Sports
Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe locked in intense race for Rafael Leao
Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe have emerged as the leading contenders to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, setting up one of the biggest transfer battles of the summer as both Istanbul rivals pursue the Portugal international with different approaches.
Leao, who turns 27 this year, has signaled he is open to leaving Milan after seven seasons with the Serie A club. Speaking during a vacation appearance on a Brazilian podcast, where he promoted his clothing brand and trained with Corinthians, the winger confirmed he had discussed his future with Milan officials.
While insisting he remains committed to the Rossoneri and will report for preseason, Leao admitted he is eager to experience a new chapter in his career if the right opportunity presents itself.
“I’ll give everything while I’m here, but I want new experiences,” Leao said, making it clear he is willing to consider offers during the transfer window.
Leao joined Milan from Lille in 2019 and has developed into one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking players, contributing consistently with goals and assists while helping restore the club’s status among Italy’s elite. Although his contract runs through June 2028, Milan are prepared to listen to offers as they look to reduce their wage bill and finance other transfer business.
Italian reports value the winger between 40 million euros ($45.6 million) and 50 million euros, including performance-related bonuses. Milan are believed to favor a permanent transfer and have shown little interest in loan proposals unless they include a guaranteed obligation to buy.
Fenerbahçe have taken the most aggressive steps so far.
Board member Cihan Kamer traveled to Milan this week for face-to-face discussions with club officials. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the meeting was exploratory, allowing both sides to outline the framework of a potential deal without a formal offer being submitted.
The Yellow Canaries are reportedly considering a package worth around 40 million euros that could increase through bonuses and are exploring installment payments to satisfy Milan’s valuation.
Negotiations with Leao’s representatives have also advanced.
Italian outlets, including Sport Mediaset, reported that Fenerbahçe have proposed a long-term contract worth between 8 million euros and 12 million euros net per season, supplemented by bonuses tied to appearances, goals and team success.
Some reports suggested personal terms are close to being agreed, while others cautioned that negotiations remain ongoing.
Fenerbahçe recently dismissed reports claiming they had assembled a transfer package approaching 100 million euros, insisting no such offer exists and emphasizing that the club’s immediate focus remains its UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign.
Qualification for Europe’s premier club competition is expected to play a significant role in both the club’s financial flexibility and Leao’s willingness to make the move.
Galatasaray, however, remain firmly in contention.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio and Gazzetta dello Sport, the Turkish champions have maintained regular contact through intermediaries rather than direct negotiations with Milan.
Their strategy has been more patient, with club officials prepared to wait until later in the transfer window if necessary.
Galatasaray are reportedly willing to offer Leao an annual salary of around 10 million euros plus bonuses and have explored a loan agreement that would become permanent, a structure that could help bridge the gap between Milan’s asking price and their financial plans.
Unlike their city rivals, Galatasaray already have a guaranteed place in the UEFA Champions League league phase, a factor that could strengthen their appeal to a player eager to continue competing at Europe’s highest level.
Reports have also linked the club’s financial flexibility, including savings from recent squad changes, to its pursuit of the Portuguese forward.
The competition has evolved into a rare transfer derby between Türkiye’s two biggest clubs.
Fenerbahçe currently hold an advantage through direct talks with Milan, while Galatasaray believe their Champions League status and measured approach could prove decisive if negotiations drag into August.
Although Benfica and several clubs from England and Spain have previously been linked with Leao, none have matched the level of interest shown by the Istanbul rivals.
No agreement has been reached, and Milan continue to stand firm on their valuation.
Pep Guardiola welcomed a group of Palestinian children to his annual youth football camp in Spain this summer, extending his long-standing support for the Palestinian cause by allowing youngsters affected by the conflict to enjoy football alongside hundreds of other participants.
The former Manchester City manager hosted the children during the sixth edition of the Pep Summer Camp, held in the village of Rialp in Spain’s Catalonia region.
Organized by the Guardiola Sala Foundation, the three-week camp combined football training with lessons on nutrition, teamwork, social responsibility and personal development for boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 16.
A total of around 705 children attended the 2026 camp, which ran from late June through mid-July.
Among them were 28 Palestinian children, according to local Spanish newspaper Segre, the figure most consistently reported by regional media. Earlier reports had estimated between 25 and 31 participants.
Rather than creating a separate program, organizers integrated the Palestinian children into regular training groups with other campers. Five monitors also served as interpreters to help them communicate and settle into camp life.
The initiative began after a young Palestinian living in Barcelona contacted camp organizers in January with the idea of bringing children from Palestine to meet Guardiola and experience a period away from the hardships of conflict. The children traveled from Tel Aviv to Barcelona before joining the camp in the Catalan Pyrenees.
Camp coordinator Toni Aguilar said the goal was to ensure every child felt included.
“Here they are just one more,” Aguilar said. “They forget the problems they live with every day and enjoy playing football with the other children. Football is universal. Behind the ball, we are all equal.”
Guardiola spent time with the children during the camp, chatting, posing for photographs and watching training sessions. Videos showing the Spanish coach interacting warmly with the youngsters quickly spread across social media.
Laura Guerra, director of the Guardiola Sala Foundation, said the foundation aims to expose participants to different life experiences while promoting empathy and inclusion through sport. She added that organizers hope similar initiatives can continue in future editions of the camp.
The camp has become one of the foundation’s flagship youth projects, offering both residential and day programs while welcoming guest coaches, former professional players and specialists who help deliver football instruction alongside educational workshops.
Guardiola has been one of football’s most outspoken supporters of the Palestinian cause.
He has repeatedly spoken about the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, publicly condemned the violence, worn a keffiyeh during public appearances and participated in solidarity events in Barcelona.
Earlier this year, he also criticized what he described as international inaction over the plight of Palestinian children.
Beşiktaş head to Denmark on Thursday looking to protect their slender first-leg advantage and book a place in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round, while FC Midtjylland must overturn a 1-0 deficit to keep their European hopes alive.
The Black Eagles take confidence into the return leg at MCH Arena after Orkun Kökçü’s superb first-half strike secured victory in Istanbul and handed new coach Vincenzo Italiano a winning start to his competitive tenure.
Midtjylland’s task was made considerably more difficult after Friday Etim was sent off just 15 minutes into the opening leg.
Reduced to 10 men for most of the match, the Danish side relied heavily on goalkeeper Elias Olafsson, who produced several impressive saves to keep the tie within reach before finally being beaten by Kökçü’s curling finish in the 26th minute.
Despite the setback, Midtjylland responded positively at the weekend by opening their Danish Superliga campaign with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Sonderjyske. The win eased concerns after the first-leg defeat and maintained the momentum they built during an impressive preseason, where they won four of five friendlies, including emphatic victories over Cardiff City and Odense.
Mike Tullberg’s side also have recent European experience on their side. Last season, the Danish runners-up advanced automatically to the Europa League knockout stage before suffering a heartbreaking penalty shootout elimination against Nottingham Forest in the round of 16.
Even so, Beşiktaş remain in control of the tie. A draw in Denmark would be enough to send the Turkish club into the third qualifying round, where Tromso or Hradec Kralove await.
Italiano’s encouraging competitive debut has also helped erase some of the concerns created by an inconsistent preseason. Beşiktaş won only two of six friendly matches and suffered defeats to Widzew Lodz and Spartak Trnava, although their defensive organization remained largely solid, conceding more than once only in those two losses.
The Italian coach will expect another disciplined display away from home, particularly after Beşiktaş struggled on their travels toward the end of last season. Protecting their narrow advantage and capitalizing on counterattacks could prove enough to continue their European campaign.
Midtjylland face several selection concerns before kickoff. Defender Victor Bak remains doubtful after being forced off at halftime against Sonderjyske, while Ousmane Diao, Mikel Gogorza and Junior Brumado are all unavailable. Etim will also miss the return leg through suspension following his first-leg dismissal.
Although Mads Bech Sorensen, Valdemar Byskov and Julius Emefile scored in the league opener, Midtjylland are again expected to rely on the attacking partnership of Franculino Dju and Gue-sung Cho to provide the goals they need.
Beşiktaş, meanwhile, received a timely boost with defender Tiago Djalo declared fit after the injury scare he suffered in Istanbul. Wilfred Ndidi remains sidelined with an ankle injury, Felix Uduokhai continues to serve a UEFA suspension, while summer signing Leandro Trossard is unavailable after being granted additional leave following Belgium’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Off the field, Beşiktaş supporters appear to be cooling on the club’s pursuit of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.
The club had explored the possibility of signing the former Liverpool forward as part of an ambitious rebuilding project under Italiano, following the arrivals of Trossard, goalkeeper Alexander Nübel and midfielder Salih Özcan.
Club officials, including football director Önder Özen and Italiano, reportedly agreed Salah was an ideal sporting fit. However, negotiations stalled because of financial demands from the player’s representatives.
While supporters enthusiastically chanted Salah’s name during Trossard’s unveiling at Tüpraş Stadium, sentiment has shifted since details of the reported contract demands emerged.
Many fans have praised club president Serdal Adalı for refusing to compromise Beşiktaş’s financial interests, with numerous supporters arguing on social media that the club made the right decision by shelving the deal rather than agreeing to what they viewed as excessive agent demands.
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka headline a star-packed entry list for the 2026 US Open mixed doubles championship, while the world’s top two men’s players, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, will miss the revamped event as they focus on recovering for the season’s final Grand Slam.
The Serbian great and the Belarusian world No. 1 form one of the most anticipated pairings in the tournament’s modern history after entering the competition, which will be staged during US Open Fan Week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam singles champion and four-time US Open winner, joins forces with Sabalenka, the reigning WTA No. 1 and multiple major champion, in a field packed with some of the biggest names in tennis.
They are expected to be among the six teams that qualify directly for the main draw based on combined singles rankings once entries close on Aug. 17.
The initial field also features several marquee partnerships, including Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, Diana Shnaider and Daniil Medvedev, Alexandra Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien, Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli, Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev, Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Nuno Borges, Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten, and siblings Peyton and Preston Stearns.
Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are also back after capturing last year’s title and the tournament’s $1 million winner’s prize, despite previously criticizing the format changes that favored top singles players over doubles specialists.
The Italian duo remain the only traditional doubles team among the early entrants and could require a wild card because direct qualification is determined by singles rankings.
Notably absent are men’s world No. 1 Sinner and second-ranked Alcaraz.
Fresh off his Wimbledon triumph, Sinner is prioritizing his health ahead of the US Open and has also withdrawn from the Canadian Open as he manages his workload following a demanding season.
Alcaraz, who teamed with Emma Raducanu in last year’s mixed doubles event, continues to recover from the wrist injury that forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon.
The tournament was overhauled in 2025 to attract more elite singles players and boost fan interest. The competition was moved to Fan Week before the singles draws, prize money was significantly increased, and a shorter scoring format was introduced for the early rounds.
This year’s edition expands further with the addition of a qualifying tournament on Aug. 24. Two teams will advance into the main draw from the eight-team qualifying field, while eight more teams will receive wild cards to complete the 16-team bracket.
The main draw begins on Aug. 25, five days before the men’s and women’s singles tournaments get underway.
Qualifying and matches through the semifinals will feature shortened sets played to four games with no-ad scoring, tiebreaks at 4-4 and a 10-point match tiebreak instead of a third set. The championship match returns to the traditional six-game sets with a tiebreak at 6-6, while retaining the 10-point match tiebreak if the teams split the opening two sets.
USTA CEO Craig Tiley said the event continues to showcase the sport in a unique way.
“Anytime you can bring women and men together on the same team, you showcase tennis at its best,” Tiley said. “This is exactly what the mixed doubles championship does.
“We are proud to again bring the world’s top players together in a format that will provide exciting entertainment for our fans.”
Roberto Mancini is set to return as head coach of Italy for a second spell, taking charge of the four-time world champions after weeks of upheaval within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) following the collapse of Andrea Pirlo’s expected appointment.
FIGC President Giovanni Malago informed the federation’s council of the decision on Tuesday, according to Italian news agency ANSA, with formal confirmation expected in the coming days.
Mancini, who is currently without a club after leaving Qatar’s Al-Sadd, returns to the national team he guided to UEFA Euro 2020 glory but also led through one of the country’s most disappointing periods, failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup before resigning in 2023 to take over Saudi Arabia.
His return comes after Italy’s disastrous failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking the first time a former world champion has missed three consecutive editions of the tournament following earlier absences in 2018 and 2022.
The Azzurri finished second behind Norway in their qualifying group before defeating Northern Ireland in the playoff semifinals. Their hopes of reaching the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final in Zenica.
The latest setback triggered sweeping changes throughout Italian football.
Head coach Gennaro Gattuso left by mutual consent shortly after the qualification failure, while FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and head of delegation Gianluigi Buffon also stepped down. Malago, the former president of the Italian National Olympic Committee, was elected FIGC president in June and immediately faced the task of rebuilding the national team’s leadership.
Pirlo initially emerged as the federation’s preferred candidate after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola declined the role and approaches to Carlo Ancelotti proved unsuccessful.
The 2006 World Cup winner, who currently coaches United FC in the United Arab Emirates, was reportedly prepared to leave his club before negotiations unraveled over his commercial partnership with Russian betting company Fonbet.
Pirlo has served as a global ambassador for the company since October 2025 and attended promotional events in Moscow earlier this year. The association drew criticism from Italian politicians and members of the federation because of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, with opponents arguing it was incompatible with leading the national team.
Pirlo defended the agreement as a commercial arrangement without political significance, but the controversy ultimately ended his chances of taking the job.
The fallout extended beyond the coaching search.
Technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo resigned less than three weeks after joining the federation, reportedly objecting to Malagò’s intervention in blocking Pirlo’s appointment after both had supported the former midfielder.
Former Leicester City and AS Roma manager Claudio Ranieri is now widely expected to replace Maldini as technical director, while reports also suggest former Italy staff member Lele Oriali could return in a supporting role alongside Mancini.
Mancini’s first spell in charge remains one of contrasts.
Appointed in 2018 following Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, he transformed the national team into European champions by leading the Azzurri to victory at UEFA Euro 2020, defeating England on penalties at Wembley to secure Italy’s first major international title since winning the 2006 World Cup.
The success, however, was followed by another crushing disappointment when Italy lost to North Macedonia in the 2022 World Cup playoffs, extending the country’s absence from football’s biggest tournament.
Mancini resigned in August 2023 before accepting a lucrative position with Saudi Arabia, where he reached the round of 16 at the AFC Asian Cup before departing by mutual consent in 2024.
He later joined Al-Sadd in Qatar, guiding the club to the Qatar Stars League title before leaving earlier this year.
A former Italy international and prolific forward with Sampdoria and Lazio, Mancini has also enjoyed an accomplished club coaching career, winning league titles with Inter Milan, Manchester City and Galatasaray.
His immediate task will be restoring confidence in an Italian side searching for a new identity after an unprecedented run of three straight World Cup qualification failures.
France football legend Zinedine Zidane has been named head coach of the national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps on a four-year deal, the French Football Federation announced Tuesday.
The appointment of former Real Madrid manager Zidane comes two weeks after Deschamps’ tenure as coach ended following France’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup. His final match in charge was a 6-4 defeat by England.
“The French team was the only thing I wanted to do,” Zidane told reporters. “I’ve always looked at this team through the eyes of a future manager. I didn’t take a club job for that reason. The only thing I wanted to do after Madrid was manage the French national team.”
“I could have taken on a three-year role because Deschamps was there. He made that decision in January 2025 and the very next day I knew I wanted to be the next one. We met with the president and the deal was sealed.” The 54-year-old Zidane is expected to begin his reign with an away Nations League game against Türkiye before France host Italy at the Stade de France on Oct. 2.
Deschamps, who left the role after 14 years at the helm, oversaw 185 matches and 120 victories, guiding France to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2020-21 Nations League trophy, and the Euro 2016 and 2022 World Cup finals.
The two share a long association, having been teammates in France’s 1998 World Cup-winning side on home soil.
Zidane played a pivotal role in that triumph and won the Ballon d’Or that year. He made 108 appearances for the national side, scoring 31 goals and contributing 29 assists.
“You’ll see my style soon,” Zidane said. “I’m driven by the game. I was a No. 10, and what drives me is scoring goals,” he said. “I lived in Spain for 25 years, you know what that means. On the pitch, I was a leader. Now I’m becoming a leader through my experience.”
“Winning in ’98 is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, winning with my teammates. I spent those four or five years waiting for that day. I’m emotional; you can’t see it, but I’m so excited. I’m happy,” said Zidane.
Playmaker to manager
At club level, Zidane made 212 appearances for Italian side Juventus before joining Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2001. He went on to play 227 matches for Real across five seasons, scoring 49 goals and providing 67 assists, while winning the Champions League in his first season with the club.
Following his retirement, Zidane returned to Real Madrid as assistant coach in 2013 before taking over as head coach in 2016. He enjoyed unprecedented success during his first spell in charge, leading the club to three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, a feat that remains unmatched.
Zidane returned for a second stint as Real Madrid manager in 2019 and added another La Liga title to the club’s trophy cabinet before leaving again in 2021.
He follows Laurent Blanc and Deschamps as the third member of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning squad to become national team coach, with the task of leading Les Bleus into the 2030 World Cup.
“Les Bleus’ campaign was magnificent, the football was magnificent. I had a great time, and so did everyone else,” Zidane added.
“The fans have no cause for complaint. We’re going to do things differently. Deschamps is Deschamps, Blanc was Blanc, Zizou is Zizou. I’m going to do what I know how to do. I’m going to ensure continuity so that the French team keeps winning,” he said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the World Cup as a success, dismissing critics as spreaders of hate and falsehoods while praising the tournament’s unity, safety and inclusivity.
In an open letter published Monday, Infantino, 56, said detractors had overlooked the joy and togetherness experienced by millions of fans around the world who witnessed the tournament, won by Spain and staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“You were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” he said.
“To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.
“We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!”
FIFA faced criticism over several issues during the tournament, including debate over U.S. visa restrictions affecting supporters and officials from several countries and concerns involving teams from conflict-hit regions.
Infantino’s letter also followed scrutiny of FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case, a decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban imposed on him after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina following the intervention of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Officiating decisions in Argentina’s match against Egypt also generated widespread debate among fans and pundits.
Though Infantino did not refer to specific cases, he argued that many of the refereeing and disciplinary decisions criticized during the tournament were commonplace in various competitions worldwide.
“Potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide,” he added.
“It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticizing.”
Visa controversies
Infantino pointed to the participation of countries facing political tensions, domestic crisis and domestic health challenges as evidence of football’s ability to transcend divisions.
While Iran’s participation came against the backdrop of conflict with the U.S., issues surrounding Haiti’s domestic crisis and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo also drew attention to visa and travel restrictions.
Somali World Cup referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was barred from entering the U.S. despite having a valid visa. “Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It’s not about politics,” he said.
“Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas,” he said.
“When football brought Haiti to the world, a country that many cannot or choose not to visit, it might be time to set aside your pens and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played,” Infantino added.
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