21/08/2026

SPORTS

SPORTS FRIDAY | AUG 21, 2026

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Mourinho’s Real mission Jose begins second Madrid reign with Barca in his sights J OSE MOURINHO’S second spell at Real Madrid begins in Barcelona this weekend in La Liga, although at Espanyol rather than up against his and Los Blancos ’ bitter rivals. €140 million (RM658m) and bringing in Bernardo Silva and Marc Cucurella among a series of high-profile arrivals. However some would argue that in not signing Rodri, who they were linked with before he joined rivals Barcelona, Madrid have not reinforced sufficiently in midfield.

SHORTS McIlroy questions LIV stars ‘value’ RORY MCILROY yesterday ques tioned whether Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm had ever “brought value” to LIV Golf, as the divisive rival tour scram bles to reinvent itself and specu lation mounts that its stars could jump ship. Having lost its deep-pocketed Saudi backers, breakaway series LIV this week was forced to can cel its season-ending team championship event in a bid to stay afloat into next year, when it is exploring a slimmed-down schedule. Asked whether LIV’s biggest stars should be allowed to return to the PGA Tour – as has been widely rumored – and if they would “bring value,“ McIlroy was dismissive. “I mean, I would argue, have they brought value to LIV? You know?” said McIlroy. Six-time major winner McIlroy has remained steadfastly loyal to the traditional PGA Tour, and an outspoken critic of LIV. “I feel like I’ve kept my posi tion consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game,” said McIlroy yesterday, ahead of the BMW Championship in Missouri. While former LIV stars like Brooks Koepka have recently accepted deals to return to the PGA Tour, McIlroy predicted it will be “a tough, tough road back” for LIV’s top holdouts. ENGLAND’S Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue shared both the wickets and the match ball as they joined forces to bowl out Pakistan on the opening day of the first Test at Headingley yes terday. The two paceman took five wickets each as Pakistan were dismissed for a meagre 171 on the first day of England’s post Bazball era, with Joe Root start ing his second stint as full-time England captain following the shock international retirement of former skipper Ben Stokes. Root rounded off a fine day on his Yorkshire home ground reaching 37 not out at stumps, with England 112-2 – a deficit of just 59 runs. Robinson took a order batsmen in a haul of 5-51. Tongue followed up the Sussex seamer’s initial burst with 5-46. Normally when a bowler takes five wickets in a Test innings, he keeps the ball for a souvenir. But with both Robinson and Tongue performing the feat on Wednesday they asked a mem ber of the groundstaff to saw it in half. Robinson, showing off the newly-sliced ball at his post match press conference, told reporters: “As we were walking off Tonguey said, ‘I think we should split it’. I was like, ‘yeah, we should actually do that, I think it’d be quite cool’”. Robinson, Tongue share match ball wicket with the very first ball of the match and dismissed four top

to give Madrid a foothold in the biggest games, including against Hansi Flick’s double defending Spanish champions, remains to be seen. Mourinho’s first Madrid spell was defined by his rivalry with Pep Guardiola and a Barcelona side that dominated Spanish football. El Clasicos became increasingly bit ter during his time in Madrid, with touchline confrontations, accusations of refereeing bias and a succession of heated encounters making the rivalry increasingly dark and compelling. Mourinho’s Madrid eventually ended their rivals’ domestic domi nance by winning the title in 2011-12 with a record 100 points. This season Madrid visit Barcelona in late October in the first Clasico of the campaign, already eagerly awaited. Between now and then, starting at Espanyol on Sunday (3.30am Malaysian time), Mourinho has two months to get his team fit, firing and most importantly, all on the same page. – AFP impending transfer. Interestingly, Baena was named in the squad and even scored, despite having similar time away on international duty. “I deal with the sporting side. (Julian) is an extraordinary lad. We spoke, as we always do… We need more training sessions with him,” Simeone said. “He’s the best player we have in attack, I’ve said that and I still think that. I want to build a team around him.” Reports indicate that Simeone and Alvarez held face-to-face talks where the forward reit erated his desire to leave for Barcelona. Furthermore, it has been highlighted that Alvarez displayed his frustration during recent training sessions. In his official photo pub lished on Wednesday, Alvarez was clean shaven and visibly scowling, a stark contrast to his usual cheerful demeanour over the previ ous two seasons. Simeone acknowledged the outside noise, adding: “People will have their opinions. I’m very respectful of people’s opinions, I always have been in these situations – Diego Costa, (Antoine) Griezmann and now Julian.” With Griezmann having left for Major League Soccer and Alexander Sorloth side lined by a muscle injury, Atletico lacked a sharp edge up front, with Ademola Lookman, usually a winger, playing as a central attacker. Atletico host Villarreal on Sunday (11pm) and will hope to be able to field Alvarez, though until the transfer window shuts on Sept 1, the saga of his potential move away will hang over the club. – Reuters and held on to all of their most impor tant players. Ferran Torres has joined from Barcelona after scoring Spain’s winning goal in the World Cup final, while France left-back Lucas Digne has returned as back-up for Nuno Mendes. “Like last year, we’re still hungry for victories, trophies,“ said PSG midfielder Vitinha. “It’s very difficult to maintain those levels but we’re still hungry and we’ll be aiming to win.” PSG comfortably rotated their side in Ligue 1 last term to boost their Champions League hopes and will be expecting to be able to do so again this time around. – AFP

promising the team defensively. Perhaps disciplinarian Mourinho might be the man to make it work, to turn superstars into willing runners without dulling their attacking edge. The Portuguese says he returns as a different coach, more mature after years of experience in England, Italy, Turkey and elsewhere. “I’m much more mature, less emo tional, and more in control… as always, learning from mistakes,” said the 63-year-old this week, although he insisted he was not “more boring”. Mourinho made clear from his first days back at Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground what it is he wants from his team. “I am here… to create a culture of work, responsibility, ambition,” said Mourinho, describing his role as a “mission”. Perez has certainly given Mourinho the ammunition he needs to catch up with Barca. Los Blancos spent heavily this summer, making Ivorian winger Yan Diomande their record signing at

The veteran Portuguese coach returns to the club 16 years after first being appointed but charged with a similar task, deposing Barcelona as the leading club in Spain. Mourinho is also aiming to restore some of the intensity and attitude that defined his first Madrid reign, between 2010-2013, after two seasons without winning a major trophy steered presi dent Florentino Perez back to him. The 15-time European champions have suffered dressing room turbu lence, with tensions between players and a succession of coaches unable to find a convincing balance on the pitch. None of Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso or Alvaro Arbeloa could fit the team’s attacking stars – Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham – in together without com

Diomande’s arrival adds yet another major attacking threat to a squad that already boasts plenty of them. It may be former Manchester City midfielder Silva who proves the more significant signing when it comes to balance. Madrid have spent years trying to move on from the era of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, whose ability to con trol matches allowed the forwards great freedom and reduced the team’s exposure to relentless opposition attacks. Silva is not a direct replacement for either, but his technical quality gives Mourinho an option for solving a problem that has persisted since their departures. Whether he will be enough

Atleti beat Malaga but no Alvarez

ATLETICO MADRID will hope for a swift reso lution to the future of wantaway forward Julian Alvarez following their limp attacking display despite a 2-0 home win over promoted Malaga in their opening La Liga fixture yesterday. Midfielder Lee Kang-in scored 13 minutes after coming off the bench for his debut as he cut inside from the right wing and curled his shot into the top corner of the net, before Alex Baena’s wonderful free-kick ended the contest. “We are happy for the victory,” Lee said. “We will continue to work hard to improve in the next game. I still lack rhythm but with hard work I will go and we will improve.” The goals were two moments of supreme quality in an otherwise limp attacking display that will be of concern for coach Diego Simeone amid what appears an impasse with Alvarez. The Argentine forward has made no secret of his desire to leave the club for Barcelona, saying during the recent World Cup it would “fulfil my dream”. Barcelona are seeking a replacement for Robert Lewandowski and believe Alvarez is the right man. Atletico are insisting the 26-year-old stay, though Simeone said ahead of the match against Malaga he would not consider Alvarez for selection as the striker had not reached the required level following his post-World Cup break. According to the Mirror , Simeone addressed the situation directly, claiming the omission was purely down to fitness levels after the World Cup final rather than any

Atleti’s Rodrigo Mendoza (left) in action against Malaga’s Rafita during their La Liga match at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

PSG start Ligue 1 defence with eye on Champions League PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN kickoff their Ligue 1 campaign as overwhelming favourites to win a sixth successive title, but will have one eye firmly on their bid for a third straight Champions League crown. “Nothing is easy – I don’t recall any easy French league campaigns, at least not in the last three years.” ond successive Champions League final victory, over Arsenal on penalties in May. Only three clubs have won three consecutive European Cups – Real Madrid, Ajax and Bayern Munich.

Their six-point winning margin over second-placed Lens last term was the second closest they have come to slip ping up domestically since being beaten to the title by Lille in 2021. Two seasons ago, they finished a whopping 19 points clear of closest challengers Marseille. Across the past five campaigns, PSG have enjoyed an average title-winning margin of 10 points. After finally ending their long wait to translate that success to Europe in 2024/25, they backed it up with a sec

“Everyone thinks we can win, but that’s just theory. Now we have to prove on the pitch that we’re up to the task,” Luis Enrique said when asked PSG’s Champions League chances this season. “Historically, it’s hard to find a team that wins all the time, but we’re trying to be right there alongside those kinds of teams.” Qatar-backed PSG have once again strengthened in the transfer market

The capital giants eased to a record extending 14th French top-flight tri umph last season, despite often priori tising their European ambitions. They start their Ligue 1 campaign against Rennes on Sunday, hoping to make a quick start before the Champions League begins on Sept 8. “When the season starts, everyone says the league is easy,”said head coach Luis Enrique.