AL RAYYAN, Qatar - FIFA President Gianni Infantino raised eyebrows on Saturday when he attempted to show empathy with marginalized groups by telling reporters in Qatar "I feel gay ... I feel like a migrant worker."
Infantino opened the traditional pre-World Cup news conference on Saturday with a lengthy monologue lambasting the critics of Qatar hosting the tournament because of the country's human rights record.
Wales captain Gareth Bale says he is 100% fit to play for his country at their first World Cup since 1958.
The 33-year-old is Wales' all-time top scorer with 40 goals in 108 games but has struggled with injuries this season.
Wales kick off their campaign against the United States next Monday and also face Iran and England in Group B.
Hartlepool United manager Keith Curle led his side to a 2-1 victory over Grimsby Town on Saturday to climb off the bottom of the League Two table, and the 58-year-old wasn't bashful when discussing his feelings during the post-match interview.
BARCELONA - Barcelona will be eager to show everyone that they are better than rivals Bayern Munich when the two teams face off in the Champions League on Wednesday, manager Xavi Hernández said.
Barcelona were beaten 2-0 by Bayern in last month's Group C fixture, a result that Xavi said was not a true reflection of the team's talent. But having won only one of their four matches in Europe this season, Xavi wants his team to show their true worth at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola joked he wanted striker Erling Haaland to lay off the food and drink during the mid-season break for the World Cup and come back fit to spearhead the club's hunt for trophies in the second half of the season.
Norway's Haaland, who has scored 22 goals in 15 games across all competitions so far, will not be heading to Qatar for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 tournament after his country failed to qualify.
Miguel Almirón has had himself a proper start to the 2022-23 Premier League season.
The Paraguayan has scored six goals in 12 games with five in his last five appearances — his best goalscoring season since arriving at Newcastle United in 2019.
Only Erling Haaland has more Premier League goals than Miguel Almiron this month
What a turnaround pic.twitter.com/YaQffBpYOv
Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang clarified his comments on Mikel Arteta after a video showed him criticizing the Arsenal manager, saying that he had "a lot of bad feelings" for the north London club at that time but wishes them well now.
The video, which was leaked on social media, showed Aubameyang saying "Big characters and big players... he can't deal with it. He needs some young players who don't say anything" as the Gabon international spoke about Arteta.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has said he is counting the days until the World Cup and believes his team have a good chance of winning the tournament.
Messi, who will be playing his fifth World Cup in Qatar, told Star+ he is feeling nervous ahead of the tournament but is in positive mood.
Argentina will arrive in Qatar with their confidence high after winning the 2021 Copa América final against hosts Brazil, which Messi believes was a turning-point for his team after several near misses.
Liverpool fans are not happy with Darwin Núñez. The club paid a hefty $82 million to Benfica for the Uruguayan in an attempt to strengthen its front line after Sadio Mané's exit, while also providing talk for pundits about how he would compete with Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot. However, the striker hasn't hit it off and is starting to be called a bust.
Núñez has played a mere 340 minutes across all competitions and scored two goals (one in the PL and one in the Community Shield) — far from the 34 he bagged with Benfica last campaign.
Why such a difference?
Wales captain Gareth Bale said he is on a "good path" towards full fitness ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, despite not completing a full game since joining Los Angeles FC in June.
Bale signed for the Major League Soccer club after leaving Real Madrid, where he struggled with injury in his last few seasons. He has made only two starts in his 11 appearances for LAFC, scoring twice.