Brazil great Ronaldinho has landed in Ravenna, a city more famous for its nearby beaches than its soccer team.
The lyrics “and the world’s going to know your name” seemed ironically superfluous as one of soccer’s most recognizable figures stepped on stage in front of thousands of fans on Thursday.
That song, “Hall of Fame” by The Script, had been belted out throughout the presentation of third-tier Ravenna’s team for the upcoming season before the team’s new No. 10 walked out.
Thursday was dubbed “Ronaldinho day” as the soccer legend was presented first to the press before a glitzy beachside ceremony in front of around 6,000 fans, waving flags and holding flares aloft – despite the intermittent rain.
Advertisement
In a surprise announcement in June, the 46-year-old Ronaldinho signed with Italian third-division club Ravenna more than a decade after retiring.
“I’m very happy to be here with my friends, but let’s wait and see if things go well with the team,” Ronaldinho said Thursday when asked about how he was feeling, before later answering a question as to when Ravenna fans could expect to see him on the field.
“I feel fine,” he said with a laugh, before later adding: “I don’t know, it depends on the president and coach. I don’t know.”
Advertisement
Ronaldinho arrived by private jet at nearby Forli Airport – about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Ravenna – around midday local time. He signed a couple of soccer balls for airport staff before getting into a car on the runway, skipping the handful of fans that were waiting landside.
He was accompanied by Ravenna President Ignazio Cipriani of the Cipriani restaurant brand.
Ronaldinho will not feature in Ravenna’s first Serie C match of the season on Monday, at Reggio Emilia, and it is still unclear how much he hopes to play during the campaign. However, Cipriani has said it is his dream for the Brazilian to score his last career goal for the team.
“If that happens even better, no?” Ronaldinho said. “I’ve come here because of the friendship we have, and that’s it, let’s wait and see how the team does I’m here to help.”
Ronaldinho last played professionally for Fluminense in 2015. It marks his second spell in Italy after featuring for AC Milan from 2008-11. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
Olympic medallist Jenny Simpson says a “chapter has ended” and she will not return to running after having a cardiac arrest.
The 39-year-old American, a former 1500m world champion, was pacing a mile group at a pop-up event in North Carolina in June when she collapsed.
She required CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator before being transported to UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh, where she went into cardiac arrest again.
“My heart was severely injured and stunned. My lungs struggled too,” Simpson said in an Instagram post, external on Thursday.
Advertisement
“I was diagnosed with a rare inherited heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).”
ARVC is a genetic condition in which the proteins that normally hold heart muscle cells together do not work properly.
This can cause heart muscle cells to die and be replaced by fatty tissue and scar tissue.
It causes the walls of the heart chambers to become thin and stretched, and the heart cannot pump blood around the body properly.
Advertisement
“My future is an incredible gift. It’s hopeful, and it will continue to have great purpose,” Simpson said.
“But my diagnosis also means it would be dangerous for me to return to running. That chapter has ended. Thankfully, my story hasn’t.”
Simpson won 1500m gold at the 2011 World Championships and bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and retired from competitive racing at the end of the 2024 season.
“I’m profoundly grateful that I got to have the career I did,” added Simpson, who also won silver medals in the 1500m at the 2013 and 2017 World Championships.
Advertisement
“I experienced everything – from the trenches of training to standing on the top of the podium while our national anthem filled the stadium.”
Ambition can be many things – the enemy of success or what drives people to new heights – just ask a few of the sides lining up for week two of the English Football League.
West Ham United and Leicester City’s ambitions lay well above the Championship and League One respectively but previous failings mean they are now having to dig themselves out of self-constructed holes.
Advertisement
On the other side of the coin, there are teams like Lincoln City, Bromley and York City who are probably still pinching themselves after last season’s heroics.
Advertisement
The EFL has sub-plots wherever you look and we have selected five things to keep an eye out for this weekend.
Hammers hoping for speedy getaway
Arne Engels became the EFL’s record signing when he joined West Ham last week [West Ham United]
Such has been the yo-yo nature of sides relegated from the Premier League in recent seasons, West Ham fans will expect a swift return to the top flight, although their own history suggests sometimes it is never as easy as it sounds.
The last time the Hammers found themselves in the Championship for the 2011-12 campaign, they had to come through the play-offs to earn promotion back to the promised land.
Advertisement
Advertisement
They look like they mean business this time around – smashing the EFL transfer record by spending £22m on Celtic midfielder Arne Engels before taking Leeds striker Joel Piroe on loan – which will only increase the expectation of a promotion-winning season.
Where will the highest attendance be in England on Saturday? Not in the Premier League, but at the Hammers’ London Stadium where a 62,500 sell-out will have the majority demanding a win over Charlton (15:00 BST).
This will be a first league meeting between the two London sides for 19 years and while the Addicks are still feeling their way back into the second tier after consolidation on their return last season, the Hammers know anything less than a win may have some of the natives getting restless, even at this early stage.
Advertisement
Imps out to upset establishment
Lincoln City won the League One title last season [Shutterstock]
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Lincoln City last prepared for a home game in what we now call the Championship.
Advertisement
Sixty-six years is a long time to wait for anything, and many Imps fans must have thought they would never see the day when second-tier football returned to Sincil Bank.
Advertisement
With respect, when you are being trounced 4-0 at home by North Ferriby United in the FA Trophy in 2014, facing games on a level footing against the likes of West Ham, Southampton and Wolves are probably not at the forefront of your mind.
Two trips to non-league football since their last Championship outing will have sharpened the minds of any supporter getting ahead of themselves as they prepare to welcome Portsmouth on Saturday (12:30 BST), but without ambition that North Ferriby experience might have been a more regular occurrence.
The Tony Mowbray derby
Tony Mowbray started his playing career with Middlesbrough and is in his second spell managing Blackburn [Shutterstock]
Football is littered with great characters and popular one-club men but there cannot be many who can claim to be well liked wherever they go.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Tony Mowbray is surely one of those select few as he prepares to pit his Blackburn Rovers side against Middlesbrough – the club where he made his name as a player before managing them for three years.
The 62-year-old, who has had to overcome bowel cancer, returned to Rovers for a second stint in June having previously led them to promotion from League One in 2017-18.
A 2-2 draw at Wolves last Friday was a more than decent start for Mowbray and for the visit of Boro (15:00 BST), he can expect a warm welcome from all four sides of Ewood Park.
Advertisement
“Everybody’s got us relegated – but that’s very good motivation for the team,” said Mowbray after the draw at Molineux.
Advertisement
Keeping Blackburn away from trouble will only make him even more popular in that part of Lancashire.
Same division – different feelings
Andy Woodman has guided Bromley from the National League to League One [Getty Images]
Advertisement
Having just been promoted from the National League South, Bromley finished 14th in the National League in the 2015-16 season.
That same year, Leicester City were upsetting the odds with their famous Premier League title win.
Such has been the rise of Andy Woodman’s Bromley, they can expect plenty more comparisons like that this season and, such has been the Foxes’ fall from grace, they will get similar.
While the Ravens are delighted to be in League One, Leicester are still rubbing the bruised ego which followed their disastrous relegation from the Championship on the back of demotion from the Premier League, amid various financial woes and points deductions.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Now under Russell Martin, rather than opening their home campaign against Arsenal, Liverpool or even Brighton, it is Burton Albion who will make the short trip to the King Power Stadium (15:00 BST) and home fans will find Gary Bowyer’s side have little respect for reputations.
Bromley’s home opener against Cambridge United (15:00 BST) may well be a re-run between two promoted sides from last season, but the hosts have already served notice of their intentions with their 1-0 win at Barnsley last weekend.
Can Millers grind York bandwagon to a halt?
York City’s Josh Stones (9) scored a last-second equaliser at Rochdale to win the National League title on the final day of last season [Getty Images]
Advertisement
Rotherham United’s attempts to halt their slide started just three weeks after their descent into League Two with the appointment of former England boss Steve McClaren as their new head of football.
Advertisement
The fact it then took a further six weeks to install a head coach in Alex Bruce has left them playing catch-up in terms of recruitment and readiness for the rough and tumble of fourth-tier football.
The Millers’ opening 2-1 defeat by Cheltenham Town means they have won only two of their past 19 league games so this might not be the best time to be welcoming a buoyant York City to south Yorkshire.
Advertisement
Despite a late change in boss, with Scott Lindsey replacing the title-winning Stuart Maynard barely a week before their first competitive fixture, hopes are high for a second successive promotion for the Minstermen.
Six years ago, York were facing the likes of Farsley Celtic and Gloucester City in the National League North while Rotherham were in the Championship, beating Middlesbrough and Derby.
Advertisement
In the blink of an eye they are on equal ground and York’s ambitions could well see them overtake Rotherham, who need to stop the rot quickly.
BBC Sport will have live text coverage of all the weekend’s EFL action.
Aug 20, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones (78) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
As Aaron Judge makes incremental progress in his recovery from a fractured right rib, the New York Yankees are on one of their best stretches since losing their captain over two months ago.
The Yankees are riding a four-game winning streak as they return home Friday night for the opener of a three-game series against the surging Toronto Blue Jays.
There is still no timetable for Judge to return, but the three-time MVP started hitting off a tee on Thursday and seems likely to increase his batting progression during New York’s 10-game homestand.
The Yankees, who are 36-32 since Judge last played on May 31, completed a three-game sweep of the host Baltimore Orioles with a 6-1 win on Thursday.
New York is on its fourth four-game winning streak without Judge and is attempting to win five straight for the first time since May 24-29. While the Yankees are batting .202 over the past six games, they are coming off consecutive games with double-digit hits.
Advertisement
“I do feel like we’ve been better for the last week or 10 days, even on some of the days where we haven’t had results,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I feel like some individuals are in a little bit of a better place. As a team, we’re in a little better place offensively, but we got to keep getting better. There’s more in there for all of us, and we got to keep getting it out.”
New York rookie Spencer Jones homered on Thursday in his second career three-hit game. He is 9-for-30 (.300) over the past eight games. Luis Garcia Jr. also went deep and collected three hits in the finale at Baltimore, his first three-hit game since being acquired from the Washington Nationals on Aug. 2.
Toronto split a four-game series in New York from May 18-21 and has split the 10 meetings with the Yankees this year. After winning two of three close games against the Yankees last weekend in Toronto, the Blue Jays scored 21 runs while taking two of three at Tampa Bay to open this week.
Advertisement
After hitting three homers in a 5-1 win on Thursday, the Blue Jays are 14-7 in their past 21 games. Toronto totaled 38 hits in the three games against the Rays.
Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto has homered in two of the past three games and has a six-game hitting streak. Alejandro Kirk is batting .405 (15-for-37) during a nine-game hitting streak and is 8-for-16 in five games against the Yankees this season.
“I think we’re coming in the ballpark confident every day, and it feels like it’s showing up more as late,” Toronto right-hander Shane Bieber said.
The Blue Jays will be without Vladimir Guerrero Jr., though, as he is expected to return from the concussion list on Saturday. He hit an RBI double and drew two walks in his first rehab game for Class-A Dunedin on Thursday.
Advertisement
Toronto shortstop Andres Gimenez may also be out after tweaking his right hamstring on Thursday. He won’t need an MRI, according to manager John Schneider, so the injury isn’t believed to be serious.
Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.19 ERA), who is winless with a 2.90 ERA in his past four starts, will start the series opener for New York. Schlittler allowed just one run in each of his past two starts.
The right-hander is 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA in five regular-season starts against the Blue Jays. Schlittler held Toronto to four hits over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision on Saturday.
The Blue Jays are expected to use a bullpen game on Friday before Dylan Cease and Jose Soriano start the following two contests. One of the pitchers who might appear in the Friday game is Spencer Arrighetti, who has not pitched for Toronto since being acquired from the Houston Astros in exchange for Daulton Varsho at the trade deadline.
Advertisement
Arrighetti has been on the injured list due to a nerve issue in his right foot.
One of the UFC’s heavyweight mainstays and a former interim title challenger is set to re-sign with the promotion on an extended deal, but the fans are divided over the move.
In a recent post on X, combat sports journalist James Lynch revealed that Curtis Blaydes is set to re-sign with the world’s premier MMA organization on an eight-fight deal.
According to Lynch, the new contract will begin with a September 12 clash against heavyweight knockout threat Waldo Cortes-Acosta at Noche UFC.
Check out James Lynch’s announcement about Curtis Blaydes below:
Advertisement
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
The 35-year-old fighter from Naperville, Illinois, has been a fixture in the UFC heavyweight rankings for years. ‘Razor’ has notable wins over the likes of Alexander Volkov, Jailton Almeida, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Alistair Overeem, among others.
Advertisement
Blaydes also challenged for the interim heavyweight title at UFC 304, losing to Tom Aspinall. He is 2-3 in his last five fights, most recently suffering a unanimous decision loss to Josh Hokit at UFC 327.
Blaydes is one of the best wrestlers in the 265-pound division and boasts an impressive collegiate record, highlighted by a gold medal-winning performance at the NJCAA Championships as a redshirt sophomore at Harper College.
His upcoming opponent, Cortes-Acosta, currently sits at No.7 in the UFC heavyweight rankings. He is 3-2 in his last five fights, most recently suffering a unanimous decision loss to Volkov at UFC 328. Known for his heavy hands, Cortes-Acosta was riding a three-fight knockout streak before his most recent loss.
When Dana White was impressed by Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes’ UFC 327 showings
Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit delivered a banger at UFC 327, racking up a combined 351 significant strikes in three rounds. While Blaydes came up short, the bout helped solidify Hokit as a legitimate heavyweight contender.
Advertisement
Despite the loss, Blaydes’ showing may have played a role in his new contract with the UFC. During the post-fight press conference at UFC 327, White praised Hokit while also lauding both fighters for their impressive performances, saying:
“Nothing but respect for both of those men tonight. That fight was unbelievable, and you won’t hear a word out of me about [Hokit] from here on out. He walked the talk. It’s one thing to have a shtick and act, whatever, and it’s another thing to go in a fight against the No.5 guy in the world, who’s a bad dude, and do what he did tonight.”
As announced last Friday, the 14 Women’s Bundesliga clubs have officially established their own league organization during a meeting in the German city of Frankfurt.
Katharina Kiel of Eintracht Frankfurt was elected as the first president of the Frauen-Bundesliga FBL e.V. (Women’s Bundesliga Association). Veronica Sass of Bayern Munich and Florian Zeutschler will serve as vice presidents. The FBL’s stated purpose is to take the league’s marketing and professionalization to a new level, and it will reportedly be rolled out in 18 months time.
“Today marks a historic moment for German women’s football. For the first time, all top-division clubs are joining forces and pooling their interests within a league association,” Kiel said in a statement posted on Eintracht Frankfurt’s website.
“For us, this represents a provisional high point in a process that we, as clubs, began together approximately 18 months ago.”
Advertisement
Going it alone – without the DFB
The founding meeting was held in a hospitality suite at Eintracht Frankfurt’s home stadium after it had been moved from its original location, the German Football Association’s (DFB) headquarters nearby. The decision to move the meeting came last week, after the 14 clubs announced that they would go it alone in their plan to establish the FBL, meant to be similar to the DFL (German Football League), which markets the men’s Bundesliga.
This was the result of a major row that emerged between the clubs and the DFB, with the clubs accusing the the football association of making “unacceptable demands” regarding a deal that would have seen the two form the league association as a joint venture. The DFB has denied this. In stark contrast to the harsh words of last week, the tone on Wednesday sounded more conciliatory.
FBL President Katharina Kiel (center) with her vice presidents, Veronica Sass and Florian ZeutschlerImage: Michael Brandt/dpa/picture alliance
Door remains open
“At this point in time, we cannot enter into the partnership because there are still unresolved issues between us and the DFB,” Kiel said.
“Every path has its advantages and disadvantages. The DFL also started on its own. The project with the DFB has not fallen through. We will examine it with an open mind.”
Advertisement
In a further possible sign of willingness to patch up the dispute, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf was present at the founding meeting, although he didn’t actively participate.
At the heart of the row appears to be a disagreement over which side should have the most say in the FBL, with the clubs arguing that they should have the final word as they are estimated to invest somewhere between €300 million ($351 million) and €900 million to move the Bundesliga forward. It is unclear what this association’s founding may mean for the DFB’s commitment to invest €100 million in the women’s game over the next eight years.
One thing the two sides do agree on is the urgent need for investment in the women’s game in Germany in order to maintain both the league’s and the national team’s competitiveness with other top football nations like England and the US.
Among the concrete proposals up for discussion are a minimum basic salary for players and minimum requirements for personnel and infrastructure.
Advertisement
The DFB is also hoping to use the 2029 European Championship, for which Germany secured hosting right last week, to help generate momentum for the women’s game in the country.
Walti said she is “passionate” about pushing for change because she is privileged to have experienced professionalism in England.
“We used to not have good conditions. It wasn’t professional. Our first salaries were not enough to live from,” said Walti.
“Now, seeing the growth in England and being with players who try to push the game in their own countries, it makes you feel frustrated to still see the reality.
“You forget sometimes, when you’re in your own bubble, that this is not the norm. You’re just one of the lucky ones who can experience it.
Advertisement
“A lot of talent in women’s football gets lost because they are in bad environments where nobody sees them or they don’t have the chance to reach their potential.
“I try to make an impact and I think that was really hard in Italy because I felt like when we spoke up, nothing happened, and that was frustrating.”
When Walti was weighing up her future, with a year left on her Juventus contract, she knew Brighton were a club who could offer her a quality environment.
In 2021, the women’s team moved into their training facilities at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre – the result of an £8.5m investment.
On the pitch, they have invested during the transfer window and reached the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time in May.
Dario Vidosic’s side have ambitions of breaking into the WSL’s top three and Walti believes she has joined a club “that cares” about women’s football.
“After that experience in Italy, I knew a bit more about what I probably wanted, or didn’t want,” said Walti.
Advertisement
“I had a pretty big trust in Brighton before we had the conversations because I had been in the league and seen what the club was doing.
“I’ve heard from other players about the club investing a lot and I only heard really positive things. There is no better feedback than from other players.
“Once I started to have the first moments with the club, it proved to me that this is the right place – that cares about women’s football, that invests in women’s football, and who has the right people in place.”
City are entering an exciting new chapter. Pep Guardiola’s departure in May has signalled a changing of the guard at the Etihad Stadium. Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri are among the legendary players who have said farewell this summer. However, City aren’t looking to stand still. Enzo Maresca is aiming to rebuild the Blues as they look to continue challenging in all four competitions. Phil Foden, Abdukodir Khusanov, Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku have all signed new contracts, Elliot Anderson has arrived in a bumper move and the main man Erling Haaland will lead the line as ever.
Nobody knows how the season will unfold for City, but what we can promise you is comprehensive coverage of the Blues throughout the 2026/27 campaign. As well as our in-depth written coverage, our City reporters will be bringing you Talking City podcast episodes every week.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia urged football fans to boycott the upcoming high-profile friendly match against Brazil in Kolkata. Bhaichung pointed out that spending crores for a 90-minute exhibition match will be a misuse of money when Indian football is in desperate need of financial assistance. India are all set to take on the five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 3. Media reports claimed that the whole event will cost around Rs 60-70 crores and the AIFF decided to withdraw India from the FIFA ASEAN Cup in order to prioritise the Brazil clash.
During a recent interaction, Bhaichung urged football fans to not support the game. “Boycott that Brazil match. Then I think that is a big message. Then every organiser, every federation will think twice,” Bhaichung said on 420 Grams.
He went on to request the Bengal government to invest the money elsewhere and added that such a big amount can end up helping athletes and sports infrastructure in the long run.
“If the Bengal government is going to pay or try and raise [money] for this match, please raise it for Bengal to have the next few gold medals in the Commonwealth Games,” Bhutia said.
Advertisement
“So when you have Rs 30 crore, please invest it in the next four years to have 10 medals in the Commonwealth Games. We are trying to bring the Olympics here. Try and have Olympians from Bengal winning medals there. Or with the Rs 30 crore, make 100 futsal grounds — seven-a-side futsal grounds. You can have 100 grounds in different [areas]. Use it, utilise it properly. Don’t waste it for one 90-minute [match] and think the money is gone.”
The former India captain accepted that the excitement around a match against Brazil will be huge in India but questioned what would happen once the spectacle is over.
“If the match happens, everybody is excited, fans come in, you know, media, the government, everybody will be happy. But once the match happens, your money is gone and your football is 20 years behind,” he said.
Featured Video Of The Day
Yamal Laughs At Paredes vs Gavi ‘Fight Of The Year’ Poster During Parade
Allianz Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 25 NRL game between St. George Illawarra Dragons and
Canterbury Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Canterbury Bulldogs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the St. George Illawarra Dragons vs.
Canterbury Bulldogs
game and give you our free tips and bets.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Odds
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview
St George Illawarra has doubled its season win tally across the past fortnight, upsetting Cronulla before edging Wests Tigers 24-22. Daniel Atkinson starts at fullback with Mathew Feagai on the wing, while the Dragons’ emerging forwards again face a demanding assignment. Canterbury has slipped outside the top eight after losses to the Roosters and Rabbitohs, making this contest effectively non-negotiable. Bronson Xerri returns in the centres and Enari Tuala moves to the wing following Jethro Rinakama’s season-ending injury. The Bulldogs have won six consecutive meetings, including a 15-14 golden-point escape in Las Vegas, although four of the past six clashes have produced no more than 38 points. Canterbury’s greater urgency and collection of attacking game-breakers should be enough, but the Dragons’ renewed resilience promises a tight contest.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Teams
Dragons team: 1. Daniel Atkinson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Emre Guler 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Damien Cook 15. Toby Couchman 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Jacob Webster 18. Setu Tu 19. Josh Kerr 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Luciano Leilua 22. Kade Reed
Advertisement
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Enari Tuala 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Harry Hayes 17. Alekolasimi Jones 19. Jake Turpin 20. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Jed Reardon 22. Jonathan Sua 23. Jack Underhill
You must be logged in to post a comment Login