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SPORTS

All the new bits within the sporting scenes

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By Timothy Akintola

Updates on de Jong, The Six Kings, Man United, Gianluigi Buffon and Griezmann.

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Frenkie de Jong debunks rumours around his salary and surgery.

Dutch midfielder, Frenkie de Jong has denied rumors that he earns €37 million annually and refuted claims that he refused ankle surgery. In an interview with Barca One, the Barcelona midfielder addressed reports suggesting the club urged him to undergo surgery, which he allegedly declined. De Jong clarified that both he and the club’s medical staff mutually agreed surgery wasn’t the best option, opting for traditional healing methods instead. “It is not true that the club told me to have an operation,” he stated. He also dispelled Misinformation about his salary, stating, “I do not earn €37 million. That’s far from what I really earn.” He expressed frustration over being sidelined due to the injury but assured fans that he’s working hard on his recovery and looks forward to rejoining his teammates soon.

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Nadal and Djokovic to feature in a new Saudi Arabian exhibition event.

Saudi Arabia is set to host a new tennis exhibition event, The Six Kings, featuring top stars in a unique promotional campaign. Carlos Alcaraz is dubbed the “Sand Man,” Jannik Sinner the “Renaissance Artist,” Holger Rune the “Viking Warrior,” Daniil Medvedev the “King of Bears,” Rafael Nadal the “Clay Warrior,” and Novak Djokovic the “Leader of Wolves.” The tournament, set for mid-October, grants Djokovic and Nadal byes into the semi-finals. Medvedev will face Sinner in the quarter-finals on October 16, with the winner playing Djokovic. Alcaraz will take on Rune, with the winner facing Nadal. Both the third-place play-off and final are scheduled for Saturday. Players will receive £1.12 million for participating, while the champion will earn a substantial £4.5 million prize.

Fernandes sent off as Manchester United suffers a humiliating 3-0 defeat.

Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday, with captain Bruno Fernandes sent off. The match began poorly for United as Micky van de Ven set up Brennan Johnson for an easy tap-in, putting the Spurs ahead early. Despite efforts from goalkeeper Andre Onana to limit the damage, United was outplayed throughout. Fernandes’ reckless knee-high challenge on James Maddison earned him a straight red card just before halftime. After the break, Dejan Kulusevski volleyed in a second goal, and Dominic Solanke added a third to seal the win for Tottenham. United’s defense struggled, and manager, Erik ten Hag admitted they were “not good enough” in the defeat. This marks United’s third Premier League loss of the season, leaving them in 12th place and intensifying pressure on Ten Hag.

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Legendary goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon officially ties the knot at age 46.

Former Italian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, who retired from football last year, has officially married Journalist Ilaria D’Amico. The couple, who had been together for over a decade, celebrated their wedding at the ‘Olive’ villa in Lucca. Buffon, a legendary player for Italy, Juventus, and Parma, is now part of the Italian national team’s coaching staff. The ceremony was attended by several of Buffon’s former teammates, including Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli, and Giorgio Chiellini, alongside Italy’s head coach Luciano Spalletti. Notable guests also included Hollywood director Tim Burton and Italian actress Monica Bellucci. Buffon’s Marriage marks a new chapter in his life after an illustrious football career.

Antoine Griezmann announces retirement from international football.

2018 World Cup winner, Antoine Griezmann has announced his Retirement from international football, ending a 10-year career with the French national team. The 33-year-old Atletico Madrid forward shared the news on Instagram, expressing his deep emotions, stating, “It is with a heart full of memories that I am closing this chapter of my life.” Griezmann made his France debut in March 2014 and earned 137 caps, making him the third-most capped player in French history behind Hugo Lloris and Lilian Thuram. He scored 44 goals for Les Bleus, ranking fourth on France’s all-time top scorers list. Griezmann was pivotal in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, scoring in the 4-2 final win over Croatia. He also starred in Euro 2016, finishing as top scorer. Griezmann’s last major tournament was Euro 2024, where France reached the semi-finals. His final appearance came in a UEFA Nations League win over Belgium.

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