Retirement
Player retiring from competition.
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Hansen warns Erasmus that Springbok veterans may retire before 2027 Rugby World Cup
Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has cautioned Rassie Erasmus that veterans such as Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, and Cheslin Kolbe may not have the desire to push through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, drawing on his own experience managing ageing players ahead of 2019.
Rugby -
Ronaldo reveals two goals before retirement: 1,000 career strikes and another Nations League title
Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he considered retiring from international football after Portugal's round-of-16 exit at the World Cup, but confirmed he is targeting 1,000 career goals and a second Nations League title before calling time on his Portugal career.
Football -
Champion Gaethje dismisses Topuria rematch talk and hints at retirement after title upset
Justin Gaethje says Ilia Topuria is too small for lightweight and should return to featherweight, while casting serious doubt over his own future in the sport at age 37 following his stunning title win at UFC White House.
MMA -
Ronaldo vows to play on for Portugal at 41 and targets 1,000-goal milestone
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will continue representing Portugal despite their World Cup exit at the hands of Spain, with the 41-year-old sitting on 979 career goals and openly targeting the 1,000-goal landmark.
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Kane eyes MLS move and NFL placekicker career after hanging up his boots
Harry Kane has outlined a vision for life after football that includes a stint in MLS and a serious attempt at becoming an NFL placekicker, while ruling out the professional golf career he once fantasised about.
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Retired UFC champion Lawler returns to wrestling mats to face Chimaev at RAF 14
Robbie Lawler will make his Real American Freestyle debut against Khamzat Chimaev in a catchweight wrestling bout at RAF 14 on October 23 in Las Vegas — the 44-year-old's first competition since retiring from MMA in 2023.
MMA -
Jose Aldo eyes 2027 boxing return with Spaten Fight Night: 'Money talks'
UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo says there is a 'high chance' he boxes on a future Spaten Fight Night card in 2027, revealing he nearly headlined their August show before UFC contract complications and a vacation in Cancun derailed the deal.
MMA -
Eriksen parts ways with Wolfsburg after second cardiac collapse in five years
Christian Eriksen has left Wolfsburg by mutual consent, three months after collapsing during a Denmark friendly when his ICD fired to correct a dangerous heart arrhythmia. The 34-year-old cited a desire to be close to his family in Denmark.
Football -
Former Millwall captain Matt Lawrence reveals he 'died twice in four days' during fentanyl addiction battle
Matt Lawrence, who captained Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup final against Manchester United, has spoken publicly about twice being resuscitated on the streets of New York after cocaine laced with fentanyl stopped his breathing. The 52-year-old is now sober.
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Micah Richards reaffirms 2034 punditry exit and backs Maddison as his natural successor
Micah Richards has restated his intention to leave broadcasting after the 2034 World Cup, and has singled out Tottenham midfielder James Maddison — alongside Jack Grealish — as the pundit most likely to fill his seat.
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Motono retains Pancrase strawweight title with 50-punch TKO as Sugiyama ends 18-year career
Miki Motono overwhelmed Satomi Takano with more than 50 unanswered punches from scarf-hold to retain her Queen of Pancrase strawweight title via second-round TKO at Pancrase 366 in Tokyo. In the co-main event, flyweight champion Shizuka Sugiyama closed out an 18-year career with a unanimous decision victory.
MMA -
Gane defends heavyweight title against Hokit as UFC returns to Madison Square Garden in November
UFC 334 is set for Madison Square Garden on November 14, headlined by Ciryl Gane's first title defence against knockout artist Josh Hokit. Kayla Harrison also returns from injury to face Amanda Nunes in a blockbuster bantamweight title bout.
MMA -
Pascal Gross confirms Germany retirement after starring in Brighton's 3-0 demolition of Arsenal
Pascal Gross scored and assisted as Brighton thrashed Arsenal 3-0 on Saturday, then revealed he has already retired from international football, ending his 19-cap Germany career after the last World Cup.
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Da Silva admits Mbappé was an impossible puzzle to solve in defence
In an interview with L'Équipe, former Lyon and Rennes defender Damien Da Silva named Kylian Mbappé as the toughest player he faced, revealing that the Real Madrid forward consistently surprised him despite meticulous preparation.
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Shaun Wright-Phillips: The family story behind the former England winger turned Strictly contestant
Shaun Wright-Phillips, the former Manchester City and Chelsea winger who earned 36 England caps, is set to compete on Strictly Come Dancing. Here is the story of the family that shaped him — from his mother Sharon to his adoptive father, Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
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Chimaev submits Burns in wrestling rematch at RAF 13 in Miami
Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns renewed their rivalry at RAF 13 in Miami, meeting on the wrestling mat two years after their competitive UFC middleweight bout. Chimaev, a three-time Swedish national wrestling champion, entered having already beaten Dillon Danis and Tyron Woodley in RAF competition.
MMA -
De la Fuente names Spain Nations League squad from Ceuta in show of solidarity amid migration crisis
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente announced his Nations League squad from the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, where more than 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco in late July. Spain open their campaign against England at Wembley on 26 September.
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Lloyd Williams reverses retirement to re-sign with Worcester four months after hanging up his boots
Former Wales scrum-half Lloyd Williams has signed a new deal with Worcester Warriors just four months after announcing his retirement. The 36-year-old, who earned 32 caps for Wales, is available for selection immediately.
Rugby -
Hemdani leaves Algerian captaincy in limbo, Bensebaïni frontrunner
At his first press conference as head of the Fennecs, Brahim Hemdani announced his 26-player squad for September without naming a captain, the armband remaining vacant since Riyad Mahrez's international retirement.
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Steveson says vacant UFC heavyweight belt could lure Jones out of retirement
Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson believes the newly vacated UFC heavyweight title could tempt his training partner Jon Jones back to the Octagon, with the belt now open after Tom Aspinall's departure.
MMA
