Press conference
Manager / player media briefings.
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Verstappen feels "like myself again" as battery-free Monaco qualifying revives his love of F1
Max Verstappen says Monaco Grand Prix qualifying gave him the most natural driving experience of the 2026 season, as the circuit's low-speed layout eliminated the battery management demands he has repeatedly criticised.
Formula 1 -
Cherki said "coach", not "wesh": Adil Rami settles the controversy by reading lips
A video of Rayan Cherki's arrival at Clairefontaine sparked an online controversy: did the Manchester City player greet Didier Deschamps with a "wesh"? Former defender Adil Rami watched the footage and categorically denies it.
Football -
Lukaku on the bench, Moreira overlooked: Garcia's attacking choices questioned ahead of World Cup
Four days after a victory in Croatia, Rudi Garcia's Belgium face Tunisia in Brussels in their second World Cup 2026 warm-up match. The attacking options chosen by the French manager are fueling controversy.
Football -
Mbappe rejects Messi talent vs Ronaldo hard work narrative ahead of World Cup
Kylian Mbappe has pushed back on the idea that Lionel Messi succeeds on talent alone while Cristiano Ronaldo relies purely on hard work, calling it a view only someone who has never played football could hold.
Football -
Button tips Verstappen and resurgent Mercedes to threaten Ferrari in Monaco qualifying
Jenson Button has identified Max Verstappen and a rapidly improving Mercedes as the primary threats to Ferrari ahead of Monaco Grand Prix qualifying, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton having led Friday practice at Monte Carlo.
Formula 1 -
UFC champion Strickland calls fighter pay 'predatory' and warns American roster is dying
Sean Strickland has launched a sharp attack on UFC fighter pay, calling the promotion's revenue share 'predatory' and arguing the disparity with other major sports leagues is driving American fighters off the roster.
MMA -
Unbeaten Hokit dismisses Lewis as step down, eyes Pereira showdown at UFC White House
Josh Hokit, 9-0 and riding a unanimous decision win over Curtis Blaydes, says a victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC White House on June 14 holds little competitive value — but believes the high-profile card will fast-track him to a fight with Alex Pereira.
MMA -
Merino hails Yamal as world's best but warns Spain cannot rely on teenager alone
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has praised Lamine Yamal's growth since Euro 2024, calling the Barcelona winger probably the best player in the world right now — while stressing that Spain's World Cup hopes rest on collective strength, not one teenager.
Football -
Norris admits confidence at 85% as McLaren's known weakness haunts Monaco qualifying
Defending champion Lando Norris qualified eighth in Monaco — his worst grid position of the 2026 season — after admitting the MCL40's lack of front-end feel and electrical gremlins have eroded his confidence and met his own low expectations for the weekend.
Formula 1 -
Tuchel vows England squad will rally around Eze after Champions League final penalty miss
Thomas Tuchel has promised that the England group will support Eberechi Eze when Arsenal's four players join the squad in West Palm Beach, insisting their penalty shoot-out defeat to PSG cannot overshadow a season in which they won their first league title in 22 years.
Football -
Wolff blames lost car confidence for Russell's sixth-place Monaco qualifying
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says George Russell never found confidence in his car during Monaco GP qualifying, leaving him sixth while team-mate Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position and extended his championship lead to 43 points.
Formula 1 -
De la Rosa admits Aston Martin has no upgrades coming as AMR26 stays rooted to the bottom
Team ambassador Pedro de la Rosa offered a bleak assessment of Aston Martin's 2026 season at Monaco, confirming no upgrades are imminent as the AMR26 remained the slowest car in both Friday practice sessions, with Fernando Alonso again struggling with chronic understeer.
Formula 1 -
Martinez defends Ronaldo's World Cup place on merit, not reputation
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has insisted Cristiano Ronaldo's place in his squad for the 2026 World Cup is justified by current form, pointing to 25 goals in 30 games under his management as the 41-year-old prepares for a sixth World Cup.
Football -
Scaloni says Messi is training with Argentina squad and could feature in warm-up matches
Lionel Messi is recovering well from the muscle strain he suffered during Inter Miami's MLS win over Philadelphia Union and may play a part in Argentina's final World Cup friendlies against Honduras and Iceland.
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Chicharito predicts Mexico's World Cup run while urging fans to reset expectations
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández, Mexico's all-time leading scorer, has shared his World Cup prediction for El Tri while calling on fans to abandon unrealistic expectations about playing style and embrace a more pragmatic approach to the tournament.
Football -
Ancelotti announces possible return of Neymar to group training next week
Absent from the Brazil squad since October 2023 due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Neymar could rejoin the Brazilian group as early as next week if his MRI scan proves conclusive, according to Carlo Ancelotti.
Football -
Richards ruled out as USA face Germany in final World Cup warm-up at Soldier Field
Chris Richards, the United States' first-choice centre back, will miss Saturday's pre-tournament friendly against Germany at Soldier Field after damaging ankle ligaments last month, leaving coach Mauricio Pochettino short of his most important defender ahead of the World Cup.
Football -
Tuchel confirms Kane will be managed carefully through England's World Cup campaign
Thomas Tuchel says Harry Kane will not be required to play every minute of England's World Cup campaign this summer, with the Bayern Munich striker set to receive just 45 minutes in Saturday's friendly against New Zealand.
Football -
Tuchel voices pitch concerns ahead of England's friendly against New Zealand in Tampa
Thomas Tuchel says he is 'a little bit worried and concerned' about the patchwork pitch at Raymond James Stadium ahead of England's World Cup warm-up against New Zealand on Saturday, though he insists it will not affect his team selection.
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Smith backs Murrayfield move to energise Glasgow ahead of URC semi-final against Bulls
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith says playing their United Rugby Championship semi-final at Murrayfield on 6 June will give his side an energy boost, dismissing any concern over the switch from their usual Scotstoun home.
Rugby
