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Former Poland Goalkeeper Szczesny Joins Barcelona after Announcing His Retirement in August

FC Barcelona's President Laporta, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and vice President Rafael Yuste hold Barcelona shirt following Szczesny's signing in Barcelona, Spain, October 2, 2024. (FC Barcelona/Handout via Reuters)
FC Barcelona's President Laporta, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and vice President Rafael Yuste hold Barcelona shirt following Szczesny's signing in Barcelona, Spain, October 2, 2024. (FC Barcelona/Handout via Reuters)
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Former Poland Goalkeeper Szczesny Joins Barcelona after Announcing His Retirement in August

FC Barcelona's President Laporta, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and vice President Rafael Yuste hold Barcelona shirt following Szczesny's signing in Barcelona, Spain, October 2, 2024. (FC Barcelona/Handout via Reuters)
FC Barcelona's President Laporta, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and vice President Rafael Yuste hold Barcelona shirt following Szczesny's signing in Barcelona, Spain, October 2, 2024. (FC Barcelona/Handout via Reuters)

Barcelona added former Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to its squad on Wednesday to help make up for the absence of the injured Marc-André ter Stegen.

Szczesny had retired from professional soccer in August after leaving Italian club Juventus, but he said it would be “stupid” not to accept the Barcelona offer.

He said former Poland teammate Robert Lewandowski played a big part in the signing as the Barcelona striker was “probably the very first person that called” to ask Szczesny if there was a possibility of coming out of retirement.

“It took some convincing,” Szczesny said. “At the start I wasn’t sure if I’m ready for new challenges, but then I spoke with my family and I spoke with my friends and everybody told me how stupid I would be if I didn’t accept this. And I agreed with them.”

Barcelona said the 34-year-old Szczesny arrives “in unusual circumstances but there is no doubt that his CV speaks for itself.”

“It's a very proud moment,” Szczesny said. “I was honestly ready for retirement and I was happy there. I wouldn't do this for anybody else. It's exciting, it's a challenge for me, and it's a challenge that I face with a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm. I'm ready for it.”

Barcelona said it had reached a deal for Szczesny to stay until the end of the season.

Ter Stegen, one of the team's captains, had surgery after rupturing a tendon in his right knee in a Spanish league game and is expected to be sidelined for several months.

Iñaki Peña has been Barcelona’s starter in goal since Ter Stegen got injured last month. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has backed the 25-year-old Peña but said the club would look to add an experienced goalkeeper to the squad.

Szczesny attended Barcelona's 5-0 win over Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday, watching the match from a VIP section at the Montjuic stadium.

Szczesny, who also starred for Arsenal, made 84 appearances for Poland, including at this year's European Championship. He featured in two World Cups and four Euros.

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Sabalenka Shuts Down Political Talk After Ukrainian’s Ban Call

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)
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Sabalenka Shuts Down Political Talk After Ukrainian’s Ban Call

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)

Aryna Sabalenka Wednesday said she "didn't want to talk politics" after Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova called for Belarusian and Russian players to be banned from tennis.

The 25-year-old Oliynykova, whose father is fighting on the front lines in Ukraine, had said on Tuesday that the presence of players from those two countries was "very wrong" while the conflict continued.

Oliynykova, after losing to defending champion Madison Keys on her Slam debut, wore a T-shirt at her press conference emblazoned with: "I need your help to protect Ukrainian women and children but I can't talk about it here."

Under Grand Slam tournament guidelines, players are prohibited from making political statements at competition venues.

But in an interview with Melbourne's The Age newspaper she took aim at Russian and Belarusian players, who are competing under a neutral white flag.

"I think it's very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis like in other sports," she said.

"Because I know that here is the picture that we are, like all tennis girls playing, but the people don't see the things behind it."

Sabalenka, who is Belarusian, has previously said she believes that sport "is nothing to do with politics" and on Wednesday reiterated her position.

"I have spoken a lot about that before, obviously," said the world number one after powering into the third round.

"I want peace, and if I could change anything, I would definitely do that.

"Other than that, I have nothing else to say."

Pressed on Oliynykova's call for her to be banned, she replied: "I'm here for tennis. It's a tennis event. I have said enough in the past and just don't want to talk politics here."

Belarus is a close ally of Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Oliynykova said she did not speak with Russian and Belarusian players in the locker rooms or on the practice courts.

"I don't communicate with them. But, you know, people are not informed about this and if I need to say it, I will, because I feel (it is) unfair."

- Apartment shook -

Unlike other professional Ukrainian tennis players, Oliynykova still lives and trains in her homeland despite the constant threat of Russian attacks.

Just before she came to Australia, the Kyiv native came close to being hit in one such incursion.

"There was an explosion just near my home and a drone hit the home just across the road," she said. "My apartment was literally shaking because of the explosion."

Fellow Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk has also been outspoken about the war and refuses to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players, most recently Sabalenka after losing in the Brisbane International final.

Another Ukrainian, Elina Svitolina, said it was important to keep the conflict in the public eye.

"The war has been ongoing for four years. I mean, we talked about it many, many times," the world number 12 said Wednesday after joining Sabalenka in the third round.

"For me, now it's gone, the topic. I mean, the stand has been taken already. A decision has been made by WTA, ATP," she said, referring to Russian and Belarusian players being allowed to compete.

"Right now what we can do is go out there, try to perform well, try to represent our country in the right way, and not forget that we can use our voices to bring the help, to bring the attention to our homeland."

Sports

Liverpool, Barcelona Risk Missing Automatic Qualification to Champions League Round of 16

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)
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Liverpool, Barcelona Risk Missing Automatic Qualification to Champions League Round of 16

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)

Liverpool and Barcelona are leaving it late to secure automatic qualification to the Champions League round of 16.

With just two rounds remaining, the defending champions of England and Spain currently sit outside of the top eight spots that will advance automatically.

Teams placed from nine to 24 enter a two-legged playoff to go through to the round of 16.

Liverpool topped the league phase last year, but then faced the daunting task of playing eventual winner Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. Arne Slot's team is going a different way about it this time around and may have to navigate a playoff to advance.

Liverpool is away to Marseille on Wednesday and could be boosted by the return of Mohamed Salah from the Africa Cup of Nations. He headed off to represent his country last month after a public row with Slot raised doubts about his future.

Salah was unhappy with his lack of game time and aired his views in an explosive interview. He returns to Liverpool at a time when the Merseyside club needs more firepower following injury to record signing Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, who has only recently returned to action.

Barcelona was runner-up to Liverpool during the league phase last year and progressed to the semifinals before losing to Inter Milan.

Now it is playing catch up as it heads to Slavia Prague.

Chelsea's new coach Liam Rosenior takes charge of his first Champions League game with the club at home to Pafos.

Rosenior replaced Club World Cup-winning coach Enzo Maresca this month after leading Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg to the top of the third-tier Conference League standings.
Bayern Munich — one of this season's favorites — hosts Union Saint-Gilloise.

Sports

Türkiye’s Sonmez Soaks up the Support in Dream Melbourne Run

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2026 Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez celebrates after winning her second round match against Hungary's Anna Bondar. (Reuters)
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2026 Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez celebrates after winning her second round match against Hungary's Anna Bondar. (Reuters)
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Türkiye’s Sonmez Soaks up the Support in Dream Melbourne Run

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2026 Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez celebrates after winning her second round match against Hungary's Anna Bondar. (Reuters)
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2026 Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez celebrates after winning her second round match against Hungary's Anna Bondar. (Reuters)

Anyone strolling past Melbourne Park's outer courts might have felt like they were wandering through Istanbul on Wednesday as the roars behind Turkish trailblazer Zeynep Sonmez reached deafening levels ​at the Australian Open.

A popular draw among Turkish fans and now a crowd favorite in Melbourne after assisting an ill ball girl during her opener, Sonmez fed off the energy on court seven to beat Hungarian Anna Bondar 6-2 6-4 and progress.

"I felt like I was at home," Sonmez told reporters after matching her best Grand Slam run of reaching the third round at Wimbledon last ‌year.

"I was ‌feeling the energy. It was unreal. I ‌appreciate ⁠it. ​I felt ‌very good on the court. I felt the support, and I felt like we were all playing together, actually.

"In Wimbledon when I was playing third round, it was similar to this, but today ... I felt like I never experienced something like this."

Sonmez is part of a growing group of players from nations without traditional tennis pathways who are lighting ⁠up the sport's biggest stages.

Filipina Alexandra Eala was watched by heaving crowds outside practice ‌courts in the build-up to the Grand ‍Slam while Janice Tjen has won ‍new fans by becoming the first Indonesian to win a ‍match at the Australian Open in 28 years.

"I think it's good ... there are some countries that are very good at tennis. You know, they're like tennis countries. We aren't one of them," Sonmez said.

"It's a good thing, because ​there are more players and more surprises. I saw Alex playing few days ago. The crowd was crazy. I ⁠really enjoy watching those matches."

Like the biggest players from the strongest nations, Sonmez also dreams of someday winning a Grand Slam.

"But I'm not focusing specifically on that dream," she said.

"I'm just focusing on getting better every day. I want to enjoy being on the court, because I know that I feel and I play better when I enjoy being on the court."

Having come through three qualifying rounds before stunning 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and taking out Bondar, the 112th ranked Sonmez will look to keep her run going when she meets Kazakh Yulia ‌Putintseva in the third round.

"Right now I'm tired, because I just finished," she said. "But I'm not tired overall."