Injuries news — SportsCatch

Messi rested in training ahead of Argentina-England semi-final

The day after Argentina's grueling victory over Switzerland, Lionel Messi and several senior players were given a rest day during the collective training session. At 39 years old, the Albiceleste captain is the fifth most-used player in this World Cup with 530 minutes played.

Football Jul 13

Youngs backs Smith to start at scrum-half again after record-breaking Fiji cameo

Former England scrum-half Ben Youngs has declared Marcus Smith good enough to reprise his No.9 role against Argentina in the Nations Championship, calling the Harlequins fly-half England's greatest ever scrum-half based on his 20-30 minute cameo against Fiji.

Rugby Jul 13

Rabiot or Koné: Deschamps faces a real dilemma in midfield ahead of France-Spain

On the eve of the World Cup semi-final against Spain, Didier Deschamps has yet to decide between Adrien Rabiot, returning from injury, and Manu Koné, who has been very convincing in the last two matches.

Football Jul 13

Pollock demands England starting shirt after hat-trick dismantles Fiji

Henry Pollock scored a hat-trick as England routed Fiji 73-8, and the 21-year-old flanker has declared his ambition to start against Argentina — a call backed loudly by former England internationals Ben Youngs, Chris Ashton and Jeremy Guscott.

Rugby Jul 13

Reece James returns from injury to target Argentina in World Cup semi-final

Reece James came off the bench in England's 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway after missing three matches with a hamstring injury, and says the squad is ready for a semi-final showdown with holders Argentina.

Football Jul 13

Crawford delivers blunt verdict on McGregor's 69-second UFC 329 collapse

Unbeaten boxing champion Terence Crawford responded to Conor McGregor's injury-shortened UFC 329 return with a pointed message on X, writing 'God punish them' — a reference to their long-running public feud.

MMA Jul 13

Barrett ruled out of All Blacks' South Africa tour as Holland edges closer to return

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Scott Barrett will miss the four-Test tour of South Africa after minor injuries kept the 89-cap lock out of the entire 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. Fabian Holland, however, is tracking well to be included in the extended 44-man squad.

Rugby Jul 13

Sonnen declares McGregor 'cannot main event' UFC cards after second straight injury exit

Chael Sonnen has written off Conor McGregor's ability to headline UFC events after the Irishman's knee injury ended his return fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329, the second consecutive main event McGregor has failed to complete due to injury.

MMA Jul 13

Disappointing World Cup with Algeria, Luca Zidane under threat at Granada

Criticized during the 2026 World Cup with Algeria, Luca Zidane sees his starting goalkeeper position at Granada weakened: the Andalusian club is targeting Raul Lizoain, an experienced 35-year-old goalkeeper, to compete with him.

Football Jul 13

Strickland raises steroid theory after McGregor's knee gives way at UFC 329

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has suggested long-term steroid use may have made Conor McGregor's body fragile, after the Irishman suffered a first-round knee injury against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on Saturday.

MMA Jul 13

Aspinall declares himself fit and eyes UFC Paris return after eye-injury no contest

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall says he has told the promotion he is ready to fight and is targeting the UFC Paris card on 5 September, his first bout since a no-contest with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.

MMA Jul 13

Prates taunts injured McGregor: 'I would hurt you bad' after UFC 329 collapse

Carlos Prates has fired a pointed message at Conor McGregor following the Irishman's 69-second exit at UFC 329, insisting the welterweight would have been a nightmare matchup and urging McGregor to step aside for the new generation.

MMA Jul 13

Ioane recalled to All Blacks squad as injury cover ahead of Ireland clash

Rieko Ioane has been called back into the All Blacks squad as injury cover ahead of the Nations Championship fixture against Ireland, returning to Test rugby after a sabbatical season with Leinster where he won the URC title.

Rugby Jul 13

Erasmus targets Argentina Test for Feinberg-Mngomezulu's Springbok comeback

Rassie Erasmus has revealed that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu could return to the Springbok squad in time for the August 8 Test against Argentina, giving the flyhalf one match to prove his fitness before the All Blacks arrive for the Greatest Rivalry Tour.

Rugby Jul 12

Schmidt names three fresh faces for Italy farewell as winless Wallabies chase history

Joe Schmidt has made three changes to his Australia squad for next Saturday's Test against Italy in Perth, his final match in charge, as the Wallabies look to avoid finishing with the worst win-loss record of any Wallabies head coach.

Rugby Jul 12

Bellingham clutches shoulder in World Cup quarter-final as England face Argentina next

Jude Bellingham was visibly in discomfort with his left shoulder during and after England's World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway at Hard Rock Stadium, raising fitness concerns ahead of a semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta.

Football Jul 12

Former Benfica winger Manu Evaristo dies in road accident at 43

Emanuel Evaristo, known as Manu, a former winger for Benfica Lisbon and Legia Warsaw among others, has died in a road accident at the age of 43. Portuguese football is in mourning.

Football Jul 12

Bellingham's brace seals England's win but shoulder concern follows him off the pitch

Jude Bellingham scored both goals in England's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway, but Spanish media have raised concerns the Real Madrid midfielder may have aggravated a shoulder injury he underwent surgery on last summer.

Football Jul 12

Antonio accuses West Ham of offering £5,000-a-week deal and banning him from training after car crash

Michail Antonio has revealed the full breakdown of his relationship with West Ham following his December 2024 car accident, claiming the club offered him a £5,000-a-week contract with the under-21s and that Graham Potter tried to bar him from the training ground.

Football Jul 12

Quirke called up to replace injury-plagued Mitchell for England's Argentina finale

Raffi Quirke has been summoned to Steve Borthwick's England squad after Alex Mitchell suffered a hamstring injury — his third of the season — during the 73-8 win over Fiji, ruling him out of Saturday's Nations Championship clash against Argentina in Santiago del Estero.

Rugby Jul 12