Credit: X
In the world of football, Jude Bellingham has won the prestigious 2023 Golden Boy award, while the Golden Girl award went to Linda Caicedo, who both represent Real Madrid in club football. Former footballer David Beckham thanked hosts Sonam Kapoor, Anand Ahuja, and Shahrukh Khan for their hospitality during his visit to India.
Read below to learn details about these top stories and other happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 hours.
Football
Jude Bellingham wins 2023 Golden Boy award
Jude Bellingham, England and Real Madrid’s midfielder, has won the prestigious award of 2023 Golden Boy, which is given to the best Under-21 in Europe’s top club football leagues, while the 2023 Golden Girl award went to Linda Caicedo of Colombia and Real Madrid. In his acceptance speech, the 20-year-old was quoted as saying, “I'd like to thank everyone who has been part of my journey so far at Birmingham, Dortmund and now Madrid. It wouldn't be possible without them.”
Gareth Southgate shares his concerning thoughts about underwhelming performance of England
Although England got the better of Malta by 2-0 in the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier, thanks to an own goal from Enrico Pepe, followed by Harry Kane’s strike, the manager Gareth Southgate wasn’t quite pleased with the performance of his team. He shared his concern about the underwhelming night on the football pitch for England and said, “We didn't hit the heights we have done this calendar year,” before adding, “If you don't start games well it's very difficult to pick it up and we didn't. We know the level we've got should be better, can be better.”
Tottenham to pursue move for Barcelona’s Raphinha this January: Reports
Before the January transfer window kicks off, Tottenham are reportedly going to pursue a move for the Brazilian winger Raphinha, who has an asking price of €70 million from Barcelona. As per the report from FootballTransfers, Tottenham have also dropped their interest in signing the English striker Ivan Toney after they were put off by the asking price of Brentford.
Newcastle to pursue move for Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves if loan deal is blocked: Reports
As per the report from 90Min, Newcastle could pursue a move for the Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves this January, if they are blocked from bringing him to Tyneside on a loan deal from Al-Hilal. Notably, the clubs in the Premier League are set to vote on a temporary ban in regards to stopping each other from signing players on loan from teams owned by the same entities, which is the case with Newcastle and Al-Hilal.
Some major results in football are as under:
UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying
- England 2-0 Malta
- Italy 5-2 North Macedonia
- Poland 1-1 Czech Republic
- Denmark 2-1 Slovenia
International Friendlies
- Greece 2-0 New Zealand
CAF World Cup 2026 Qualifying
- Cameroon 3-0 Mauritius
- Ivory Coast 9-0 Seychelles
- Guinea 2-1 Uganda
- Ghana 1-0 Madagascar
- Mali 3-1 Chad
FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup 2023
- England 1-2 Brazil
- Iran 5-0 New Caledonia
- Poland 0-4 Argentina
- Senegal 0-2 Japan
David Beckham thanks Sonam Kapoor, Anand Ahuja, and Shah Rukh Khan for their hospitality
Former footballer David Beckham thanked hosts Sonam Kapoor, Anand Ahuja, and Shahrukh Khan for their hospitality during his visit to India. Beckham took to Instagram and said, "Honoured to have been welcomed into this great man's home. To enjoy a meal with Shah Rukh Khan, Gauri Khan, their beautiful children, and close friends - what a special way to end my first visit to India... Thank you, my friend - you and your family are welcome anytime in my home..."
He went on to thank Sonam and Anand with, "Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja - you hosted me with such warmth and kindness this week, thank you for the amazing evening you created at your home - see you again soon."
Badminton
Dear sir, I AM PUMPED: PV Sindhu on joining hands with Prakash Padukone for training
Indian shuttler PV Sindhu took to Twitter to announce that she has joined badminton legend Prakash Padukone for her training. She took to her Twitter and said, "Prakash sir is assuming the role of the mentor in my setup. I started training with him at the end of August, and it's been uphill ever since. He's more than a mentor; he's my guide, my guru, and, above all, a true friend. I wholeheartedly believe he possesses the magic to bring out the absolute best in my game. I am so grateful he reached out to me with one call when I was in Japan, and we've built on that connection exceptionally well."
Tennis
Rohan Bopanna-Matthew Ebden qualify for ATP Finals semi-final 2023
Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden qualified for the semifinals of the ATP Finals. The Indo-Australian pair defeated Wesley Koolhof-Neal Skupski pair in straight sets in men’s doubles events in Turin on Friday, November 17. Bopanna-Ebden won 6-4, 7-6(5) over Koolhof (the Netherlands) and Skupski (Great Britain) in a Red Group qualification decider.
Basketball
LaMelo Ball forced to cover commercial neck tattoo by NBA
The NBA is forcing LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets guard, to cover a tattoo below his left ear, because it violates rules in connection with exposing commercial logos on players’ bodies. He has the initials “LF” engraved on his body, which is an acronym for LaFrance, his middle name, which has now become the title of his clothing brand.
As per the report from ESPN, LaMelo Ball and the NBA have had frequent conversations about the tattoo, which led to the Charlotte Hornets guard covering it before the loss against the Miami Heat, on Tuesday, November 15, to avoid incurring fines from the league. He also covered the LF tattoo during the in-season tournament game loss against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, November 17.
Dillon Brooks claims Grizzlies made him scapegoat after 2023 NBA playoff elimination
The Houston Rockets small forward Dillon Brooks has claimed that he was the scapegoat for the Memphis Grizzlies after their NBA playoffs elimination last season against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 27-year-old left the Grizzlies in free agency after the public announcement from the team wherein they didn’t want him to return “under any circumstances.” Dillon Brooks signed for the Houston Rockets for a four-year contract worth $80 million in the NBA offseason after averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for the Memphis Grizzlies last season.
