🥐 Griezmann to MLS and 5️⃣ other great stories to start your day
The Champions League Super Tuesday will start heating up late in the afternoon, but here we leave you with five news stories to whet your appetite that could shape the football conversation of the day.
🤝 An MLS club negotiates for Griezmann
Last night, 'The Athletic' reported that Orlando City has begun talks with Antoine Griezmann to secure his signing.
The most striking part of the information is that the American franchise wants to close the deal before March 26, the date when their transfer window closes.
🧐 Pedri and Ferran reveal which Madrid player they would sign
Simple, Mbappé. Next question.
🛋️ Journey to Arbeloa's gray sofa
📸 PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA - AFP or licensors
Alfredo Matilla publishes an interesting report in As today about Arbeloa's strategy to motivate his pupils at Real Madrid: an explanation of his now-famous gray sofa. From whom did he learn the concept? How does he apply it?
"Talking to correct is as important as pressing" is one of the phrases that defines the Real Madrid coach's policy.
🏆 🎶 The Chaaaaaaaampions
📸 THOMAS COEX - AFP or licensors
Every matchday is special in the Champions League, but even more so when the tournament enters the (as Carlo Ancelotti would say) "knockout" phase.
Atleti must resolve at home the 3-3 they achieved in Bruges, Mendilibar will seek a miracle in Leverkusen, and Bodo aims to complete a historic feat against Inter.
The day concludes with a Newcastle-Qarabag match, a mere formality after the 1-6 in the first leg.
📺 What matches can you watch today?
18h45: Atlético Madrid – Bruges
21h00: Inter Milan – Bodø/Glimt
21h00: Leverkusen – Olympiakos
21h00: Newcastle – Qarabağ
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
Kevin Durant says he wants to play for U.S. men's basketball team at 2028 Olympics in LA
HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets forward Kevin Durant will be less than two months shy of his 40th birthday when the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begin, but he said Monday night he told USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill he’d like to be considered for the U.S. men’s team when the time comes.
“I didn’t want to just take my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I’m older and I did it before,” Durant said after scoring 18 points for Houston in a 125-105 win over the Utah Jazz. “Grant understands my love for Team USA. That’s my family. The level of love I have for Team USA and the whole organization over there is unmatched, so I’d love to be part of it until I’m done playing.”
Durant has played in the last four Olympics, becoming USA men’s basketball’s career scoring leader in the process, but he says he doesn’t want to just be handed a spot on the 2028 team. He wants to earn it.
“I understand how tough that decision is for Grant, and how many great players are going to emerge the next year and a half, and I’m also very old compared to a lot of these players,” Durant said. “I know I've got my work cut out for me to make that team.”
During the 2024 Paris games, Durant became the first American player to win four Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball. United States stars Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird won five gold medals in women’s basketball, but Durant says joining that club is not his motivation for wanting to go through another Olympic cycle.
“I just love playing for Team USA. I love representing my country. That’s the first and most important thing — it’s putting that USA across my chest and representing where I come from,” he said.
Durant is averaging 25.9 points per game on 50.7% shooting in his 18th NBA season.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
📺 Tuesday’s line-up: Copa do Brasil and Champions League second legs
Today's Highlights:
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
2:45 PM - Atlético Madrid vs. Club Brugge - TNT and HBO MAX
5:00 PM - Internazionale vs. Bodo/Glimt - SBT, TNT and HBO MAX
5:00 PM - Newcastle vs. Qarabag - Space and HBO MAX
5:00 PM - B. Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos - HBO MAX
COPA DO BRASIL
4:30 PM - Boavista vs. Maringá - SporTV and Premiere
7:00 PM - Joinville vs. CSA - SporTV and Premiere
9:30 PM - Fortaleza vs. Maguary - SporTV, Premiere and YouTube (GE TV)
9:30 PM - América-RN vs. GAS - Prime Video
Other games:
BRASILEIRÃO A - U20
3:00 PM - Athletico-PR vs. Cuiabá - YouTube (Athletico)
3:00 PM - Juventude vs. RB Bragantino - YouTube (EC Juventude)
3:30 PM - Fortaleza vs. Vitória - YouTube (TV Leão)
SAUDI LEAGUE
4:00 PM - Al-Taawon vs. Al-Hilal - BandSports and YT (GOAT)
4:00 PM - Al Hazem vs. Al-Ittihad - YouTube (GOAT)
ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP (2ND DIVISION)
5:00 PM - Southampton vs. QPR - Disney+
LIBERTADORES
7:00 PM - Huachipato vs. Carabobo - Paramount+
9:30 PM - Sporting Cristal vs. 2 de Mayo - ESPN and Disney+
9:30 PM - Ind. Medellín vs. Liverpool-URU - Paramount+
COPA ARGENTINA
9:15 PM - Boca Juniors vs. Chivilcoy - XSports and YT (XSports)
CHAMPIONS CUP
10:00 PM - Nashville SC vs. Atlético Ottawa - Disney+
12:05 AM - LAFC vs. Real España - Disney+
ARGENTINE LEAGUE
10:00 PM - Gimnasia vs. Independiente - ESPN 4 and Disney+
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
NRL Las Vegas launch hits a massive snag as plane carrying the game's top bosses forced to turn around and land back in Sydney
A chartered Qantas flight carrying Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo has been forced to return to Sydney.
Barcelona stars Ferran Torres and Pedri reveal massive fines under Flick and Real Madrid confession
Barcelona’s intense season under Hansi Flick briefly took a lighter turn as Ferran Torres and Pedri appeared together on El Hormiguero (h/t SPORT).
The duo used their day off to share stories from inside the Barça dressing room, offering fans a rare and honest glimpse into team life.
For Pedri, the timing of the appearance carried extra meaning, as the midfielder had only just returned from a muscle injury.
During the interview, the moment that truly grabbed attention involved Flick’s strict code of conduct.
The German manager has built a culture based on discipline, and punctuality sits at the heart of it.
“If you arrive late, the rest have to wait for you, and that’s disrespectful,” Pedri explained.
Rule under Flick
The midfielder and Ferran also revealed that there has been a change in how lateness is punished this season.
Previously, players risked being dropped from the starting eleven, as happened to Jules Kounde. Now, the system is financial.
“We’ve changed the punctuality rule a little. If you’re late, you pay a fine,” Pedri added.
Ferran confirmed they can reach €40,000, underlining how seriously Flick treats the matter. Adding humour, he said,
“I can’t imagine how much money 20 minutes would be. You might as well send him a photo of an ibuprofen,” he joked.
Pedri and Ferran have revealed the rule under Flick. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Last season offered a clear example of Flick’s firmness when Kounde was benched against Alaves after arriving late to a pre-match talk, with Hector Fort stepping in.
Despite the strict rules, the pair insisted Flick also knows how to step back. They noted that he “doesn’t get involved” in the TikToks and dances happening in the dressing room.
Personal side
The interview also revealed their personalities. Pedri described Ferran as the “joker,” while the forward admitted, “I’m more of a go-getter than a defender.”
Speaking about Barcelona’s ambitions, Ferran did not hide his belief: “We believe we’re going to win everything within our reach, as long as we’re alive,” he said.
When asked which Real Madrid player they would sign, both answered without hesitation: “Mbappe.”
Their friendship was evident when Pedri joked about becoming Ferran’s chauffeur.
“The night before, he asks me what time I’ll pick him up in the morning.
“He gets in with his coffee, the only thing missing is for him to tell me one day not to talk and just focus on driving,“ Pedri said with a laugh.
Ferran responded warmly, “I take good care of Pedri and I’m very attentive to him, because we depend on him a lot and he has to be well.
“He’s a player who gives us a lot because he controls the tempo of the game,” he noted.