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It is understood that the players decided the retention order themselves

Nagraj Gollapudi31-Oct-20241:06

Mumbai Indians make Bumrah their top retention

How did Mumbai Indians (MI) manage to retain their core group of four superstars in Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav – as well as Tilak Varma – within INR 75 crore, the minimum retention amount assigned by IPL for five players?ESPNcricinfo has learned that while MI’s senior management, including Mahela Jayawardene, who recently returned as head coach, was thinking of paying Rohit, Bumrah, Hardik and Suryakumar equal amounts, the players decided the retention order themselves.But the details, as well as the individual amounts, were far from finalised when Jayawardene, along with Mumbai’s senior management including owner Akash Ambani, met the players in early October to review what was a poor IPL 2024, where the five-time champions finished last.Related

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The players and the management met twice during this period. The idea was to talk openly about how the previous season had gone. Part of the conversations involved everyone opening up on what they felt had worked and what hadn’t. The players in question were also asked to seek clarity on whatever they wanted before the retentions were finalised.It is understood that Suryakumar wanted to know what plans the franchise had for him for the future. Having replaced Rohit as the India T20I captain after the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar is keen to lead MI, too, at some point. The franchise has told him that when Hardik replaced Rohit as captain ahead of the 2024 season, the plan was to see him continue in that position at least for the foreseeable future.The franchise is believed to have asked Suryakumar if he had any conditions before retention and also that they wouldn’t be able to promise him anything. Suryakumar told the franchise, later, that he wanted to stay with MI. He is also believed to have told the franchise that he does have captaincy aspirations. This was on October 4, about four weeks before the retention deadline.1:01

Hardik to continue as Mumbai Indians captain

It is understood that the senior group was told at these meetings that the franchise would retain Hardik as the captain as it would be unfair to judge Hardik on last season’s performances where he struggled with form both with bat and ball and made questionable strategic calls in the field. The understanding was that if the right sort of environment was created, it would help both Hardik and Mumbai succeed. The players agreed.Rohit, along with Hardik and Suryakumar, agreed that Bumrah deserved the top retention as well as the top price. Rohit also said he was happy to be the fourth retention behind Bumrah, Suryakumar and Hardik considering he had retired from the T20I format.At the meetings, it was agreed that if the team’s fans were not given clarity about the future the franchise was headed in, there was a danger of the team losing its support base. At one of the meetings, Suryakumar is understood to have said: ” [I will create the atmosphere].”

After submitting an opening offer in pursuit of a key defensive reinforcement, Celtic have now reportedly received an instant response from a Serie A club.

Simpson-Pusey "over the moon" to join Celtic

Of course, it’s not just the one defensive reinforcement that the Bhoys are looking to welcome this month. They’ve already signed Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on loan from Manchester City. The 19-year-old centre-back impressed when called upon by Pep Guardiola last season and now has the chance to improve even further with more game time at Celtic.

After putting pen to paper, the Man City loanee told Celtic’s official website: “I had a long conversation with the manager and I liked what he was saying to me about the club.

“He told me how much he appreciates the club and how much Glasgow appreciates the club. I wanted to go somewhere where, if I’m playing, I’ll be appreciated, so I felt like this was the best option for me.

“This is a big opportunity. I want to come here and show my talent and my levels. It’ll be good for me to come and hopefully help the team to win the league again and do well in Europe. I’m over the moon really. I just want to come in here and get some wins.”

Simpson-Pusey represents Celtic’s seventh signing of the summer transfer window as they look to defend their Scottish Premiership title once again this season.

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Celtic could help to unlock Adam Idah’s full potential by signing this reported transfer target.

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On that front, Brendan Rodgers’ side enjoyed a dramatic, but solid start against St.Mirren. In a game that required Luke McCowan to emerge from the bench and find an 87th-minute winner, the Bhoys instantly took advantage of Rangers’ earlier draw to get their campaign off to a bright start.

It wasn’t a game without alarm bells, however, and it looks to have sent Rodgers and co. back to the transfer market for another defenisve addition this month.

Celtic receive response after Obert offer

According to CagliariNews24, as relayed by Sport Witness, Celtic have now seen their offer to sign Adam Obert rejected by Cagliari, who are looking for a significant offer to sell their 22-year-old centre-back this summer.

There is belief within Cagliari that Obert’s valuation will increase this season following an impressive campaign last time out. It is, therefore, a waiting game for Celtic, who may only be able to land the Slovakian international at a hiked price this summer.

Celtic’s interest in the young defender should come as no surprise. Having already featured in Italy’s top flight, Obert would form an impressive partnership with fellow youngster Simpson-Pusey. What both players lack in experience, they more than make up in potential and quality.

That said, after Cagliari instantly rejected their opening offer, it remains to be seen whether the Scottish champions will come back in with a second bid this month.

Harry Kane has defended Thomas Tuchel's England reign after scoring in their 5-0 thrashing of Serbia.

England thump Serbia 5-0Kane says win a "starting point"Responds to "noise" over Tuchel reignFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After an uninspiring World Cup qualifier win over Andorra, many feared the worst heading into a tough game against Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday. But the Three Lions produced the best performance of Tuchel's tenure with a commanding display, in which Kane scored. Now, the Bayern Munich star has had his say on the victory and the "noise" following Tuchel's side.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT KANE SAID

He told ITV: "There’s been a lot of noise around the outside performing like that. We’ve been happy with what we’ve been doing. It’s not been easy against some of the opposition who sit in a block of 11. We have to break it down, we have to be patient. Even the game a few days ago [against Andorra], even though it was only 2-0, we feel like we did a lot of things well. We knew tonight would be a really tough test against better opposition, better players, but we said we want to show what we can do with the high pressure and make it difficult for them. They played a lot of long balls, we recovered well. With the ball, we were electric in moments and made it really difficult."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Tuchel was brought in to finally get England over the line in major tournaments after some near misses with predecessor Gareth Southgate. But recent matches appeared to show the Three Lions were going backwards, not helped by their shock loss to Senegal earlier this year. However, this Serbia win, which makes it six victories from six in this qualifying campaign, could be the springboard they need ahead of next year's World Cup.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Kane and his fellow England stars will return to their respective clubs now before being called back up by Tuchel ahead of next month's friendly fixture at home to Wales, followed by a trip to Lativa in another World Cup qualifier.

England lose both openers after being set 297 to win the second Multan Test

Alan Gardner17-Oct-2024England 291 (Duckett 114, Sajid 7-111) and 36 for 2 need a further 261 to beat Pakistan 366 and 221 (Salman 63, Bashir 4-66)With a twinkle in his eye and a twirl of his moustache, Sajid Khan helped turn the Multan rematch Pakistan’s way. A first-innings seven-for was followed up by crucial lower-order runs to help set England a daunting target of 297 to win the second Test. Sajid then struck with his third ball to remove Ben Duckett, England’s centurion on day two and a key man in their hopes of a successful chase.Sajid may be an unassuming offspinner on paper, and something of an afterthought in selection – he described himself as “always the first to be kicked out” after taking four England wickets during the second evening to put his side on top. But with his shaved head, luxuriant facial hair and colourful celebrations he has brought some much-needed character to Pakistan’s attempts to break a winless run at home that stretches back to 2021.Having claimed three of the four England wickets to fall during the first hour on day three, securing a 75-run lead for Pakistan and personal figures of 7 for 111 – the best for an innings in Tests at Multan – Sajid came to the crease during the evening session with the scoreboard reading 156 for 8. England were eyeing up a chase in the region of 230-240, only for Sajid to join Salman Agha in putting on a bristling stand of 65, by far the highest of a day on which 16 wickets fell and the spinners prospered.Salman did the bulk of the scoring, making his third 50-plus score of the series to steer the target up towards 300, and England’s pain in the field was only increased by the knowledge that he could have been dismissed twice in single-figures. Brydon Carse was the unlucky bowler, as two chances went down in the space of three balls: Jamie Smith failing to hold a regulation nick behind the stumps before Joe Root shelled another to his right, the fact he was wearing a helmet and standing in close only partial mitigation.Pakistan’s recent issues in the third innings have been well-documented, failing to capitalise on positions of varying promise against Australia and Bangladesh, and it seemed as if they were primed for another stumble after losing three wickets to Shoaib Bashir to be 43 for 3 at lunch. Saud Shakeel helped steady things, although he too had a life off Carse as Root couldn’t get his hands up to a flashed cut at slip.When Shakeel was trapped lbw by Jack Leach, the first of three wickets to fall in the space of five overs after tea, England had hopes of wrapping up the innings quickly. But Salman immediately countered, hitting three fours from his next seven balls and going on to his half-century by lofting Leach clean over long-off for six. The ninth-wicket pair took less than eight overs to raise the 50 stand, as England’s target rose rapidly – eventually leaving them needing the second-highest successful chase in Pakistan, and by far their highest overall in Asia.Salman Agha made a vital contribution as Pakistan’s lead grew•Getty ImagesSajid survived being caught at long-on, when Duckett was forced to throw the ball back in as he crossed the rope, then overturned being given out lbw to a Matt Potts full toss when UltraEdge detected an inside edge; he might have been out on 20, but with the DRS momentarily down, England couldn’t review for caught behind.Carse eventually broke through when Salman spliced a pull to midwicket, belated reward for the fast bowler’s perseverance and skill in demanding conditions, and Potts bounced out Sajid. But the spinner took centre stage again with the ball in hand, eyes bulging like a cartoon supervillain after Duckett had top-edged a sweep straight up to depart for a two-ball duck in the first over of the chase.Noman Ali then produced a beautifully flighted delivery to have Zak Crawley stumped by a distance, the opener collapsing to his knees even as he turned to see Mohammad Rizwan break the bails, as England slipped to 11 for 2. Ollie Pope and Root saw them through to the close but there was plenty of work still to be done on a pitch that has increasingly taken spin if England are to extend their winning run in Pakistan.It was all a far cry from the first Test at this ground, when only 13 wickets fell across the first three days – the count now up to 32 at the same stage in the pitch second’s incarnation.England’s prospects had been undermined by the four-wicket burst from Sajid on the second evening, and he did not have to wait long for his second Test five-for when play resumed. Carse holed out to long-on before Potts got in a tangle trying to work off his pads to be bowled between his legs. Noman then claimed his 50th wicket in Tests as Smith, looking to hit out in the company of the tail, could only miscue high to long-off.A last-wicket stand of 29 between Leach and Bashir cut into the lead, before Sajid’s seventh brought the innings to a close. It was then Pakistan’s turns to get the jitters, as the top three all departed in the space of 15 overs before lunch.Bashir had not enjoyed much success on tour to date but rose to the occasion after being thrown the new ball by Ben Stokes. His third over produced the breakthrough, with Abdullah Shafique adjudged to have feathered a catch behind down the leg side – although it took some lengthy deliberations by the third umpire, Sharfuddoula, after England had gone to the DRS. Shafique’s dismissal brought an end to Pakistan’s opening stand at 9 – the ninth time in ten innings that he and Saim Ayub have failed to reach double-figures together.Shan Masood did not last long, squared up by one that ripped away off a length to hit the splice for a sharp catch to Pope, in close under the helmet at second slip. There was turn and bounce aplenty for England’s spinners and with the final delivery before the break, Bashir dislodged Ayub, who propped forward to provide a simpler chance to Pope.Pakistan needed solidity and they got it in the form of three dogged stands in the 30s featuring Shakeel. The debutant Kamran Ghulam provided further signs of his ability, following his first-innings hundred, before being trapped plumb lbw by Leach. Rizwan then resumed his battle with Carse, eventually falling to him for the third innings in a row after England got the ball to reverse swing. Whether they can reverse the course of this Test may depend on keeping Sajid from top billing on day four.

Kylian Mbappe has sent an "I score a lot of goals against Marseille" to Mason Greenwood and Co ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League opener. World Cup winner Mbappe will be lining up against opposition from his native France at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday as Los Blancos get their European campaign for 2025-26 up and running in front of their own supporters.

Mbappe waiting on first Champions League triumph

Mbappe is still waiting on the first Champions League triumph of his distinguished career, with the decision taken to swap Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid a year before ambitious Ligue 1 giants finally got their hands on the most prestigious of prizes.

AdvertisementGettyHow many goals has Mbappe scored this season?

Los Blancos are determined to conquer the continent again this term, with Mbappe very much leading from the front. He has netted four goals through as many games at the start of the new season.

Mbappe's record vs Marseille: Goals and assists

He is now preparing to face Marseille, who are experiencing the league phase of elite European competition for the first time. Mbappe boasts an impressive record against the men from Stade Velodrome – registering 10 goals and three assists against them through 15 appearances for Monaco and PSG.

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GettyWhat Mbappe said about facing Marseille again

Mbappe told of facing familiar rivals: "I score a lot of goals against Marseille. They've changed a lot with a new project. Medhi (Benatia, director of football) is a friend. We'll see.

"It's cool to meet French teams again. Plus, we're playing at home, at the Bernabeu. It's nice, it's been a long time since they played in the Champions League. It's going to be nice to play against them, it's going to bring back good memories."

England tried everything after losing Ben Stokes to injury but struggled to stop the hosts’ charge

Valkerie Baynes16-Dec-2024Kane Williamson’s superb century led New Zealand to a gigantic lead over England on a third day which swung from potential tragedy for the tourists to bizarre comedy for all concerned.”Tragedy” is often misused to describe events which are far from it and probably over-states the hamstring injury which forced Ben Stokes from the field mid-over and kept him out of action for the rest of New Zealand’s imposing innings.Related

Stokes leaves field with recurrence of hamstring injury

But “comedy” perhaps understates the scenes which followed as England, with Ollie Pope standing in for Stokes as captain, resisted taking the second new ball until 13.4 overs after it was due, 1.4 of those bowled by Harry Brook by the time it was delivered to the middle.Brook had bowled 14 overs in Tests prior to this game, eight on England’s previous tour of New Zealand at the start of last year when he claimed his only wicket – Williamson caught behind, no less – and six overs during the 2023 Ashes. The first delivery of this short spell had Mitchell Santner seeing the funny side as he jabbed it away from his face, then grinning some more after he launched a six over long-off four balls later.Brook sent down two deliveries with the new ball, one of those punched through the covers for four by Tom Blundell, before he was withdrawn from the attack.England’s seamers were undoubtedly tired after their side was bowled out in their first innings for just 143 inside 36 overs and they were a man down without Stokes.And in fairness, England’s spinners took the last six New Zealand wickets to fall – three of them with the second new ball – as left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell claimed his maiden Test wicket and two more to end with 3 for 73.But it seemed as though the visitors were clutching at straws in the face of Williamson’s typically composed 156 in 204 balls which included partnerships of 107 with Rachin Ravindra for the fourth wicket and 92 with Daryl Mitchell for the fifth.There was nothing funny England could see about the fact that by stumps they had lost both openers with just 18 runs on the board, staring down defeat as they needed 640 more.Having reached fifty just before the close of the second day with his side already 340 runs ahead, Williamson pressed on through an extended afternoon session after rain had cancelled any play before lunch. He brought up his 33rd Test century – and seventh at Seddon Park – with a thunderous six down the ground and his 150 with a lofted drive over extra cover off Bethell.Bethell had stepped in to finish Stokes’ over and he returned to play a bigger part in the attack after the tea break as Williamson made the most of his chances to score off him and offspinner Shoaib Bashir.England had their chances against Williamson too. He survived a close lbw decision on umpire’s call off Brydon Carse while on 73 with replays showing the ball was ever so close to clipping the bails at the top of leg stump. He was also dropped by Pope on 86 when his attempted pull off Stokes made its way into the glove but the wicketkeeper, leaping a long way down the leg side couldn’t hold on. Then, on 106, Williamson edged fine of second slip where Brook wrongly anticipated his shot off Bashir and inadvertently created space for the ball to squeeze through.But Williamson marshalled the innings expertly when New Zealand resumed on 136 for 3. He and Ravindra added 50 runs in the first 19 overs as the latter exercised greater caution than previously in the series when he unnecessarily chased the ball outside off stump to his peril.Biding his time in the face of some targeted verbal attacks from England’s bowlers, Ravindra started playing some shots midway through the afternoon, including four off the Stokes short ball which caused the England skipper to pull up sore in the same hamstring he injured during the Hundred, leading to two months on the sidelines on that occasion. But Ravindra couldn’t follow Williamson to a landmark score – he fell on 44 to a leading edge off Matthew Potts.Williamson was next man out, his top-edged sweep off Bashir sailing to substitute fielder Rehan Ahmed running round at deep-backward square leg.Mitchell added 60 off 84 before he holed out to Potts to give Bethell his first, and Glenn Phillips fell cheaply before Blundell and Santner put on another 63 runs for the eighth wicket. Santner unleashed five sixes in his 49 off just 38 balls, but it was the retiring Tim Southee the home crowd wanted to see, giving a huge cheer when he walked out after Santner had slashed Joe Root to backward point.Desperate to see Southee score the two sixes that would take him to a tally of hundred in his final innings with the bat, they were left disappointed when he holed out trying off Bethell with just two runs next to his name.Southee wasn’t done, however, bowling Ben Duckett in his first over before Matt Henry removed Zak Crawley for the sixth time in as many innings this series, pinned lbw and leaving England rather unamused.

Still on the hunt for one more defensive addition, Glasgow Rangers have reportedly agreed personal terms to sign an in-demand centre-back, who has now been left to make his transfer decision.

Rangers react in style to Martin criticism

If there’s one thing that Rangers have learned in the early days of Russell Martin’s tenure, it is that anything less than 100% will not be accepted and will be called out. The former Southampton boss was left furious with his side’s efforts on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership campaign as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Motherwell.

Following a scathing review, Martin backed up his words with actions and dropped the likes of James Tavernier and Nicolas Raskin. Expecting a reaction, the new manager watched on as his side put Viktoria Plzen to the sword to win 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.

The big test will now be following up on that improved performance against Dundee on Saturday evening. As the action continues to come thick and fast on the pitch, however, so does the transfer business away from it, with one more reinforcement now potentially on the way.

Rangers agree personal terms with Nobel Mendy

As reported by transfer reporter Sacha Tavolieri, the 49ers and Rangers have now agreed personal terms with Nobel Mendy. The Real Betis defender is a man in demand this summer, but it’s now a battle between the Gers and Real Vallecano for his signature, with the player now set to decide the outcome soon.

As Martin waits on Mendy’s decision, he will be hoping to welcome an impressive young centre-back to counter Celtic’s deal to sign Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on loan from Manchester City.

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Dubbed “powerful” by scout Kai Watson, Mendy would be another excellent addition at Ibrox this month.

It will be the first women’s T20 tournament to be held in Bangladesh; could kick off at the end of the ongoing BPL

Mohammad Isam17-Jan-2025The BCB will be launching a maiden Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL); it is likely to be held soon after the ongoing men’s competition ends on February 7. According to Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, the BCB director, it will be a three-team competition, with each team playing the others twice for a total of six league games followed by the final.”The board has been thinking about the various ways that we can take women’s cricket forward,” Fahim said. “Whether we can do a T20 competition for women was in our thoughts. We have decided today that we will do the Women’s BPL.”Fahim said the BCB is in talks with some of the men’s BPL franchises regarding ownership of the women’s teams, and that a couple of owners have shown interest.”We have already spoken to a few BPL franchises, who have shown interest [in owning women’s teams],” he said. “We want to see how a women’s tournament has an effect on our T20 cricket. We are hopeful that it will help our women’s game progress.”Fahim said that only allow one overseas player will be allowed in the playing XI, with the squads having a maximum of 15 players each.”We won’t take many overseas players due to the financial constraints,” he said. “Four overseas players puts financial pressure on the teams; perhaps they don’t want to take that pressure. We want to give more opportunities to our domestic cricketers. We want to add competitiveness.”It will be the first women’s T20 tournament to be held in Bangladesh. Women cricketers in the country play the one-day league in Dhaka, and the BCB recently launched a women’s three-day competition.

Glasgow Rangers central midfielder Nicolas Raskin has attracted interest from other clubs in the summer transfer window, thanks to his performances at Ibrox over the last year or so.

Premier League sides Wolves, Aston Villa, and Leeds United have all been linked with an interest in the Belgium international, who is said to be valued at £25m by the club.

Despite his undoubted quality, which is backed up by interest from Premier League clubs, Raskin as not helped Rangers to pick up any wins in the first three Scottish Premiership matches.

The midfield star has failed to score or create a ‘big chance’ in any of the three games, fortunately registering an assist when the ball deflected off his thigh and teed up Findlay Curtis to score from range.

Rangers have failed to score more than one goal in all of their league outings, so far, and that is why it would be an even bigger blow for them to lose a difference-maker in the final third, rather than Raskin, before the deadline closes.

European side plotting bid for Rangers star

Whilst noise over Raskin’s future has gone quiet, despite the report interest from down south earlier this summer, there is still plenty of chatter over what will happen to one of Russell Martin’s star forwards.

Transfer Focus

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

According to the Daily Record, Lille are preparing to submit an offer to sign Glasgow Rangers centre-forward Hamza Igamane before the end of the window.

The report claims that the Ligue 1 side are set to propose an initial fee of £9m with add-ons that could take it up to £12m, as they look to test the Scottish giants’ resolve.

It adds that Lille have already had one bid turned down for Igamane and that they have now reopened talks to sign the forward, who Martin claimed said he was injured and unavailable to come on as a substitute against St Mirren.

The Daily Record reveals that Rangers want a fee close to £15m to allow the forward to leave, but Lille are not willing to go that high and will offer a £12m package in an attempt to get a deal done near the end of the window.

Why selling Igamane would be a big blow for Rangers

Losing Igamane this late in the window would be an even bigger blow than losing Raskin because he is the kind of player who can turn poor performances into positive results.

Raskin is not a natural game-changing attacker who is going to score and create goals out of nothing on a consistent basis, which is partly why he has been unable to turn the tide in the first three games.

That is not a criticism of the Belgian maestro, who is a joy to watch in midfield at times, but it just speaks to the kind of player Rangers need right now, and that player is Igamane.

Kilmarnock (H)

Goal

6-0 win

Ross County (A)

Goal

3-0 win

Motherwell (A)

2 goals

2-2 draw

Hibernian (A)

3 goals

3-3 draw

Dundee (A)

Assist

1-1 draw

St Johnstone (H)

Goal

3-1 win

Aberdeen (H)

Goal

3-0 win

Celtic (A)

Goal

3-2 win

Aberdeen (A)

Goal

2-2 draw

Aberdeen (H)

Goal

4-0 win

As you can see in the table above, the Morocco international helped to turn losses into draws and draws into wins with his contributions in the final third last season in the Premiership.

Igamane, who analyst Ben Mattinson claimed tries “outrageous” efforts in games, showcased his game-changing quality when he scored the winner against Celtic at Parkhead back in March, in the clip below.

The 22-year-old attacker is the kind of player who can turn a game on its head by delivering a moment of magic, which is what Rangers have sorely lacked in the first three games of the league campaign.

This is why selling Igamane would be an even bigger blow than losing Raskin this summer, because he has more potential to be an influential player for the Light Blues in the Premiership.

As well as Aarons: Martin must drop Rangers lightweight who lost 100% duels

Russell Martin must drop this Rangers lightweight as well as Max Aarons.

ByDan Emery Aug 24, 2025

Weah has been inconsistent under Mauricio Pochettino, but the move to Marseille meant to create opportunities

Tim Weah did everything right. He started his run from deep, drew an extra man away from the ball. As Mason Greenwood surged through the middle, Weah peeled off to the right – creating the narrowest of passing lanes for his teammate. Greenwood obliged.

The pass was weighted nicely, the finish was even better – Weah smashing Thibaut Courtois with such ferocity that the Belgian goalkeeper couldn't react. 

Weah's only fault, in fact, was a brief slip on the Santiago Bernabeu turf as he careened off in celebration. But even that had a certain charm to it. The goal seemed significant – and it significant. It gave Marseille an unlikely 1-0 lead against European giants Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday (a result that would harshly be overturned due to a dubious refereeing decision).

But it also made Weah the first American to score at the Bernabeu – and just might have ignited a season that had sputtered to start. The U.S. international's story has been interesting of late. Weah was rather frozen out, even misused at Juventus. He followed that by impressing only in brief moments for the USMNT.

And now, with one goal and a starring performance to boot, Weah has shown a glimpse of what could yet happen, an opportunity for a talent once full of promise to realize his potential. 

GettyLeaving Juventus

Weah probably had to leave Juventus. There was honor, it seemed, in fighting for his spot, and trying to crack into the XI at his preferred position. But the couldn't offer it. What didn't help is that Weah might not have even known himself.

Originally, he was a winger. Then we were told he could play through the middle. For long stretches, Max Allegri used him as a fullback. Piece it all together, and Weah played in four different positions last season, and wasn't markedly effective in any of them.

Sure, there is something to be said for finding a role – and being entrusted with plugging gaps that others could not. But Weah wasn't a guaranteed starter. He needed to go somewhere that would let him do just that. Enter Roberto de Zerbi's Marseille. The French side had become an island of misfits of sorts, picking up scraps from all over Europe to form a solid side.

Weah, forced out of the picture at Juve and all, seemed to fit that mold. Thus far, it has been an overwhelming success.

"It's super intense," Weah said. "I mean, just the group alone, we get into so many fights together, in trainings, in the locker rooms, that people think we're crazy at times. But it's just because everyone is so passionate."

And perhaps Weah needed that. There was a sense of a footballer going through the motions at Juve. Weah was 25, the memories of the much-hyped kid at PSG fading away. 

AdvertisementGettyUSMNT chances (at first)

Still, there were a few skeptics. Seven career goals for Juve didn't exactly inspire confidence. And even if Marseille wonderfully recreated George Weah's photoshoot from when Tim's father was at the club in 2000, he still had a point to prove.

Weah had been left at home as Juventus traveled to the United States for the Club World Cup. A Premier League move to Nottingham Forest was reportedly available. Weah turned it down. Meanwhile, his agent and Juve clashed in the media, with allegations of dishonesty about the player's future slung on both sides. 

But the early signs with Marseille were good. Fans met Weah at the airport, and recreated the chant they used to bellow for his father 25 years before. The opportunity to play Champions League football was a draw. That meant high-profile games, but also extra minutes to go around.

And even if De Zerbi had developed a reputation as a difficult character, his tactical acumen simply could not be questioned.

"He's a players coach. He was one of the main reasons I came to the club," Weah said.

ImagnStruggling to impress Pochettino

The USMNT, though, was different. Mauricio Pochettino, appointed in September 2024, was handed less than two years to prepare the team for a home World Cup. The early returns were good, as he played it mostly safe with his squad. Weah was among the selections, and a wonderful goal against Jamaica – after a tactical switch saw him moved to the left wing – showed promise. 

But he also played both fixtures as the U.S. lost to first Panama, and then Canada in the Nations League finals – and was remarkably ineffective in 180 minutes of play. A Gold Cup omission – brought about by conflicts in his Juve future and the Club World Cup – delayed any sort of renaissance that might have been on the cards.

It was also immensely frustrating, Weah admitted.

"Being back after not being with them in the summer is just an amazing feeling," he said of the recent USMNT camp. "And you know, anytime I'm here, I try to keep that vibe. I'm trying to keep the positivity in there."

Backing that up with performances on the pitch, though, wasn't so simple. The USMNT as a whole struggled against South Korea earlier this month, outcoached and outplayed by a superior side. And Weah could do little to affect the outcome. He managed just 62 minutes before leaving with a hamstring issue. Weah didn't appear in the next game, a 2-0 win over Japan. 

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Getty Images SportA new era?

It all leaves his USMNT future slightly uncertain. Sure, Weah will certainly get more chances to impress under Pochettino (he has only played three games for the manager, who has admitted that he will now look to fine tune his squads for the World Cup). But now, the real competition begins.

If Pochettino is to stick with the 3-4-3 formation that was successful against Japan, it might require a different approach from Weah. After all, he is a winger, and that formation, quite simply, doesn't utilize them. Perhaps, then, he could be used as a wing back. It's a position, ironically, that he was rather misused at during his time at Juve. 

Pochettino, in fact, admitted that he was somewhat frustrated to see Weah play at that spot.

"He's a player that can be very aggressive in an offensive way," he said. "But we need to create the habit again, because he loses this habit a little bit when he plays fullback. It's another focus in your game, another demand. And then you need to change in few days and to transform that player whose main mindset is defensive into an offensive player."

Versatility, for the USMNT, might be a good thing.