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Messi to Unveil 21-meter Statue of Himself on India 'GOAT' Tour

(FILES) Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates his team's fourth goal during the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference final football match between Inter Miami and New York City FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 29, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
(FILES) Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates his team's fourth goal during the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference final football match between Inter Miami and New York City FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 29, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
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Messi to Unveil 21-meter Statue of Himself on India 'GOAT' Tour

(FILES) Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates his team's fourth goal during the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference final football match between Inter Miami and New York City FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 29, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
(FILES) Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates his team's fourth goal during the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference final football match between Inter Miami and New York City FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 29, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

Lionel Messi will unveil a 21-meter (70-foot) statue of himself in India on Saturday as he embarks on a three-day tour of the country that has sparked a fan frenzy.

The iron sculpture in Kolkata, which shows Messi holding aloft the World Cup, is part of a so-called GOAT Tour that will take in four Indian cities and a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar will unveil the monument virtually rather than in person for security reasons, AFP said.

A "Hola Messi" fan zone has also been set up in Kolkata where on display is a life-sized replica of Messi sat on a throne.

The hall also recreates his Miami home, complete with mannequins of his family members.

Football fan Samir Nandy said it would be "a dream come true" to catch a glimpse of his idol.

"Legends are not made by success alone. It is his resilience that made me believe in him," Nandy, 64, said in Kolkata.

"The statue is a fitting tribute to him."

Monti Paul, the statue's main sculptor, told AFP the structure was built inside 40 days.

"It's a matter of pride to build the sculpture of Messi. It's the tallest statue I have made," he said.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will also meet Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly during his whirlwind trip to Kolkata.

Ahead of his arrival, Messi said it was an honor to visit India and interact with the fans.

"India is a very special country and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago -- the fans were fantastic," Messi said in a statement.

"India is a passionate football nation and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game."

After Kolkata, where Messi will play a short friendly match, he will head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.

In Hyderabad he will attend a concert in his honor and play another friendly.

He is reportedly scheduled to meet Modi in the capital.

Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina's defense of the World Cup in June-July in North America.

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Sports

Roger Federer Celebrated Upon His Return to the US Open for an Exhibition Against Andy Roddick

Swiss former tennis player Roger Federer reacts to spectators during the “Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York” exhibition match during US Open Fan Week at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, US, 25 August 2026. (EPA)
Swiss former tennis player Roger Federer reacts to spectators during the “Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York” exhibition match during US Open Fan Week at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, US, 25 August 2026. (EPA)
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Roger Federer Celebrated Upon His Return to the US Open for an Exhibition Against Andy Roddick

Swiss former tennis player Roger Federer reacts to spectators during the “Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York” exhibition match during US Open Fan Week at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, US, 25 August 2026. (EPA)
Swiss former tennis player Roger Federer reacts to spectators during the “Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York” exhibition match during US Open Fan Week at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, US, 25 August 2026. (EPA)

Five-time US Open champion Roger Federer returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night to play one last match for fun against longtime rival and friend Andy Roddick.

The event billed as “An Icon Returns to New York” packed the stands full of fans there to watch the 45-year-old from Switzerland face Roddick — soon to be 44 — in a prime time exhibition. Many wore hats with the distinctive “RF” logo that became commonplace in the sport during Federer's decade and a half of dominance featuring 20 Grand Slam titles.

“It's great to be back in New York,” Federer said. “I have incredible memories, obviously, of this court, of the fans here, of the city.”

Federer reminisced about visiting for the first time to play juniors in 1998 and reaching the final. Three years later, his debut on center court was a straight-sets loss to Andre Agassi.

“He smashed me 6-1, 6-2, 6-4,” Federer said. “I had no shot. And I was like, ‘OK, not so easy, not fast, Roger.’ But, still, I’ll remember this center court forever.”

In 2005, Federer defeated Agassi to win the US Open for the second of five in a row through ’08.

“The one against Andre, I think, was extremely special: playing a legend that was coming towards the end of his career — that we had a chance to play against each other,” Federer said. “And every player I was able to play against in the finals here also was a US Open champion. It’s been an incredible run. I loved it.”

Roddick, who won the tournament in '03, credited the fans and Federer for his return.

“It comes down to Roger,” Roddick said. "Obviously we played a bunch and he beat me a bunch, but we were always able to navigate a friendship through the middle of our careers that’s lasted till now and will hopefully last forever. It’s just about showing up when Roger asks you to.”

Federer, who last competed at the US Open in 2019 and retired in 2022, then teamed up with John McEnroe and faced Roddick and Agassi in a doubles exhibition.

Sports

Leipzig Re-Sign Forward Nkunku on Loan from AC Milan

Leipzig's French forward Christopher Nkunku (R) celebrates scoring 2-0 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and FC Schalke 04 in Leipzig, eastern Germany on May 27, 2023. (AFP)
Leipzig's French forward Christopher Nkunku (R) celebrates scoring 2-0 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and FC Schalke 04 in Leipzig, eastern Germany on May 27, 2023. (AFP)
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Leipzig Re-Sign Forward Nkunku on Loan from AC Milan

Leipzig's French forward Christopher Nkunku (R) celebrates scoring 2-0 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and FC Schalke 04 in Leipzig, eastern Germany on May 27, 2023. (AFP)
Leipzig's French forward Christopher Nkunku (R) celebrates scoring 2-0 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and FC Schalke 04 in Leipzig, eastern Germany on May 27, 2023. (AFP)

RB Leipzig ‌have signed French forward Christopher Nkunku from AC Milan on loan with an option to buy, the Bundesliga club said on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old returns to Leipzig after playing for the club from 2019 to 2023. He ‌scored 70 ‌goals and won ‌two ⁠German Cups during ⁠that stint, and finished as joint top scorer in the 2022–23 Bundesliga season.

"He has already shown the exceptional talent that he brings ⁠to the table and ‌that he ‌can make a difference in games," ‌Leipzig's managing director for sport ‌Marcel Schaefer said in a statement.

Nkunku, who began his career at Paris Saint-Germain, moved ‌to Chelsea in 2023 and struggled with injuries at ⁠Stamford ⁠Bridge, but won the Conference League and Club World Cup with the Premier League side.

He signed for Milan last year and scored eight goals in 35 appearances in the 2025-26 season.

He has made 18 international appearances for France.

Sports

North Korea to ‘Bring Joy’ to Kim with 100 Athletes at Asian Games

Asian Games - Hangzhou 2022 - Opening Ceremony - Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Hangzhou, China - September 23, 2023 Athletes from North Korea hold their national flag at the Opening Ceremony. (Reuters)
Asian Games - Hangzhou 2022 - Opening Ceremony - Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Hangzhou, China - September 23, 2023 Athletes from North Korea hold their national flag at the Opening Ceremony. (Reuters)
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North Korea to ‘Bring Joy’ to Kim with 100 Athletes at Asian Games

Asian Games - Hangzhou 2022 - Opening Ceremony - Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Hangzhou, China - September 23, 2023 Athletes from North Korea hold their national flag at the Opening Ceremony. (Reuters)
Asian Games - Hangzhou 2022 - Opening Ceremony - Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Hangzhou, China - September 23, 2023 Athletes from North Korea hold their national flag at the Opening Ceremony. (Reuters)

North Korea will send about 100 athletes to compete across 14 sports at the Asian Games in Japan next month, a senior official said, aiming to "bring joy to Marshal Kim Jong Un".

The nuclear-armed state suspended participation in international sporting competitions during the Covid pandemic but returned at the Asian Games in China in 2023 and also took part in the Paris Olympics.

The team for the regional Games in Nagoya and the Aichi region includes two Japan-based ethnic Koreans competing in women's football and karate, said Ko Chol Ho, secretary general of North Korea's Olympic committee.

"Our delegation will send more than 100 athletes to compete in 14 sports, including men's and women's football, weightlifting, boxing and wrestling," Ko told Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korean publication based in Japan, during an interview in Pyongyang.

"We are making every effort, driven by a strong desire to live up to the expectations of our country and people by achieving even greater results at the upcoming Games," the official said, in remarks published Tuesday.

He noted that the delegation would be smaller than the one sent to the Hangzhou Games of 2023 but said he hoped it would win more medals.

Authoritarian North Korea won 11 golds last time, half of them in weightlifting.

The official said that morale among the athletes was high for the event, which runs from September 19 to October 4, and they were motivated to win for their leader.

"Our athletes are training tirelessly every day, determined to bring joy to Marshal Kim," he said.

North Korea has recently been hurling criticism at Japan, a former regional colonial power, over what Pyongyang describes as its remilitarization.