Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho played his first competitive match in 11 years at the age of 46, starting for Italian third-tier side Ravenna in their derby against Forli today. Wearing the number 10 shirt, Ronaldinho played the entire first half. At the interval, he took a lap of the pitch at the Stadio Bruno Benelli, waving to supporters as they stood to applaud him.
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Ireland saw off a stubborn Fijian side with a bonus-point victory to keep pace with their Northern Hemisphere rivals at the top of the Nations Championship standings in Dublin on Saturday night. Andy Farrell’s side will turn their focus immediately to the visit of world champions South Africa to Aviva Stadium next Saturday as they bid to secure as high a seeding as possible for the finals weekend in Twickenham the following weekend but Ireland will know they have been in a battle despite the convincing scoreline.
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The Republic of Ireland are facing into a must-win clash against Kosovo as their UEFA Nations League promotion hopes took a hit despite a gutsy display against Austria in Linz. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side impressed at times, especially in a first half in which they warmed to their task and took the game to their hosts at times. However, it was substitute Sasa Kalajdzic who pounced with 11 minutes of normal time to go to ultimately settle the contest at the Raiffeisen Arena.
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Manchester United have hired Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach. Pochettino will leave his role with the United States men’s national team and move to Old Trafford on a two-and-a-half year deal through to the end of the 2028-29 season after United triggered the $10million (£7.4m) release in his contract. He was previously signed through to the 2030 World Cup with the U.S. He will remain with the USMNT for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarter final games with Haiti before making his return to English football.
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Crystal Palace have parted company with manager Pierre Sage after just 16 games in charge. It emerged on Sunday that Palace were set to part ways with the 47-year-old following the 3-1 defeat at home against Liverpool — their fifth loss in eight games — with Thomas Frank the leading contender to take over.
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