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Suarez Returns to Uruguay Squad, Cavani Out Injured 

Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Uruguay's Luis Suarez comes on as a substitute to replace Edinson Cavani. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Uruguay's Luis Suarez comes on as a substitute to replace Edinson Cavani. (Reuters)
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Suarez Returns to Uruguay Squad, Cavani Out Injured 

Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Uruguay's Luis Suarez comes on as a substitute to replace Edinson Cavani. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Uruguay's Luis Suarez comes on as a substitute to replace Edinson Cavani. (Reuters)

Uruguay's record scorer Luis Suarez is back in the squad for the first time since the World Cup after being called up on Monday for their next two qualifiers, but Edinson Cavani is out injured.

Marcelo Bielsa's 24-man list also included fellow striker Cavani, but he has withdrawn after a muscle injury in Boca Juniors' 1-0 win over Newell's Old Boys on Sunday.

Mexican club Leon's Federico Vinas has therefore been drafted in as a late replacement.

Second-placed Uruguay, who have seven points, visit South American qualifying leaders Argentina, with 12, on Thursday and host bottom side Bolivia the following Tuesday.

The 36-year-old Suarez, who played his last game for Uruguay in the 2-0 win over Ghana in December at the World Cup, has made 137 international appearances, scoring 68 goals.

Uruguay failed to get past the group stage in Qatar.

The striker could return to the top of the all-time South American World Cup qualifying scoring charts, where he trails Argentina's Lionel Messi by two goals with a total of 31.

Another record within reach is the number of games played for Uruguay in World Cup qualifiers, currently held by Diego Godin with 65 appearances, three more than the Gremio forward.

Uruguay squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Franco Israel (Sporting), Santiago Mele (Junior)

Defenders: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Bruno Mendez(Corinthians), Sebastian Caceres (America), Matias Vina (Sassuolo)

Midfielders: Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Manuel Ugarte (Paris St Germain), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Felipe Carballo (Gremio), Nicolas de la Cruz (River Plate), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Agustin Canobbio (Athletico Paranaense), Maximiliano Araujo (Toluca), Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United), Facundo Torres (Orlando City)

Strikers: Cristian Olivera (Los Angeles FC), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool), Federico Vinas (Leon), Luis Suarez (Gremio)

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Can PSG Win a Third Straight Champions League without Injured Kvaratskhelia?

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. (AFP/Getty Images)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. (AFP/Getty Images)
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Can PSG Win a Third Straight Champions League without Injured Kvaratskhelia?

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. (AFP/Getty Images)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. (AFP/Getty Images)

As Paris Saint-Germain head to Spain to face Villarreal on Tuesday, the French club's quest to win a third consecutive Champions League title is under threat as injuries to key players raise doubts about the strength of their squad for another tilt at European glory.

PSG's thrilling 4-2 win two weeks ago against Barcelona was overshadowed by the sight of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia having to be helped off injured in the second half.

The Georgian was probably the best player in last season's Champions League knockout rounds, with seven goals and four assists in eight games up to and including the final against Arsenal.

But the rupture to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee which the 25-year-old suffered in the win over Barcelona means he is unlikely to return this season.

That is a hammer blow for PSG, who have become Europe's outstanding club side since Kvaratskhelia joined from Napoli in January last year.

Luis Enrique's team began this season's league phase with three wins from three and are well set to reach the knockout stage, but PSG must now be mulling whether to sign a replacement for Kvaratskhelia in the January transfer window.

"Not especially. No injury means we need to sign a new player. None," Luis Enrique said when asked if PSG now needed to go shopping.

"I already said at the start of the season that our team could stay the same, even with two or three injuries. That said, we are always open to the possibility of new players. But not just because we have injuries."

- Barcola missed? -

PSG had already taken something of a risk by selling Bradley Barcola to Liverpool in August in a blockbuster 145 million-euro ($162m) transfer.

Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-in and Ibrahim Mbaye all made significant attacking contributions in the last two seasons, but were allowed to leave too.

However, Luis Enrique described the business done by the club during the summer as "exceptional", saying: "I am very happy to begin the season with the number of players that we have".

PSG signed Maghnes Akliouche, a French international winger or midfielder, from Monaco and Spain's World Cup final match-winner Ferran Torres from Barcelona, each for a reported 50 million euros.

They also recruited Belgian international winger Mika Godts from Ajax for a reported 55 million euros.

Torres scored seven goals in his first six appearances, but has gone six games without finding the net. Godts got off to a slow start but has just scored in back-to-back games.

But as the new signings settle, there are renewed doubts about Ousmane Dembele's ability to stay fit after he suffered a hamstring injury against Barcelona -- a player whose minutes were very carefully managed last season is now out for several weeks.

And it is not just in attack where PSG have injuries, with center-back and captain Marquinhos and left-back Nuno Mendes sidelined.

In that case, perhaps the answer to all their problems is right-back Achraf Hakimi, scorer of a hat-trick in Friday's 5-1 win at Le Havre in Ligue 1.

"He is more of an attacker," said Luis Enrique, who has overseen more wins than any other coach in PSG's history.

"He plays higher up the pitch and has the ability to make runs and set up goals.

"He is the best right-back in the world. What I like is that he is always at the highest level, always ready. That means a lot."

PSG made it nine straight wins in that game, despite having only two starters from last season's Champions League final in their line-up.

With competition to PSG lacking in France, being able to rest key players in Ligue 1 and still win remains something which could help them when it comes to Europe.

"We are going to need everyone if we are going to win trophies, and with the injuries there will be opportunities," insisted Luis Enrique.

The problem is there are few players anywhere who could adequately replace a talent like Kvaratskhelia.

Sports

Superstitious Antonelli to Shun F1 Champion’s Number One Next Year

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates after being crowned the new Formula 1 world champion, having finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, 01 November 2026. (EPA)
Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates after being crowned the new Formula 1 world champion, having finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, 01 November 2026. (EPA)
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Superstitious Antonelli to Shun F1 Champion’s Number One Next Year

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates after being crowned the new Formula 1 world champion, having finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, 01 November 2026. (EPA)
Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates after being crowned the new Formula 1 world champion, having finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, 01 November 2026. (EPA)

Kimi Antonelli will ‌not have the number one on his car next year out of superstition and humility, the 20-year-old Italian explained after becoming Formula One's youngest champion on Sunday.

The Mercedes driver took the title in Mexico City with racing number 12 on his car and he will keep that when he starts his reign.

"I'll stay with number 12 because, obviously, it's a very special number for me, but also it's a way for me to stay grounded, to stay humble," said the first Italian champion in 73 years.

"I feel like by keeping number 12 it allows me ‌to have a ‌new point where to start and build on ‌everything ⁠again and try ⁠to improve. And also, to be honest, I'm very superstitious, and number one has never been a good number for me.

"Whenever I put it (on), it went extremely badly. So one more reason to stay with number 12."

Antonelli is the first F1 driver to win a championship with the number 12 since the late Brazilian triple champion Ayrton Senna did so ⁠with his first for McLaren in 1988.

Senna, who ‌died racing for Williams at Italy's Imola ‌circuit in 1994, is also an idol for Antonelli, who comes from nearby ‌Bologna and Antonelli said he would be wearing a special tribute ‌helmet at next weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said Antonelli's humility made him a new kind of driver, one that other youngsters should emulate.

"This notion of win at all costs -- selfish, opportunistic, ruthlessness ‌for your own benefit -- that model of racing driver has died," said the Austrian.

"We have a new ⁠champion that represents ⁠values like humility, like integrity, loyalty, respect, believing in himself.

"He should be a role model for many other young drivers in junior formulas. He should be a role model for the few entitled ones in Formula One, the endless moaners on the radio, the ones that complain, the ones that crash.

"Look at this kid of 20 years and then think what you can do in order to improve."

Wolff said that was how he, the governing FIA and Formula One wanted to see racing drivers in future.

"He (Antonelli) represents the modern Formula One driver because of those values, not only because of his talent," he added. "He has demonstrated that you can beat everyone out there by being a good person."

Sports

Ten Hag Says Relegation a Real Possibility for Man Utd

Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester United - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 31, 2026 Manchester United manager Michael Carrick looks dejected during the match. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester United - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 31, 2026 Manchester United manager Michael Carrick looks dejected during the match. (Reuters)
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Ten Hag Says Relegation a Real Possibility for Man Utd

Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester United - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 31, 2026 Manchester United manager Michael Carrick looks dejected during the match. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester United - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 31, 2026 Manchester United manager Michael Carrick looks dejected during the match. (Reuters)

Former Manchester United manager ‌Erik ten Hag said relegation is a real possibility for the club due to the strength of the Premier League, after a 2-0 loss to Chelsea on Saturday left them one spot above the drop zone.

United are 17th with seven points from nine games, above Crystal Palace in the final relegation spot on goal difference, and are winless in their last nine ‌matches, their ‌longest run without a victory since ‌1984, ⁠according to data ⁠firm Opta.

The United board decided to stick with current manager Michael Carrick for the Chelsea game despite a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth and a 4-1 drubbing at Como in the Champions League in the lead-up to the ⁠match.

Asked about the possibility of United ‌being relegated for the ‌first time in over half a century, Ten Hag ‌told ESPN: "In the Premier League it's certainly ‌possible, because all the teams are simply strong.

"They're all strong squads, all good managers. And if you end up on the wrong side once and you ‌really get into that vicious circle -- yes, then it can become very, ⁠very difficult."

Ten ⁠Hag arrived at United in 2022 and guided them to an FA Cup and League Cup trophy during his tenure before being sacked in 2024.

"Before we arrived, six years without winning a trophy," said the Dutch manager, who was named FC Twente's technical director ahead of the 2026-27 season. "Look where they are now."

United next host AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, before facing Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.