Credit: X
Argentina football fans have some great news as head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed Lionel Messi's availability for the semi-final against Canada. Speaking about Messi at the press conference on Monday ahead of the semi-final clash. In the golfing world, Keegan Bradley will lead the U.S. for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. The development was confirmed by the PGA of America on July 8.
Read below to learn details about these top stories and other happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 hours.
Football
Will Lionel Messi play Argentina's Copa America 2024 semifinal against Canada?
Argentina football fans have some great news as head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed Lionel Messi's availability for the semi-final against Canada. Speaking about Messi at the press conference on Monday ahead of the semi-final clash, He said, "Leo (Messi) is fine, he finished well, so tomorrow he will be part of the match, we are calm. His level looks good. He is essential for us." Scaloni also revealed that Messi could be joined by Angel Di Maria in the playing XI. He added, " It’s a possibility that Messi and Di María play together."
Neymar Jr. in tears at nightclub after Brazil's loss to Uruguay in Copa America 2024
The Copa America 2024 quarterfinal clash between Uruguay and Brazil went goalless in the 120 minutes and was forced to the penalties. In the penalty shootout, Uruguay defeated Brazil 4-2 to reach the semi-finals while the Selecao were eliminated from the tournament. Brazil star Neymar Jr., who missed the Copa America 2024 due to an injury, appeared to be in tears at a nightclub following Brazil's loss. Neymar Jr. was left heartbroken with the loss and appeared to get emotional as his friends consoled him.
"It's not about how we can beat Argentina..." - Canada coach Jesse Marsch
Coach of the Canadian national team, Jesse Marsch expressed excitement about facing Argentina in the Copa America 2024 semi-final. Marsch said, "What an incredible opportunity to continue to show further growth. It's not about how we can beat Argentina as much as how can we honour our development path and where are we trying to go and test ourselves at a very high level. Argentina is the best team in the world and you can see how aggressive and sharp they are, how good Messi is. There are things we did well when we played against them. I think knowing their level and quality will be an advantage for us."
Paris Olympics
Indian men’s hockey team leaves for Paris 2024 Olympics
The Indian Men’s Hockey Team today left for Mike Horn’s base in Switzerland. Following three days designed to instil mental toughness, the Team will move to the Netherlands to play practice matches. After completing this final block of training the Team is scheduled to arrive in the City of Lights on 20th July.
PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal to be India’s flag bearers at 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Two-time Olympic medalist and star badminton player, PV Sindhu, along with veteran table tennis player, Achanta Sharath Kamal, will be the flag bearers for India at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Although the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had announced Sharath Kamal’s name earlier in March but decided to postpone the announcement of the women's flag bearer’s name.
Adani launches morale-boosting campaign for Indian athletes ahead of Paris Olympics 2024
As the Indian contingent for the 2024 Olympics continues to put in the hard yards before flying out to Paris, its principal sponsor, the Adani Group, has pledged its whole-hearted support to the champions of the nation through a campaign with the theme #DeshkaGeetAtOlympics. The campaign centres around the athletes, who have spent hours and years in training to win and hear the national anthem after the victory.
Tennis
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina qualified for the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Monday after which she was tearful as spoke about the Russian airstrike on a children's hospital in Kyiv. "It's a difficult day for Ukrainian people," said Svitolina, before breaking down. "When you have these sad days where you don't want to do anything, it was this kind of day for me," Svitolina said. "It's difficult really to explain, I guess, because for us Ukrainians, it's very close to our heart and a very sensitive topic, very sensitive emotions that we feel every single day.
Golf
Keegan Bradley named U.S. captain for 2025 Ryder Cup
Keegan Bradley will lead the U.S. for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. The development was confirmed by the PGA of America on July 8. Bradley will replace twice-major champion Zach Johnson as U.S. captain. "My passion and appreciation for golf’s greatest team event have never been stronger," said Bradley. "The Ryder Cup is unlike any other competition in our sport, and this edition will undoubtedly be particularly special given the rich history and enthusiastic spectators at this iconic course. I look forward to beginning preparations for 2025."
