Bayern Says Kane’s Ankle Injury Is Not as Bad as Initially Feared

 Munich's Harry Kane passes the ball past Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (dpa via AP)
Munich's Harry Kane passes the ball past Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (dpa via AP)
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Bayern Says Kane’s Ankle Injury Is Not as Bad as Initially Feared

 Munich's Harry Kane passes the ball past Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (dpa via AP)
Munich's Harry Kane passes the ball past Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (dpa via AP)

Bayern Munich star Harry Kane’s left ankle injury is not as serious as initially feared, the Bundesliga club said.

“Examinations by the club’s medical unit on Sunday determined a positive development,” the Bavarian powerhouse said. “Kane will continue to receive appropriate treatment.”

The club did not say whether Kane will be fit for Bayern’s visit to Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old forward limped off the field late in Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Saturday after getting a knock to the ankle in a tussle for the ball with Leverkusen’s Amine Adli.

Kane failed to have a shot at goal against Leverkusen but has been instrumental in Bayern’s attack again this season. He scored five goals and set up six more in the first four league games, while scoring four goals in the 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the club's opening Champions League game.

He also scored in Bayern’s opening German Cup match.



Zelenskiy Lauds Champion Usyk’s Perseverance in Victory over Fury in Riyadh

 Boxers Britain's Tyson Fury, right, and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk compete during their WBA, WBO, and WBC world heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP)
Boxers Britain's Tyson Fury, right, and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk compete during their WBA, WBO, and WBC world heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP)
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Zelenskiy Lauds Champion Usyk’s Perseverance in Victory over Fury in Riyadh

 Boxers Britain's Tyson Fury, right, and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk compete during their WBA, WBO, and WBC world heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP)
Boxers Britain's Tyson Fury, right, and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk compete during their WBA, WBO, and WBC world heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed Oleksandr Usyk's victory over Tyson Fury to retain the WBA (Super), WBO and WBC world heavyweight titles in Riyadh, saying the boxer embodied the fighting spirit of Ukrainians.

Undefeated Usyk, who took Fury's WBC belt in their first bout in May, beat the British two-time world champion in the rematch by unanimous decision, handing him the second loss of his professional career.

"Victory! So important and so needed by all of us right now," Zelenskiy, who had led Ukraine in its war with Russia since Moscow invaded its neighbor in 2022, wrote on X.

"By defending his championship belt, Oleksandr Usyk proves: we are Ukrainians and we will not give up what is ours! No matter how hard it gets - we will overcome everything.

"Whether it is in the ring, on the battlefield or in the diplomatic arena - we will fight and we will not give up what is ours! Congratulations on your victory, Cossack! Congratulations on your victory, Ukraine!"

Former world champion Wladimir Klitschko, who enlisted in the Ukrainian military reserves before Russia's invasion, was at the Kingdom Arena to witness Usyk's victory.

"Ukraine is fortunate to have you. You're a true standard-bearer of our resilience... glory to Ukraine," Klitschko wrote on X.