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Barcelona’s Raphinha Out for a Week with Leg Injury

Football - UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona v FC Copenhagen - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - January 28, 2026 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
Football - UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona v FC Copenhagen - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - January 28, 2026 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
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Barcelona’s Raphinha Out for a Week with Leg Injury

Football - UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona v FC Copenhagen - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - January 28, 2026 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
Football - UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona v FC Copenhagen - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - January 28, 2026 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)

Barcelona forward Raphinha has been sidelined for a week ​with a right leg injury, the LaLiga champions said on Monday, after the Brazilian was forced off at halftime during Saturday's ‌3-1 win ‌at ‌Elche.

The ⁠29-year-old, ​who ‌has scored eight goals and provided three assists this season, was ruled out for nearly two months after suffering ⁠a hamstring injury in September.

"Raphinha ‌is suffering from ‍an ‍overload in the adductor ‍muscle of his right leg... his recovery period is expected to be one ​week," Barcelona said in a statement, adding ⁠that he will miss Tuesday's Copa del Rey quarter-final at Albacete.

Leaders Barcelona, bidding for their third LaLiga title in four years, are a point above Real Madrid in the ‌standings.

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Rodri Rages That Officials ‘Don’t Want’ Man City to Win

The referee (R) looks on as Tottenham Hotspur's Dutch midfielder #07 Xavi Simons (L) clashes with Manchester City's Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri (C) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 1, 2026. (AFP)
The referee (R) looks on as Tottenham Hotspur's Dutch midfielder #07 Xavi Simons (L) clashes with Manchester City's Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri (C) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 1, 2026. (AFP)
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Rodri Rages That Officials ‘Don’t Want’ Man City to Win

The referee (R) looks on as Tottenham Hotspur's Dutch midfielder #07 Xavi Simons (L) clashes with Manchester City's Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri (C) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 1, 2026. (AFP)
The referee (R) looks on as Tottenham Hotspur's Dutch midfielder #07 Xavi Simons (L) clashes with Manchester City's Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri (C) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 1, 2026. (AFP)

Manchester City midfielder Rodri called on referees "to be neutral" in a furious tirade after their Premier League title bid suffered another setback following a 2-2 draw at Tottenham.

City were cruising towards victory in north London at 2-0 up on Sunday, but the momentum swung in Spurs' favor after a goal by Dominic Solanke was allowed to stand despite the forward appearing to foul Marc Guehi before making contact with the ball.

Solanke then produced a stunning scorpion kick to equalize and leave City six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

"I know we won too much and the people don't want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it's not fair," Rodri told Australian broadcaster Stan Sport.

"At the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it's so clear the foul. He kicked the leg and of course with the push of the action on the ball, the ball goes in.

"We have to pay attention to these little things otherwise it's going to be difficult for everyone because this league is like this - it's about small details and everything counts, so I think today is a very tough day for us in this sense."

The controversial call was just the latest decision that City feel has gone against them in recent weeks.

Pep Guardiola claimed last week that the club's success during his golden era had come "despite" decisions consistently going against his side.

"It's one game and another game and it's not possible," added Rodri.

"He anticipated the leg of Marc and it's a clear foul, but it's not today. It's two or three games in a row and I don't know why, honestly."

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Arsenal Midfielder Mikel Merino Needs Foot Surgery but Should Be Fit for World Cup

Football - UEFA Champions League - Inter Milan v Arsenal - San Siro, Milan, Italy - January 20, 2026 Arsenal's Mikel Merino reacts. (Reuters)
Football - UEFA Champions League - Inter Milan v Arsenal - San Siro, Milan, Italy - January 20, 2026 Arsenal's Mikel Merino reacts. (Reuters)
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Arsenal Midfielder Mikel Merino Needs Foot Surgery but Should Be Fit for World Cup

Football - UEFA Champions League - Inter Milan v Arsenal - San Siro, Milan, Italy - January 20, 2026 Arsenal's Mikel Merino reacts. (Reuters)
Football - UEFA Champions League - Inter Milan v Arsenal - San Siro, Milan, Italy - January 20, 2026 Arsenal's Mikel Merino reacts. (Reuters)

Spain midfielder Mikel Merino should be fit for the World Cup after he was ruled out for “an extended period” by Arsenal because of a right foot injury.

The Premier League leaders said late Sunday that Merino will have an operation on the bone injury sustained during the home loss to Manchester United on Jan. 25.

“Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation program,” Arsenal said.

“Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season.”

Merino was a member of the Spain squad that won the European Championship in 2024, scoring an extra-time winner against Germany in the quarterfinals.

The World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to start on June 11.

Sports

Pope Says Winter Olympics ‘Rekindle Hope’ for World Peace

01 February 2026, Vatican, Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV delivers Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic building in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (dpa)
01 February 2026, Vatican, Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV delivers Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic building in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (dpa)
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Pope Says Winter Olympics ‘Rekindle Hope’ for World Peace

01 February 2026, Vatican, Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV delivers Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic building in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (dpa)
01 February 2026, Vatican, Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV delivers Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic building in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (dpa)

Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that the Winter Olympics -- starting in less than a week's time in northern Italy -- were an opportunity to "rekindle hope for a world at peace".

The American-born pontiff, after wishing the best to athletes and organizers in remarks after the Angelus prayer, noted that the modern Olympic Games were founded on a credo of international peace and "fraternity".

With the Milan-Cortina Games, he expressed hope that "all those who care about peace among peoples and are in positions of authority will take this opportunity to make concrete gestures of detente and dialogue".

The Winter Olympics will begin on Friday with its opening ceremony, and run to February 22, followed by the Winter Paralympics from March 6 to 15.

In his remarks, the pope also stressed "greatly troubling news regarding an increase in tensions between Cuba and the United States of America".

He urged the two countries to engage in "sincere and effective dialogue, in order to avoid violence and every action that could increase the suffering of the dear Cuban people".

US President Donald Trump has been ramping up his threats against Cuba, following his deployment of the military in early January to attack Caracas and grab Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro.

On Thursday, Trump issued an executive order threatening extra tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba, whose government he accused of aligning with "numerous hostile countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign actors".