27/06/2025

FRIDAY | JUNE 27, 2025

30

SPORTS

Long road back It will be months until I reach my level, says Rodri

Ű BY ANDY HAMPSON

after catching an opponent in the face in a sliding challenge in City’s opening Group G match against Wydad Casablanca last week. He received an automatic one-match ban, rul ing him out Sunday’s encounter with Al Ain, but that was increased by tournament organiser Fifa following a disciplinary review. Guardiola, who felt the initial sending-off was harsh given that both players slid in together and contact was accidental, believes the punishment is far too much. The City manager said: “I don’t know the boss for the referees, Collina? I didn’t have the honour to talk to him. “But I’m pretty sure referees don’t know Rico. He’s the sweetest, the kindest, and sometimes as a defender you have to say (to him), ‘You have to be more aggressive.’ “It’s an action that has no intention. I know the image can pretend to be but both (feet) are on the floor, and unfortunately he touched a little bit the lips. “I know Rico and never, never, never is it his intention to hurt anyone.” – The Independent CRISTIANO RONALDO is close to agreeing a new two-year deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr. The 40-year-old Portugal captain’s deal was due to expire at the end of June. Ronaldo posted on social media“the chap ter is over” following Al-Nassr’s final league game of the season last month, fuelling speculation that he was to leave the Riyadh club. But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is now set to stay in Saudi Arabia. The forward joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 as a free agent after leaving Manchester United following a controversial interview in which he criticised the Premier League club. Ronaldo has scored 99 goals in 111 appearances for Al-Nassr and netted 35 last season to win the SPL’s Golden Boot award for top scorer. Al-Nassr are currently without a manager after parting company with Stefano Pioli on Wednesday. Former AC Milan and Inter boss Pioli, who was appointed in September, led Al-Nassr to a third-placed finish in the SPL last season, 13 points behind champions Al-Ittihad. “Thanks for everything,”Ronaldo wrote in a message on social media following news of Pioli’s exit, with the 59-year-old set to take MONTERREY coach Domenec Torrent has warned his players that they face another huge challenge at the Club World Cup when they take on Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 in Atlanta on Wednesday (9am). The Mexican side advanced to the knockout rounds after their 4-0 thrashing of Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds yesterday, with the win securing second place in Group E behind Inter Milan. Monterrey, who have won the Concacaf Champions Cup five times since 2011, will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the club’s formation tomorrow. They finished second in Group E after picking up their first win of the competition against Urawa having drawn with both Inter Milan and Argentina’s River Plate. “Our next game, we know it’s very hard. They’re another European team that has won a lot of things, a lot of prizes and tournaments and championships in Germany and in Europe,”Torrent said. “We’ve seen them before and at least I have a reference of what we’re facing. “We are going to have three or four days to prepare for this new game, which is excellent for us to showcase our football to the world, Mexican football and Monterrey football.” SHORTS Ronaldo set to sign new contract at Al-Nassr charge of former club Fiorentina. Monterrey coach wary of Dortmund threat

M ANCHESTER CITY linchpin Rodri admits it could be some time before he gets back to his best. The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder missed most of the 2024-25 season after suffering a serious knee injury last September. He returned to action only last month with a seven-minute run-out in City’s penultimate Premier League game against Bournemouth. His comeback continued with two substitute appearances in the opening two matches at the Club World Cup, against Wydad Casablanca and Al Ain, but Rodri feels he is a long way short of peak fitness. The Spain international said: “I feel very good and very happy to be here. It’s an amazing tourna ment to start again to play football. I’m really excited to join the team again. “I feel very, very strong, to be honest. The (recovery) process was long, but I was taking my time. The most important thing was to keep focused and be strong, not be sad or whatever.

If that is still his opinion now, he is keeping it to himself. “Listen, it’s not my decision,” he said. “I’m here and excited to play. “Maybe if this tournament doesn’t happen, I would be on holiday but for me, individually, it’s a great opportunity to come back at the highest level and play a tournament we never played. “The idea is amazing, honestly. I think we’re excited.” In related new, City manager Pep Guardiola hit out yesterday at Fifa referees chief Pierluigi Collina after Rico Lewis’ suspension at the Club World Cup was upgraded to three games. The defender was shown a straight red card

“One day I would come back and this day has finally come. I know it’s still going to be months until I reach my level but I’m so happy.” Prior to sustaining his injury, Rodri had expressed concern about the number of games players at the top level were being asked to play. He even suggested players could strike if their fears over burnout were not listened to. He was discussing the matter in relation to the expanded Champions League group phase, but the issue has also been one of the chief criticisms aimed at the Club World Cup. “I think we are close to that,” the 29-year-old said. “If it keeps this way, (there) will be a moment that we have no other option, but let’s see.”

Muller rejects complaints over heat

FROM LEFT: Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane look dejected after Thursday’s 1-0 defeat to Benfica. – REUTERSPIC

Ű BY WILL CASTLE

States with a move to the MLS touted, following in the footsteps of fellow German great Marco Reus. However, he insists he is yet to make a final decision on next steps. “There is a chance (of joining an MLS side) but I have to figure it out,” he adds. “At the moment I am totally focussed on playing this tournament. Some talks, maybe in the background, but the focus is on this tournament now, I have no hurry, no stress to take my decisions, then we will see, but I don’t know now.” Bayern Munich will take on Flamengo in the Club World Cup last 16 on Monday (4am Malaysian time). – The Independent

shock 3-1 loss to Flamengo: “It’s an excuse when it’s not hot and we say that it’s hot. That is an excuse. “But if hot, it’s hot. It’s difficult to work with these temperatures but we are here and we trying to do our best and we will try to win.” Muller has made his stance clear, however, and does not want to see any of his teammates making same complaints as they hope to become the inaugural Club World Cup champions. Such success would prove the perfect farewell for Muller, who after helping Bayern reclaim the Bundesliga will leave the club this summer after a decorated 17 seasons in Bavaria. He may stay put in the United

excused for their shortcomings. “We have to be in shape,” he said post-match. “If an almost 36-year-old guy like me can run 90 minutes, then everybody should do it, so no excuses.” Numerous players and managers have made their grievances about the extreme weather known publicly, with Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente among these as his side crashed out of the competition in the group stage. “It’s impossible, it’s terribly hot,” he said. “My toes were sore, even my toenails were hurting, I couldn’t stop or start.” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca also voiced his frustrations about the heat, telling reporters after his side’s

THOMAS MULLER has rejected complaints of “impossible” heat at the Club World Cup, citing his own age as a reason why younger players should have “no excuses”. Bayern Munich failed to end their group stage on a good note as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Benfica, forfeiting top spot in Group C in the process. The temperature reached 36°C for the clash at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, harsh conditions that were reflected by the far from optimum performances on the pitch from both sides. However, Muller has hit back at claims that his team should be

Heatwave stark preview for 2026 World Cup

Ű BY ANNE M. PETERSON

They were first introduced at the 2008 Olympic final in Beijing, where on-field temperatures reached 41°C. The current heatwave serves as a stark preview for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While five of the 16 host stadiums will feature roofs for sun protection, cities like Monterrey average temperatures in the 30s during summer, and Mexico City and Guadalajara could face the summer hurricane season. Beyond 2026, the 2030 World Cup is set for Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, and the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, indicating that climate will be an increasing challenge for Fifa. – The Independent

Fans are also enduring the extreme conditions, with many seeking shade or going shirtless to cope. In Charlotte, North Carolina, where the temperature hit 36°C during Bayern Munich’s match against Benfica. A fan Tyler Fernando noted the difference from European climates: “In Europe it’s more of a dry heat and this is more of a humid heat. I think it’s going to hit them twice as hard.” Fifa guidelines mandate cooling breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) – a composite measure of heat stress – reaches 32°C. These breaks, typically occurring around the 30th and 75th minutes, became more commonplace after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, following a labour court order for hydration breaks.

A PUNISHING heatwave sweeping across the United States is taking a significant toll on players and fans at the Fifa Club World Cup, raising serious concerns about the conditions for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. With temperatures soaring into 32°C and above, substitutes are watching matches from air-conditioned locker rooms, practice sessions are being cut short, and players are battling through sweat-soaked jerseys. Teams are implementing extreme measures to mitigate the heat’s impact. Borussia Dortmund posted on social media that their substitutes watched the first half from inside the locker room to avoid the “blazing sun” at TQL Stadium.