BARCELONA: Barcelona tied down captain Andres Iniesta for the rest of his career as the club announced on Friday the 33-year-old midfielder has agreed the first “lifetime contract” in Barca’s history.
“It is a way of rewarding an exceptional player,” said Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Iniesta insisted, though, that he has not planned any future role with the club beyond his playing career.
“The lifetime title doesn’t mean that I will remain here just for the sake of it. It isn’t my way of doing things,” said Iniesta.
“When I don’t have the same force or importance I have always had, things can always change.
“Today I am hugely grateful for the confidence the club has shown in me.”
Along with five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, Iniesta is Barca’s most decorated player of all-time having won 30 trophies at club level, including eight La Liga and four Champions League titles.
Iniesta has also made the second highest number of appearances in a Barca shirt behind Xavi Hernandez with 639 since his debut 15 years ago.
“There is no other player in the club like him. He will be a reference for future generations,” added Bartomeu.
“I always say to the kids in the academy, to fixate on him as a player and a person.”
Born in the central Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha before joining Barca at the age of 12, Iniesta is a beloved figure across Spain as he scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final.
Normally determined to shy away from the spotlight, Iniesta repeated his call for cool heads and negotiation to prevent a spiralling political crisis over the battle for Catalan independence deepening.
Hundreds required medical attention on Sunday as voters in a referendum on independence, deemed illegal by Spain’s central government, clashed with police.
“One always tries to look at things with logic and sense. We hope that everything calms down,” he said.
However, Iniesta will not be present as Spain look to book their place in next year’s World Cup later on Friday against Alicante in Albania as he has pulled out with a hamstring strain.
Iniesta has previously tended to do his talking on the field as a fundamental figure in Barca’s most successful ever era.
Alongside long-time midfield partner Xavi for both club and country, Iniesta formed the axis of Pep Guardiola’s legendary side that won 14 trophies in four years between 2008 and 2012.
His previous contract was due to expire at the end of the season and doubts over his future were raised when he refuted Bartomeu’s claims that a deal “in principle” was in place last month.
However, he refused to rule out retiring at the end of the season should he continue to be dogged by injury.
“I will be here as long as my body, mind and all I have to give is enough,” he added.
“Right now it is difficult to imagine what I will think in May or June.”
Tying down Iniesta eases some of the pressure building on Bartomeu for his handling of both sporting and institutional matters in recent months.
However, Bartomeu is still to convince Messi, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, to sign a new five-year deal agreed back in July.
“The club want Leo to stay here and he wants to stay,” said Iniesta.
“Hopefully, this story never ends because he is unique and is indispensable for success.”
Iniesta agrees first ‘lifetime’ contract at Barcelona
Iniesta agrees first ‘lifetime’ contract at Barcelona
Abdullah Al-Qahtani hopes for Saudi fans’ support in his PFL journey
- Al-Qahtani gets shot at featherweight title after Egyptian fighter Islam Reda’s injury
- To win belt, he must overcome the man who beat him in September’s semifinal
RIYADH: With just days to go before his PFL MENA Featherweight Championship bout on Nov. 29, Saudi mixed martial arts fighter Abdullah Al-Qahtani is hoping his fans’ support will spur him on to victory in Riyadh.
Al-Qahtani said: “Fighting on home soil with the Saudi crowd behind me will be a strong support as I aim to secure the belt. We’ve set the right plans for the final.”
Al-Qahtani will face Jordan’s Abdullah ‘The Cobra’ Alhyasat, the man who defeated him in September’s semifinal. An injury to the other semifinal winner — Egypt’s Islam Reda — gave Al-Qahtani another shot at beating Alhyasat.
The 27-year-old Saudi, whose record currently stands at nine wins and two losses, said he is not disheartened by that semifinal failure.
“Abdelrahman has five victories in his professional career and won the semifinal by unanimous decision. This hasn’t put pressure on me or affected my morale,” Al-Qahtani said. “Since replacing Islam Reda, I’ve been training intensively to prepare … to give my best, avenge the semifinal loss, and claim the title. Together with my coaching team, I’ve analyzed the mistakes I made in the semifinal and focused on the positive aspects of my performance. God willing, (I) will be the one to crack Alhyasat’s code, win, and bring joy to the Saudi audience.”
Alhyasat insisted he is unfazed by the prospect of a partisan crowd supporting Al-Qahtani.
“I would have preferred to face a different fighter in the final, but I’m comfortable with this matchup; it will be as easy as the semifinal,” he said. “Fighting on his home turf won’t be a source of stress for me. I will repeat my victory over Al-Qahtani.
“I expect Al-Qahtani to change his fighting style for the final. That’s why, during my training camp in Thailand, we studied all possibilities (so I can) adapt to the flow of the fight,” he continued.
The showdown is just one bout on a night that also includes the PFL World Championships, which are being held outside of the US for the first time, at King Saud University in Riyadh.
Headlining is the unbeaten Russian fighter, Timur “Imam” Khizriev, who takes on the UK’s Brendan Loughnane for the World Featherweight Championship.
In the Women’s Flyweight Championship co-main event, Dakota Ditcheva will put her 13-0 record on the line when the English-Bulgarian MMA and former Muay Thai fighter goes head-to-head with Brazil’s Taila Santos.
In addition to the championship fights, the undefeated Saudi Arabian PFL star Hattan Alsaif – who made history when she became the first Saudi female to sign a contract with a major MMA promoter — takes on Algeria’s Lilia Osmani.
Ancelotti says ‘ugly’ to speculate about Mbappe mental health
- Mbappe has scored just one goal in his last seven Madrid games across all competitions
- “What a question — I don’t have the impression that he has any mental health problems,” Ancelotti said
MALAGA: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Saturday it was “ugly” to speculate about the mental health of superstar striker Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe has scored just one goal in his last seven Madrid games across all competitions and is also involved in a multi-million euro pay dispute with former club Paris Saint-Germain.
Ancelotti was asked at his weekly press conference if the striker was struggling with pressure.
“What a question — I don’t have the impression that he has any mental health problems,” Ancelotti said.
“I see him as happy to be here, if he is, he doesn’t show it, but I think speculating about problems of this type is a bit ugly.”
The forward was left out of France’s squad for recent Nations League matches for the second time in two months, and was linked to a rape investigation in Sweden, which Mbappe has denied.
France coach Didier Deschamps did not select the 25-year-old for matches against Israel and Italy, saying “it was better that way.”
Ancelotti said he was confident Mbappe, who joined Madrid this summer at the end of his PSG deal, would find the net at the weekend away at minnows Leganes.
“There are always bad moments, all the great strikers have been through them, but he’s motivated and happy, and that’s all I can see,” continued Ancelotti.
“I’m convinced that he’s going to play a great match tomorrow and that all this will come to an end.
“He has extraordinary qualities, it’s just a matter of time.”
Russell on pole position at Las Vegas GP, Verstappen ahead of Norris
- Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was second ahead of Pierre Gasly of Alpine
LAS VEGAS: George Russell of Mercedes took pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Friday while title-chasing Max Verstappen was fifth as the Dutchman closes in on a fourth successive world championship.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was second ahead of Pierre Gasly of Alpine with Red Bull’s Verstappen finishing one spot ahead of title rival Lando Norris of McLaren who was sixth.
Verstappen, who won the Las Vegas race in 2023, leads Norris by 62 points with three races remaining and needs simply to finish ahead of him on Saturday night to become only the sixth man to win four world titles.
Norris has to beat Verstappen by three points to keep his slim championship hopes alive.
“At least we are ahead of the McLarens. I didn’t expect that so it’s good,” said Verstappen, hampered by Red Bull’s error in bring the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas.
“We’re just a bit too slow. We have been struggling to get the tires to work over a lap and we’re too slow on the straights.”
Charles Leclerc, in the second Ferrari, was fourth fastest in qualifying and will share the second row with Gasly whose impressive performance on the Las Vegas street circuit followed a shock third-place finish in Brazil last time out.
Yuki Tsunoda of RB was seventh with Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren, Nico Hulkenberg in a Haas and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes completing the top 10.
Russell clocked a best lap in one minute and 32.312 seconds to outpace Sainz by 0.098 seconds for his third pole this year the fourth of his career.
“It feels incredible to be back on pole,” said Russell, who clipped a wall in the third and final qualifying run.
“I had a bit of a moment on my first run and we had to change the front wing so for a while I didn’t think we were going to make the flag, but I am just so happy.”
Norris felt the “top four was out of reach” for him.
“But I will keep going to the end and will do my best in every race whether I am fighting for the championship or not.”
On a cool night in America’s gambling capital, with a track temperature of 13 degrees Celsius, it was Gasly who set the pace as the rest slithered in early pursuit.
Having been quickest in the earlier final free practice, Russell topped Q1 ahead of Hamilton.
Unfortunately for Red Bull, Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez’s miserable season continued as he was eliminated along with Aston Martin’s two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, Williams’ Alex Albon, Valtteri Bottas of Sauber and Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin.
Hamilton set the Q2 pace in 1:33.136. After his dismal outing in Brazil where he finished 10th in the rain, this was evidence of a revitalized Hamilton ahead of a move to Ferrari next year.
Verstappen briefly went top with an edgy lap before Mercedes responded with Russell taking control as both he and Hamilton delivered improved laps, Russell clocking 1:32.881.
At this stage, Verstappen was showing enough pace to stay ahead of Norris before the Q2 segment ended with a yellow flag as Franco Colapinto hit the wall at the penultimate corner in his Williams, climbing out of the wreckage unhurt.
It was his second consecutive crash in qualifying and left the team with a big repair and rebuild job — the British team’s sixth in three Grands Prix.
The Argentine driver was already heading for a Q2 exit in 14th place along with RB’s Liam Lawson, Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu, Kevin Magnussen of Haas and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.
Hamilton topped Q2 to lead the way into the top ten shootout with a best lap in 1:32.567 ahead of Sainz and Russell.
The Q3 action resumed after a 25-minute delay for repairs, Verstappen leading the way followed by both McLarens before Russell clocked an early marker in 1:32.811 ahead of Sainz while Hamilton locked up and aborted his first lap.
Australia out for 104 against India after Starc digs in
- Jasprit Bumrah was India’s chief destroyer with 5-30, Harshit Rana chipped in with 3-48
- India have won their last two Border-Gavaskar trophy series against Australia in Australia
PERTH: Mitchell Starc hit a defiant 26 to keep Australia in touch on day two of the opening Test at Perth, with the hosts all out for 104 at lunch on Saturday to trail India by 46.
Australia lost Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon during an intense session on a lively deck before Starc and Josh Hazlewood dug in.
They reached three figures courtesy of a dogged last-wicket holdout by the pair — their 25-run stand was the longest of the Australian innings. Hazlewood was not-out seven.
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s chief destroyer with 5-30, his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests. Harshit Rana chipped in with 3-48.
Australia resumed on 67-7, trailing by 83, after an astonishing 17 wickets fell on a chaotic opening day when India were all out for 150.
Home hopes rested on Carey as he began on 19, but after nudging two from Rana he came up against an irrepressible Bumrah.
Coming round the wicket, the Indian captain made Carey play and he nicked to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Lyon (5) did well to hang around for 16 fiery balls before gloving a short one from Rana to KL Rahul in the slips.
That brought Hazlewood to the crease and it seemed only a matter of time before India were batting again, but he and Starc gamely stuck around, bringing up the 100 to huge cheers from the crowd.
It was an intelligent innings by Starc, who doggedly faced 112 balls and protected Hazlewood to add crucial extra runs before holing out Rana to Pant.
India have won their last two Border-Gavaskar trophy series in Australia.
Perth is the first of five Tests in the series.
Spanish sailors ride wave of $2m win, Olympic gold medal to lead Los Gallos into SailGP’s Season 5
- SailGP’s Season 5 starts with the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday
- After ending the Aussies’ dominance, Los Gallos are a proven entity heading into a new season that features a fleet that’s grown to 12 boats and a 14-regatta schedule that will end with the $2 million dash for cash
SAN DIEGO, California: Spaniards Diego Botin and Florian Trittel experienced an adrenaline rush last summer that’s never been seen in sailing.
On July 14 on San Francisco Bay, they helped sail Los Gallos’ foiling catamaran to a stunning upset over heavyweights Tom Slingsby of Australia and Peter Burling of New Zealand and claim the $2 million, winner-take-all prize as SailGP’s Season 4 champions.
Just 19 days later, the 30-year-olds won the Olympic gold medal in the high-performance 49er class in Marseille, France. They later met King Felipe VI of Spain, himself a former Olympic sailor.
They needed some time to catch their breath after their wild ride.
“I’m not going to lie. Right after the games I was saturated,” said Botin, who skippers the SailGP crew while Trittel trims the wingsail.
After a break of a few months, Los Gallos — “roosters” in Spanish — are preparing to defend their title in Larry Ellison’s global league. SailGP’s Season 5 starts with the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday.
“Now I’m starting to feel those butterflies and I look forward now to start the next season,” Botin said recently in a video interview with The Associated Press.
In early January, SailGP saw two of its marquee names step away from skippering their teams, Ben Ainslie to focus on his British team in the America’s Cup and Jimmy Spithill to start forming his own Italian-based SailGP team.
Three-time defending SailGP champion Tom Slingsby of Australia, who suddenly became the league’s senior statesman, said it was time for younger skippers to step up “and try to knock us older guys off the perch.”
Said Botin: “It probably pushed us a bit to even put more energy in and try to get there.”
Botin and Trittel’s Olympic campaign coincided with SailGP’s schedule.
In early July, “We looked at ourselves and said, ‘The two biggest goals of our lives are going to be decided in the next three weeks,’” Botin said. “And it was a massive challenge, what we did, deciding to do the two projects at the same time. But we believed that by doing the two projects we were going to end up being the best sailors we could be.
“Obviously, we didn’t know if things were going to go so well. But yeah, it’s super satisfying. What we achieved is amazing. A life highlight.”
After ending the Aussies’ dominance, Los Gallos are a proven entity heading into a new season that features a fleet that’s grown to 12 boats and a 14-regatta schedule that will end with the $2 million dash for cash.
Spithill launched his Italian team Thursday and poached Australian wing trimmer Kyle Langford. Olympic gold medalist Giles Scott moved from Britain to Canada in the sport’s first transfer fee deal. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Martine Grael of Brazil will become the first woman to helm a SailGP boat. Burling is coming off Emirates Team New Zealand’s third straight America’s Cup victory and Slingsby is always motivated to win.
“I think we have the team to challenge those teams,” Botin said. “I think we have the potential to keep fighting at the top of the league. I think we need to remind ourselves how much work it took us to be able to be competitive in this league, to maintain ourselves there. We need to work in a very intelligent way and I really believe we have the team to be at the top of the league.”
The Spanish team’s 50-foot foiling catamaran has a red outline of a rooster on its wingsail.
Botin said the Los Gallos nickname started with the Spanish team in the 2017 Youth America’s Cup.
“In the north of Spain, it’s really typical instead of saying ‘buddy’ or ‘mate,’ you say, ‘gallo.’ And we’re calling ourselves ‘gallos’ all the time — ‘gallo, gallo, gallo.’ We ended up being in the press and everywhere as Los Gallos. And that’s why we decided to link our team to this icon.”
Botin and Trittel were named the male Rolex World Sailors of the Year this month.
“If that’s a sign of what’s coming through in terms of the next stars of our sport, we’re in good hands,” Spithill said. “They’re such awesome athletes but just awesome dudes as well.”
