Global football icon Lionel Messi visited Vantara, a wildlife rescue and conservation centre in India, accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates. The visit reflected Messi's humility and humanitarian values as he participated in traditional Hindu rituals, observed wildlife, and interacted with caregivers and conservation teams. He also toured the expansive conservation ecosystem, praising India's commitment to wildlife welfare and conservation. The highlight of the visit was when Messi met Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf he named "Lionel" in his honor.
In a dramatic turn of events, young batsman Prashant Veer emerged as the most expensive uncapped player in the history of IPL after Chennai Super Kings secured his services for a whopping Rs 14.2 crore in the 2026 auction. However, it was not an easy journey for Veer as he faced financial struggles and even wanted to quit cricket in 2020. But with the support and guidance of his coach Rajiv Goel, he persevered and caught the attention of franchises with impressive performances in UP T20 League and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
England's hopes of staying alive in the Ashes series took a hit as they struggled against Australia on the opening day of the third Test in Adelaide. The visitors were dealt a blow when star batsman Steve Smith was ruled out due to illness, with Usman Khawaja stepping in to replace him. However, it was Australia's pace bowlers who stole the show, with Jofra Archer dismissing opener Jake Weatherald and taking a stunning catch to remove Travis Head. Despite England's struggles, they still have a chance to bounce back in the series and keep their Ashes hopes alive.
The mini auction for IPL 2026 saw franchises splurge on both Indian and overseas players in a bid to strengthen their squads. RCB secured Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for ₹7 crore, while RR added Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for ₹7.2 crore. The biggest surprise came in the form of Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was bought for a whopping ₹18 crore by an undisclosed team, highlighting the value placed on death-over specialists in T20 cricket.
In a dramatic and chaotic Copa del Rey match, Barcelona narrowly defeated third division team Guadalajara with late goals from Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford. The game was delayed for 30 minutes due to issues with a temporary stand at the Pedro Escartín Stadium in Guadalajara, near Madrid. After long queues and a police intervention, fans were finally allowed into the stadium, increasing its capacity from 6000 to 8000 with the new stand.
The Delhi Capitals have made some strategic moves at the IPL 2026 auction, focusing on strengthening their opening options and adding depth to their pace bowling department. With the inclusion of experienced players like David Miller and Kyle Jamieson, and talented young prospects like Pathum Nissanka and Prithvi Shaw, the Capitals have covered all bases and are ready to compete for the title in the upcoming season. They have also made a smart pick in the uncapped Auqib Nabi, adding more depth and variety to their pace attack.
In a thrilling bidding war between RCB and KKR, India's Venkatesh Iyer becomes the highest-selling player in the IPL 2026 Auction, fetching a whopping Rs. 7 crores. RCB emerged victorious in securing the talented all-rounder's signing, beating out his previous franchise KKR. The young cricketer's impressive performances in the 2025 season caught the attention of the franchise owners, making him a sought-after player in the auction.
In a tough Copa del Rey clash, Barcelona battled against third-tier Guadalajara and secured a 2-0 win in the last 16 thanks to a late goal from Marcus Rashford. Despite making eight changes to their starting lineup, the La Liga leaders persevered and defender Andreas Christensen put them ahead in the 76th minute. However, it was Rashford's 90th-minute strike that sealed the victory and ensured Barcelona's progress in the competition. Other teams, including Real Sociedad and Valencia, also advanced to the next round.
The IPL 2026 auction saw Australian cricketer Cameron Green fetching a whopping Rs 25.2 crore bid from Kolkata Knight Riders. However, due to the league's maximum fee rule, which limits overseas players from earning more than Rs 18 crore, Green will only receive the capped amount while the excess money will be used for player welfare. This rule does not apply to Indian players, who will receive their actual bid amount.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad have finalized their lineup for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League, with Pat Cummins taking over as captain and leading a formidable roster. The team has brought in big names like Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards, and also boasts a strong Indian core with players like Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Exciting young talent like Smaran Ravichandran and Aniket Verma are also expected to make an impact. With a strong bowling attack and skilled overseas backups, the Orange Army is looking to make a strong showing in the upcoming season.
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics has released their annual rankings for the best youth players in the world, and for the second year in a row, Barcelona players have claimed the top spots. Vicky López, a Spanish forward, has successfully defended her title as the best Under 20 female footballer while Lamine Yamal, a Swiss midfielder, has once again dominated the men's category. The dominance of Barcelona's academy in elite women's football is reinforced by the inclusion of another club player, Sydney Schertenleib, in the global Top 10 for women.