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Man United Boss Amorim Hails Sesko's 'Great Potential'

09 August 2025, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko applauds the fans as he is introduced to the crowd before a pre-season friendly soccer match between Manchester United and Fiorentina at Old Trafford. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
09 August 2025, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko applauds the fans as he is introduced to the crowd before a pre-season friendly soccer match between Manchester United and Fiorentina at Old Trafford. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
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Man United Boss Amorim Hails Sesko's 'Great Potential'

09 August 2025, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko applauds the fans as he is introduced to the crowd before a pre-season friendly soccer match between Manchester United and Fiorentina at Old Trafford. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
09 August 2025, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko applauds the fans as he is introduced to the crowd before a pre-season friendly soccer match between Manchester United and Fiorentina at Old Trafford. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa

New Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has all the attributes needed to help bolster their attack, manager Ruben Amorim said as he hopes to unlock the 22-year-old Slovenian's full potential after his big-money move to Old Trafford.

Sesko completed his 76.5-million-euro ($89-million) switch from German side RB Leipzig to United on Saturday, with a further 8.5 million euros in bonuses.

He signed a contract until 2030 to complete a new-look front three alongside fellow close-season signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

The Slovenia international, capped 41 times, scored 39 goals in 87 appearances across all competitions for Leipzig.

"He has the characteristics that we needed," Amorim told MUTV on Saturday. "Ben is a player - with all the information that we have - that we need to stop the guy from working, not the opposite!

"So that is also important. He's really young. He's good in the air, he's good at running the channels, good on the ball. I think he has great potential. I think he can improve a lot and, for sure, he is going to feel at home in our club.

"He has the right character to be in this group, so I'm really happy to have him."

Sesko was introduced at Old Trafford before Saturday's friendly match against Italian side Fiorentina, which United won 5-4 on penalties after drawing 1-1, Reuters reported.

"He is going to notice, since the first day and first training, that he is in the right place," Amorim added.

"He is going to a new building (at Carrington), that is also important. Things are getting better but, in the end, we need to win games."

United, who have spent around 200 million pounds ($270 million) following their 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season - their lowest in the top flight in 51 years - begin their new league campaign at home against Arsenal on August 17.

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Sports

Saudi Sports Minister Sees off National Team ahead of its Departure to US for FIFA World Cup

Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)
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Saudi Sports Minister Sees off National Team ahead of its Departure to US for FIFA World Cup

Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal met on Monday with the Saudi national football team ahead of its departure to the United States to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The minister conveyed the greetings of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, along with his best wishes for the team’s success in the tournament that kicks off on June 11.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal.

Prince Abdulaziz stressed that the Saudi team’s participation in the landmark global football event reflects the Kingdom’s continued presence in major international competitions.

He urged the players to give their best and demonstrate high morale during the tournament.

Sports

Spain Leave Out Real Madrid Players as Barcelona Dominate World Cup Squad

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
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Spain Leave Out Real Madrid Players as Barcelona Dominate World Cup Squad

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)

European champions Spain will travel to next month's World Cup with plenty of Barcelona swagger but no-one from Real Madrid after manager Luis de la Fuente named a 26-man squad on Monday built around eight players from the Catalan club.

It is the first time that Spain will go to a World Cup without a Real Madrid player in their squad, a striking absence for the 15-times Champions League winners as De la Fuente prepares to lead one of the tournament favorites.

Defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal were among the Real Madrid ‌names to miss ‌out, leaving Barcelona to provide the spine of a team ‌chasing ⁠Spain's second World ⁠Cup title after their 2010 triumph in South Africa.

De la Fuente played down the absence of the club's players, preferring to highlight those who are in the squad.

"I'm the manager and I don't look at where the players come from. They're national team players; I don't look at one club or another. I don't have the same local bias that a fan might have. All I want is for these players to feel proud to represent ⁠the national team," De la Fuente told reporters.

Barcelona's contingent includes Joan ‌Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani ‌Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, while seven players called up are based in the Premier ‌League.

"Excitement is the key word. Passion," De la Fuente said.

"The reaction of people all ‌over Spain - adults and children alike - is that they are fully behind the national team. It is an honor for me to represent the national team."

Arsenal provide three of Spain's Premier League-based players in goalkeeper David Raya and midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, while Manchester City's Rodri gives ‌De la Fuente a commanding presence in midfield.

The coach also addressed the injury concern regarding Yamal and Nico Williams, who will ⁠arrive at the ⁠tournament nursing hamstring issues.

"We're very relaxed. Barring any setbacks, we'll have everyone available from the very first match. We're in close contact with the clubs' medical teams," he said.

"We'll call on them when we deem it appropriate. I'd like to reiterate that we'll have everyone in top form and we'll be able to enjoy watching them in the tournament."

Spain will arrive at the World Cup carrying the confidence of their European Championship triumph in Germany two years ago, but with the weight of expectation from a passionate fanbase.

Spain squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St Germain), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Borja Iglesias (Celta)

Sports

African Players in Europe: Liverpool Legend Salah Bids Farewell

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)
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African Players in Europe: Liverpool Legend Salah Bids Farewell

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)

Mohamed Salah struggled to hold back the tears during his final appearance for Liverpool on Sunday after a trophy-filled career with the Anfield outfit.

The 33-year-old winger, who will captain Egypt at the 2026 World Cup next month, leaves as the Reds' third-highest goalscorer of all-time on 257.

Popularly known as the Egyptian King, Salah played 74 minutes before being substituted for Jeremie Frimpong in a 1-1 draw with Brentford.

AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

Salah waved an emotional farewell to Liverpool after nine glittering years at Anfield in a draw against Brentford. There was no goodbye goal for Salah, but he did provide the assist for Curtis Jones as a point secured Liverpool's place in the Champions League next season.

ANTOINE SEMENYO (Manchester City)

Semenyo finished third in the Premier League goalscoring charts this season after netting his 17th for runners-up Manchester City in a 2-1 home defeat by fourth-placed Aston Villa. The Ghanaian international was one of the few City stars not rested by Pep Guardiola in his final game in charge and flicked in from a corner to open the scoring at the Etihad.

BRYAN MBEUMO (Manchester Utd)

Cameroon international Mbeumo finished off a brilliant team move for his 12th goal of the season as third-placed United ended the season on a high with a 3-0 win at Brighton.

SPAIN

EZ ABDE (Real Betis)

Moroccan winger Abde ended an excellent campaign with a goal in Real Betis's 2-1 win over Levante on the final day of La Liga. The 24-year-old scored his 10th league goal of the season to put his team in front as they celebrated their Champions League qualification with a home victory.

BRAHIM DIAZ (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid playmaker Diaz netted the fourth in Los Blancos' emphatic 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao. The Morocco international was able to score his first top-flight goal of a season in which he was often reduced to a bit-part role, from close range at the end of a neat team move.

RANDY NTEKA (Rayo Vallecano)

Vallecano are focused on the Conference League final against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but were able to sign off from La Liga with a 2-1 win over Alaves thanks to Randy Nteka's late goal. The Angola attacker showed poise in the box to receive a low pass and drill home his third goal of the league season.

FRANCE

ABDALLAH SIMA (Lens)

The Senegalese striker struck on 78 minutes to seal a 3-1 victory for Lens over Nice in the French Cup final. Sima got on the end of a header back towards his own goal by veteran Brazilian defender Dante, and stabbed the ball into the net.