In 2024, I spent a day at the Masters with my dad and my sister. I wrote about what the experience meant to me, and received lots of messages from other patrons who had similar fond memories from their time at Augusta National. This year, I wanted to help share those stories.
Working on a fun project for Masters week but I need your help! If you’ve been, I’d love to hear your story (big or small)! What it meant to you and what you remember most about that day! Would love any photos too!
Over the last few weeks, my email has been flooded with deeply personal Masters memories. We’ve been publishing these stories throughout Masters week.
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To everyone who wrote in and shared their favorite memories from attending the Masters: thank you so, so much! You brought this project to life.
A patron’s tiramisu to the rescue
My dream of attending the Masters had finally come true. It was Sunday and Rory McIlroy was in contention to win his first Masters and complete the career Grand Slam. I woke to my 4:30 a.m. alarm with a pit in my stomach — a mix of nerves, excitement, a couple too many glasses of wine at the Partridge Inn the night before and a genuine concern for how McIlroy would perform that day.
We gave ourselves 15 minutes to get out the door. No water. I popped an Advil, got dressed, and headed out the door. Augusta National was waiting. All four of us crammed into the rental car and within minutes, we found ourselves parked. Pitch black. Waves of people joined the queue in an orderly, polite fashion. There was a buzz in the air. It was fun picking up snippets of conversation along the way:
“I can’t believe I’m here.”
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“Best day ever.”
“Oh shoot, my leftover tiramisu from last night is still in my backpack.”
I chuckled at that last one and glanced over. She caught my eye and smiled. We started chatting to pass the time. Spirits were high. An hour passed. We all watched the sun rise over the vine-covered walls of the patron entrance, warmth beginning to embrace us. Birds chirping joyfully. Thirty minutes to go.
We were maybe 15 rows from the front when a commotion broke out a few rows ahead. Someone had fainted.
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“He needs sugar,” she said as he began to rise from the hallowed ground, a look of bewilderment on his face. He hadn’t yet clued in to what had happened. Bewilderment turned to embarrassment once he realized he’d fainted. It was tiramisu girl to the rescue. She asked his friends if he’d like some tiramisu to help bring him back to life. By then, the paramedics had arrived. Everyone was okay.
My mind began to spin. I haven’t had a drop of water today, let alone a morsel of food, I thought. Excitement aside, I’m not feeling so great. I’m not entirely comfortable in tightly packed crowds. Maybe I’m next. Maybe I won’t even make it in.
Then, sure enough, my vision began to narrow and my body started to feel weak. I’d fainted once before, many years ago, but this was different. Everything was at stake this time.
“I think I’m going to pass out,” I blurted to my friend beside me.
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He chuckled awkwardly.
“No, I’m serious — I think I’m going to pass out.”
This time it landed.
“Want me to ask her for the tiramisu?” he asked, half-joking.
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“Yes,” I said.
He returned a moment later with a takeaway container of the heavenly ‘pick-me-up’ (apparently a direct translation from Italian — couldn’t be more fitting). I began shoveling the sweet, creamy concoction into my mouth. Within seconds, a wave of relief. I was back.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Masters Tournament.”
We were in.
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I called my dad from one of the free phones on site and was truly lost for words. I had to call back once I could actually speak to tell him where I was and how unbelievable the entire scene was. Wishing he could be there with me. It was very emotional.
Ultimately it showed me how moments bring us together, regardless of what they are. The Masters has always had a special place in my heart, since I was a young aspiring professional golfer watching on TV every year with my dad, without fail. The four of us friends experiencing that Sunday together has cemented a bond that will never break.
What followed was a tradition unlike any other and truly the best day ever. – Mark Quinlan
Mark Quinlan and his best friends at the Masters.
Mark Quinlan
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At Amen Corner, I think of dad
I grew up in Augusta, and have gone to the Masters for most of my life. I would go to the tournament and practice rounds sporadically with my mom and dad. In 2001, my dad got four tickets to the tournament. I had to work that week, but he left me an extra ticket if I could get off early and meet them. I was never able to do that. My mom, dad and uncle sat on Amen Corner that day and watched everyone come in. My dad passed that summer from a stroke at 45 years old. We were on the waiting list for series badges and in 2010 my mom began receiving two annual tickets to the tournament.
Ever since then, my mom and I sit at Amen Corner in memory of him. Every time I go I think of him and how much he loved this tournament. He is actually buried in a cemetery about a driver away from Amen Corner. Every time I go, it’s almost like I’m watching it with him.
The Masters is always a special time for my family. Most locals rent out their homes and leave for spring break during the tournament. My dad was an accountant and I played sports (and loved golf) so we were always in town, and I loved going to the tournament. I attached a picture from my wedding of the grooms cake from my wedding and a picture of my mom and dad. – Nick Coia, Augusta, Ga.
Nick Coia at his wedding.
Nick Coia
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Nick Coia with his parents.
Nick Coia
An emotional day at Augusta National
My Dad was a teaching pro and in the 90s and early ’00s owned an indoor simulator facility. It was one of the few in our area at the time and he often got booked by big companies to take a simulator unit down to different tournaments to set up at hospitality houses. He did this for several years at Augusta and unfortunately I never made it down with him.
He got sick in 2017 and passed away in 2019, shortly before Tiger won his fifth Masters. Fast forward a few years and I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the Tuesday practice round with some friends.
Shaun Bisson and his friends at the Masters.
Shaun Bisson
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I felt a wide range of emotions throughout the day. Finally experiencing something I wish I had gotten to do with my Dad was a bit overwhelming, but the most meaningful experience was getting to the phones and calling my Mom to say hi and spend a few minutes talking about my dad. It’s something I’ll never ever forget.
The entire place is so magical and you feel like you’re floating as you walk around. It evokes so many different emotions and because golf is often such a special game for families. It’s hard not to get romantic about what Augusta National means to those who pass the game from generation to generation.
For a lot of my childhood, I resented golf and especially the Masters for taking my dad away from me. His job meant he was busy a lot, so I associated golf with missing him.
But the older I got, the more I fell in love with the sport and the Masters. And I began to understand why my dad loved it so much. And eventually it became our shared passion. We became closer, became golf buddies and best friends. – Shaun Bisson, Petrolia, Ontario
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Shaun Bisson at the Masters.
Shaun Bisson
The Masters Sunday that lives in a notebook
I attended the final round of the 2025 Masters with my dad. We ran into Scott Van Pelt by the first tee on Sunday morning. As a fellow broadcaster working in sports media, it was special to get the chance to meet him in person for the first time. He was familiar with my career background thanks to a few quick Zoom interactions over the years on the Pardon My Take podcast, but getting to speak to him for 10 minutes at Augusta National made it that much more special. The chance to get career advice from one of the best to ever do it in our business and him telling me to keep pushing in order to get to where I want to go was an incredible feeling, and having my dad there listening to it firsthand was awesome.
Going to the Masters with my dad last year was by far the most special sporting event that I’ve ever been to. I am incredibly fortunate to have been to the Final Four, World Series and so many other events with him, but this one stood above the rest. I think a big reason why this is this case is because of how unique the whole Masters experience is. We won the lottery… for SUNDAY! The no phone rule created a lot more anticipation for the both of us, since we didn’t fully know what we were in for. The property, the cheap concessions, the fact that celebrities roam around and blend in with the rest of the patrons, just all of it was different. All of that makes the experience at the Masters unlike anything else you will enjoy at a sporting event.
Oh yeah, that Sunday finish was pretty special, too.
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Jake Marsh at the Masters with his dad.
Jake Marsh
Since the no-phone rule at Augusta is a real thing, I brought a mini notebook to Augusta National to document every little detail throughout this once-in-a-lifetime day. Before getting to the course, I filled it with tips from prior patrons, a gift shop wish list from friends and family and other notes. Once we were on the grounds, I wrote down every event of note throughout the day. We only have one picture to show for it, but having all the details in that notebook will forever be part of the experience as well. – Jake Marsh, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Part of Jake Marsh’s Masters notebook.
Jake Marsh
A work award and a trip to Augusta National
I was lucky enough to get to attend the Friday round of the 2023 Masters and it was a day I’ll never forget. Probably even harder to believe how it came to be. I’m from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and had won an award through my work, which typically was rewarded with an all expenses paid weekend trip with coworkers to a nice warm location, including events, dinners and excursions. “Unfortunately” for me, I won the award during Covid so the trip was canceled and I was given a large quantity of “rewards points” to use on an employee recognition/reward site.
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I had always seen big trips and experiences on there, but never knew how anyone would actually accumulate enough points to cash that in. After a lot of waiting and searching daily, the one day Masters ticket finally came back to the platform, so I cashed in almost all my points for this opportunity, knowing I could use it anytime in the next several years. My girlfriend and I planned the trip for over a year. We spent a few days in Augusta, both before and after my tournament day, just taking in the environment and everything the city had to offer. I’ll always remember grabbing a coffee and walking the second nine before the crowds filled in, just taking in the course and the views, then making my way to the first tee just in time to see Phill Mickelson tee off. I’m just glad I took advice and got my merch taken care of early and shipped out before the trees and rain cut the day short. Now I’m just dreaming of the day I can go back. – Jim Knutson, Milwaukee, Wis.
While their initial battle in 2015 may have been an underwhelming affair inside the ring, it became the highest grossing event in the history of boxing, making it clear why there is demand for it to happen again despite both men now being well into their 40s.
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Over the past few weeks though, doubts have started to be raised about their clash, after Mayweather claimed that there were still details that had to be finalised, and if it was to take place it would be an exhibition rather than a professional contest.
With frustration clearly growing, Pacquiao has now sent a fresh message to Mayweather in a video captured by ESNews, first making it clear that his rival must proceed with the contest.
“He has no way to get out of the fight. He’s fighting. Sanctioned fight.”
Pacquiao then finished by sending a stern and clear warning to Mayweather.
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“Be a man.”
With the conflicting reports continuing to come out of both camps, a definitive decision over the fight will have to be made soon.
Quinton de Kock – he came, he saw and he conquered. Playing his first match of IPL 2026, Quinton de Kock slammed an unbeaten ton. De Kock’s 112* and a gritty 50 from Naman Dhir pulled Mumbai Indians out of the doldrums and lifted them to an under-par 195/6 against Punjab Kings in their Indian Premier League match here on Thursday. Confined to warming the bench so far, de Kock replaced Rohit Sharma and smashed his third IPL hundred to lead an inspirational fightback for the troubled Mumbai Indians, who had slipped to 15/2 in three overs and had their backs firmly pressed against the wall.
With the ton, de Kock surpassed MS Dhoni on the elite list of designated wicketkeepers in the IPL to have scored most 50-plus scores.
Most 50-plus scores by a designated wicketkeeper in the IPL
He is also the first overseas player to score a century for three different IPL teams.
Players to score hundreds for three IPL teams
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KL Rahul – Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals
Sanju Samson – Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings
Quinton de Kock – Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians
De Kock’s 112* against PBKS is the highest score by any MI batter in the first innings of an IPL match. He broke the record held by Rohit Sharma (109 vs KKR, 2012). Sanath Jayasuriya‘s 114* against Chennai Super Kings remains the highest individual score by a Mumbai Indians batter in IPL history.
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The veteran Proteas batter was in his element during his unbeaten ton – a 60-ball 112 not out (8x4s, 7x6s) and his first IPL hundred since 2022 – clobbering the ball powerfully on the leg side and picking boundaries with precision and terrific timing on the off side.
India and Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh (3/22) swung the ball prodigiously with immaculate lengths to snaffle two key wickets early on, while a third came late in the innings.
After beating Ryan Rickelton (2) persistently with deliveries that swung away from the left-hander, Arshdeep had the South African caught at deep square leg on a shortish ball. He was all over India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav (0), luring him outside off on the first ball and beating him with swing to have a thick edge flying to short third man.
With Suryakumar back in the hut and Tilak Varma (8) out of sorts, MI took a punt by promoting Dhir to No. 4, and the right-handed batter repaid the faith with a gutsy knock that required patience.
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Dhir was also lucky when on 10, as Yuzvendra Chahal spilled a sitter at short fine leg off Marco Jansen in the fifth over. He was fortunate again when a misjudgement in calling for a single in the next over did not result in de Kock being run out at the non-striker’s end, as Shreyas Iyer missed the direct hit.
Mumbai Indians once again had an underwhelming powerplay – 48 for 2 – but the home camp was relieved that there was no further damage. The pair had already begun the rebuilding work, and from there on, neither de Kock nor Dhir put a foot wrong in their century stand.
De Kock and Dhir put on 132 off 68 balls in a robust third-wicket partnership that not only revived MI but also built a strong platform to push for a big total. However, the hosts could not manage to score at more than 10 runs an over.
With strong bottom-hand strokeplay, Dhir struck three sixes and as many fours, playing the perfect second fiddle to de Kock. The partnership ended immediately after Dhir completed his half-century, hitting one straight to long-off.
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In the 18th over, Iyer had his arms spread wide in celebration after he caught the ball off Hardik Pandya (14) while airborne near the ropes at long-on and hurled it to Xavier Bartlett for a superbly executed catch.
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IPL 2026 News | Shami’s Sensation Leads Lucknow to First Win of Season
People with disabilities are being shut out of the 2026 World Cup, according to fans and rights campaigners.
In stark contrast to previous tournaments, this year’s event in the US, Canada and Mexico, has no separate ticket ballot, is charging for companions who usually go free and has failed to provide free or reduced cost accessible parking. And that’s without mentioning the cost of the tickets themselves.
“I originally was going and thinking America would be amazing, and Canada and Mexico too. I’ve been many times. I know you can get about, the transport is all set up, hotels, everything is accessible, so you didn’t have any of that worry. But now the whole thing about ticketing… it’s just impossible to get tickets,” England fan Jo McNicol told DW.
“I just think they’ve priced people out. They’ve not restricted it, so anyone can get a wheelchair ticket, an accessible ticket. You don’t have to prove you need one, which is what you normally do.”
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Profit before people?
McNicol has been a regular at club matches and international tournaments for many years and was at the last World Cup in Qatar, where she found the accessibility “fabulous”. There, she said, fans with disabilities were given a proportion of the available tickets to purchase upon proof of their disability, as is also generally the case in sporting events in Europe.
Given that, McNicol booked a flight and rented a campervan for a trip this year. But she has been unable to secure tickets through the ballot system run by tournament organizers FIFA and is now unlikely to attend.
The organization has come under fire for excessive profiteering. This has included: the high initial prices of tickets, adding new higher categories to tickets without announcement, moving people’s seats after purchase, making transport and parking much more expensive than normal and profiting from a 15% levy on buyer and seller in a newly-introduced resale portal.
With category 4 tickets, the cheapest, seemingly not available for disabled fans —perhaps because they are found in the furthest, highest corners of the ground — McNicol and those like her can only access category 3 and above through said portal. This is despite no matches having been announced by FIFA as sold out. The BBC reported earlier this month that the cheapest category 3 ticket for England’s opening match is $898 (€762), up from a face value of $265.
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Disabled fans pay twice
James Flanagan from advocacy group Football Supporters Europe said tickets in Qatar were available to fans with disabilities for about $10 and that FIFA’s current policies are a “step back” that is “excluding people with disabilities from the tournament.”
With many requiring assistance at matches, Flanagan said charging for a companion was an extra penalty.
“Charging for a companion ticket, which FIFA have included in their policies, effectively doubles the cost,” he told DW. “Accessible parking will also not be discounted. All of this will challenge fans with disabilities, and time is running out to change.”
“They won’t even guarantee that the PA [companion] ticket is going to be next to you,” said McNicol, who uses a wheelchair. “But you need them. If I drop something on the floor, I can’t pick it up. If I want to use the bathroom, I need help. And also you just want to sit with someone that you want to sit with, rather than sit with a bunch of strangers. You want that choice.”
Fans ignored by FIFA
FIFA’s policy is that “companions will be seated as close to you as possible. However, the exact seat location cannot be guaranteed, and FIFA Ticketing cannot ensure that it will be immediately adjacent to your seat.”
Flanagan sees this as unacceptable. “It is not a choice that people have to have a companion with them. That is a necessity, and it’s an unfair financial burden on people with disabilities. We believe that the policy contradicts FIFA’s own commitments on inclusion and human rights,” he said.
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“FIFA needs to listen to people with disabilities, and I don’t think fans are being consulted.”
With public transport limited at many venues, parking is also a bone of contention for fans with disabilities. While FIFA’s general accessibility policy does make note that disabled parking “should be provided and located next to the stadium or close by” it does not suggest it should be free or subsidized. And it isn’t.
“Currently, fans are being asked to fork out extortionate prices for match tickets, but also $150 to $300 on an accessible parking depending on the venue,” added Flanagan. “The prices that these fans have to pay are just not acceptable.”
There are so many great golf courses out there. Some are private and require an invite to access, while others are public and provide a great place for everyone to play. But here’s my take: even if a golfer belongs to a private club, they should still make time to play public courses.
One of my tennis teammates invited me and another player on the team to play nine holes at a public course, West Palm Beach Golf Park. It sounded like fun, so we all agreed to go. This isn’t something I do often — I usually play golf with my family and spend most of my free time playing tennis — but I figured, why not?
We ended up having a great time, and it made me realize this is something I should do more often. Here are a few reasons why public golf is fun for everyone — and can help your game.
1. Exposure to new courses
There are so many excellent public golf courses, and even those that aren’t considered premier can still be a lot of fun. They often have a more relaxed atmosphere, which can make the experience even more enjoyable.
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We played The Park West Palm Beach, an amazing facility that truly offers something for everyone. We played the front nine of the championship course later in the day, which worked out perfectly — it fit our schedule and allowed the course to maximize use throughout the day.
The course itself is outstanding and presents a good challenge. The fairways are relatively wide, but there are plenty of bunkers, and the greens are quite undulating. It’s designed to be playable for all skill levels, and everyone in our group had a great time.
When you are playing new courses, it forces you to adapt your game and hit some shots you normally wouldn’t. And by expanding your horizons, you are adapting your game in new ways.
2. Socializing takes the pressure off
Playing public golf allows you to play and meet people you otherwise wouldn’t — and that can be a great thing for your game as it shifts your expectations and takes the pressure off your performance.
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Golf gives you time between shots to relax, talk, and catch up. It was great to hear what’s going on in everyone’s lives and spend that uninterrupted time together. While we all focused when it was our turn to hit, we also had plenty of chances to laugh and enjoy each other’s company.
3. Walking the course
At my home course, I almost always ride in a cart. It’s just what I’ve gotten used to. But when we checked in, we were told our group would be walking, which caught me off guard.
That said, I walk and carry my bag when I play in Ireland and Scotland, so why not here? My friends used push carts, and I carried my bag.
I really enjoyed walking and plan to do it more often. When you walk, it can help you get into a better rhythm between shots, which can lead to better scoring.
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When we arrived at the first tee, we found out we’d be paired with another golfer, something that’s very common at busy public courses.
He turned out to be a recent graduate from Providence College who had played on the golf team, so he was clearly a strong player. He was not only talented but also great to play with. We kept up well, and it was enjoyable getting to know someone new while sharing the round.
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While being paired with strangers can feel intimidating at first, it almost always works out well. Plus, it can get you out of your comfort zone and help you become better at playing in front of people you don’t know, which is a great skill to have.
5. Accomplishing individual goals
One of the best things about golf is that, regardless of skill level, there are always small wins that make the round feel rewarding.
I played pretty well overall, aside from one hole where I got a bit too aggressive going for a pin. I did birdie the final hole, though, which was a great way to finish.
My friend Nicole recorded her lowest nine-hole score, which was exciting to see. Jessica, who had recently made a significant posture adjustment, also played really well.
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All in all, it was a great day on the course, and it never would’ve been possible without access to a great public course.
Mumbai Indians find themselves in ninth place in the 10-team IPL 2026 points table after their latest loss against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Four losses in five matches mean that MI’s concerns are hitting the roof as the contest for the playoffs heats up. On Thursday, MI failed to defend a 196-run target as PBKS raced to victory in just 16.3 overs. MI captain Hardik Pandya was shell-shocked after the result.
“To be very honest, I don’t have much to say right now. I think we really need to go back to the drawing board and see where we are lacking. Is it individuals? Is it as a group? Is it planning? We’ll just figure it out and see what we can do next. I think we need to give credit to them as well,” Pandya said after the match.
“The ball started reversing. In the second innings, the dew came and it got slightly better, but having said that, they just outplayed us. They bowled better, they batted better, and they fielded better – definitely. That speaks to us again. I think we need to see whether we need to make some difficult calls or keep continuing and hope that we turn things around. These are some harsh questions that we eventually need to answer, and ownership has to be taken.”
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Talking about the game, Quinton de Kock‘s fine hundred went in vain as Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer blasted blistering fifties to steer Punjab Kings to a seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in their IPL match on Thursday. Sent in to bat, de Kock blasted a scintillating unbeaten 60-ball 112 to power Mumbai Indians to 195 for six.
De Kock forged a 122-run alliance off 68 balls with Naman Dhir (50) and then added another 41 off 23 balls with skipper Hardik Pandya (14).
Arshdeep Singh (3/22) claimed three wickets, while Shashank Singh (1/19) picked up one.
Chasing the total, Prabhsimran (80 not out off 39 balls) and skipper Iyer (66 off 35 balls) shared a match-winning 139-run stand off 67 balls for the third wicket as Punjab overhauled the target in 16.3 overs.
2 min read Last Updated : Apr 16 2026 | 4:45 PM IST
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike will miss the World Cup because of a serious leg injury, France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed Wednesday.
Ekitike sustained a suspected Achilles tendon injury in the 27th minute of Tuesday’s Champions League match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain and was taken off the field on a stretcher.
“The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and from participating in the World Cup,” Deschamps said.
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Serious Achilles injuries can take more than six months to fully recover from.
Liverpool did not immediately confirm the news, but coach Arne Slot said Tuesday that the injury looked “really bad.”
Ekitike has been one of Liverpool’s top players this season and was expected to be part of France’s squad for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He has scored 19 goals for club and country and scored for France in its 2-1 win over Brazil last month.
“Hugo is one of about 10 young players who have made their debuts for the national team in recent months. He had integrated perfectly into the group, both on and off the pitch,” Deschamps said. “This injury is a huge blow for him, obviously, but also for the French national team. His disappointment is immense. Hugo will get back to his best, I’m convinced of it. But I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as that of the entire staff.
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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 16: Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in action against Corentin Moutet of France during the Round of 16 tennis match of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell – Conde Godo 2026 Day 6 at Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 16, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Lorenzo Musetti is through to the quarter-finals in Barcelona after a 6-3, 6-4 win over Corentin Moutet.
It’s his first time reaching this stage at the tournament since 2023.
Musetti has had a disrupted season so far. He retired at the Australian Open with a leg injury and later withdrew from the Miami Open with an arm issue.
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The win over Moutet is his ninth of the year as he continues to work his way back.
He released a statement on his social media pages, reading: “When I arrived nine years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things. This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for.
“What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart. The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the Four In A Row and much more… It wasn’t that bad,” he wrote, followed by a winking emoji.
“In a few months it’s time to say goodbye to the city where not only we won so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and my family. From the bottom of my heart, Ines and Carlota, thank you!”
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He went on to thank the club’s fans for their “unconditional support”, “something that I will never forget.”
“My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch. I hope you felt that every single game. I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life. Keep supporting this young team and I’m pretty sure they will bring you a lot of new fantastic memories in the future.
“To the club, Pep, the staff and all my teammates these 9 years, thank you for all the memories and for letting me be a part of this journey for so long. The atmosphere we created every day in the training ground made me feel at home and a part of a big family. Let’s enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us.”
The 31-year-old, who joined from Monaco in 2017, is one of the most decorated players in City’s history, winning one treble and 19 trophies, including the Champions League in 2023 and six Premier Leagues.
He was part of the victorious Champions League team in the 2022-23 season (Getty)
Silva has made more appearances under Pep Guardiola than anyone else – with his 450th City game coming in the 4-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday – and was named City’s player of the season in 2018-19.
A club statement paid homage to his “glorious” nine-year spell with the club, adding: “The 31-year-old’s contribution to our greatest sustained period of success is incalculable.
“Alongside that phenomenal trophy haul, a tally of 76 goals and 77 assists further illustrate Bernardo’s magnificent all-round contribution to the City cause.
“He recently moved into the top 10 of all-time City appearance holders, overtaking a host of other notable former players, including David Silva, Paul Power and Willie Donachie.
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“In short, he will be deservedly remembered both as one of City’s finest and most popular players of all time.”
Silva celebrating for Man City after defeating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final (Reuters)
Assistant manager Pep Lijnders let the news slip earlier this month, saging that “every good story comes to an end” and that the Portugal international is in the final weeks of his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Lijnders said: “Every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention as well.”
Silva, who has attracted interest from Juventus recently, was a past target for Barcelona and had wanted to move on to a warmer climate than Manchester.
Lijnders admitted City will face a struggle to bring in a similar player, adding: “You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique. The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions. All these things.
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Bernardo Silva (right) has played more games under Pep Guardiola than anyone else (PA)
“You never search for a replacement of one type of player. You search for what is needed to grow with the team and somebody who can fit in the first 11. And then you hope, with our academy, with the young players we already bought, that they can make that step as well in the midfield positions.
“If you see our young boys in the academy, then they have to make that step and to grow. But the most important is that the seniors who stay for a long time, that they stay, that they stay, that they stay. That they are always there and around that, you can move.
“But it will be hard because, as I said, in the game, when he is not playing, you will see how he is missed, and that’s one game. Imagine a season.”
Lionel Messi is being sued by a Miami-based event promoter who says the soccer icon violated terms of a $7 million contract by missing an exhibition match last year.
Vid Music Group filed the lawsuit for fraud and breach of contract against Messi and the Argentine Football Association in Miami-Dade circuit court last month, according to court records.
Messi and the AFA didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Considered one of the greatest soccer players ever, Messi appears with both his Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and Argentina’s national team, and fans routinely pay much higher prices for the chance to see him play.
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According to the lawsuit, Vid signed a deal with the AFA last summer for exclusive rights to organize and promote Argentina’s friendlies last October against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in exchange for ticket, broadcast and sponsorship revenue. Vid claims that Messi was supposed to play for at least 30 minutes in each match, unless he was injured.
The 38-year-old Messi watched Argentina’s 1-0 win against Venezuela on Oct. 10 from a suite at South Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium, according to the lawsuit.
The next day, Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami’s 4-0 MLS win over Atlanta. That match was important to Inter Miami, since it gave them home-field advantage for Round 1 of the playoffs.
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Then, on Oct. 14, Messi played in Argentina’s 6-0 win over Puerto Rico. That game was originally supposed to take place in Chicago, but low ticket sales in the city where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were making more than 1,000 arrests led organizers to move the game to Florida. AFA blamed the immigration crackdowns when the smaller venue in Fort Lauderdale didn’t sell out, even after ticket prices were reduced to USD 25 each.
Vid hasn’t specified damages they’re seeking in the lawsuit, but they claim they lost millions between Messi failing to appear in one game and low ticket sales at the other.
Arsenal secured a place in the Champions League semi-finals after a tense goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates Stadium, sealing a narrow 1-0 aggregate win on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s side were far from their best in the second leg of the quarter-final, struggling to impose themselves and lacking sharpness in attack. However, they managed to protect their slender first-leg lead as Sporting failed to capitalize on Arsenal’s inconsistent performance.
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The Gunners will now meet Atletico Madrid in the last four, with the Spanish side progressing 3-2 on aggregate against Barcelona. Arsenal had earlier beaten Atletico 4-0 at home in the group stage, but they will need a far stronger display to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
Scrappy Arsenal getting desired results
Despite reaching the semi-finals for a second straight year, a first in the club’s history, Arsenal’s form remains patchy, with just one win in their last five matches across competitions.
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Arteta had urged his team to play with intensity and fearlessness, but Arsenal started brightly only to fade quickly, allowing Sporting to grow into the game. Defensive lapses and a lack of fluency in attack kept the visitors in contention.
Viktor Gyokeres struggled to make an impact against his former club, while missing key players Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard left Arsenal short of creativity. Sporting also came close through Francisco Trincao and Geny Catamo, but Arsenal held firm amid mounting pressure.
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In the second half, Arsenal created chances through Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, and Noni Madueke, but failed to convert. Late substitutions, including Kai Havertz and Max Dowman, helped steady the side as they survived a nervy finish to progress.
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