Sports
Usyk invites Trump to “live in his home” to see Ukraine war
World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has challenged Donald Trump to live in his home in Ukraine, hoping the president might better grasp the brutal reality of the war before claiming he can end it.
Trump, who returned to the White House in 2024, has repeatedly promised to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict “within 24 hours” if re-elected.
But with no peace in sight, Usyk – a vocal advocate for his war-torn homeland – believes firsthand experience is the only way Trump can truly understand the crisis he seeks to solve.
The 38-year-old has urged the president to join him at his house in Ukraine to see for himself the damage done by the war.
“I advise American President Donald Trump to come to Ukraine and live in my house for one week,” Usyk told BBC Sport on Sunday.
“Only one week. I will give him my house. Live, please, in Ukraine and watch what is going on every night.
“Every night there are bombs and flights above my house. Bombs, rockets. Every night. It’s enough.”
Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a contentious meeting in the Oval Office in February.
Trump reportedly warned Zelenskyy to show more gratitude for America’s help in peace talks before telling him to leave the White House.
Asked if Trump could be convinced to change his opinion, Usyk said: “I don’t know. Maybe he’ll understand, maybe he won’t.”
Usyk, who has won all 23 of his professional bouts, is currently in training camp preparing for a rematch with IBF champion Daniel Dubois on July 19 at Wembley Stadium.
But the WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion said the war is never far from his mind.
“I worry about what happens in my country. It’s very bad because Ukrainian people have died,” he said.
“It’s not just military people – children, women, grandmothers and grandfathers, too.”
Türkiye and North Macedonia will face each other for the ninth time in their history in a friendly match on Monday.
The match will be played at Chobani Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 p.m. local time.
The two national teams have met eight times previously, including four matches in North Macedonia, three in Türkiye and one at a neutral venue. Four of those encounters were official competitions and four were friendlies.
Türkiye has won five of the eight matches, while recording two draws and one loss.
The Turkish national team has scored 14 goals against North Macedonia but has conceded nine.
Türkiye has won three of its four away matches against North Macedonia, scoring six goals and conceding two. In the three matches played in Türkiye, the Crescent-Stars recorded two victories and one defeat.
The last meeting between the two sides took place nine years ago.
Türkiye, then coached by Fatih Terim, played North Macedonia to a scoreless draw in a friendly match in Skopje.
French police detained over 400 people involved in violent clashes in Paris and other French cities that erupted Saturday night after Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League title .
Seven officers were injured as football fans set off fires and vandalized shops, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said, describing the violence as “absolutely unacceptable.” One small group even tried to storm a Paris police station.
Nuñez said rioting took place in about 15 cities in France, and that nearly 400 people were detained in all, with nearly 300 of them in Paris alone.
But he said that planned celebrations for the team’s win on Sunday afternoon at the Champ de Mars, near the Eiffel Tower, would go ahead as scheduled. The PSG team will then be hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee presidential palace.
Fans began celebrating in Paris after the final whistle Saturday evening in Budapest, Hungary, where Paris Saint-Germain won by beating Arsenal on penalties in a dramatic final.
Fans marched along the avenues near Paris’ Arc de Triomphe monument, with some setting off flares and blaring car horns. Around 20,000 people gathered on the Champs-Elysees, where police worked to contain the crowd.
The Paris police prefecture said smaller groups caused disturbances in various locations, with some vandalizing shops and setting fires. Cars were also set ablaze. Those who attempted to storm a police station in the posh 8th Arrondissement neighborhood were dispersed, police said.
In May last year following PSG’s first title, 201 people were injured in the French capital and police made more than 500 arrests across France.
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca produced the biggest upset of the French Open so far on Friday, defeating Novak Djokovic in the third round and ending the Serbian’s bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
The 39-year-old Serb – a three-time champion at Roland Garros – lost 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 as temperatures again reached 33 degrees C (91 F).
Djokovic looked exhausted in the fifth set but soldiered on and his exit leaves the men’s draw even more open following Jannik Sinner’s second-round exit on Thursday.
“Tough one for me to lose,” Djokovic said. “I was barely standing on my legs toward the end of the match.”
Facing Fonseca for the first time, Djokovic mixed trademark defense with stunning winners and delicate drop shots to win the first two sets.
“I was playing good tennis, very good tennis,” Djokovic said. “Taking everything into consideration and all the circumstances, my level was very good.”
But Fonseca proved resilient and tied the match on sets. In the final game, Djokovic had a break point for 6-6 but Fonseca served out with three consecutive aces and became the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a Grand Slam tournament.
“I just enjoyed being on court and what a pleasure it was. It’s my first stepping on court against him,” Fonseca said. “I was just trying to hit the ball as fast I could. Djokovic don’t miss, we still think he’s 20. At the end of the match I think he was more fit than me, that’s crazy.”
About his flurry of aces, he joked: “I felt like (big server) John Isner. I never did this before.”
Then he wished his mother in the crowd happy birthday and thanked all the Brazilians in the crowd.
Djokovic came to Roland Garros with doubts. After he lost the Australian Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, a shoulder injury limited his clay-court buildup to one competitive match. He labored for at least three hours in each of his previous two rounds but would have thought his chances of adding to his 2016, 2021 and 2023 French Open titles improved after Sinner’s exit.
But the heat that stressed Sinner also got to Djokovic, who applied ice packs on both sides of his face during changeovers. Still, he looked to be in command when he clinched the second set with a forehand volley at the net.
But Fonseca, who kept pushing Djokovic back with his big forehand, broke early in the third set and held on to it.
In the fifth set, Djokovic frantically tried to find ways to recover some energy against an opponent 20 years younger but he couldn’t hide his fatigue: He hunched over the advertising boards, his forearms dangling; slumped back in his chair with a towel on his head; grabbed his head with his hands.
He was gracious in defeat.
“I told him (after the match) that he deserved to win and he should be proud of himself. We’ve all seen today why there is hype around him,” Djokovic said. “Without a doubt he was a better player in important moments. Found incredible shots.”
Djokovic said he was unsure if he would play at the French Open next year, although he said the same after his semifinal defeat to Jannik Sinner last year.
Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlıoğlu this weekend returns to the spotlight at one of the most demanding stages on the calendar as he lines up for Round 7 of the 2026 season at Mugello, Italy, continuing his adaptation to MotoGP machinery with the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP.
The Mugello Circuit delivers one of MotoGP’s most intense challenges, a 5.245 km rollercoaster of 15 corners, rapid elevation changes and a 1.141 km straight where speeds regularly exceed 360 km/h.
The 23-lap main race stretches just over 120 km, with precision, tire management and bravery all tested at the limit.
Italian fans are expected to pack the hillsides once again, adding pressure and energy to a venue known for producing some of the season’s most explosive racing.
Tough rookie season
Now competing in his debut premier-class campaign, Razgatlıoğlu made history in 2026 as the first Turkish rider in MotoGP. After six rounds, he sits 22nd in the standings with 4 points, his best result a 13th-place finish at the French Grand Prix.
Riding the Yamaha M1 has demanded a major adjustment from his World Superbike dominance. Known for aggressive braking and late corner entries, he has been working to adapt to prototype machinery that requires finer control of electronics and corner speed discipline.
Early in the season, Aprilia has set the pace, with Marco Bezzecchi leading the standings ahead of Jorge Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio. KTM’s Pedro Acosta and Japan’s Ai Ogura complete the top five.
For Razgatlıoğlu, Mugello is less about points and more about progress. The high-speed layout will expose both strengths and weaknesses of the Yamaha package, while offering valuable data for development.
Lionel Messi will captain Argentina at a record sixth World Cup, extending an international career that has already reshaped the modern game as the reigning champions arrive in North America with both legacy and expectation weighing heavily on every step.
Lionel Messi enters the tournament at 39, still central to Argentina’s identity nearly four years after delivering the country’s long-awaited third world title in Qatar. That 2022 campaign was not just a triumph but a full reinvention of his international legacy, defined by seven goals, three assists, and decisive moments in every knockout round, culminating in a final against France where he scored twice and converted in the shootout to secure the trophy.
In the immediate aftermath, Messi suggested that the World Cup win had closed the circle on his career, calling it the one achievement he had been missing. Retirement from international football felt like the natural next step. Instead, he chose to extend his run, driven by the rare opportunity to compete again as reigning world champion and the unfinished pull of elite competition on the global stage.
That decision has carried Argentina into a new cycle under coach Lionel Scaloni, who has repeatedly made clear that Messi’s role cannot be replicated. The structure of the team, both tactically and emotionally, still flows through him, even as Argentina have gradually diversified their attacking patterns and reduced dependence on a single focal point.
The physical context is different now. Messi’s departure from Europe in 2023 after a mixed spell at Paris Saint-Germain marked the end of his weekly exposure to the Champions League level. At Inter Miami CF, he has found a new rhythm, producing 13 goals in 16 appearances in 2026 and leading the club to the MLS Cup title last season. The tempo and intensity differ from Europe’s elite competitions, but his efficiency and influence remain intact.
Recent injury management has added a layer of caution. A hamstring issue following a match against Philadelphia Union briefly raised concern within Argentina’s camp, though the medical outlook has been described as manageable. The expectation remains that he will be available for the opening phase of the tournament.
What remains striking is the scale of his international longevity. Messi is approaching 200 caps, already standing as Argentina’s record holder for appearances and goals, and his national team journey now spans five World Cups and three decades of football evolution. He debuted in 2006, experienced the heartbreak of the 2014 final loss to Germany, and then completed the long arc with victory in 2022.
Since that breakthrough, his influence has not faded. He captained Argentina to the 2024 Copa America title in the United States, adding another major trophy to a resume that had long been defined by near misses at international level. He also played a leading role in South American qualifying, finishing among the top scorers and reinforcing that his output remains decisive even in a shared attacking system.
Argentina’s current squad reflects a blend of continuity and controlled renewal. The core of the 2022 champions remains intact, including Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez. The retention of 17 players from Qatar underscores how stable the structure remains.
At the same time, Scaloni has begun integrating younger profiles such as Nicolás Paz and Valentín Barco, while experienced names like Paulo Dybala and Emiliano Buendía were left out. The omission of highly rated teenager Franco Mastantuono also drew attention, highlighting the fine balance between long-term planning and immediate tournament ambition.
Preparation for the tournament includes friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before Argentina begin Group J play against Algeria in Kansas City. Austria and Jordan complete the group, with fixtures scheduled across the United States, including a match in Arlington, Texas that will take place just days after Messi’s 39th birthday.
Inside the squad, there is an awareness that this cycle may represent the final World Cup chapter for their captain. Alvarez has described Messi’s presence as both motivating and defining, while also emphasizing that Argentina now have enough depth and tactical flexibility to compete without over-reliance on one player. That point has been reinforced by results such as a dominant qualifying win over Brazil achieved without him.
Still, the global focus remains fixed on him. Alongside figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa, Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance stands as part of a rare convergence of longevity at the highest level, where past and present collide on the same stage.
Brazil’s World Cup preparations were disrupted on Wednesday after Neymar missed the national team’s first training session to undergo medical tests, casting fresh uncertainty over his place in the squad.
The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed the 34-year-old forward, who is recovering from a right calf injury, did not take part in the closed-door session at the team’s Granja Comary base and was instead sent to a private clinic in Teresopolis for imaging tests.
In a statement, the CBF said no further details would be released until the national team’s medical staff complete their assessment.
Neymar’s absence quickly dominated discussion on the second day of Brazil’s training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil are scheduled to hold three more sessions at Granja Comary before Sunday’s friendly against Panama at the Maracana.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti is already without three players for that match. Defenders Gabriel Magalhães and Marquinhos, along with forward Gabriel Martinelli, are involved in Saturday’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar’s recall last week generated widespread excitement after he had not featured in Ancelotti’s plans during the Italian coach’s year in charge.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, Neymar has not played for his country since 2023. His return came amid scrutiny over his fitness and form following years of injury problems and an underwhelming spell back at Santos.
The timing could hardly be more delicate. After facing Panama, Brazil meet Egypt in Cleveland in their final friendly before opening their World Cup campaign against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey. Brazil and Morocco are drawn in Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland.
In an interview with Reuters in early May, Ancelotti made clear that reputation alone would not secure Neymar’s place.
He said Neymar would receive no special treatment and that his selection would be based strictly on fitness and form, not sentiment.
For now, Brazil wait for the medical verdict and on whether their most recognizable name will be fit to take center stage next month.
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoBREAKING NEWS… CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: The Grand National Assembly of Turkey CHP Group General Assembly will not be held!
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoDelegates took photos with the compass – Last Minute News
-
Sports2 days agoArgentina bank on Messi again for historic 6th World Cup run at 39
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoGürsel Tekin visited Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: Remarkable congress historical message
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoA meaningful holiday visit from Minister Uraloğlu
-
Economy3 days agoTemu hit with $232 million fine in EU over illegal products
-
Politics2 days agoParliament panel probes roots of school violence in Türkiye
-
Politics2 days agoPresident Erdoğan, Pakistani PM stress mediation, regional stability