Bradley Wright-Phillips believes football in North America can become “unstoppable” on the back of Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami and the 2026 World Cup. It is a decade since the former Manchester City and Southampton striker swapped English football for Major League Soccer to join New York Red Bulls. Wright-Phillips last year retired in sixth on the MLS all-time goals list having enjoyed a ringside seat to the sport’s growth in North America and says the best is yet to come. Having signed an eye-catching broadcasting deal with Apple in 2022, further developments will be fuelled by Messi’s move to Miami and the World Cup being hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico in three years’ time. “My first reaction to Messi coming out was I just couldn’t believe it,” Wright-Phillips told the PA news agency. “Honestly, even now until I see him run out on an MLS pitch, I can’t really fathom what it’s going to be. It’s hard to even picture that. Even now it doesn’t seem real to me. It’s Messi! “Unbelievable time. I feel like I retired at the perfect time, just to be involved in what’s going on. “Messi obviously, Apple taking over and then you’ve got the World Cup coming in ‘26. What more can you ask for?” Put to Wright-Phillips that the sport in North America seems to be going from strength to strength, he said: “Yeah, it does. The potential and the ceiling is higher than ever. “If it’s done right, it can be unstoppable – best league and country in the world for football, right? Wouldn’t you say so?” MLS is certainly on an exciting trajectory and Messi’s arrival will spark unparalleled interest in the competition. “The league is not only getting the best player in the world,” says Wright-Phillips, who played for LAFC and Columbus Crew as well as the Red Bulls. “If you just think about the average fan that doesn’t watch MLS, but now because Messi’s here they’re going to watch MLS. “They now get see a Carles Gil, a Hany Mukhtar, young players like Noel Buck – these are players that we know are good. “But now you’re watching because you want to see Messi and the average fan gets to see that player or they get to see the atmosphere in St Louis or Austin. “That’s what’s exciting about it. It’s not just that we’re going to see Messi play, it’s what Messi exposes globally.” As well as Messi’s macro impact, Miami will be desperate for the Argentina star to improve fortunes at DRV PNK Stadium. The David Beckham co-owned team languish bottom of the Eastern Conference thanks to a difficult campaign that led to Phil Neville’s recent sacking. Ex-Barcelona boss Tata Martino has come in, while Messi’s former Nou Camp team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are expected to join him in Florida. “That tells me that they don’t just want Messi to come here and lose games,” Wright-Phillips added. “The Inter Miami team isn’t doing very well this season, they’ve suffered a lot of injuries, they’ve had a change in the manager. “There’s a lot of things they have to do but if you bring a Busquets, a Jordi Alba, you’re giving yourself, you’re giving Messi a chance to succeed.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Spain defender Pau Torres joins Aston Villa on five-year deal from Villarreal Ons Jabeur ends Elena Rybakina’s reign to reach Wimbledon semi-finals again Paul Collingwood says thrilling Ashes series is drawing new fans to cricket

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Former England star Wayne Rooney called Arsenal one of Europe’s best sides and aired some frustrations after seeing his MLS All-Star team comprehensively beaten on Wednesday. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners ran out 5-0 victors in stifling conditions in Washington DC, where Gabriel Jesus’ fine opener was followed by a thumping Leandro Trossard strike. Jorginho’s penalty, a fine Gabriel Martinelli effort and Kai Havertz’s first goal since joining Arsenal wrapped things up on a one-sided night for the Premier League runners-up. Recent acquisitions Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber made their first appearances since joining the club and Manchester United great Rooney was impressed by the visitors. “Obviously the result is what it is and Arsenal showed the quality they have,” the MLS All-Star boss said. “I thought the All-Star lads looked a little nervous and hesitant, especially the first half when we got into some good areas, to get their shots off. “I think you see a difference, of course you do. Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe. “I thought it was a bit stop-stop. The referee made the game a little bit about himself once again, so I think that’s something that needs improving in the MLS. “I’ve said that all season so it’s a good opportunity for me to bring it up again. “But, yeah, it was a disappointing result but I think most importantly it’s a good event for the fans, especially the fans in DC, to come and see some really good players.” Rooney praised the occasion and opponent in the post-match press conference at Audi Field, but he also laid bare some irritation with aspects of the event. Asked what he took out of the game as an up-and-coming coach, the former England forward said with a smile: “Absolutely nothing. “Listen, it’s difficult. On Monday the players all arrived and we did a small-sided game. “On Tuesday, as a I suggested, I didn’t want them training at the National Mall but that’s where we trained and we can’t do anything. “We did head tennis so literally had not time whatsoever to do any tactics whatsoever so you put the players out there and you hope they can figure things out and against a team like Arsenal that’s very difficult to do.” Another matter that got under Rooney’s skin around the All-Star game revolved around broadcasters Apple, who he claims prevented some of his staff working as usual. “I think everything around the game is great and it’s great publicity for the league moving forward,” he said. “Obviously Apple coming into the league as well has been great – although they didn’t allow my staff to sit in their seats today. “My staff got kicked out of their seats today by members of Apple. “And I wouldn’t be doing my staff a service if I didn’t bring that up because if you’re getting asked to do the game with your staff, you expect your staff to have seats to sit in although I do think Apple will help the league moving forward.” As for Arsenal counterpart Arteta, he was quick to allay concerns over Trossard after the Belgium international limped off early in the second half. “Trossard got a knock and we don’t want to take any risks at this stage,” he said. “He had some pain. We’ll see how he is tomorrow but I don’t expect it to be anything big.” It was a fine start to Arsenal’s pre-season tour, which continues onto New Jersey and Los Angeles to take on Manchester United and Barcelona. “It was a great occasion, great atmosphere,” Arteta added. “Great to see so many Arsenal supporters fill the stadium. “We had great moments in the game, moments especially in the first half that weren’t that great but we’re still very early in pre-season. “It was great to see some debuts with Jurrien, with Auston (Trusty) and with Declan obviously. Really pleased with the result.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Today at the World Cup: Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand play in opening games Shane Lowry determined to win another major as Open gets under way Day two of fourth Ashes Test: England racing to beat Australia and the weather

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Valencia will appeal against their five-game partial stadium closure and hefty fine following the racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, calling the sanction “unfair and disproportionate”. Vinicius threatened to leave the pitch in the second half of Sunday’s LaLiga match at the Mestalla after being subjected to alleged monkey chants from the crowd and Real Madrid, who said the incident constituted a “hate crime”, filed a complaint with the Spanish State Attorney General’s Office. In response, the club have been ordered to shut the Mario Kempes south stand, where the alleged abuse happened, for five matches and have also been fined 45,000 euros (£39,000) by the Spanish football federation (RFEF). Valencia said in a strongly worded statement: “Valencia CF wishes to show its total disagreement and indignation at the unfair and disproportionate penalty imposed by the competition committee on the club with the closure of the stand for five games. “Valencia CF wants to publicly denounce that in this resolution of the RFEF competition committee they show evidence that contradicts what the national police and LaLiga say. “In addition, this sanction is based on evidence that the club has not been able to see and without giving us a hearing. “Valencia CF has condemned, condemns and will condemn in the most energetic way any act of racism or violence. These behaviours have no place in football or in society and we will continue to act in the most forceful way to eradicate this scourge. “For this reason, Valencia CF is collaborating from the first minute with the police and all relevant authorities to clarify the events that occurred last Sunday. Valencia CF will appeal to the last instance the closure of the stand, a sanction that it considers totally unfair and one more offense in the latest disciplinary decisions that have been taken against the club Valencia official statement “In addition, it has applied the maximum possible sanction with the expulsion for life from our stadium to the fans that the police have identified for their racist behaviour. “For this reason we consider that penalising and depriving all the fans who were not involved in these unfortunate incidents from seeing their team is a totally disproportionate, unfair and unprecedented measure against which we will fight. “The fight against racism requires the real commitment of all the parties involved without using it as a pretext to incur serious injustices. “Valencia CF will appeal to the last instance the closure of the stand, a sanction that it considers totally unfair and one more offence in the latest disciplinary decisions that have been taken against the club. Valencia CF asks for the utmost respect and rigour for our institution and fans.” An RFEF statement on Tuesday night read: “The competition committee has sanctioned Valencia CF with the partial closure of the Mestalla stadium for five matches, more specifically the Mario Kempes south stand, following the events that occurred during the league match between the local team and Real Madrid CF. “It is considered proven that, as reflected by the referee in his minutes, there were racist shouts at Vinicius, a Real Madrid CF player, during the aforementioned match, altering the normal course of the match and considering the infractions very serious. “In addition, an economic sanction of 45,000 euros (£39,000) is imposed on Valencia.” LaLiga players and officials called for racism to be tackled in Spain in the wake of Sunday’s match. Before Tuesday night’s games between Real Valladolid and Barcelona, and Celta Vigo and Girona, players from both sides, as well as the match officials, stood behind banners which read ‘Racism, out of football’. LaLiga shared a pre-match clip from the Celta-Girona game on its official Twitter account with the hashtag #JUNTOSContraElRacismo (#TOGETHERagainstRacism). The footage also showed a supporter holding up a placard with ‘No Al Racismo’ (No to Racism) written on it. There were similar sentiments at the Valladolid-Barcelona game as fans showed their support for Brazil international Vinicius. Barcelona forward Raphinha removed his shirt when substituted to show a message which read: “As long as the colour of the skin is more important than the brightness of the eyes, there will be war.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Opportunity knocks as Rafael Nadal misses French Open for first time since 2005 Stars hoping to shine in absence of clay king Nadal – 10 to watch at French Open On this day in 2003 – James Anderson takes five on England Test debut at Lord’s

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By Francesco Canepa and Leigh Thomas FRANKFURT/PARIS (Reuters) -Three influential European Central Bank policymakers on Wednesday warned investors who are