Cristiano Ronaldoએ કરી નિવૃત્તિની જાહેરાત, 2026નો વર્લ્ડ કપ હશે છેલ્લો

ફિફા વર્લ્ડ કપ2026ની ધમાકેદાર શરૂઆત વચ્ચે ફૂટબોલ જગતમાંથી એક ખૂબ જ ભાવુક અને મોટા સમાચાર સામે આવ્યા છે. વિશ્વના મહાન ફૂટબોલર્સમાં જેમની ગણતરી થાય છે તેવા પોર્ટુગલના સુપરસ્ટાર ક્રિસ્ટિયાનો રોનાલ્ડોએ સત્તાવાર જાહેરાત કરી દીધી છે કે 2026નો આ વર્લ્ડ કપ તેમની કરિયરનો છેલ્લો વર્લ્ડ કપ હશે. રોનાલ્ડોના આ અણધાર્યા નિર્ણયથી વિશ્વભરના કરોડો ચાહકોના દિલ તૂટી ગયા છે.

પ્રેસ કોન્ફરન્સ નિવૃત્તિના સંકેતો આપ્યા

એક પ્રેસ કોન્ફરન્સ દરમિયાન પોતાના નિવૃત્તિના સંકેતો આપતા રોનાલ્ડોએ જણાવ્યું હતું કે, 2026 મારો છેલ્લો વર્લ્ડ કપ છે. હું આ ટૂર્નામેન્ટની દરેક ક્ષણને મન ભરીને માણવા ઈચ્છું છું. રોનાલ્ડોએ વધુમાં ઉમેર્યું કે તેઓ આ મેગા ઈવેન્ટને યાદગાર બનાવવા માટે પોતાની પૂરી તાકાત લગાવી દેશે. હાલમાં પોર્ટુગલની ટીમ આગામી મેચો માટે સખત મહેનત કરી રહી છે.

સ્પેન સામેની મહામુકાબલા માટે જોરદાર તૈયારી

વર્લ્ડ કપના શેડ્યૂલ અનુસાર પોર્ટુગલનો સામનો મજબૂત હરીફ સ્પેન સામે થવાનો છે. આ હાઈ-વોલ્ટેજ મેચ અંગે વાત કરતા રોનાલ્ડોએ કહ્યું કે, "અમારી ટીમ અત્યારે સંપૂર્ણ રીતે ફોકસ્ડ છે. સ્પેન સામેની મેચ માટેની તૈયારીઓ પૂરજોશમાં ચાલુ છે અને અમે મેદાન પર સર્વશ્રેષ્ઠ પ્રદર્શન કરવા માટે કટિબદ્ધ છીએ. સ્પેન અને પોર્ટુગલ વચ્ચેની ટક્કર હંમેશા રોમાંચક હોય છે, અને રોનાલ્ડોની આ જાહેરાત બાદ આ મેચ જોવા માટે ફેન્સનો ઉત્સાહ બમણો થઈ ગયો છે. fish-roadgame.online

https://x.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/2073908653543829946?s=20

ફેન્સ નિરાશા અને લાગણીનો માહોલ

રોનાલ્ડો માત્ર એક ખેલાડી નથી, પરંતુ ફૂટબોલની દુનિયાના એક જીવંત ઈતિહાસ છે. પાંચ અલગ-અલગ વર્લ્ડ કપમાં ગોલ કરનાર દુનિયાના એકમાત્ર ખેલાડી તરીકે તેમનું નામ સુવર્ણ અક્ષરે લખાયેલું છે. તેમની નિવૃત્તિની વાત સામે આવતા જ સોશિયલ મીડિયા પર ફેન્સ ભાવુક થઈ ગયા છે.

આ પણ વાંચો - Neymar Retirement : નેયમારનો મોટો નિર્ણય,બ્રાઝિલની હાર બાદ સંન્યાસની કરી જાહેરાત

Brazil were eliminated from the World Cup by Norway in the Round of 16. Norway won 2-1 at MetLife Stadium. Erling Haaland scored a brace in the closing stages to send Norway through to the quarter-finals for the first time.

Neymar Jr scored a consolation penalty for Brazil in the final seconds. Before taking the penalty, he taunted the Norwegian goalkeeper. This drew criticism from fans online, who called his behaviour “disgraceful” given Brazil were losing 2-0.

After the final whistle, Neymar Jr was inconsolable and seen crying on the field. It was a disappointing tournament for the 34-year-old, who had been recovering from a knee injury. He barely featured and was a non-factor when called upon. The defeat extended Brazil’s World Cup title drought, which dates back to 2002.

pic.twitter.com/e0S2YumZVg

— X@ALAADIN32 (@MadridistaFunny) July 5, 2026

Neymar drew criticism from fans for his behaviour. After scoring the penalty, he taunted Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland. Fans online called his actions “disgraceful” since Brazil were losing 2-0. One user wrote: “Why is Neymar talking trash down 2-0? Disgraceful.” Another said: “Bro is always emotional and crying, and when his team needs him, he’s always injured.”

After the final whistle, Neymar Jr was seen crying on the field. The defeat extended Brazil’s World Cup title drought, which dates back to 2002. Neymar had been recovering from a knee injury before the tournament and barely featured. One fan said Ancelotti should have chosen a younger, faster player instead of an “old Neymar.”

Norway had an early goal ruled out for offside. Brazil had a chance to take the lead when Bruno Guimarães missed a penalty. Norway then made them pay through Haaland’s goals. Gary Neville praised Haaland’s performance and suggested he had “spooked” Gabriel Magalhães in the build-up to the first goal. Norway will now face the winner of England vs Mexico in the quarter-finals.

Norway will now face the winner of England in the quarter-finals.

FAQs

Q. Who knocked Brazil out of the World Cup?

A. Norway eliminated Brazil with a 2-1 win.

Q. Who scored Norway’s two goals?

A. Erling Haaland scored both goals.

Q. How did Neymar score for Brazil?

A. Neymar Jr scored a late penalty.

Q. Why was Neymar criticized by fans?

A. Neymar taunted the Norway goalkeeper after scoring.

Q. How did Neymar react after the match?

A. Neymar Jr was seen crying on the field.

Get the FIFA World Cup 2026 Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.

Pacer Gurnoor Brar made a strong case for a Test debut in Sri Lanka next month with a match haul of 10 wickets in India A's resounding win in the second and final unofficial Test here on Sunday. Courtesy Sai Sudharsan's 168, India A put up a daunting first innings total of 543, giving them a 177-run lead over Sri Lanka A.

The game moved fast on the fourth and concluding day with Brar running through the Sri Lanka A batting unit with a six-wicket haul in the second innings, following his four wickets in the first innings. The other contender for a spot in the Test team for the two-match series against Sri Lanka from August, Aquib Nabi, paled in Brar's comparison.

The Punjab pacer had impressed on his India debut in the ODI series against Afghanistan last month. Brar was part of the Test squad too but did not make his debut in the traditional format. With Sri Lanka A bundled out for 209 in the second innings, India A had only 33 to chase.

Sudharsan and Aman Mokhade did that in 6.2 overs as India A completed a comfortable 10-wicket win following a draw in the series opener. India had resumed the day at 541 for eight. Barring Ashen Bandara's 87, none of the home team's batters could make a significant contribution.

It was a successful tour for India A who had also won the preceding tri-series in Dambulla. With the first Test against Sri Lanka scheduled at the Galle International Stadium on August 15, Test regulars like Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel got ideal game time. The second Test will be played at the SSC in Colombo from August 23.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka A: 366 all out and 209 all out 48.3 overs (Ashen Bandara 87; Gurnoor Brar 6/68) lost to India A: 543/9 in 143.3 overs (Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94, Dhruv Jurel 53) and 36/0 in 6.2 overs by 10 wickets.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

US President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday.

Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia-Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.

FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension had been lifted for the round of 16 match, an extraordinary move that triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium’s team. It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup did not result in a suspension.

Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the game asking FIFA review the red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump said in a statement on social media.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished,” and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA’s action.

“I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe,” Garcia said through a translator in an April Fools’ Day comparison. “The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it’s the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision.” Garcia wouldn’t respond when asked about a possible appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport or whether he thought Trump impacted FIFA’s action.

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the Belgian federation said in a statement.

American players learned of Balogun’s availability when social media posts started popping up during the 10-minute bus ride Sunday morning from their hotel to training at the University of Washington’s Husky Soccer Stadium, where they were greeted by Dubs II, the university’s Alaskan Malamute.

Balogun’s red card had been one of the World Cup’s most controversial and consequential decisions. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus didn’t initially signal a card but showed Balogun red after a video review.

“If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all,” U.S. star Christian Pulisic said. “I felt like there was much worse ones that went on this tournament.” The US Soccer Federation learned of FIFA’s action in a message sent by FIFA in its portal at 10:31 a.m. EDT.

“The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA announced. “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

US coach Mauricio Pochettino applauded FIFA’s move.

“We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina to play with 10 men (for) 30 minutes in a decision that was completely unfair,” he said.

Pochettino, who played for Argentina in the 2002 World Cup, was not surprised Trump decided to call Infantino.

“I came from a culture, Argentina or Europe, that football, soccer is a religion, more than the religion,” he said. “If we go keep going, pushing on, maybe one step more tomorrow you will see that the sport is magic, that the sport is amazing, is so powerful, unite people, unite a country like us.”

Balogun’s three goals included a go-ahead strike against Bosnia. He matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude’s four in the initial tournament in 1930.

A 25-year-old who plays for Monaco, Balogun scored 13 Ligue 1 goals last season and has 12 goals in 30 international appearances. He was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents who were living in London and in 2023 opted to change his national team affiliation from England, which he had represented at the under-21 level.

“He strikes fear into a lot of defenders,” Richards said.

The host U.S. is seeking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. The Americans lost in the round of 16 to Ghana in 2010, Belgium in 2014 and the Netherlands in 2022. They failed to advance from the group stage in 2006 and didn’t qualify for the 2018 tournament.

The USSF did not make Balogun available for comment Sunday, but Balogun posted on social media a picture of himself in front of U.S. fans and overlaid with music of Michael Jackson’s pop single “Bad.”

On Friday, Balogun said he thought a yellow card instead of red “would have been fair.”

FIFA said its decision relied on Article 27 of disciplinary committee rules.

“The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure,” the rule states. “By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.” “What about the next red card? What happens then?” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said. “Is there going to be some committee somewhere that is going to take that card away? It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup.”

India’s hopes of qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 are officially over after a series of defeats in the Asian Qualifiers. The team failed to secure a single win in six Group D matches.

India struggled against Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with their performances exposing the gap between them and some of Asia’s stronger basketball nations. On paper, it was a disappointing campaign, but behind the losses lies a more important question: why does India continue to struggle on basketball’s biggest stages despite having a growing pool of talented players?

The answer extends far beyond a few games.

A campaign that exposed the gap

The qualifiers highlighted the challenges India face against the continent’s stronger teams. Against more experienced Asian sides, India struggled to maintain consistency across all four quarters and found it difficult to match the physicality and intensity of their opponents.

These are not issues that can be solved with a short training camp. They require players to compete regularly in a professional environment throughout the year.

Results reflected the challenge

Each team played six matches in the first round, with India failing to register a single win. They began their campaign in November with two defeats to Saudi Arabia, losing 75-51 and 81-57. In February, India suffered a 99-73 defeat to Qatar before going down 99-56 to Lebanon.

Qatar then beat India 65-56 in Ahmedabad despite the hosts taking an early lead. In their final group game, India lost 98-72 to group leaders Lebanon, also in Ahmedabad.

The problem is bigger than one disappointing campaign

It is easy to blame poor shooting or defensive mistakes, but India’s problems run much deeper. Modern international basketball teams can no longer rely solely on talented individuals. Successful national teams are built on professional systems in which players compete every week in high-quality domestic leagues before representing their countries. That is where India continue to lag behind.

In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, India star hooper Pranav Prince stressed the need for a stronger domestic basketball ecosystem.

“In many leading basketball nations, players spend 8–10 months each year competing in high-level professional leagues,” he said. “They face strong opponents regularly, adapt to different game situations, and build chemistry under real competitive pressure. By the time they report for national team duty, they’re already in peak competitive rhythm.”

Prince believes national camps can improve coordination, but they cannot replace months of elite competition.

“For Indian players, the situation is different,” he said. “Outside of international windows and occasional domestic competitions, there are relatively few opportunities to play sustained, high-level professional basketball. National team camps are valuable for installing systems, improving chemistry, and refining tactics, but they cannot fully replicate the intensity, speed, physicality and decision-making demands of months of elite league competition.”

Can the IBL make a difference?

This is where the India Basketball League (IBL) could play an important role.

The league, which will stage its inaugural season in 2027, aims to provide Indian players with regular high-level competition, better coaching and a longer domestic season. Over time, that could help prepare players for international basketball and narrow the gap between India and the top teams in Asia, and eventually the rest of the world.

The IBL will feature six teams in its inaugural season and has already confirmed five host cities — Chennai, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi. The sixth and final franchise will be selected from Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Aizawl.

Building for the future

The defeat in the qualifiers is a setback, but it also offers a clear direction for Indian basketball. A stronger domestic structure could be the key if India are to perform better in future World Cup qualifying campaigns. If the IBL succeeds in building a sustainable basketball ecosystem, it could become an important step towards making India more competitive on the international stage.

Reflecting on the impact the IBL could have on Indian basketball, Prince added: “I think the IBL will be central to the ecosystem. But there are other things as well, such as investing in grassroots basketball for the long term and having a sustained calendar throughout the year rather than tournaments here and there. That would allow us to work on our game and recover properly.

“And, as I said, with this league coming up, I think everything will eventually fall into place. Young basketballers will finally have a genuine career pathway instead of feeling they have to settle for a government job.”

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