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Bayern's Lennart Karl Calls Real Madrid his 'Dream Club'

Bayern's Lennart Karl, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Sporting CP in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern's Lennart Karl, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Sporting CP in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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Bayern's Lennart Karl Calls Real Madrid his 'Dream Club'

Bayern's Lennart Karl, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Sporting CP in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern's Lennart Karl, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Sporting CP in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern Munich's latest young sensation is already thinking about a future elsewhere.

Lennart Karl, the 17-year-old midfielder who became Bayern's youngest Champions League scorer in October, prompted laughs, criticism and confusion Sunday with an admission he dreams of moving to Real Madrid.

During a question-and-answer session at a small-town fan gathering Sunday, the sort of visit that's a new year's tradition for the club's players, Karl was asked if he had a “dream club” other than Bayern.

“Bayern's a very, very big club in any case, and it's a dream to play there, but some day I'd definitely like to go to Real Madrid. That's my dream club, but that stays between us," Karl said, to laughter from the Bayern fans in the audience, in comments broadcast by Sky Sport in Germany.

“But obviously Bayern is something very, very special and it's lots and lots of fun at the club.”

While the fans in the audience seemed to take Karl's comments with good humor, the young midfielder faced criticism from Bayern supporters online questioning his loyalty to the club.

Karl came through Bayern's youth academy and made his first-team debut in a 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City at the Club World Cup in June before becoming a regular this season, with six goals in 22 games.

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Sabalenka Eases Through Brisbane Opener, Kyrgios Falls at First Hurdle

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates winning with fans after her match against Cristina Bucsa of Spain during day three of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 06 January 2026. EPA/DARREN ENGLAND
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates winning with fans after her match against Cristina Bucsa of Spain during day three of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 06 January 2026. EPA/DARREN ENGLAND
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Sabalenka Eases Through Brisbane Opener, Kyrgios Falls at First Hurdle

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates winning with fans after her match against Cristina Bucsa of Spain during day three of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 06 January 2026. EPA/DARREN ENGLAND
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates winning with fans after her match against Cristina Bucsa of Spain during day three of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 06 January 2026. EPA/DARREN ENGLAND

World number one Aryna Sabalenka began her 2026 campaign with a thumping victory at the Brisbane International on Tuesday while her "Battle of the Sexes" opponent Nick Kyrgios fell short on his return to singles action after nearly a year out.

Sabalenka, who was beaten in straight sets by Kyrgios a week ago in a Dubai exhibition, resumed her preparations for the Australian Open by turning on the style to beat Cristina Bucsa 6-0 6-1 ⁠in 47 minutes to reach the third round.

"Definitely my serve worked really well," she said after the quickest victory of her career.

"I did a couple of serve-and-volleys, which is like, 'wow,' so yeah, I'm super happy with the level. I'm happy to be ⁠back. I always enjoy playing in front of all you guys. That was a great performance from me."

The defending Brisbane champion faces either Sorana Cirstea or Jelena Ostapenko next as she looks to build momentum for the January 18 to February 1 Grand Slam at Melbourne Park, where she will be hunting a third title, Reuters reported.

The injury-plagued Kyrgios also had a short spell on court in ⁠his first singles match since March, the Australian losing 6-3 6-4 to American Aleksandar Kovacevic in 65 minutes.

The 30-year-old is hoping for a wildcard at Melbourne Park and will try to build his match fitness when he teams up with Thanasi Kokkinakis for a doubles round of 16 match on Wednesday.

The duo won their match against Matthew Ebden and Rajeev Ram on Sunday and will take on Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul next.

Sports

Salah: Egypt not Among AFCON Favorites but Will Keep Fighting

Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, Round of 16 match between Egypt and Benin in Agadir, Morocco, 05 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, Round of 16 match between Egypt and Benin in Agadir, Morocco, 05 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
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Salah: Egypt not Among AFCON Favorites but Will Keep Fighting

Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, Round of 16 match between Egypt and Benin in Agadir, Morocco, 05 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, Round of 16 match between Egypt and Benin in Agadir, Morocco, 05 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah said his team was not among the favorites to win the Africa Cup of Nations title, but insisted they would give their best to go deeper in the tournament in Morocco.

Liverpool forward Salah scored the third goal to secure Egypt's spot in the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin on Monday.

Hossam ⁠Hassan's side are bidding to win the title for the first time since 2010 and a record eight times overall.

"I don't think we are a favorite at all (to win the title)" Salah told reporters.

"We have young ⁠players, and most of them play in Egypt. We just fight for our country... but everybody gives their best and you could see today".

According to Reuters, the 33-year-old said there were no easy games in AFCON.

"The level is quite similar, I told the team yesterday that no side loses by four or five goals. (Benin) have a good team ⁠and a good coach... I'm glad we managed to win in the end". Salah has scored 10 goals in 22 games in the AFCON, two fewer than Hassan El-Shazly, Egypt's all-time top scorer in the tournament and one fewer than his current coach Hassan.

Egypt will face defending champions Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals in Agadir on Saturday.

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Riyadh, Jeddah Stadiums Set to Host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026

One of the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah. (SPA)
One of the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah. (SPA)
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Riyadh, Jeddah Stadiums Set to Host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026

One of the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah. (SPA)
One of the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah. (SPA)

The Local Organizing Committee for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ has finalized preparations at the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah, as part of the final readiness measures for the continental tournament. The Kingdom will host the competition from January 6 to 24, featuring 16 Asian national teams.

Preparations encompassed four key stadiums: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium and Al-Shabab Club Stadium in Riyadh, along with Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium and the Secondary Stadium at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. All technical and operational requirements have been finalized in line with Asian Football Confederation standards.

The Committee noted that the completion of stadium readiness reflects the significant progress of the Kingdom’s sports infrastructure and reaffirms its ability to host continental tournaments to the highest professional standards. The AFC U23 Asian Cup was described as a key milestone in preparations for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.