 89 MPH four-seam fastball.
Everything that happened after that was amazing.
First Pereda flinched as he saw Ohtani swing the bat. Ohtani grimaced knowing he had chased one up and out of the zone and missed. The knowledge that he had been struck out by a position player probably didn't help. Pereda tried to stay cool, but couldn't hide his smile. Then he threw the ball over the dugout so that he could keep the ball forever.
Pereda, 29, made his MLB debut last season with the Miami Marlins. He's 6-for-32 with a double and RBI this season with the Athletics. Whatever else he does as a big leaguer, he'll always be able to say he struck out one of the best hitters in the history of the game. And he's got the souvenir to prove it.
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. is one step closer to making his long-awaited return to the field, as he is set to begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday, May 13 in the Florida Complex Rookie League.
Depending how he does there, Acuña could be ready to jump up to Triple-A sometime soon after that, and then he would be cleared for the majors.
There is still not a set timeline on when Acuña could return to the Braves' lineup.
Acuña hasn't played since May 26, 2024, as he tore his left ACL and underwent surgery soon after. He missed the remainder of the 2024 season, then didn't compete during Spring Training this year. It was expected he wouldn't be ready for Opening Day, but the Braves would likely want him back as soon as they can.
The Braves currently sit third in the American League East with a 19-21 record.