End of an era as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo 'don’t feature' in EA Sports FC 24’s top 10 players
FIFA players could be witnessing the end of an era, after both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi reportedly missed out on a spot in the top 10 best players list in the new game. The upcoming instalment, which is the first of the franchise to ditch FIFA from the title and will go by the title EA Sports FC 24, is set to be released next month. However, details from the game and the updated squads have reportedly already been leaked and they may come as a surprise to some fans. According to SportBible, neither Ronaldo or Messi rank among the best players in the new game. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter They might be approaching the ends of their careers now, but it’s still a surprise to see the pair who have dominated the top echelons of professional football for the past two decades drop down the rankings. Instead, the top 10 player ratings reportedly see a number of both male and female players tied on the rating of 91. Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappe, Alexia Putellas and Sam Kerr are all tied as the best players in the game. Elsewhere, Wendie Renard, Karim Benzema, Caroline Graham Hansen, Alex Morgan and Robert Lewandowski are tied with a rating of 90. That completes the top 10, with Ronaldo and Messi said to have respective ratings of 83 and 88. For players of the game who have perhaps grown up with them dominating the ratings in the game, it’s a pretty major change. The upcoming game will see a number of new features introduced, including brand new commentators and an Ultimate Team featuring female players. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Free agent running back Dalvin Cook meeting with Jets this weekend, AP source says
A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press free agent running back Dalvin Cook is scheduled to visit with the New York Jets this weekend
1970-01-01 08:00
Today is a sad day for me – David Silva waves goodbye to football
Former Manchester City playmaker David Silva has said his goodbyes to football as the World Cup winner and four-time Premier League champion announced his retirement. The 37-year-old played 436 games across 10 seasons at the Etihad Stadium, helping to turn City into the best team in England and winning a total of 11 major honours with the club. Silva started his career in the youth ranks at Valencia, making his senior debut in 2004 and spending six years in LaLiga before signing for City. He was capped 125 times by Spain, scoring 35 goals and winning the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2008 and 2012. “Today is a sad day for me,” he said in a message posted on his Twitter account. “Today it is time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to. “Today it is time to say goodbye to my colleagues, who are like family to me. I will miss you very much.” Addressing the fans of the clubs he represented, Silva added: “Thank you because you have made me feel at home.” He left City in 2020, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak confirming Silva would be one of three players whose contribution to turning the club into a top contender in Europe would be commemorated with a statue outside the Etihad. Silva spent three seasons at Real Sociedad and made almost 100 appearances but was forced to hang up his boots after suffering a serious knee injury in pre-season training earlier this month. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
1970-01-01 08:00
In Japan, which bans dual custody, a table tennis star refuses to hand back her son to her ex
Japan’s once beloved table tennis star Ai Fukuhara is at the center of a child custody feud following the break-up of her marriage to a Taiwanese player, who was also a star in the sport in his country
1970-01-01 08:00
Sarina Wiegman must take chance to reset England’s World Cup bid
As Sarina Wiegman admitted she is willing to twist rather than stick, England are still in a position where they are needing more than that. The Lionesses go into their second match of the Women’s World Cup against Denmark looking to rediscover their goalscoring form and lift the mood that was left rather flat by the opening 1-0 win against Haiti on Saturday. There are lots of reasons not to panic. It is true to say that the opening games in tournaments are rarely easy, and that the Lionesses also laboured to a 1-0 win over Austria to kick off the Euros last summer. Wiegman’s teams are typically slow starters, with her Netherlands sides winning 1-0 in their first matches at both the 2017 Euros, which they won, and the 2019 World Cup, where they reached the final. While Denmark are considered to be England’s toughest test of Group D, Haiti, led by their 18-year-old star Melchie Dumornay, were also stronger opposition than anyone was expecting, playing a high-tempo match that the Lionesses did not seem ready for at this stage of the tournament. But England won, and should Haiti go on to trouble China and Denmark, that result will undoubtedly be viewed in a very different context. Yet England’s form must also be viewed within the context of how they arrived at the World Cup. With Georgia Stanway firing England’s winner against Haiti from the penalty spot, the Lionesses have now not scored from open play in their last three games – or a span of 367 minutes going back to Ella Toone’s opener against Brazil in the Finalissima at Wembley. For a team blessed with attacking options, and who scored 80 goals in 10 games in qualifying, there has been an alarming drop-off in their creative output. There had been a general acceptance that the goals would come should England continue to get into the right positions, but against Haiti, the chances dried up as the Lionesses struggled to find control. To some, changes are not just an option, they are required. Wiegman said afterwards that they needed more “ruthlessness” in their attack. Now, the manager is being asked if she will bring the same approach to her team selection. “That I’m more likely to make changes doesn’t have to do with that,” Wiegman said. "I want to make changes. What we do is approach every game, and then when we get ready for that game we see who is fit and available, and then we make decisions [as] to what we need to start with. And then we decide whether we are going to start with the same 11 or maybe make some changes." For England, it’s a chance to reset and start again. For a manager who famously named the same starting line-up in every game at the Euros last summer, it would almost be an admission from Wiegman that England aren’t where she would want them to be. There was an expectation that the side named against Haiti would be the strongest the Lionesses could put out, but that still left Lauren James and Rachel Daly on the bench and England’s performance suggested that both were missed. It would not be a surprise to see James start, and if Wiegman was to shake things up then starting the Chelsea forward in the No 10 role teased against Portugal in England’s send-off game could solve some of their creative issues. Against Haiti, the Lionesses struggled at times to move the ball through Kiera Walsh and out to Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly on the wings. James, with her ability to turn and drive on the ball, providing an easy option, is able to bypass that. The 21-year-old’s relaxed style and confidence can also settle England in a match where they will expect to dominate possession. Toone, who started alongside Stanway and Walsh in midfield, has looked lost in the role she has been asked to carry out. Bringing in James in midfield and asking Stanway to sit closer to Walsh is also likely to bring a greater sense of control, after Walsh was at times marked out of the Haiti game by Dumornay, taking away England’s tempo and rhythm. There could also be a change up front, with Alessia Russo unable to do enough to nail down her place ahead of Daly, who was another surprise omission from the opener after finishing last season’s WSL with the golden boot. If “ruthlessness” is what Wiegman wants, then Daly carries a clinical ability and an instinct to meet the service from Hemp and Kelly. Russo appears a more natural fit for the impact role off the bench; neither Daly nor James offered the same improvement as substitutes that Russo and Toone managed at the Euros last year. The threat of Denmark captain Pernille Harder will be a familiar one for centre-backs Millie Bright and Jess Carter, as well as the rest of the Lionesses side, after the forward’s three successful years with Chelsea. Denmark will sit deep and look to frustrate England, leaving Harder as a lone raider up front. It should be a serious examination of Bright after the captain looked rusty in what was her first appearance since March. Wiegman doesn’t want to compare the World Cup to the Euros, her team has changed since then and this is a different challenge, but after last summer’s 1-0 win against Austria came the 8-0 annihilation of Norway, and the moment their campaign really found its spark. How England would want something similar now. Victory would take them to the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages and while the Lionesses insist that it’s results over performances that matter, England could really do with a lot more. Read More Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: Nigeria stun Australia after USA deny Netherlands in thriller Darts, colouring in and 1,000 bags of Yorkshire tea: Inside the Lionesses’ World Cup den Women’s World Cup schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s World Cup LIVE: Today’s results and latest news Sarina Wiegman hints at changes as England prepare to face Denmark Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today
1970-01-01 08:00
Oshoala seals Nigeria's upset win over co-host Australia at the Women's World Cup
Second-half substitute Asisat Oshoala inspired Nigeria’s 3-2 upset win over co-host Australia with her extra edge in attack and a goal that sealed the victory and sparked a jersey-shedding celebration
1970-01-01 08:00
How to win new fans for a growing sport and rival racing championship
This has already been a huge summer of British sport, with more still to come. There’s the ongoing Women’s World Cup, for starters, with England among the contenders. There has already been Wimbledon, The Open has just finished and the Ashes’ fifth Test is now underway. But amid all this, there’s a world championship to be won right in the heart of London: the final races of season nine in Formula E, the all-electric motor racing series which culminates at the end of July. Ahead of a milestone campaign next year, the championship is still in growth mode, attracting fans and redefining itself in terms of on-track action, with alterations made across the board in terms of the racing on show, the coverage across the season and, importantly, the visibility in the lead-up to the showpiece event. This week, that means much of the capital city has been exposed to events and takeovers featuring electric cars, racing drivers and brands all associated with the teams and championships itself, raising awareness, interest and – hopefully – longer-term following of a credible, exciting championship. Achieving such awareness on a weekend where so much is happening elsewhere in sport – not least of all the Belgian Grand Prix in F1, the established powerhouse of motor racing – might not seem the easiest task, but FE has its own loyal following already and regularly sells out its races around the world. Back in January at the season opener, 40,000 packed into Mexico City’s famed Autodromo and, across Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 this weekend, the same number will visit ExCel London to watch the team and driver titles handed out – the latter quite possibly to a British driver on home soil, with Jake Dennis leading the standings. This year, Formula E has brought a brand new third-generation (Gen3) EV to the track, added another new city in Tokyo for next season and broken speed records on a consistent basis, while the profile of the 11 teams involved is impressive even to those with a casual knowledge of car manufacturers: they include Porsche, Maserati, Jaguar, NIO and Nissan, the latter of which staged a midweek takeover of Covent Garden, one of central London’s most well-known and busy locations. As Nissan’s driver Sacha Fenestraz told The Independent, the racing-specific alterations have made it a much more exciting affair for spectators, with the cars hitting speeds of up to 275km/h this season. “It’s a huge change. We’re up to 350kw [of energy], before it was 250 so you were quite limited. The championship is growing a lot, the car is more tricky to drive, it’s lighter and quicker and we have more power. It’s a big step forward in terms of racing which is a lot more interesting, a lot more fights on track. It’s been a great step to Gen3,” he said. In terms of his own year on-track, the Annecy-born rookie has been impressive in spells, particularly in qualifying, notching up his own milestones including his first points, pole position and top-five finishes. A decent showing in London could yet see him finish in the top ten for the campaign, though one of his drivers he’ll need to overtake to do so is his own Nissan teammate, Norman Nato. An enjoyable year overall comes down to two days and two races, while the impression left by one of the series’ biggest and boldest events has also left an impression. “It’s been a good season, up and down, we’ve been strong in qualifying and a couple of poles. It took me a bit of time to get used to energy management and racing strategy that is so different to normal combustion engines,” Fenestraz continued. “The race results have been a struggle but it’s the last race of the season and we’re looking forward to scoring points. “What’s been organised in central London is amazing, I was here as a reserve last year and it was like ‘wow’ - I was really surprised at the event. I wanted to be here racing and here I am. We’re enjoying it a lot and now it’s all about getting a good result.” In Covent Garden, fans had the chance not just to meet Fenestraz and take photos with a replica racecar, but also experience a few laps in a simulator and take each other on quite literally head-to-head on a racing game: a brainwave-powered headset which measures a person’s focus to produce on-track speed. Dismally - but perhaps not unexpectedly - after extracting a promise from a laughing Fenestraz to take his place at the ExCel on Saturday if this reporter could beat him, the French-Argentine won by almost a full lap. Mabye next year. Elsewhere, Formula E staged their own event on Carnaby Street, taking Dennis and fellow Brit Dan Ticktum to push the overarching message of sustainability, while Maserati and their partners hosted a panel on LGBTQ+ awareness and activisim. The entire week and weekend will see more of the same, with Formula E very much a sporting championship which pushes social improvement programmes away from the competition itself, be it climate, diversity or equality related. While the championship’s new CEO labels F1 “predictable” and “processional”, FE is showing itself as a far more exciting and changeable series. The finale weekend could show that again. And all the while, it continues to position itself as a bigger force for change too, from mobility electrification to social progress on multiple fronts. It’s a double hit of attractiveness to a younger, wider potential fanbase. Work yet remains to turn a growing series into a truly major one, but the interest and intent is certainly there if consistency can be maintained. And, just maybe, a British world champion celebrating on Sunday will help push that message a little wider. Read More How London provides ‘unique’ setting for Formula E’s enthralling finale Porsche extend Formula E deal - just in time for title fight finale British driver Jake Dennis closes in on Formula E world title with victory in Rome How London provides ‘unique’ setting for Formula E’s enthralling finale Porsche extend Formula E deal - just in time for title fight finale British driver Jake Dennis closes in on Formula E world title with victory in Rome
1970-01-01 08:00
Staying at PSG or going somewhere else? Kylian Mbappé's transfer saga rumbles on
Kylian Mbappé finds himself training alone at home while his Paris Saint-Germain teammates are playing abroad and speculation is mounting as to where the France great will play his first game this season
1970-01-01 08:00
Liverpool great Jordan Henderson heads to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Ettifaq
Saudi Arabian soccer club Al-Ettifaq has signed Jordan Henderson weeks after luring Liverpool great Steven Gerrard to join as manager
1970-01-01 08:00
Jordan Henderson completes controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has completed his controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq. The 33-year-old, who posted a farewell message to Reds fans on Wednesday, brought to an end a 12-year stay at Anfield in which he won every major trophy by finalising a deal with reported wages of up to £700,000-a-week. Liverpool are due to receive an initial £12million from the Saudi Pro League club, who posted on social media: “A leader. A warrior. We’re simply thrilled to have him. Henderson is ETTIFAQI.” Henderson was seen training with his new team-mates at a camp in Croatia in a fan video posted on social media, which will have caused Liverpool some embarrassment even though it was hastily deleted. In their own statement Liverpool said: “We can confirm @JHenderson has completed a transfer to Al-Ettifaq. “As his Anfield chapter now comes to a close, everyone at the club wishes to place on record their thanks and gratitude for everything Jordan did for us during his 12 years as a Red.” The England international will be reunited with former team-mate Steven Gerrard who is Al-Ettifaq manager. However, his move had attracted criticism due to his long-time support of LGBT+ issues and the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign. Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, while the state stands accused of a host of other abuses including placing harsh restrictions on women’s rights and the right to political protest. “Jordan Henderson is of course free to play for whoever he chooses, but we would urge him to examine Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and be prepared to speak out about human rights violations in the country,” Amnesty’s UK economic affairs director Peter Frankental told the PA news agency last week. Pride in Football, a network of LGBT+ fan groups, said in a statement: “When you see someone who has been an ally so publicly transfer to a club in a country where LGBT+ people are attacked and imprisoned, it is disappointing. “Good luck in Saudi Arabia Jordan, but you have lost the respect of so many people who valued you and trusted you.”
1970-01-01 08:00
Keira Walsh not focused on personal treble as England chase World Cup glory
England midfielder Keira Walsh insists the prospect of completing a personal trophy treble with a World Cup win has scarcely crossed her mind. Walsh followed up England’s Euro 2022 triumph and player-of-the-match honours in that final with a move to Barcelona, with whom she achieved Champions League glory alongside fellow Lioness Lucy Bronze in June. A first World Cup at the August 20 Sydney final would cap off a phenomenal 13-month run for Rochdale native Walsh, who joined the Spanish side for what was believed to be a world record fee in September. She said: “It’s not something I’ve thought about but it would be pretty exciting. “I think when I first moved to Barcelona I did have to take a deep breath. When you go into that environment and you look at their midfield it is a little bit daunting, I think is fair to say. “They were all super helpful with it though and I’m not really on social media to see those things. I just take the game day-to-day and enjoy playing. I don’t really focus too much on what’s going on on the outside. “But when it’s all said and done, winning the Euros and the Champions League in the space of a year, you do need to take a breath and take a step back – not to evaluate it but let it all sink in. It’s an exciting thing and then going to a World Cup as well.” Both England and their Friday opponents Denmark picked up wins in their opening contests, so the second encounter for each might prove vital in deciding the Group D winner. The Lionesses could even seal a trip to the knockout rounds tomorrow if they defeat Denmark and China draw with Haiti in the late kick-off. Walsh, nominated for FIFA’s best women’s player of the year in 2022, agreed it seems her ascension to the elite ranks of her position has come with a corresponding response of teams trying to shut her down. She said: “Yeah, but I think I was used to it at Man City, it happened quite a lot in the Women’s Super League. “I don’t necessarily think it’s just me, I think a lot of teams are trying to stop holding midfielders in general because that’s where football is going now. “I think the game has changed as a whole, but I’ve got more influence from the Spanish in terms of how they’ve always played, and the Pep [Guardiola] influence has always helped me in that respect. In general football I think more people do try and play through the central midfielder. “Yeah of course [it’s a challenge I want], I think first-half it’s usually a little more difficult, I think in the second half it tends to open up a bit more anyway, but for me, I want to be playing in those tighter situations and really testing myself. I enjoy the challenge and am just looking forward to seeing the rest of the tournament.” The 26-year-old, who made her senior England debut in November 2017 and was named in her first World Cup squad four years ago, is amongst the Lionesses with the most major tournament experience having also featured for Team GB at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics. England boss Sarina Wiegman has been “pushing” Walsh to take more of a leadership role on the pitch, a role she has somewhat reluctantly accepted. Walsh added: “Maybe it’s just solving the pictures on the pitch and coaching a little bit more. I wouldn’t say I’m the loudest so it doesn’t come naturally to me. But it’s something she wants me to improve on. “I think I’m one of the more experienced ones in terms of being at tournaments and winning the Champions League so players do automatically look at that but it’s a team full of leaders and it doesn’t matter if you’ve played one game or 50. “We listen to each other and respect each other’s opinions. I think that’s what’s so special about this team. Hopefully we can show that against Denmark and what we’re about.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rasmus Hojlund talks continue as Man United boss Erik ten Hag eyes new striker England’s leading Ashes stars likely to miss start of The Hundred Sarina Wiegman ready to ring changes to rejuvenate rusty England
1970-01-01 08:00
Rasmus Hojlund talks continue as Man United boss Erik ten Hag eyes new striker
Manchester United are confident of bringing in a new attacker soon as talks to sign Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund continue, the PA news agency understands. The Red Devils have signed Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana this summer as they look to build on a promising first season under Erik ten Hag. United have made no secret of the need to bolster their attack ahead of the new campaign, with their manager saying at the start of the week they are making “progress” on that front. Atalanta striker Hojlund is a target and reports emerged on Wednesday that the club have made a verbal 50million euros (£42.8m) offer, rising to 60m euros (£51.4m), for the Denmark international. The 20-year-old is seen by the Old Trafford giants as a rough diamond who can be polished by Ten Hag, who made no secret of the need for attacking help after the 2-0 friendly loss to Real Madrid. The Dutchman’s side failed to score from any of their 14 attempts under the NRG Stadium roof, an all too familiar tale given their problems taking opportunities last season. Asked if the attacking display in Houston emphasised why they are looking to sign a new striker, Ten Hag said: “Absolutely. “There were two things – the pressing can be better from the start and scoring goals. “I think we need more players who are capable to be in the one-on-ones and we had the situations of one-on-ones. “It was (Marcus) Rashford, it was, I thought, Scott McTominay in one-on-one situations. (Alejandro) Garnacho, a one-on-one situation. From the situations, you have to score.” PA understands United are hopeful of having a new attacker through the door before their Premier League opener against Wolves on August 14. Should that player be Hojlund, then he is seen as having the required drive and desire to develop at a club willing to be patient with the relatively inexperienced striker. There are back-up options if a deal cannot be agreed, though, with Eintracht Frankfurt frontman Randal Kolo Muani among them. Mohammed Kudus of Ajax is also admired. Despite their desire for goals, United sources have continued to dismiss talk of a move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane. The club have also distanced themselves from any suggestion they could bid for Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Keira Walsh not focused on personal treble as England chase World Cup glory England’s leading Ashes stars likely to miss start of The Hundred Sarina Wiegman ready to ring changes to rejuvenate rusty England
1970-01-01 08:00
