Retirement
Player retiring from competition.
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Chimaev and Burns set for RAF 13 rematch two years after their UFC 273 classic
Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns will meet for the second time at RAF 13 on September 18 in Miami, reprising their memorable UFC 273 welterweight clash from 2022. The bout is the co-main event of a card headlined by Colby Covington vs. Belal Muhammad.
MMA -
Humiliated after AFCON, Aubameyang announces international retirement with Gabon
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his withdrawal from the Gabon national team after being excluded and then reinstated following Gabon's group-stage elimination at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The 37-year-old striker denounces a public humiliation while playing injured.
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Chute Boxe renames institute after Allan Nascimento, UFC flyweight who died at 34
A month after UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento died of an apparent heart attack in his sleep, his longtime coach Diego Lima has renamed his MMA institute in the fighter's honour, while teammates vow to carry his legacy forward.
MMA -
Shogun Rua reverses retirement stance to demand Teixeira rematch after boxing defeat
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua lost a decision to Glover Teixeira at Spaten Fight Night in São Paulo on Saturday, then immediately called for a rematch — despite having said he would retire after the bout. Former teammate Anderson Silva urged Rua to switch to jiu-jitsu instead.
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Flick salutes Messi as world's best after retirement announcement ahead of Rayo clash
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick called Lionel Messi the best player in the world and admitted sadness at his retirement from international football, before outlining defensive changes for the side's La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano.
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Portsmouth mourn Alan Knight, 'The Legend' who made 801 appearances, dead at 65
Alan Knight, Portsmouth's record-appearance goalkeeper and club ambassador, has died at the age of 65. Known simply as 'The Legend' at Fratton Park, Knight made 801 appearances for Pompey after debuting as a 16-year-old in 1978.
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Antonela Roccuzzo pays tribute to Messi after international retirement: « What a privilege »
Following Lionel Messi's announcement of his international retirement, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo posted a personal message on Instagram, reflecting on the trials and triumphs they have shared over decades.
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Messi retires from Argentina for good after 207 caps and World Cup glory
Lionel Messi has announced his permanent retirement from international football, ending a 20-year Argentina career of 207 appearances and 125 goals. The 39-year-old confirmed the decision two days after Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final, with the death of his father Jorge also shaping his choice.
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Messi retires from Argentina after 22 years, two Copa Américas and a World Cup
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 22-year Argentina career that included a 2022 World Cup triumph, two Copa Américas, and 125 international goals. He will continue playing for Inter Miami in MLS.
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Messi announces international retirement after twenty years with Argentina
Lionel Messi officially ended his Argentina career on July 21, more than a month after the country's loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, 39, announced his decision on Instagram.
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Messi retires from international football after World Cup final defeat to Spain
Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina career following a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. The 39-year-old finishes with 207 caps and 125 goals across more than two decades of international football.
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Van Dijk hints at Netherlands future but demands respect before committing to Xavi era
Virgil van Dijk says he will meet new Netherlands manager Xavi before deciding whether to continue his international career. The 35-year-old Liverpool defender, four caps short of a century, insists he needs to feel valued and appreciated to carry on.
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Magomedsharipov ends seven-year absence with decision over UFC featherweight Zalal at ACBJJ 22
Zabit Magomedsharipov made his long-awaited return to competition at ACBJJ 22 in Istanbul on 30 August 2026, defeating UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision in a grappling match — his first competitive outing since 2019.
MMA -
Running, beers and Desperate Housewives: Hazard describes his retirement without apologies
In a relaxed interview, Eden Hazard detailed his daily life since retirement: morning runs to lose weight, golf, padel, beers at the cafeteria and evenings watching Desperate Housewives.
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Teixeira rules out full retirement after boxing Shogun Rua, hints at influencer bouts next
Glover Teixeira came out of MMA retirement to box Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua at Spaten Fight Night 3 in São Paulo on Aug. 29, but the former UFC light heavyweight champion says the exhibition will not be his last fight.
MMA -
Herrera returns to boyhood Real Zaragoza and donates his entire salary to the club's foundation
Ander Herrera has rejoined Real Zaragoza, the club where he began his career, on a voluntary basis — waiving his salary entirely and directing it to the club's charitable foundation as they fight to escape the Spanish third division.
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Brady defends Din Thomas but questions timing of live retirement announcement after Robertson's UFC 330 loss
Sean Brady says he disagrees with how Din Thomas publicly announced his retirement from cornering moments after Gillian Robertson's strawweight title loss at UFC 330, but insists he still welcomes Thomas in his corner for his Nov. 7 clash with Gabriel Bonfim.
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Poirot confirms knee injury and reveals this will be his final professional season
Bordeaux-Bèglès and France loosehead Jefferson Poirot will miss six to eight weeks after spraining his knee, putting his Champions Cup opener in doubt. The 33-year-old also confirmed this will be his last season in professional rugby.
Rugby -
Retired fly-half Freddie Burns returns to Leicester as kicking coach
Freddie Burns has been appointed Leicester Tigers' kicking coach, returning to Welford Road after retiring at the end of last season. The former England fly-half, who was part of the club's 2022 Premiership title win, has signed a full-time contract.
Rugby -
Makhachev targets 20-fight win streak before retirement after breaking Silva's UFC record
Islam Makhachev says he has at least three fights left before retiring, with the UFC welterweight champion chasing a 20-fight winning streak after surpassing Anderson Silva's all-time UFC record at UFC 330.
MMA
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