Mike Peter

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has announced a comeback at age 46 with Italian third-tier club Ravenna, where he will also become a shareholder. He hopes to score his 300th career goal, although owner Ignazio Cipriani says the move is not a marketing stunt and that Ronaldinho will not play in Ravenna's opening match. The former Barcelona and AC Milan star retired in 2015 and won the 2002 World Cup and 2005 Ballon d'Or. Ravenna are targeting a return to Serie B, having last played there in 2008.

England's women were eliminated from the FIH Hockey World Cup group stage after a 0-0 draw with India left them third in Pool D on four points. They will enter the classification phase for teams ranked ninth to 16th and face Chile and Japan. England's men, by contrast, topped their group with three wins and advanced to the second stage, where they will play India and two qualifiers for a place in the semi-finals.

Brighton have signed Canadian striker Promise David from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy for a reported £22m. The 25-year-old scored 41 goals in 82 appearances for the Belgian club and helped it win its first league title in 90 years. Brighton sporting director Mike Cave praised David's physical qualities, scoring record and international and European experience. David is expected to join Brighton ahead of their Europa Conference League play-off and Premier League opener.

Great Britain topped the medals table at the 2026 European Aquatics Championships in Paris with 14 golds, four silvers and eight bronzes, narrowly finishing ahead of Italy's 13 golds. Keanna MacInnes led the final day by winning the 200m butterfly in a Scottish-record time before helping Great Britain secure a championship-record women's 4×100m medley relay victory alongside Angharad Evans, Lauren Cox and Freya Colbert. Great Britain also dominated the swimming and artistic swimming tables, while Filip Nowacki added an individual breaststroke title.

Jos Buttler became T20 cricket's leading run-scorer after surpassing Kieron Pollard's 14,803 runs, reaching 14,833 during a 51 off 20 balls for Manchester Super Giants. His 522-match career, nine centuries since 2021, consistency across bowling types and destructive powerplay and death-overs batting have established him among the format's greatest players. Former teammates attribute his success to strong wrists, a distinctive technique, Test-match experience and exceptional ability to manage pressure. Despite a poor 2026 World Cup, his form and lack of obvious decline could see him represent England at the 2028 tournament.

Jos Buttler became T20 cricket’s leading run-scorer after hitting 51 not out from 20 balls, including six sixes, as Manchester Super Giants defeated Welsh Fire by nine wickets at Old Trafford. Buttler surpassed Kieron Pollard’s record with 14,833 runs across the shortest formats, while Tim Seifert’s unbeaten 62 helped Super Giants chase 156 with 31 balls remaining. Welsh Fire had made 155-4 through Matt Short’s 71 and Phil Salt’s 48. At Trent Bridge, Trent Rockets beat Birmingham Phoenix by seven wickets to remain top of the men’s table, with Sam Billings finishing unbeaten on 31; Phoenix are close to elimination.

Sir Garfield Sobers was honored at a state funeral and service of thanksgiving at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, following his death at age 89. Former teammates Sir Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara and Desmond Haynes praised Sobers as the greatest all-round cricketer and celebrated his influence on Barbados, the West Indies and cricket worldwide. The service was attended by Barbadian political leaders, national team players and Rihanna, while a message from King Charles highlighted Sobers' enduring place in Caribbean and Commonwealth history. His achievements included 8,032 Test runs, 235 wickets and a then-record 365 not out against Pakistan.

MI London and London Spirit played out a dramatic tie at The Oval, both finishing on 151 after 100 balls. Hayley Matthews conceded only three runs from the final set and dismissed Nadine de Klerk, preventing Spirit from completing a nine-run chase. Melie Kerr and Chinelle Henry powered MI London's innings, while Amy Jones and Marie Kelly led Spirit's response. The result gave MI London their first points of the season and lifted them above Birmingham Phoenix on net run-rate, while London Spirit moved into fourth place.

Manchester Super Giants defeated London Spirit by seven runs at Lord’s in The Hundred. Tim Seifert’s 67 helped Super Giants post 138-9, while Liam Livingstone contributed 2-14 with the ball and a powerful 69 from 40 balls in Spirit’s chase. Despite Livingstone’s late effort, Sonny Baker dismissed him and James Coles in the final set to restrict London Spirit to 131-6.

Manchester Super Giants, formerly Manchester Originals, began their first Hundred match under the new name with a dominant seven-wicket win over London Spirit at Lord’s. London Spirit were bowled out for 80, with Ryana MacDonald-Gay taking 4-17 and Marizanne Kapp top-scoring with 17. Super Giants reached 86-3 in 59 balls, led by Paige Scholfield’s unbeaten 22 and contributions from Meg Lanning and Richa Ghosh.

Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez is considering stepping away from international football following the team’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. Martinez expressed his disappointment and uncertainty about his future in an Instagram post, noting the need for reflection. The 33-year-old, a 2022 World Cup winner and two-time Yashin Trophy recipient, played every match of Argentina’s 2026 campaign. He remains under contract with Aston Villa but has recently been linked with a move to Juventus.

Javier Tebas urges Gianni Infantino to resign, accusing Fifa of damaging football through decisions on World Cup management, disciplinary interventions and proposed tournament expansions. He criticises hydration breaks, an extended final half-time show and what he describes as a flawed election system keeping Infantino in place. Tebas argues that Fifa prioritises commercial interests over the welfare of domestic leagues, while Uefa and others have also challenged specific Fifa actions, particularly the suspension case involving Folarin Balogun.

England’s limited-overs cricket team has rebounded from recent struggles, securing series victories over India in both T20 and ODI formats and building momentum ahead of the 2027 World Cup. New opening pair Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell impressed at Lord’s, while Joe Root’s return to form has strengthened the batting lineup with several consecutive high scores. Selection questions remain around fast bowlers, with Jofra Archer assured of a place but competition ongoing among Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Saqib Mahmood. England will continue preparations with upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, Australia and South Africa as they refine their squad for the tournament.

England sealed a 2-1 series win over India by setting a record ODI total at Lord’s, driven by Ben Duckett’s 141 and major contributions from Jacob Bethell and Joe Root. India stayed competitive through Rohit Sharma’s 138 and a 147-run opening stand with Shubman Gill, but his dismissal halted their momentum as England tightened control. Sam Curran’s four wickets ended India’s late challenge, securing a 27‑run victory.

England is considering six to ten candidates to replace Brendon McCullum as Test head coach, with the aim of appointing someone before the August series against Pakistan. ECB chief executive Richard Gould said discussions would begin immediately, with Rob Key leading the selection process. Candidates include Andy Flower, Jonathan Trott, Andrew Flintoff, Richard Dawson, Gareth Batty, Darren Lehmann, Justin Langer and Ryan Campbell, each with varied coaching experience at international, county and franchise levels. An interim coach remains possible if scheduling conflicts arise, and the new head coach will help shape the appointment of a new captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement.

England secured their first T20 series win over India with a dominant nine-wicket victory in Bristol, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead. Harry Brook and Phil Salt led a rapid chase after India posted 158-7, with Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 80 offering the only significant resistance for the visitors. India’s continued batting struggles and leadership pressure on Shreyas were highlighted, while England extended their strong run in the format and moved close to topping the T20 world rankings.

Kylian Mbappe denounced Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla for racist remarks posted after Paraguay’s World Cup defeat to France, calling her comments disgraceful and harmful to her country’s image. The French Football Federation announced plans to pursue legal action, labelling the remarks criminal. The incident followed earlier racist comments from former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, which also drew condemnation. Mbappe’s winning penalty secured France’s quarter‑final place against Morocco, with the forward remaining joint top‑scorer in the tournament.