Nobody Better Than PSG, Says Luis Enrique Ahead of Bayern Semi

Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique arrives for a press conference of French football club Paris Saint-Germain a day ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final match against German club FC Bayern Munich at the PSG Campus in Poissy, north-west of Paris, on April 27, 2026. (AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique arrives for a press conference of French football club Paris Saint-Germain a day ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final match against German club FC Bayern Munich at the PSG Campus in Poissy, north-west of Paris, on April 27, 2026. (AFP)
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Nobody Better Than PSG, Says Luis Enrique Ahead of Bayern Semi

Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique arrives for a press conference of French football club Paris Saint-Germain a day ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final match against German club FC Bayern Munich at the PSG Campus in Poissy, north-west of Paris, on April 27, 2026. (AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique arrives for a press conference of French football club Paris Saint-Germain a day ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final match against German club FC Bayern Munich at the PSG Campus in Poissy, north-west of Paris, on April 27, 2026. (AFP)

Holders Paris St Germain take on Bayern Munich in a Champions League semi-final clash of two of the top attacking teams in Europe, and while Luis Enrique says the German club are the most consistent, no team is better than his side.

Three of the last four teams, PSG, Bayern and Arsenal, are top of their domestic leagues and the German side have clinched the Bundesliga, losing one game, having also lost once in Europe.

While PSG and Atletico Madrid had to come through the playoffs, Arsenal and Bayern were the top two in the league phase. In the last ‌16 and quarter-finals, ‌PSG netted 12 goals and Bayern 16.

"It's not just about ‌attacking ⁠statistics, but if ⁠you look at the defensive ones too, these are the best teams in Europe," Luis Enrique told reporters ahead of Tuesday's first leg at home.

"Arsenal have done an incredible job this season also, in terms of consistency. Bayern are a bit ahead of us because they have only lost two games, but if we speak about what we have shown as a team, we're right up there.

"And no team is ⁠better than us. I said this after we didn't finish ‌in the top eight in the league ‌phase that I didn't see any teams better than us."

Last season, PSG also finished outside ‌the top eight in the league stage before going on to lift the ‌trophy, and in Ligue 1, having battled with Lens for long periods, they are six points clear.

"Every coach wants to head into the run-in in the best possible conditions," the PSG manager said.

"It's the magic of the Champions League which gives special energy to the ‌players, everyone wants to be there and to make the most of this time."

NO NEGOTIATING

Luis Enrique is well aware of ⁠the attacking threat ⁠posed by Bayern, including wingers Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, but that will not change the way his side approach the tie.

"We won the Champions League last season with (full backs) Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes doing what they do," he said.

"Of course they have to defend as well, but we know that they have to attack more than they defend if we want to win.

"We know how difficult it will be and we have to know how to defend well."

The French club had long set their sights on winning the Champions League, and having finally realized that dream last season, there is no chance of a less ambitious PSG this time.

"The first run was a relief, now it's a different source of motivation because last year was great," Luis Enrique said. "We made history. And now, we're hungry for more."



Cristiano Ronaldo Says He Can Still Score for Portugal Though Knows Critics Want Him Out of Team

Portugal's Renato Veiga (L), Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot (R) during a training session ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Wales at Cidade do Futebol, Oeiras, Portugal, 23 September 2026. (EPA)
Portugal's Renato Veiga (L), Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot (R) during a training session ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Wales at Cidade do Futebol, Oeiras, Portugal, 23 September 2026. (EPA)
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Cristiano Ronaldo Says He Can Still Score for Portugal Though Knows Critics Want Him Out of Team

Portugal's Renato Veiga (L), Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot (R) during a training session ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Wales at Cidade do Futebol, Oeiras, Portugal, 23 September 2026. (EPA)
Portugal's Renato Veiga (L), Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot (R) during a training session ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Wales at Cidade do Futebol, Oeiras, Portugal, 23 September 2026. (EPA)

Cristiano Ronaldo weighed ending his Portugal career after the World Cup and acknowledged Wednesday some critics at home want him out of the team.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo was confirmed by coach Jorge Jesus as a starter for this 234th Portugal game — on Thursday against Wales in the Nations League.

Asked at a pre-game news conference if he thought of stopping his international career in July, after Portugal's round-of-16 loss to Spain, Ronaldo said: “Yes, I did. Of course, I’m always thinking on my decisions, my future, the present also.”

“I had a conversation with our president, with our coach,” he said of Jesus, whose previous job was leading Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr to the Saudi league title in May. “I still believe that I’m able to help the national team to reach what they want, and will finish when I feel like I’m not doing anything here.”

Ronaldo, who captained Portugal to the previous Nations League title in 2025, is closing in on 1,000 career goals.

“This is a new young generation,” he said. “But for me the basic point is to be able on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games.”

The superstar player is not universally still admired in his home country.

“I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticize me,” he said. “They are dying for me not to come to the national team any more, but I can still move away from it.

“Anyway, I am used to it. For over 20 years I have been doing this, but my memories are with people who love me. I know why young kids love Cristiano, because they see me as an example, and I will continue to do that. Even when I am retired... in 10 years,” Ronaldo said, smiling.


Aguirre Hired by Valencia after Latest Coaching Stint with Mexico at World Cup

FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
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Aguirre Hired by Valencia after Latest Coaching Stint with Mexico at World Cup

FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

Valencia hired former Mexico coach Javier Aguirre on Wednesday on a one-year deal, completing an early-season reconstruction of the club’s soccer operations after a poor start in La Liga.

The 67-year-old Aguirre has just finished a third spell in charge of Mexico, leading his national team to the last 16 of the World Cup before losing to England.

He has previously been coach at six Spanish clubs, including Atletico Madrid and most recently Mallorca from 2022-24.

Aguirre replaces Carlos Corberán, who was fired on Sept. 14 after Valencia lost four of its first five games, and has a deal until the end of the season.

The team is in next-to-last place in La Liga on four points from seven matches, The Associated Press reported.

When firing Corberán, Valencia also removed soccer chief executive Ron Gourlay. It has since appointed Braulio Vázquez as the new sporting director.


Hadjar Extends Red Bull Contract for 2027 F1 Season

FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
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Hadjar Extends Red Bull Contract for 2027 F1 Season

FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa

Frenchman Isack Hadjar will continue to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the 2027 Formula One season, the team announced on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old has impressed in his debut year at the team after being promoted following a strong rookie campaign with its junior outfit Racing Bulls in 2025.

Hadjar has missed the last three races with a wrist injury, but still sits eighth in the drivers' standings with 71 points.

He posted a run of seven consecutive top-six finishes, including a podium in Monaco, before being sidelined.

"There are so many talented people at the factory, and you're aware of the privilege of driving for such an incredible team alongside a four-time world champion like Max," AFP quoted Hadjar as saying in a statement.

"I've been able to justify the faith they've had in me. I'm constantly looking to listen, learn and push myself further every single day, which only makes me more excited about what lies ahead."

Hadjar will return to action this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Partnering Verstappen, who recently extended his contract until 2030, at Red Bull has proved a tough job for several other drivers in recent seasons.

Sergio Perez was dropped after finishing 285 points behind the Dutchman in 2024, while Liam Lawson was axed after just two races last year and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.

"He (Hadjar) has been superb on and off track, especially considering this is only his second Formula One season, which made extending his contract an easy decision," said Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies.

"The period since his injury has been a difficult one for Isack, but this extension is a testament to how much we believe in him and we can't wait to see him back out on track."