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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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Barca’s Bardghji Hit by Another Serious Knee Injury Setback

Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Birmingham City v FC Barcelona - St Andrew's - Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - July 31, 2026 FC Barcelona's Roony Bardghji in action with Birmingham City's Menzi Mazw. (Reuters)
Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Birmingham City v FC Barcelona - St Andrew's - Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - July 31, 2026 FC Barcelona's Roony Bardghji in action with Birmingham City's Menzi Mazw. (Reuters)
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Barca’s Bardghji Hit by Another Serious Knee Injury Setback

Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Birmingham City v FC Barcelona - St Andrew's - Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - July 31, 2026 FC Barcelona's Roony Bardghji in action with Birmingham City's Menzi Mazw. (Reuters)
Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Birmingham City v FC Barcelona - St Andrew's - Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - July 31, 2026 FC Barcelona's Roony Bardghji in action with Birmingham City's Menzi Mazw. (Reuters)

Barcelona winger ‌Roony Bardghji has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, the Spanish champions said on Tuesday, dealing a major blow to the 20-year-old after a previous serious knee injury derailed his progress.

Bardghji, who was born ‌in Kuwait ‌but plays for ‌Sweden, ⁠suffered a serious ⁠knee problem during training in 2024 that sidelined him for nearly a year.

"The player will undergo surgery in the coming days," Barca posted ⁠on social media platform ‌X after ‌the latest setback.

He joined Barca ‌from Copenhagen last year on ‌a contract that runs until June 2029.

He has made 28 appearances for Barca in all ‌competitions, scoring two goals and providing four assists.

⁠Bardghji ⁠has won three caps since making his senior debut last year but missed selection for Sweden's 2026 World Cup squad.

Hansi Flick's Barca side, who are chasing a third straight LaLiga title, open their league campaign at Elche on August 23.

Sports

Newcastle Manager Jaissle Relishing Opportunity After Player Exodus Chaos

St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 11, 2026, Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle during the press conference. (dpa)
St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 11, 2026, Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle during the press conference. (dpa)
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Newcastle Manager Jaissle Relishing Opportunity After Player Exodus Chaos

St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 11, 2026, Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle during the press conference. (dpa)
St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 11, 2026, Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle during the press conference. (dpa)

Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle is refusing to dwell on the departure of key players that has left his club in turmoil ahead of the Premier League season, insisting on Tuesday that he sees opportunity in the situation.

Jaissle was recruited from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli after Eddie Howe left last month, with the German coach joining a club who had lost Anthony Gordon, ‌Sandro Tonali and ‌captain Bruno Guimaraes in quick succession.

"It's a challenge, ‌a ⁠big challenge, always ⁠when there's a transitional period. But it's not time to complain, it doesn't make sense to see the negative things," Jaissle told reporters.

"We want to see the chance in that situation and that's our approach from day one. We are here to do our best job. We want to support the players, the current squad.

"There will ⁠be adjustments to see in the coming days, ‌weeks. But for now, it's only ‌focused on the daily work, the work we can influence. That's all ‌that matters now."

The 38-year-old coach arrived in Newcastle having won ‌two Austrian Bundesliga titles with Red Bull Salzburg before leading Al-Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League crowns.

He remained tight-lipped about new signings.

"Obviously, in that transition phase, the players who left the club were great players, great characters, ‌experienced players. This is now a vacuum," he said.

"Either we adjust something in the squad, by ⁠signing these players, ⁠these profiles, or other players need to step up and fill these positions, these leadership roles. I'm quite optimistic, we can work in both scenarios."

Jaissle said he had a clear vision of how he wants his team to play.

"The phrase how Newcastle should play like is front-footed, intense, aggressive and of course also successful. In the end, it's all about what I can say and it's also why I'm sitting here," he said.

"The approach we have as a coaching team and the identity of Newcastle is famed for, it's so linked so close together - which is a perfect fit in my eyes and that's going to be exciting."

Sports

Mentality Key to Premier League Revival for Spurs, Says De Zerbi

Tottenham Hotspur's manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the Sydney Super Cup football match between English Premier League teams Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 1, 2026. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the Sydney Super Cup football match between English Premier League teams Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 1, 2026. (AFP)
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Mentality Key to Premier League Revival for Spurs, Says De Zerbi

Tottenham Hotspur's manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the Sydney Super Cup football match between English Premier League teams Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 1, 2026. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the Sydney Super Cup football match between English Premier League teams Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 1, 2026. (AFP)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto ‌De Zerbi said restoring the team's spirit and mentality would be crucial to their revival after two seasons spent near the bottom of the Premier League table.

The 47-year-old, who took over in March and steered the club to safety by finishing one place above the relegation zone, said a busy summer recruitment window alone would not be enough to deliver long-term success.

Spurs have recruited ‌Sandro Tonali, ‌Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, ‌Andy ⁠Robertson, Marcos Senesi, ⁠Cole Ramsey and Martin Dubravka.

"In the transfer market, we're not finished yet. We're looking forward to start another season with different ambitions and results," De Zerbi said on the Men in Blazers YouTube channel.

"We have to find the condition to ⁠build a strong team, than the ‌last seasons to compete ‌again for the top of the table.

"I usually think about ‌the soul, passion, spirit and mentality of ‌the team and then the improvement we can do in the future, because I can't stay with the focus just on the present."

The Italian said he wanted ‌supporters to recognize his side not only through its style of play but ⁠also ⁠through their commitment and character.

"I would like when we go to play in the Premier League... the people recognize one's soul, passion, value of the player," he said.

"The qualities of the players are not enough. If you don't put something more, something of yourself, something you feel inside of you, it's very tough to now compete with the top teams in the world, in the Premier League."

Spurs begin their Premier League campaign against Brentford on August 22.