First Published: Mar 16 2026 | 12:31 PM IST

Neymar’s troubled path to the upcoming World Cup narrowed further after his subdued performance for Santos in a 1-1 home draw against rival Corinthians in a Brazilian league match.

It was Neymar’s last game before Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti announces his squad for two key friendlies on Monday.

Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals.

Brazil’s matches against France and Croatia in the United States will, in turn, be the two last games before Ancelotti announces his final squad in May for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19.

The 34-year-old Neymar’s performance against Corinthians came after he missed a match that the Brazil coach attended.

Memphis Depay opened the scoring on Sunday for Corinthians in the 19th minute at the Vila Belmiro Stadium. Gabriel Barbosa equalized four minutes later.

Neymar’s best chance in Sunday’s game was a second-half header that narrowly missed. The Santos striker struggled to dribble and didn’t shoot on goal.

Two staffers of Brazil’s soccer confederation attended the match in Santos, the club said. 

“I wish to go back to the national team and play in the World Cup, but that’s not up to me,” a disappointed Neymar told journalists after the match in Santos. “Whether I am there or not, I will always cheer for Brazil.” 
Ancelotti has said he will only take players who are 100% fit to the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. He has also suggested that some players need no testing, which keeps Neymar with some hopes of making the final squad even if he is not picked for the next two friendlies.

Neymar suffered an ACL injury in October 2023 and went through another knee surgery in December. He has played less than 10 matches for Santos this year, but he has also shown glimpses of what he could still bring to Brazil.

In February, he broke into the top 10 of Santos club’s all-time leading scorers after scoring twice in a 2-1 win against Vasco da Gama in the Brazilian league.

Fans of Neymar fear that his decision to miss a match against Mirassol on Tuesday, in another Brazilian league game, might have taken him out of his fourth consecutive World Cup.

Local media reports said Ancelotti was not informed about the striker’s absence until a few hours before the game at the 19,000-seater Jose Maria de Campos Maia Stadium.

Shahid Afridi and Babar Azam (Agency Photos)

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has strongly criticised Pakistan’s cricket selectors after the national team lost the ODI series 2–1 to Bangladesh national cricket team. The defeat came shortly after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, increasing pressure on the team’s management and decision-makers.Bangladesh sealed the series with an 11-run win in the deciding match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Afridi publicly blames Pakistan selection committee

Following the defeat, Afridi publicly blamed the selection committee for the team’s struggles. Speaking in a video shared on social media, he questioned their decisions and leadership. “You saw the performances in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and after that we also lost the Bangladesh series 2–1. In my opinion, the selection committee deserves criticism. All of you in the committee have played so much cricket, yet you still don’t seem to have the idea of who should be the captain for which format,” Afridi said.He also criticised what he called excessive experimentation with young players. “You keep making too many decisions in the name of ‘surgery’. What you are doing is picking youngsters and players who have barely played a few first class matches. Your domestic cricket is not even of that standard that it can consistently produce players ready to secure a place in the Pakistan team,” he added.Afridi further claimed that experienced players with good ODI records had been unfairly pushed aside. While he has not mentioned any names, it is somewhat clear that he was hinting at players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, who were dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the Bangladesh series. “The senior players who actually deserved their place even if they didn’t have strong T20 performances had very good records in ODIs. But in the name of ‘surgery’, you sidelined those experienced players despite their solid ODI performances,” he stated.He concluded by arguing that the selectors’ strategy lacks direction and could destabilise the team. “Instead, you brought in youngsters who have only played a few domestic and first-class matches. The standard of domestic cricket is not high enough, and those players are not ready to come straight into the Pakistan team and cement their place. You keep handing out Pakistan caps again and again, this is not surgery. If anything, the real surgery should be done on the selection committee,” he said.

Bangladesh beat Pakistan to win three-match series 2-1

Batting first, Bangladesh put up a solid total of 290 for 5 in 50 overs. The innings began strongly with an opening stand between Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan. While Saif scored 36 runs, Tanzid delivered a standout performance with his maiden ODI century, scoring 107 runs with six fours and seven sixes. Later contributions from Litton Das (41) and an unbeaten 48 from Towhid Hridoy helped Bangladesh reach a competitive total.Pakistan’s chase began poorly as both openers were dismissed within the first two overs, leaving the team at 2 for 2. Despite the early setback, Salman Ali Agha fought back with an impressive century, scoring 106 from 98 balls to keep Pakistan in the contest. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi added 37 runs, while debutants Saad Masood (38) and Ghazi Ghori (29) showed some promise. Abdul Samad also chipped in with 34, but Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 279, falling short of the target.Bangladesh’s bowling played a key role in sealing the victory. Taskin Ahmed led the attack with four wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman took three. Earlier in the match, Pakistan bowler Haris Rauf had been the most successful for his side, claiming three wickets.

Mumbai City FC held off a spirited Inter Kashi fightback to register a 2-1 victory in their Indian Super League match at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan here on Sunday.

The Islanders recorded their third win of the campaign to move up to third in the standings with 11 points, while Inter Kashi remained eighth with five points. Islanders’ captain Lallianzuala Chhangte was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Mumbai City FC scored through Noufal PN (45th+6) and Lallianzuala Chhangte (52nd), while Rohit Danu (51st) struck the lone goal for Inter Kashi FC.

Mumbai dominated possession in the opening exchanges, putting the hosts under sustained pressure.

Left winger Ayush Chhikara produced the first effort in the fourth minute, but his close-range attempt was comfortably saved by Inter Kashi keeper Lluis Tarres. Chhikara came close again in the 18th minute when he dragged a right-footed effort narrowly wide after being set up by Chhangte.

Ortiz also tried his luck from distance in the 20th minute but fired over the bar.

Inter Kashi struggled to create clear opportunities early on, though Sumeet Passi attempted a shot from outside the box in the 22nd minute that was blocked by Mumbai’s defence.

Despite the Islanders’ dominance in possession, Inter Kashi remained organised in defense and looked to threaten on the counter. Llamas forced a save from Lachenpa in the 42nd minute with a strike from the right. 

The breakthrough arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. From a corner delivered by Chhangte, midfielder Noufal PN slotted the ball into the net to give Mumbai City FC a lead at the interval.

Inter Kashi began the second half with renewed intent and found the equaliser soon. In the 51st minute, Sandip Mandi delivered a peach of a cross from the left flank which Rohit Danu met with a close-range header to level the scores at 1-1.

However, just a minute later, Ortiz threaded a through ball from the left flank into the penalty area, which found Chhangte, who finished calmly with his left foot to restore Mumbai’s lead in the 52nd minute.

The match opened up thereafter as both sides pushed forward in search of further goals. Petkevicius tested Lachenpa with a close-range effort before Danu attempted a long-range strike that forced another save from the Mumbai goalkeeper. Noufal also threatened at the other end but saw his shot denied by Tarres.

Suryakumar Yadav (ANI Photo)

Suryakumar Yadav, who recently led the India national cricket team to a historic triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, has admitted that while he dreams of playing Test cricket, the shortest format remains where he feels most comfortable.Speaking in an interview with PTI, the Indian captain reflected on his journey across formats, his love for red-ball cricket, and why T20 cricket has ultimately become his natural space.

Still dreams of playing Test cricket

“…what is written in your life, you get that only. I started with red-ball cricket itself, played Ranji Trophy for 10-12 years. I played a lot of red-ball cricket in Bombay because if you grow up in Bombay, you start with red ball itself, so everything is around red ball,” he said.

“But gradually, when we started playing white ball cricket, the inclination shifted a bit towards that. And after that, I came to this format (T20). I also tried a lot in One-Day cricket to play well in it, but nothing happened there,” he said.“T20 mein jaisa chal raha tha, usme apna haath set ho gaya hai, aisa bol sakte hain” (The way T20 was working out for me, I had become good at it; you can say that),” he said.

ODI cricket never worked for him

While Suryakumar has thrived in T20 cricket, he admitted that the 50-over format never quite suited his game.“I feel that as much as I have experienced ODI cricket closely and I have seen it, it is a format where you have to bat in three different ways. Sometimes if you go in early, if wickets fall quickly, then you have to bat like Test cricket.“Then you have to bat with a good strike rate like a One Day and then later at the end of the innings, you have to bat like (you do in) T20 format. So, that is one format that I never understood. I tried my best to play it. But then it’s a challenging format,” he said.Suryakumar last featured in an ODI during the 2023 Cricket World Cup final against Australia, where he scored 18 runs off 28 balls. India lost the final, and he has not played an ODI since then.

ODI cricket still has its charm

The Indian captain recalled the incredible atmosphere during the 2023 ODI World Cup, saying the tournament showed that the format still holds a unique appeal.Suryakumar also recalled the emotion that the format managed to stir during the 2023 World Cup.“…when I was with the team for the 2023 ODI World Cup and I played, then that vibe, the whole atmosphere of that format, the build-up going into the final. That was completely different than what we played in 2026 and 2024 T20 World Cup.“So, it’s charm is different, ODI cricket also has a different charm, T20 has a different one,” he explained.

Regis Prograis looks to hand Conor Benn his second defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11.

Benn fights at the 63,000 capacity venue for the third time in a row next month, having first suffered a close defeat to Chris Eubank Jr there in April 2024 but returning to beat his rival convincingly in their rematch seven months later.

Both fights were at the middleweight limit of 160lbs, but Benn has been adamant that welterweight – 147 – is where he will pursue world titles. As he works his way back down, he will meet two-time super-lightweight world champion Prograis at a 150lb catchweight.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Prograis said he took the fight, even at a disadvantage with the weight, because he simply ‘knows’ he is better than the Brit.

“I just feel like I’m better. That’s it. I know I’m better than Conor Benn. Listen, if he didn’t have the last name from his dad, who is a legend, he wouldn’t be where he is right now. I didn’t have no daddy that boxed. I’ve been a world champion, at the top twice already, doing out the mud. He had a big old push. I know I’m better skill-wise, and don’t be surprised if I’m stronger than him.”

Asked specifically about the fact that Benn – who is reportedly being paid close to $15 million for the bout – is dropping down and he is moving up, Prograis believes he can match, and even surpass, the bigger man when it comes down to raw power.

“Let him come with that charging s**t. I got power, and, like I said, don’t be surprised if I’m stronger. Conor Benn fought on my undercard in 2019 when I fought Josh Taylor. I watch his videos. I know he likes to be on the weights and that type of s**t. They think that weight transfers to the ring, and maybe it does, but I know I’ve got power. We’re gonna see if he can take those same shots with me … My coaches got the confidence, I got the confidence, I know it’s gonna be a real good night.

“If he want to come and slug it out, we can do it. I’m with it that too. Then we’re gonna have to see who’s more of a dog. And I don’t back down.”

The fight is co-main event to Tyson Fury’s heavyweight return against Arslanbek Makhmudov, and will be streamed live on Netflix.

Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes recorded two assists in the 3-1 win against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Bruno Fernandes wants to contribute more at Manchester United after breaking David Beckham’s 26-year assist record. Fernandes recorded two assists against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, meaning he moved past Beckham’s previous club record of 15 in a season.

The midfielder delivered a cross into the box from a corner for Casemiro’s headed goal, and played a superb pass to set up Matheus Cunha to restore the advantage in the 71st minute.

Fernandes has 16 assists in the Premier League this term. He is now four shy of equalling the top-flight assist record, which is shared between Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne.

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Speaking to MUTV, Fernandes said of beating Beckham’s assist tally in 1999/2000. “Obviously, it’s very nice. It’s a very good achievement. We’re talking about one of the best players, certainly [the best] strikers of anyone in the box. So I’m very pleased to do that.

“It’s not going to change anything for what I want, but being there with a name who, obviously, was one of the players everyone looks up to, in the way of crossing and the way of passing.

“Like everyone in their own garden tried to do it like Beckham and was doing it, even if you’re just swinging your arm, like he used to do it, not as much the ball! I’m very happy to do that.”

Fernandes has now recorded 100 assists for United and added: “Obviously, it’s not something I dream about or thought about but I always want to help the team to get [what we want] in most of the games.

“Scoring goals and assisting is a big part of my game. I’m very pleased today worked out and made us win the game. Until the end of the season, I want to try to keep helping the team and improving on that, results-wise.”

Michael Carrick was asked about Fernandes’ future during his post-match press conference. “Bruno’s definitely not someone we’d want to lose, I can say that. He’s important for us and he’s definitely one we wouldn’t want to lose,” he said.

“Bruno has done it for a long period of time now, in the big moments and making the difference, whether scoring or creating he’s normally around it. Two very different [assists] today.

“He has a really good understanding with Case and working with Jonny [Evans] on the set plays. There’s also the bit you can coach and then there’s a little bit of the players and the understanding. They’ve got a great connection there with that and have done it a few times before, so that was good.

“Then the passing around it, getting in positions where you can play that final pass, and it was one we’ve seen before and then he plays Ben in as well I think after that, so there’s not a lot else to say that I’ve not sat here and said before about Bruno.”

Fernandes is contracted until the summer of 2027, with the option of another year.