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Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to honour the late Diogo Jota after sending his family and his Portuguese team-mates a special gift to commemorate their 2025 Nations League triumph. The Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, died in a car crash in Spain in July, leaving the footballing community in mourning. And although Jota is gone, Ronaldo is helping to keep his memory very much alive.

Footballing world rocked by Jota's death

Liverpool forward Jota died at the age of 28 following the accident in the Spanish province of Zamora this summer, with the former Wolves man marrying his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom they had three children together, just 11 days prior to the crash. Less than a month before, Jota had been part of the Portuguese side that pipped Spain to the 2025 Nations League trophy after beating the European champions on penalties. As the tributes poured in to toast the memory of the Portugal international, Ronaldo admitted this was all so unfair. 

He wrote on X at the time: "It doesn’t make sense. We were only just in the national team together, you had only just got married. To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We’ll all miss you."

Portugal, Liverpool, Wolves, and more have continued to pay tribute to Jota, who was a popular figure among his team-mates. Now, it appears the Al-Nassr striker has come up with a classy gesture of his own for Jota's family. 

AdvertisementRonaldo honours Jota

According to Portuguese outlet Sic Noticias, the 40-year-old has teamed up with luxury brand Jacob & Co to make personalised watches for his Portuguese team-mates, including Jota, to commemorate their Nations League triumph in Munich. The report adds that Ronaldo had these watches made and sent them to his compatriots before their World Cup qualifying game against Armenia. The ex-Real Madrid man also took the time to send one to Jota's family. 

Journalist Nuno Luz said: "These are details that are done without advertising and that show the genuine way that Cristiano Ronaldo is. Often, people from outside have an image of him that does not correspond." 

It is not known how much the watch costs but the report adds that it is likely to be worth several thousand euros each.

On social media, Jacob & Co wrote of the design: "A skeleton dial, custom design and the Portuguese coat of arms — a watch as exceptional as the champions themselves."

'The world has been together'

Jota's funeral took place at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Portugal just two days after his death. Following the service – which was attended by a host of Liverpool players and many close friends, family, and former team-mates – Portugal boss Roberto Martinez spoke to the media. The former Everton manager reflected on how this tragedy had brought the "world together".

He said in an emotional speech: "I wanted to say it is a really, really sad day as you can imagine. But today was a day [that showed] we are a very, very large but close family. We are Portugal. We are together. The world has been together and their spirit will be with us forever. Thank you for all of your messages and support. Today we are one football family."

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Portugal?

Months on from Jota's death, his Portugal side went on to top their World Cup qualifying group, ensuring their fairly serene passage to the 2026 World Cup in North America. Ronaldo's team will eagerly await what their World Cup warm-up fixtures will be and which sides they will face in their group as they seek to win this iconic competition for the first time. They may have extra motivation to come out on top following Jota's passing, in addition to the fact it is likely to be Ronaldo's last major tournament before his retirement.

Riley Greene gave his Detroit Tigers the lead with a solo shot to right field in the top of the ninth inning at Angel Stadium. His 371-foot homer was only the start of an eight-run inning for the Tigers. And Greene did it again before the Los Angeles Angels were able to retire the side.

With two outs in the inning, he hit a three-run, 409-foot bomb to right-center field. The second homer made Greene the first player in MLB history to hit two home runs in the ninth inning of a game.

“I was just thinking, ‘Win the baseball game.’ That's about it,” Greene said after the Tigers beat the Angels 9-1 Friday night via MLB.com. “That was the only thing on my mind: Let's win this game.”

Detroit trailed 1-0 for the majority of the game until shortstop Trey Sweeney tied the game with a solo home run in the seventh inning. Then, Greene powered the eight-run ninth as the Tigers' batters got all over Angels closer Kenley Jansen, who gave up six earned runs in the inning.

The Tigers earned win No. 21 Friday, the most in the American League. Greene's big night gives him eight home runs early in the 2025 campaign. He's slashing .276/.324/.504 on the year after getting through an April slump. And now he has his name etched in niche baseball history, but that isn't much to dwell over for Detroit's cleanup hitter.

"Yeah, I just found that out—pretty cool," Greene said after the game via ESPN. "But the game is over. We got to show up tomorrow and try to win another baseball game."

Aston Villa are now seriously considering a January move for an “incredible” striker, who has been in fantastic form this season.

Villa looking to sign new striker this winter

It is becoming increasingly clear that Villa want to bring in a new centre-forward in the upcoming transfer window, having identified a number of targets over the past week or so, namely Brentford’s Igor Thiago, Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Bologna’s Santiago Castro.

Target

League goals in 2025-26

Igor Thiago

11

Joshua Zirkzee

1

Santiago Castro

4

On the face of it, pursuing a move for Thiago would appear to make the most sense, given that the Brazilian has emerged as one of the best strikers in the Premier League this season, with only Manchester City star Erling Haaland scoring more goals.

However, Aston Villa have now joined the race for another striker who has been prolific in front of goal so far this season, according to a report from Spain, which states they are seriously considering a January move for Strasbourg star Joaquin Panichelli.

Unai Emery’s side are said to be closely monitoring the striker, and hold a genuine interest, off the back of Panichelli impressing in the first half of the Ligue 1 season, with Chelsea and West Ham United also joining the race for his signature.

With the Argentinian’s contract not due to expire until 2027, the French club should be in a strong negotiating position, which complicates a deal, and finalising a move in the January transfer window could be difficult.

Panichelli has made "incredible" start in Ligue 1

Given that Ollie Watkins has just three Premier League goals to his name this season, Emery could do with bringing in a more prolific striker next month, and the Cordoba-born marksman has regularly been amongst the goals for Strasbourg, scoring ten times in all competitions.

Scout Jacek Kulig has also praised the former CD Mirandes man for the start he’s made to life at the Ligue 1 side, having only arrived at Strasbourg from the Spanish side in the summer.

The one-time Argentina international is the second-highest scorer in Ligue 1, behind only Mason Greenwood, and at 23-years-old, he is at the right age to be a long-term replacement for Watkins.

Aston Villa could launch attack to sign £44m striker who's outscoring Watkins

The Villans are looking to bring in a new centre-forward.

ByDominic Lund Dec 8, 2025

That said, with Panichelli tied down to a long-term contract and yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s top leagues over a sustained time period, it may be worth Villa continuing to monitor him, ahead of potentially launching a move next summer.

There are no other changes to the squad that recently played Afghanistan at home

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2025Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been ruled out of Zimbabwe’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to a back injury. Left-arm seamer Newman Nyamhuri, yet to be capped in T20Is, has been named his replacement.There are no other changes to the squad that recently played Afghanistan at home, which Zimbabwe lost 0-3. Muzarabani, who had missed the last two T20Is of that series, picked up 2 for 41 in the first T20I.Nyamhuri, 19, has played four Tests and four ODIs, having made his international debut in December 2024. He was named in the T20I squad for the tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in July but did not feature in any of the games.Led by Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe will open their campaign against hosts Pakistan in Rawalpindi on November 17, before facing Sri Lanka at the same venue on November 19. Zimbabwe will then travel to Lahore, where they will meet Pakistan again on November 23 and Sri Lanka on November 25. The top two teams on the points table will contest the final on 29 November in Lahore.Zimbabwe squad for T20I tri-series: Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor

Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel marked his Old Trafford debut by setting a new club record after scoring the winner in an FA Youth Cup tie against Peterborough on Tuesday night. The 15-year-old has been linked with Barcelona and Arsenal and nicknamed 'Kid Messi', with many believing he has incredible potential. Meanwhile, Kai Rooney, son of legendary England striker Wayne, was left out of the squad for the third-round clash.

Gabriel stars in FA Youth Cup win and sets new record

Much is expected of Gabriel, even after only just turning 15 years of age, and the teenager wasted little time making his presence known on his first competitive appearance at United's Old Trafford home. Gabriel netted the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute with a lovely sweeping finish into the far corner, earning Darren Fletcher's side a fourth-round tie against Cambridge United or Derby County, with those two teams set to meet on Wednesday. That goal saw the hyped youngster become United's youngest-ever scorer in FA Youth Cup history and also took him to 11 strikes in 12 games this season, having recently scored a hat-trick against Liverpool's Under-18s.

AdvertisementGetty Who is JJ Gabriel?

United have produced plenty of stars through their academy during the club's glittering history and Gabriel is thought to be one who could go on to become a genuinely world-class player in the future. He has received rather flattering comparisons to Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo and attracted more praise back in August when he scored an outrageously impressive goal for United's Under-18s.

His performances have caught the eye of many teams around Europe. Barcelona are thought to be keeping track of his situation as they look to find the next Lamine Yamal, while Arsenal have also been credited with an interest. However, the Gunners' admiration of Gabriel has been labelled 'premature' in recent weeks, with the current Premier League leaders not thought to have made a formal offer as of yet.

That is good news for United, who seem to be doing everything they can to keep hold of the prodigious youngster. The Red Devils are said to have even gone as far as offering Gabriel a box at the new Old Trafford stadium, which is due to be completed by 2030. He may well hope to be making his mark in the first-team squad by that point, but United's current senior stars are already familiar with the teenager's talents as he's previously been invited to train with Ruben Amorim's cohorts during the early stages of the season.

Rooney's son Kai left out of squad

While it was all smiles for Gabriel, Kai Rooney, the son of United legend Wayne, was not included in the squad for the win over Peterborough. The teenager has been recovering from injury in recent weeks and made his return for the club's Under-16s over the weekend. Jacey Carrick, son of ex-United and England midfielder Michael, was also absent from the matchday squad.

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Getty Images SportWhat next for Gabriel?

Gabriel will continue playing youth football for United for now, with the hope of breaking into the first-team squad and making his senior debut in the future. He will, however, have to be wary of the treatment some of United's recent academy graduates have received of late.

Marcus Rashford doesn't seem to have much of a future at Old Trafford after being sent on loan to both Aston Villa and Barcelona in the last year, while the curious case of Kobbie Mainoo remains puzzling to many football fans across Europe. The 20-year-old broke into the squad under former boss Erik ten Hag and scored a memorable goal against local rivals Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final, but he has not made a single start in the Premier League this season.

One youngster who has been getting first-team minutes under Amorim is Ayden Heaven, who has started the Red Devils' last two Premier League matches. He was unconvincing against West Ham United, being hauled off after 45 minutes, but produced a more accomplished performance in the 4-1 thumping of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.

Yusei Kikuchi started the Los Angeles Angels game against the Texas Rangers on Monday night. Kikuchi pitched five innings, giving up four runs on six hits. When he left the game after the fifth inning, his team trailed, but came back to win 6-5.

Not bad considering how things started for Kikuchi. Sam Haggerty, leading off for the Rangers, hit the ball back to Kikuchi on a 3-2 count in the first at-bat of the game. Kikuchi did not field the ball cleanly and chased after it, tripping over the mound in the process. Kikuchi tumbled and ended up on his knees, sitting feet away from the ball while Haggerty stood safely on second.

The next batter to come up, Corey Saeger, also took Kikuchi to a full count before he hit a two-run home run.

That's about as rough of a start as you can have. Two batters, 14 pitches, one home run, two earned runs, one embarassing fall. Going five full innings was downright heroic considering that start.

The New York Mets continued their busy trade deadline on Thursday, as the club acquired outfielder Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for three prospects, according to multiple reports. New York's deal for Mullins comes on the heels of the club's acquisition of relief pitchers Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley as part of an effort to revamp its bullpen.

By importing Mullins, the Mets have now filled an important void in the outfield as well. Meanwhile, the Orioles netted a trio of prospects for Mullins, a pending free agent that the club may have lost this winter.

With that in mind, let's assess how both clubs made out in the trade.

Mets: A-

David Stearns's impressive trade deadline continues. Stearns completely revamped New York's bullpen without surrendering any of the club's top nine prospects on the farm. That was impressive in and of itself. Now, Stearns has added Mullins, a former All-Star center fielder, parting ways with No. 14 prospect Anthony Nunez, hard-throwing righthander and No. 30 prospect Raimon Gomez, and High-A relief pitcher Chandler Marsh, who joined the club as an undrafted free agent this past season.

Mullins has disappointed a bit at the plate this season, as evidenced by his .229/.305/.433 slash line. But he's been on a roll at the plate as of late, as he's clubbed 10 extra base hits and posted a 137 wRC+ in July while playing his usual blend of strong defense. The April 12 injury to centerfielder Jose Siri, and subsequent setback in his recovery, left a crater in center field for New York.

But Mullins, who has pop in his bat, speed on the base paths and rates as an above average defender in center, fits the bill as a grade-A upgrade, even if he amounts to a rental bat. He figures to also be the perfect addition to the bottom of the Mets batting order, which has struggled for much of this season.

Orioles: B-

It feels like the Orioles could have netted a better prospect haul for Mullins, a former All-Star, though his 104 wRC+—just 10th among all center fielders—and his status as a 2026 free agent, likely lowered his price tag more than Baltimore would have liked.

Even still, there's no shame in the trio of prospects headed to Baltimore. Nunez, a position-player-turned-pitcher, has dominated hitters at the Double-A level thanks to a four-pitch mix and his athleticism from his former days as an infielder in the San Diego Padres farm system. Gomez, is a powerful righthander who boasts a triple digits on his fastball and wicked upper-80s, low-90s slider that have proven tough for High-A hitters to handle. Walks have been an issue for Gomez though. He'll need to display better control to excel in the majors, but there's promise here for sure. Meanwhile, Marsh, an undrafted pitcher out of Georgia, owns a mid-90s fastball and slider and has posted a 3.45 ERA and 28.8 percent strikeout rate at the High-A level.

Overall, Baltimore's front office was able to take advantage of both Mullins's stellar July and a sellers' market to net a solid return for a pending free agent, even though it had to be tough to part ways with the longest-tenured Oriole. Plus, the club addressed its farm system's biggest weakness: its stash of young pitchers.

Kyle Schwarber hit his 44th home run of the season during the Phillies' game against the Mariners on Tuesday night. In the process, he broke a Philadelphia franchise record by homering in 15 consecutive series.

Schwarber came to the plate to face Seattle's Bryce Miller in the bottom of the 1st with one out and no one on. Behind in the count, he chased a 1-2 fastball that was up and out of the zone and smashed it up and out of the park.

In addition to setting a new Phillies' record, Schwarber retook the National League lead in home runs. He also moved within three home runs of his own career-high as well as MLB leader Cal Raleigh, who played earlier in the day.

Schwarber has been putting on an absolute show this season. Between treating just about every fanbase he's seen to a long ball over the last two months, he also won the All-Star Game with three home runs on three swings.

The last team to keep Schwarber in the ballpark for an entire series was the Astros, who held the Phillies to just one run in three games. Schwarber went 2 for 11 with a walk in the series.

The final game of the night in Major League Baseball takes place at Coors Field with the Colorado Rockies hosting the Milwaukee Brewers.

These teams are in totally different spots this season, as the Brewers are in first in the NL Central with 50 wins already in 2024 while the Rockies are over 20 games out in the NL West, sitting in last place. 

However, oddsmakers aren’t setting Milwaukee as a massive favorite in this one, and it could have to do with an interesting pitching matchup. Let’s dive into the odds and my best bet for this NL clash on Monday. 

Brewers vs. Rockies Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line

Brewers -1.5 (-105)Rockies +1.5 (-115)

Moneyline

Brewers: -155Rockies: +130

Total

11.5 (Over -102/Under -118)

Brewers vs. Rockies Probable PitchersMilwaukee: Bryse Wilson (5-3, 3.89 ERA)Colorado: Austin Gomber (1-5, 4.63 ERA)Brewers vs. Rockies How to WatchDate: Monday, July 1Time: 8:40 p.m. ESTVenue: Coors FieldHow to watch (TV): Bally Sports Wisconsin, AFN, MLB NetworkBrewers record: 50-34Rockies record: 28-55Brewers vs. Rockies Key Players to WatchMilwaukee Brewers

Christian Yelich: Christian Yelich rocked a homer on Sunday, and he’s now hitting .321 with eight homers, 36 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases in 2024. Yelich has an OPS+ of 149, and he’s on pace for his best season since he was last an All-Star back in 2019. 

Colorado Rockies

Austin Gomber: Austin Gomber was awful at Coors Field in 2023, posting a 7.05 ERA in 15 starts, but he’s flipped the script this season with a 3.57 ERA in six starts. The Rockies are just 5-10 in his outings, but Gomber could be a sneaky pitcher to back on Monday. 

Brewers vs. Rockies Prediction and Pick

Regression is coming for Bryse Wilson, who has a 4.65 xERA this season and a Fielding Independent Pitching of 4.89. 

While he did throw six shoutout innings in his last outing, he still posted a 5.19 ERA in June, and now he has to go to a hitter-friendly park in Coors Field.

Last season, Coors Field was a nightmare for lefty Austin Gomber, but he’s turned things around at home in 2024. The Rockies starter has a 3.57 ERA in six home starts, holding opponents to a .226 batting average. On the road, opponents are hitting .288 against Gomber. 

Backing the Rockies in any scenario is a risky proposition since they’ve won just 28 games all season, but a few blowup outings by Wilson in June completely took the Brewers out of games. 

I’ll fade him on the road here. 

The Philadelphia Phillies already boast one of MLB's best starting pitching rotations, and that five-man group is set to welcome another member in the coming days.

Manager Rob Thomson told reporters today that Aaron Nola will be making his return to the Phillies after missing the last three months with an ankle injury and a subsequent stress fracture to his ribs.

Nola is set to make his return to the rotation on Sunday against the Nationals, and Thomson informed reporters that Philadelphia will go with a six-man pitching rotation for the time being, via ESPN. He didn't specify how long that would last, though he said the team will go through the rotation "once, for sure" and reassess after that.

Given the performance of their starting pitchers this season, it's a move that makes plenty of sense. The Phillies have two Cy Young candidates in Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez, and four starters––Wheeler, Sanchez, Ranger Suarez and Jesus Luzardo––with a bWAR of 2.4 or greater. Taijuan Walker has also been a solid rotation member since returning to starting duties, and he owns a 3.05 ERA over his last five starts.

It's not a bad problem to have, as the Phillies map out their pitching plans for the remainder of the season. Getting a sixth man in the rotation will allow all of the starters to get a bit more rest, which could prove valuable down the stretch run of the season.

Nola had uncharacteristically struggled before landing on the IL. The 32-year-old had a 6.16 ERA in his first nine starts, and had surrendered 11 home runs in 49 2/3 innings. After a lengthy spell on the shelf, he'll hope to return to his previous form as he gets back to the mound.