Com uma luxação no ombro esquerdo e contrato perto do fim, Gatito Fernández vive dias decisivos no Botafogo. Apesar do momento conturbado, ele acredita que seu vínculo será renovado por mais duas temporadas e crê em um retorno aos gramados em março.
– Teoricamente está renovado (contrato). Está bem encaminhado, não vai ter empecilho. Se Deus quiser, serão mais dois anos – declarou Gatito no “Resenha com TF”:
+ATUAÇÕES: Luis Enrique toma decisões erradas em eliminação da Espanha para Marrocos
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– A princípio acho que para fevereiro já vou estar treinando com bola. E em março devo atuar normalmente. Em três meses estaria voltando a treinar com o preparador de goleiros. Aí é questão de ganhar ritmo e treinamentos – completou.
+Botafogo recusa acordo do Carioca e cita ‘privilégios individuais’
O goleiro realizou uma cirurgia recentemente e ainda está em processo de recuperação. Com 34 anos, Gatito é o estrangeiro com mais jogos na história do Glorioso e possui uma identificação muito forte com os alvinegros.
The packed summer soccer schedule has affected attendance across the top professional leagues in the U.S.
MLS, NWSL see attendance dip
Comes amid busy summer of soccer
Garber confident league will rebound
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Both MLS and the NWSL have reportedly seen their attendance dip this in 2025 amid a busy summer of soccer across the United States.
Both leagues set attendance records in 2024, but neither is on pace to match last season's figures, per Sports Business Journal. According to the report, MLS has seen a 5.9 percent decrease in attendance while the NWSL has seen a four percent decrease. Numbers are up in the USL Championship and USL League One, though, as they've seen 5.2 percent and 17.3 percent rises, respectively.
Even with the decline, MLS is still averaging 21,838 fans, which is about even with the league's 2023 numbers. The numbers are slightly skewed, though, by FC Dallas' stadium renovation, which has limited attendance, as well as Inter Miami playing fewer league matches in total and fewer games in NFL-sized venues.
Even if the league's numbers hold, it would likely still leave MLS right among the top 10 best-attended leagues in the world, as they were last year. The NWSL, meanwhile, may have been impacted by the Gold Cup, which was played in eight of the league's 14 markets.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The dip comes amid a busy summer of soccer, one in which the U.S. hosted both the Gold Cup and the Club World Cup. The latter, which played an expanded tournament for the first time, reportedly sold nearly 2.5 million tickets for 63 matches and featured some of the world's biggest clubs.
In the end, Chelsea took down Paris Saint-Germain in the finale. The Gold Cup, meanwhile, reportedly sold 538,999 tickets for 22 sessions across 12 different markets. In total, 21 of MLS's 30 clubs played in markets that played host to matches in either the Club World Cup or Gold Cup this summer.
The Club World Cup was often the subject of debate centered around burnout, both for players on a physical level and for fans on a financial level. With the World Cup coming to the U.S. next summer, there has never been more high-level soccer in the U.S., with many fans forced to pick and choose which events to attend as ticket prices continue to be the subject of debate as well.
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WHAT DON GARBER SAID
MLS commissioner Don Garber reflected on the attendance dip during the league's All-Star Game.
“I’m confident that we will finish [the season] with another increase in our attendance,” Garber said. “And, by the way, when you’re constantly growing, it’s hard to continue to increase, but that’s our goal.
“By the end of Leagues Cup, there’ll be close to four million fans that will attend professional or national team soccer matches [in the U.S. and Canada] this summer, which is really an astounding number."
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WHAT NEXT?
American soccer's domestic seasons continue as MLS clubs play in the Leagues Cup this weekend, while the NWSL returned to its regular season slate after an international break.
Aston Villa icon Gabriel Agbonlahor has threatened to "move countries" if Manchester United sign Ollie Watkins. The Villans are reportedly eyeing a move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in case Watkins leaves the club. The 28-year-old striker is currently a free agent after leaving Everton at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Aston Villa legend makes moving threat Villa linked with a move for Calvert-Lewin Man Utd want Watkins Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford, respectively, Ruben Amorim is now looking to add a new No.9 to his squad and further bolster the attack. The Red Devils have narrowed their striker search to two candidates: Aston Villa's Watkins and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
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Watkins, like Agbonlahor, is a crowd favourite at Villa Park and he broke the Villa legend's Premier League record in May after scoring his 75th goal for the club against Bournemouth. Agbonlahor was infuriated when he heard that his former team is planning to replace Watkins with free agent Calvert-Lewin, who scored only three league goals for Everton in the 2024-25 campaign.
WHAT AGBONLAHOR SAID
Speaking to , the 38-year-old said: "Why you lying for? Don’t lie. Don’t you dare, don’t you dare. Who put that in there? You think you’re going to take Watkins and we’re going to get Calvert-Lewin? No way, I’d move countries. Because Man United, of all clubs, taking Ollie Watkins would really hurt me."
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Despite strong interest from the Red Devils, Aston Villa have made it clear that they do not intend to sell their star forward as Watkins remains an integral part of Unai Emery's long-term project.
Ryan Rickelton and Ottniel Baartman have also earned call-ups and are set to earn their first T20I caps
Firdose Moonda30-Apr-2024
Anrich Nortje hasn’t played a T20I since March last year•Getty Images
Anrich Nortje will make his international comeback after a nine-month absence at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Nortje, who has been in action at IPL 2024, has been named in South Africa’s 15-player squad that will be led by Aiden Markram. Opening batter Ryan Rickelton and seamer Ottniel Baartman – both standout performers at this year’s SA20 – have also earned call-ups and could earn their first T20I caps.Rickelton was the leading run-scorer in the SA20 and the second-highest run-scorer at the recent CSA T20 Challenge, and will likely partner Quinton de Kock at the top of the order.The T20 World Cup could also be de Kock’s last international appearance – he retired from ODI cricket last year but was persuaded to stay on in T20Is for this event. De Kock is no longer centrally contracted by CSA as he pursues opportunities in T20 leagues.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
White-ball coach Rob Walter confirmed that despite poor form in his last three tournaments, de Kock has been picked on historic performances. “Quinny, we’ve seen him do it time and time again for us,” Walter said. “Reeza [Hendricks] has been a star performer for us in T20 cricket, was a standout in this domestic CSA T20 challenge again, and Ryan Rickelton has had two outstanding competitions really where he’s played the brand of cricket that we’re looking to play. And then we’re going to have Aidan Markram and that’ll be the top order. It’s mostly a performance-based decision and from Quinton’s point of view is just a real knowledge of what he’s capable of.”Baartman, the second-highest wicket-taker at the SA20, has been chosen with the death overs in mind. “Over the last couple of years, he’s been outstanding. Butin particular in the SA20, he was a cut above the rest. He really showed himself as a quality death bowler,” Walter said. “We’ve seen particularly in the last couple of weeks in IPL being able to manage the death is going to be critical and he is someone who offers that speciality. If you look at the numbers, he’s been successful through all the phases of the game. He’s worked really hard to get his name into the mix through sheer performance.”The IPL has also given Walter the confidence to pick Nortje, who has taken seven wickets in six matches for Delhi Capitals so far. He has conceded at 13.36 runs an over but has bowled fast. “Anrich has got another month before the World Cup starts so I have no doubt he’ll hit his straps,” Walter said. “It’s good to see that his speed is up. The one thing Anrich has that separates him from others is raw pace. There’s not many guys who can bowl 150kph and he can. Pace is an X-factor.”Nortje’s speeds helped him be selected ahead of Lungi Ngidi, who missed the IPL with a lower back injury but returned during the CSA T20 Challenge and is one of two traveling reserves. Left-arm seamer Nandre Burger, currently with Rajasthan Royals, is the other. The squad includes four frontline seamers in Nortje, Baartman, Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee, with Ngidi and Burger as traveling reserves, and three spinners. Left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin are part of the squad, along with wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi. That left room for only one allrounder: Marco Jansen, with Andile Phehlukwayo and Wiaan Mulder missing out.Their batting will include a strong middle order of Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs and no batters among the reserves. Faf du Plessis, who was in line for an international comeback, has not been named while Rassie van der Dussen and Matthew Breetzke – the leading run-scorer in the CSA T20 Challenge and third-highest in the SA20 – have both been overlooked.Rassie van der Dussen hasn’t been included in the T20 World Cup squad•AFP/Getty Images
Van der Dussen and Breetkze will, however, travel with a second-string South Africa side to play West Indies in three T20Is that precede the World Cup, though that squad could change based on player availability from the IPL. That squad includes uncapped legspinner Nqaba Peter, who was the second-highest wicket-taker in the CSA T20 Challenge.The other absentees from South Africa’s last T20 World Cup squad, in 2022, are former captain Temba Bavuma, Rilee Rossouw and Wayne Parnell. Bavuma, Parnell and Ngidi’s exclusions, in particular, have created something of a complication for Walter because the squad is short on players of colour. The 15-man traveling group includes only six players of colour and one black African (Rabada), which will leave South Africa short of the targets at the tournament. The current target requires the national team to field an average of six players of colour of which at least two must be black African over the course of a season, so Walter has the opportunity to make that up in other matches but is mindful that he could face criticism over reduced representation.”My number one imperative is to create a winning team. In order to do that, every time I pick a side, I’ve got to pick the best team at the time that I think will give us a chance of doing that. That said, the system needs to really up the ante so that in six months, 12 months, or two years’ time, and in particular when we reach the 2027 [ODI] World Cup at home, that the demographics and the representation in our team starts to look a bit different.”Outside of the World Cup, we’ll continue to use our bilateral series to grow our base of players, to create international opportunity, to give opportunity for players to put their skills at a higher level and just make sure that we are delivering on a process that’s going to change what our team looks like as we move forward.”Asked whether, in the absence of a selection panel, he required special dispensation to fall short of the target, Walter indicated that the squad was chosen in collaboration with Enoch Nkwe, South Africa’s director of cricket. “No squad that I pick is picked without discussion with the director of cricket. It’s as simple as that.”South Africa begin their T20 World Cup campaign on June 3 against Sri Lanka in New York.South Africa T20 World Cup squad Aiden Markram (capt), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs. Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger, Lungi NgidiSouth Africa T20I squad for series against West Indies Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen
Bangladesh saw off some late batting fightback from Zimbabwe tailenders Faraz Akram and Blessing Muzarabani to clinch the T20I series in the third game in Chattogram. They won by nine runs on Tuesday, with two matches left to play in Dhaka.Akram, playing only his fifth T20I, struck an unbeaten 34 off 19 balls after the visitors had crashed to 91 for 8 chasing 166. The 54 runs he added with Wellington Masakadza was a new Zimbabwe record for the ninth wicket. Akram’s 34 was also Zimbabwe’s highest by a No. 10 batter.Muzarabani, who took career-best figures of 3 for 14 earlier, struck two fours when Zimbabwe needed 21 in the final over. But Saifuddin snuffed out the trouble with some accurate death-overs bowling.Zimbabwe produced lower-order runs for the third game in a row, especially when the rest sunk quickly. Bangladesh once again had Towhid Hridoy play a crucial hand in a win. Hridoy’s maiden T20I fifty came during an 87-run fourth wicket stand with Jaker Ali, who made 44. This pair had to lift Bangladesh after they lost three wickets in the first nine overs.
Bangladesh suffer for Litton’s scoops
Litton Das chose the strangest sequence of shots to get out in the fourth over. He missed two lap scoops against Muzarabani before his third successive attempt dragged the ball onto his stumps. It is unclear whether Litton, already showing poor form in white-ball cricket this year, will be in Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup squad. This innings is unlikely to help his case.Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also got out cheaply, bowled by a bit of variation from his opposite number Sikandar Raza. Shanto’s lack of footwork would be concerning for the team. Those would be long-term concerns, but when Tanzid Hasan fell in the ninth over, trying to slog Faraz Akram, it caused immediate worry. Bangladesh were hovering around a mediocre run rate, having lost their set batter.
Hridoy, Jaker to the rescue
The fourth-wicket pair struck a boundary in their first 3.3 overs before Jaker and Hridoy took on Raza for two sixes in the space of three balls. The first was a straight hit before Hridoy hit a bigger one into the mid-wicket stands.In the 15th over though, Zimbabwe handed Jaker a life when his slog-sweep off Luke Jongwe fell between Johnathan Campbell and Brian Bennett, both looking at each other. Hridoy deposited Masakadza for his second six in the 16th over before reaching his maiden T20I fifty in the 18th over. Jaker slammed Jongwe for a big six shortly afterwards.Hridoy’s scoop also connected in the penultimate over as Bangladesh approached 150. Litton attempted the same shot three times in a row, the third of which was his dismissal. It showed the gulf in confidence between Litton and Hridoy.
Muzarabani’s best keeps Zim in hunt
Muzarabani, however, caused a bit of an anti-climax when his yorker slammed into Hridoy’s leg-stump next ball. It was an excellent delivery that forced itself through Hridoy’s bat and pad as he looked to swing the ball towards the leg side.Jaker fell one ball after Hridoy got out, as another Muzarabani full delivery slammed into his stumps. Muzarabani’s three-for kept Zimbabwe within a decent score. It was also reward for a fast bowler who is accurate even when trying variations.Faraz Akram’s 19-ball 34* took Zimbabwe near but not over the line•AFP/Getty Images
A familiar top-order collapse
For the third game in a row, Zimbabwe lost their first four wickets for less than 50 runs. Joylord Gumbie mistimed one to third man in the third over before Tanzim Hasan Sakib had Bennett caught and bowled in the fifth over. Zimbabwe’s powerplay ended with Craig Ervine falling to Saifuddin for seven.Raza, who made five successive fifties since November 2023, also struggled to find form. He was caught behind by Rishad Hossain for 1 for his fifth consecutive low score.
Akram’s surprise from No. 10
Tadiwanashe Marumani fell for a 26-ball 31 before Clive Madande added 11. Campbell, who struck the ball cleanly in his debut in the last match, struck Tanvir Islam for two consecutive sixes before his attempt for the third in a row found Litton at the deep square-leg boundary.When Jongwe fell to Rishad in the 15th over, defeat for the visitors seemed imminent, but Akram struck Rishad for two sixes over midwicket later in the over, before he found two more fours off Saifuddin in the 17th over. Taskin then dropped a difficult chance from Masakadza in the 18th over, but he returned strongly to concede just six runs in the penultimate over.The 20th began with Saifuddin removing Masakadza first ball, but Muzarabani then slammed two consecutive fours. That brought the target down to 13 in three balls, but there was no more heroism left in the Zimbabwe tail. They fell nine short despite an admirable effort.
كشف محمود عبد الرازق شيكابالا، لاعب الزمالك المعتزل، عن رأيه في صفقات القلعة البيضاء الجديدة، متحدثًا عن يانيك فيريرا مدرب الفريق.
وقال شيكابالا، في تصريحات لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق” على قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “تبقى صفقات أخرى تحتاج إلى وقت، ألفينا عندما لعب ظهر وكأنه واحدًا منا، يركض ويسجل ويركض نحو الجمهور، لاعب يشبهنا، أما شيكو بانزا ضغط على نفسه بخروجه وهو غاضب في أول مشاركة له، أتمنى الناس تقول نحن لسنا مستعجلين على شيء، أنت معنا لسنوات، لأن جودته جيدة”.
طالع| شيكابالا: لاعب الزمالك السابق تعرض للظلم بسبب الأهلي.. وهناك ميزة رائعة في نظام جون إدوارد
وتابع: “عبد الله السعيد ظلم في مباراته الأولى مع المدرب يانيك فيريرا، لأن لاعب في مثل سنه لا ينبغي أن يلعب و ظهره للمرمى، بل يجب أن يلعب ووجهه إلى الملعب لتوزيع الكرة”.
وواصل عن السعيد: “في المباراة الماضية، عندما لعب في مركزه المعتاد، كان أداؤه مختلفًا تمامًا، لكي يخرج الكرة بسلاسة، يجب أن يلعب في مركز خط الوسط المدافع أو خط الوسط المحوري، وإلا فإنك تظلمه وتظلم أيضًا ناصر ماهر لأنه لا يفضل اللعب على الأطراف”.
وكشف: “عبد الله لاعب فريد من نوعه ولا يوجد من يشبهه، هذا الوضع يشكل خطرًا على جودة كرة القدم في مصر، والتي تتراجع بسبب أساليب التدريب في قطاعات الناشئين، فبعض اللاعبين يشاركون ليس بناءً على موهبتهم، بل لأنهم يدفعون المال، الموهوب لا يحصل على فرصته، بينما من يملك المال هو من يلعب، يجب على المسؤولين الانتباه لهذه الأزمة لأننا نواجه كارثة حقيقية”.
وتابع: “عدي الدباغ ظلِمَ في مباراة المقاولون العرب، لأن فريق المقاولون كان يلعب بخمسة مدافعين، بينما الزمالك كان يعتمد على الهجمات من العمق دون وجود أجنحة، وفي الشوط الثاني، عندما بدأ الزمالك في اللعب بالكرات العرضية، قام المدرب بإخراجه من الملعب”.
رأيك في يانيك فيريرا؟: “لن يظهر الآن، مثل اللاعب يحتاج إلى وقت، أما كارتيرون ليس تكتيكيًا بشكل كبير، لكن على الخط خلال المباريات غير طبيعي، وأنا أحب هؤلاء المدربين الذين يعرفون طريقة إدارة المباريات، لكن كان هناك مدربين لو دخل مرماهم هدفًا يتوترون”.
واختتم: “أكثر مدرب كنت أحب التدريب معه هو أوسوريو، هو أفضل مدرب دخل مصر، لديه تفاصيل عديدة، لو معه الفريق الحالي كان الموضوع اختلف، ضربة المرمى لها تكتيك، هو أفضل مدرب تدربت معه، مدرب كبير جدًا، لم يحقق نتائج بسبب الظروف، كان لديه مشاكل أخرى أثرت عليه” (وشاور على المج تلميحًا إلى إنه كان يتناول الخمور).
Warwickshire declared overnight to set Lancashire 232 in 44 overs before the weather intervened
ECB Reporters Network27-May-2024Any hope of an exciting climax to the last day of the Vitality County Championship encounter between Lancashire and Warwickshire was dashed by the rain after only 75 minutes of play was possible at Emirates Old Trafford as the game finished in a draw.Poor weather had dominated proceedings throughout the encounter. But with the visitors 96 for 3 overnight, leading by 231, all results were still possible in Manchester given Lancashire’s brittle batting order this season and Warwickshire’s desire to chase a first win of the campaign.But as heavy showers swept across the ground throughout the morning both sets of players were thwarted with repeated pitch inspections coming and going without any chance of play.Eventually, a break in the weather saw the game resume at 3:15pm with a generous Warwickshire declaration giving Lancashire the opportunity to embark on a desperate run chase with 44 overs still scheduled.Luke Wells quickly departed in the second over, pulling Michael Rae straight to Jake Lintott on the square leg boundary. But then, for a brief time, the hosts looked as if they could pull off something special.Keaton Jennings slapped three boundaries but was bowled comprehensively by Jacob Bethell when attempting a reverse sweep that ended with the Lancashire skipper lying on his backside and out for 18. Josh Bohannon upper cut Rae for six before he skied the same bowler to Alex Davies at mid on for a ten-ball 15.An almost identical shot saw George Bell hand Rae his third wicket leaving Tom Bruce and Matty Hurst at the crease. The pair put on 43 runs before the rain came for a final decisive time at 4:30pm, leaving the New Zealander unbeaten on 31 and the young wicketkeeper 15 not out as Lancashire closed on 89 for 4 off the 15 overs possible.Lancashire claimed 11 points from the game, taking them off the bottom of Division One, while Warwickshire took 12, leaving them seventh.
O Botafogo apresentou de forma oficial, nesta terça-feira, seu primeiro reforço para a temporada 2023. Trata-se do volante Marlon Freitas, que defendeu as cores do Atlético-GO no último ano. O jogador ressaltou que encontrou um elenco unido em sua chegada e falou sobre que posições pode atuar e ajudar Luís Castro na montagem do meio de campo alvinegro.
+ Veja as principais movimentações do Botafogo no mercado da bola
– Quero agradecer a Deus pela oportunidade, ao mister, comissão, jogadores. Me receberam muito bem e já me sinto em casa. Em dois três, dias dá pra ver quem é uma família. Todos unidos em um objetivo que é conquistar títulos. Podem ter certeza que vou dar meu melhor sempre – afirmou.
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– Eu me sinto à vontade nas três posições (do meio de campo). Isso é uma coisa que nós iremos conversar. Mas estou apto para poder ajudar, estou muito feliz e é uma alegria imensa vestir a camisa do Botafogo. Fui muito bem recebido e posso dizer que é uma família mesmo. Em três dias de clube eu vejo que é uma família com jogadores muito unidos Isso vai contar muito para os nossos objetivos na temporada. Com isso, me sinto muito à vontade nas três posições e estarei apto a ajudar – completou.
Revelado nas divisões de base do Fluminense, o volante atuou no futebol da Eslováquia, no Samorin, e dos Estados Unidos, no Fortlauderdale Strikers. No Brasil, além de vestir as camisas do Tricolor e do Dragão, também jogou por Criciúma e no Botafogo-SP.
No clube goiano, Marlon se destacava também por chegar à frente, pisar na área e levar perigo ao gol adversário. Durante a entrevista, o atleta falou sobre a última temporada e disse que espera também contribuir estufando a rede.
– Estou apto a ajudar, independente da posição que o Mister precisar, estarei aqui para ajudar o clube e o grupo de jogadores. Como falei, estou muito à vontade aqui, muito feliz. Todos me receberam muito bem. Foi uma temporada muito boa. Meu maior número de gols foi no ano passado. Espero repetir neste ano. Dar muita alegria para o torcedor botafoguense e conquistar títulos. É o maior desafio e por isso aceitei esse desafio. Acho que o aceitei em meu melhor momento e espero criar as oportunidades. Vou dar o meu melhor sempre para a alegria do torcedor – explicou.
Por fim, o jogador resumiu sua carreira em uma palavra que leva consigo desde que deixou o Fluminense e se aventurou no futebol mundial: disciplina. Além disso, o meio-campista também revelo o motivo de ter escolhido e abraçado o projeto do Botafogo.
– Acho que a mentalidade de saber que o futebol não é só dentro das quatro linhas. Futebol também é fora de campo. Eu venho colhendo frutos de muito trabalho e dedicação. E uma palavra que uso comigo depois daquela saída do Fluminense é disciplina. Eu tenho que ter disciplina não só dentro de campo como fora também. O período que eu estiver em casa com minha família. Alimentação, sono, que contam muito. E o trabalho fez toda diferença para eu poder chegar até aqui. Vou continuar com essa disciplina porque eu não carrego só meu sonho, carrego vários sonhos da minha família. Vou fazer isso aqui no Botafogo. Acertar e errar faz parte, mas sempre vou procurar dar o meu melhor. Jamais se omitir da minha responsabilidade. Eu sei da grandeza do Botafogo, sei da camisa que estou vestindo – o peso dela – e darei o meu melhor sempre – salientou, antes de completar:
– Primeiramente pela grandeza do clube. O Botafogo é gigante, tem uma história tremenda. O projeto que foi apresentado a mim é muito interessante. Quando me foi apresentado, conversei com meus representantes e empresários e aceitei logo. Sei que será uma oportunidade muito boa para mim. Pelo elenco que o Botafogo formou e manteve a base para esse ano, isso conta muito. Tenho certeza que vou me encaixar bem nos estilo do Mister. Como falei, vou tentar ajudar, vou procurar dar o meu melhor sempre nos treinamentos e procurar jogar. Foi mais pela grandeza e pesou o lado familiar. Nasci em Magé, mas minha família é do Rio de Janeiro. Minha mãe mora em São Gonçalo, tenho familiares em Piabetá. Para estar ao lado deles, pois carrego sempre eles comigo. Darei sempre meu máximo para conquistar títulos e ficar na história do clube – acrescentou
O Botafogo faz sua estreia pelo Campeonato Carioca no próximo domingo, às 16h, contra o Audax-RJ. O jogo será realizado no estádio Raulino de Oliveira, já que o Nilton Santos passará por reforma no gramado. Na sequência, medirá forças com o Volta Redonda e terá o primeiro clássico do ano diante do Vasco.
Borussia Dortmund have set their sights on two Barcelona youngsters as they look to strengthen their squad for the coming campaign.
Dortmund are pursuing Barcelona youngsters
Both lack first-team prospects under Flick
A decision expected post Barca’s Asia tour
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Dortmund are targeting two young Barcelona players, seeking reinforcements for both left-back and midfield positions, according to . BVB’s focus is on right-back Fort, 19, and 17-year-old midfielder Fernandez. Both players have been involved in Barcelona’s pre-season squad but face limited prospects of first-team opportunities under coach Flick.
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WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND?
Fort, a Spanish youth international, is being pursued by several clubs including Paris FC, AC Milan, Mallorca and Ajax. Barcelona’s preference is a loan or a permanent move with a buy-back clause, as Fort struggles to break into the team, with Jules Kounde and Eric García ahead of him. Fernandez, a product of La Masia, is under contract until 2027 and is seeking guarantees of playing time. Dortmund, known for developing young talents are one of several clubs to have made concrete proposals for the creative midfielder.
DID YOU KNOW?
Fort made 17 league appearances last season, mainly from the bench, and has 30 senior matches for Barcelona. Fernandez featured in the pre-season, getting 15 minutes against FC Seoul, but first-team minutes have been scarce. Both players are established Spain U19 internationals.
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WHAT NEXT?
Decisions on both Fort and Fernandez are expected after Barcelona’s pre-season tour of Asia concludes. Dortmund continue to monitor the situation, with any progress hinging on Barcelona's willingness to negotiate favourable terms, including possible loan agreements or retaining rights through buy-back clauses. BVB recently strengthened their squad with Daniel Svensson at left-back and Jobe Bellingham in midfield, but remain in the market for further youth signings.
So far, it’s been a disappointing tournament for Liga MX’s biggest clubs.
América, with three points, have the best shotCruz Azul and Chivas sit on twoPumas, the other “big four” sidw, currently rank fifthGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now@PumasMXWHAT HAPPENED?
Three of Mexico’s so-called “big four” clubs are on the verge of crashing out of the Leagues Cup – and doing so in disappointing fashion. While Pumas are in relatively stable position with five points (fifth among Liga MX teams), the outlook is much more precarious for Club América, Chivas, and Cruz Azul.
GOAL looks at what each team needs to do to advance in the tournament…
Advertisement@ClubAméricaAmérica’s uphill battle
have been frustratingly inconsistent in their Leagues Cup campaign. A 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake saw them miss out on the extra point in the penalty shootout. They followed it up with another draw, this time 3-3 versus Minnesota United – a game where they did secure the bonus point from the spot. That leaves them with three points and slim mathematical hope.
To sneak into the next round, América must beat Portland Timbers and rely on a cascade of favorable results. Clubs like Juárez, Mazatlán, Toluca, and even Pumas (all on five points) need to remain below six. Teams such as Necaxa, Pachuca, Puebla, and Tijuana also need to drop points – otherwise, América’s campaign could end prematurely.
@CHIVASChivas hanging by a thread
The story isn’t much better for Guadalajara. After a last-minute loss to NY Red Bulls in their opener, they drew 2–2 with Charlotte FC and won the extra point in penalties – leaving them with just two points from two games. Like América, they need a win in their final match and a long list of favorable outcomes elsewhere to stay alive.
Chivas' path is further complicated by their proximity in the standings to other desperate Liga MX sides like Monterrey, who also sit on two points and are hoping for a final day miracle.
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@CruzAzulCruz Azul facing near-impossible odds
had one of the worst starts imaginable, suffering a humiliating 7–0 defeat to Seattle Sounders. They responded with a 1–1 draw against LA Galaxy and managed to steal the extra point on penalties – but even that wasn’t enough to control their destiny.
With just two points and 13 Mexican clubs ranked ahead of them, Cruz Azul need more than a win against the Colorado Rapids – they need chaos. Even with three points, their goal differential and low placement make advancement highly unlikely unless several results go their way.