When Freddie Freeman takes the field on Friday night for Game 1 of the World Series, it will feel like he's playing in one of his homes away from home at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. While Freeman's job with the Dodgers in their quest to capture back-to-back championships will be front and center on his mind, playing baseball in Canada, in which he holds dual citizenship along with the United States, will be special for both he and his family.
"Yeah my dad is obviously going to head out there tomorrow as well," Freeman said Tuesday. "So it's going to be pretty special. And I'm not so sure the Canadian fans, Blue Jays fans, will be cheering for me this time around like it was in the World Baseball Classic the last couple of times. But it is special."
Freeman played for Canada in both the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics, changing his representation to Canada through his citizenship from his parents. Freeman's return to Toronto will also be an emotional one, given that he'll be returning to the city where his mother grew up. She died after being diagnosed with melanoma when he was just 10 years old.
"Both my parents are born and raised in Canada, especially in the providence of Ontario—my mom from the Toronto area. My dad from Windsor," Freeman continued. "So, it is special. Everytime I go there, you just have this feeling inside that you feel just a little bit closer to my mom. So I'm looking forward to it."
And even though Freeman will be playing against the Blue Jays, he's still excited about what the team has accomplished thus far, given his Canadian roots.
"I mean, that’s special,’" Freeman said. "When you have a whole country that you know is behind one team, that’s pretty amazing. And then, obviously, what they’ve done. They’ve invested in their team, into that stadium, the visiting clubhouse, they’ve put a lot into the Toronto Blue Jays.
"So to just see the city come together, and get to experience so much jubilation that they had going to the World Series for the first time in 30-plus years, you know it’s an exciting time. And being from Canada, it’s pretty cool."
In the almost six years he’s been in charge, Mikel Arteta has helped to transform Arsenal.
He’s led the North Londoners from mid-table mediocrity to genuine Premier League and Champions League contenders.
The Spaniard’s tactical nous and standard-raising philosophy have undoubtedly played a massive part in this turnaround, but so has the club’s recruitment and promotion of youth players, like Bukayo Saka.
The Hale Ender has gone from promising prospect to the face of Arsenal and undoubtedly their most important attacker, although, based on recent reports, the club are looking to sign someone who is playing better than him at the moment.
Arsenal target superstar star attacker outperforming Saka
Since making his debut for Arsenal in a 2018 Europa League group stage match against Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava, Saka has gone on an incredible journey with the club.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Despite being moved around the pitch and then spending plenty of time at left-back in his early career, the Englishman has now become the club’s go-to right-winger and the first name on the teamsheet when fit.
In all, the 24-year-old has made 280 appearances for the Gunners, in which he’s racked up a sensational haul of 76 goals and 73 assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.87 games.
However, due in part to his injury, he has performed a little under par this season, and now it looks like the club are looking to sign someone who is outperforming him.
At least, that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Arsenal are still very interested in Michael Olise.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are now preparing an ambitious plan to sign the Bayern Munich star and are willing to break their transfer record to do so, preparing an offer of around €150m, which converts to around £132m.
That’s an outrageous sum of money to spend on a player, but given Olise’s ability and potential, it might just be worth it for Arsenal, especially as he’s outperforming Saka.
How Olise compares to Saka
So, the first thing to say is that it seems highly unlikely that Arsenal would sign Olise to outright replace Saka.
After all, the Hale Ender has become the face of the project and probably the most beloved player of the last 20 years among the fanbase.
Instead, the Frenchman could be looked at as someone to offer competition, or, as has been the case with Noni Madueke, someone who can interchange with the Englishman during games, almost making the idea of a starting position antiquated.
With that said, it’s worth looking at how the pair have stacked up against one another since the Bayern ace’s move to Germany.
Last season, his first in Baveria, saw the 23-year-old rack up a sensational tally of 20 goals and 23 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3842 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.27 games, or every 89.34 minutes.
Olise vs Saka
24/25
Olise
Saka
Appearances
55
37
Minutes
3842′
2619′
Goals
20
12
Assists
23
14
Goal Involvements per Match
0.78
0.70
Minutes per Goal Involvements
89.34′
100.73
25/26
Olise
Saka
Appearances
20
17
Minutes
1583′
1211′
Goals
9
6
Assists
10
2
Goal Involvements per Match
0.95
0.47
Minutes per Goal Involvements
83.31′
151.37′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In contrast, Saka scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 37 appearances, totalling 2619 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.42 games, or every 100.73 minutes.
Okay, what about this season then?
Well, the former Crystal Palace star has really taken it up a notch, already scoring nine goals and providing ten assists in 20 appearances, totalling 1583 minutes.
That comes out to a staggering average of a goal involvement every 1.05 games, or every 83.31 minutes, and truly justifies analyst Filipe Sousa’s description of him being a “nightmare” for defenders.
For his efforts this season, the Gunners’ talismanic number seven has scored six goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances, totalling 1211 minutes.
That comes out to a somewhat underwhelming – for his lofty standards – of an average of a goal involvement every 2.12 games, or every 151.37 minutes.
Now, it should be said that he suffered another hamstring injury at the start of the campaign and is clearly still not at 100%, but even so, he would likely admit his output has been a little disappointing this season.
Ultimately, while it would cost an egregious sum of money, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Olise, as he could help get the best back out of Saka, and a team with the pair of them in it is a scary team indeed.
The new Rice: Berta enters race to sign £70m midfield "machine" for Arsenal
The international superstar could become Mikel Arteta’s next Declan Rice at Arsenal.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has offered his thoughts on Xavi Simons and his performances in training, while addressing the decision to bench him in Spurs’ last four matches.
Thomas Frank set for Brentford reunion amid poor Spurs run
Spurs welcome Brentford to north London on Saturday, desperately needing to end a dismal run that has seen them plummet to 11th in the Premier League table with just 19 points from 14 games.
Frank’s side approach this clash winless in their last five league outings, including three defeats.
Cristian Romero’s dramatic late overhead kick salvaged a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in their last match, with a controversial VAR penalty to Newcastle denying them all three points.
Their home form has completely collapsed too, with the club now going six consecutive league matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a single victory.
16. Burnley
2
1
4
7
-2
17. Nottingham Forest
2
1
4
7
-5
18. West Ham
2
0
5
6
-9
19. Tottenham
1
2
4
5
-1
20. Wolves
0
1
6
1
-11
That shocking run includes 10 home defeats throughout the entire calendar year of 2025, matching the club’s worst-ever records for home losses in a single year.
Most concerning was their last appearance on home soil, where Fulham raced into a two-goal lead within the opening six minutes before securing a 2-1 victory.
The final whistle brought a cacophony of boos ringing around the stadium, aimed squarely at Frank and his struggling squad.
The ghosts of their 4-1 capitulation at Arsenal last month continue to haunt the team. During that humbling derby defeat, Tottenham managed an expected goals figure of just 0.07, one of their lowest outputs this season, highlighting their serious lack of creativity which has become a concern.
Injury problems compound Frank’s difficulties.
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Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski remain sidelined, robbing Spurs of crucial attacking impetus, with James Maddison not expected back until the new year. Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma also has no set return date yet.
The Lilywhites really need Simons to step up right now after his marquee £55 million move from RB Leipzig, but the Dutchman has scarcely been given a chance lately.
Simons’ highlights in a Spurs jersey are few and far between, with the ex-PSG sensation putting in a Player of the Match display against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League and notching an assist against West Ham way back in September.
That is, however, the sum of his contribution this season, with the ex-Eredivisie starlet attracting criticism.
Thomas Frank makes Xavi Simons training claim in response to Tottenham snubs
Simons could end up costing the club £125 million when factoring in wages, agent’s fees and other add-ons over a potential seven-year contract, but to be fair to him, it’s hard to justify that price with limited game time.
Speaking in his latest press conference, Frank addressed why he hasn’t been starting for Simons for Tottenham lately — claiming it is down to a matter of form with alternatives and different personnel for contrasting matches.
The Dane also shared how Simons has been impressing in Tottenham training lately, so it is absolutely not a question of work ethic.
With the pressure on Simons to perform, Saturday sets the perfect stage, and he could become a hero by helping to arrest the club’s barren home form through a convincing display against Frank’s former club.
It would be fair to say that, on paper anyway, last week was Arsenal’s toughest so far this season.
Therefore, Mikel Arteta’s side should be pretty happy with seven points from nine in games against Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
However, while the North Londoners were exceptional in the first two encounters, they were uncharacteristically poor away to the Blues, and that has understandably taken the shine off somewhat.
Moreover, while there were underwhelming performances across the pitch for Arsenal, one player in particular was really disappointing and currently looks miles off what fans saw last season.
Arsenal's underwhelming starters vs Chelsea
Starting at the back, and while he has arguably been one of Arsenal’s players of the season so far this year, Ricarrdo Calafiori looked way off the pace on Sunday evening.
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Aside from a well-timed last-man tackle on Estevao in the first ten minutes, the Italian looked far shakier defensively than he has all year, losing two of the three tackles he made and getting a silly yellow card when he lost Reece James.
It wasn’t much better going forward either, as the former Bologna man failed to deliver a single cross for the attackers to get onto, and was understandably hooked at the interval.
Things didn’t go much better for Eberechi Eze, as following his hat-trick last weekend and assist against Bayern, the former Crystal Palace star was utterly ineffective at Stamford Bridge.
In fact, while it sounds harsh, it would be a fair assessment to describe him as anonymous on Sunday, as was Gabriel Martinelli, whose most significant contribution was a shot from outside the penalty area in the first half.
Finally, while they were not terrible, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie were clear downgrades on the Gunners’ usual partnership.
Moreover, on top of being less defensively solid, it was clear that they were less confident starting together, which massively impacted the team’s build-up.
With all that said, there was another Arsenal star on Sunday who looked way off the pace, and unfortunately has done all season.
The Arsenal star who has taken a step back
Unfortunately for Arteta, the poor performances on Sunday evening were not limited to the starters, as Myles Lewis-Skelly’s cameo off the bench was one to forget.
The Hale Ender was sent on to replace Calafiori after the Italian picked up his silly yellow card, but just nine minutes into the second half, he got one himself.
That moment sort of summarised the teenager’s display, as while there were a few moments of quality, like a run through the middle of the pitch towards the end, he largely struggled.
He offered little going forward and looked less than secure defensively and in possession, so much so that there were more than a few occasions when you could see Rice getting frustrated with him, notably when under no pressure at all, the youngster played the ball straight to a Chelsea player on the left-hand side of the pitch.
Unsurprisingly, the watching press were not hugely impressed with the youngster, with Arsenal writer Charles Watts awarding him just a 5/10 match rating at full-time.
Minutes
45′
Expected Assists
0.01
Interceptions
1
Ground Duels (Won)
4 (2)
Aerial Duels (Won)
3 (0)
Fouls
1
Key Passes
0
Dribbles
0
Shots
0
That might sound harsh, but his statistics justify it; in his 45 minutes, the 19-year-old produced an expected assists figure of just 0.02, lost 50% of his ground duels and 100% of his aerial duels, didn’t play a single key pass or cross and committed one foul.
The worrying thing is that Sunday was not the full-back’s first poor performance of the season, as he also looked the weakest of the club’s starters against Bayern.
With that said, it would be unfair to blame this entirely on the youngster, club insider Hand of Arsenal, dubbed a “future captain,” as he’s just not been given enough game time.
One of the things that allowed him to play as well as he did last year was that Arteta picked him time and time again, in turn building his sharpness and understanding of the team’s rhythm.
Therefore, while it’s true that Lewis-Skelly has taken a step back this season, fans shouldn’t worry too much, as more games on the horizon should give him more opportunities to play and rebuild that sharpness.
Arteta must drop 4/10 Arsenal star who lost every single duel vs Chelsea
Arsenal were not at their free-flowing best as they drew with Chelsea.
In an early blow for new manager Wilfried Nancy, Liverpool have now reportedly agreed terms to sign a young Celtic defender.
Nancy outlines "proactive" style as Celtic announce manager
Celtic took their time, but the Bhoys finally have their new manager in the form of Nancy. The Frenchman has arrived fresh from MLS side Columbus Crew and will be looking to pick up where interim boss Martin O’Neill left off. The 73-year-old took the Scottish giants from title despair back into the race with Hearts, but now it’s up to Nancy to complete the job.
Speaking to reporters after arriving, the new manager said: “I don’t consider myself as a boss. I am a leader. And for me the definition of a leader is create a good environment to help people express themselves. For me, that is so important. Because of my background, I was able to connect with people.
“My style of play is about the way I live. I like to be proactive in my life, I like to discover things. I also like to try things because the more you try things, the more you learn and the more you’re going to maximise your chance to have success in your life.
“We want to take care of the ball. The ball is the only tool in our life, without talking, that we can connect people. So can we use the ball to create emotions? Can we use the ball to score goals? Can we use the ball to have messages between us? So that’s why I want proactive football.”
Doak 2.0: Celtic lost "superstar" for £225k, now he's worth more than Engels
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Before the new manager’s even had the chance to look at emerging stars, however, he’s set to lose young defender Dara Jakiemi to Premier League giants Liverpool.
Liverpool agree terms to sign Jakiemi
As reported by The Secret Scout, Liverpool have now agreed terms to sign Jakiemi from Celtic. They described the 15-year-old defender as “aggressive” and there’s no doubt that he would have been one to watch in Scotland. Now, however, Nancy will seemingly never get the chance to work with him.
Whilst Jakiemi is one for the future, it still represents a frustrating blow for Celtic and shows where they’re at right now. Having lost the likes of Ben Doak in previous seasons to Liverpool, the last thing the Bhoys would have wanted is a repeat.
Nancy should be keen to turn towards the academy if given the chance, even if he is to lose one of his young defenders in the early stages of his tenure. An emerging star would, of course, save Celtic the desperate need of adding several January additions.
Celtic star with 'high ceiling' could be biggest winner of Nancy's arrival
With the top order coming unstuck on the big night, it fell on Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube to win it for India, and they did just that
Shashank Kishore29-Sep-20252:49
Was Haris Rauf’s 17-run over the turning point?
Shivam Dube is a T20 World Cup winner. But the impact of his cameo – a 16-ball 27 – in the final against South Africa in Barbados was lost amid the euphoria of Suryakumar Yadav catch and the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja soon after.He had been picked to play a certain role: destroy spin in the middle overs. Because, between January 2023 and April 2024, Dube’s numbers were elite. He had hit 367 runs in 26 innings at a strike rate of 166 while being dismissed just five times. But after that, his numbers began to drop alarmingly. Between May 2024 and midway through the Asia Cup, the strike rate had dropped significantly, to 120, while he had been dismissed 13 times.Also, hardly bowling in IPL 2025 because of the Impact Player rule didn’t help his cause. Dube needed big performances at the Asia Cup.Related
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But his three innings leading into Sunday had brought him only 17 runs. And then he was faced with his toughest job yet: a quad injury to Hardik Pandya needed him to step in as a frontline bowler after the team chose batting insurance in the form of Rinku Singh ahead of an extra bowler in Arshdeep Singh. Then Suryakumar handed him the new ball. He didn’t do badly – 3-0-23-0 was respectable enough.Set 147 to win, Dube wouldn’t have known that his biggest contribution was to come yet. He played his part with a match-defining 33 off 22 balls, which was arguably at par with, if not better than, his Barbados cameo.
****
Tilak Varma’s twin hundreds in South Africa last November ought to have put to rest any doubts over his ability as a top-order batter. But when his strike rates were questioned at IPL 2025, and he was even retired out on one occasion, it seemed like a mini setback.A county stint in England brought the confidence back leading into the Asia Cup. And through scores of 31, 29, 30*, 5 and 49*, he had shown sparks of that old consistency. Yet, there was a sense that the one defining knock hadn’t come.On Sunday, in Round Three against Pakistan – in a final, no less – with India’s top order having floundered and the scoreboard reading 20 for 3, there was that defining knock, an unbeaten 53-ball 69 that helped India get past the wobble to blaze past the finish line.
****
Between the end of the IPL and the start of the Asia Cup, Dube had prioritised fitness to help improve his pace. He also worked on his variations, while also fine-tuning several facets of his batting. His specific target areas were to get better against spin and be effective against high-pace, short-pitched bowling. Essentially, it was a proper reboot.2:55
Aaron: ‘Dube is one of those priceless players’
Last week against Bangladesh, the spin-basher aspect of his game was tested when he was promoted to No. 3 to be a good match-up against left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and legspinner Rishad Hossain. But when he was out for 2 off 3, miscuing a googly to long-off, there was a sense he had missed out again.On Sunday, Dube was held back. To be a finisher, rather than an enforcer.India had relied all tournament on Abhishek Sharma’s big starts that covered for the underwhelming returns from Shubman Gill and Suryakumar.In the final, Abhishek was out in the second over, leading to a proper top-order meltdown.Dube had a job to do when he walked out with the side needing 70 off 46. It was the kind of situation where a cameo would only do so much, but a false shot could prove catastrophic. He needed to be the consolidator and the finisher.And so he stood, facing up to scoreboard pressure, the pressure of the occasion and the charged setting, and the pressure of having to prove himself again.Dube scratched around early – three off five balls – and then nearly ran out Tilak before something clicked. Haris Rauf’s high pace and width allowed him to flick a switch as he slapped the bowler through the covers to break the shackles. Suddenly, the shoulders loosened and he was away.It helped that Tilak managed to accelerate too. Getting 47 off 30 wasn’t going to be a cakewalk, but Dube had at least got his eye in. And the moment Abrar Ahmed bowled length into him, the elite spin-hitter from 2023 took over. Dube unlocked the six-hitter he has always been known to be, muscling one with the spin over deep midwicket.When Rauf returned, his famed bat-swing and long levers helped make sweet connection with a low full toss as he clobbered another over deep midwicket to bring the equation down to 17 off 12.Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube’s brisk stand took India to the doorstep of victory•Getty ImagesEvery time India needed a big hit, he provided one to ease the pressure on Tilak. Dube was reasserting himself in the role he had been picked for. But when he fell, caught at long-off, with India needing ten off six balls, he was distraught.Sat on the edge of the steps to the dressing room, face looking down as his forehead rested on the bat handle, Dube wasn’t making eye contact with those around him.Two balls into the final over, when Tilak walloped Rauf over deep square for six, Dube was still distraught, running through the what-ifs possibly. It wasn’t until Rinku hit the winning runs that the pent-up energy burst forth – there was wild fist-pumping, high-fives, back slaps. Dube was back on his feet.He hared out of the dressing room, not particularly running in any one direction – the elation was visible.
****
Dube’s relief was as palpable as Tilak’s joy at having seen this chase through, but he was nearly not the man for India on the night.In the 14th over, after he had done the hard yards and given himself, and India, a chance to breathe, he lay flat on his stomach, scrambling every possible inch he could with his long reach to make the crease with a full-length dive.As the dust off the turf flew into his face, he didn’t want to look up the replays on the big screen. Tilak might have thought that his bat had dangled in the air briefly before he was inside the crease. Unaware, of course, that there was a minuscule portion of his blade that was in safety zone.2:03
Chopra: Tilak understood the need of the hour
It helped that Mohammad Haris may have been a tad late to break the stumps. Tilak had a second chance. He had been on a near run-a-ball 37 at that point, but with the equation down to 64 off 36, he needed to change gears.That started in the following over, when he backed away to first slap Rauf past mid-off for four, and then play a nonchalant pick-up flick to send the ball over deep-backward square-leg – a shot that was all hands and Rauf’s pace. That 17-run over brought it down to 47 off 30.This was when Dube began to feed off Tilak’s form. But with Dube gone, with an over left, it was all left to Tilak. When he hit the second ball – a slower delivery on a length – off Rauf deep into the stands at backward square-leg with a ferocious pull, Gautam Gambhir’s stoic expression changed to full-blown fire, the coach thumping the desk in front of him wildly.And when the job was done, Tilak went on a celebratory run, towards the dugout – pointing to the India crest, saluting the fans and the dressing room… And just like that, any inkling of doubt had gone far away. He was India’s hero on the night, who had unlocked the finisher in him, in the most extreme pressure, of the kind he hadn’t faced in international cricket until that point.For Dube, it was a night that yet again served as a reminder of what he could still bring to this team. With the ball in the powerplay and with the bat under pressure. For Tilak, it was the night he stopped being the promising kid and became the man for the big occasion.
Chelsea have built a squad full of brilliant players over the last few years, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella all being genuinely world-class.
However, it would also be fair to say that, so far, their summer signings have not exactly hit the ground running.
In particular, Jamie Gittens has failed to live up to the expectations people had of him after his impressive campaign with Borussia Dortmund last year, during which he recorded 17 goal involvements.
So, it’s not a surprise to see reports linking Chelsea with an exceptionally exciting winger who could end up being a significant upgrade on the Englishman.
Chelsea target Gittens upgrade
With the transfer window less than a month away from reopening, Chelsea have once again been linked with a plethora of brilliant players.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
For example, while there has been plenty of talk about Emmanuel Emegha, the Blues have also been linked with his free-scoring teammate, Joaquín Panichelli.
On top of that, the West Londoners have also been one of several sides linked with Nottingham Forest’s imposing Murillo.
However, while both players would improve Maresca’s squad, because of where they play, neither could be described as an upgrade on Gittens, unlike Yan Diamonde.
Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are one of a handful of top teams interested in signing the Ivorian winger.
In fact, the report goes further than that, revealing that the Blues’ board are convinced about the 19-year-old wonderkid and see him fitting into the team perfectly.
However, on top of having to get ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, the Pensionsers would also have to stump up a lot of money to secure the player.
According to the report, RB Leipzig would want up to €100m to sell their star asset, which is about £87m, but even so, Diomande looks like a player Chelsea should go all out for, especially as he’d be a significant Gittens upgrade.
How Diomande compares Gittens
Now, while Diomande is someone who can play on both flanks and has actually spent a little more time on the right recently, he is seen as a left-sided player.
Therefore, were he to join Chelsea next month, one of his main rivals for game time would be Gittens, but who is the better player?
Well, when it comes to raw output, which is fundamentally the most crucial metric of all, it’s not even close.
For example, in 15 first-team appearances this season, totalling just 951 minutes, the Ivorian star has scored seven goals and provided four assists.
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.36 games, or every 86.45 minutes, which is a rate of return that lends credence to journalist Bence Bocsák’s claim that he is a “generational talent.”
Diomande vs Gittens
Player
Diomande
Gittens
Appearances
15
18
Minutes
951′
830′
Goals
7
1
Assists
4
4
Goal Involvements per Match
0.73
0.27
Minutes per Goal Involvement
86.45
138.33′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In stark contrast, the Englishman has scored a single goal and provided five assists in 18 appearances this season, totalling 830 minutes.
That comes out to a pretty underwhelming average of a goal involvement every three games, or every 138.33 minutes.
Moreover, a caveat about the Reading-born ace’s age cannot be made, as the Leipzig star is just 19 and already running games in attack.
On top of having the better output, the Abidjan-born superstar in the making also has some brilliant underlying numbers to his name.
For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons, the top 2% for progressive carries, the top 10% for shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.
Finally, while the competition is less fierce, it is impressive that the Ivorian monster has already won four senior caps for his country, compared to none for the Englishman.
Ultimately, Gittens may well come good, but at the same time, Diomande is massively outperforming him and looks like someone Chelsea should break the bank on.
Fewer touches than Sanchez & 70% duels lost: Chelsea flop must be dropped
It was another night to forget for Chelsea, especially for one starter who Enzo Maresca must now drop.
When it comes to Argentina’s glorious run at the 1986 World Cup, there are stories that are told over and over again; the Hand of God, the Goal of the Century, and Diego Maradona lifting the trophy at the Azteca. They’re so present in the collective memory of Argentines, as well as fans from around the world, that they almost feel like scenes from a movie we’ve all watched too many times.
But there are other stories, quieter ones, that exist on the margins of the great tales. Episodes that seem minor but end up illuminating a tournament, a country, or an entire generation from an unexpected angle.
Mexico ‘86 was full of such moments; the midday heat of Mexico City, the altitude that forced Carlos Bilardo to plan obsessive training sessions, the press conferences where Maradona answered incredulous journalists with sharp, unforgettable lines.
And among those parallel stories is one of the most colorful: that of the ‘fake’ jerseys Argentina wore in their quarter-final win over England – acquired at the very last minute in Tepito, the roughest neighborhood in Mexico City.
Hulton Archive
Under suspicion
To understand the magnitude of that anecdote, you have to go back to months earlier. Argentina didn’t arrive at Mexico ‘86 as a favourite. The memory of Spain 1982 still weighed heavily – a World Cup in which the team tried to defend its 1978 title but failed spectacularly. Cesar Luis Menotti’s squad collapsed in the second round, and Maradona, then an up-and-coming 21-year-old, was sent off against Brazil.
The transition to Bilardo’s era was far from smooth. His tactical approach – a 3-5-2 system that prioritised defensive order and discipline – was seen by many as heresy against Menotti’s romantic, attack-minded ideal. The always influential Argentine press openly distrusted Bilardo, calling him defensive and calculating, and even accused him of 'killing the essence' of the national game.
Pre-tournament results were modest, the team didn’t click, and scepticism spread. Some journalists even wrote that the goal should simply be ‘to get through the group stage and save face’. The atmosphere in Buenos Aires was pessimistic, almost hostile. Meanwhile, the country itself was facing its own turbulence. Raul Alfonsin’s young democracy was struggling to consolidate after a military dictatorship amid political and economic tension. Football, as always, served as an escape valve – but also as a symbolic battleground. In that context, the World Cup appeared as a space for catharsis and hope, even if few believed in the team.
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Unfinished business
Amid all the doubts, there was one certainty: Diego Armando Maradona. At 25, he arrived in peak physical form and as team captain. In Italy, he was already a god in Naples – though he was still in the process of leading Napoli to the glory that would come later. But in World Cups, Diego still had a debt to settle.
Spain ‘82 had been a bitter blow after the red card against Brazil, the early elimination, and the merciless criticism. For many journalists, Mexico was Maradona’s ‘now or never’. Bilardo knew it and built the entire team around his number 10. There was no Plan B – everything revolved around Diego.
“We’re here to fight. I feel like this is our moment,” Maradona would later recall in interviews. That conviction wasn’t an act – it was a message he sent to his team-mates and to a doubtful nation. Bilardo reinforced it during training sessions: “Diego is the axis; we all play to bring out his best.”
The challenge, however, wasn’t only tactical. There were external factors: the altitude of cities like Toluca and Mexico City, the scorching midday sun, and the logistical hurdles of a World Cup that demanded quick solutions. And it was precisely within that mix of obstacles that the bizarre jersey episode appeared.
The jersey dilemma
On June 22, 1986, Argentina were set to face England at the Estadio Azteca in the quarter-finals. It was a match charged with symbolism. Only four years earlier, the Falklands War had pitted both nations against each other, leaving open wounds and painful memories across Argentine society. Although FIFA insisted it was “just football,” for fans and players alike it was clearly something more.
In that context, FIFA informed Argentina that they had to wear dark jerseys to distinguish themselves from England’s white. A technical detail, seemingly minor, but the problem was that the team didn’t have an appropriate alternative for the heat.
The only available shirts were made of thick cotton – heavy, almost unwearable under the Mexican midday sun. Bilardo immediately noticed that wearing them would pose a physical risk to his players. And in such a demanding match, every detail could make the difference.
Oscar Ruggeri would recall years later: “They went to Tepito because Zelada knew the place – he sent a kitman with a backpack and brought back one thick jersey. They kicked him out, but we had to play… They went to look for other jerseys, and those we liked.”
Fate, mischievous as ever, had placed the team in a ridiculous dilemma: Play in suffocating shirts or go out into the city to find new ones. And that’s where Tepito came into play.
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Market of the possible
Tepito is an iconic neighbourhood in Mexico City – popular, vibrant, dangerous, and fascinating all at once. Known as ‘the tough neighbourhood’, it’s famous for its informal commerce, street culture, and endless ability to reproduce, imitate, and reinvent. By the 1980s, it was already notorious for selling pirated goods, from movies to sportswear.
Amid World Cup fever, Tepito’s streets were packed with jerseys from every national team. Many were high-quality imitations, made in local workshops with lighter materials than the official ones. In their desperate search, a group of Argentine kitmen, guided by back-up goalkeeper Héctor Zelada, ventured into the neighbourhood’s alleys.
Maradona would later summarise it in one brief, telling sentence: “I asked for something light… and they found some.”
The negotiation was quick and almost surreal. The vendors couldn’t believe that real members of the Argentina team were buying jerseys they knew were fakes. But necessity ruled. The problem had to be solved – and in that moment, the counterfeit became salvation.
The shirts were ideal: lightweight blue polyester with the Le Coq Sportif logo embroidered, almost identical to the official ones but much fresher. They were, literally, the perfect solution.
CA chief executive believes there is no correlation between Khawaja’s injury and the three days of golf he played in the lead-in to the Test match
Alex Malcolm22-Nov-2025
Usman Khawaja fell for 2 after coming in at No. 4•AFP/Getty Images
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has defended Usman Khawaja saying it is “drawing a long bow” to suggest that his decision to play golf prior to the Test match impacted the back spasms that he suffered on the opening day in Perth.Khawaja, 38, has come under scrutiny after the issue forced him off the field late in England’s short first innings on Friday. His absence was ill-timed as England then collapsed while he was stretching to overcome the spasm and it left stand-in captain Steven Smith calling for Khawaja to come back onto the field.Khawaja eventually did return to the field for the end of the innings but, according to ICC rules, had not returned for the equal amount of time he had been off and therefore was ineligible to open the batting. It meant Marnus Labuschagne was forced to open and Smith batted at No.3. Khawaja eventually batted at No.4 and was dismissed for just 2.Khawaja fielded for all 15 overs Australia bowled prior to lunch on day two and looked unaffected. But he dropped a catch at slip after lunch and then jumped for another and his back seized up again. He left the field for the last 48 minutes of England’s second innings and was unable to open again, with Travis Head walking out for the fourth-innings chase alongside Weatherald.”Unfortunately Uzzy is not moving too well,” Cummins told Fox Cricket on Saturday afternoon. “His back flared up again in the slips going for a jump above his head so he’s unable to open.”We were trying to work out whether we shuffle everyone up like the first innings, but Trav ran off and he was keen to give it a crack.”He’s done it quite a bit in white ball cricket so we switched those roles.”Hopefully Uzzy can still fill in a role in the middle order at some point.”Don’t think we’ll see him until after Marn and Smithy.”CA stressed it was a new injury that he had not suffered prior to Friday. Khawaja had played golf on Tuesday and Wednesday either side of Australia’s training sessions. He skipped Thursday’s optional session, with only four of Australia’s XI doing any training, to play golf alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Several of Australia’s coaching staff also played in the afternoon after the main session.Greenberg, an avid golfer himself who sat with Perth-born professional golfer Min Woo Lee at Perth Stadium on Friday, said there was no correlation between Khawaja’s golf and his back issue.”[Golf] has held him in good stead over the last couple of years. It’s not uncommon for a lot of them to play golf a day prior,” Greenberg told SEN. “Did that correlate to any of the issues? I personally don’t think so.”Usman’s a very seasoned campaigner, he knows his body well, and he knows how to get himself prepared for cricket. So I think that is drawing a long bow. A lot of people talk about cricket being played between the ears.”So getting some time away from being in your hotel or at training I think is really important. I noticed Mitch Starc played golf with him, so it certainly didn’t impact his performance.”Golf is a huge part of Australia’s team culture, as it is for their opponents England. They play regularly in the lead-up to Test matches at home and abroad. The entire squad had a team-bonding trip to northern Scotland to play a week of golf before the WTC final, which they lost to South Africa.CA’s medical and strength and conditioning staff have long sanctioned it, especially for the fast bowlers, as low impact time on their feet that also provided a mental reprieve from the grind of cricket training and playing.
Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 94 helped Perth reach their target of 165 with seven wickets to spare
AAP06-Dec-2025Beth Mooney has led Perth Scorchers back into the WBBL finals, executing the perfect chase against Brisbane Heat and ending Melbourne Renegades’ title defence in the process.Needing 165 for victory in a must-win game at the WACA on Saturday, Mooney hit an unbeaten 94 from 61 to help Perth reach the target with seven wickets and four balls to spare. The victory ensured the Scorchers would have a home final, knocked the Renegades out of the top four and handed the Heat the first winless season in WBBL history.With one game to play in the season, Hobart are guaranteed top spot and hosting rights for next Saturday night’s final at Ninja Stadium. Perth and the Melbourne Stars are also locked into finals spots, with the winner of the Sydney Sixers and Adelaide at North Sydney Oval on Sunday morning to join them.The WBBL’s finals system has third and fourth face off in eliminator on Tuesday, before the winner of that plays against second on Thursday for a spot in the final.The Stars could have wrapped up second spot on Saturday morning had they beaten the Sydney Thunder at Junction Oval, only for them to be well beaten. Instead Perth are now in second, and will stay there if the Strikers beat the Sixers on Sunday.Facing a tricky chase after Georgia Redmayne’s 57 helped the Heat to 164 for 7, Mooney took control of the game at the WACA. Australia’s veteran opener regularly picked balls up off her pads and hit them over the legside to the rope, hitting 12 boundaries in a near-flawless knock. The Scorchers’ chase threatened to wobble late when Maddy Darke (24) and Sophie Devine (13) fell, but Mooney held her nerve and Freya Kemp’s late hitting saw Perth home.The leading run-scorer in WBBL history, Mooney now has scores of 105, 75 and 94* for the season and will enter the finals as one of the league’s most dangerous players.