By Kostas Lianos, Digital Sports Reporter

IT was back in 2019 when Greece legend Vasilis Torosidis – the heir to Euro 2004 hero Giourkas Seitaridis – retired from international duty after 101 caps.

A giant void was left behind at right-back, many talented players tried to step up – and none of them could fill those big boots.

But, soon enough, I started to hear whispers about a Premier League ace with Greek heritage who’s a starter week-in and week-out…

That was none other than George Baldock, born in Buckingham on March 9, 1993, to English parents but qualified for Greece through his grandmother.

And what a season he was having. The right-back starred for Sheffield United as they surprised the Prem in the 2019-20 campaign – their first in 12 years – by finishing in the top half of the table.

Baldock was among their standout players as he registered a staggering 3,420 minutes played – the joint highest along with the likes of Declan Rice and Virgil van Dijk.

The defender was keen to make the big step to the international stage with his grandmother’s homeland – and it didn’t take long until he shook hands with the Greek football federation (EPO) chiefs.

However, a long and arduous paperwork slog stood in the way – with the then Sheffield United star claiming Covid-19 and Brexit slowed things down.

Greece finally got the right-back they were begging for for years as Baldock made his debut on June 2, 2022 in a Nations League clash at Northern Ireland as a late substitute.

It didn’t take long until the English-born ace owned the right flank at the back and impressive performances followed.

Perhaps none compare to the Euro 2024 qualifier against France in June 2023 when Baldock did the unthinkable and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for 104 MINUTES, despite being injured and playing through “unimaginable” pain.

I still remember speaking to then-Greece manager Gus Poyet about his player’s stunning performance, and I will never forget the big smile the Chelsea legend had on his face.

Poyet reminded me of a proud father as he took me through the injury hell the full-back endured before squaring up against perhaps the world’s best player for his country.

A beaming Poyet told me: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days beforehand] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?’

“At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.

“You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.

“Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.

“And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”

It’s easy to understand how loyal Baldock was to every team he ever played for during his 15-year career, just by looking at his stats.

The Greek ace started his career at MK Dons in 2009 where he amassed a staggering 125 appearances throughout an eight-year stint that also saw him playing on loan for Northampton Town, Tamworth, IBV and Oxford United.

The defender joined Sheffield United in 2017 and registered a whopping 219 appearances in seven years that also saw him helping his team achieve two Premier League promotions.

Baldock’s work ethic and commitment was no different in Greece as he proudly stated two years ago: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.

“Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”

Baldock never played for England at any level, but he always competed like a lion and he proved it on Sunday in his last ever match when he started for Panathinaikos, whom he joined in the summer, against eternal rivals Olympiacos in perhaps the most intense derby in Europe.

He served his team with honour as he helped them pick up a valuable point in a goalless draw against their in-form foes, who had just played their best game of the season with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League a few days earlier.

He only managed 12 caps for Greece before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 31 on Wednesday in Athens.

But his fighting spirit and charisma at right-back with the white and blue, as well as his remarkable run in the Premier League and the Championship, show that he is leaving a legacy behind for many Greek and English fans to look up to.

LAS VEGAS – Three months ago, Brad Tavares was all set to throw leather with Junyong Park. Then he got off the scale and picked up his phone.

The way Tavares recalled it Wednesday, his manager called not long after he made weight for a middleweight fight with Park on July 20. The commission didn’t clear Park because of a staph infection. And while that seems flukey and forgivable, Tavares might be a little bit salty that he and Park only just now are about to fight in their rebooking.

And that, Tavares (20-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) thinks, is on Park (17-6 MMA, 7-3 UFC) for not being down with an originally offered Aug. 10 rebooking.

“I wanted to keep the fight, obviously,” Tavares said at media day for UFC Fight Night 244, the new home of their fight, which will be the co-main event at the UFC Apex. “I went through an entire training camp preparing for this specific opponent. I don’t want that to go to waste. … Now we’re going to go through a full camp again. I didn’t understand (Park not agreeing to August) but it is what it is, I guess – God’s plan.

“… But obviously I was frustrated with it. I was pretty irritated with it.”

Tavares speculated that Park had something else going on in his life that would’ve made the first offered rebooking a nuisance. But regardless of the reason, annoyance or irritation isn’t likely to help the longtime Hawaiian fighter Saturday.

Park is about a 2-1 favorite at the betting window. He had a four-fight winning streak that included three straight rear-naked choke finishes snapped by a split-call loss to Andre Muniz this past December.

“He’s very well-rounded and puts MMA together,” Tavares said. “I don’t think he’s a specialist or an expert anywhere, and obviously he doesn’t have the kickboxing or boxing accolades, the wrestling or even the jiu-jitsu. But he does put them all together well. He’s a very complete MMA fighter.

“I think his biggest attribute is his toughness, just how tough he is. I’ve watched him in fights where you think, ‘OK, this this guy is done,’ and he pulls it out – very similar to (middleweight champion) Dricus (Du Plessis). But I don’t think he’s nowhere near as dangerous as Dricus.”

At the end of the day, though, maybe Park could be forgiven the whole rebooking date thing with Tavares if he agreed to a standup fight in the co-feature. Tavares fears, though, that Park will want to head to the canvas.

“I would hope (he wants to trade punches), but honestly I think that he’s going to want to go to the ground where he feels like he has his best advantage,” he said. “But if it ends up being a kickboxing (fight), I’ll take that all day.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 244.

Jannik Sinner, the current men’s world number one, said: “It’s tough news for all the tennis world. I was very lucky to get to know him and he’s an unbelievable person.

“He gave to all of us a lot of emotions when we saw him playing.”

Women’s world number four Coco Gauff said: “You are amazing! It’s been so incredible to witness your greatness and work ethic and be able to learn from it.”

Ons Jabeur, the former world number two, said: “Thank you Rafa for inspiring me and all of us. You will be missed.”

The French Open posted on X: “14 thanks for the millions of memories!”, while Wimbledon posted on Instagram: “Thank you for everything, Rafa.”

The Australian Open’s X account posted: “Legendary memories. You are so loved around the world and here with us in Australia. Grateful for all the unforgettable moments. Gracias, Rafa. For everything!”

Former British tennis player Greg Rusedski described Nadal as “a great competitor” and predicted nobody will beat the Spaniard’s record of 14 French Open titles.

“He’s a legend of our game, he’ll be truly missed,” Rusedski told BBC Sport news correspondent Laura Scott. “To win that many matches on clay, no one will ever accomplish that feat again and that sort of winning record at the French Open.”

The ATP Tour posted: “There are no words for how this feels, the day we wished would never come. You have given us all the most incredible moments and memories.”

ITF president David Haggerty said: “Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest male tennis players of all time and as sad as it is to hear this news, I would like to congratulate him on his phenomenal career.”

International Olympic committee president Thomas Bach said: “You are a legend. A true Olympian and a great champion who understands the power of sport to make the world a better place. Whatever you do next, I am certain you will continue to give everything you have – as you have done throughout your career.”

Among the other sports stars to pay tribute to Nadal, Real Madrid and France footballer Kylian Mbappe posted on Instagram: “Well done on your career Rafa, you’re an example as a player and a person. You will always be a legend.”

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo said: “Rafa, what an incredible race you’ve had! Your dedication, passion and incredible talent have inspired millions around the world. It has been an honour to witness your journey and to be able to call you a friend. Congrats on an amazing career! Enjoy your retirement!”

SURELY Cristiano Ronaldo playing at the Racecourse with Wrexham is a step too far – no matter how Hollywood they have become.

But William Gallas believes that the move is “possible”.

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Wrexham have been on a remarkable rise back up the football pyramid since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took ownership of the club in November 2020.

The American A-lister millionaires have regularly stated that their aim, however hopeful, is to get Wrexham playing in the Premier League.

The Welsh club sit second in League One after securing back-to-back promotions.

Despite that, the idea of Ronaldo signing for Wrexham does seem far-fetched.

But former Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea defender Gallas can see the potential move happening in the not-so-distant future.

Gallas told Prime Casino: “Cristiano Ronaldo to Wrexham? Anything is possible in football in the modern game.

“It wouldn’t surprise me because money talks and we’ve seen that nothing is impossible these days.

“You see young players going to Saudi Arabia when they would’ve have ever left Europe in the past.

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“Footballers and football clubs are now obsessed with their brands too and their sponsors, you can make a lot of money and not just from your wages at your club.

“Now everything is about social media and having millions of followers, both Wrexham and Ronaldo have huge profiles so why not.

“I have spoken to my former team-mates about social media and everything that goes on now and it feels like a different world! So many things are now possible.

“Ronaldo is more than just a footballer, he’s a product and he’s also still scoring so many goals on the pitch, there will be so many clubs still happy to have him.”

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But despite leaving many EFL sides envious of their near £2m spent in the summer window, Wrexham could never match Ronaldo’s wages.

George Evans’ £7,200 weekly wage makes him Wrexham’s highest paid star, while Ronaldo takes home £3.4 million every week.

The former Manchester United forward, 39, is currently plying his trade at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo‘s contract is set to expire in 2025.

That has raised speculation around his future but the five-time Ballon d’Or winner told pal Rio Ferdinand that he wants to play football until he’s at least 41 years old.

Conor McGregor has some marquee matchups in mind for his return.

Earlier this year, McGregor was supposed to make his long-awaited return to the octagon in a welterweight fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. Unfortunately, a few weeks before the event, McGregor suffered a toe injury which forced him to withdraw from the fight and fans were once again left wondering when and if the boisterous superstar would ever return.

Fortunately for fans, McGregor remains undeterred. Since withdrawing from UFC 303, the former two-division UFC champion has maintained that he will be back soon, on Tuesday McGregor spoke with The Schmo about how things are progressing on that front.

“We’re looking for the date,” McGregor said. “Hopefully, I’d like to square it away with Michael Chandler. I’d like to get Chandler in. We’ve had our beef, it’s not settled. He has a match scheduled. I’d like to fight, maybe before that or before he’s recovered so there’s a few names in the line at the minute. There’s a few names being discussed.”

Chandler does in fact have a booking. After spending nearly two years on the shelf waiting for a fight with McGregor, following the UFC 303 incident, Chandler finally opted to accept another fight, a rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.

Given that, and the fact that UFC CEO Dana White appears to be targeting an early 2025 return for McGregor, Chandler’s availability is very much up in the air at the moment. Fortunately for McGregor, there are no shortage of big names who would be more than willing to welcome him back to the cage, but “Notorious” has his sights set on two in particular: old foes Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz.

“Both of them. Both,” McGregor said. “It’s a must, for sure. The Dustin one is not settled, it’s 1-1-1. And the Diaz one is also 1-1. Two big blockbuster matches and I’m excited to get them locked in.”

Poirier and McGregor have shared a trilogy of bouts over a seven year period. McGregor first defeated Poirier by knockout at UFC 178 down at featherweight, but Poirier avenged his loss with a knockout of his own at UFC 257 up at 155 pounds. Poirier then won their third bout at UFC 264 when McGregor shattered his leg, though “Notorious” disputes this result because of the injury.

Diaz is possibly McGregor’s biggest rival, the man who first defeated the Irish superstar in the UFC, stepping in on 10 days’ notice to score the upset at UFC 196. The two rematched five months later at UFC 202 with McGregor winning a majority decision in one of the best fights of the year. Diaz left the UFC in 2022 to pursue interests in boxing, though he’s recently been rumored to possibly be coming back to the promotion.