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Messi Legacy Will ‘Live Forever’, Says Beckham

Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi kisses the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (AFP)
Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi kisses the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (AFP)
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Messi Legacy Will ‘Live Forever’, Says Beckham

Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi kisses the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (AFP)
Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi kisses the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (AFP)

David Beckham said Lionel Messi's "legacy will live forever" after the Argentina legend announced his retirement from international football.

Messi on Monday revealed he had called time on his remarkable career with Argentina after 207 caps and 125 goals.

The 39-year-old won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and his last game for his country was Argentina's World Cup final defeat against Spain in July.

Messi's brilliance for Argentina and Barcelona made him one of the world's greatest ever players.

Former England captain Beckham has had a close-up view of Messi's career as an opponent and now as co-owner of the forward's current side Inter Miami.

"This is the moment we get to look back on and realize how grateful we were to witness the greatness of a young kid with a dream," Beckham wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

"Leo, you have been a credit to yourself, your family, your friends and your country. Leading by example and creating inspiration for millions of children not just in Argentina but around the whole world.

"Leo, you delivered the greatest gift to your country and, for that, your legacy will live forever. Congratulations on all you achieved for Argentina."

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Kompany: Bayern Are Close to their Best Despite Consecutive Draws coach

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gives a press conference after the UEFA Champions League football match between Viking FK and FC Bayern Munich in Stavanger, Norway on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Carina Johansen / NTB / AFP)
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gives a press conference after the UEFA Champions League football match between Viking FK and FC Bayern Munich in Stavanger, Norway on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Carina Johansen / NTB / AFP)
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Kompany: Bayern Are Close to their Best Despite Consecutive Draws coach

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gives a press conference after the UEFA Champions League football match between Viking FK and FC Bayern Munich in Stavanger, Norway on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Carina Johansen / NTB / AFP)
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gives a press conference after the UEFA Champions League football match between Viking FK and FC Bayern Munich in Stavanger, Norway on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Carina Johansen / NTB / AFP)

Bayern Munich are edging closer to their very best despite drawing their last two matches, coach Vincent Kompany said on Friday.

The German champions, who take on visitors RB Leipzig on Saturday, have drawn their last two matches in all competitions – a 2-2 against Augsburg that included conceding the fastest goal in Bundesliga history, followed by a 3-3 at rank outsiders Viking in the Champions League on Tuesday.

They looked far from convincing in both matches, missing chances and looking shaky at the back, and having ⁠to come from ⁠behind both times to rescue draws.

They are currently in third spot in the Bundesliga, two points behind leaders Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund.

"We want to attack," Kompany told a press conference. "We have the feeling that there are a lot of things behind the perception of ⁠these two results. I have the feeling it is just before we show our very best version.

"In the last two matches we shot 50 times on goal. If we do a few things better then we are not too far from our very best version."

Bayern have busy weeks coming up and after Leipzig – they face Arsenal in the Champions League before taking on leaders Freiburg in the Bundesliga. They then host Dortmund in ⁠Der ⁠Klassiker on October 31 after a German Cup second-round match against Magdeburg.

"These moments that some people think might be difficult we say these are the best moments you can have in your career. If you win these matches then you have created some moments," Reuters quoted Kompany as saying.

"We are sharp and motivated... we look forward to these matches to measure ourselves against the best.

"The lads reach the limit in every training session and it is fun to watch. They know it is now best to talk on the pitch."

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Chelsea Captain Reece James Undergoes Knee Surgery

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - September 6, 2026 Chelsea's Reece James applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - September 6, 2026 Chelsea's Reece James applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Chelsea Captain Reece James Undergoes Knee Surgery

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - September 6, 2026 Chelsea's Reece James applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - September 6, 2026 Chelsea's Reece James applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Chelsea captain Reece James has undergone knee surgery, the Premier League club said Friday.

Chelsea described the procedure as minor, but did not confirm the precise nature of the injury, which was sustained during a training session.

England defender James has endured a slew of injuries involving his knee and hamstring. A hamstring problem ruled him out of part of the 2026 World Cup.

Chelsea did not say how long it would take before the 26-year-old James would be back in action, The Associated Press reported.

“Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club’s medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation phase,” it said in a statement. “Everyone at Chelsea wishes Reece a speedy recovery and will support him on his road to return.”

Chelsea, which is sixth in the league, travels to Everton on Saturday.

Sports

Elina Svitolina Loses to Resurgent British player Sonay Kartal at Wuhan Open

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
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Elina Svitolina Loses to Resurgent British player Sonay Kartal at Wuhan Open

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 16, 2026 Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in action during her quarter final match against Britain's Sonay Kartal REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina is out of the Wuhan Open after losing 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to resurgent British player Sonay Kartal in the quarterfinals Friday, The Associated Press reported.

The No. 170-ranked old Kartal, who missed more than six months with a stress fracture in her back, has won six of her eight matches since returning to the elite tour. She beat two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini to reach the quarterfinals in Wuhan after defeating ninth-seeded Belinda Bencic, the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, in the second round.

Kartal, who broke Svitolina's serve in the last game to clinch the match, reached a career-high No. 44 ranking in July of last year. Svitolina lost in the quarterfinals at the China Open last week to eventual champion Zheng Qinwen.

Kartal advanced to a semifinal against 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, who beat 11th-seeded Diana Shnaider 7-6 (6), 6-1.

Seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek was scheduled to play a quarterfinal later Friday against American Ann Li, who upset top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the second round.

The winner of that match will face either Maria Sakkari or Maja Chwalinska in the semifinals.