Sports
Lionel Messi’s Teammate Reveals The Story Behind His “Forget About Everything” Speech Before FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
A day after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, which Argentina lost to Spain, a video went viral showing Lionel Messi saying something to his teammates. “Come on, guys. Calm down, calm down is the most important thing. Let’s stay calm. Let’s just think about playing, nothing else. Calm down, let’s forget about everything. Let’s just play, let’s think about playing. That’s all, guys, let’s go,” the captain of the Albiceleste was heard saying.
With Messi being heard trying to ‘calm down’ his teammates, asking them to forget everything and move on just minutes before the start of the title showdown, the internet was intrigued.
Carlos Mac Allister, father of Alexis Mac Allister – Messi’s teammate – sent his son a message to find out what was behind it.
“I texted Alexis: ‘Hey, what happened in the locker room? Did something happen?’ I was just as worried. If I was worried, thinking that if something had happened my son would have told me right away, imagine how everyone else felt!” said “Colo” in an interview with Radio La Red.
La charla completa de los jugadores de la Selección Argentina antes de entrar a la cancha.
El video que despeja todas las dudas. pic.twitter.com/g0MKTtmCqu
— De Primera (@DePrimeraa) July 21, 2026
“He told me no, that they were talking about going out to play, in the football sense, about playing, passing, rotating, creating triangles, not kicking the ball high, not giving away possession. That’s what they were referring to. Then a lot of doubts started to arise. These days, also because of that post that was made, many people write to me and some people have said this to me,” the former footballer, who played for Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, added.
Now, an extended video has been released on social media, highlighting what happened right before kick-off. In the video, Messi can be seen leading his troops from the dressing room to the waiting area.
Messi walks out of the dressing room wearing a white Argentina jacket over his kit. Chants of “Vamos muchachos” (“Let’s go, guys!”) can be heard, while the support staff also seem to be cheering the team.
The video later shows Messi with teammates behind him. The camera follows him as he moves forward. As Messi reaches the waiting area where both teams line up before walking onto the pitch, he deliberately goes around greeting players from Spain.
He makes a point of shaking hands, patting shoulders, or briefly hugging several of them, particularly those associated with Barcelona, the club where Messi spent most of his career.
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Sabrina Ionescu says she was never invited to WNBA 3-point contest
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The lineup for this year’s WNBA All-Star 3-point contest has been a talking point in the sports world since it was announced. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu was among the most notable players absent from the annual competition.
Ionescu addressed the speculation ahead of Wednesday’s Liberty-Sky matchup, pushing back against reports that she chose not to participate in this weekend’s WNBA 3-point contest in Chicago. “I can’t decline an offer I never got officially invited to. So was pretty surprised to see that. Never got invited,” the defending 3-point contest champion told reporters during her pregame media availability.
Caitlin Clark and Kayla McBride were also among the high-profile stars who reportedly declined invitations to the competition.
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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu competing in the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge and WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest on July 18, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)
“Whether it’s against Steph Curry or in the W, I always go out and try and beat my record, every single time I’ve gone out.” Ionescu has won the 3-point contest twice, highlighted by her record-setting 37-point performance in 2023.
“I just kind of wanted to set the record straight,” she continued. “Like that was just false, but I’m really excited for the participants in it, and obviously there’s going to be a new winner, so I’m excited to see who wins.”
Ionescu later referenced her previous 3-point showdown with Stephen Curry when asked a follow-up about the issue, “Maybe I’ll do it with Steph again at NBA All-Star and get a really nice official invite.”

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu celebrates after winning the WNBA Starry 3-Point Contest on July 18, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images)
The confirmed list of 3-point contest participants includes: Dallas’ Azzi Fudd, Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, Golden State’s Janelle Salaün, Portland’s Bridget Carleton, Toronto’s Marina Mabrey and Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman. Howard and Mabrey are the only players in that group with prior 3-point contest experience at All-Star weekend.
Earlier this week, Ionescu refuted a report that she had opted out of this year’s festivities, commenting “lies” under a since-deleted Bleacher Report Instagram post. McBride also weighed in via social media, saying her agent had texted her about the event in the 48 hours before her Instagram Story post, but that no formal invitation ever came.
“Posting things like I’m afraid of shooting smoke is weird and if you didn’t hear it from me prob shouldn’t believe it,” McBride wrote. “We should focus on the great shooters in it already!!! Because there’s some killas in there.”

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu competes in the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 18, 2025. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Despite dealing with an ankle injury early this season, Ionescu entered Wednesday night’s game averaging 13.8 points per game over 14 appearances.
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Sports
Nationals score 6 in 7th; Cade Cavalli fans 8 in shutout of Rockies
Jul 22, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder Kyle Karros (12) is caught in a run down against Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli (24) in the second inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images Luis Garcia Jr. homered, Cade Cavalli tossed six strong innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies 8-0 in the rubber game of the series in Denver on Wednesday.
Cavalli (7-4), making his second start since serving a five-game suspension, scattered four hits, walked a pair and struck out eight in his six innings.
CJ Abrams had four hits and Jorbit Vivas, Nasim Nunez, Dylan Crews and Jose Tena finished with two each for Washington. The Nationals, who entered the afternoon leading the majors in runs, RBIs and home runs, have scored seven or more runs in four of their last five games.
Jake McCarthy doubled to extend his on-base streak to 17 games and Kyle Karros singled and walked twice for Colorado, which finished 2-4 on its homestand. The Rockies committed three errors that resulted in two unearned runs.
Colorado starter Gabriel Hughes (0-2), making his second career start at Coors Field and fourth overall major league appearance, was locked in a pitching duel with Cavalli. Hughes struck out five through four shutout innings before the Nationals got to him to start the fifth.
Vivas led off the inning with a triple off the wall in right and James Wood drove him home with a hit a sacrifice fly.
Washington broke it open in the seventh against reliever Jimmy Herget. Daylen Liles led off with a walk, went to second on a groundout and Vivas walked. Nunez singled to left to bring home Liles, and Vivas came home when the ball rolled under Mickey Moniak’s glove for an error.
One out later, Garcia blasted his 21st homer of the season into the Nationals’ bullpen to make it 5-0. Zach Agnos relieved Herget and gave up consecutive singles to Tena and Abrams. Crews followed with another single to drive in Tena, and two throwing errors on the play allowed Abrams to score.
Washington added to its lead in the eighth. Keiber Ruiz led off with a double, Vivas singled and Nunez followed with an RBI single.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Canada’s Tyler O’Neill exits vs. Red Sox with apparent injury
The Burnaby, B.C., native appeared to run around the bases gingerly in the top half of the fourth inning before being removed from the game in the bottom half.
Dylan Beavers moved from centre field to right, and Colton Cowser entered the game to replace O’Neill and play centre.
O’Neill, 31, is having a second straight down season, slashing .205/.297/.360 with six home runs and 15 RBIs. He hit 31 home runs for the Red Sox in 2024.
The Red Sox tied their franchise record with a 15th straight win in Game 1 of a split doubleheader against the Orioles on Wednesday and have the chance to break it in Game 2.
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Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Alex Marshall and Sarah Adlington get Scotland flag honour
It just adds to what will be an especially special Games for Marshall, who is joined in the bowls team by his niece Beth Riva.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking really,” 59-year-old Marshall told BBC Scotland. “It’s not very often I get a bit emotional, but I certainly had a tear in my eye when I came out the lift this morning and all the athletes were there. It’s just a huge honour.”
Resplendent in full kilt on a sweltering day, and proprietorially clutching the flagstick like a child would a favourite toy, the East Lothian bowler was in his element when talking about the news on Wednesday.
Marshall conceded he would have to let it go for the evening before having it returned before the big show.
But he might have to battle with Adlington for first shot of it when that time comes. “And I’d win that fight,” joked the 39-year-old heavyweight.
Adlington, who won judo gold in 2014 and 2022 and is looking to end her career by completing the treble, revealed the two of them have known the news for a few weeks but had been sworn to secrecy.
“That’s been really hard,” she told BBC Sport Scotland. “I was told I could tell my nearest and dearest but for everyone else it will be a massive surprise.
“I’m just so excited. I was so nervous when I woke up this morning, and I think I’ll be even more nervous tomorrow. I might not even sleep tonight but if it’s even half as good as it was in 2014, it will be amazing.”
Sports
Paraguayan link 🤝 Verdão: Palmeiras win and stay clear at the top
The Brasileirão leaders returned from the World Cup break with another win.
Palmeiras beat Coritiba this Wednesday (22) at Couto Pereira, thanks especially to their Paraguayans.
Recently naturalized, Maurício scored the match’s first two goals, both in the first half, making it 2-0 with less than 20 minutes played.
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Ramón Sosa provided the assist for the opening goal and extended the lead in the second half.
Paulo Roberto scored Coritiba’s only goal of the match, which came right after Palmeiras’ third.
Coxa still pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, but created little.
Carlos Miguel‘s main moment in the match came in first-half stoppage time, with a spectacular save from a header by Thiago Santos.
See the match goals below:
9′ – Maurício
19′ – Maurício
67′ – Sosa
68′ – Paulo Roberto
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Sports
J.T. Realmuto’s baserunning blunder ends Phillies loss to Dodgers
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Every once in a while, a big leaguer looks like a little leaguer on the diamond.
Unfortunately for the Philadelphia Phillies, star catcher J.T. Realmuto’s Little League-esque blunder ended the game.
In the bottom of the ninth inning of the Phillies’ 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies had runners on second and third with one out.
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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts tags Philadelphia Phillies’ Justin Crawford in a rundown with J.T. Realmuto heading back to second base during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Justin Crawford, who pinch-ran for Alec Bohm, was on third base, while Realmuto was on second base. Right fielder Brandon Marsh was up against closer Tanner Scott.
Marsh hit a weak ground ball to third base, and Crawford started to go home but stopped after a few steps.
Interim Phillies manager Don Mattingly said postgame the contact play was on, which means Crawford was supposed to run home no matter what. However, Crawford said the contact play was on unless the ball was hit to third base.
So Crawford, now caught between third base and home plate, got in a rundown. Realmuto ran to third base but inexplicably turned around to go back to second base when he saw Crawford run back to third base.

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Tommy Edman reacts after tagging out Philadelphia Phillies catcher JT Realmuto in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa., on July 21, 2026. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
Mookie Betts tagged Crawford out and then whirled and fired to second baseman Tommy Edman to nab Realmuto going back to second, completing a chaotic 5-2-6-4 double play to end the game.
Phillies announcer John Kruk was in disbelief after seeing Realmuto run back toward second base.
“Oh no, JT! Oh no,” Kruk said.
Realmuto said postgame it was a bad baserunning play.
“Just a bad baserunning play, really,” Realmuto told reporters postgame. “We were going on seeing it through there, and once (Crawford) gets in the rundown and I’m on third base, there’s no reason for me to go back to second. Just a lack of judgment. You can’t make two outs on that play. I’ve just got to stay in scoring position.”
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Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman reacts after getting Philadelphia Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto out at second base for the final out of a game Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
“Just a lapse in judgment. I thought Crawford could get out of the rundown for some reason. The chances of that are so small, you just can’t take that chance there of making two outs on one play.”
Realmuto said he should have played it through in his head before it happened and been more proactive in his preparation. Mattingly said he wasn’t sure what his star catcher was thinking.
“I don’t know what JT was thinking there, honestly, because he got to third,” Mattingly told reporters postgame.
“With contact on,” Mattingly said, “just hoping (Crawford) stays in (the rundown) long enough to get Marsh to second, and you end up in the same spot.”
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J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on July 20, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pa. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 10-7. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
“I’m not quite sure what he’s thinking. I don’t know if he thought that (Crawford) was going to get back or they were going to let him get back. It’s something we’ll talk about.”
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The baserunning blunder comes in the midst of a down season for Realmuto. The three-time All-Star catcher is hitting just .215 with seven home runs, which well below his career batting average of .268.
The Phillies (56-46) will look to bounce back from the tough loss and take the third game of the three-game set against the Dodgers (64-38) on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. ET.
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Sports
Wasim Jaffer says KL Rahul ‘is at par’ with Virat Kohli, reveals one quality that separates them | Cricket News
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has made a bold comparison between KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, saying the Indian wicketkeeper-batter possesses the same level of talent and technical ability as the batting great. However, Jaffer believes it is Kohli’s unmatched mentality and relentless consistency that have helped him scale unprecedented heights in international cricket.Rahul and Kohli have shared the Indian dressing room for over a decade, with the duo making their international careers around the same era. While Kohli has gone on to become one of the greatest batters of the modern era, Rahul has often been praised for his elegant strokeplay and versatility but has struggled to convert his immense potential into sustained dominance.Speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan, Jaffer reflected on his time as part of the Punjab Kings coaching setup and recalled working closely with Rahul during the IPL.
‘KL Rahul is at par with Virat Kohli in talent’
Jaffer described Rahul as one of the most technically complete batters in world cricket and said the Karnataka star still has plenty to achieve.“KL is a top-class player who plays all three formats remarkably well. Technically sound, composed, and level-headed. Even though he is still actively playing, I believe he has somewhat underachieved given his skill set. He can get so many more runs for both India and his franchise,” Jaffer said. The former India opener then made a striking comparison with Kohli.“In terms of pure talent and quality, I genuinely believe he is at par with Virat Kohli, but it is Virat’s elite mentality that creates that ultimate separation between KL and Virat,” he added.
Virat Kohli vs KL Rahul: International career comparison
Although Jaffer rates Rahul’s talent alongside Kohli’s, the numbers underline the remarkable gap created by Kohli’s longevity and consistency as Kohli started his international career 6 years prior to KL Rahul.
| Stat | Virat Kohli | KL Rahul |
|---|---|---|
| International Matches | 562 | 238 |
| Runs | 28,359 | 9,830 |
| Batting Average | 52.71 | 40.45 |
| Centuries | 85 | 22 |
| Half-centuries | 148 | 62 |
| Highest Score | 254* | 199 |
Sports
Vikings Rookies, Blake Brandel, NFC North Chances

VikingsTerritory is here to answer your questions, publishing them weekly in a single article. The timing is opportune, with training camp getting off the ground in approximately four days.
We have selected the primary questions from the email inbox, and our responses are provided below.
Vikings’ Summer Questions Stretch from Rookies to the Division Race

Question: If you had to guess one single rookie who will make the most impact for the Vikings in 2026, who would that be?
Answer: DT Domonique Orange.
The Vikings found Orange in Round 3 from Iowa State, and because nose tackles are often asked to “only stop the run,” they get up to NFL speed quicker than other rookies. We don’t believe Orange will be different.
The Vikings didn’t have an official general manager during the draft, leading us to assume that defensive coordinator Brian Flores had more input than usual during the process. It’s unlikely that he was forced to pick Orange.
And because Levi Drake Rodriguez — who is decent, not great — is the only NT standing in Orange’s way, VikingsTerritory thinks Orange will see the field as early as September.
Caleb Banks and Jake Golday will get snaps as rookies, but pencil us in for fans falling in love with Orange and his run-stopping ways.
Question: What do you expect from Demond Claiborne as a rookie?
Answer: Enough to wet your whistle for 2027.
Sadly, Claiborne probably won’t see gobs of touches in the Vikings’ offense; Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are ahead of him on the depth chart, and the Vikings’ coaches value the dependability of those men.

But Claiborne has speed to die for (4.37), which Jones and Mason do not possess. We estimate around 75 touches for Claiborne and more if Jones rides the injury train, which usually happens. It’s unclear if Claiborne has the tackle-breaking gene to become an RB1 or elite RB vision, but we trust that new assistant head coach Frank Smith will guide him in the right direction.
When we get to the 2027 offseason, fans will wonder which running back the Vikings will find to pair with Claiborne as a one-two punch.
Question: Why did Minnesota settle on Blake Brandel at center?
Answer: He improved every game at center during Ryan Kelly’s absence in 2025.
Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said about Brandel last season, “The way Blake handled this game, I think we might be looking at a situation where this could be his best position of all five across the line. And getting Jurgens back into practice is just a plus for us. And we’ll see where all those guys are at throughout the week as we assess.”
“Going back to years past, Blake hasn’t played a lot of center, but they’re always working those guys because of these situations, the interior backups particularly, have to at least be swing guards. Having some center flex centers that are only centers, kind of limit you with your roster. Generally, they have to at least function at guard. So those guys get worked in throughout the offseason.”
The Vikings could’ve signed about five different veteran centers in free agency or drafted Logan Jones, Sam Hecht, Jake Slaughter, or Connor Lew in April.
But nope — they trust Brandel. Perhaps the guy deserves a fair shake.
Question: Are the Vikings capable of winning the NFC North?
Answer: Of course.
Minnesota can win the NFC North if they do one thing: protect the football.

In 2024, the Vikings ranked third-best via turnover differential. In 2025, they ranked third-worst in the same metric. Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings follow one strict script: when his team protects the football and wins the turnover battle, it wins 90% of games. When it loses the turnover battle, that win percentage drops to 27%.
The rest will take care of itself if Minnesota’s offense protects the ball while Flores’s defense does Flores defense things.
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