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Goalkeeper David de Gea Announces he is Leaving Manchester United

(FILES) Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea saves a headed attempt from Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (not pictured) during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on March 19, 2023. AFP
(FILES) Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea saves a headed attempt from Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (not pictured) during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on March 19, 2023. AFP
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Goalkeeper David de Gea Announces he is Leaving Manchester United

(FILES) Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea saves a headed attempt from Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (not pictured) during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on March 19, 2023. AFP
(FILES) Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea saves a headed attempt from Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (not pictured) during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on March 19, 2023. AFP

Veteran goalkeeper David de Gea has announced he is leaving Manchester United as a free agent after 12 seasons at Old Trafford.
The 32-year-old's contract with United expired at the end of June, with no new deal agreed despite talks that took place throughout the season.
De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and made 545 appearances for the Premier League club which included 190 clean sheets — both club records for a keeper.
In a message on social media on Saturday, De Gea thanked United fans for their support but said: “Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.”
When De Gea’s contract expired last Friday, United said they remained in talks with the Spain goalkeeper.
That followed reports that De Gea had signed a contract extension only for the club to withdraw that offer and come back with reduced terms.
United has been linked with a move for Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana.
“I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years," De Gea wrote. "We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club."
He added: “Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all.”
United manager Erik ten Hag paid tribute to the departing De Gea, who won the Premier League’s golden glove last season, The Associated Press reported.
“It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United," Ten Hag said. “To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the goalkeeping position where every game puts you in the spotlight.
“To have won Player of the Year awards from both the fans and his teammates, each on four occasions, shows the level of his performance and he will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club."

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Alisson Ruled Out of Brazil Squad Due to Injury

Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson grabs the ball during the UEFA Champions League, round of 16 second leg football match between Liverpool and Galatasaray at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson grabs the ball during the UEFA Champions League, round of 16 second leg football match between Liverpool and Galatasaray at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
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Alisson Ruled Out of Brazil Squad Due to Injury

Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson grabs the ball during the UEFA Champions League, round of 16 second leg football match between Liverpool and Galatasaray at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson grabs the ball during the UEFA Champions League, round of 16 second leg football match between Liverpool and Galatasaray at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England on March 18, 2026. (AFP)

Alisson will ‌miss Brazil’s international friendlies against France and Croatia next week after the goalkeeper was ruled out with an injury, the Brazilian Football Federation said on Friday.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had included Alisson in the squad announced on Thursday, but ‌the Liverpool ‌keeper will be ‌replaced ⁠by Corinthians’ Hugo ⁠Souza, the federation added.

Brazil are scheduled to play France on March 26 and Croatia on March 31 in Boston and Orlando, respectively.

Alisson, 33, will ⁠also sit out Liverpool’s ‌trip to ‌Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, with ‌Giorgi Mamardashvili expected to start ‌in goal, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Alisson has struggled with injuries this season, missing the club’s ‌Champions League last-16 first leg against Galatasaray on March ⁠10, ⁠though he featured in their previous two matches.

He has also missed eight Liverpool matches between October and November due to a hamstring problem.

Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League on 49 points and are pushing for a top-four finish amid stiff competition.

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Top-Ranked Alcaraz, Sabalenka Win Miami Openers

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates his win over Joao Fonseca of Brazil on Day 4 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates his win over Joao Fonseca of Brazil on Day 4 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Top-Ranked Alcaraz, Sabalenka Win Miami Openers

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates his win over Joao Fonseca of Brazil on Day 4 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates his win over Joao Fonseca of Brazil on Day 4 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)

World number one Carlos Alcaraz was dialed-in on Friday, powering past rising Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round of the Miami Open.

The 22-year-old Spaniard used an early break in each set and saved all three break points he faced in a confident performance at Hard Rock Stadium, where 19-year-old Fonseca was cheered by a raucous contingent of fans.

"I was really good from the beginning until the last ball," Alcaraz said. "I know how good Joao is and that's why I was really focused, every point, every shot, trying to figure out what is the best possible shot for me."

Alcaraz bounced back from his semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells last week to improve to 17-1 in 2026.

That includes an Australian Open title that made him the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam and a title in Doha.

Alcaraz gained the upper hand against 39th-ranked Fonseca with a break for 2-1 in the opening set, delivering a blistering forehand service return winner on break point.

He closed out the set with a love game, broke Fonseca to open the second and secured the victory with his eighth ace on match point.

It was extra satisfying since Alcaraz was stunned in his Miami opener by David Goffin last year.

"He had a lot of chances to stay in the match to (keep it) tight, so I'm just happy to stay calm, stay positive at these moments," said Alcaraz, who next faces American Sebastian Korda, a 6-0, 6-3 winner over Camilo Ugo.

Women's number one Aryna Sabalenka held off determined American Ann Li 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to launch her Miami title defense.

The Belarusian was pleased to get through in straight sets against her 39th-ranked foe in a match moved to the third show court as organizers hustled to get the rain-hit tournament back on schedule.

She needed more than an hour to pocket a first set in which she led 4-1 and wasted seven break points in the eighth game.

"I was there, I was fighting no matter what, even though my game probably wasn't the best one that I have," Sabalenka said.

Third-seeded Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, fourth-seeded American Coco Gauff and sixth-seeded compatriot Amanda Anisimova also reached the third round.

Kazakhstan's Rybakina, who stunned Sabalenka in the final in Melbourne but fell to the world number one in the Indian Wells final, beat compatriot Yulia Putintseva 6-3, 6-3.

French Open champion Gauff rallied to beat Elisabetta Cocciaretto 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a match delayed several hours by rain.

Anisimova outlasted Australian veteran Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1, 5-7, 6-4.

It was Gauff's first match since she retired during her third-round match at Indian Wells with "scary" pain in her left arm.

Gauff said the injury was improving.

"I might feel it sometimes on court, but I definitely feel it less and less every day," said Gauff, who took some time to find her rhythm against the aggressive Cocciaretto.

"She takes the ball so early, you don't have a lot of time to react," Gauff said. "Today, once I got adjusted to the tempo of play I was able to control the rallies when they went the distance."

In other men's action, 56th-ranked American Ethan Quinn upset Norway's 11th-seeded Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-6 (9/7), saving seven set points in the second set on the way to victory.

Japanese wildcard Rei Sakamoto bagged his maiden ATP match win, converting his fifth match point in a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7) first-round victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic.

The 19-year-old ranked 164th booked a showdown with in-form Indian Wells finalist Medvedev.

Sports

Liverpool Condemns 'Dehumanizing, Cowardly' Racist Abuse of Konate

Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match between Liverpool and Galatasaray in Liverpool, Great Britain, 18 March 2026. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match between Liverpool and Galatasaray in Liverpool, Great Britain, 18 March 2026. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN
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Liverpool Condemns 'Dehumanizing, Cowardly' Racist Abuse of Konate

Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match between Liverpool and Galatasaray in Liverpool, Great Britain, 18 March 2026. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match between Liverpool and Galatasaray in Liverpool, Great Britain, 18 March 2026. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate was the target of “vile and abhorrent” racist abuse online, the Premier League club said Friday.

Konate was targeted after Wednesday's Champions League victory against Galatasaray when he was involved in an incident that led to opposition striker Victor Osimhen sustaining a fractured arm.

Liverpool condemned the abuse as “dehumanizing, cowardly and rooted in hate.” It called on social media companies to do more to stamp it out, The Associated Press reported.

“Our players are not targets. They are human beings. The abuse that continues to be directed at players, often hidden behind anonymous accounts, is a stain on the game and on the platforms that allow it to persist,” the club said in a statement.

Liverpool said social media companies had the power and technology to prevent abuse.

“Allowing racist hatred to spread unchecked is a choice – and it is one that continues to harm players, families and communities across the game.”

Liverpool said it was supporting Konate and working with authorities to try to identify those responsible for the abuse.

Last month four Premier League players were targeted with racist abuse online over the same weekend.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana, Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri and Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare shared images of messages they were sent on Instagram. Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle was also subjected to “vile online racist abuse,” his club said in a statement.

Kick It Out, a British-based anti-discrimination charity, repeated its calls for platforms to do more to address the problem that persists in elite soccer.

At the last Women's European Championship, England defender Jess Carter revealed she had been subject to racial abuse online.

“The current situation cannot be allowed to continue. It must be confronted, challenged and eradicated – not tomorrow, but now,” Liverpool said.