The Blue Jays’ deep pitching staff looks to have grown even deeper.
Toronto is signing pitcher Cody Ponce away from the KBO League's Hanwha Eagles for $30 million over three years, according to a Tuesday afternoon report from Jeff Passan of ESPN. Ponce, 31, has not pitched in Major League Baseball since 2021 but is coming off a dominant season in South Korea.
For the Eagles, Ponce won 17 of 18 decisions with a 1.89 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 180 2/3 innings. He was named the KBO League's MVP and won the Choi Dong-won Award, the South Korean equivalent of the Cy Young.
The Brewers originally drafted Ponce in the second round out of Cal Poly Pomona in 2015, and traded him to the Pirates for pitcher Jordan Lyles in 2019. Ponce pitched parts of two seasons for Pittsburgh before moving overseas, spending three years in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. He joined Hanwha in advance of the 2025 season.
The Blue Jays formally signed pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year contract Tuesday as they seek to follow their pennant with a World Series title.
His domestic numbers speak for themselves, but if he continues batting the way he did at Newlands, he will soon gain Test cricket’s respect as well
Danyal Rasool03-Jan-2025For all of a glorious sun-soaked day at Newlands, Pakistan didn’t look like they could get Ryan Rickelton out. Even in the first session, while Mohammad Abbas probed and Aiden Markram stuttered, Rickelton was in control of 90.41% of them, or 66 of 73. In the middle session, he was nigh-on impregnable, that figure in excess of 97%. It remained in the mid 90s in the final session.But they almost didn’t have to be. With Wiaan Mulder coming into South Africa’s side for a batter, Rickelton was favourite to miss out. But Tony de Zorzi pulled up late with a thigh strain, and one sliding doors moment had been survived with Rickelton on the right side of it.It needn’t have bothered Pakistan too much. Over the years, though Rickelton has made a habit of mass accumulation in domestic cricket, very little of it has translated to the international game. In 16 Test innings, he’d crossed 30 on just three occasions, and fifty just once. An average of just under 50 in first-class cricket – the fourth highest in the domestic competition since he made his debut – was cut in half in the South African whites. It’s something that hasn’t passed him by, at one point publicly admitting he was unsure he could translate his prolific domestic form into international success.Related
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Even more so, perhaps, because Rickelton had been handed a new challenge, today. With de Zorzi out, he’d open the batting, something he admitted in the press conference later he hadn’t actively pushed for. But South Africa coach Shukri Conrad, whose gregarious personality is so legendary around these parts the mere mention of his name puts a smile on many faces, told him he had the ability to go up top.”I just want a bat. It doesn’t matter where. I feel I’ve trained a lot against the new ball for the Lions. It’s probably a bigger challenge mentally. Days like today are very few and far between for anyone, especially opening the batting,” Rickelton said.There was that callback to his domestic game once more. But one of the things that separate the domestic from the international game is bowlers of true quality at high pace. And With Naseem Shah dropping out of contention with somewhat nebulous fitness issues, Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack was remarkably monotone, four medium-fast bowlers who rarely cracked 135 and hovered in between the mid 120s and low 130s. On a pitch that the groundsman had perhaps overcorrected after the surreal Test against India last year and shorn it of most of its grass, Rickelton smelled an opportunity for runs at Newlands.And under Table Mountain’s gaze, Rickelton understands how to go about plundering runs. In the two first-class matches he’s played here before, he has scored two unbeaten hundreds and a 90, likely against attacks no slower than Pakistan mustered up here. Once he leaned into a drive from a slightly overpitched delivery from Mir Hamza to get his first boundary, he was set; he would go about punishing the fuller length all day, particularly in the “V”; it was his most productive avenue for run-scoring, and his quickest, too. Off 46 such deliveries, he scored 51 runs, pushing Pakistan’s lengths back and ending the short-lived quest for swing.If all of that implies cashing in against tepid opposition, that may be unfair, because by the time lunch was taken, Pakistan were the happier of the two sides. Rickelton had watched three of his partners fall in quick succession, a regular feature of South African batting in the past, and one Rickelton has too often been a part of.But Rickelton doesn’t necessarily have to look back to the domestic circuit for inspiration. Remember the one time he crossed fifty in his Test career? Well, he also crossed hundred, and once more, three of the top order had fallen around him. As today, he had Temba Bavuma for company, but it was Rickelton who pushed all the way to make the most of his start, helping South Africa to a first-innings total where every run mattered in the end; Sri Lanka pushed all the way into the final day before South Africa finally secured the win, and set his side on their inexorable path to the WTC finals.Ryan Rickelton gets a hug from Temba Bavuma after reaching his century•Gallo Images/Getty ImagesBut as Rickelton grew in confidence as the day wore on, Pakistan’s efforts to break that fourth-wicket stand began to appear more and more feeble. Shaun Pollock on broadcaster commentary appeared surprised Khurram Shahzad didn’t open the bowling after lunch, but when he did come on, he was ordinary enough to almost vindicate that decision. Rickelton was leaving bowlers no margin for error, though Shahzad made plenty, anyway; in three Shahzad overs, he helped himself to six boundaries, and a gritty fifty suddenly motored towards three figures.It was a phase that would define an innings that, by the end of the day, had very much turned into a “big daddy hundred”, as Tristan Stubbs put it during the series against Sri Lanka. And though it may be tempting to characterise it as a day when he entered an invincible zone, what he was actually doing felt rather more sustainable. When Pakistan bowled a good length outside offstump, he was cautious; 103 such deliveries produced 39 runs, but even marginal errors were punished harshly.According to ESPNcricinfo records, when that turned into a short-of-good length, Rickelton was more devastating than he was at any other point. Of 20 balls where the bowlers erred a tad too short, he scored 36. And less surprisingly, perhaps, because Pakistan’s bowlers don’t quite possess the pace, any deliberate short deliveries were swiftly dispatched with, too, bringing 24 runs in 15 balls.This would also produce the shot of the day in an over that epitomised Pakistan’s inadequacies. Having, by Salman Agha’s own admission, run out of ideas during the fourth-wicket stand, they did what they tried at Perth against Australia last season, packing the leg-side field with Aamer Jamal bowling short. When he tried that against Rickleton, though, Rickelton lashed him through the off side for two boundaries.But the best was saved for last, as Rickelton, sitting back in wait for the bouncer, got on top of it and lifted it, Quinton de Kock style, over fine leg for six, all blade, no back-lift and maximum destructiveness.When Bavuma, having got to his own hundred across a 235-run fourth wicket stand, nicked off to Agha, Rickelton put all his shots away. His belligerence, as well as his caution, were simply products of the opportunities the bowling threw up; he isn’t one of those batters who treats shot-making as a drainage pipe for the ego. Since his Jamal takedown, he’d hit just two boundaries, and scored 32 in his next 51 balls. It’s easy to understand why his first-class record shimmers, but batting like that will soon see him gain Test cricket’s respect, too.
For most baseball fans, a dropped home run ball represents a potential once-in-a-lifetime missed opportunity. One young Toronto Blue Jays fan only had to wait five at bats for his chance at redemption.
Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement belted a three-run home run to open scoring in the bottom of the second inning of Thursday night's game against the Athletics. The ball, hit to left center, deflected off the young glove-wearing fan, and was eventually retrieved by another fan sitting one row in front of him. The young fan was clearly devastated by his failure to catch the ball.
Five batters later, Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stepped up to the plate with a runner on second, and he hit a blast to the exact same spot in the outfield. This time, the young Toronto partisan was ready, hauling in the homer from his team's top slugger.
Pure elation.
The way the entire section of fans went nuts after his catch tells you all you need to know. What an amazing moment for someone destined to be a Blue Jays diehard for life after what happened on Thursday.
Toronto would hit another two home runs to blow out the A's 12–0, a cherry on top for a fan who will never forget this game.
Former Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz believes a move to Lyon could be the best step for Endrick if the Brazilian leaves the club in January, saying regular minutes matter more than staying on the bench at the Bernabeu. Mariano, who made the same move in 2017 after struggling for game time, says there is "life beyond" Madrid.
Endrick’s season stalled at Real Madrid
Los Blancos signed Endrick from Palmeiras in 2022 in a deal worth up to €60 million. His first year under Carlo Ancelotti showed promise, with seven goals in 37 appearances, but injuries halted his progress heading into this season. A hamstring injury kept him out of the Club World Cup and the start of the new campaign. By the time he returned, new manager Xabi Alonso had settled on other attacking options, leaving Endrick with just one brief appearance against Valencia earlier this month, where he played just 11 minutes. The lack of consistent minutes has raised concerns about his development, especially with the World Cup coming next year.
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Mariano advises Endrick to embrace a move abroad
Speaking to , Mariano sees parallels between their situations and says leaving Madrid does not mean giving up on a future at the club.
“If Endrick ends up leaving, or a player who isn’t getting much playing time has to go abroad to play, I would tell him to enjoy it a lot, to appreciate that if he’s going to be a starter on the team, that’s the best thing that can happen to him,” Diaz said.
He stressed that regular starts give players a real chance to prove their ability.
"You have to try to prove yourself when they give you that confidence, because it’s not the same when you play a few minutes every three games. You can’t prove your worth in a few minutes. But if they trust you and you’re a starter, that’s when you can prove a lot of things. In this case, if he [Endrick] leaves, he could also return to Madrid," the 32-year-old added.
Endrick stands at same career crossroads Mariano faced
The Dominican Republic international knows what it feels like to wait for chances at Madrid. The forward broke into the senior team during the 2016-17 season, scoring five goals in 14 appearances, but spent most of his time behind the famous 'BBC' trio of Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Los Blancos went on to win the Champions League and enjoy their most successful campaign in decades, but Mariano’s role was limited.
"It was one of the best teams I’ve ever played for because it wasn’t just the starters, but also what the press called ‘Plan B’. It was a bit curious, but the truth is that Plan B was like Plan A."
At the end of that season, Diaz moved to Lyon to play regularly, a decision he now sees as crucial in his development. However, he returned a year later after Cristiano Ronaldo's shocking move to Juventus.
"As it was Madrid, I wasn’t going to say no,” Mariano recalled. "But they told me that this time it would be different, and that was one of the reasons I wanted to return."
Injuries derailed his progress, and he was again playing a bench role until his exit in 2023.
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Brazilian forward sees Lyon as the right move for development
Several clubs have shown interest in Endrick, including Manchester United, who saw him as a replacement option after Benjamin Sesko’s injury. But the 19-year-old prefers Lyon, viewing the French club as a place where he can earn minutes, regain confidence and stay in contention for the 2026 World Cup with Brazil. Madrid had initially wanted to loan him within La Liga to help him adapt more smoothly and keep him close to home as he approaches Spanish citizenship in six months. However, Endrick pushed for a move abroad, prioritising consistent game time over location.
Ancelotti, now the Brazil national team coach, is yet to call up the young forward in any of the international breaks. However, the former Madrid coach has also urged him to play regularly if he wants to remain in the national-team picture.
"He has to think with his entourage about what’s best. Talk to the club, to see what’s best for him. Endrick is very young, this won’t be his last World Cup," he said. "He could play in the 2026 World Cup, because he has the quality for it, but he could also be in the 2030 World Cup, or the 2034 World Cup, and maybe even the 2038 World Cup (laughs). I believe it’s important for him to get back to playing and show his qualities.”
The fast bowler is keen to keep himself in action ahead of facing England and will likely combine white and red-ball cricket
Andrew McGlashan28-Aug-2025
Josh Hazlewood will likely have a mixture of white and red-ball cricket ahead of the Ashes•Getty Images
Josh Hazlewood is expecting to play a Sheffield Shield match in the lead-up to the Ashes in November as he prepares to counter an “unbelievable” England batting line-up, which he believes will be strongest they will have brought to Australia during his career.Hazlewood recently played five out of the six white-ball matches against South Africa having sat out the T20I series against West Indies following the Tests while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have not featured in the last few weeks. Hazlewood won’t be in action on the field in September but wants to keep getting miles in the legs ahead of the first Test in Perth rather than having extended downtime.”It felt like over the last 12 months, the best way for me to go about it is just keep on ticking over, keep playing, not having too long off bowling,” Hazlewood said at an event to promote Play Cricket week. “I find…getting back to that intensity and volume is quite tough for me. So if I can just keep staying up there, match intensity as long as I can, then that’s sort of the best way for me to go about it.”Related
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Hazlewood, who played four Tests during the 2023 Ashes, is expecting a tough challenge from the England batting line-up. At times in the recent India series they showed a more nuanced approach rather an all-out attack, before falling to six-run defeat at The Oval. A 7 for 66 collapse triggered by a stroke from Harry Brook promoted significant debate after a spectacular hundred.Brook, currently the No. 2-ranked Test batter behind Joe Root, will be on his first Test tour of Australia and in nine T20Is in the country in 2022 had a top score of 20. His first-class experience is limited to one England Lions outing in 2021 and how he adjusts to conditions will be key to the team’s prospects. So, too, the performance of Root who has yet to score a Test century in Australia where he averages 35.68 from 14 matches.Josh Hazlewood expects Harry Brook to play without any baggage in Australia•AFP/Getty Images
“England has obviously been quite flat wickets recently, the last few years, and it’s been a really dry summer as well, so they are probably starting to get tired and spin now,” Hazlewood said. “I think [Brook] will adapt. He’s a good player. He’s at the top of the rankings for a reason, and he’ll be a tough challenge.”When [Root] first came out, it was a little bit of a different attack. It was probably [Mitchell] Johnson and [Ryan] Harris and [Peter] Siddle. Gaz [Nathan Lyon] has been around a long time now, so he was probably there, but we sort of just jumped on the back of that”I think a fresh face like Harry Brook might find it easier. There’s no baggage behind him and he can just come out and play with freedom as he does. Joe’s probably in the form of his life as well. So they’re an unbelievable batting line, to be honest. The top seven have done really well…so it’s a challenge.”Asked whether it will be strongest batting up England have sent to Australia in recent times, Hazlewood said: “Yeah, definitely.”Australia have a three-match T20I series against New Zealand in early October then India visit for ODIs and T20Is ahead of the Ashes. It remains to be seen how Hazlewood’s schedule will be juggled to allow him a red-ball outing – the fourth round of Sheffield Shield matches starting on November 10, when New South Wales play Victoria at the SCG, may be too close to the start of the series – but he is keen to have the opportunity to replicate long-form intensity.Last season Hazlewood played one game for New South Wales ahead of the India Test series, and though he went wicketless across 24 overs against Queensland he was Australia’s best bowler early in the opening Test in Perth before his series was disrupted by injury. This winter, however, he was able to play all four Tests against South Africa and West Indies, albeit the workload on bowler-friendly Caribbean surfaces was not extreme.”The Test [only] guys will play more than one [Shield game]. They’ll probably play two or three, but everyone’s on different programs,” he said. “I used it last year and I’ve sort of found that it’s very beneficial. Time on the field, multiple spells in a day, it’s sort of hard to replicate it at training. So, to get that before a Test series is pretty pivotal, I think.”
Fans across the planet are patiently waiting for the release of Ted Lasso Season 4, with it being confirmed that a “whole different set of characters” are ready to be introduced. Filming has begun, with there more wild adventures to be enjoyed in the world of AFC Richmond, but it is yet to be revealed who will be filling new roles and which popular stars will be returning.
How many returning characters will there be in Ted Lasso?
Nick Mohammed falls into the latter of those two camps after amusing viewers with his portrayal of “wonder kid” kitman-turned-coach Nate Shelley. The expectation is that he will be back when another instalment of Ted Lasso drops. Mohammed has not always been the best at keeping secrets when it comes to plotlines and future plans.
He is, however, playing cards close to his chest at present, with there little for him to give away. Mohammed claims to be in the dark regarding grand plans for Ted Lasso, with it already being announced that the show’s title character will be working as a coach in women’s football.
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That is allowing the storyline to be taken in a different direction, which brings new cast members with it. How they fit into the bigger picture remains to be seen, but viewers are preparing to meet a whole host of fresh faces.
Mohammed admits as much, telling when asked if there are any updates on production that he can deliver: “I think sworn to secrecy is about right. Look, I know that it's about a whole different set of characters. I can't even talk about it without giving anything away! We'll have to see. We'll have to see who pops up where and when. But I know that they're filming it now, and I've been socialising with them all. They’re all very well, so we'll see what happens.”
Mohammed has previously said of Ted Lasso returning to the small screen after several months of intense speculation – with the last series coming to a close in May 2023: “The storylines in Season 3 would suggest that there was a real sense of finality. Ted goes back home, right? But there were enough things that were set up that would suggest that there was a path to it coming back. We didn’t know for absolute definite, and it was always up to Jason as to whether he wanted to do more.”
Producers tease what to expect from Season 4
Title character and show writer Jason Sudeikis has brought the show back. Big things are being promised, with Bill Lawrence – who helped to deliver seasons one and two – saying of new chapters being written: “With Ted Lasso, I always have to make sure I highlight Jason Sudeikis because he had a vision for the show and it's such a huge position of pride for me now, looking back, to have been involved with the crafting and figuring out what that show was.
“Him and I ran it the first year, we ran it together the second year, and the third year, he was doing it. You can always tell a new story with new characters in this streaming world. He’s driving it creatively. But man, I’m excited to even still peripherally be a part of it.”
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Ted Lasso CastTed Lasso Season 4 release date: Waiting on Apple TV update
Apple TV’s head of development Matt Cherniss has said when teasing fans about what to expect: “I have high hopes for season four of Ted Lasso, we’re just getting down that road. I don’t know what more can be said about Ted Lasso that hasn’t already been said, and we’re so excited that it’s coming back. I don’t think I want to say anything about the direction that the show is going, only that I think if you love Ted Lasso you’re gonna love the next season.”
Streamers are ready to fall in love all over again, as humorous and emotional escapades play out, with all eyes on Apple TV when it comes to officially announcing a global release date.
While promotion has already allowed for Leeds United’s many new signings this summer to thrive, the step-up to the Premier League will also have solidified who is deadwood at Elland Road moving forward.
Indeed, with Noah Okafor continuing to impress with another top-flight strike against Tottenham Hotspur, you can’t help but fear for Jack Harrison’s long-term future as another option down the wings, considering the 28-year-old has just 130 minutes of league action so far this season under his belt.
Moreover, the nail looks to firmly be in Illan Meslier’s Leeds coffin, with Lucas Perri’s injury not handing him a redemption arc in between the sticks, as Karl Darlow is preferred to the error-prone Frenchman by Daniel Farke.
It’s been a disappointing fall from grace for the ex-Lorient stopper, who has never been able to recover from some costly moments last campaign that nearly derailed his side’s promotion mission.
How Illan Meslier became a villain at Elland Road
Originally added to the Elland Road camp when Marcelo Bielsa was still manager, Meslier has now notched up 214 games for the club, becoming something of a stalwart over a number of years.
Throw two Championship titles into the mix, and it’s clear that the 25-year-old hasn’t always been looked down upon as an accident waiting to happen in goal for the West Yorkshire outfit.
During 2023/24, Farke went as far as to label Meslier as “the best goalkeeper in the league.” How times change.
This outrageous showering of praise all unravelled rather quickly, however, when Meslier inexplicably gave up that goal away at fellow promotion winners Sunderland last October, with TalkSPORT commentator Mark Wilson branding the gaffe as one that “will live with him forever.”
It must have knocked his confidence, as another two errors directly led to efforts beating him across his full 39-game campaign, with Farke then dropping the shaky ‘keeper for his side’s final seven matches in the tense promotion run-in, despite his previous outlandish comments.
Meslier has yet to return to the first-team fold since being axed, and with his contract up next summer, it does appear as if the 25-year-old is on borrowed time now as a regular fixture at Elland Road.
He isn’t the only member of the promoted squad who could be falling victim to the step-up in quality, however, with another forgotten face facing the chop.
Leeds graduate is in danger under Farke
Meslier might well be considered lucky that he wasn’t shifted on during the summer, with the potential for the Frenchman to now be moved on this coming January, as Rangers reportedly circle for his services.
As it happens, Sam Byram didn’t hold any concerns during the summer that he was going to be let go, though, with an announcement coming in July that a one-year contract extension had been handed to the experienced defender, which was justified after being utilised as a worthwhile utility figure last campaign by Farke.
The 32-year-old only made 16 starts all season long, but he bowed out from these minimal moments in the first-team with five big chances created as a menace from the full-back spot, on top of also picking up six clean sheets. This ability to slot in and do a competent job at a moment’s notice would lead to his manager hailing him as “so important” as he can play “wherever I need him.”
Despite possessing this versatility up his sleeve, his minutes have become even sparser this season to date, with the likes of Gabriel Gudmundsson coming in to bolster the left-back personnel, effectively leaving the ex-West Ham United defender permanently on the periphery.
Byram’s minutes under Farke
Season
Games
Minutes
25/26
2
78
24/25
39
1617
23/24
36
2251
Sourced by Transfermarkt
As is visible from the table above, it’s clear that Farke is relying less on Byram now to get him out of some sticky selection issues, with just a 71-minute run-out afforded to the number 25 in the Premier League so far this season.
This is the price the likes of Byram and Meslier have to, unfortunately, pay as their side strives for more success up a level, with flashier signings more cut out for the intensity of the top-flight preferred over them.
Having amassed 221 appearances for Leeds over two spells, next summer might well spell the end for Byram in West Yorkshire, unless he miraculously proves himself in the first team picture shortly.
Leeds have signed "explosive" ace who looks like a new Raphinha-type player
Leeds fans might finally get their dream Raphinha replacement
RCB secured a berth in Qualifier 1 with a thrilling win in their last league game
ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-20259:02
Moody: ‘Two in-form teams, we’re in for an absolute cracker’
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the last league game of IPL 2025 to finish second and secure their spot in Qualifier 1 against table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 29. As a result, Gujarat Titans (GT) finish third and will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator on May 30.RCB chased down 228 against Lucknow Super Giants with half-centuries from Virat Kohli and stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma as Rishabh Pant’s 61-ball 118 went in vain, giving RCB their third Qualifier 1 appearance, having previously finished in the top two in 2011 and 2016.RCB and PBKS, who both had one game each abandoned due to rain, finished on 19 points each, with PBKS boasting a better net run rate. PBKS had defeated MI a day prior to confirm a top-two finish for them, leaving MI on 16 points. Meanwhile GT’s defeats in their last two matches, against LSG and Chennai Super Kings, meant they finish on 18 points.When Pant’s ton took LSG to 227 for 3, it looked like RCB would have to settle for playing the Eliminator, but an unbeaten 33-ball 85 from Jitesh helped them complete the third-highest chase in IPL history. RCB became the first team to win all seven of their designated away matches.RCB will have just one day to prepare for their Qualifier 1 match against PBKS in New Chandigarh on Thursday, while GT and MI will square off at the same ground on Friday.The second Qualifier is scheduled on June 1 in Ahmedabad, with the final on June 3.
Luca Zidane has received his first-ever Algeria call-up at 27 years old, marking a new chapter in his career. The Granada goalkeeper, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, switched his international allegiance from France and says he’s “ready to give everything” with the Fennecs already sure of a place at the 2026 World Cup.
A Zidane returns to the international stage
Zidane’s long-awaited international debut could soon become a reality. The goalkeeper, born in Marseille and raised in Real Madrid’s academy, officially switched allegiance from France to Algeria last month. His call-up by Vladimir Petkovic was met with excitement and debate across Algeria, as fans embraced the son of one of football’s greatest icons.
Having arrived in Algeria to a hero’s welcome, the Granada shot-stopper described the moment as a “source of pride” for himself and his family.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportZidane’s pride and message to Algerian fans
Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Zidane said: "I am happy to be here in Algeria, it is a pride for my first call-up."
He added that his family including his grandfather fully supported his choice to represent Algeria, adding: "The whole family is happy, they're happy that I'm here, my grandfather too, it's a source of pride. It's my choice, they're behind me, behind my choices. My loved ones are very happy for me, that's the most important thing. I've heard that on match day, there's a great atmosphere in the stadium. For us players, it's really a good boost. Personally, I would give everything to fill the Algerian people with joy."
He added: "There's competition like everywhere in football, it means we have a very good team, it's good for the future."
A measured start under Petkovic’s guidance
Despite the anticipation surrounding his debut, coach Vladimir Petkovic opted for experience, choosing Alexis Guendouz to start Algeria’s World Cup qualifier against Somalia. The decision, meant to protect Zidane from early pressure, paid off as the Greens cruised to a 3-0 victory to seal their spot in the finals in Canada, USA and Mexico. Zidane may feature in their next and final qualifier against Uganda in Tizi Ouzou. His presence adds valuable depth in goal and symbolises Algeria’s growing pull among dual-national talents.
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AFPA new chapter in the Zidane legacy
The goalkeepr's switch to Algeria carries emotional and symbolic weight. The son of a World Cup winner, he now seeks to write his own story with a nation eager to impress on their return to the world stage. His arrival also reflects Petkovic’s effort to blend experience with fresh ambition, a move that could define Algeria’s 2026 campaign.
With seven starts for Granada this season, Zidane’s confidence and form make him a genuine contender to become Algeria’s No.1. For now, the journey is just beginning, but the name “Zidane” could once again echo on football’s biggest stage.
No change in the top three here, but guess who’s at No. 4? In a low-scoring game at Chepauk, Ajinkya Rahane scored 20 not out from 17 balls to finish off KKR’s chase, and that made him the fifth batter to cross the 200-run mark this season.Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is still going strong at the top, followed by B Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans, with Pooran’s LSG mate, Mitchell Marsh, who has four fifties in five innings, in this place.GT’s Jos Buttler, who has 203 runs, is the fifth 200-plus batter at the moment. Not far behind them, all with over 180 runs, are Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and KL Rahul.Noor Ahmad has picked up at least a wicket in each of his games so far•BCCI
Purple Cap leaderboardNoor Ahmad, after picking up nine wickets in his first three games of the season, has slowed down, picking up one wicket in each of his last three outings. Enough, still, to keep him two clear at the top.He is followed by four bowlers who all have ten wickets – MI captain Hardik Pandya, CSK’s Khaleel Ahmed, and the GT duo of R Sai Kishore and Mohammed Siraj.