Ballon d’Or 2026 : Lamine Yamal avance ses arguments

Lamine Yamal assume ses ambitions dans la course au Ballon d’Or. Dans un entretien accordé à L’Équipe, l’ailier du FC Barcelone estime que ses performances, son style de jeu et son palmarès constituent des arguments pour prétendre à la récompense.

« Je pense que tous ceux qui regardent le football savent quels sont mes arguments. J’entre sur le terrain, je prends du plaisir, je joue bien et comme j’ai envie de jouer. Heureusement, j’ai aussi pu remporter beaucoup de titres avec le Barça et j’ai aussi pu gagner le titre le plus important, la Coupe du monde, avec ma sélection », a déclaré Yamal.

Le Barcelonais souligne également l’importance des résultats collectifs dans une telle distinction. « Le meilleur joueur fait toujours gagner son équipe. Quand votre équipe gagne, tout le monde ressort davantage, tout le monde brille davantage », a-t-il expliqué. moryak.biz

Yamal affiche ainsi sa confiance avant le verdict. « Avec la sélection, nous gagnons depuis un an. Avec le Barça, nous gagnons aussi. Nous sommes très heureux et nous voulons continuer à gagner. À titre personnel, je suis très heureux », a conclu le jeune ailier.

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Pour sa deuxième séance à la tête de l’équipe de France, Zinédine Zidane a dû composer avec une absence importante. Selon la presse locale, Kylian Mbappé n’a pas pris part à l’entraînement collectif ce mardi à Clairefontaine. Le capitaine des Bleus souffre d’un syndrome grippal et a été laissé au repos.

Arrivé au rassemblement avec le groupe tricolore, l’attaquant de 27 ans n’a donc pas pu travailler avec ses coéquipiers. Une situation qui vient perturber la préparation des Bleus à quelques jours de leur prochain rendez-vous international.

La question sera désormais de savoir si Mbappé pourra rapidement récupérer et retrouver le groupe. L’équipe de France doit affronter la Turquie vendredi en Ligue des Nations, pour une rencontre particulièrement attendue.

Cette affiche doit également marquer la première officielle de Zinédine Zidane sur le banc français. La disponibilité de son capitaine constituera donc un élément important à suivre dans les prochains jours, alors que le nouveau sélectionneur poursuit la préparation de cette échéance.

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In a historic night for European and international boxing, Congolese-Italian fighter Jonathan Kogasso secured the biggest victory of his career by claiming the World Boxing Council Bridgerweight International Championship, earning a unanimous decision victory over Argentina’s Kevin Christopher Ramírez at the Piazza Addis in Trinità d’Agultu e Vignola, Sardinia, Italy, on Saturday, 19 September 2026.

The battle of unbeatens — scheduled for 10 rounds in the WBC-backed Bridgerweight division — exceeded expectations. Right from the opening round, Kogasso utilized his ring generalship, reach, and firepower to dismantle his South American opponent’s style and control the rhythm of the bout.

Throughout the distance, Kogasso displayed flawless technique against a gritty opponent, dominating the action cleanly on the judges’ scorecards, who awarded him a unanimous verdict with scores of 96-94, 98-92, and 97-93. With this victory, the Italy-based fighter extended his flawless record to 20 wins without a loss, including 11 knockouts.

For his part, Kevin Ramírez showed immense heart and courage in the ring, selling his defeat dearly in his first professional loss and leaving a strong impression on the Italian crowd.

With this key WBC Bridgerweight International Title triumph, Jonathan Kogasso solidifies his standing among the division’s elite and moves one step closer to a shot at the organization’s full world title.

The post Jonathan Kogasso captures the WBC Bridgerweight International title appeared first on SportsAfrica - Sports news | Live scores | Match highlights | Betting tips.

Wallabies forwards coach Tom Donnelly expects a typical physical onslaught from the Springboks in Perth on Sunday despite changes in personnel.

Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to the starting XV that beat the All Blacks in Baltimore, with only lock Eben Etzebeth and winger Ethan Hooker retaining their places.

But Donnelly does not expect that to alter the Boks’ approach up front.

“We know the scrum’s going to be a big part of the game, we know they’re going to maul,” he said. “No matter who they pick, they’ve got probably two or three packs that are very, very class.

“It’s all just a matter of focusing on ourselves, we know what we need to do to front up and go out there with a bit of an attacking mindset against them … we know what’s coming.

“If we can front up there physically and then be accurate with how we want to execute, then that will give us a chance to match up with them.”

RASSIE: André the Giant deserves captaincy

Wallabies tighthead prop Taniela Tupou is well acquainted with the South African challenge, having faced the Boks nine times during his Test career.

The 30-year-old stressed that matching the world champions physically would require a collective effort from the Australian pack.

“It’s not just me, it’s us as a group, as a forward pack,” Tupou said. “Obviously, I can’t go out there and do it on my own, so I rely on everybody to do their job and myself to do my job. It’s a bit different coming against the Springboks.”

ALSO: Erasmus earmarks new role for Marx

The Boks have named an inexperienced starting front row of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Zachary Porthen, but Erasmus can call on Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw from the bench.

Tupou knows exactly what awaits whichever Wallabies tighthead is on the field when Nché enters the fray.

“Ox is such a good scrummager, they’re so strong, so if it’s me or Allan [Alaalatoa] or Zane [Nonggorr] whoever’s at tighthead prop, they have to be at their best because if you don’t, you know what’s going to happen.”

PLUS: Suaalii gets Kriel’s seal of approval

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

The post ‘We know what’s coming’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Mamelodi Sundowns closed off the local transfer window with the signing of defender Wandile Dube from AmaZulu to reinforce their squad.

Dube, a versatile defender capable of playing at both centre‑back and left‑back, joins the Brazilians, ending all speculation surrounding his future.

Orlando Pirates were reportedly interested in the 22‑year‑old. He has surprisingly yet to feature for Usuthu this season before making the move to Tshwane.

Sundowns announced Dube on Tuesday afternoon, and he becomes the club’s eighth signing of the new campaign in what promises to be another gruelling season.

The reigning African champions have also brought in Antonio van Wyk, Siyanda Ndlovu, Cassius Mailula, Deano van Rooyen, Thabo Cele and Thabang Matuludi.

Sundowns also made Katlego Ntsabeleng’s move from Major League Soccer side FC Dallas permanent after he spent a season‑long loan at Chloorkop during the previous campaign.

Sundown went into the FIFA International break high on confidence after winning the FIFA African-Asian Pacific Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over Al-Ahli Saudi.

Dube will have to fight for a place in the star-studded line at the centre of defence against Grant Kekana, Malibongwe Khoza, Khulumani Ndamane, Keanu Cupido and Mothobi Mvala.