‘Phenomenal’ Ronaldo Nazario’s training tips to present generation of footballers!
Ronaldo Nazário de Lima, known professionally as Ronaldo, said he believes footballers now find it easier to make major improvements in the training process, especially considering the increased emphasis on physical fitness training. The phenomenal Brazilian striker stated in the World Sports Summit, held in Dubai, “Players suffer less than we suffered before because now the training is 100 times more effective than before.” One of the most feared strikers in football history recalled how pre-season training during his playing career was often rigid and physically punishing, with little consideration for positional differences or individual needs. “I was not happy doing pre-season because they put me running with Roberto Carlos, with Cafu, and they are crazy about running 10 to 15km,” he said. Ronaldo explained that such training methods were ill-suited to his role as a striker, whose game relied on short bursts of speed rather than endurance running. “I played for 20-metre, 15-metre sprints, and pre-season was the worst time of my life,” he added. According to Ronaldo, modern training methods have moved away from uniform programs and made them more specific, allowing players to train more efficiently. “If you strike, you don’t need to run like 10km,” he said. “You do that one time, and after that, you go through training specific to you.” Ronaldo added that advancements in physical preparation have reduced unnecessary physical strain compared to previous generations. “The training now is 100 times more effective than before,” he said. Now working on the administrative side of football, Ronaldo said he shares those perspectives with players, noting that training approaches must adapt to the individual. Ronaldo retired from professional football in 2011 after a career that included spells at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. While he did not attend university, he said his education came through football itself.
Prime Minister inspires seven-year old World School Chess Champion
Seven-year-old chess prodigy Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika from Surat, Gujarat, was conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar at a ceremony held in New Delhi on 26th December. The award was presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, in recognition of her exceptional achievements in the field of sports. Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika brought international recognition to India by winning the Under-7 Girls title at the 2025 FIDE World Schools Chess Championship in Serbia, where she scored a perfect 9 out of 9 points. This feat is considered historic as it marks the first time a player has achieved a flawless score at the World Schools Chess Championship. Pragnika’s mother Praveena, when asked about Pragnika’s meeting with Prime Minister by the Times of India revealed, “Initially, she was a little nervous. She said she wants to be the best chess player in the world when she grows up, and in reply, PM Modi sir inspired her. It was a historic moment for all of us.” Pragnika is presently busy participating in the Under-9 chess tournament in Guwahati. Pragnika was admitted to a chess coaching centre in Surat as her parents tried to keep both the sisters engaged. During the COVID-19 Pragnika and her sister started learning online chess under the guidance of Vickey Chauhan. Coach also had a huge appreciation for his student as he stated, “Pragmika’s strength is her temperament. She is courageous, rough, and tough. While playing, a chess player needs these ingredients the most.”
Cristiano Ronaldo says the historic 1,000-goal achievement is within his grasp, provided injuries do not obstruct him!
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again expressed the desire to define his football journey. He has made it clear that the 1000-goal milestone is not a distant dream but a target he fully expects to reach. The Portuguese legend reaffirmed his belief at the recent Globe Soccer Awards. He pointed out that the historic achievement is within his grasp, provided that injuries do not intervene. “It doesn’t matter if I play in the Middle East or Europe. I want to keep winning titles and reach the milestone everyone knows. I’m confident I’ll get there if there are no injuries. Enjoy the night and Happy New Year,” stated Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s recent brace in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win over Al-Akhdoud brought his career tally to 956 goals, putting the four-figure mark in sight. That victory was Al-Nassr’s 10th straight Saudi Pro League win, keeping them atop the table. Ronaldo and Joao Felix are now tied on 12 league goals each in the Golden Boot race. Despite occasional debate around his international role following Portugal’s turbulent qualification phase, head coach Roberto Martinez has consistently defended Ronaldo’s place, citing his influence, professionalism, and output. Even at nearly 41, Ronaldo continues to deliver at a level most players never reach in their prime. With 40 goals in 2025 and peak fitness, Ronaldo’s chase for 1000 goals feels realistic.
A reunion of Messi and Barcelona for the first time after five years!
For the first time in the last five years, a reunion between Lionel Messi and his former club, Barcelona, is going to happen as Inter Miami, the MLS Cup champion, has announced a pre-season tour where the American club will play against Barcelona. Messi, who left Barcelona in May 2021 with a loss to Celta Vigo at an empty Camp Nou, has never played against his former clubs so far. Inter Miami’s pre-season tour, starting next month, has been scheduled for the first three pre-season matches across South America on Saturday. Miami will open its pre-season tour visiting Peru. In its second pre-season tour Inter Miami will be playing against Alianza Lima. Alianza is the second most successful side in Peru with 25 First Division titles, while also boasting an international competition cup in its trophy cabinet. Its next trip will be to Medellin for a match against Atlético Nacional, Colombia’s most successful football club, with 18 First Division titles, two Copa Libertadores titles, two Copa Merconorte titles, two Copa Inter-Americana titles, and seven Copa Colombia titles. The MLS Cup champion’s final trip will be against Barcelona de Guayaquil in its first-ever match against a team from Ecuador. Barcelona is the most successful side in the Ecuadorian top-flight league, with 16 titles.
Religious leader threatens to disrupt IPL matches if Mustafizur is seen in action in IPL!
Hindus in Bangladesh are maltreated constantly, and the wrath is increasing in India. Especially, the target is currently on the Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahaman, who has not yet shown any kind of protest against the oppression. He has not yet made any statement or posted on his social media account. Considering the perspective, religious leaders in Ujjain have warned that they may disrupt IPL 2026 matches if Mustafizur Rahman is allowed to play in the upcoming edition. The pacer has been bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹9.20 Crore. The seers said they could storm stadiums and damage pitches to stop matches involving Mustafizur Rahman, citing anger over recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Mahavir Nath, chief priest of the Rinmukteshwar Mahadev Temple, told reporters that their supporters would act because authorities ignore what they call the “persecution” of Hindus in Bangladesh. According to an IANS report, other religious organizations in India have issued similar warnings.
BPL coach Mahbub Ali Zaki dies minutes before the team’s opener
Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki died on Saturday after collapsing suddenly at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, minutes before the commencement of his team’s opening Bangladesh Premier League match against the Rajshahi Warriors. Team staff and medical personnel immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after Zaki, 59, collapsed on the ground during his team’s pre-match preparations. He was taken by ambulance to Al Haramain Hospital, where he was declared dead. The match went ahead as per the original schedule, with the players, coaches, and match officials observing a minute’s silence for Zaki. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board deeply mourns the passing of Mahbub Ali Zaki (59), Specialist Pace Bowling Coach of the BCB Game Development Department and Assistant Coach of Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026. “He passed away today, 27 December 2025, in Sylhet at around 1:00 PM. Mahbub Ali Zaki’s dedication and invaluable contribution to the development of fast bowling and Bangladesh cricket will be remembered with profound respect and gratitude. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire cricketing fraternity at this time of immense loss,” said the BCB in a statement on Saturday. The sudden collapse shocked everyone on the ground, with team officials saying Zaki gained prominence in Bangladesh’s cricket circles after working closely with fast bowler Taskin Ahmed when the paceman’s bowling action came under scrutiny during the Men’s T20 World Cup in India in 2016.
Billie Jean King says, ‘Battle of Sexes’ between Sabalenka and Kyrgios has no historic value!
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will meet in the ‘Battle of Sexes’ on Sunday in an exhibition match that reminds the tennis fraternity of the first historic ‘Battle of Sexes’ between legendary Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in September 1973. Women’s world number one Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, takes on injury-prone Australian Kyrgios in a highly publicised showdown that has not only divided tennis fans, but also raised questions over tagging the name of the exhibition match, as King herself feels this Battle of Sexes does not have any historic value. Rather, it is going to be only a high-publicity event. Although Aryna Sabalenka says the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios will continue to help women’s tennis, the 82-year-old Billie Jean King, while speaking to BBC, stated, “It is not the same. I showed that women are strong.” In 70s, when King and Riggs participated in the ‘Battle of Sexes’, the women’s professional tours were budding, fighting for their legitimacy and prize money for the female players, which was far lower than that for the men. King pioneered the battle for female tennis players, and her relentless effort off the court paid off as women nowadays are receiving equal prize money at each of the four Grand Slams. King added, “Ours was about social change. But this one is not. Mine was really political. It was rough, culturally, what was coming in with it. I knew I had to beat him for social change. I had a lot of reasons to win.” King, one of the all-time greats of the women’s game who was at the peak of her powers, trounced the 55-year-old Riggs, a top player in his day, 6-4, 6-3, and 6-3 in Houston.
MCG turns into a sea of white-and-red! England win after 14 years on Australian soil
The Melbourne Cricket Ground turned into a sea of white and red on Sunday as England fans, consisting of the ever-vocal Barmy Army, finally had a moment they had waited more than a decade for. Songs echoed across the stands, flags fluttered in every corner, and chants drowned out the home crowd as England sealed a long-overdue Test victory on Australian soil, after 14 years. The Barmy Army finally had reason to celebrate. England completed a four-wicket win in the fourth Test at Melbourne, chasing down a tricky target of 175 and triggering scenes of jubilation among travelling supporters at the MCG. For a fan base known for unwavering loyalty, this was catharsis. Across two days, more than 186,000 fans packed into the iconic venue, and while the crowd was largely Australian, England’s travelling support made itself heard at every crucial moment. The green-top wicket once again raised questions as Australia faced the music, failing to survive against the English bowlers on a bowlers’-friendly pitch. At the same time, England’s batters showed clarity and intent. Although the pitch already shown its volatility, England reached the total in just 32.2 overs, registering their first successful fourth-innings chase in Australia since 1962 and their first Test win in the country since 2011. The match ended inside two days, the second such finish of the series, with 36 wickets falling across the contest. With only 13 days of cricket played so far in the Ashes, pitch conditions have become a major talking point. England have at least avoided a whitewash. As the focus shifts to Sydney, Australia will aim to close out the series 4-1, while England, buoyed by belief and the voice of the Barmy Army, will look to finish the tour on a high.
Amorim changes formation for the first time in 13 months! Manchester United earn a Christmas present
Manchester United coach Ruben made jokes in September that even Pope would not be able to persuade him to change the team’s style of play. But for the first time since he took charge 13 months ago, he fielded a back four and Manchester United earned a Christmas present with a 1-0 victory against Newcastle United to advance to the fifth position in the Premier League table. Patrick Dorgu struck the winner in the first half. The victory was achieved with 33.4% possession, their lowest share of possession in any game this season. It was United’s lowest percentage of possession in a victory since the 29.4% they had when beating Manchester City in January 2023. Despite the low possession, United managed nine shots at Old Trafford, while Newcastle recorded 16. The visitors also had 43 touches in United’s box, compared to Amorim’s men, who could manage only 15. The host has 29 points after 18 matches, with the rest of? The next matches are to be played on Saturday and Sunday, while Newcastle is 11th with 23 points. “Yes,” was the unequivocal reply when asked whether this was one of the most satisfying wins in his stressed 13 months as the chief coach of the team. He also explained, “The feeling is good. If you compare to other matches, we suffered so much more today, but in certain moments we put everything on the line. We are defending every cross. Especially if you see the second half, sometimes we managed to defend with a back six,” explained Amorim. He added, “We had many matches where we controlled the opponent much better, but it is a good feeling to have a clean sheet. We suffered together, and if we always have this spirit, we are going to win more matches.”
Messi’s sister is hospitalised after a car crash! Wedding cancelled
Lionel Messi’s sister, Maria Sol Messi, has been hospitalised after a severe car crash in Miami. The accident has forced the postponement of her forthcoming wedding, scheduled in early January. According to reports from Argentine newspapers, the 32-year-old suffered from several injuries in the accident, including spinal fractures, burns, as well as heel and wrist fractures. Argentine TV journalist Ngel de Brito, speaking on the America TV programme LAM, said Messi’s mother, Celia Cuccittini, confirmed that Maria Sol is now out of danger but faces a lengthy period of rehabilitation. “She is okay, she’s out of danger,” de Brito said while reading messages he said were confirmed by the family. “But she was due to get married in Rosario on 3rd January and naturally it has to be suspended now. She suffered burns, which are very difficult to treat, and displacement of vertebrae. She has already started her rehabilitation in Rosario.” The crash reportedly occurred in Miami when Maria Sol lost control of the vehicle she was driving and hit a wall. De Brito added that Cuccittini told him her daughter fainted moments before the accident. There has also been speculation that the burns may have been caused by a motorbike fall, though that detail has not been officially confirmed. Maria Sol was due to marry Julin “Tuli” Arellano, a member of Inter Miami CF’s under-19 coaching staff, in her hometown of Rosario. The ceremony was expected to be a major family gathering, with the entire Messi family in attendance, including her brother, Lionel Messi, and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. Messi himself famously married Roccuzzo in Rosario in 2017. Like her brother, Maria Sol grew up in the same neighbourhood as her partner. A clothing designer and entrepreneur, she has largely stayed out of the public eye, having lived in Spain for a period before returning to Argentina to focus on her own projects.
