Man City’s Rodri Says He Will Discuss His Future After World Cup

Spanish National soccer team player Rodri attends the media day at the Soccer City of Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain, 01 June 2026. (EPA)

08:39-2 June 2026 AD ـ 17 Thul-Hijjah 1447 AH

Spanish National soccer team player Rodri attends the media day at the Soccer City of Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain, 01 June 2026. (EPA)

Spain midfielder Rodri said ‌he is focused on the World Cup and will only address his future at Manchester City after the tournament.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is entering the final year of his contract with the Premier League club and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

"Well, I’m trying not to make too much of it, but it is part of my job, especially when a player has been ‌nearing the ‌end of his contract for some ‌time – ⁠it’s only natural ⁠that names come up," the 29-year-old told reporters on Monday.

"But anyway, I’m very calm, I know exactly where I stand, and yes probably if there hadn’t been a World Cup, I might be in a different situation now but with a World ⁠Cup on the horizon, my responsibility is ‌to stay focused.

"We're here ‌to talk about the World Cup and everything that concerns ‌my future, I'll wait until the end of ‌the World Cup."

European champions Spain will face Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H at the June 11 to July 19 tournament in North America.

Rodri said ‌he had urged his Spain teammates to follow tennis great Rafa Nadal's example ⁠after ⁠watching a documentary about the 22-times Grand Slam champion.

"What I told them is that we need to try to play without the ball like a small team. With that mindset of not thinking you’re the best," he added.

"I was just watching the documentary on Nadal and he was always talking about that – always one more ball, one more effort. And that’s what the great champions do and, above all, bringing out all the talent this team has, which is very big."

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)

17:09-11 August 2026 AD ـ 27 Safar 1448 AH

Barca’s Bardghji Hit by Another Serious Knee Injury Setback

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.

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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)

17:06-11 August 2026 AD ـ 27 Safar 1448 AH

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)

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."

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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)

11:29-11 August 2026 AD ـ 27 Safar 1448 AH

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

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.

Man City’s Rodri Says He Will Discuss His Future After World Cup

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