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South Africa’s captain hasn’t been in good form this tournament and is recovering from injury – but there’s more to it than just that

Firdose Moonda14-Nov-20233:47

Bavuma: Probably impossible to block out noise at World Cups

Eish.It’s a word used in South Africa to express a variety of emotions from surprise to irritation and sometimes when we don’t know how to respond at all.For example: Hailstones the size of cricket balls fell from the sky yesterday in Johannesburg. Eish, are you serious? Maybe it’s a sign that the men’s team will finally win a World Cup semi-final. Eish, I hope so. But what about Temba Bavuma? Eish. I don’t know.We don’t, and we never will understand the intersectional complications of being the first black African to captain South Africa, the first black African batter to play for South Africa, and now to be experiencing what should be the most special week of his career as one of his most difficult. But we can try.Let’s start with what we know. Bavuma has a hamstring strain, which hampered him in South Africa’s last league match against Afghanistan, but is improving. After taking part in optional training on Monday, Bavuma did more fitness drills during Tuesday night practice, which include high-speed running, one-on-one fielding sessions with one-handed pick up and throws, and a net session. His footwork was a notable feature of his training and he appeared to be making good progress. By Wednesday, he is expected to be declared fit with South Africa’s coach Rob Walter saying that “in an ideal world,” they would not want to have to wait until the morning of the match to confirm Bavuma’s participationRelated

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In any other team (and there are examples at this World Cup, including Kane Williamson’s), if the injury has satisfactorily healed, Bavuma should take his place and lead South Africa in the semi-final against Australia. But this is not any other team. This is South Africa in a semi-final. And this is South Africa with all its history. So it isn’t as straightforward as that.We also know that Bavuma has come under scrutiny for his failure to score big runs at this tournament – 145 at an average of 20 – and with a top score of 35 in a team where every other member of the top five has a century, that’s fair. But there is also an undertone that he is not good enough and that needs to be examined more closely.Before the World Cup, Bavuma was South Africa’s highest run-scorer in ODIs this year and averaged close to 80. He scored a series-winning hundred against England which played a significant part in securing South Africa’s automatic qualification to this tournament and two other centuries in his next five innings. Currently, he has an ODI average of 47.25, which is more than respectable and what he is going through now might be nothing more than a lean run.Temba Bavuma hasn’t scored enough runs this World Cup to silence questions about his place•Associated PressThat’s certainly how the team management are looking at it; they continue to express their confidence that Bavuma’s best will soon be on display. “He hasn’t scored the runs he would have wanted to at the World Cup but every training he looks like he is close and every game he looks like he is close,” Walter said on Tuesday. “A good score is just around the corner for him.”What complicates matters is the presence of Reeza Hendricks in the squad, and the conflation of an old issue, from last year’s T20 World Cup. Bavuma, who was then captain of the T20 side, went into that tournament having just recovered from an elbow injury which kept him out of an England and Ireland tour, where Hendricks reeled off four T20 fifties in a row. Bavuma then made two ducks and a score of 3 in a series in India in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.Despite all that, because Bavuma was captain, Hendricks was left on the bench at the T20 World Cup and Bavuma opened the batting without much success. He made one double-digit score in the first three games of the tournament and ESPNcricinfo understands he was going to be dropped for South Africa’s remaining games but a last-minute selection vote saw him keep his place in the side. In the end, Hendricks did not get a game.This time there is absolutely no inside talk of benching Bavuma. “Temba hasn’t come into the conversation about being dropped because he is one of our best batters for the entire year,” Walter said.But on the outside, though we are now in a different competition with a different format, the ghosts of Australia 2022 have begun a haunting in India. Bavuma made scores of 8, 35 and 16 before he was struck down with a stomach bug and had to miss South Africa’s matches against England and Bangladesh. Hendricks replaced him in the XI and scored 85. On that evidence, it’s easy to think history is repeating itself but that’s too convenient a conclusion. The reality is more complex. Hendricks followed up that half-century with 12 against Bangladesh and his ODI record is not as good as his T20 one. He averages a shade under 30 in ODIs and had only played three matches this year before the World Cup.So, while we could wonder whether Hendricks should have been given the opportunity to play more (and he will after Quinton de Kock’s retirement), we cannot make a numbers-based argument that Bavuma will play ahead of him for anything other than cricketing reasons. That includes the fact that Bavuma is captain and it should.Bavuma is a skilled leader and his decision-making has earned him praise from many outside observers. He sets attacking fields, makes timely bowling changes, and does not appear to panic when things are tense, either on or off the field. Crucially, he has led South Africa through some difficult and potentially divisive situations, including de Kock’s refusal to take the knee at the 2021 T20 World Cup, and he has always conducted himself with dignity and integrity while backing his team-mates. Bavuma understands the job he does is bigger than sport and that he is a representative and a role-model for South Africans who have not had someone like him to look up to before. And in that, at least, he is not alone.Siya Kolisi captained the Springboks to victory in the Rugby World Cup final last month•AFP/Getty ImagesWhile Bavuma is South Africa’s first black African cricket captain, he is not the first black African to lead a national team in a sport historically dominated by white people. That is the domain of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who was appointed in 2018, called a quota-captain and then spat in the face of that term by leading the national rugby side to two World Cups trophies. Kolisi is thus their most successful captain and a standard bearer of black excellence.This year, with the rugby and cricket World Cups being played at the same time, the stories of Kolisi and Bavuma have dovetailed and the parallels between them are too obvious to ignore. Now, they even mirror each other in a particular detail.Kolisi partially ruptured his ACL four months before the Rugby World Cup and for a period of time, his participation in the tournament was in doubt. He made what has been described as a miracle recovery, similar to Keshav Maharaj’s from a ruptured Achilles. Bavuma’s injury is nowhere near as serious, but the burden he carries is arguably much heavier than Kolisi’s.Unlike Kolisi, Bavuma did not begin this campaign with a World Cup title to his name. Unlike Kolisi, Bavuma’s is not a game of substitutes. That’s important because when Kolisi and Bavuma are judged side by side, it’s easy to forget that Kolisi plays a sport where, if things are not going according to plan or he has given all there is to give on a particular day, he can be taken off. And that’s exactly what happened 51 minutes into the semi-final against England. Bavuma does not have the same luxury. But he does have the same, if not greater, expectations of both himself and his team.Succeed, and Temba Bavuma will have the nation at his feet. But fail and it will be his fault before anyone else. Whether he is injured or not. Whether he plays or not. Whether he scores runs or not. Eish.

Outrage has dominated both sides of the debate

Firdose Moonda28-Oct-2021It may be tempting to think that Quinton de Kock’s refusal to take a knee ahead of the match against West Indies earlier this week is out and out racism, but ignorance of racial inequalities that have resulted from slavery, colonialism and apartheid might be what caused him to not comply with Cricket South Africa’s directive, and to consequently withdraw himself from the match.That’s not the soft view, nor one that seeks to justify de Kock’s continued inaction over antiracist gestures, but rather one that aims to add nuance to the ever-complex conversation around race and sport, and especially race and sport in South Africa.Outrage has dominated the narrative locally on both sides. On the one hand, there is the argument that the right to freedom of speech and expression, which is enshrined in the South African constitution, must be respected, and that CSA should not have made taking a knee mandatory. On the other is long-brewing dissatisfaction with the national team’s inconsistency over their approach to antiracism, which is now embodied in de Kock’s refusal. And all this is happening while CSA conducts Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) hearings, where some of those who have appeared, including former team manager Mohammed Moosajee and South African Cricketers Association CEO Andrew Breetzke, have called for the national team to have a unified approach to taking a knee.Related

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As a collective, South Africa have swayed between a steadfast approach to doing nothing, as was the case in the lead up to the 3TC event last July, to doing everything, when all players and support staff took a knee. (de Kock missed this last event because of a Covid-19-related issue.)They then planned to do nothing in the series against Sri Lanka, before deciding to raise their fists in the Boxing Day Test. Then there was a three-pronged approach on their tour to West Indies this winter, where some team members, all of colour, as well as Rassie van der Dussen and Kyle Verreynne, took a knee; others – all white, like Test captain Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, raised a fist; and others, also all white, like Anrich Nortje, stood to attention. de Kock did nothing and has continued to do nothing. One of the issues is that no one yet knows why.de Kock is not against gestures. Historically, he has joined the rest of the team in wearing a black armband to commemorate a death, and the pink shirt at the annual Pink ODI to raise awareness for breast cancer. He has also made individual gestures. On scoring a century in the first Test against West Indies in St Lucia, de Kock displayed a bat sticker in favour of rhino conservation. And he made a finger gesture in support of a friend who had lost a digit. You might argue that de Kock made his own decision in all of these, but it would be interesting to see the reaction if he opted to wear a blue shirt on that all-pink day. The point being that employers often expect certain commitments from their employees. Very seldom do they impose expectations on them.

The gesture is a way to tell South Africans, the majority of whom have suffered under racial segregation, that there is recognition of what they have been through

CSA went as far as imposing expectations only after more than a year of the men’s national team umm-ing, ahh-ing and half-gesturing. In that time, the board has been imploding: it changed from an interim board to a permanent one, and has had to deal with a significant lack of senior staff after suspensions over the last two years. It is plausible that the collective response to antiracism has not been top of mind, and the seriousness of the division in South Africa’s appearance only occurred to them when they saw the opening match of the Super 12s, where Australia took a knee together and their own team presented a mish-mash of posturing.Two images caught fire on social media. One was of members of the team on the sidelines that showed Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada and van der Dussen taking a knee; Dwaine Pretorius, Aiden Markram and David Miller raising a fist; and Anrich Nortje and Heinrich Klaasen standing to attention. The other was of Temba Bavuma taking a knee and de Kock standing with his hands on his hips. CSA board chair Lawson Naidoo confirmed that was the spark that forced CSA to act, but to do so five hours before the next game was risky.Perhaps CSA thought it had called the team’s bluff and the speed of the command would ensure it was obeyed. Then de Kock called the board’s back. When the team arrived at the ground in Dubai, he made himself unavailable without even telling his team-mates why. In so doing, he put his captain and his team-mates in a difficult position.Bavuma said it was the toughest day of his captaincy, as he had to do without de Kock the batter and de Kock the senior player. Reeza Hendricks would have been told at the last moment that he was going to open the batting. Heinrich Klaasen would have been told he would have to take the gloves, after having done so just once in a T20I in the last six months. He went on to drop the first chance he got. Bavuma was run out for 2 after failing to beat Andre Russell’s arm. Had South Africa gone on to lose, doubtless focus would have been on those three players and it’s likely the blame would have been laid on them. Luckily for them, they didn’t.The act of taking a knee has been described as a gesture of antiracism, rather than a gesture in support of Black Lives Matter, and that is another significant point. Although BLM has become synonymous with the fight against racism, the two do not have to be the same thing, especially in a country like South Africa, where the right for racial equality predates the BLM movement. The BLM organisation is seen by some in South Africa (and elsewhere) as a radical political, and even Marxist, movement rather than a civil-rights activist collective that speaks to global issues of exclusion. This is the kind of movement that white South Africa has in the past been afraid of; they have had terms to describe being overrun by the disenfranchised majority as “black danger” () and “red danger” (). And therein may lie part of the explanation for why taking a knee has been difficult for some of South Africa’s white players.Although none of the members of the current side are old enough to have lived through the horrors of apartheid, all of them will have had parents or caregivers who grew up then. van der Dussen was influenced by a father who was part of the African National Congress to take a knee.The array of gestures before the game against Australia that probably drove CSA to mandate the whole team taking the knee•ICC via GettyWhich is where Michael Holding and Carlos Brathwaite and Daren Sammy and Kieron Pollard’s calls for education come in. All of the last three have been part of a West Indian set-up that has been unrelenting in their consistency in taking a knee, and who have spoken at length about the experiences of being black in a world, especially a cricketing world, governed by whiteness.As South Africa readied to collectively take a knee, sans de Kock, on Tuesday, Sammy was on air. “My mother always told me, ‘You’ve got to stand for something or you will fall for anything’,” he said. “It’s good to see players united over something that has affected so many people across the world.”Pommie Mbangwa went further: “Some will say it is being political but I cannot shed my skin. I hope that the discussion at the very least can be about how to be united about something that everybody agreed on. This is also in the hope that there is agreement in that regard.”The pair referenced de Kock’s absence before Sammy expressed his disbelief at those who struggled to support antiracism. “Sometimes I don’t understand why is it so difficult to support this movement if you understand what it stands for. That’s just my opinion because of what my kind have been through. There are a lot of issues affecting the world, but I don’t understand why it’s so difficult.”Brathwaite, speaking on BBC Five Live, understood the significance of South Africa taking a knee together and de Kock not being there. “I’m not an advocate of forcing anyone to do something that they don’t want to do. But I also understand where Cricket South Africa is coming from,” he said. “There are a lot of conversations and a lot of education that still has to happen around why you take the knee, what it signifies, but more importantly, for things to change in society, taking a knee has to be a start and not the be-all and end-all.”Talk to some around de Kock and they will say this is the exact reason he does not want to take a knee: because it achieves nothing. The footballer Wilfried Zaha has argued similar. What that does not acknowledge is the simple fact that human beings can walk and chew at the same time. They can gesture publicly and they can act behind the scenes. The gesture is a way to tell South Africans, the majority of whom have suffered under racial segregation, that there is recognition and understanding of what they have been through. The rest is what shows our education in action.

The debate as to who will bat No.3 for England in the first Ashes Test has been all but settled with Ollie Pope’s standout performance in the warm-up match against England Lions locking up his familiar spot for Friday’s opener in Perth.Scores of 100 and 90 saw Pope emerge from Lilac Hills in credit, hurdling the challenge put forward by Jacob Bethell, who scored 3 and 70. Named in the England side for the warm-up match while Bethell was carded three for the Lions, Pope was comfortably the best batter on show across both innings. He looked more composed, and authoritative, even if this match was a far cry from the intensity the tourists will experience at the Optus Stadium from November 21.It effectively ended what has been months of speculation over Pope’s place in the side for the start of this Australia tour. Initial doubts were triggered by Bethell’s form at the back end of the summer, including a maiden professional century in an ODI against South Africa. They then gained momentum when Pope was ditched as Test vice-captain for Harry Brook. “I respect the decision they’ve made,” Pope said. “If they think that’s the right thing for the team going forward, and obviously Brooky captaining the one-day stuff and the T20 stuff as well, then that’s absolutely fine by me and I respect the decision they’ve made.”Perhaps spurred on further by the loss of an official leadership role, Pope reinforced his reliability on the eve of the biggest Ashes series in generations. Along with an accomplished body of work at No.3 – averaging 41.60 from 57 innings since the promotion up the order, while scoring eight of his nine career centuries – he feels confident this week has ended speculation, in his favour.”I hope so,” Pope said, when asked if he had ended the debate. “I’ve got so used to those conversations being had (about the No.3 position). I don’t go looking for them but it’s pretty hard to avoid sometimes. I’m so used to seeing it, I’ve just learned to focus on my game.Related

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“I’m just trying to become a better player each time I step out and that’s all I can do. Fingers crossed to get the nod, but all the trust is in those guys and I respect the decision they make.”Pope revealed he had made a few technical tweaks which he was workshopping this week, though was unwilling to disclose what they were ahead of the series. However, he did acknowledge the challenge posed by Bethell had narrowed his focus.Both have been pitted against one another since Bethell impressed on his maiden tour of New Zealand in 2024. That opportunity was ultimately provided by Pope, who ceded the No.3 position so he could bat lower and keep wicket after an injury to Jordan Cox in the lead-up to the series, with Jamie Smith on paternity leave.It was a selfless act from Pope that, in hindsight, looked a grave error. But he believes dealing with the extra scrutiny and fighting for his place will serve him well. Amid the huge clamour for Bethell to start against India last summer, Pope struck 106 in his first innings of the series. “It’s been good for me that I’ve learnt that, under the most pressure, I’ve been able to deliver, especially in that Headingley Test. I know that I can learn how to deal with that and get the best out of myself at times.”Everyone wants to be the first name on the team sheet, that’s pretty clear. But at the same time we’re playing international sport. I’ve got to remind myself of that at times – there’s always going to be someone on your heel if you haven’t quite scored the volume of runs that you would have liked.”I’ll try and use the pressure I’m under to get the best out of myself. I think I’m a far better player than I was the last time I came out to Australia. I’ve got those experiences behind me and I know how I want to go about it. So fingers crossed that I can deliver with a lot of runs.”In truth, Pope only really had one way to go after that last tour. A torturous 2021-22 campaign saw him average 11.16 from six innings. He played the first two Tests before being axed, only to be brought back for the last match in Hobart, which Australia won to confirm a 4-0 hammering.Can Pope make this tour count? Time will tell, but the signs are promising. He has faith in the batting improvements he is keeping close to his chest, and, for the first time in a year, has certainty over his place. He may also enjoy the liberation of not having to wonder if he might have to captain, in the event Stokes gets injured, having done so five times in the space of 12 months. Whatever happens, he is raring to go again.”Everyone is just so excited for it,” he said. “There’s obviously a lot of chat from the media, everywhere you look it’s Ashes, and for us it is enjoy that, enjoy the experience of it. But let’s just remember what’s made us a real good side over the last few years, and hopefully if I do get the nod on Friday, then it’s going to be an amazing series to be a part of.”

It would be fair to say that, so far, this season has been a topsy-turvy one for Newcastle United.

For example, Eddie Howe’s side had a really disappointing start to the campaign, winning just two of their first six Premier League games.

However, in recent weeks, they’ve also had some seriously impressive results, like beating Manchester City, Athletic Bilbao, and, most recently, destroying Everton.

One of the players who has had a real uptick in form recently has been Harvey Barnes, who looks like a player reborn, although, if reports are to be believed, Newcastle are looking at someone who’d be a huge upgrade.

Newcastle target Barnes upgrade

With the transfer window just over a month away now, Newcastle are starting to be linked with a host of exciting and potentially game-changing signings who could bolster Howe’s side.

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AS Roma’s promising Manu Kone, for example, has been touted for a £44m move, as has Inter Milan’s Italian international Davide Frattesi.

However, while both players would be fine additions to the Magpies’ squad, neither could be described as an upgrade on Barnes, unlike Raphinha.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Newcastle are now one of the clubs interested in signing the Brazilian superstar.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Toon view the Barcelona star as someone who could be the cornerstone of their attack moving forward and are determined to fight hard to secure his services.

However, the former Leeds United star has shown no desire to leave the Spanish giants, and even though he’ll have just a year left on his deal in the summer, other reports have claimed that it could cost up to £88m to get him out of Catalonia.

Even so, given Raphinha’s immense ability and experience, this is a transfer Newcastle should fight tooth and nail to get over the line, even if his arrival could spell trouble for Barnes.

How Raphinha compares to Barnes

Now, one of Raphinha’s many qualities is that he can play on either wing, which would allow Howe some extra flexibility were this transfer to happen.

However, during his time with Barcelona, he has primarily played on the left, which is also where he has been most effective.

Therefore, it would make sense for Newcastle to keep him there, which in turn would put him in direct competition with Barnes, which, based on several reasons, he would win, and comfortably at that.

The first reason is the simple fact that he is far more productive than the former Leicester City star.

For example, in his 40 appearances last season, totalling 2121 minutes, the Burnley-born ace scored nine goals and provided five assists, which came out to a reasonably impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.85 games, or every 151.5 minutes.

In contrast, the Barca star scored 34 goals and provided 26 assists in 57 appearances, totalling 4661 minutes, which came out to a world-class average of 1.05 goal involvements every game, or one every 77.68 minutes.

This season, the former Leeds star has scored three goals and provided three assists in ten appearances, totalling 571 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.66 games, or more importantly, every 95.16 minutes.

Raphinha vs Barnes

24/25

Raphinha

Barnes

Games

57

40

Minutes

4661′

2121′

Goals

34

9

Assists

26

5

Goal Involvements per Match

1.05

0.35

Minutes per Goal Involvement

77.68′

151.5′

25/26

Raphinha

Barnes

Games

10

20

Minutes

571′

996′

Goals

3

7

Assists

3

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.6

0.45

Minutes per Goal Involvement

95.16′

110.66′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

The Englishman, on the other hand, has produced nine goal involvements, but has done so in 20 appearances, totalling 996 minutes, which comes out to one every 2.22 games, or every 110.66 minutes.

Now, on top of putting up numbers that are frankly absurd, the Porto Alegre-born superstar is also a proven winner, having played a crucial role in the Blaugrana’s last two La Liga triumphs, as well as last year’s Copa del Rey.

Ultimately, Barnes is a great player, but thanks to his output, experience and trophy haul, it’s hard to disagree with Romario’s assertion that Raphinha is “one of the best players in the world.”

Therefore, Newcastle should do what they can to sign him next year, as he could be the star who takes them to the next level.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 27, 2025

Leeds United are now set to make an imminent bid for Real Madrid star Gonzalo Garcia, following involvement from manager Daniel Farke.

Leeds have been urged to sign a new striker, having failed to score in five of their 11 Premier League matches up to this point, with Clinton Morrison saying: “If Leeds want to survive, they need to bring in an out-and-out goalscorer that’s going to get them the 10 to 15 goals to keep them in the Premier League, which is going to be difficult.

“Because in the Premier League. You’re only as good as your strikers. But I hope Leeds do stay up because it’s going to be difficult.”

Farke would’ve been hoping Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be the man to fire his side to safety, but the centre-forward has recorded an xG of just 2.02 in the Premier League so far this season, with his only goal coming in the 3-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers back in September.

With Joel Piroe goalless, Farke is short on top-quality options to rival Lukas Nmecha for a starting spot, and the West Yorkshire outfit are now set to make a move for a new striker ahead of the January transfer window.

Leeds set to make imminent bid for Gonzalo Garcia

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Leeds are now set to make an imminent bid for Real Madrid forward Garcia, with a formal £17m offer ready, and the Spanish club are willing to sanction his departure for a fee in that ballpark.

Farke has managed to convince the 49ers the 21-year-old could propel the Whites to Premier League safety, which means the board have now sanctioned a move, but there could be competition from rival Premier League clubs.

Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also preparing moves of their own, with Brighton and Sunderland also being named as potential suitors for the Spaniard, who has been unable to force his way into the Real Madrid starting XI this season.

Hailed as “world-class” by journalist Zach Lowy, the youngster has impressed when given the opportunity by Xabi Alonso, finding the back of the net four times in six outings at the Club World Cup, while also grabbing an assist in the Champions League this season.

Unfortunately for the five-time Spain U21 international, however, he is behind some global superstars in the Real Madrid pecking order, with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo all vying for first-team spots, which means he is at risk of his development being hampered.

As such, Garcia should seek a move in the January transfer window, and he would become an instant cult hero at Elland Road if he were able to fire Leeds to safety…

Leeds looking to fund transfer business by selling "unbelievable" star in January Leeds open to selling £40k-p/w star who Firpo called "unbelievable" this January

The Whites are now willing to cash-in on a first-team star this winter, in order to reinvest the money raised into other areas of the squad.

ByDominic Lund Nov 19, 2025

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo still justifies his place in the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, highlighting not only his recent goalscoring form at international level but also the "hunger" that drives the 40-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Ronaldo is set to play at his sixth World Cup tournament, which is likely to be his last.

Ronaldo's record is 'incredible'

Appearing as a guest analyst on , Martinez spoke at length about Ronaldo and why he remains an important asset for Portugal, even at an age when most players are long retired.He will be 41 by the time the World Cup comes around and has a contract with Al-Nassr that runs until after his 42nd birthday in 2027.

"Obviously, everybody has an opinion [on Ronaldo]," Martinez said. "What I've been seeing is that, when we win and Cristiano scores the goal or two goals, the question in the press is, 'What are you going to do when Cristiano is not there? The team depends on Cristiano too much.' When Cristiano doesn't score, it's 'How are you going to win when you've got a 40-year-old in the team?'

"For us, it's easier than that. He plays because he's scored 25 goals in the last 30 games. His record is incredible. When he walks into the training camp, he's an example of professionalism, looking after himself, and using every day to become better. Then it's that pride of playing for the national team. He's the only [male] player in the world, in history, to play 227 [international] games.

"There are aspects that go down to the behaviour now. Nobody has anything given in international football. Every player has got an incredible competitive edge and what Cristiano brings alongside goalscoring – he's changed as a player, he's not the 18, 19-year-old winger that we saw – is his attitude and hungry feeling for the national team. So, while he has that, he's an incredible source of contagious positivity in the dressing room."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRonaldo has the 'biggest hunger' of any player

After everything he's achieved in his career, Martinez noted that Ronaldo is still determined to get better. His physical body is serving him well and it’s only his mindset that will change that.

"He's become a specialist in the box as a finisher, and it's this desire to carry on improving," the Portugal boss continued. "I always believed that the body retires the player. When I've seen Cristiano work, I'm convinced it's the brain that retires the footballer. His body follows his focus and mindset.

"He doesn't do it for anybody [else], he does it for himself. When we're analysing players, we can speak about any aspect, [but] we never analyse the hunger. He's got the biggest hunger that I've seen in a player. Normally a player wins a trophy and there is not the same hunger the next day in their way of working. He has that. I don't know if it's natural or something he works hard at, but he's got that hungriness not to let himself down.

"I don't think he needs to show anything. I think he's got to a point now that he plays for himself and the people he loves because he doesn't need to prove anybody wrong. What he's achieved already is enough to leave a legacy."

Ronaldo's recent lack of tournament goals

But even with Ronaldo continuing to score goals for Portugal at a prolific rate, including in the summer's UEFA Nations League final against Spain, his record in major international tournaments has been surprisingly poor by his overall career standard.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar has only found the net eight times across his five previous World Cups, spanning 22 appearances. His European Championship record is better, 14 goals in 30 games, but it's still only 22 goals in more than 50 tournament games for a player who holds the world record for goals in men's international football.

Ronaldo found the net only once at the 2022 World Cup and was actually dropped from the starting XI by ex-Portugal coach Fernando Santos after the group stage. At Euro 2024, it was no goals at all.

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AFPRonaldo's exemplary fitness record

Ronaldo has never missed an international tournament because of injury, nor has he ever suffered any kind of significant absence during 23 years as a professional player – it's a major factor why he's been able to play more than 1,000 career games for club and country.

Keeping himself fit over the next six months, whilst also aiming to win a first piece of major silverware at club level since leaving Juventus in 2021, is going to be crucial.

Tottenham have reportedly entered pole position to sign a “big striker” for manager Thomas Frank in January, coming amid reports that the unfit Dominic Solanke now faces an uncertain future at the club.

Thomas Frank unimpressed by Dominic Solanke at Tottenham

Spurs’ club-record signing has played just 49 minutes in all competitions so far this campaign, with a niggling ankle problem keeping him out of action since their 2-0 win at Man City in August.

His ankle issue required minor surgery and Frank has confirmed that the England striker could soon return to the field, having made decent progress in his recovery, but we can still only estimate when he will be fit and available for selection once again.

Tottenham absentee list to face Newcastle	Problem	Estimated return date
Dejan Kulusevski	Knee	22/11/2025
James Maddison	ACL	01/06/2026
Radu Dragusin	Knee	22/11/2025
Ben Davies	Thigh	23/11/2025
Yves Bissouma	Ankle/Foot	08/11/2025
Cristian Romero	Groin	01/11/2025
Destiny Udogie	Knee	08/11/2025
Dominic Solanke	Ankle	08/11/2025
via Premier Injuries

Fitness issues have been commonplace at Spurs since Solanke made the £65 million move from Bournemouth last year, and he hasn’t had a chance to showcase his worth to Frank just yet.

The 28-year-old finished 24/25 as Tottenham’s second-top goalscorer behind Brennan Johnson with 16 goals in all competitions, but a combination of knee, thigh and ankle problems limited his availability.

Interestingly, according to a report from Football Insider this week, Frank has already seen enough.

It is believed that Frank has been left unimpressed by Solanke and a January exit could be on the cards for him, as Tottenham’s manager decides that he wants a new striker to come in.

In the build up to the next transfer window, reports have suggested that Tottenham could bring Ivan Toney back to the Premier League on loan from Al-Ahli, with Frank’s ex-star at Brentford looking to battle his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

Some media sources claim that Frank has personally contacted Toney about a temporary move to Spurs, but there are other options.

With his contract expiring in 2026, Spurs have also been touted as suitors for Juventus star Dušan Vlahović.

Tottenham "leading the race" to sign Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović

According to reliable Bundesliga journalist and Bayern Munich expert Christian Falk, there’s been an update, and one which suits the north Londoners down to the ground.

While Bayern were continuously linked, it is actually Tottenham who are “leading the race” to sign Vlahovic, as Falk tells Bayern Insider that Vincent Kompany’s side have now backed off.

The 25-year-old, who reportedly earns a whopping £375,000-per-week in Turin, has managed to score at least 14 goals per season since his magnificent breakout campaign at Fiorentina in 2020/2021.

Vlahovic can be a big-game player as well, with strikes coming in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund and Man City over the last two seasons, as well as in crucial Serie A matches against the likes of Inter Milan.

On a free transfer or for a cut-price in January, Vlahovic could be a real coup, but he’ll almost certainly have to take a massive pay cut.

Allrounder Ed Barnard hit an excellent middle-order 67 and then helped close things out with the ball as Birmingham Bears defended a 206-target to claim a crucial Vitality Blast win over Yorkshire at Headingley.Barnard’s 40-ball knock was the centrepiece of a 205 for 8 total which also included a telling late assault of 76 runs in the last five overs from the lower order.Pakistan seamer Hasan Ali hit 22 not out off eight balls and later struck twice with the ball, sealing a third win in six in the North Group – this by 32 runs.Yorkshire, for whom New Zealand quick Will O’Rourke struck three times with the ball, looked well placed to reel in the target thanks to opener and captain Dawid Malan’s 65 off 34 balls. But his fourth successive fifty in this competition was not enough to prevent a fourth defeat in six, the hosts finishing on 173 for 5.Alex Davies, who elected to bat, guided George Hill’s seam to short third – 20 for 1 in the second over. Dom Bess, with his first ball, and O’Rourke then removed Dan Mousley bowled and Sam Hain caught at point as the Bears ended the powerplay at 51 for 3.Tom Latham and Barnard steadied through accumulation to reach halfway with the score on 85. However, the former fell on 24 at the start of the 12th when he top-edged England Lion Hill to long-leg.That was the first of three wickets in successive overs as the Bears slipped back into trouble at 123 for 6 in the 14th over. Moeen Ali was lbw to Jack White for 9 and Kai Smith caught behind off O’Rourke’s pace. But their batters refused to die wondering on a belter of a batting pitch.George Garton whacked two sixes over long-on as 21 came off Bess in the 16th before he skewed O’Rourke to deep cover in the 18th – 160 for 7. Sandwiched in between, Barnard reached a 32-ball fifty.Barnard fell caught in the deep off Jack White in the penultimate, which ended with two Hasan sixes to help the Bears get above 200.Will Luxton skewed Hassan’s pace high to mid-off in the second over of a chase which advanced at pace. Malan hit two slog-swept sixes over midwicket off Danny Briggs’ spin in the fifth over and the score reached 56 for 1 after six.Garton dropped Malan at deep midwicket on 29 off Briggs in the seventh over, though there was success for the Bears when Moeen’s second ball bowled Adam Lyth – 66 for 2 in the eighth.Malan aside, Yorkshire’s batting has been sketchy this campaign. So by now, it felt like Malan or bust for the hosts. By the time he reached his latest fifty, off 29 balls, the hosts were 100 for two early in the 12th over.James Wharton provided impressive third-wicket support in sharing 55 with his skipper, though left-armer Briggs struck a key blow in the 13th when he had Malan caught at short fine-leg off a skied top-edged sweep – 121 for 3.Yorkshire needed 65 off the last five overs before Mousley’s offspin removed powerful Australian Will Sutherland, the target becoming a stiffer 47 off three overs at 159 for 4. Wharton fell for 37 in the penultimate over before Barnard’s seam – nought for 18 from three overs – closed out the last, defending 39.

Speaking to GOAL, Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane has revealed the player he idolised growing up. In a game of 'Winner Stays On', the 32-year-old makes some difficult choices as he picks between some legendary current and former players, before eventually ending up with his champion, a forward he admits he "loved" watching as a boy.

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  Kane plays 'Winner Stays On' – striker edition

  In a quickfire game of 'Winner Stays On' with GOAL, Kane had to work his way through a knockout bracket of eight legendary forwards and strikers, from Ronaldo Nazario, to Dennis Bergkamp, Luis Suarez, Bayern Munich GOAT Gerd Muller, and more.

  He quickly eliminated Suarez in favour of Ronaldo, but made sure to state his "love" for the ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star. Sergio Aguero fell to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, then Kane opted for Muller over three-time Ballon d'Or winner Marco van Basten, clearly keyed into Bayern's rich heritage. Former Arsenal magician Bergkamp completed Kane's top four, picked over Premier League cult icon Eric Cantona.

  Kane then kept Ronaldo over Ibrahimovic, and Muller over Bergkamp. But even with Muller, such a pivotal individual in Bayern's storied history, the England captain couldn't not choose 'Brazilian Ronaldo' as his overall winner: "Loved him [growing up], he was my favourite striker."

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  Ronaldo an obvious choice

  Since moving to Munich in 2023, Kane will no doubt have been regaled with countless stories about Muller, scorer of a club-record 565 goals in 605 appearances for Bayern between 1964 and 1979. Muller, who sadly passed away in 2021, had finished his career before Kane was even born, which likely gave Ronaldo the final edge when he was asked to choose between them.

  Born in 1993, Kane may have been too young to remember Ronaldo at his explosive, electrifying best for PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona, before knee injuries threatened to ruin his career. But he was the perfect age to see the Brazilian steer his country to World Cup glory in 2002, completing an incredible redemption and scoring eight goals along the way. Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or for the second time that year and went on to spearhead Real Madrid's Galacticos in style.

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  Kane's World Cup dream

  Kane has already matched Ronaldo in the sense that both men have won a World Cup Golden Boot – the Englishman bagging his in 2018 with six goals enroute to a fourth-place finish with England.

  What the Brazilian has that Kane doesn't is a World Cup winner's medal. But his Three Lions will be among the favourites in North America next summer after reaching back-to-back European Championship finals and once more making light work of qualifying. Kane himself is in the best form of his career after banging in 103 goals for Bayern in little more than two seasons and is fast making his all-time England goal record look impossible to beat. Turning 33 this summer, this is his best chance.

The prize money for the winners is more than double of what it was in the previous two editions

ESPNcricinfo staff15-May-2025The winners of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, to be played between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s starting June 11, will secure a prize money of USD 3.6 million, more than double of the winners in the last two cycles. The runners-up, meanwhile, will bag more than USD 2.1 million, while the prize for the same in the previous editions was USD 800,000.The winners in the last two cycles — New Zealand and Australia — had earned USD 1.6 million each.”The increase in prize money exhibits the ICC’s efforts to prioritize Test cricket as it looks to build on the momentum of the first three cycles of the nine-team competition,” the ICC said in its release.India, who finished third on the table, will receive over USD 1.4 million, while fourth-placed New Zealand get USD 1.2 million. Even the prize money for teams finishing fifth (USD 960000) and sixth (USD 840000) — England and Sri Lanka — is more than what it was for the runners-up in the previous editions.ESPNcricinfo LtdSouth Africa topped the table in the 2023-25 edition with eight wins from 12 games, and were the first team to seal a final spot with a dramatic two-wicket win over Pakistan. Defending champions Australia got through by pipping India to the second spot after winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 at home.Both teams have named their squads for the final. The focus for South Africa will be on their pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada after his one-month ban for failing a drug test, while Cameron Green makes his return to Australia’s Test side after undergoing a lower spine surgery last year.