Football

Barcelona: Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said the club's president Joan Laporta scuppered the return of all-time great Lionel Messi in 2023 to avoid a power struggle. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and then two years later moved to MLS side Inter Miami. "Leo was signed, in January 2023 after winning the World Cup, we got in touch and he told me he wanted to come back," Xavi told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia late on Sunday. "We had the green light from La Liga (financially), but it was the president who threw it away... "Laporta told me, word for word, that if Leo came back he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn't allow that. And then suddenly Leo stopped answering my calls because he'd been told that it couldn't be done." Xavi said everything was ready for Messi's return, there was "no doubt" in a football sense and "we were going to do a last dance, like (former NBA star Michael) Jordan's". Laporta, who resigned as president a few weeks ago to run for re-election this week, suggested Monday former coach Xavi was bitter and said Messi's father and agent Jorge had told him the superstar had decided not to come back. "With Xavi I saw we were going to lose and with (current coach Hansi) Flick that we will win," Laporta said at a presidential debate Monday. "I understand that (Xavi) is hurt -- with the same players Flick wins." Laporta said he sent a contract to Jorge Messi who later came to his house and told him that "here there would be too much pressure" if the forward returned. Messi is Barcelona's all-time top scorer with 672 goals and won a club-record 34 trophies at Camp Nou. Laporta also claimed Barca rejected a 250 million euro ($288 million) offer from PSG for teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, reported to have been made in the summer of 2024.

Cricket

Ahmedabad: Indiawon a record third T20 World Cup title and became the first team to defend their crown with a 96-run thumping of New Zealand in a lop-sided final on Sunday. Suryakumar Yadav'sindiawere also the first team to lift the trophy on home soil as over 86,000 fans celebrated at the Narendra Modi Stadium. England and the West Indies have won two titles each. Sanju Samson's blistering 89 off 46 balls guided the co-hosts to 255-5 and Jasprit Bumrah starred as New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs. Part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma claimed the final wicket of Jacob Duffy, securing a dominant victory. Axar Patel struck two early blows, including the dangerous Finn Allen for nine, with his left-arm spin. Bumrah was again at his mesmerising best, delivering a succession of brilliant slower-ball yorkers to finish with figures of 4-15. Opener Tim Seifert hit 52 off 26 balls but his departure in the ninth over off struggling spinner Varun Chakravarthy effectively ended the Black Caps' slim hopes. Wickets kept tumbling and Bumrah struck with successive deliveries to bring up a hat-trick ball which was just about negotiated by Lockie Ferguson. Skipper Mitchell Santner hit 43 but was never going to be able to prevent New Zealand from slipping to their second T20 World Cup final loss after they went down to Australia in 2021. Indiaexorcised the ghosts of the past at the same venue from when they were shocked by Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. Earlier, the in-form Samson, who hit 97 not out and 89 in his previous two innings to keepindiain the tournament, hit five fours and eight sixes to thrill the raucous home crowd, which included former World Cup winning captains Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. Samson's opening stand of 98 with Abhishek, who plundered 52 off 21 balls, laid the platform forindiato go on and score more than 250 for a second straight match, after their seven-run semi-final win over England, and for the third time in the tournament. Abhishek and Samson waited two overs before they launched a batting blitz to flay New Zealand's attack to all parts of the ground during the powerplay. Rachin Ravindra finally broke the partnership, having Abhishek caught behind off a wide delivery. Samson was joined by Ishan Kishan, who hammered 54 off 25 balls with four fours and as many sixes. Samson reached his third successive fifty and changed gears to hit Ravindra for three straight sixes. Jimmy Neesham pulled things back for New Zealand with three wickets in one over to give them hope of keepingindiato a gettable total. He removed Samson, Kishan and Suryakumar for a duck -- the last two on successive balls. But Shivam Dube finished with a flourish, blasting an unbeaten 26 off eight balls as he hit Neesham for three fours and two sixes in the 20th over, leaving New Zealand with far too much to do.

Qatar Sport

Doha, Qatar: International players in Qatar’s top football league say they feel safe in the country despite recent regional tensions that have led to the postponement of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) until further notice. Al Sadd’s Spanish forward Rafa Mujica said on X that the club and the authorities have provided protection for players and their families. He added that it helped them remain calm and live a normal life. “We are safe here thanks to Al Sadd Club and the Qatari government, who kept us informed and provided protection for the family. We were able to remain calm and live a normal life. Please refer to official sources for information to avoid confusion and misinformation.” Rafa Mujica Spanish midfielder Luis Alberto of Al Wakrah said he and his family were following official guidance at home. He urged reliance on verified information during uncertain times. “It has been a very turbulent time, but thankfully, we are all safe. My wife, the children, and I are at home, following the authorities' recommendations. At times like these, it is important to rely only on official sources and act responsibly, avoiding the dissemination of unverified information.” With the league on hold, players are focusing on maintaining their fitness in gyms and at home. French midfielder Jordan Veretout of Al Arabi described the calm streets and ongoing daily life in Doha. “We feel safe in Qatar. The situation is calm, and I train at the gym. The streets are quieter, but not deserted. Traffic continues, restaurants remain open, children can play in the park, and home delivery services are operating. Qatari authorities are keen to provide guidance to citizens and residents to ensure everyone's safety.” Palestine player affirms support Mus'ab Al-Batat, Qatar SC player and captain of the Palestinian national team, said the players were united in support of Qatar and confident in the authorities’ measures. He stressed that the national team is continuing training normally and aims to carry a message of solidarity. “In light of the attacks against Qatar, we, the players of the national team, would like to affirm our complete solidarity and unwavering support for our sister nation of Qatar and its wise leadership against any aggression targeting its security and stability,” he told AlKass. “We affirm that the situation here is stable and secure, and we are continuing our training normally with high spirits and even greater determination to fulfill our sporting and national duty. We have great confidence in the wisdom of our leadership and in the ability of the relevant authorities to maintain security and protect everyone. We are here not only to represent ourselves, but also to carry a message of support and love. We believe that sport remains a symbol of unity and resilience in the face of challenges. We ask Allah to protect Qatar and its people from all harm and to perpetuate the blessings of security and safety upon them.”Joao Pedro Brazilian forward Joao Pedro of Qatar SC said he and his family felt safe and reassured. He thanked everyone who reached out with support during the difficult period. “My family and I are well and in good health, and we live in an atmosphere of security and stability. Despite the difficult circumstances and the ongoing war, this country continues to give us a sense of reassurance and confidence in the future. We believe that this phase will pass, and that the situation will be resolved soon. We express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to everyone who contacted us and expressed their continued support and concern.”