Picture Credit: Twitter
In the world of football, Lionel Messi has secured the Men’ s Ballon d’Or for the record eighth time in his illustrious footballing career, paying tribute to Diego Maradona, while Aitana Bonmati achieved the coveted award in women’s category. Salman Khan engaged in a friendly chat with the football great Cristiano Ronaldo at a boxing match in Saudi Arabia. Indian shooter Shriyanka Sadangi obtained Paris 2024 Olympic quota for India. Along with this, Anish Bhanwala bagged India's 12th Paris Olympic quota in shooting.
Read below to learn details about these top stories and other happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 hours.
Football
Lionel Messi pays tribute to Diego Maradona after winning Men's Ballon d’Or
Football great and Argentina captain Lionel Messi dedicated his eighth Men’s Ballon d’Or to another Argentina legend, Diego Maradona. Messi beat Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and PSG star Kylian Mbappe to claim the coveted award for the record time on Monday, October 30. Messi’s win came after he led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup 2022. After winning the award, the 36-year-old remembered Diego Maradona in his acceptance speech, who would have celebrated his 63rd birthday yesterday.
Aitana Bonmati wins Women’s Ballon d’Or; Jude Bellingham and Emiliano Martinez get coveted awards
The Spain and Barcelona central midfielder, Aitana Bonmati won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for playing a key role in her nation winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, along with securing the Liga F and UEFA Women’s Champions League for her club. Jude Bellingham, the midfielder of England and Real Madrid got the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21, while Emiliano Martinez of Argentina and Aston Villa was awarded the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the world.
Australia to not bid for FIFA World Cup 2034; opens door for Saudi Arabia
Australia have confirmed that they will not be bidding for the hosting rights of the FIFA World Cup 2034, which has opened the door for Saudi Arabia to bring the major tournament to the Middle East. In their announcement on the website, Football Australia also reiterated their intention to host AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 and FIFA Club World Cup 2029.
Juventus to sign Thomas Partey on loan deal in January: Reports
Juventus are reportedly looking to sign Thomas Partey on a loan deal in January, with the use of wages saved on Paul Pogba, who could face a long-term ban from football, after his B sample tested positive for testosterone. As per the report from the Mirror, the ban on Nicolo Fagioli for at least seven months over breach of betting rules could force the issue for the Old Lady in the transfer market too.
Some major results in football are as under:
La Liga 2023-24
Granada 2-3 Villareal
Bundesliga 2023-24
Eintracht Frankfurt 3-3 Borussia Dortmund
Serie A 2023-24
Empoli 0-3 Atalanta
Lazio 1-0 Fiorentina
Major League Soccer 2023-24
FC Cincinnati 3-0 New York Red Bulls
Hockey
Indian women’s hockey team defeats China 2-1 in Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023
The Indian women’s hockey team recorded a thrilling 2-1 win over China in their third match of the ongoing Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023. On the Indian side, Deepika and Salima Tete recorded one goal each for India in the 15th and 26th minute of the game. On the other hand, China's lone goal came from Jiaqi Zhong in the 41st minute. India will next play Japan in their fourth match of the tournament on 31st October at 20:30 hours IST.
Shooting
Anish Bhanwala secures India’s 12th Paris 2024 Olympics quota in shooting
Indian Commonwealth Games gold medallist shooter Anish Bhanwala secured the 12th Paris Olympics 2024 quota. Bhanwala clinched the bronze medal in the men's 25m rapid pistol fire event at the Asian Championships in Changwon, Korea on Monday. The 21-year-old from Karnal, who had 28 hits in the final, lost a shootout to Japan's silver medalist Dai Yoshioka.
Shriyanka Sadangi secures Paris 2024 Olympic quota in rifle shooting
Indian shooter Shriyanka Sadangi secured a Paris 2024 Olympics quota for India after finishing fourth in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions at the Asian Shooting Championships 2023 in Changwon, the Republic of Korea on Tuesday. Sadangi’s Olympic quota marked India’s 13th reservation in the forthcoming marquee tournament. Shriyanka Sadangi scored 440.5 in the final to finish fourth in the Asian tournament.
Others
Salman Khan engages in friendly chat with Cristiano Ronaldo at boxing match
Bollywood megastar Salman Khan and football great Cristiano Ronaldo engaged in a friendly conversation at a boxing match in Saudi Arabia. In a viral video, Khan and Ronaldo could be seen talking. Khan was making hand gestures while explaining something to the football icon. The footballer was all smiles as he listened to the actor, while his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez looked on.
