The Times of India

Ronaldo's career can be summed up in two pictures: the wink in the 2006 World Cup and the grimace in the 2026 one.

Bangladesh Cricket Board assures top-level security for India's upcoming tour. The board is prepared to further strengthen its arrangements if required. Formal discussions with the BCCI are yet to begin, but confidence remains high. Recent invitations for future fixtures signal growing optimism for the series. Security remains a top priority for the BCB during the planned visit.

Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi missed out on qualification for the Esports World Cup 2026 after losing 2-1 to Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok in the India Rising: Road to EWC final in Mumbai. Vidit, who had hoped to redeem last year's near miss, said before the final that playing the Mumbai LAN and earning an EWC spot meant a lot to him.

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers says Bengaluru changed my life and will always be closest to his heart. Speaking on The Times of India's Bombay Sports Exchange podcast, the RCB legend recalled fulfilling his childhood dream when fans chanted his name, saying he immediately felt at home. De Villiers added he'll always cherish his unique bond with Bengaluru and Indian cricket fans.

Speaking on TOI Sports' Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast, de Villiers said the growing appeal of T20 cricket could influence young players like Sooryavanshi when deciding the direction of their careers.

Argentina enter their Round of 16 clash against Egypt under greater scrutiny after surviving a dramatic extra-time battle with Cape Verde. While Lionel Messi continues to inspire the defending champions, questions remain about their defensive stability and overreliance on their captain. Egypt arrive with confidence after making history throughout the tournament and will look to Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and Emam Ashour to exploit Argentina's weaknesses. With a quarterfinal place on the line,

Portugal's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign concluded with a Round of 16 loss to Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious World Cup career ended without the coveted trophy. Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj shared an emotional tribute to his idol on social media. Spain secured a quarterfinal spot with a dramatic late goal in the ninety-first minute. This defeat marked the end of Portugal's tournament and Ronaldo's final World Cup chapter.

The South African great retired from international cricket in 2018 after helping his team beat India and Australia at home. He continued playing franchise cricket, including for RCB in the Indian Premier League (IPL), before retiring from all forms of the game in 2021.

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers says money never motivated his cricket career, with his focus always on improving and winning. Speaking on The Times of India's Bombay Sports Exchange podcast, he said youngsters need excitement, not just financial incentives, to embrace Test cricket. De Villiers called IPL earnings a onus.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana will miss T20Is for The Hundred. She received a No Objection Certificate from the PCB for this opportunity. Sana will lead Pakistan in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. After the ODIs, she will join Birmingham Phoenix in England. This marks a historic achievement for Pakistan women's cricket.

AB de Villiers opens up on Virat Kohli, RCB, his retirement and more | Bombay Sport Exchange

Roger Federer remained in the Royal Box watching Wimbledon matches until late. Arthur Fery expressed surprise at seeing the tennis legend watching his contest. Fery's victory secured his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals against Flavio Cobolli. Alexander Zverev's match against Jiri Lehecka was also ongoing that evening. Other notable attendees included Billie Jean King and Alessia Russo.

Atlanta stages a blockbuster World Cup clash between Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah, with only one advancing. Messi, 39, already a world champion, has seven goals in four matches, a record eight straight World Cup scoring games, and 124 goals in 203 Argentina appearances. Salah, 34, Egypt's talisman, has 66 goals in 118 caps and has led the Pharaohs to Cup milestones.

Cristiano Ronaldos World Cup dream ended in heartbreak after Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 41-year-old forward played what he had earlier said would be his final match in the tournament, bringing an end to a remarkable 20-year World Cup journey.

Belgium outplayed the hosts to book a place in the quarter-finals, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and setting up another goal.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson suffered a serious wrist injury while celebrating a World Cup victory. He sustained the injury after slipping while attempting to celebrate with fans. Henderson was taken to a hospital in Mexico City for treatment. The team advanced to the quarter-finals despite this unfortunate setback. England will now face Norway in their next tournament match.

In today's OFFSIDE: Goodbye Ronaldo, good riddance to Team USA and Salah vs Messi.

Suryakumar Yadav has denied a fake statement circulating on social media regarding his captaincy. He expressed happiness for the team and affirmed his unwavering support for Indian cricket. The selectors continue their youth-first approach, naming Shreyas Iyer as captain for the Zimbabwe series too. Suryakumar also congratulated Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on becoming India's youngest international cricketer.

Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran died in India on Tuesday. He was 38 and had been battling a rare illness for months. Zadran was a pioneer in Afghanistan's cricket journey, playing 80 international matches. He helped the team qualify for major global tournaments during his career. His passing has prompted widespread tributes from the cricket community.

South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder believes the future belongs to specialists, saying the physical and technical demands of modern cricket make it increasingly difficult to excel across all three formats. In an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia. com, the South African all-rounder discusses the evolution of T20 cricket, his reservations about the Impact Player rule, cricket's growth in the USA, and why SA20 has played a key role in the Proteas' recent success.

After a convincing victory, Belgium players couldn't resist poking fun at Donald Trump's infamous dance moves. Romelu Lukaku and his teammates celebrated in style, with a social media post cheekily referencing a FIFA ruling that permitted Folarin Balogun to take the field post red card. Belgium has now confidently moved on to the quarter-finals after their stunning defeat of the USA.

The Delhi High Court is examining personality rights in the digital age. Cricketer Abhishek Sharma filed a suit against unauthorised online use of his likeness. The court noted a thin line between defamation and personality rights. Disputes involve AI-altered images and the exploitation of identity. The matter was adjourned for further hearing on July 9.

Neymar has retired from international football after Brazil's World Cup elimination. His father made an emotional plea for him to continue playing the sport. Neymar confirmed his international career was over following the team's defeat to Norway. He finished as Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer with eighty goals. His father hopes he will continue playing club football.

Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA World Cup journey concluded after Portugal's loss to Spain. He confirmed that the 2026 tournament would be his final appearance. Ronaldo leaves behind numerous records and international silverware for Portugal. His World Cup knockout round statistics showed only one goal and no assists. The legendary forward expressed sadness but also a clear conscience about his career.

Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla seeks an apology from French footballer Kylian Mbapp. She demands he retract his despicable woman comment made after her remarks. Amarilla claims Mbapp showed disrespect and poor sportsmanship during their World Cup match. She is considering legal action if Mbapp fails to apologize publicly. The senator asserts her position as an elected official representing her nation.

Portugals World Cup exit has intensified scrutiny of Roberto Martnezs side, with Wayne Rooney and Ricardo Quaresma questioning whether the midfield did enough to support Cristiano Ronaldo in his final World Cup. Both argued Portugals talented midfield failed to create enough chances, leaving the 41-year-old isolated as Spain ended the Seleos campaign in the Round of 16.

Belgium's coach Rudi Garcia expressed understanding regarding Folarin Balogun's eligibility situation. He stated the player was not to blame for the FIFA eligibility controversy. Belgium secured a dominant 4-1 victory against the United States in their match. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, leading the team's strong offensive performance. The team now advances to face Spain in the quarter-finals.

Malik Tillman scored a historic free-kick goal for the United States against Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in their Round of 16 match. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice for Belgium, securing their quarter-final spot. Costly defensive errors and goalkeeper mistakes contributed to the American team's elimination.

Ravichandran Ashwin expressed concern over Sanju Samson's recent T20I team exclusion. He questioned if outside pressure influences Indian cricket selection decisions. Samson was dropped after three low scores and missed the Zimbabwe series. Ashwin suggested reshuffling the batting order instead of sidelining Samson. He believes players deserve longer runs based on consistent performances.

India's T20I squad overhaul has raised fresh questions after Player of the Tournament Sanju Samson was dropped from the Zimbabwe series despite his World Cup heroics, with selectors prioritising teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Meanwhile, discussions are underway over whether Gautam Gambhir and the regular support staff will travel to Zimbabwe due to the quick turnaround, while last-minute changes to India's Asian Games squad also remain on the cards.

Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The Belgian Red Devils posted social media messages after their emphatic victory. One post sarcastically referenced Folarin Balogun's overturned suspension. Another post humorously addressed the football versus soccer debate. This loss ended the United States' World Cup campaign.

Croatia has formally written to FIFA after their World Cup elimination against Portugal. The Croatian Football Federation questions the use of advanced technology in match-deciding moments. Their complaint centers on VAR and data from the Trionda match ball. Croatia believes this technology oversteps its intended role in football officiating. The federation seeks a detailed explanation from FIFA regarding these decisions.

Belgium decisively defeated the United States 4-1 in the World Cup Round of 16. Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was controversially overturned, struggled to impact the match. He registered few touches and failed to score during the game. The United States faced elimination in the Round of 16 once again. This defeat concluded their home World Cup aspirations after much scrutiny.

Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal shared a touching moment with Cristiano Ronaldo. Spain secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup Round of 16. This win marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth and final FIFA World Cup appearance. Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in second-half stoppage time for Spain. Ronaldo walked off the pitch in tears after his World Cup dream ended.

Romelu Lukaku made World Cup history as Belgium advanced past the United States. He became the first player to score as a substitute in four different World Cup matches. Belgium secured a commanding 4-1 victory over the United States in their knockout clash. Charles De Ketelaere also contributed significantly with two goals and an assist. Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Belgium ended the United States World Cup 2026 dream with a ruthless 4-1 victory in Seattle, reaching the quarter-finals after punishing costly defensive errors. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku completed the rout. Despite dominating possession, Mauricio Pochettinos hosts fell short of a first World Cup quarter-final since 2002.

French captain Kylian Mbapp condemned racist social media posts by a Paraguayan senator. The senator's remarks targeted Mbapp's background and appearance after a World Cup match. Paraguay's government and the French Football Federation also denounced the senator's unacceptable comments. French officials, including President Macron, voiced strong support for Mbapp and condemned racism. This controversy follows similar remarks made by a former Paraguayan goalkeeper before the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo stated Portugal's Euro 2016 win holds immense personal value. He expressed disappointment after Portugal's World Cup exit, his final campaign. Ronaldo affirmed he gave his best and has no regrets about his efforts. He won three titles for Portugal, ending their trophy drought. The Euro 2016 victory remains a defining achievement in his career.

Roberto Martinez has resigned as Portugal's head coach following their World Cup 2026 elimination. Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 match. Martinez stated his goal was to win the World Cup and saw no reason to continue. This defeat also marked the final World Cup appearance for Cristiano Ronaldo. Martinez praised Ronaldo's dedication and professionalism throughout their time together.

At his last World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines by attempting numerous shots yet shockingly, none translated into goal-scoring opportunities, establishing a record for missed chances. While his playmaking seemed to deteriorate, he still managed to net three goals from seventeen attempts. Ultimately, Portugal's journey ended prematurely with their exit in the Round of 16.

Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA World Cup journey concluded with Portugal's Round of 16 elimination. He expressed sadness and confirmed this was his final tournament appearance. Ronaldo stated he gave his best and leaves with a clear conscience. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez praised his influence and legacy in football. Ronaldo's career includes major international titles and scoring records.

Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious World Cup journey came to an emotional end as Portugal faced defeat against Spain. While sadness enveloped him, he remained proud of his legacy, being the sole player to score in six different World Cups. Having secured three titles with Portugal, including the 2016 Euros, he announced this bittersweet event as his last World Cup appearance, marking the conclusion of an era.

Star forward Folarin Balogun will start for the United States against Belgium today. FIFA rejected a European appeal, allowing Balogun to play after a red card incident. This controversial decision has sparked global backlash and protests from furious Belgian supporters. The United States team seeks a historic knockout-stage victory in this crucial match. The winner advances to face Spain for a semi-final spot.

Spain's defense has set a World Cup milestone by recording six consecutive clean sheets, with goalkeeper Unai Simon boasting a remarkable scoreless streak of 609 minutes. This impressive defensive tenure commenced following a group stage defeat to Japan in 2022. Now, with four successive shutout victories, Spain marches into the quarterfinals, driven by their exceptional defensive prowess.

Spain edged past Portugal with a crucial one-nil win in a gripping World Cup encounter. Mikel Merino struck the decisive goal in stoppage time, leaving Portugal eliminated and signaling the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious World Cup journey. Unai Simon's outstanding performance as goalkeeper kept Spain's net intact, propelling La Roja into the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.

Zlatan Ibrahimovi has sparked backlash after backing FIFAs controversial decision to suspend Folarin Baloguns World Cup ban, allowing the USA striker to face Belgium. While Thierry Henry agreed the red card was harsh, he questioned the timing of FIFAs ruling. Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright condemned the decision, with Belgium also considering legal action.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has reportedly emerged as an Inter Miami target after starring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 40-year-old free agent impressed with a series of standout performances, including against Lionel Messi's Argentina, attracting interest from David Beckham's MLS club as well as Brazilian sides. A move would see him become Messi's teammate just weeks after facing him.