Sports
Over 1 Lakh Barcelona Members Vote For President With Club Buried Under A Mountain Of Debt
The small auditorium in a working-class neighborhood of Barcelona is packed with people listening to a middle-aged man in a suit tell them why he deserves their vote. There are campaign posters, a jingle blaring over loudspeakers, television cameras, lots of handshakes and selfies, and, of course, a stump speech full of pledges as well as barbs for the rival candidate. But this is not about deciding the town’s next mayor or filling a seat in a national legislature. This election campaign is to determine who will earn the job of running FC Barcelona, one of the world’s top soccer clubs, during one of its most turbulent periods as it struggles to emerge from a mountain of debt.
Barça (pronounced “Barsa” in English) is proud of its slogan of being “more than a club” for its attractive soccer, its connection with Catalan culture, and backing humanitarian causes.
But what really makes Barça stand out from other globally followed sports teams is the fact that it is owned by 114,000 due-paying club members, not a billionaire or some energy-rich Middle Eastern states like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Those Barça club members are all called to cast votes on Sunday in Barcelona and three other cities in northeastern Spain, as well as neighboring Andorra, to pick the club’s next president and executive board.
“I really like the elections. It makes me feel part of the club. My father was a Barça supporter since I was a little girl. I’ve lived and loved Barça since I was little,” 96-year-old Rosa Capdevila, cane in hand, said at the recent event held by incumbent Joan Laporta.
Many voters, however, believe that their choice of president, who acts as a CEO of the club, will prove crucial to the future of Barça’s rare ownership model, which is threatened by the highest debt burden of any soccer club in the world, a staggering 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion).
Real Madrid is also member-owned, but president Florentino Pérez has presided over the club for all but three years of this century without any serious opposition. More comparable to Barça’s democratic model are fellow Spanish clubs Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna, and Portuguese majors Benfica, FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon, which have leadership elections, while not holding the same rank as Barça does as an elite soccer club.
The election will hinge on voters’ views of how Laporta ran the club for the last five years under considerable financial strain.
Laporta, who successfully presided over Barça from 2003-2010 during the glory years of coach Pep Guardiola and a young Lionel Messi, returned to the office in 2021 and inherited some 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in debt due to the lavish spending of his predecessor and the impact on revenues of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Laporta, 63, has repeatedly said that the club was ruined when he came back and that is a “miracle” it is still in the hands of its club members, instead of having been sold off to third-party investors, a move that its club members consider anathema.
But many members are critical of Laporta’s decision to sell some club’s assets, in moves he dubbed “financial levers,” including selling 25% of its Spanish league TV rights for the next 25 years, to generate quick cash for immediate needs and to sign new players.
Laporta’s push to finance a long-overdue renovation of the club’s Camp Nou, the largest soccer stadium in Europe, has only bloated the debt amount even further.
“These elections are very important because Barça in highly indebted,” club member Josep Maria Carbonell said at another campaign event. “So we need new blood to help put the club’s finances in order, because if it is economically sound the rest will follow.”
Víctor Font is Laporta’s only rival in the election after the other possible candidates dropped out for lack of support. Font, a local businessman, lost to Laporta in 2021 and has been preparing for a rematch ever since.
Font told The AP that he fears that Laporta will end up inviting in a big-time investor to become an owner, thus destroying its members-owned model.
Font envisions Laporta “asking to sell some 10 percent to an investment fund, so we can sort out our financial problems, and perhaps buy a great player.
“That risk is real. That is why it is so important to make a change in these elections,” he said.
Pérez announced last year that Real Madrid is considering allowing outside investors to buy a stake of up to 10% in the club.
Laporta vehemently denies that he is going to follow the same path as Pérez. Among his campaign pledges is the promise to reform the club statutes to include a requirement that any sale of the club, even partial, would have to be approved by members in a referendum.
He argues that the new-look Camp Nou stadium with more seating and other sources of income will boost revenues, thus making economic sense in the long term.
He also defends his financial management by highlighting the club has lowered its spending on player wages and boosted its merchandising sales. Barcelona generated the second-highest revenue for world soccer last season, some 974 million euros, only behind rival Real Madrid, according to Deloitte’s yearly Money League survey.
Laporta’s detractors point to his record of promises that didn’t pan out. In his first campaign back in 2003, Laporta promised to bring a still-young David Beckham from Manchester United, only for the English star to choose Real Madrid. Then in 2021 Laporta said he would find a way to keep Lionel Messi on the team, but once elected he said the club couldn’t afford to keep its star player.
In Laporta’s favor come Sunday are the trophies the team has won in recent years, including last season’s La Liga and Copa del Rey titles and the multiple successes of its women’s team, along with the discovery of a new star player in Lamine Yamal.
Laporta has proven campaign experience both from the world of soccer and also from a brief spell when he was elected to Catalonia’s regional parliament between his stints as club president.
He is now asking voters to let him finish the job he started “to save Barça,” while warning that Font lacks a deep sentimental connection to the club.
“We cannot leave Barça in the hands of a technocrat who understands Barça looking at his computer,” Laporta said about Font. “He hasn’t got Barça in his head or in his heart.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has criticised Enzo Fernández over comments that have cast doubt on his future at Chelsea FC.
Speculation around Fernández’s future has grown in recent weeks, with the midfielder reportedly hinting at a possible move to Real Madrid. His remarks about wanting to live in Madrid, along with comments from Franco Mastantuono expressing a desire to play alongside him at the Santiago Bernabéu, have not gone down well at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking on his podcast, Mikel did not hold back in his assessment of the situation. The former Chelsea midfielder questioned Fernández’s leadership and timing, especially following the club’s exit from the UEFA Champions League.
“That’s not what a leader does,” Mikel said. “At a time like this, you don’t come out and make such comments. No player is more important than the club. If he’s had enough, then he should leave.”
Mikel’s remarks reflect growing frustration within the club, where Fernández is seen as a key figure. His comments have reportedly unsettled the dressing room and raised concerns about his commitment.
Chelsea’s struggles on the pitch have added to the tension. The Blues have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League and were convincingly knocked out of Europe by Paris Saint-Germain.
They currently sit sixth in the league standings, trailing the final Champions League qualification spot by six points. Despite their dip in form, they remain in the FA Cup, where they are set to face Port Vale.
With pressure mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior to rescue the season, Fernández’s situation is fast becoming a major distraction.
The coming weeks are expected to be decisive as Chelsea battle to secure European football, while uncertainty continues to surround one of their most important players.
Apr 2, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points, Luguentz Dort started hot on both ends of the floor and Jalen Williams came up big all around as the Oklahoma City Thunder blew out the Los Angeles Lakers 139-96 at home Thursday.
The Thunder have won four consecutive games and 16 of their last 17. Not only was the Lakers’ four-game winning streak snapped, but Luka Doncic suffered a strained left hamstring in the second half with the game out of reach. Lakers coach JJ Redick said after the game that Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the extent of the injury.
An already bad night for Doncic got even worse early in the third quarter when he was dribbling into the lane and began to elevate for a mid-range jumper. But just as he came off the floor, Doncic came down grabbing his left hamstring and quickly fell to the floor. He finished with 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field.
The Thunder controlled the game from the jump, building a double-digit lead less than four minutes in. That lead didn’t drop below 23 after the first quarter. Shortly after Doncic’s injury, the Thunder got a scare when Dort crashed to the floor after his legs came out from under him as he went to the basket. He left the game and didn’t return. Dort scored 14 and Williams finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Pistons 113, Timberwolves 108
Daniss Jenkins had 26 points, eight assists and five rebounds and host Detroit downed Minnesota to bring its magic number to clinch the top Eastern Conference playoff seed down to one.
Jalen Duren supplied 22 points and 14 rebounds and Duncan Robinson had 15 points for the Pistons, who trailed by one entering the fourth quarter before taking command with an 18-3 run.
Julius Randle scored 27 points and added six rebounds and six assists for the Timberwolves. Naz Reid had 19 points and six rebounds, while Ayo Dosunmu also scored 19 with five rebounds and four assists.
Spurs 118, Clippers 99
De’Aaron Fox scored 22 points with eight rebounds, Stephon Castle added 20 points and San Antonio increased its winning streak to 11 with a victory over Los Angeles at Inglewood, Calif., while playing without Victor Wembanyama.
Dylan Harper scored 19 points and Devin Vassell had 14 points with 10 rebounds as the Spurs improved to 27-2 since Feb. 1. Wembanyama was given his second night off since Jan. 6 to rest lingering ankle soreness on the second night of the final back-to-back of the season.
Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points and Bennedict Mathurin added 18. It was Leonard’s 53rd consecutive game of at least 20 points. John Collins scored 15 points for Los Angeles, which has already clinched a spot in the play-in tournament but fell into ninth place in the West.
Hornets 127, Suns 107
Miles Bridges poured in 25 points and once Charlotte got rolling, it cruised to a victory against visiting Phoenix.
Kon Knueppel scored 20 and Coby White racked up 19 off the bench, while Brandon Miller supplied 17 and LaMelo Ball provided 15 points and 11 assists as the Hornets won for the seventh time in their last nine games to continue pushing for a guaranteed spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Jalen Green finished with 25 points and Devin Booker scored 17 of his 22 points in the first half for the Suns, who attempted only six free throws until late in the game. Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen each had 13 points and Mark Williams posted 12.
Cavaliers 118, Warriors 111
Max Strus capped a 24-point performance with two late 3-pointers, James Harden drove for a clinching hoop in the final seconds and Cleveland outlasted Golden State in San Francisco.
Harden finished with 19 points and Donovan Mitchell had a game-high-tying 25 for the Cavaliers, who moved within one game of the New York Knicks in their duel for third place in the Eastern Conference.
Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski matched Mitchell with 25 points apiece for the Warriors, whose third consecutive defeat left them solidly in 10th place in the West.
Trail Blazers 118, Pelicans 106
Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara combined to knock down 13 of their team’s 20 made 3-pointers and Portland rallied in the second half to hold off visiting New Orleans.
Holiday led Portland with 27 points, connecting on seven of his 15 3-point attempts — the last of which effectively put away the win. The Blazers, who hold the eighth spot in the Western Conference, have won three straight and five of six. Holiday combined with Camara, who scored 23 points, and Deni Avdija with 26 points to produce all but 42 of Portland’s scoring.
New Orleans remained within striking distance thanks in part to Jeremiah Fears’ team-high 21 points. Fellow reserve Derik Queen added 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
–Field Level Media
Two-division world champion Tim Bradley has shared his opinion on how a fight between Moses Itauma and Oleksandr Usyk would play out.
Itauma extended his ongoing knockout streak to 10 consecutive bouts when he dismantled Jermaine Franklin Jr in Manchester, once again capturing the attention of global boxing fans with another highlight finish.
Consequently, there is growing interest in a showdown between exuberance and experience, with many believing that Itauma could be the only man capable of handing 39-year-old Usyk a first career defeat.
However, Hall of Fame inductee Bradley told his YouTube channel that he does not think the fight will happen and that he does not believe that the 21-year-old is ready for that kind of challenge, having never fought beyond the sixth round.
“I don’t think that Usyk is going to fight his a** right now. If Usyk is dancing with a damn kickboxer then you already know that he ain’t fighting this damn Itauma dude.
“Not that Itauma can beat him, because he doesn’t have the experience yet, he don’t.
“The thing that I worry about with him is the long haul, when you don’t knock a motherf***er out and he don’t fall or react like you are used to seeing ‘em.
“I want to know how you are at [round] 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 – can you keep going?”
Although, Bradley remained impressed by the skill of the Kent-based prodigy, believing that he will continue to dominate against anybody other than the ageing heavyweight king.
“As long as you don’t give him no Usyk, he [Itauma] should be alright. Don’t give him no Usyk, he ain’t ready.
“Usyk will take him into deep waters and drown his a**, that is what I see.”
Itauma will return to action in July, as he prepares for a challenge for the heavyweight throne in the near future.
Cbus Super Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 5 NRL game between Gold Coast Titans and
Brisbane Broncos. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Brisbane Broncos heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Gold Coast Titans vs.
Brisbane Broncos
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When: Saturday April 4, 2026 at 7:35 pm
Where: Cbus Super Stadium
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Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos Preview
Gold Coast remain at home as they look to build on recent performances. Their attacking potential is evident, but consistency and defensive resilience remain areas for improvement. Their opponents will aim to exploit any lapses while applying pressure through the middle. Expect an open contest, with both teams capable of scoring points. Execution and composure in key moments will be critical, making this an important test of the Titans’ development.
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Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos Teams
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Klese Haas 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Cooper Bai 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Oliver Pascoe 18. Max Feagai 19. Jett Liu 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Adam Christensen 22. Jenson Taumoepeau
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Xavier Willison 16. Ben Talty 17. Aublix Tawha 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Antonio Verhoeven 20. Blake Mozer 21. Thomas Duffy 22. Va’a Semu
The NFL follows a pretty straightforward, cyclical calendar after the Super Bowl ends in February. A few weeks later is the NFL combine. March is for free agency and trades, April is for the NFL Draft and in May we have the schedule release. It’s a bit quieter in June with OTAs and mandatory minicamp (and who does and doesn’t report) being the highlights. By the end of July, training camps are in full swing.
With the calendar flipping to April, the draft is the dominant story. Teams are neck deep in draft preparation, aiming to piece together all the information they’ve gathered on every prospect possible and assessing their best courses of action come April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
NFL Draft’s top five storylines to watch: Ty Simpson, trades and first-round surprises
Jordan Dajani
But focusing solely on the draft would mean missing out on several other notable big questions that still must be answered — and often are answered — this month, too. Here are some of the biggest ones:
1. Does George Pickens get a long-term deal?
George Pickens is coming off a magnificent season (93 catches, 1,429 yards, nine touchdowns) and just turned 25 years old. That makes him a prime candidate to get a long-term deal done to remain a pillar of the Cowboys‘ offense alongside Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
But it hasn’t come to fruition yet. In early February, Pickens said he’d love to stay in Dallas but wanted the “ultimate best deal” that made sense for both sides. It didn’t happen, and he received the franchise tag.
The Cowboys and Pickens have until July 15 to try to work out a new deal, and given Jerry Jones’ lack of urgency, historically, to get big deals done, perhaps it’s wisest to assume Pickens will play on the tag, or the Cowboys will drag this out right up to the deadline.
But maybe, finally, Jones is a little bit more proactive. He’s 83 years old, and in December, he admitted his management “has played a big role” in the franchise’s 30-year Super Bowl drought. The Cowboys have two first-round picks. There’s a chance they could make a jump, but only if Pickens is along for the ride.
Brian Schottenheimer said he’s unsure if Pickens will attend offseason workouts absent a new deal. If Jones and the Cowboys really want to have their best shot at a Super Bowl this coming season, they’ll get a deal done.
2. Does Lamar Jackson get an extension and/or report to offseason workouts?
Speaking of offseason workouts, there’s quite a bit more short-term interest regarding Lamar Jackson’s attendance. Because they hired a new coach (Jesse Minter) this offseason, the Ravens can begin their offseason workout program April 6. Minter isn’t sure if Jackson will be part of it.
“I know Lamar’s excited. I think he is excited about some of the changes,” Minter said at NFL league meetings, per ESPN. “We’ve had a lot of good connection points, but the offseason program is voluntary. We’re excited to get a chance to work with all the guys, whoever wants to show up. We feel confident that a lot of guys will be there.”
The Ravens restructured Jackson’s deal to free up cap space this offseason, but really, he’s in the market for an extension; his current deal expires after the 2027 season. Jackson’s offseason participation has been inconsistent at best. With a new coach, new offensive coordinator (Declan Doyle) and new center after Tyler Linderbaum’s departure, the Ravens would love to have him.
3. Does Aaron Rodgers make a decision, and if so, what is it?
For a second straight offseason, Aaron Rodgers is keeping the Steelers in limbo. Last year, it took until June 5 for him to decide he’d keep playing and sign a one-year deal with Pittsburgh.
So far this offseason, the Steelers have brought in Mike McCarthy — who coached Rodgers in Green Bay — as coach. In his introductory press conference, McCarthy said he’d “definitely” want to coach Rodgers in 2026. Rodgers said in early March that the Steelers have stayed in contact. Pittsburgh also acquired Michael Pittman Jr., adding a much-needed wide receiver opposite DK Metcalf. At league meetings, Steelers president Art Rooney II said he expects an answer from Rodgers by the NFL Draft.
If Rodgers doesn’t return, the Steelers — who currently have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard as their quarterbacks — would have to make a major change in plans. Regardless, they’d love to at least know, one way or the other, in the coming weeks.
4. What are the Vikings’ plans at GM and with Jonathan Greenard?
The Vikings made some of the biggest headlines in January when they fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and in March, when they signed Kyler Murray. Could they again produce a major storyline in April?
First, they still haven’t found a full-time replacement for Adofo-Mensah. Executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski is serving as interim GM, and he will continue to do so through the draft. Only then will a full search begin. But Brzezinski has made several big calls this offseason, including signing Murray and exercising Jordan Addison’s fifth-year option.
He also has big calls to make. Obviously the draft will be crucial, but there’s also the potential for a Jonathan Greenard deal. Minnesota has been open to trading the 28-year-old pass rusher. The Vikings are just barely salary cap-compliant right now, even after releasing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave and bringing back Aaron Jones on a cheaper deal. Greenard carries a cap hit of over $22 million each of the next two seasons. Perhaps the Vikings, having not found a trade partner in March, hold steady. Or perhaps April — maybe during the draft — is when the 2024 Pro Bowler finds a new home.
5. What are the next free agent moves and/or trades?
The initial waves of free agency and blockbuster trades are in the rearview mirror, but there are still plenty of notable veterans who could change teams between now and the end of the month.
April of 2024 featured Stefon Diggs (Bills to Texans), L’Jarius Sneed (Chiefs to Titans). April of 2023 had the Rodgers trade from the Packers to the Jets. And that’s not to mention the handful of notable free agent signings that happen every April.
There are still difference-makers on the open market. Jauan Jennings is the most notable one. A physical wide receiver who helps keep the chains moving, Jennings is only 28. He has 132 catches for 1,618 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He helps in the blocking game as well as any player at his position. He’s likely disappointed he hasn’t received the offer he wants, but that could change soon. There are plenty of other notable names, too, including Diggs and Deebo Samuel at wide receiver.
Between now and the draft, teams will continue scouring the free agency landscape, and as their draft plans firm up, they may look to free agents to solidify their roster.
Sticker shock is still a thing for soccer fans wondering about the impact on ticket prices now that Canada finally knows its opponent for its FIFA World Cup opener on June 12 at Toronto.
Had Italy won a UEFA qualifier earlier this week, prices would have likely rocketed into a different stratosphere. But fans will still need pretty deep pockets with Bosnia and Herzegovina making the trip to BMO Field instead.
On Thursday, the FIFA ticket sales platform had 726 tickets available for Canada’s opener and all were listed at $3,125.
“This is a world-stage event,” said ticket broker Jagger Long, owner of Toronto-based Karma Tickets. “So offhand, it’s kind of an expected price.”
The FIFA resale queue has also opened, with a search Thursday afternoon showing 207 tickets were available. Most were going for over $3,000, but a single ticket was available for $2,300.
With kickoff still 10 weeks away, Long’s message to potential spectators was to bide their time.
“I tell fans to wait it out,” he said. “Wait it out to let the kind of madness happen and wait for prices to drop. And unfortunately, I don’t think they’re going to go from $3,000 to $1,000, but maybe $3,000 to $2,000 (or) $3,000 to $1,800, that’s possible.
“But it’s only possible if fans are patient and wait.”
There were no tickets available on the FIFA platform Thursday for any of the other 12 games to be played in Canada, which is co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Mexico.
Bosnia-Herzegovina booked its World Cup ticket last Tuesday by defeating Italy 1-1 (4-1 on penalties) in a final qualifier. The 65th-ranked side joined Group B with No. 30 Canada, No. 55 Qatar and No. 19 Switzerland.
Italy, a four-time World Cup champion, is ranked 12th but hasn’t qualified for the tournament since 2014.
Long compared the Canadian opener to some of the biggest high-profile events in the city’s recent history.
He said there was similar demand and pricing for the Toronto Raptors’ lone appearance in the 2019 NBA Finals, the six Taylor Swift “Eras Tour” shows in 2024, and the Toronto Blue Jays’ return to the World Series last fall for the first time since 1993.
“These events that are the big, spectacular, high-demand events unfortunately are not events for the average fan and the average person who only has a certain low budget to spend on tickets,” he said.
“That’s just the reality of the situation. It sucks, but it’s not like we can say, ‘Hey, we want 20 more World Cup games to host all the fans that can’t attend, right?’”
After its opener, Canada will head to Vancouver’s BC Place to play Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
The World Cup is being played in 16 cities across the continent, starting with games in Mexico City and Guadalajara on June 11. The final will be held in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 19.
FIFA has said the face value of tickets for group stage matches started at US$60 and climbed to $6,730 for the most expensive seats at the championship game.
Toronto will host six tournament games in all while Vancouver will host seven.
Carlos Alcaraz is looking to find his form again at the Monte Carlo Masters next week after an early exit in Miami.
The Spaniard started the season in dominant fashion, putting together a 16-match winning streak.
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This run saw him complete the ‘Career Grand Slam’ at the Australian Open and later claim another title at the Qatar Open.
However, since then, he has lost back-to-back matches to Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells and Sebastian Korda in Miami.
Despite these setbacks, Alcaraz is still seen as one of the top players on tour and is widely expected to have a historic career.
That opinion is shared by Rick Macci, who previously coached Serena Williams.
Rick Macci backs Carlos Alcaraz to rival Djokovic’s Grand Slam Haul
Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic stands as the most decorated male player in history. With 24 majors to his name, he shares the record for most Grand Slam singles titles with Margaret Court.
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The former Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova coach certainly thinks it’s possible.
Alcaraz has already picked up seven majors by the age of 22. In comparison, Djokovic had just one before turning 23.
Macci posted on X, saying: “Another major league reason the Spanish Magician is skyrocketing towards RARE AIR is his adaptability to play on every surface.”
“His best surface is the one he is playing on. This is RARE. This is why Carlos barring injury will someday be a double digit slam stroker and be right there with the Joker.”
Following his loss to Korda in Miami, Alcaraz headed back to Murcia to start training for clay season.
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The Spaniard has been working alongside young Spanish talent Martin Landaluce as he gets ready for Monte Carlo, where he’ll be seeded first.
Looking back at Carlos Alcaraz’s history in Monte Carlo
Alcaraz has only played the event twice, with his first appearance coming back in 2022.
Alcaraz was seeded eighth and received a bye through to the second round.
Korda ended up winning the match 6-7, 7-6, 3-6. Stefanos Tsitsipas later went on to claim the title, defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final.
Three years later, Alcaraz returned to Monaco. He went on to win his first Monte Carlo title last year, defeating Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 in the final.
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Speaking after his victory over Musetti at the time, Alcaraz told reporters: “Well, I think today was about who is going to or who was going to deal with the nerves much better, the pressure. He played his first Masters 1000 final, a huge moment for him. For me as well because as I say it was a difficult month for me. And being in a final I just put pressure on myself. There were a lot of nerves.”
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Mar 29, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) looks on during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images The start of the season has been far from perfect for the Minnesota Twins.
But manager Derek Shelton sees reason for optimism ahead of Friday’s home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“The one thing we’re learning about this club,” Shelton said, “is they fight.”
After playing their first six games on the road, the Twins return home for a three-game weekend set. Minnesota dropped its first two series in Baltimore and Kansas City but is coming off a 5-1 win over the Royals on Thursday afternoon.
Tampa Bay, which is starting the season with a nine-game road trip, has an identical record as the Twins with two victories and four losses. The Rays dropped two of three games at the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers.
The Rays are coming off an 8-2 loss in their series finale against the Brewers on Wednesday that featured uncharacteristically shoddy defense. Tampa Bay has committed nine errors through its first six games, which ranks among the worst in the league.
Rays manager Kevin Cash expressed confidence that his players would improve on defense.
“It’s going to be good,” Cash said. “We just haven’t been as good or as crisp as the standard so far.”
Star slugger Junior Caminero pinned the blame on himself for the defensive miscues. He committed three errors in the series finale against the Brewers.
“I want to make perfect throws, I want to get the out,” Caminero said through a team interpreter. “Just right now, it’s not working.”
The 22-year-old Caminero, who finished with 45 home runs and 110 RBIs last season, also is looking to get going at the plate. He is hitting .238 (5-for-21) with zero homers or RBIs, and he has six strikeouts to go along with six walks.
Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with 12 hits, including two homers, and eight RBIs in six games. Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (0-0, 6.75 ERA) will look to stymie Diaz, Caminero and the rest of the Rays.
Ober is coming off a no-decision in his season debut against Baltimore. He allowed three runs on four hits in four innings, and he walked one and struck out one.
The 6-foot-9 hurler should be fresh after making only 56 pitches in his first start.
Tampa Bay will counter with another tall starter. Right-hander Joe Boyle (0-0, 3.00), who stands 6-8, will make his second start of the season. In his season opener, Boyle allowed two runs on three hits in six innings against the Cardinals. He walked none and struck out four, and he threw 52 of 75 pitches for strikes.
Byron Buxton will look to get back on track for the Twins. He has been quiet at the plate, hitting .174 (4-for-23) with no homers and one RBI.
The early-season slump is uncharacteristic for the Twins’ fan favorite who bashed 35 homers and swiped 24 bases a season ago.
Minnesota and Tampa Bay played six times last season, with each side winning three games. The Rays outscored the Twins 29-21 in those six contests. –Field Level Media
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Kansas City Royals veteran catcher Salvador Perez was expecting to DH for his squad in Thursday’s afternoon tilt against the Minnesota Twins.
Unfortunately for the 36-year-old, he had to get back behind the plate after rookie Carter Jensen was unavailable to play catcher for the Royals after sleeping through his alarm.
Jensen was scratched late as the Royals’ starting catcher for the game, but it’s usually an illness or injury that results in such a late change to the lineup. But when Jensen came in for the ninth inning, and was seen catching warmup pitches earlier in the game, reporters were curious.
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Carter Jensen of the Kansas City Royals takes the field before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on March 30, 2026. (Mikayla Schlosser/MLB Photos)
Jensen, the Royals’ top prospect, didn’t make up an elaborate lie. He slept through his alarm and wasn’t able to get to Kauffman Stadium in time to properly prepare for the game.
“No running from it,” Jensen told reporters, via MLB.com, after a 5-1 loss to the Twins. “Just didn’t wake up to my alarm. Slept through it. Don’t really have an excuse, nor should I. It sucks. Happens. I felt like I let my teammates down, coaches down. Just learn from it and know it won’t happen again.”
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Royals manager Matt Quatraro added: “He’s a stand-up guy, a really hard worker, a great kid. He feels terrible. He’s accountable to it. It’s not something that has been a pattern or any of that kind of stuff. Nobody feels worse than he does, and I think he’ll admit to that. And we’ll move on.”
While Quatraro took the high road when asked about Jensen, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino laid into the rookie in big-brother fashion.
“You got a 36-year-old catcher preparing to DH today and then his world gets a little rocked an hour and a half before the game that he’s not going to be DH-ing,” he told reporters. “Credit to Salvy today for being ready, first and foremost. We’re glad Carter’s OK, right? That was kind of the initial thought when you’re trying to get a hold of his parents and everything like that. But once you find out he’s OK, it’s like, ‘All right, it’s a growing moment.’
Carter Jensen of the Kansas City Royals looks on during a game against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 18, 2025. (Sydney Schneider/MLB Photos)
“He’s really young. There are some things that cannot happen, and that’s one of them. He’s going to have to wear it on the chin, same way anybody would have to. It can’t happen.”
Pasquantino added the team is “here for him,” but he also believes Jensen should likely invest in “another alarm clock or something.”
Jensen is already ahead of his teammate.
“There’s a lot to learn from it. Making sure if I don’t set one alarm, maybe set three, four, as many as possible. Moving forward, that’s what I’m going to do. Set a million alarms. Make sure I’m up. It stinks, though.”
Carter Jensen of the Kansas City Royals walks to the on deck circle during a spring training game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz., on March 18, 2026. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
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Jensen is not just the Royals’ top prospect, but the 6-foot, 210-pound catcher is ranked No. 16 overall by MLB Pipeline in 2026.
In his six games to start the 2026 season, Jensen has two hits in 16 at-bats, including one home run and two RBI.
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This lede was supposed to read: Canada’s Team Matt Dunstone is truly rounding into its best form heading into the playoffs at the men’s world championship in Ogden, Utah.
Instead, we now have to talk about the fact that the Canadians, specifically Dunstone, fell apart after the eighth end for the second straight day.
The Canadian rink did pull out the 6-5 extra-end victory over Norway, which finished 0-12, but there never should’ve been an extra end to begin with.
Up until the ninth end, the Canadian lineup of Dunstone, Colton Lott, E.J. Harnden and Geoff Walker, who was subbing for Ryan Harnden, were straight up dominating play against the Norwegians, and held a 5-2 lead.
But just like in the game against Switzerland on Wednesday, Dunstone couldn’t make a key shot in the ninth end, helping Norway score two to cut the lead to 5-4.
Even then, everything should’ve been fine. Canada was still in control, up 5-4 with the hammer and could finish the game in the 10th end.
Dunstone was facing a double takeout on his last, but stuffed it and gave up a steal of one to the Norwegians to tie the game 5-5. In both cases, Dunstone softened the release and threw lighter than he wanted, causing more curl, and for him to miss the shot.
The skipper did show poise, however, in the extra end as he was able to regather himself and make a nice hit to win the game.
There are still a lot of positives for this Canadian team, like the fact that it has looked amazing at times (all but two of the 16 ends played on Thursday) during this now eight-game winning streak, which it will take into the playoffs.
But with how the closing ends have gone in the last couple of games, there is reason to be concerned.
Surprisingly, the Canadians’ 10-2 record wasn’t good enough for a top-two spot at this year’s world championship, with Sweden and Scotland beating them on the draw to the button tiebreaker.
As a result, Dunstone’s Manitoba-based rink has to settle for third in the 13-team round-robin and will now face Italy, which finished sixth overall, in the qualification game. The winner will face Scotland in one semifinal, while Switzerland and the U.S. will battle in the other qualification game to match up against Sweden.
Even though Dunstone defeated the Italians 9-2 on day one, it will be a much different team the Canadians will go against on Friday.
20-year-old rookie skip Stefano Spiller shot 60 per cent for Italy in that opening game after replacing Joel Retornaz, who decided to pull himself from the event, just a couple weeks before the championship began.
That will most likely not be the case again. Spiller is playing with a lot more confidence and has a better understanding of how his teammates want to play now.
Need to force Whyte to miss
The favourite as we head to the playoffs has to be Scotland’s rookie team led by skip Ross Whyte. After starting 0-2, the Scots have won 10-straight games.
Sure, we can look at the whole team made up of Whyte, third Robin Brydone, second Craig Waddell and lead Euan Kyle and say all four have been a key part to its success this week — as a team they’re first overall at 89 per cent.
But when looking at the playoffs, the other top teams aren’t going to be as worried about them, as they will be with Whyte.
The Scottish skip has been a massive problem for every team he’s faced this week. He’s been the best skip in the field, shooting 89.4 per cent overall with no games below 81 per cent.
Most importantly, it’s been the clutch shots that Whyte has made to either get his team out of trouble without the hammer or just to score one. Just ask Switzerland’s Team Marco Hoesli.
In the 10th end on Thursday, the Scots were up 5-4 without hammer, and Hoesli had one sitting back button buried to score his one.
Somehow, Whyte came through an incredibly tight port of three stones for an in-off to hit the Swiss stone and sit two. Switzerland ended up losing 7-4.
If any team is going to beat Scotland in the playoffs, the focus has to be on forcing Whyte into the hardest shots possible each end to hopefully earn a miss. If he makes them, then you live with it.
We’re talking angled double runbacks, triple raises, forcing a draw to only the pin, because if not, he’s probably going to make whatever the shot is with ease on the way to a world championship as a rookie.
Edin’s shoot touch is back
Through seven games at this year’s world championship, Sweden’s Team Niklas Edin was perfect, rebounding from the disappointing 2026 Olympics, where his squad went 2-7.
Edin himself was shooting lights out, and looked like he had the magic touch back that helped him become a seven-time world champion — the most of all time.
However, Sweden then proceeded to drop two important games to Switzerland and Canada on the same day, when Edin shot 57 and 75 per cent, respectively.
Edin lost his shooting touch and wasn’t able to get a handle on his draw weight, costing him both games.
Well, it seems that lit a fire under Edin, because the Swedes finished on a three-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 28-6. Sweden also finished 10-2 on the week, good for first overall and a bye to the semifinals.
In those three games, we saw the same Edin to start the week, or maybe even a better version, as he shot 100, 94 and 100 per cent.
Looking at the playoffs, Edin’s shot-making ability will be the driving force for Sweden to have success and help him find world championship No. 8. All season, when Edin has been on, the team goes, and when he doesn’t seem to have it, the team gets blown out.
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