Lionel Messi has admitted he is unsure how much longer he will continue playing football following the death of his father, Jorge Messi.

Jorge, who was 68, died last week after a long illness. He had been Messi’s agent since the Argentine star was 14 and played a major role in his football career.

In an emotional tribute on social media, Messi said he was struggling to imagine life without his father.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner wrote.

“I don’t know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer.”

Messi also revealed that his father had wanted him to play in one more World Cup.

“You kept asking me to play in one last World Cup,” Messi said. “I kept telling you that we were going to make it to the final so you could come along.”

Messi captained Argentina at the 2026 World Cup and helped them reach the final, where they lost 1-0 to Spain. He scored eight goals and provided four assists in eight appearances during the tournament.

The Argentine star said he had hoped to win the World Cup and take the trophy to his father.

“I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one,” he wrote. “I couldn’t, my legs had nothing left.”

Messi’s family moved to Spain in 2001 after he joined Barcelona at the age of 13, while his father stayed with him during the early stages of his career.

Jorge later watched his son become one of the greatest players in football history, with Messi scoring 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona and winning the Champions League four times and La Liga 10 times.

Messi also paid tribute to his father as a mentor and close friend.

“You were my dad, my friend and my mentor,” he said. “I’m going to miss you so much, but you’ll always be with me, especially in raising my children.”

He added: “Rest in peace, and watch over us from above just as you did here. Thank you for everything. I love you, Dad.”

Messi’s emotional message also attracted messages of support from football stars and friends.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo sent his condolences, saying: “A huge hug to you and yours in these hard times, Leo. Much strength.”

Inter Miami co-owner and former England international David Beckham also offered his support.

“We are with you and your family, Leo, always,” Beckham said.

First Published: Aug 09 2026 | 10:52 AM IST

With Cleveland launching the new RTZ 2 wedges, the company now has a unique opportunity.

On this week’s episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped, co-hosts Johnny Wunder and Jake Morrow contemplated the potential for Cleveland to start a fully fleshed-out Tour wedge program.

“I’m really hoping that Cleveland, knowing that they have Roger [Cleveland] back, knowing that they have a phenomenal wedge program, creates a wedge program out on Tour to start to explore like what you’re talking about, you know, looking at the data, who’s doing what, who’s doing this,” Wunder said.

The RTZ 2 is the first flagship wedge the company has released since founder Roger Cleveland returned to the brand early last year.

The only company that really has a fully built-out wedge program on the PGA Tour is Vokey, which is overwhelmingly the No. 1 wedge on the PGA Tour. Titleist dedicates a whole team of Tour reps, led by Aaron Dill, specifically to servicing players’ wedges. The feedback then helps create the next line of Vokey wedges.

But while Cleveland has always been relevant in wedges on the PGA Tour, especially following the introduction of the 588 nearly 30 years ago, their market share has been increasing of late.

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While all of Cleveland/Srixon staffers use their wedges, more non-contracted players are using them too, like Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland and Justin Rose.

To build a successful Tour wedge program takes a lot more people involved, Wunder said, but the opportunity is now.

“I think like, creating exposure, trying to trap more tour players is not the worst idea for Cleveland now,” Wunder said. “Not that they’re not trying, but like really look at that and go, Hey, we could actually chew into this wedge market quite a bit because we have the product.”

Typically a program like that would be started for a marketing directive, and that requires an ego, Wunder said.

“I’m talking about companies, they tend to flex the strong arm, right?” Wunder said. “Like, you know, they’re gonna flex with the things that they know they’re gonna win with because they don’t have the certainty that if they offer up another product in that category that they’re gonna win. And I think a lot of that comes with just a little bit of ego.”

Especially after the RTZ 2 release, it’s pretty clear that Cleveland is one of the best wedge makers out there.

For more from Wunder co-host Jake Morrow, listen to the full episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped here, or watch it below.

Want to overhaul your bag in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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Hardik Pandya is creating a lot of buzz as IPL trade rumours heat up. The Mumbai Indians captain has failed to replicate his magic touch after returning to his old franchise in IPL 2024 and may exit the team. Mumbai Indians have entered the playoffs only once in the last three editions, and the team’s performance under Pandya has not been inspiring. In IPL 2026, MI finished second-last with four wins from 14 matches. Several teams have been rumoured to be in touch with MI for a trade involving Pandya.

Former champions Kolkata Knight Riders, who are without a captain following Ajinkya Rahane‘s retirement, have also been heavily linked with Pandya. In the midst of such rumours, KKR posted a photo of its star spinner Varun Chakravarthy at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. He could be seen exercising, but the real twist came when Pandya crossed paths with Chakravarthy from behind and teased him. Now, KKR posting a video featuring Pandya is a fodder for social media rumour mills.

“Is admin giving a hint?? Wait, is Pandya coming to KKR???” wrote a user.

Is admin giving a hint wait pandya is coming to kkr

— KKR Captain (@sgreatgori) August 12, 2026

“Hardik KKR captain…. Let’s go,” wrote another user.

Hardik KKR captain….Lets go ⛹️‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/okE1e0Jr0Z

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— Pugna (@Pugna9211) August 12, 2026

Future Kaptaan Purple Pandya

— Venomous Agent X (@Shubhangi0106) August 12, 2026

According to a report in Cricbuzz, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings are increasingly interested in acquiring the Mumbai Indians skipper. Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals have also been linked with him. The trade talks, however, have not made much progress, the report added.

The report quoted Mumbai Indians sources as saying that the player may not be traded at all. However, that may “not be the complete picture”, the report further said, adding that “calls have been made to and received from franchises expressing interest in the all-rounder.”

Pandya’s IPL numbers since 2024 have not been great. However, there is no question about his quality.

Several rumours have claimed that MI may be open to a trade with Delhi Capitals involving Axar Patel. Rumour mills are also rife with speculation that a Pandya-for-Yashasvi Jaiswal trade with Rajasthan Royals, or a Pandya-for-Nicholas Pooran swap with LSG, could be potential IPL trade possibilities.

Meanwhile, former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin shared his views and said that MI should look to acquire Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh from KKR if they decide to trade Hardik to the franchise

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Yamal Laughs At Paredes vs Gavi ‘Fight Of The Year’ Poster During Parade

I like to take a look at how Vikings draft classes are performing two years down the line. The idea is that two years of football are ample to start forming an opinion on whether the draft picks are looking like they’re going to be successful. This year is the turn of the Vikings 2024 draft class.

Where the Vikings 2024 Draft Class Stands Now

The Vikings’ fourth-round pick was corner Khyree Jackson, who tragically passed away just two months after being drafted by the Vikings. Unfortunately, the world never got to see what he could have been on an NFL football field. He’s being excluded from the analysis but he hasn’t been forgotten.

Six players that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted back in 2024 are all still on the roster – for now at least. Let’s take a closer look at how the Minnesota Vikings 2024 draft class is performing two seasons in, from early-round starters to depth players fighting for bigger roles and those just trying to hang on to a roster spot.

JJ McCarthy (QB) – Round 1, Pick 10

Current Situation: QB2 for the Vikings.

The “QB battle” is over with Kyler Murray named the Vikings’ starting QB for the 2026 season. It’s another bump in the road for JJ McCarthy, who was drafted as the 10th overall pick by Minnesota in 2024. Has seen his rookie season lost to injury, his second season saw him in and out of the team with injuries, and when he did play, it was often not pretty. 

Now in Year 3 his starting role has gone, but it is probably too early to say this latest news is terminal for McCarthy’s career in Minnesota. Murray’s recent injury record is also a concern. For now, McCarthy has to wait and see if he gets another chance.

If this is it for McCarthy there is no way of sugarcoating it. When you trade up into the top 10 for a QB and he is potentially finished by the start of his third season then it is a disaster. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has already departed Minnesota; Kevin O’Connell will need positive results on the field to avoid the same fate.

Dallas Turner (Edge) – Round 1, Pick 17

Current Situation: Set to be Vikings starting OLB for the first time.

Dallas Turner can be the saving grace of this draft. With the surprise departure of Jonathan Greenard, Turner has been thrust into not only a starting role, but one where he is the team’s leading pass rusher.

Andrew Van Ginkel is a versatile edge defender who will be asked to do many different things by Brian Flores. Turner’s job will be to lead the pass rush. He showed glimpses of promise last season especially when filling in for the injured Greenard for large parts of the back end of the season.

Finishing the season with 8 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 passes defended, Turner is ready to kick on in 2026.

Walter Rouse (Tackle) – Round 6, Pick 17

Current Situation: Battling to keep his place as a backup tackle with the Vikings.

Walter Rouse has spent a couple of seasons as a depth player on the Vikings. He only got on the field for 88 offensive snaps in 2025 amid the team’s OL injury crisis. He did show some pass-blocking ability in that small sample size but Minnesota signed Ryan Van Demark and drafted Caleb Tiernan drafted in the third round. Rouse is facing an uphill battle to keep his place on the Vikings roster.

Will Reichard (Kicker) – Round 6, Pick 203

Current Situation: Vikings Kicker.

Some people frown upon drafting a kicker but the Vikings did so in 2024 with Will Reichard. Importantly, they drafted a good one with Reichard earning first-team All-Pro honors in just his second season. He only missed two kicks all season – one of which was the somewhat controversial Skycam wire incident in Week 5 – and broke the record for the Vikings’ longest field goal with a successful attempt from 62 yards. Reichard is not just accurate (he is 100% on extra points in his career) but has also proven he has a big leg with multiple successful attempts from 60+ yards. Minnesota had problems at kicker before drafting him but Reichard looks to have solved it.

Michael Jurgens (Center) – Round 7, Pick 230

Current Situation: Battling to remain the Vikings backup center or guard depth.

Minnesota has turned to Blake Brandel to be the starting center, which leaves Michael Jurgens and seventh-round rookie Gavin Gerhardt fighting to be the backup. Jurgens does have experience playing guard in college that can help him keep a roster spot, although he is somewhat undersized for that position and relies on good technique to succeed – particularly in run blocking. Jurgens’ versatility should lead to another year on the roster with the Vikings lacking any decent veteran IOL depth.

Levi Drake Rodriguez (Defensive Line) – Round 7, Pick 232

Current Situation: Important depth player on the Vikings defensive line.

For a seventh-round pick, Levi Drake Rodriguez is proving to be a roaring success as the last pick of the Vikings 2024 draft class. After making it onto the field a handful of times in his rookie season, he made significant strides in Year 2 as a valuable depth player in the rotation. Minnesota parted ways with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave after just one season and opted to strengthen the defensive line through the draft. The Vikings have high hopes for first-round pick Caleb Banks and third-round pick Domonique Orange but Rodriguez should see plenty of opportunity.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

Titan Ultra rookie Bryan Sajonia stretchered off after suffering an injury during a game vs San Miguel Beermen in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Another injury marred a 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup game at Ynares Center in Antipolo after Titan Ultra rookie Bryan Sajonia hurt his left knee during the third quarter of Wednesday’s matchup with San Miguel Beer.

Sajonia got hurt with 8:51 left in the third quarter with the Giant Risers trailing 74-55 when his knee buckled while looking to drive against the Beermen’s Marcio Lassiter.

The neophyte guard out of San Beda was stretched out of the court. A report from the game’s broadcast said that Sajonia didn’t hear any pop.

His injury came a day after NLEX import Dequan Jones sustained a gruesome fracture on his right leg at the same venue against TNT.

Ironically, Jones’ injury happened on the same spot where Sajonia got hurt.

It also brought back harrowing memories of previous injuries at the same venue, namely all of the three ACL tears sustained by NLEX’s Kevin Alas and the nasty neck injury sustained by then-Purefoods forward Eugene Tejada in 2006.

The injury will likely be a setback for Sajonia, one of the few bright spots on an otherwise awful campaign for Titan Ultra.

In fact, Sajonia’s name has floated in trade rumors, perhaps a sign of how he is valued within league circles.

President Donald Trump is one of many locking in on the NFL this season. Like every other fan, the president had opinions about which teams he was expecting great things from. The president expressed them in an interview clip from The Patriot Games posted on X on Tuesday.

Via Dov Kleiman, Trump named two East Coast teams and a West Coast team as noteworthy teams to back. He also refused to name any more organizations out of fear of getting “himself in trouble.”

“I think New England looks good,” he said. “The Giants, I like their quarterback a lot. I think that they say the LA Rams are looking very strong but I better not get into this too much. I’m going to get myself in trouble if I do.”

Fans reacted negatively to the comments in droves. Some claimed he cursed the teams he named.

“He just cursed all of em. The cowboys have the upper hand now 🤦🏻‍♂️,” one posted.

“Patriots because self-explanatory, Giants because Dart is MAGA and Rams because they are clear favorites. Casual,” one replied.

“Trump Curse will strike again,” another posted.

While many fans called it a disastrous omen, others backed his choices.

“Did he just leak the superbowl matchup lmao,” one commented.

“Why hate on his picks? Dallas fans pick the Cowboys every year and are always wrong. Baltimore is always a favorite. They fail,” another added.

“Well, Donald Trump does know ball so,” one replied.

Of course, while many have predictions for the upcoming season, September can break more predictions than any month on the calendar. An 0-4 start can statistically end one’s season before it begins, while a 4-0 record can extend it into January. Aside from the playoffs, September can be as stressful as it gets in the NFL world.

Read More: Donald Trump warns FIFA over ‘terrible mistake’ amid calls to remove Gianni Infantino after controversy

Read More: “Whenever Donald Trump gets involved in a sport it all goes downhill”: NFL analyst doesn’t mince words after USMNT’s embarrassing 1-4 loss to Belgium

Exploring how Patriots, Giants and Rams could ruin Donald Trump’s prediction

While a Donald Trump curse could be a bad omen, it is the actions of the teams in question, outside factors, internal factors or their opponents that will be the direct cause of their demise. An NFL season can go down in flames in several ways, but the seeds of destruction could have already been planted.

The New England Patriots could struggle due to Mike Vrabel’s inability to fully focus in the offseason due to the Dianna Russini scandal. The coach wasn’t in the room for the majority of the team’s picks in the NFL draft, and if the players don’t fit into Vrabel’s scheme, it could be enough to sink the ship.

The New York Giants are a work in progress with John Harbaugh. Sometimes, one needs to break things to rebuild them, and if Harbaugh sees 2026 as the season to break the team to rebuild a new one, the franchise will not go far. Alternatively, if the players fail to catch on to Harbaugh’s style of coaching, that also could ruin the year.

The Los Angeles Rams have a new quarterback in its building, and Matthew Stafford is untested in the art of teaching a new premium quarterback while trying to keep his job. If the pressure pushes Stafford to press for too many deep passes and thus create interceptions, he will speed up the timeline to get Ty Simpson on the field, which will likely cost the season in the process.