Sports
Trump honors Messi, Inter Miami at White House after MLS Cup win
Lionel Messi presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a jewel-studded pink football ball during a White House ceremony honoring Inter Miami CF for winning last season’s MLS Cup.
Miami secured the title in December with a victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Messi capped the campaign by claiming the league’s MVP award for the second straight year.
Trump praised the Argentine star during the event.
“Leo, you came in and you won, and that’s something very hard to do, very unusual,” he said, noting the pressure that comes with arriving as a global icon expected to deliver success.
Messi, who joined Inter Miami in mid-2023 amid global attention, entered the ceremony alongside Trump but did not address the audience. Parts of the event veered into politics, with the president touching on issues ranging from tensions with Iran to developments in Venezuela, Cuba and U.S. tariffs.
Addressing Messi, who has largely avoided speaking out on politics, Trump kept most of his remarks focused on sports.
“You could have gone anywhere in the world. You could have chosen any team in the world, and you chose to go to Miami. I don’t blame you. The weather’s extremely good. Do you go to Doral? You go to Doral and play golf?” Trump said, referring to a golf course he owns. “I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride, because you are hot and talented and a great person.”
Among the other Inter Miami players in attendance were Luis Suarez, Tadeo Allende and Rodrigo De Paul.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber sat next to Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House’s World Cup task force. Also attending were retired baseball star Alex Rodriguez and members of Trump’s Cabinet.
Inter Miami was the first MLS team invited to the White House during Trump’s two terms in office.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, led Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022. The 38-year-old is expected to play again for Argentina this year when the tournament is hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Football’s global showcase has been clouded by recent events, including the war with Iran and turmoil in Mexico following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera in a military operation.
Iran is part of the 48-team World Cup field and is set to play two games at SoFi Stadium in Southern California and another in Seattle during the group stage.
Trump opened the ceremony with comments about the conflict with Iran but did not mention the World Cup.
Following military action by the U.S. and Israel last week, Iran’s top football official, Mehdi Taj, said the country could not look to playing in the World Cup with “hope.”
“I really don’t care” if Iran participates, Trump told Politico this week. “I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”
It is unclear what would happen if Iran withdrew from the World Cup. No team that has qualified for the tournament has withdrawn in the past 75 years.
The World Cup kicks off June 11 when Mexico plays South Africa in Mexico City.
During the ceremony, Trump spoke about seeing Brazilian great Pele play for the New York Cosmos. Turning to Messi, he said, “You may be better than Pele,” then asked the crowd, “Who’s better?”
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas said his team has “changed the culture of football in the United States forever.”
“We can play with the big boys, we can play with the heavyweights. Our league can be one of the top leagues in the world,” Mas said. “And it is this ability to dream, to persevere, to have no obstacles ahead of us, that we will continue to be successful. And hopefully, Mr. President, this is not our only visit here celebrating an MLS Cup championship.”
It was the first White House visit for Messi. He was invited by the Biden administration to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2025 but could not attend because of a scheduling conflict.
Inter Miami will remain in the area to play D.C. United on Saturday.
The 2026 Formula One season opened Friday beneath the bright skies of Melbourne, but the first laps of practice at Albert Park came with as many questions as answers.
The milestone 40th Australian Grand Prix marks the start of a radically reshaped era in Formula One.
New technical regulations, a reworked competitive order and growing geopolitical tensions have cast uncertainty over the early months of the championship.
The most pressing concern surrounds the Middle Eastern leg of the calendar.
Races scheduled for Bahrain on April 12 and Saudi Arabia on April 19 remain under scrutiny because of the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Closed airspace and security concerns have already forced the FIA to postpone the World Endurance Championship opener in Qatar scheduled for March 26-28.
Formula One and the FIA say they are monitoring developments closely with safety as the priority. A decision on the upcoming races is expected soon.
While politics hover in the background, the paddock’s attention remains fixed on performance. The 2026 season introduces sweeping changes to both chassis and power units, ushering in an era where power is split almost evenly between the 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine and electric energy recovered under braking.
The shift demands a new driving style. Energy management and deployment now play a greater role than ever, forcing drivers to rethink their approach to acceleration, cornering and race strategy.
Early indications suggest Mercedes may hold the upper hand.
Charles Leclerc topped the final pre-season test in Bahrain, finishing more than eight-tenths clear of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. Yet whispers across the paddock suggest Mercedes have not even unleashed the full potential of their engine.
If the Silver Arrows deliver on that promise, George Russell is expected to spearhead the challenge. The British driver enters the weekend with quiet confidence.
“The car is performing as we expected,” Russell said. “The important thing is the correlation between the wind tunnel and the track. That looks good and there are no major scares.”
Ferrari remain a serious contender. Their nimble chassis and smaller turbocharger are designed to deliver quicker response and sharper race starts, a combination that could put them in position for their first Australian Grand Prix victory since 2022.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now rejuvenated at Ferrari, believes the team has made significant progress.
“We got great mileage done in winter testing,” Hamilton said. “There’s been an amazing amount of work back at the factory and we learned a lot from last season.”
But the loudest cheers in Melbourne belong to one driver.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri carries the hopes of the home crowd and a lingering sense of unfinished business after last year’s championship slipped away to teammate Lando Norris. Piastri led the standings for 189 days between Saudi Arabia and Mexico before a series of costly errors, most notably in Azerbaijan, derailed his title bid.
Local media have pressed him relentlessly on whether he can become the first Australian to win his home race.
“If I had a dollar for every time I got asked that, I’d be a few dollars richer,” Piastri joked. “Every driver wants to win their home race and that’s no different for me.”
On Friday afternoon he gave fans reason to believe.
Piastri topped the timesheets in second practice with a lap of 1 minute, 19.729 seconds, edging Mercedes drivers Antonelli and Russell by just over two-tenths. Hamilton finished fourth, 0.321 seconds off the pace, ahead of Ferrari teammate Leclerc.
Red Bull, expected to be among the contenders, endured a mixed start.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen admitted the team is still unsure where it stands despite encouraging energy management from the RB22.
“I think we want to be a little bit faster,” Verstappen said. “From Bahrain we weren’t the quickest, so we’ll just see where we are here.”
Verstappen’s Friday reflected that uncertainty. The Dutchman stalled leaving the garage early in second practice and later slid through the gravel at Turn 10 after locking up, missing nearly half the session before returning to post the sixth-fastest time.
Norris, the defending champion, recovered from a troubled morning to finish seventh after a gearbox issue left him only 19th in the opening session.
Russell’s afternoon was hardly calm either. The Mercedes driver locked up at Turn 3 and slid into the gravel, then required repairs after a minor pit lane collision with Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad.
“This guy’s just hit my front wing,” Russell told his team over the radio.
Hamilton later mirrored Russell’s mistake with a similar slide at Turn 3.
The new hybrid engines, with a far greater share of electric power, have already produced a steep learning curve. Reliability problems and energy management challenges triggered two virtual safety car periods during the opening practice session.
No team appears more troubled than Aston Martin.
Adrian Newey, overseeing his first race weekend as team principal, revealed that vibrations from the Honda power unit could pose a serious problem for drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
The team’s fragile preparation continued in Melbourne.
Alonso missed the opening practice session entirely while Stroll completed only three laps. The pair managed 31 laps combined in the second session, but Alonso finished 20th and Stroll’s fastest time was more than six seconds slower than Piastri’s.
Even new entrant Cadillac experienced early frustration. Sergio Perez, returning to Formula One with the American-backed team, failed to post a lap time in the second session.
As qualifying approaches on Saturday, the 2026 season has already delivered intrigue.
A new technical era, unpredictable performance gaps and global tensions beyond the racetrack have left the sport facing an opening weekend filled with uncertainty.
The California desert is set for a star-studded return to tennis as the ATP and WTA Masters 1000 tournament at Indian Wells kicks off.
Former champion Carlos Alcaraz aims to extend his flawless 2026 start, while Jannik Sinner looks to capture his first title of the year after a turbulent but ultimately triumphant 2025.
Alcaraz, 22, fresh off a historic Australian Open victory that made him the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, arrives in the U.S. riding a 12-match winning streak, including a Qatar Open title.
The top seed faces a challenging second-round match against former world number three Grigor Dimitrov or in-form left-hander Terence Atmane.
Third-seeded Novak Djokovic, chasing a record sixth Indian Wells crown to surpass Roger Federer, also looms in his half of the draw.
Sinner, meanwhile, opens against either Australian James Duckworth or Czech qualifier Dalibor Svrcina.
The Italian missed last year’s event serving a suspension for a banned steroid but bounced back to win Wimbledon and the ATP Finals.
Despite losses in the Australian Open semis to Djokovic and a Doha quarterfinal exit to Jakob Mensik, Sinner says he is building on momentum.
“It has been a very hard practice week here for me,” he said, emphasizing his focus on aggression and refinement at the baseline. The 22-year-old has previously won five Masters 1000 hard-court tournaments, including Toronto, Miami, Cincinnati, Shanghai, and Paris.
On the women’s side, world number one Aryna Sabalenka returns to Indian Wells seeking her first title after falling in last year’s final to Russian teen Mirra Andreeva and in 2023 to Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka will start against Japanese qualifier Himeno Sakatsume or U.S. wild card Alycia Parks, with Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova awaiting deeper in her quarter. Rybakina, the third seed, highlighted the desert conditions’ challenges: “It’s not easy to get short points, free points. You need to work for each point.”
Second-seeded Iga Swiatek, a two-time Indian Wells champion, also faces a tough path, with a potential quarterfinal against Andreeva, who upset her in last year’s semis.
Djokovic, 38, remains a formidable presence despite his age, having pushed Alcaraz to the limit in the Australian Open final after defeating defending champion Sinner in a five-set thriller.
“I can still compete at the highest level and beat these guys,” Djokovic said. “As long as I have the fire and motivation, I’ll keep going. I enjoy the thrill of competition and performing in front of the fans.”
The Serb, a five-time Indian Wells champion, continues to tailor his schedule around the Grand Slams and select events, keeping his focus sharp and his ranking among the elite.
Iranian striker Sara Didar fought back tears on Wednesday as journalists asked about the escalating conflict engulfing her homeland.
The 21-year-old forward, a rising star with Bam Khatoon FC in Iran’s Kowsar Women Football League, spoke at a press conference ahead of Iran’s second group-stage match in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
“Obviously, we’re all concerned and sad at what has happened to Iran and our families,” Didar said, voice trembling. “But I really hope it’s very good for our country, to have good news ahead, and I hope my country would be strongly alive.”
Her words captured the emotional strain facing athletes competing thousands of miles from home while their country reels from violence.
Head coach Marziyeh Jafari, a seasoned figure in Iranian women’s football with 11 domestic titles since 2008 and AFC Coach of the Year for Women in 2025, reflected the team’s dual burden.
“We have so many concerns regarding our families and the people in Iran. Nobody loves war. But here, we are coming to play football professionally and we do our best to concentrate on the match ahead,” Jafari said.
She emphasized that internet disruptions and communication blackouts left the squad disconnected from real-time updates on loved ones, heightening the pressure on the team.
Iran opened their Group A campaign with a 3-0 loss to South Korea on March 2 at Robina Stadium.
Players stood respectfully during the national anthem but remained silent, a quiet reflection of the turmoil back home.
Thursday’s matchup against host nation Australia at Cbus Super Stadium presents another daunting challenge, as the Matildas seek to secure a quarterfinal berth.
The backdrop is a conflict that erupted Feb. 28, 2026, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched “Operation Epic Fury,” targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure and resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials.
Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on U.S. and regional targets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent energy markets into turmoil.
Civilian casualties have been staggering. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reports at least 787 dead, including 165 schoolgirls and staff killed at Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab on the conflict’s first day. Rescue teams uncovered more victims amid the rubble, triggering mass funerals and international condemnation. UNESCO labeled the attack a “grave violation” of international humanitarian law.
Amid this chaos, Iran’s women’s team is navigating only its second appearance at the Asian Cup, a testament to the resilience of a program battling limited resources and societal barriers. Ranked 68th by FIFA, the squad qualified through a tough Asian qualification process. Despite the devastation at home, the players aim to focus on the sport, representing a nation in crisis and providing hope amid heartbreak.
“Here, we are professionals, but we carry the hopes of our families and country with us,” Jafari said. Football Australia and the AFC have extended full support to the team, while the Iranian diaspora in Australia has rallied behind them, offering encouragement.
Defending champions Galatasaray head into hostile territory on Saturday night to face fourth-placed Beşiktaş in a derby that could reshape the Süper Lig title race.
The Round 25 clash at Tüpraş Stadyumu kicks off at 8:00 p.m. local time, with more than 40,000 supporters expected.
Galatasaray sit on 58 points after 24 matches, four ahead of second-placed Fenerbahçe and 12 clear of Beşiktaş. With 10 rounds to follow, the margin for error is narrowing.
Balanced rivalry
Since their first meeting in 1924, the Istanbul rivals have faced each other 359 times in all competitions.
Galatasaray have won 128 of those matches, Beşiktaş 116, with 115 draws. A total of 972 goals have been scored in the fixture.
Recent league meetings underline how little separates them.
Over the last 10 Süper Lig derbies, both sides have four wins apiece and there have been two draws.
Beşiktaş, however, have turned their home ground into an advantage, winning eight of their last 10 home games against Galatasaray across competitions.
Galatasaray’s numbers and structure
Galatasaray’s position at the top has been built on efficiency at both ends. They have scored 58 goals, the highest total in the league, and conceded just 18. Their goal difference of plus 40 is the strongest in the division.
Okan Buruk has largely deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, built on controlled buildup and quick transitions once possession is regained.
The double pivot in midfield has allowed the attacking trio to operate higher, while fullbacks push forward to stretch defensive lines.
Mauro Icardi has led the scoring with 13 league goals, while Victor Osimhen has added 10.
Barış Alper Yılmaz has provided direct running from wide areas, and Leroy Sane has contributed six goals along with consistent chance creation. Gabriel Sara has added five goals and assists combined, linking midfield and attack.
Defensively, Uğurcan Çakır remains the first choice in goal, protected by Davinson Sanchez and Abdülkerim Bardakcı in central defense.
Injuries could influence selection. Osimhen and Icardi are managing physical concerns, and defensive absences, including suspension, may force adjustments in the back line.
Squad depth will be tested in a high-intensity environment.
Beşiktaş’s pursuit
Beşiktaş enter the derby on 46 points with 13 wins and only four defeats. Under Sergen Yalçın, they have shown greater balance in recent weeks and are unbeaten in five matches.
They have scored 45 goals, the fourth-highest total in the league, but conceded 29, a figure that reflects occasional defensive lapses. Yalçın has also favored a 4-2-3-1 system, often compact without the ball and direct once possession is won.
Despite leaving for Aston Villa in January, Tammy Abraham’s seven goals remain the benchmark, while Cengiz Ünder and El Bilal Toure have contributed five goals each.
Wilfred Ndidi has provided defensive stability in midfield, allowing attacking players greater freedom.
Beşiktaş also face selection issues. Injuries in defense and a suspension in midfield may require rotation, particularly against a side that has averaged more than two goals per game.
Tactical context
The match brings together the league’s most productive attack against a side that has been strong at home.
Galatasaray’s ability to control central areas and convert chances has been decisive this season. Beşiktaş’s home form and recent unbeaten run offer encouragement.
Set pieces may carry added importance given both teams’ aerial threats. Discipline and defensive organization could also prove decisive, especially with key players unavailable.
For Galatasaray, victory would extend their lead and reinforce their position entering the final stretch.
For Beşiktaş, three points would reduce the gap and strengthen their case in the race for Champions League qualification while reviving outside title hopes.
Aryna Sabalenka likes the idea of a safe place to blow off steam. Just maybe not after she is done with it.
The world number one laughed at the concept of tournament “rage rooms,” a space where players can vent away from cameras, after the ATX Open in Austin introduced one following a high-profile outburst by Coco Gauff at the Australian Open.
“Oh, that’s cool, let’s do that,” Sabalenka said Tuesday ahead of Indian Wells. “But I think after me there will be nothing to destroy. I would be there the whole day.”
The Austin initiative came in response to Gauff’s racket-smashing moment in Melbourne, when her quarterfinal loss frustrations were broadcast worldwide. The episode sparked a broader conversation about privacy and how much access tournaments should allow behind the scenes.
Gauff, 21, initially thought news of the rage room was fake.
“That was real? I thought it was AI,” she said, laughing. “My mom sent it to me, and I told her it was AI. She believes so many AI things.”
Once convinced, she embraced it.
“If I felt like I needed to let go some frustration, I would definitely be in the rage room,” Gauff said, adding that smashing plates might be more satisfying than sacrificing another racquet.
The debate has drawn support from leading voices. Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek have both called for stronger protections for players away from constant camera coverage, arguing that raw moments should not always become viral content.
Ring before the swing
While Sabalenka joked about destruction, she also delivered joyful news.
The Belarusian announced her engagement to Georgios Frangulis, CEO of global health brand OakBerry, just days before returning to competition. The pair have been dating since 2024.
“All good guys, everything happened, but look how I look,” she told her 4.7 million Instagram followers, flashing her ring.
She had hinted at the next step after winning the Brisbane International in January, thanking her boyfriend and teasing, “Hopefully, soon I’ll call you something else.”
Sabalenka has not played since falling to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final. Now she returns at Indian Wells with a bye into the second round, refreshed and still atop the rankings.
The combined ATP 1000 and WTA 1000 main draws begin Wednesday, launching the desert swing with plenty of star power and, if Austin’s experiment catches on, perhaps a few shattered plates behind closed doors.
Galatasaray will travel to Anfield without their supporters after UEFA ordered the Turkish champions to play their next Champions League away match behind closed doors for visiting fans.
UEFA’s disciplinary panel fined the club 40,000 euros ($46,540) and barred their fans from attending the upcoming round of 16 second leg against Liverpool.
The punishment follows crowd trouble during Galatasaray’s knockout phase visit to Juventus on Feb. 25 in Turin.
In a statement, Galatasaray confirmed the decision and said they will appeal to UEFA’s Appeals Body.
The club did not detail the incidents, but reports from Italy pointed to disturbances involving visiting supporters inside and around Allianz Stadium.
Under Article 16 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, clubs are responsible for the behavior of their fans, including crowd violence, throwing objects and the use of pyrotechnics.
UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body reviews referee reports, security briefings and video evidence before issuing sanctions.
Fines and partial stadium closures are common. Away fan bans are reserved for more serious or repeat cases.
Galatasaray’s recent European history likely weighed on the verdict. The club were fined and hit with ticket restrictions after Europa League unrest in 2021. Earlier this season, UEFA also examined incidents during group stage matches, keeping the Istanbul giants under close watch.
The timing is critical. Galatasaray host Liverpool at Rams Park on March 10 with a full house expected in Istanbul.
Eight days later, they head to Anfield without their traveling support.
That absence could matter.
Anfield’s atmosphere has long shaped European nights, and Liverpool have been strong at home under Arne Slot.
Galatasaray, who reached the knockouts after an impressive group campaign that included a win over Liverpool in Istanbul, now face the challenge of silencing one of Europe’s loudest stages without their own voices in the stands.
The appeal must be filed within days and could be fast-tracked given the proximity of the fixture. Previous cases show mixed outcomes. Some bans have been reduced, others upheld.
Turkish authorities dig deeper into causes of juvenile crime
How did Türkiye become a nuclear power? The first and most important breakthroughs took place during the Berat Albayrak period.
Turkic foreign ministers to meet in Istanbul for informal talks
Turkish authorities dig deeper into causes of juvenile crime
How did Türkiye become a nuclear power? The first and most important breakthroughs took place during the Berat Albayrak period.
Turkic foreign ministers to meet in Istanbul for informal talks
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoMinister Gürlek gave the good news: “We will bring lawyer responsibility in the land registry for transactions exceeding a certain amount.
-
Daily Agenda3 days ago‘Iran’ warning from Minister Fidan: War is spreading throughout the region
-
Politics3 days agoErdoğan urges diplomacy amid tensions in call with NATO’s Rutte
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoWar alert in the Middle East! Concern about internal conflict in Iran
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoBREAKING NEWS… Operation against FETO’s secret structure in Ankara: 15 suspects were detained
-
Economy5 hours agoUkraine accuses Hungary of detaining bank workers, seizing cash
-
Daily Agenda5 hours agoPresident Erdoğan met with the Italian Prime Minister
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoDevlet Bahçeli: The language of peace should prevail in our region