For a long time, one of Arsenal’s most significant problems was finding a proper backup for Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End icon is undoubtedly Mikel Arteta’s best player, and his time on the sidelines last season showed just how much the team were in desperate need of someone who could cover and compete with him on the right.

Fortunately, the North Londoners signed Noni Madueke in the summer, and while his arrival wasn’t met with universal excitement, his performances over the first five Premier League games suggested he may well be the player the club have needed for so long.

Therefore, supporters should be excited about recent reports linking Arsenal to an international ace who has been compared to both Saka and Madueke.

Arsenal target Saka & Madueke hybrid

It’s not even December, but Arsenal are already being linked with a host of exciting players across Europe and beyond.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For example, Levante’s Etta Eyong, who has already racked up nine goal involvements, has been touted for a move to the Emirates, as has Nottingham Forest’s incredible Elliot Anderson.

However, as talented as they are, neither of them could be described as being a hybrid of Saka and Madueke, unlike Karim Adeyemi.

Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of a few top sides interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund star.

More than that, the report has revealed that while the German international’s representatives have spoken to Manchester United, he would favour a move to the Gunners.

A potential price is not mentioned in the story, but other reports from Germany claim that Dortmund value their attacker at around £70m.

It could be a complicated and costly deal to get over the line, but given Adeyemi’s ability and potential, one worth pursuing, especially as he’s been compared to both Saka and Madueke.

How Adeyemi compares to Saka & Madueke

Even though it feels like it has been around for some time now, Adeyemi is still just 23 years old.

The Munich-born “monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has been a key player for Dortmund for a few years, ending last season with an excellent tally of 12 goals and 11 assists in just 41 appearances.

He appears on track to match that tally this year as well, as in 14 appearances, totalling just 817 minutes, he has already racked up six goal involvements.

However, while his output is seriously impressive, the comparisons to Saka and Madueke primarily come from elsewhere, from FBref.

They have compared him to every attacking midfielder and winger across Europe’s top five leagues and have determined that the Hale Enders is the second most similar, and the former Chelsea star is the fourth.

You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which the German dynamo has ranked closely to the two internationals.

In the case of the Gunners’ talisman, these metrics include expected goals plus assists, progressive passes, shot-creating actions, shots on target, and more, all per 90.

Expected Goals + Assists

0.57

0.58

Progressive Passes

2.14

2.24

Shots on Target

0.89

0.93

Passing Accuracy

71.4%

72.4%

Shot-Creating Actions

4.47

4.23

Fouls Drawn

2.68

2.50

Then, for the former Blues star, the underlying numbers include metrics such as goal-creating actions, expected assists, and most interestingly, carries, also all per 90.

In other words, the former RB Salzburg gem seems to possess some of the creativity and goal threat of the North Londoners’ number seven, as well as the carrying ability of their summer signing, which helps explain why Mattinson called him a “serious transitional threat.”

Expected Assists

0.29

0.24

Goal-Creating Actions

0.54

0.59

Carries

28.2

25.9

Successful Take-On %

43.3%

41.2%

Ball Recoveries

2.86

2.94

Ultimately, it would be a costly and challenging transfer to get over the line, but given Adeyemi’s skillset, positional versatility and output, it is one Arsenal should pursue.

Trossard upgrade: Arsenal plot £65m move for "best winger in the country"

Arsenal could sign a big-money winger in bad news for Leandro Trossard.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 18, 2025

The USMNT have been told what represents a successful 2026 World Cup, with Brad Friedel looking ahead to the tournament in an exclusive interview with GOAL. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are being challenged to reach the knockout stages on home soil, but there will be “no shame” in falling short if they come unstuck against a heavyweight rival such as England or Brazil.

Golden Generation: Who makes USMNT squad?

Having qualified as co-hosts of FIFA’s flagship event – alongside neighbours Canada and Mexico – the United States have had fewer competitive fixtures to ready them for a shot at global glory. A series of friendlies, Gold Cup games and Nations League ties have, however, allowed Pochettino to experiment and shuffle his pack.

The former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss will be close to settling on a 26-man squad that he believes can be competitive against the very best in the business. He is considered to be working with a ‘Golden Generation’ of talent but can they live up to expectations, or even exceed them?

AdvertisementKnockout blow: How far will USMNT go at 2026 World Cup?

Asked what success will look like next summer, former USMNT goalkeeper Friedel – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “My expectation is that we get through the group. I think exceeding expectations is past the quarters. It’s really difficult to say what I think will be success or failure, the knockouts etc, until you see the draw and the knockout games. There is no shame in getting knocked out to Brazil or England. It just happens. For me, it’s the manner in which it would happen.

“Mauricio I know very well and he is going to have a team that is well prepared, that is fit, that is going to fight for everyone, and they are going to compete really well. That’s why I think over a three-game period in the group stages, they can get out of the group – that’s what I expect. After that, unfortunately no matter how hard you compete against some of the teams at the World Cup – that’s why so few have won it over the history of the tournament – it’s difficult to win it. We’ll have to wait and see.

“I would say that the team is definitely capable of – with the talent that they have and I know how Mauricio works – getting to the quarter-finals. We’ll see after that because then it becomes really hard.

“Sometimes you are going to need luck or penalties or sendings off, or whatever it is. Look at all the great England teams that have been so close. Talent-wise, playing with them and against them, they have had the talent to win a World Cup. For whatever reason, they haven’t been able to finish it off.”

Getty Images

Avoid Messi: Who will the USMNT want to face?

The USMNT made it to the last-16 of the 2010, 2014 and 2022 World Cups – having failed to qualify in 2018 – and believe that they can emulate those achievements in their own backyard. They will, however, cross paths with at one least of the favourites at some stage.

Quizzed on whether Lionel Messi and Argentina would be a dream draw or whether it is best to avoid the elite for as long as possible, Friedel added: “You are going to get at least one of the best in your group. Back in ‘94, we were lucky to get out of the group but really unlucky because we had two European countries. We had Switzerland and Romania and Colombia.

“You are going to get somebody really good to play against. The European countries are generally of the higher quality, and the South American countries. I would still say avoid everyone at the top for as long as you can! You can lose against those guys any time, with no shame and playing a really good match, so why not play against people that you know you can beat seven out of 10 times.”

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GOALWorld Cup draw: When USMNT will discover group stage opponents

The USMNT will discover their fate – and whether that includes a meeting with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who has helped to guide Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup final – when the group stage draw is held at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on December 5.

Vipers were the only team to bid for Pakistan players a day after the PCB suspended all no-objection certificates for overseas leagues

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Oct-2025

R Ashwin, the only player with a base price in six figures, went unsold in the inaugural ILT20 player auction in Dubai. The former India spinner didn’t reappear in the accelerated auction, but there’s a possibility that he can still feature in the upcoming season as a wildcard. Two franchises, MI Emirates and Desert Vipers, are yet to complete their wildcard signings.Vipers were the only team to bid for Pakistan players a day after the PCB suspended all no-objection certificates for players who want to participate in T20 leagues outside Pakistan. No reason has been given as to why this action was taken.Vipers snapped up Fakhar Zaman (USD 80,000), Naseem Shah (USD 80,000) and Hasan Nawaz (USD 40,000) all at their base prices.Vipers also picked the Afghanistan pair of Qais Ahmad and Faridoon Dawoodzai.West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Andre Fletcher fetched the highest bid of USD 260,000. MI Emirates outbid rivals to retain him for a fourth successive season.Related

Kieron Pollard to captain MI Emirates in ILT20

R Ashwin to play entire season of BBL with Sydney Thunder

ILT20: Dinesh Karthik joins Sharjah Warriorz

PCB suspends player NOCs for overseas T20 leagues

UAE wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind, who was with MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals in the past, was the first player to attract a bid in the auction, also going to Vipers for USD 10,000.Pakistan-born UAE fast bowler Junaid Siddique triggered a bidding war, with Gulf Giants bidding up to USD 170,000 for him, but Sharjah Warriorz used their RTM to match that bid and bring him back to their franchise. Siddique’s recent form is particularly encouraging: he was the third-highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup with nine strikes in three games at an average of 6.33 and an identical economy rate.Akshay Wakhare, a former Ranji Trophy winner with Vidarbha, earned a gig with Dubai Capitals while former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand, who has now moved to the USA, went to Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.A day before the player auction, Warriorz unveiled former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik as a replacement for Kusal Mendis.The ILT20’s fourth season, to be held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, begins on December 2 this year, and will run until January 4, 2026, featuring six teams across 34 matches.JP Duminy raises the paddle for Sharjah Warriorz•ILT20

SquadsAbu Dhabi Knight Riders (Total Spent: USD 1,457,000)
Auction Signings: Michael Pepper (USD 40,000), George Garton (USD 10,000), Brandon McMullen (USD 110,000), Ibrar Ahmed (USD 22,000), Ajay Kumar (USD 10,000), Adnan Idrees Muhammad (USD 10,000), Abdul Manan Ali (USD 10,000), Mayank Chowdary (USD 10,000), Khary Pierre (USD 10,000), Shadley Van Schalkwyk (USD 10,000), Unmukt Chand (USD 40,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, Olly StoneDesert Vipers (Total Spent: USD 1,617,500)
Auction Signings: Vriitya Aravind (USD 10,000), Fakhar Zaman (USD 80,000), Naseem Shah (USD 80,000), Qais Ahmad (USD 40,000), Sanjay Pahal (USD 10,000), Bilal Tahir (USD 10,000), Faisal Khan (USD 10,000), Hasan Nawaz (USD 40,000), Tom Bruce (USD 80,000), Matiullah Khan (USD 10,000), Tawanda Muyeye (USD 40,000), Faridoon Dawoodzai (USD 10,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Dan Lawrence, Max Holden, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Curran, Andries GousDubai Capitals (Total Spent: USD 1,475,000)
Auction Signings: Muhammad Farooq (USD 10,000), Tymal Mills (USD 80,000), Scott Currie (USD 250,000), Mohammad Nabi (USD 80,000), Farhan Khan (USD 10,000), Anudeep Chenthamara (USD 10,000), Usman Najeeb (USD 10,000), Ritesh Mallikarjuna Grandhi (USD 10,000), Shayan Jahangir (USD 10,000), Rushil Ugarkar (USD 10,000), Naveen Bidiasee (USD 10,000), Toby Albert (USD 10,000), Akshay Wakhare (USD 10,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Jordan Matthew Cox, Rovman Powell, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Waqar Salamkheil, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Jimmy NeeshamGulf Giants (Total Spent: USD 1,471,000)
Auction Signings: Asif Khan (USD 26,000), Zuhaib Zubair (USD 10,000), Sean Dickson (USD 10,000), Tabraiz Shamsi (USD 40,000), Liam Dawson (USD 170,000), Fred Klaassen (USD 40,000), Haider Razzaq (USD 50,000), Meet Bhavsar (USD 14,000), Ishtiaq Ahmad (USD 16,000), Lorcan Tucker (USD 10,000), Chris Wood (USD 40,000), Tom Moores (USD 40,000), Ramon Simmonds (USD 40,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Aayan Afzal Khan, Mark Adair, Gerhard Erasmus, Blessing Muzarabani, Moeen Ali, James Vince, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah GurbazMI Emirates (Total Spent: USD 1,868,000)
Auction Signings: Muhammad Rohid (USD 140,000), Jordan Thompson (USD 48,000), Naveen-ul-Haq (USD 100,000), Andre Fletcher (USD 260,000), Nosthush Kenjige (USD 10,000), Mohamed Shafeeq (USD 10,000), Zain Ul Abidin (USD 10,000), Usman Khan (USD 10,000), Ackeem Auguste (USD 10,000), Arab Gul (USD 10,000), Tajinder Dhillon (USD 10,000), Zahoor Khan (USD 10,000), Shakib Al Hasan (USD 40,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Tom Banton, Romario Shepherd, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, AM Ghazanfar, Muhammad Waseem, Kamindu MendisSharjah Warriorz (Total Spent: USD 1,664,000)
Auction Signings: Junaid Siddique (USD 170,000), James Rew (USD 10,000), Nathan Sowter (USD 100,000), Dwaine Pretorius (USD 120,000), Jayden Seales (USD 80,000), Harmeet Singh (USD 10,000), Wasim Akram (USD 55,000), Mohamed Nawfer Mohamed Aslam (USD 14,000), Raees Ahmad (USD 10,000), Richard Ngarava (USD 10,000), Shubham Ranjane (USD 10,000), Ethan D’Souza (USD 10,000), Taskin Ahmed (USD 80,000), Abdul Salman Khan (USD 10,000)Retentions + Direct Signings: Dinesh Karthik, Sikandar Raza, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tim David, Johnson Charles, Tim Southee, Saurabh Netravalkar

LOS ANGELES — In the end, it was star first baseman Freddie Freeman who ended it at 18 innings, when his third consecutive deep drive to center field was finally enough, but when he crossed the plate, the person he was looking for was an anonymous reliever who barely made the roster: Will Klein. 

“MVP of this game,” said Freeman of the pitcher who a week ago was in Arizona, throwing live at-bats in case someone needed him. 

On Monday, they needed him. It took 18 innings, six hours and 39 minutes, 45 players, 153 plate appearances and a heroic effort from a pair of maligned bullpens, but finally the Dodgers prevailed 6–5 in Game 3 of the World Series to take a series lead of two games to one. 

When it was over, as the fans chanted FRE-DDIE, the players hugged and thanked the reliever who extended the game long enough to give Freeman a ninth plate appearance. “I don’t know how many times a guy hits a walk-off home run and the whole team is jumping around the pitcher,” said third baseman Max Muncy.

Seven years after the Dodgers played an 18-inning World Series Game 3 here, this one matched it for longest in Fall Classic history. (Though thanks to the pitch clock, it took 41 minutes less than the 7:20 slog between the Red Sox and the Dodgers.) The Blue Jays used all eight of their relievers; the Dodgers used all nine of theirs. The Blue Jays used every position player. 

So many moments in the game were just a win away from being World Series classics. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored from first on a single. Shohei Ohtani tied a 119-year-old record for extra base hits in a Fall Classic game. And then there were the wild ones: A late strike call led to a pickoff at first base. Three good defensive plays in the infield nabbed a runner at third base on a single. Ohtani was caught stealing when he fell off second base. A pinch runner was thrown out trying to score on a double. Ohtani was intentionally walked four times, a postseason record, and the choice was so obvious that fans in the stands began holding up four fingers when the first chords of his walk-up song, “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé, played. In the end he reached base nine times, shattering the previous World Series record of six. The Dodgers intentionally walked the No. 9 hitter. Seven runners were thrown out on the bases, including two at home. For the first time in his career, Clayton Kershaw pitched in the 12th inning. The bullpens—the weakest area of both clubs—combined for 26 2/3 innings of four-run ball. 

Klein, the last reliever on the roster, a 25-year-old fifth-round draft pick on his fourth organization in two years, threw 72 pitches in four innings and allowed one hit. It was his longest outing since, he guessed, his junior year at Eastern Illinois.

“I was just going to go until I couldn’t,” he said. “There were times when you’re starting to feel down and you feel your legs aren’t there or your arm’s not there, and you just got to be like, So I had to dig deep, do it myself.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A suspensão de Agustín Canobbio tirou do Fluminense uma das peças mais estáveis do time desde a chegada de Luis Zubeldía. O uruguaio, titular em praticamente todas as partidas do treinador, não enfrenta o Vasco nesta quinta-feira (11), no Maracanã, e obrigou a comissão a lidar com a decisão mais sensível da semifinal: quem vai ocupar o lado direito do ataque.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasLance! BizBrasileirão 2025 termina com público histórico no ‘novo normal’ dos estádiosLance! Biz10/12/2025FluminenseRoger Flores relembra Vasco x Fluminense histórico pela Copa do Brasil: ‘Foi uma loucura’Fluminense10/12/2025Futebol NacionalPartida entre Vasco e Fluminense terá operação especial do metrôFutebol Nacional10/12/2025

➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Fluminense

Nos últimos jogos, Soteldo transformou essa lacuna em oportunidade. O venezuelano encerrou um jejum de mais de 400 dias com dois gols contra o Grêmio e, diante do Bahia, voltou a aparecer bem, entrando no segundo tempo e construindo a jogada da assistência para Thiago Silva fechar o placar. A comissão técnica entende que o camisa 7 vive seu melhor momento desde que chegou ao clube, não só pela influência ofensiva, mas também pelo comportamento defensivo.

— Acho que o Soteldo fez um trabalho bastante completo. Fez os gols, cuidou da bola e se sacrificou defensivamente, às vezes armando uma linha de cinco e roubando bolas. É uma boa notícia, porque não só ajudou o time, como isso permitiu que ele também pudesse fazer gols — disse o Zubeldía após a vitória em Porto Alegre.

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Na saída do Maracanã no domingo, após garantir vaga direta na fase de grupos da Libertadores, o técnico foi questionado sobre a lacuna deixada por Canobbio e admitiu que estuda variações táticas. Uma possível “outra estrutura” é conhecida pelo elenco. Após o Mundial de Clubes, o Fluminense chegou a atuar com três volantes. A opção daria ao time mais pressão central e controle de posse, além de proteger a zona onde o Vasco costuma acelerar com transições rápidas.

O cenário da decisão do Fluminense

Soteldo chega com vantagem do momento e a confiança renovada, mas a alternativa com três volantes não surpreenderia o elenco, que já executou essa estrutura em jogos decisivos da temporada.

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Assim, a provável formação tem duas versões:

Com Soteldo:
Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva, Freytes e Renê; Martinelli, Hércules (Nonato) e Lucho Acosta; Soteldo, Serna e Everaldo.

Com três volantes:
Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva, Freytes e Renê; Martinelli, Hércules, Nonato e Lucho Acosta; Serna e Everaldo.

O clássico abre a disputa pela vaga na final da Copa do Brasil, com a volta marcada para domingo, também no Maracanã. Zubeldía segue com a “escolha difícil” — entre premiar a retomada de Soteldo ou reforçar o setor que controla o jogo — para preencher o espaço do jogador que mais simboliza sua identidade competitiva: Canobbio.

Tudo sobre

Copa do BrasilFluminenseLuis Zubeldía

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh had a dream 2025 MLB season but ultimately it will feel like a nightmare as his Mariners fell a game short of the World Series after losing to the Blue Jays, 4-3, in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night.

The switch-hitting catcher belted 60 home runs during the regular season and then added five more in the postseason. His last dinger came in the Game 7 loss when he gave the Mariners a 3-1 lead with a solo shot to right field in the fifth inning.

Raleigh was understandably emotional after the loss. He fought through tears while talking to reporters at his locker, calling the season a "failure" after the team fell short of its ultimate goal of winning a championship.

“I’m super proud of these guys. It was a great team effort. I love every guy in this room but ultimately it’s not what we wanted," Raleigh said when asked to sum up his team's year. "I hate to use the word failure, but it’s a failure. We expected to get to the World Series and win the World Series and that’s what the bar is and what the standard is and it’s what we want to hold ourselves accountable to but yeah, it hurts. But I don’t want that to take away—like I said I’m proud of the guys in the room, I thought we fought all the way to the end and like I said I think it’s a great group of guys and I love every single one of them."

Here's that emotional post-game interview.

While Raleigh was rightfully bummed out with how his season came to an end, he could still very well win the AL MVP award thanks to his monstrous year.

The Mariners, however, will be kicking themselves for a while about how they fell just short of making it to the World Series. The took a 3-2 series lead over the Blue Jays with a win at home in Game 5 but then were not able to get one more win on the road as that 3-1 lead in Game 7 was wiped out by a three-run home run in the seventh inning by Toronto's George Springer.

The Blue Jays will now face the Dodgers in the World Series with Game 1 taking place Friday night in Toronto.

كشف مصدر داخل الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة عن موعد تسليم النادي الأهلي للميداليات الخاصة بتتويجه ببطولة دوري المرتبط.

وعلم بطولات، أن الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة سيسلم النادي الأهلي درع البطولة وميداليات المركز الأول غدًا الثلاثاء في صالة الأهلي بالجزيرة، وذلك على هامش بطولة إفريقيا للأندية للسيدات.

وكان فريق الاتحاد قد انسحب من مواجهة الأهلي احتجاجًا على قرار خروج الجماهير من المدرجات، عقب الاشتباكات التي شهدتها مباراة الشباب بين الأهلي والاتحاد.

وكان من المقرر أن تقام مباراة الإياب بين الأهلي والاتحاد في تمام الساعة السابعة والنصف مساءً بصالة الشباب والرياضة بمدينة 6 أكتوبر، ضمن نهائي دوري المرتبط لكرة السلة، إلا أن الفريق السكندري رفض خوض المباراة احتجاجًا على الأحداث التي شهدتها مباراة الشباب في الخامسة مساءً، وقرار الاتحاد بخروج الجماهير من المدرجات قبل مواجهة الفريقين.

طالع أيضًا | عقوبات مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد في إياب نهائي دوري السلة..7 إيقافات

وشهدت مباراة الشباب بين الأهلي والاتحاد مشادات بعد نهاية اللقاء، حيث قام أحد لاعبي الاتحاد برمي الكرة باتجاه لاعبي الأهلي، ما أدى إلى مشاجرة كبيرة، وغادر فريق الاتحاد الملعب، بينما ظل الأهلي في الصالة حتى أعلن حكم المباراة نهاية اللقاء بعد الانتظار لمدة 20 دقيقة.

وبعد نهاية المباراة، احتفل لاعبو الأهلي بالتتويج بلقب دوري المرتبط لهذا الموسم، بناءً على قرار الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة بعد انسحاب الاتحاد السكندري، ليحسم الأهلي اللقب بنتيجة 2-1.

وكان فريق المرتبط تحت 18 عامًا قد فاز في مباراة الذهاب على نظيره الاتحاد بنتيجة 67-49، وكرر فوزه اليوم في المباراة التي شهدت الأحداث، بينما كان فريق الاتحاد السكندري الأول قد تغلب على الأهلي في لقاء الذهاب للكبار بنتيجة 75-66، ليصبح التعادل 1-1 بين الفريقين قبل مباراة الإياب.

Ahmed Daniyal first defended six runs in the final over of the game before conceding just six runs in the Super Over to set up Pakistan Shaheens’ win

Ashish Pant24-Nov-2025

In a dramatic low-scoring thriller that went into a Super Over, fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal kept his composure as Pakistan Shaheens defeated Bangladesh A to lift the Asia Cup Rising Stars title in Doha, Qatar.Daniyal, defending six runs in the 20th, bowled a nerveless over to take the game into a Super Over. He then removed Abdul Gaffar Saqlain with his second ball in the Super Over and then clean bowled Jishan Alam to restrict Bangladesh A to only 6. Saad Masood and Maaz Sadaqat took just four balls to chase down the target and spark celebrations in the Shaheens camp.This, however, was a game which ebbed and flowed all the way through. Sent into bat, Shaheens lost three wickets in the powerplay, and then continued to slip to eventually be bowled out for 125. Bangladesh A started the chase rapidly, but the spin quartet of Arafat Minhas, Saad Masood, Maaz Sadaqat and Sufiyan Muqeem spun a web around the batters to derail the chase.At 53 for 7 in the 13th over, the game looked as good as done, but Rakibul Hasan (24), Saqlain (16) and Ripon Mondol (11) – Bangladesh A’s last three – staged an unlikely comeback. Mondol, however, wasn’t able to repeat his semi-final Super Over heroics in the final as Bangladesh A went down.Bangladesh A couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the game with Shaheens losing Yasir Khan first ball of the match, courtesy a stunning under-arm direct hit from Saqlain running in from mid-on. Mohammad Faiq was cleaned up by SM Meherob, while wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori was bowled by Rakibul as Shaheens slipped to 25 for 3 in the fifth over.Maaz Sadaqat struck two fours and a six in his 23, but when he fell in the seventh over, Shaheens lost their way. Captain Irfan Khan scored a sedate 9 off 22 balls, with only Masood and Minhas providing anything of note on the Shaheens’ scorecard. Mondol bowled a terrific 19th over, picking up three wickets, and the innings ended with a run out as Shaheens were bowled out in 20 overs.In reply, Bangladesh A opener Habibur Rahman Sohan was quick off the blocks, tonking Ubaid Shah for a six over deep midwicket. While Alam was trapped in front of the stumps by Minhas, Habibur kept going as he smashed Masood for a six and two fours in the fourth over. But the bowler had the last laugh when Habibur pulled a long hop straight to square leg, and the Bangladesh A middle order caved in.Minhas trapped Mahidul Islam Ankon lbw before Muqeem’s left-arm wristpin bamboozled Bangladesh A. He got Akbar Ali to chop one back onto his stumps, and then struck twice in two balls, cleaning up Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury with identical wrong’uns. Rakibul went after Masood but Bangladesh A kept losing wickets, with the required rate rising.Then came another twist with Bangladesh A requiring 27 off the last two overs and only Saqlain and Mondol, the last two batters at the crease. Shahid Aziz, bowling the 19th over, missed his yorker three times and the batters smashed him for three sixes to flip the script. Daniyal, however, bowled a terrific last over, mixing his lengths to rescue Shaheens.

Mohammad Naim was the only player to fetch more than BDT 1 crore (USD 88,000 approx) at the BPL auction on Sunday, when Chittagong Royals signed him up for the upcoming season. Naim, the highest run-scorer in the BPL last season (511 runs at a strike-rate of 143.94), was incidentally the first player who went up for sale in the auction.Towhid Hridoy (USD 73,600) and Litton Das (USD 56,000) also went for big money, both signed up by Rangpur Riders.There were, however, no initial bids for veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, who were both in category B. Later in the day, after a request from BCB director and Rangpur chief executive Ishtiaque Sadeque, the auctioneer put up both players for sale again.Eventually, Rangpur took in Mahmudullah, while Rajshahi Warriors signed Mushfiqur, for their base price of BDT 35 lakh (USD 28,000 approx).Dasun Shanaka was the most expensive signing among the overseas players, going to Dhaka Capitals for USD 55,000. Angelo Mathews and Niroshan Dickwella were sold at their category A base price of USD 35,000, to Chittagong Royals and Sylhet Titans, respectively.Among the uncapped players, Habibur Rahman Sohan, who recently did well for Bangladesh A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, was taken by Noakhali Express for USD 40,000.This was the BPL’s first auction since the inaugural edition in 2012. The rest of the editions have been done through the drafting process.During the auction, there were also a few Bangladesh cricketers who sat in the bidding tables, including Nurul Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.The BPL will be contested by six teams – Dhaka Capitals, Rangpur Riders, Rajshahi Warriors, Noakhali Express, Sylhet Titans and Chittagong Royals – with the tournament likely to start on December 26.

Neymar's second spell at Santos has, for the most part, been a disappointment. The injury problems that have plagued the Brazilian's career followed him back home, and as a result, he has been unable to build up any proper rhythm. He only featured in 20 of Santos' 38 Serie A games in the 2025 season, scoring eight goals, and is still waiting for a recall to the Brazil national team squad after a two-year absence.

At the age of 33, there's no doubt that Neymar's best years are behind him. It's not clear where he will be playing his football in 2026 yet either, because Santos have yet to tie him to a contract extension. But if that is the case, he signed off in style. Santos only avoided immediate relegation back to Brazil's second tier after wrapping up their campaign with three victories, and Neymar's contribution was huge, playing through the pain barrier to save his boyhood club when they needed him most.

"I think a seven is a good grade," Neymar told reporters when asked to rate his year out of 10 after Santos' final-day victory over Cruzeiro. "On the field, everyone knows I can protect myself somehow, but things don't go as we want for many reasons. Now it's time to reset my mind, forget about football for about 10 days, because I need that. I need a complete reset."

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star added: "Then it's total focus on the last mission, which is the World Cup. That's our focus. God willing, everything will be alright. I'm always ready. It's not up to me."

The popular narrative around Neymar is that he never reached his full potential, which is undeniably true given how much time he has spent in the treatment room down the years. But he deserves more respect as a true legend of the modern game. His heroics at Vila Belmiro will hopefully help alter the public perception. They should not, however, lead to a romantic swansong at the 2026 World Cup.

A barely half-fit Neymar may have been a help to Santos, but he'd only be a hindrance to Carlo Ancelotti, who cannot afford to be sentimental when he picks his Brazil squad for the finals.

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  Tears and red card before contract renewal

  Neymar's final years at PSG and his entire stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal were completely overshadowed by injuries. Al-Hilal eventually terminated the enigmatic forward's contract after 18 months, and he subsequently re-joined Santos on an initial six-month contract in what was billed as a glorious homecoming. The fact was, however, that he had no other options.

  Santos quickly learned that keeping Neymar on the pitch for any significant length of time would be a huge challenge. Indeed, he missed seven of their first nine league games of 2025 with a hamstring problem. His 100th home appearance for the club against Atletico Mineiro only lasted 34 minutes, too, as he was taken off the pitch in tears by a buggy after exacerbating the issue.

  When he did play, there was the odd audacious piece of skill or killer through-ball, but he struggled to beat defenders and spent far too much time walking around aimlessly. He was also sent off for a blatant 'Hand of God' attempt in a 1-0 defeat to Botafogo, which came just before the Club World Cup-enforced break in the season and seemed to spell the end for his time at the club.

  But Santos were not ready to give up on their prized academy jewel. On June 24, Neymar signed a renewal through to the end of the campaign to "fulfil the dreams that are missing in my career" and vowed "nothing will stop me". Initially, they proved to be empty words.

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  Clashes with fans and team-mates

  When the Brazilian top-flight resumed, Neymar played seven games in a row, his best run in three years, and scored three goals, including a brilliant brace in a 3-1 win over Juventude. But that Player-of-the-Match display was an anomaly.

  Neymar clashed with supporters after damaging home losses to Internacional and Vasco da Gama, the second of which left the club just two points above the drop zone and in deep crisis. Inspired by Neymar's old Brazil team-mate Philippe Coutinho, Vasco ran out 6-0 winners to hand Santos the worst league defeat of their entire history, and frustrated fans marched to protest at the training ground.

  Then, in mid-September, Neymar damaged the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh, and did not recover until early November. Another low point followed upon his return to the starting line up, as Santos were beaten 3-2 at Flamengo. With his side 2-0 down after 66 minutes, Neymar ran back to take a short goal-kick, instructing his team-mates to be more patient in their build-up play, only for centre-back Luan Peres to instantly hoof the ball upfield. It was another humiliating moment for Neymar that confirmed he had not yet earned the full respect of everyone in the dressing room. 

  He scored his first goal since August two weeks later as Santos played out a 1-1 draw with high-flying Mirassol, but there was no cause for celebration. He was also guilty of giving away the penalty that led to the home team's equaliser, and it was revealed after the game that he had suffered an injury to the meniscus in his left knee, the same one he tore alongside his anterior cruciate ligament during his last appearance for Brazil back in October 2023.

• Hat-trick on one leg

  Neymar sat out Santos' next fixture against Internacional and was not expected to play again this season. Club doctors advised him to stop playing immediately and undergo surgery, while revealed that any "major impact" could cause his knee to "burst". 

  But when Santos played host to Sport Recife in a massive relegation six-pointer on November 29, Neymar was named in the starting XI. He proceeded to open the scoring with a trademark finish in the 25th minute, and provided the assist for Joao Schmidt to wrap up a 3-0 victory in the second half.

  "Physically I've been doing well, I'm feeling better and better, obviously with this injury now it's sad, it's annoying, but it's nothing that will stop me from doing something, that's why I keep playing," Neymar said when quizzed on his condition. "Now it's time to think about Santos and where Santos deserves to be."

  There was only a four-day turnaround before Santos' next outing away at Juventude, but Neymar started again, and that passion continued to shine through. He scored all three goals in another thumping 3-0 win, registering his first hat-trick since starring for PSG in a Ligue 1 clash with Clermont in April 2022.

  Santos boss Juan Pablo Vojvoda hailed Neymar for putting on a "very good show", but that was an understatement; it was right up there with his most magical performances ever, and he did it on one fully functioning leg.

  "I've always been Neymar, regardless of anything," he said to in a clear message to his critics after the game. "I've never stopped trying to show my best."

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  'Christ the redeemer of Santos'

  Santos still needed a win on matchday 38 to be sure of safety, but showed no sign of nerves when third-placed Cruzeiro arrived at Vila Belmiro. Vojvoda's side scored three goals without reply for the third consecutive match to finish 12th in the table, and there were wild scenes of celebration among the relieved players, staff, and fans after the final whistle.

  Neymar didn't get on the scoresheet, but he was dubbed "Christ the Redeemer of Santos" by Spanish outlet after another standout performance that saw him post three key passes and a 90 per cent dribble completion rate. The whole stadium chanted his name in recognition of his super-human late-season efforts. "I confess that at the limit, it was with grit… But it was for you SANTOS!" the Brazilian later wrote on X.

  He also confirmed that he will go under the knife for what is classed as minor surgery to fix his latest knee injury, before deciding on his future. Should his recovery run smoothly, there's a good chance Neymar will sign another six-month extension, with the 2026 season in Brazil due to start two months earlier than usual in January.

  "We've already looked each other in the eye and agreed to schedule a meeting this week to calmly define this situation," Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has confirmed. "Alexandre Mattos and the medical department will detail when they will carry out the procedure with the athlete. We want Neymar to stay. We will adapt the contractual issues and our expectation is that Neymar will remain at Santos until the 2026 World Cup."