It has been a busy summer for Nottingham Forest so far, although not in the way they, nor their fans, might have expected. Earlier in the window, they lost one of their key attackers, Anthony Elanga. The Swedish star made the move up north to Newcastle for a fee of £55m.

They also came close to losing star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. He was subject to a bid from Tottenham Hotspur, in what was reportedly a £60m deal. He was scheduled to have a medical in North London, but the deal fell through and the England international has since signed a contract extension.

It seems as though the East Midlands side might now look to recruit someone this summer, and have been strongly linked with a former Premier League star.

Forest’s latest target

It has certainly been a hectic few weeks for those at the City Ground, losing one and almost two key attackers. However, it does seem like they are working on signing depth out wide, if recent reports are to be believed.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to a recent briefing from David Ornstein, Forest are firmly in the race for Ipswich Town and England under-21 international Omari Hutchinson. The Athletic journalist reported on Wednesday that talks are ‘ongoing’ between the two clubs.

Indeed, Forest actually placed a bid for the winger, but their £35m offer was not deemed enough for the Tractor Boys, who rejected the bid.

Ornstein says it would need a ‘higher fee’ for Ipswich to sell one of their key players. Forest are not alone in this race, with Brentford also interested in a deal.

Why Hutchinson would be a good signing

At just 21 years of age, Hutchinson has shown great promise for the Tractor Boys in the Championship and the Premier League. He initially spent time on loan at the club before moving permanently last summer from Chelsea. He is a graduate of their academy, having also represented Arsenal as a youth player.

The versatile attacker has made 82 appearances for the first team at Portman Road, scoring 14 times and grabbing eight assists. His stats from Sofascore in the Championship and Premier League show just how well he has performed.

For example, Hutchinson averaged 1.6 key passes in the second tier and 1.1 in the top flight for Ipswich per 90 minutes.

Key passes

1.6

1.1

Big chances created

0.3

0.2

Dribbles completed

2.1

1.8

Passes completed

24

23.1

Tackles and interceptions

2.8

1.5

Expected goal involvements

0.43xGI

0.18xGI

Over the summer, the former Chelsea and Arsenal academy star was part of England’s successful under-21 European Championship-winning side.

Hutchinson played in all six of the Three Lions’ matches, assisting once and scoring this well-taken effort in the final against Germany.

When looking at this deal, it may remind Forest fans of a past signing, that of Callum Hudson-Odoi. The pair share a fairly similar career path, with the Forest winger, who has recently swapped to wear the number seven, also coming through the Chelsea academy.

Like Hutchinson, he is a graduate of the esteemed Cobham academy, and also went on loan before securing a permanent move away.

Fans at the City Ground will remember his contributions last season fondly. The 24-year-old, who was born in London, bagged five goals and assisted eight in the Premier League, including a memorable winner in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool.

It is not only the early career paths of each player which is so similar, and suggest Hutchinson could become the second coming of Hudson-Odoi. Their versatility also stands out and is a real feature of their respective games.

The Ipswich star can operate on either flank or as a number 10, which he has done 32 times for the Tractor Boys. As for his potential new teammate, Hudson-Odoi can also play on either wing and has been known to play behind the striker, too, which he did at times last season.

How Forest fans would love for Hutchinson to become the new version of Hudson-Odoi. Both versatile attackers and Cobham graduates, they offer tactical flexibility to Nuno Espirito Santo and quality on the ball.

Described as an “outstanding” player by football scout Antonio Mango, Forest fans would surely love to see Hutchinson line up alongside Hudson-Odoi in Garibaldi Red next season at the City Ground.

The next Wood: Nottingham Forest meet with agent over signing "engine"

Nottingham Forest hoping to rescue another talented figure from his current nightmare…

ByWill Miller Aug 5, 2025

The T20I series ends 1-1 with Glenn Phillips also playing an important role

Andrew Fidel Fernando10-Nov-2024Roughly 20 days after the women’s team won the T20 World Cup, and about a week after the men’s Test team completed a whitewash of India at home, New Zealand’s cricketers continue to do the near-impossible.On this occasion they defended 108 all out on a tricky – but far from unplayable – Dambulla surface. Lockie Ferguson bowled only two overs before having to leave the field because of a calf injury, but he claimed a hat-trick to rip out Sri Lanka’s top order, as he collected figures of 3 for 7.As has often been the case on this long South Asian sojourn, Glenn Phillips was vital to New Zealand’s victory too. He’d been out for 4 off 9, but took three wickets in the final over – which he had only had to bowl because of Ferguson’s absence. The most prized of those wickets was that of Pathum Nissanka, who had been Sri Lanka’s backbone, making 52 off 50, until he tried to smash Phillips over long-on, but could not clear the fielder.He was the last recognised batter to be dismissed, however. Zakary Foulkes, Mitchell Santner, and Michael Bracewell had all been effective in keeping Sri Lanka on a leash, as they squeezed wickets out of the batters’ frustrations. New Zealand have never defended a lower total in T20Is. Only twice have Full Members failed to finish off a chase of such modest proportions. (Zim vs Nam in 2023 and WI vs Zim in 2010)Sri Lanka would have thought themselves almost certain to win, when they earlier had the opposition 52 for 6 in the 11th over. But New Zealand cobbled together what looked an unimpressive total between Will Young’s 30, Santner’s 19, and Josh Clarkson’s 24. All of those innings came at less than a run-a-ball.This result ties the series 1-1, Sri Lanka having eased to victory on Saturday.Ferguson takes out 3, 4, and 5Although Ferguson only bowled half his overs (he’d only just recovered from a right hamstring complaint to make it into this XI), he essentially broke the game open in overs six and eight. Having allowed only three singles off his first five balls, he delivered a spectacular, swinging almost-yorker just on off stump, to take Kusal Perera’s outside edge, nicely caught by a diving Mitchell Hay.Next over, he nailed Kamindu Mendis in front of the stumps with a rapid yorker the batter was way to late on, and for his hat-trick wicket got a little luck. He pushed the ball – another attempted yorker – to Charith Asalanka a little far down leg. But Asalanka, in good form, got a little edge to that ball, which Hay received, low to the ground.Sri Lanka, suddenly were 34 for 4.Wanindu Hasaranga picked up four wickets while playing through an injury•AFP/Getty ImagesPhillips puts in a death-bowling shiftWith Ferguson unavailable through the back end of the innings, and Santner choosing to keep the pressure on Sri Lanka by bowling his frontliners relatively early, it fell to Phillips to bowl the big-pressure final over.Sri Lanka needed eight from it, which is not a huge amount when you have a top-order player batting on a half-century at the crease. Phillips found a way.When Nissanka got on strike for the second ball, he went down low and tried to slog-sweep it, only to find the long-on fielder. Next ball, Phillips slid a ball past the outside edge of Matheesha Pathirana, who stumbled forward, and was duly stumped.Sri Lanka could have still won – or at least tied – the game going into the final two deliveries. Maheesh Theekshana, who can occasionally produce boundaries, was on strike. But Phillips bowled bravely, slowing up a big offbreak outside off, with a little extra top spin. Theekshana swung, and only got a top edge, that Hay tracked down with his gloves to spark New Zealand jubilation.Hasaranga bosses the first innings on one legIt was clear there was big turn on this track from the outset. On top of which, Wanindu Hasaranga was in especially devastating touch. First ball, he bowled Phillips attempting what may have been a pre-meditated reverse slap. It was the googly that did that damage. Later in the over, he ripped a big legbreak, bowled slow through the air, beat Bracewell’s outside edge and took the top of his offstump – a classical legspinner’s dismissal.Hay was dismissed similarly next over, before getting Young overbalanced attempting a sweep, with Kusal Mendis collecting the ball down the leg side and flinging down the stumps while Young was out of the crease – an especially sharp piece of wicketkeeping after Mendis had been struck on the knee the previous over.That Wanindu did all this with a leg injury he’d picked up early in the game, made it even more impressive. He was hobbling through many of his deliveries.

يستضيف فريق ليفربول خصمه فريق ساوثهامبتون، مساء يوم الثلاثاء، وذلك في إطار منافسات بطولة كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية، كاراباو، موسم 2024/25.

تأتي تلك المباراة في خضم منافسات دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية لذلك الموسم، على ملعب “الأنفيلد”.

ولن يشارك النجم المصري محمد صلاح في مباراة الغد بين ليفربول وساوثهامبتون، حسبما أعلن المدرب آرني سلوت قبل يومين (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

ويسعى ليفربول إلى تحقيق الفوز من أجل مواصلة درب الانتصارات الذي استمر 6 مباريات على التوالي في مختلف المسابقات، من ضمنهم 5 لقاءات في الدوري الإنجليزي. تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام ساوثهامبتون اليوم في كأس كاراباو

حراسة المرمى: مامارداشفيلي.

خط الدفاع: جيريمي فريمبونج، جيوفاني ليوني، جو جوميز، آندي روبرتسون.

خط الوسط: نيوني، واتارو إندو.

خط الوسط الهجومي: ريو نجوموها، كورتيس جونز، فيديريكو كييزا.

خط الهجوم: ألكسندر إيزاك.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Manchester United have finally announced the signing of Bryan Mbeumo, with a £71m deal agreed, finally, on Friday.

Weeks of negotiating had cast a grey cloud over the exciting transfer, with doubts beginning to creep in as to whether the Cameroonian would actually be plying his trade as a Red Devil next season.

Mbeumo, 25, is one of the Premier League’s most talented and prolific forwards, posting 20 goals across 38 matches last season. The likes of Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all registered their interest, but it was Old Trafford that Mbeumo’s heart was set on.

With Matheus Cunha on the opposite flank, the right-sided forward may well wreak havoc under Ruben Amorim’s wing next year, in a new-look United frontline tasked with leading the revival.

However, a new striker is still required.

Man United's need for a new a striker

Rasmus Hojlund appears committed to the United cause. Amorim needs, truly needs, to ensure that an upgrade is signed this summer, even if the 22-year-old remains in the first-team squad.

This wouldn’t actually be the worst thing in the world, for it would package some depth while easing Hojlund’s weight of responsibility, perhaps allowing him to work on his weaker points.

But United need a new centre-forward all the same.

According to Football Transfers, that man might be Nicolas Jackson, who is open to swapping Chelsea for United.

That follows positive talks between Jason Wilcox and the player’s representatives, with discussions still ongoing over personal terms for Jackson.

Chelsea have lowered their exorbitant £100m asking price to £70m; however it’s likely that United will still seek to whittle that figure down.

What Nicolas Jackson would bring to Man United

The duality of Jackson. At times, a rip-roaring, barnstorming menace of a striker; at other points, wasteful and lacking authority at number nine.

However, 24 goals and ten assists across two Premier League seasons is nothing to be sniffed at, especially when considering that only 59 of his 65 fixtures have come from the outset.

Jackson tapered off across the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, but he posted nine goals and three assists across his opening 15 league games, thus proving that with some more consistency, he could become one of the leading goalscorers competing in England.

24/25 – Chelsea

30 (28)

10

5

23/24 – Chelsea

35 (31)

14

5

22/23 – Villarreal

26 (16)

12

4

21/22 – Villarreal

9 (0)

1

0

And partnered with someone like Mbeumo in United’s frontline, he could finally reach the level that his natural talent suggests is attainable.

Mbeumo is chiefly a deadly goalscorer, but he’s also a robust athletic profile and a creative presence besides.

As per Sofascore, he created a whopping 17 big chances in the Premier League last season, averaging 1.8 key passes per game.

In this way, he could be perfect for Jackson, feeding the Senegalese star balls while maintaining his own top-class goalscoring threat.

And Jackson, who has been hailed in the past as a “special” striker by journalist Rahman Osman, is hardly one-note himself, ranked among the top 17% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last year for progressive carries and the top 22% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

Ultimately, this would be a calculated risk from INEOS for a talented striker who has yet to bring it all together and sustain it in the English game.

But with Mbeumo partnering him up top (and Cunha too), Jackson might just prove to be an astute signing for a resurgent Man United side.

Bigger star than Mbeumo: Man Utd discussing £78m move to sign "new Haaland"

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim wants to sign an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 21, 2025

Nottingham Forest supporters will now be clamouring for the start of the Premier League season, safe in the knowledge that Morgan Gibbs-White will line up in the famous Garibaldi Red for the Tricky Trees’ opener against Brentford next month.

It really looked as if Gibbs-White would leave Nuno Espirito Santo’s side behind for a switch to Tottenham Hotspur, in a move that would have banked Forest £60m.

However, this controversial move would never get off the ground in the end, culminating in the 25-year-old penning a new, unexpected deal at the City Ground instead.

Forest will be on the hunt for some exciting signings now to further boost spirits in the Midlands, as a £30m attacker appears on the Premier League side’s shopping list, away from Nuno’s men also being close on a deal for Bologna forward Dan Ndoye.

Forest explore move for £30m attacker

Indeed, it looks as if Ndoye will be lining up next to the much-talked-about Gibbs-White very shortly.

According to Fabrizio Romano via X, the deal is done, as a £35m agreement has been reached between Bologna and Forest, following on from Evangelos Marinakis’ desire to land a standout replacement for Anthony Elanga.

Ndoye isn’t the only addition Forest might be anticipating in the forward areas, however, with a report by the Telegraph now revealing that the top-flight side have ‘discussed’ a potential move for Liverpool hotshot Ben Doak.

The up-and-coming Scotsman would dent the Marinakis bank account even more, with the Reds winger allegedly available for around the £30m mark.

However, this could be a price worth paying if he develops into even more of a blistering performer at the City Ground, with the potential here for Doak to become the club’s next iteration of Gibbs-White in the process.

How Doak can become Forest's next Gibbs-White

Gibbs-White is now a household name in the Premier League, having even been speculated to be on the radar of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this summer, away from Thomas Franks’ Spurs sniffing about.

However, the 25-year-old hasn’t always been viewed in this glowing light, having struggled to ever get going at former side Wolverhampton Wanderers before embarking on a transformative adventure with Forest.

When plying his trade at Molineux, Gibbs-White would only collect a paltry one goal and one assist in Premier League action. At Forest, though, he is a beast that cannot be tamed, as seen in his ever-growing tally of 45 goals and assists at the difficult level.

Doak will hope, if he leaves Anfield behind shortly, that he can also go on to be as key as the four-time England international is at the City Ground, having been utilised sparingly at Liverpool to date, but he has still managed to show off flashes of his immense quality.

Despite failing to break his goal or assist duck in the senior picture on Merseyside, Doak does have a healthy 11 goals and eight assists next to his name in the youth picture at Anfield. If given more minutes in Nottingham, he could go on to be a star in the first-team scene, away from settling for limited chances under Arne Slot’s wing.

After all, last season also saw the “special” forward – as he’s been glowingly labelled by Jurgen Klopp previously – set the EFL light on loan with Middlesbrough, as seen in his hefty ten goal contributions from 24 Boro clashes.

Coincidentally, before gaining more opportunities at Molineux, Gibbs-White was also viewed as a rising star out on loan with Sheffield United, with a mammoth ten goals and 12 assists coming his way at Bramall Lane.

At the time, he was even hailed as having “the world at his feet” by Blades teammate David McGoldrick, with similarly glowing praise heading Doak’s way too last season from Boro-based commentator Mark Drury, who stated that the Scotsman “looks like a natural” under pressure.

Doak might well finally get his big break in the Premier League with Forest, as excitement levels continue to grow and grow at the City Ground about what next season has in store.

As noted by Football scout Antonio Mango, he truly is a “menace” of a player…

Gibbs-White will love him: Nottingham Forest set to finalise "top signing"

Nottingham Forest are close to sealing a £35m deal for this exciting attacker.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 28, 2025

Chelsea have been told they have a "world top player" on their hands in Estevao Willian, with the baby-faced Brazilian boasting "amazing skills".

Talented teenager moved to England over the summerExciting those in west London with undoubted potentialWill help Blues challenge for trophies on multiple frontsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The South American wonderkid, who is fondly known as Messinho (Little Messi) in his homeland, completed a transfer to Stamford Bridge over the summer. Said switch was made after turning 18 and facing the Blues in FIFA Club World Cup competition with Palmeiras.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Estevao has been thrown in at the Premier League deep end, but the youngster has made an impressive start to life in west London and is considered to boast the potential that could allow him to become the next Brazilian superstar.

WHAT DI MATTEO SAID

Quizzed on whether such a standing can be achieved, Chelsea legend Roberto Di Matteo – speaking in association with – told GOAL: "Let’s not overwhelm him with pressure, but he’s going to be a top player! You can see that he is so advanced in his football development.

"I saw him before the international break and he looks like a 15-year-old! You look at him and think ‘you are playing already?’ Amazing skills, technically, he’s fast, unpredictable, can go outside and inside. Very good attitude. He’s quite advanced for his age. Ancelotti loves him in the Brazil national team.

"He’s got a very good family around him as well, his parents have moved over with him. He’s got good management around him so I have no doubt that he’s going to grow and become a top player, a world top player."

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Estevao forms part of a squad that captured Conference and Club World Cup crowns last season. He is expected to help Enzo Maresca’s side compete on multiple fronts this term, with Di Matteo adding on what success looks like for the big-spending Blues: "They will aim to be title contenders. They have a good squad and can aim for it.

"Retaining Champions League football is vital for a club like Chelsea. Going through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, let’s see how you can challenge. Maybe win another cup – FA Cup or Carabao Cup or the Premier League. Add a trophy to it. Last season was great with two trophies. That would be a successful season.

"Last season, they started off really well and then had a dip towards November/December. That coincided with [Cole] Palmer not always playing and wasn’t firing how we are used to. I think this year they have signed some players that can add that little bit of spark and the team doesn’t need to become overly reliant on one player – Estevao, Joao Pedro, [Liam] Delap, [Jamie] Gittens, players that can help the team in crucial moments."

An emergency meeting of the ICC Board will be convened to discuss this matter, with fewer than 100 days left to the expected start of the tournament

Nagraj Gollapudi22-Nov-2024The ICC Board will convene next week for an emergency meeting to discuss the fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the single-point agenda for the meeting, which is likely to be held on November 26, is to reach a consensus on whether a hybrid model should be adopted for the tournament with matches being spread between Pakistan, the host country, and a second overseas venue, which is yet to be confirmed.While several people privy to discussions confirmed the development to ESPNcricinfo, an ICC spokesperson said there had been no official communication confirming the meeting next week. It is not clear how many boards have been informed of the meeting at this point. A PCB official also said they had received no such information at the moment.The ICC Board comprises representatives from the 12 Full Member countries, three representatives from Associates, an independent director along with the ICC chairman and CEO.The meeting has been called for after the BCCI told the ICC that the Indian government has denied Rohit Sharma’s team permission to travel to Pakistan. That decision only came a fortnight ago; the PCB was awarded hosting rights for the eight-team ODI tournament three years ago, in November 2021, and has been steadfast about conducting the entire event in Pakistan, at three venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.Related

India will not travel to Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy

PCB approaches Pakistan government after India rule out travelling

PCB wants an explanation in writing from India for refusal to travel

BCCI objects to PCB's Champions Trophy tour to Muzaffarabad

PCB draft schedule has all India games in Lahore

The impasse has meant that with under 100 days to the expected start of the tournament – as hosts, the PCB have penciled it in to run from February 19 to March 9 – there is still no official schedule from the ICC for the event.Speaking to media in Pakistan this week, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said he retained “positive expectations” about the Champions Trophy taking place in the country. Naqvi, who is also the head of the Interior Ministry of the Pakistan government, said he was willing to have a dialogue with the BCCI to break the deadlock, even while the PCB awaits a response from the ICC to a set of questions about why India cannot travel to Pakistan for the tournament.This is the second time in successive years the PCB has been confronted with the hybrid model to host a multi-national tournament to accommodate India. The 2023 Asia Cup was played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka after the Indian team was refused permission to travel to Pakistan. It was Pakistan that travelled between their country and Sri Lanka where the tournament final was played. Pakistan travelled to India for the ODI World Cup soon after that tournament, a decision the PCB has said it expected to be reciprocated for the Champions Trophy.Earlier this week the India team was also forced to withdraw from the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup scheduled to be held in Pakistan, after failing to secure the Indian government’s clearance for the squad to travel to Pakistan.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional derrotou o Goiás por 1 a 0 na noite deste domingo, no Beira-Rio, pela terceira rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O gol da vitória, alias, o golaço, foi marcado por Carlos De Pena, na segunda etapa. Assista aos melhores momentos da partida no vídeo acima.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalCorinthians na busca por novo treinador, Marquinhos define futuro… o Fim de Semana do Mercado!Futebol Nacional30/04/2023SantosEm casa, Santos supera Internacional e fica mais próximo de classificação no Brasileirão FemininoSantos30/04/2023

Javier Aguirre’s squad drew 0-0 against Japan in Oakland and salvaged a 2-2 result against South Korea on Tuesday

As Mexico manager Javier Aguirre continues shaping his roster for the 2026 World Cup, a handful of players already look like the backbone of El Tri: Luis Ángel Malagón, Johan Vásquez, Edson Álvarez, and Raúl Jiménez. Others are still fighting to prove they belong in the final 23. The results, draws against Japan and South Korea,  may not have met fans’ expectations, but Aguirre made clear that Mexico’s foundation is set.

“I can’t say whether we’re close or far from where we want to be for the World Cup, but after a year, we’ve established a base, we’re on the right track,” Aguirre said. “Good, bad, or average football – that’s for you to judge. My job is to train, to find players for the World Cup, and to give them a clear football identity. We’ve used around 35 players so far, and we’re still searching.”

Against Japan, Mexico lost Álvarez to injury, but his replacement, Erik Lira, impressed. Many observers even argued that looked sharper with the Cruz Azul midfielder pulling the strings than with the Fenerbahçe veteran in charge.

In Nashville, Jiménez ended his scoring drought with goal No. 43 for Mexico, moving into third on the country’s all-time scoring list and reminding everyone of his quality as a veteran striker. Fellow forward Santiago Giménez also eased the pressure on himself with a stunning stoppage-time strike to seal a 2-2 draw against South Korea.

Not everyone left camp on a high. San Diego FC’s Hirving Lozano, in his first call-up in more than a year, failed to make an impact in either match. Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel also had little to show as South Korea’s attackers exposed him on both goals.

With FIFA windows still to come in October, November and March – just before World Cup call-ups begin – Mexico’s roster should soon look far more defined. By then, fans and observers will have a much clearer sense of what “Vasco” plans to field in the June 11 opener. Some players moved closer to securing their spots with these performances. Others will be left wondering if they did enough. So, who stood out? Whose stock rose, and whose fell? GOAL takes a look.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  STOCK UP: Erik Lira

  There wasn’t much to celebrate for Mexico in their friendlies against Japan and South Korea as both opponents looked sharper and exposed several of weaknesses. Still, one bright spot was Lira. After Álvarez went down injured against Japan, the Cruz Azul midfielder stepped into the starting lineup and immediately made Mexico look more fluid in possession. Lira’s ability to progress the ball and stay composed under pressure stood out, an area where Álvarez often struggles. While it’s hard to imagine Álvarez being dropped from Aguirre’s starting XI, some experts argue his future with the national team may be as a center back rather than in midfield. Lira's rise could be a factor that sees that change push through. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  STOCK DOWN: Hirving Lozano

  The left winger displayed flashes of individual quality, winning duels and taking on defenders, but his passing accuracy left much to be desired. He failed to establish himself as the offensive leader down his flank in either match. Fans might be patient with "Chucky," one of Mexico’s recent icons thanks to his European career and World Cup performances, but in a position with heavy competition and limited standout talent, the San Diego FC star missed a key opportunity to shine.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  STOCK UP: Santiago Gimenez

   Giménez has just six goals in 44 appearances for the Mexican national team. The AC Milan striker has suffered from bad luck at times and also a lack of finishing touch on the national team, but his quality is undeniable. He proved it with a stunning strike against South Korea to rescue a 2-2 draw, just when it looked like Aguirre’s side would finish the FIFA window with a draw and a defeat.

  The goal ended an eight-match scoring drought for Giménez, easing some of the pressure on him, as he is always under the spotlight. For now, Gimenez remains Raúl Jiménez’s backup, though Aguirre has consistently given him minutes. If he keeps finding the back of the net, he’ll be a serious contender for a spot in the starting XI.

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  STOCK DOWN: Diego Lainez and Germán Berterame

  Both Diego Lainez (Tigres) and Germán Berterame (Monterrey) were called up for this FIFA window due to their strong club form. However, neither has shown they can compete with Raúl Jiménez, Santiago Giménez, Hirving Lozano, or Ángel Sepúlveda – the latter missing this call-up due to injury and still not guaranteed a spot for the World Cup, though he ranks ahead of Berterame.

  Lainez made his first appearance with El Tri since 2024, playing only 28 minutes – he stayed on the bench against Japan and was limited to a short spell against South Korea, where he couldn’t showcase much of his talent. He hasn’t scored for the national team since 2021. On the other end, Berterame – in four appearances for Mexico – has yet to score and has only recorded two shots on target in 180 minutes of play.

  It seems likely that these two players have had their last call-ups for the foreseeable future, as they are unlikely to feature in the squad for the 2026 World Cup.

John Cena is one of the most recognisable names in the world, whether it be for his wrestling or acting.

A WWE icon, Cena is set to retire from the sports entertainment business at the end of 2025, more than 23 years on from making his Smackdown debut. The American has had 17 separate WWE championship reigns, more than any other wrestler in the history of the business.

WWE Champion

14

WWE World Heavyweight Champion

3

WWE United States Championship

5

WWE Tag Team Championship

4

Money in the Bank winner

2012

Royal Rumble winner

2008, 2013

Due to his status, he has regularly been at the centre of numerous interviews away from the ring throughout his career, being asked questions not focused on wrestling.

Previously, when speaking to the BBC, Cena was quizzed on all things football, from his favourite player and Premier League team, to what role he would like if he was involved in the sport.

John Cena names Ronaldo the football 'GOAT'

When asked who his favourite player was, Cena chose Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is still going strong in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr and is showing no signs of slowing up in front of goal.

Ronaldo, who was won five Ballon d’Or awards, holds the record for the most international appearances and international goals with Portugal.

John Cena names favourite Premier League team

When asked who his preferred team is in England, Cena name-checked Tottenham Hotspur, citing a time when he visited White Hart Lane back in 2008 during a tour of the UK with the WWE.

With Spurs seemingly Cena’s favourite team and Ronaldo his best-ever player, Cena was then asked where he would play if he was a footballer. Instead of giving a position, the wrestling star fancied himself on the sidelines.

“If I were to play myself, I would be on the bench because I have watched a few games, and it is a lot of running – I don’t run very well, or very far. I could maybe go in goal but there is a lot of pressure on the goalie, because the net is so big and the goalies are so small, so it is tough to block the shots. So, I think being an inspirational coach might be my best role.”