Lionel Messi rediscovered his scoring touch with two goals as Inter Miami bounced back from defeat to complete a 5-1 drubbing of the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer on Saturday.&nbsp;Messi's red-hot season was rocked on Wednesday as Miami stumbled to a 3-0 defeat against FC Cincinnati.&nbsp;But the Argentinian superstar was back to his inspired best as Miami turned on the style at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey to record an emphatic victory.The Red Bulls had threatened to deliver another upset after Alexander Hack bundled home a 14th-minute opener to fire the hosts into an early lead.&nbsp;But Messi swiftly orchestrated Inter Miami's recovery from that setback, providing a sublime pass to set up former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba's equaliser in the 24th minute.&nbsp;Messi then combined with Alba for Miami's second goal, producing another brilliant pass to pick out the Spaniard, who crossed for Telasco Segovia to prod home on 27 minutes.Segovia then swept in his second of the night deep into first-half stoppage time to leave Miami firmly in control.&nbsp;Messi then took over in the second half as Miami cut loose.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/after-antony-jadon-sancho-is-bryan-mbeumo-another-recipe-for-disaster-at-manchester-united-1752911099993">After Antony, Jadon Sancho is Bryan Mbeumo another recipe for disaster at Manchester United?</a>&nbsp;A majestic through ball by another former Barcelona team-mate, Sergio Busquets, sent the Argentine World Cup-winner racing through on goal in the 60th minute.&nbsp;Messi took his time and coolly feinted to wrongfoot Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel before tucking away the finish for 4-1.&nbsp;Another Barcelona old boys combination delivered Messi's second. Luis Suarez crossed from the left and Messi controlled on the edge of the six-yard box to send a thumping finish past Coronel.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi rediscovered his scoring touch with two goals as Inter Miami bounced back from defeat to complete a 5-1 drubbing of the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

Lionel Messi rediscovered his scoring touch with two goals as Inter Miami bounced back from defeat to complete a 5-1 drubbing of the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer on Saturday. Messi's red-hot season was rocked on Wednesday as Miami stumbled to a 3-0 defeat against FC Cincinnati. But the Argentinian superstar was back to his inspired best as Miami turned on the style at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey to record an emphatic victory. The Red Bulls had threatened to deliver another upset after Alexander Hack bundled home a 14th-minute opener to fire the hosts into an early lead. But Messi swiftly orchestrated Inter Miami's recovery from that setback, providing a sublime pass to set up former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba's equaliser in the 24th minute. Messi then combined with Alba for Miami's second goal, producing another brilliant pass to pick out the Spaniard, who crossed for Telasco Segovia to prod home on 27 minutes. Segovia then swept in his second of the night deep into first-half stoppage time to leave Miami firmly in control. Messi then took over in the second half as Miami cut loose. ALSO READ | After Antony, Jadon Sancho is Bryan Mbeumo another recipe for disaster at Manchester United? A majestic through ball by another former Barcelona team-mate, Sergio Busquets, sent the Argentine World Cup-winner racing through on goal in the 60th minute. Messi took his time and coolly feinted to wrongfoot Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel before tucking away the finish for 4-1. Another Barcelona old boys combination delivered Messi's second. Luis Suarez crossed from the left and Messi controlled on the edge of the six-yard box to send a thumping finish past Coronel. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi rediscovered his scoring touch with two goals as Inter Miami bounced back from defeat to complete a 5-1 drubbing of the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

MLS: Lionel Messi at double as Inter Miami bounce back against Red Bulls

At least 27 people died after a tourist boat capsized in stormy weather in Vietnam's Halong Bay on Saturday, state media reported.The boat, carrying 53 people, tipped over at around 2 p.m. local time (0700 GMT), as Storm Wipha approached the country across the South China Sea. Strong winds, heavy rainfall and lightning were reported in the area. Most of the tourists were from the capital, Hanoi, local newspaper VnExpress reported. There was no official announcement on the nationality of the tourists as emergency crews kept looking for survivors.&nbsp;Rescue teams found 11 survivors and recovered 27 bodies, eight of them children, the state-run Vietnam News Agency said, citing local authorities. Halong Bay, about 200 km (125 miles) northeast of Hanoi, attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Boat tours are hugely popular. Storm Wipha, the third typhoon to hit the South China Sea this year, is projected to make landfall along Vietnam's northern coast early next week. Weather linked to the storm also disrupted air travel. Noi Bai Airport said nine arriving flights were diverted to other airports, and three departing flights were temporarily grounded on Saturday.

At least 27 people died after a tourist boat capsized in stormy weather in Vietnam's Halong Bay on Saturday, state media reported.

At least 27 people died after a tourist boat capsized in stormy weather in Vietnam's Halong Bay on Saturday, state media reported. The boat, carrying 53 people, tipped over at around 2 p.m. local time (0700 GMT), as Storm Wipha approached the country across the South China Sea. Strong winds, heavy rainfall and lightning were reported in the area. Most of the tourists were from the capital, Hanoi, local newspaper VnExpress reported. There was no official announcement on the nationality of the tourists as emergency crews kept looking for survivors. Rescue teams found 11 survivors and recovered 27 bodies, eight of them children, the state-run Vietnam News Agency said, citing local authorities. Halong Bay, about 200 km (125 miles) northeast of Hanoi, attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Boat tours are hugely popular. Storm Wipha, the third typhoon to hit the South China Sea this year, is projected to make landfall along Vietnam's northern coast early next week. Weather linked to the storm also disrupted air travel. Noi Bai Airport said nine arriving flights were diverted to other airports, and three departing flights were temporarily grounded on Saturday.

At least 27 people died after a tourist boat capsized in stormy weather in Vietnam's Halong Bay on Saturday, state media reported.

Vietnam tourist boat capsizes in Halong Bay, 27 dead

The M23 rebel group said Thursday that a ceasefire announced a day earlier "doesn't really concern us," while calling for "direct dialogue" with Democratic Republic of Congo's government. "M23 has seen the document on social media... There was nobody in the summit (from M23) so it doesn't really concern us," Lawrence Kanyuka, political spokesman for the M23 (March 23) movement, told AFP. "Normally when there is a ceasefire it is between the two warring sides," he added. DRC's President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta attended a mini-summit in the Angolan capital on Wednesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At a media briefing in Kinshasa on Thursday, Congolese Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula said: "Tomorrow, 6:00 pm, the M23 must stop all its attacks." M23 rebels had been dormant for years, but took up arms again late last year and have been seen from the start by Kinshasa as actively supported by Rwanda, which denies the charges.&nbsp;The rebels recently seized large portions of territory north of Goma, the provincial capital of DRC's Nord-Kivu province.&nbsp;The Luanda mini-summit concluded with a deal on the cessation of hostilities in eastern DRC from Friday evening, followed by the withdrawal of M23 rebels from "occupied zones" and their "withdrawal to their initial positions".&nbsp;&nbsp;If the rebels refuse, the east African regional force being deployed in Goma "will use force" to push them out, the deal said.Kanyuka said the rebels declared a "unilateral ceasefire" in April and believed it was still in force."If tomorrow at 6:00 pm (1600 GMT), or in the morning, the government doesn't attack us, we will still be there," he said. Otherwise, "we are defending ourselves," he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We are always ready for a direct dialogue with the Congolese government to resolve the root causes of conflicts," he added.The government in Kinshasa has refused to engage with the M23 group, which it calls a "terrorist movement", as long as it occupies territory in DRC. In response to a question, Lutundula ruled out direct negotiations with the M23 group.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 signed a ceasefire deal on Saturday to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich but conflict-torn east. 

The M23 rebel group said Thursday that a ceasefire announced a day earlier "doesn't really concern us," while calling for "direct dialogue" with Democratic Republic of Congo's government. "M23 has seen the document on social media... There was nobody in the summit (from M23) so it doesn't really concern us," Lawrence Kanyuka, political spokesman for the M23 (March 23) movement, told AFP. "Normally when there is a ceasefire it is between the two warring sides," he added. DRC's President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta attended a mini-summit in the Angolan capital on Wednesday. At a media briefing in Kinshasa on Thursday, Congolese Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula said: "Tomorrow, 6:00 pm, the M23 must stop all its attacks." M23 rebels had been dormant for years, but took up arms again late last year and have been seen from the start by Kinshasa as actively supported by Rwanda, which denies the charges. The rebels recently seized large portions of territory north of Goma, the provincial capital of DRC's Nord-Kivu province. The Luanda mini-summit concluded with a deal on the cessation of hostilities in eastern DRC from Friday evening, followed by the withdrawal of M23 rebels from "occupied zones" and their "withdrawal to their initial positions". If the rebels refuse, the east African regional force being deployed in Goma "will use force" to push them out, the deal said. Kanyuka said the rebels declared a "unilateral ceasefire" in April and believed it was still in force."If tomorrow at 6:00 pm (1600 GMT), or in the morning, the government doesn't attack us, we will still be there," he said. Otherwise, "we are defending ourselves," he said. "We are always ready for a direct dialogue with the Congolese government to resolve the root causes of conflicts," he added. The government in Kinshasa has refused to engage with the M23 group, which it calls a "terrorist movement", as long as it occupies territory in DRC. In response to a question, Lutundula ruled out direct negotiations with the M23 group.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 signed a ceasefire deal on Saturday to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich but conflict-torn east.&nbsp;

DR Congo, M23 armed group sign ceasefire deal

A landslide triggered by torrential rain killed at least one person in South Korea, the national fire agency said Saturday.Three people were also missing after the landslide buried two houses in a village in southern Sancheong county, officials said, as heavy rain continued to pound the country."At least three people have been reported missing and we have recovered one body," an official at Sancheong county fire station told AFP.The official said that one person in their twenties, and a couple in their seventies were reported missing.Sancheong county told all residents Saturday to "evacuate immediately to a safe area".The county has a population of some 34,000 people.South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July, but the country's southern regions saw some of the heaviest hourly downpours on record this week, official weather data showed.The Ministry of Interior and Safety said Saturday at least four people have been killed in rain-related accidents and more than 7,000 forced to evacuate their homes.South Korea is regularly hit by flooding during the summer monsoon period, but is typically well-prepared and the death toll usually relatively low.Scientists say climate change has made weather events around the world more extreme and frequent.The country endured record-breaking rains and flooding in 2022 which killed at least 11 people.

Three people were also missing after the landslide buried two houses in a village in southern Sancheong county, officials said, as heavy rain continued to pound the country.

A landslide triggered by torrential rain killed at least one person in South Korea, the national fire agency said Saturday. Three people were also missing after the landslide buried two houses in a village in southern Sancheong county, officials said, as heavy rain continued to pound the country. "At least three people have been reported missing and we have recovered one body," an official at Sancheong county fire station told AFP. The official said that one person in their twenties, and a couple in their seventies were reported missing. Sancheong county told all residents Saturday to "evacuate immediately to a safe area". The county has a population of some 34,000 people. South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July, but the country's southern regions saw some of the heaviest hourly downpours on record this week, official weather data showed. The Ministry of Interior and Safety said Saturday at least four people have been killed in rain-related accidents and more than 7,000 forced to evacuate their homes. South Korea is regularly hit by flooding during the summer monsoon period, but is typically well-prepared and the death toll usually relatively low. Scientists say climate change has made weather events around the world more extreme and frequent. The country endured record-breaking rains and flooding in 2022 which killed at least 11 people.

Three people were also missing after the landslide buried two houses in a village in southern Sancheong county, officials said, as heavy rain continued to pound the country.

‘Evacuate immediately’: Deadly landslide hits South Korea as record rains trigger chaos

Tadej Pogacar powered to victory in an uphill time trial on stage 13 of the Tour de France on Friday to stretch his lead in the race to more than four minutes.&nbsp;Jonas Vingegard and Remco Evenepoel clung on to their places in the overall top three, but this 10.9km time-trial triumph was defending champion Pogacar's second crushing win in two days.&nbsp;Pogacar was last down the start ramp of the 171 riders setting off and stunned rivals by using a road bike instead of one typically used for time trials.&nbsp;"It's more comfortable and I ride that 95 percent of the year," he explained. "I went without a radio too, there are time clocks along the way so I just looked at them."<h2>Hulk and Spider-Man</h2>Decked out in his overall leader's yellow kit, the 26-year-old Team UAE rider was faster from the off, despite his exertions from the previous day, when he finished over two minutes ahead of main rival Vingegaard.&nbsp;"I was feeling good all day, from when I got up. I was planning to go all in from start to finish and that's what I did," said Pogacar, who won the Tour de France in 2020, 2021 and 2024.&nbsp;Pogacar had a sticker of the Hulk comic book superhero on his bike but said after the stage his hero was Spider-Man.&nbsp;"Hulk though, he's the one you don't want to make angry," said Pogacar.&nbsp;By the time he finished stage 13 at the Peyragudes Altiport where the opening scene of the James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" was shot, Pogacar was 36 seconds faster than Vingegaard, while Primoz Roglic was third at 1min 20sec.&nbsp;Evenepoel was overtaken close to the line by Vingegaard, but said he was too tired to care.&nbsp;"I was drained," he said, slumped in a chair. "I didn't give a damn when Jonas went past."&nbsp;"I just wanted to finish. To be honest I'm relieved it's over," said the double Olympic champion.&nbsp;Most riders warmed up for the time trial wearing ice jackets to combat the sizzling 30C temperature at the foot of the climb.&nbsp;Australian champion Luke Plapp set the early pace and sat in the hot seat all day before suddenly packing his case and vacating it on seeing Vingegaard storm up the mountain.Pogacar was even faster.&nbsp;ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ravindra-jadeja-only-player-from-2014-manchester-test-vs-england-and-he-was-india-s-worst-batter-1752861719097"> Ravindra Jadeja only player from 2014 Manchester Test vs England and he was India's worst batter</a>&nbsp;At 1580m altitude the ride remained beneath the clouds and below the treeline, but even atop the hill it was punishingly hot.&nbsp;American Quinn Simmons gave hundreds of high-fives on the home straight as one of the rare riders appearing to enjoy the climb.&nbsp;Saturday's stage 14 is another punishing affair with around 50km of climbing but it will likely be raced in rain.&nbsp;It starts with the famous Col de Tourmalet and ends at the Luchon-Superbagneres ski resort.&nbsp;Stage 15 is a hilly run to the walled city of Carcassonne but for Pogacar there remains the spectre of three more massive mountain stages in the final week.&nbsp;There is also the prospect of potential chaos in Paris with three ascents of Montmartre's old cobbled lanes on the final day.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Jonas Vingegard and Remco Evenepoel clung on to their places in the overall top three, but this 10.9km time-trial triumph was defending champion Pogacars second crushing win in two days.

Tadej Pogacar powered to victory in an uphill time trial on stage 13 of the Tour de France on Friday to stretch his lead in the race to more than four minutes. Jonas Vingegard and Remco Evenepoel clung on to their places in the overall top three, but this 10.9km time-trial triumph was defending champion Pogacar's second crushing win in two days. Pogacar was last down the start ramp of the 171 riders setting off and stunned rivals by using a road bike instead of one typically used for time trials. "It's more comfortable and I ride that 95 percent of the year," he explained. "I went without a radio too, there are time clocks along the way so I just looked at them." Hulk and Spider-Man Decked out in his overall leader's yellow kit, the 26-year-old Team UAE rider was faster from the off, despite his exertions from the previous day, when he finished over two minutes ahead of main rival Vingegaard. "I was feeling good all day, from when I got up. I was planning to go all in from start to finish and that's what I did," said Pogacar, who won the Tour de France in 2020, 2021 and 2024. Pogacar had a sticker of the Hulk comic book superhero on his bike but said after the stage his hero was Spider-Man. "Hulk though, he's the one you don't want to make angry," said Pogacar. By the time he finished stage 13 at the Peyragudes Altiport where the opening scene of the James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" was shot, Pogacar was 36 seconds faster than Vingegaard, while Primoz Roglic was third at 1min 20sec. Evenepoel was overtaken close to the line by Vingegaard, but said he was too tired to care. "I was drained," he said, slumped in a chair. "I didn't give a damn when Jonas went past." "I just wanted to finish. To be honest I'm relieved it's over," said the double Olympic champion. Most riders warmed up for the time trial wearing ice jackets to combat the sizzling 30C temperature at the foot of the climb. Australian champion Luke Plapp set the early pace and sat in the hot seat all day before suddenly packing his case and vacating it on seeing Vingegaard storm up the mountain. Pogacar was even faster. ALSO READ | Ravindra Jadeja only player from 2014 Manchester Test vs England and he was India's worst batter At 1580m altitude the ride remained beneath the clouds and below the treeline, but even atop the hill it was punishingly hot. American Quinn Simmons gave hundreds of high-fives on the home straight as one of the rare riders appearing to enjoy the climb. Saturday's stage 14 is another punishing affair with around 50km of climbing but it will likely be raced in rain. It starts with the famous Col de Tourmalet and ends at the Luchon-Superbagneres ski resort. Stage 15 is a hilly run to the walled city of Carcassonne but for Pogacar there remains the spectre of three more massive mountain stages in the final week. There is also the prospect of potential chaos in Paris with three ascents of Montmartre's old cobbled lanes on the final day. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Jonas Vingegard and Remco Evenepoel clung on to their places in the overall top three, but this 10.9km time-trial triumph was defending champion Pogacar's second crushing win in two days.

Tour de France: Tadej Pogacar extends lead with dominant time-trial win

Olympic champion Noah Lyles reignites competition with Letsile Tebogo over 100m at Saturday's Diamond League meet in London, a week after the American marked his return to action with victory in the 200m over the Botswanan in Monaco. Lyles runs his first 100m of 2025, headlining an afternoon featuring the cream of track and field athletes, winners of 75 medals between them from the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympics, across both individual and relay disciplines.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pakistans-arshad-nadeem-calls-out-fake-prize-announcements-promised-after-paris-gold-1752763679018">Pak's Nadeem calls out 'fake prize announcements' promised after Paris gold</a>A sell-out crowd of 60,000 is expected at the London Stadium, home to Premier League club West Ham and the venue for a memorable athletics programme at the 2012 London Olympics.AFP Sport looks at five stand-out events at the 11th leg of the 15-meet Diamond League circuit:Men's 100m Tebogo admitted in Monaco that Lyles was the crowd pleaser and that when his face appears on posters, people want to come and see him.The Botswanan, who won the 200m gold at last year's Paris Olympics as Lyles came third, was edged out in Monaco by the American, who clocked an impressive 19.88sec in his return to the track from a tendon injury.Lyles said it had been tough watching early-season competition from home, but his comeback was timely with the World Championships in Tokyo on the horizon in September."I have a bye for the US Trials which makes it less stressful because it gives us the time to work on the races," Lyles said. "It gives us time to see what works and what doesn't and to be able to make moves from there."The home nation will be represented by Louie Hinchliffe, world indoor champion Jeremiah Azu and world 100m bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes.The Jamaican duo of Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake, and South African Akani Simbine fill out the field in what should be a top-notch race.Women's 200m Julien Alfred was in dominant form when she scorched to victory in the 100m in Monaco in 10.79sec.It looked to be perfect preparation as athletes finetune their bodies, both mentally and physically, ahead of the world championships."The last week was not the best for me but it also showed me that I am not where I should be and that there are things that I still need to work on," Alfred said after winning in Monaco."The season is long but I don't have any trials so I will have time to work on the details. I took a step back and realise that I won't put any pressure on myself this year. I was listening to all that outside noise but I focus on just Julien right now."Britain's Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita and Amy Hunt will provide the competition, along with the sole American in the field, Brittany Brown.Men's 1500m The men's 1500m features a stellar cast of homegrown athletes, notably the last two world champions Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr.That pair each outsprinted Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen for victory in Eugene in 2022 and Budapest a year later, respectively.Ingebrigtsen was a late withdrawal from London, his team saying he "still needs a little more time to heal the injury he has been struggling with lately... he does not want to risk anything".Further British hopes ride on the shoulders of Neil Gourley, George Mills and Elliot Giles, while it is Kenya's Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech who owns the fastest time of the season in 3:27.72.Women's 800m There may be no local hero Keely Hodgkinson on the cards as the Olympic champion is still bidding to recover from injury, but the two-lap race is another loaded one.Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie and Georgia Hunter Bell form a strong home trio.The presence of Uganda's Halimah Nakaayi and Jamaican Natoya Goule-Toppin will ensure a rapid race.Men's 800m All eyes will be on Kenya's world champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who heads a pack of runners hunting down David Rudisha's world record of 1:40.91.Rudisha set that mark when he won gold at the London Olympics, but for the first time in more than a decade, there are a handful of middle distance stars seemingly capable of pushing their limits to the max.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

A sell-out crowd of 60,000 is expected at the London Stadium, home to Premier League club West Ham and the venue for a memorable athletics programme at the 2012 London Olympics.

Olympic champion Noah Lyles reignites competition with Letsile Tebogo over 100m at Saturday's Diamond League meet in London, a week after the American marked his return to action with victory in the 200m over the Botswanan in Monaco. Lyles runs his first 100m of 2025, headlining an afternoon featuring the cream of track and field athletes, winners of 75 medals between them from the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympics, across both individual and relay disciplines. Also Read - Pak's Nadeem calls out 'fake prize announcements' promised after Paris gold A sell-out crowd of 60,000 is expected at the London Stadium, home to Premier League club West Ham and the venue for a memorable athletics programme at the 2012 London Olympics. AFP Sport looks at five stand-out events at the 11th leg of the 15-meet Diamond League circuit: Men's 100m Tebogo admitted in Monaco that Lyles was the crowd pleaser and that when his face appears on posters, people want to come and see him. The Botswanan, who won the 200m gold at last year's Paris Olympics as Lyles came third, was edged out in Monaco by the American, who clocked an impressive 19.88sec in his return to the track from a tendon injury. Lyles said it had been tough watching early-season competition from home, but his comeback was timely with the World Championships in Tokyo on the horizon in September. "I have a bye for the US Trials which makes it less stressful because it gives us the time to work on the races," Lyles said. "It gives us time to see what works and what doesn't and to be able to make moves from there." The home nation will be represented by Louie Hinchliffe, world indoor champion Jeremiah Azu and world 100m bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes. The Jamaican duo of Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake, and South African Akani Simbine fill out the field in what should be a top-notch race. Women's 200m Julien Alfred was in dominant form when she scorched to victory in the 100m in Monaco in 10.79sec. It looked to be perfect preparation as athletes finetune their bodies, both mentally and physically, ahead of the world championships. "The last week was not the best for me but it also showed me that I am not where I should be and that there are things that I still need to work on," Alfred said after winning in Monaco. "The season is long but I don't have any trials so I will have time to work on the details. I took a step back and realise that I won't put any pressure on myself this year. I was listening to all that outside noise but I focus on just Julien right now." Britain's Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita and Amy Hunt will provide the competition, along with the sole American in the field, Brittany Brown. Men's 1500m The men's 1500m features a stellar cast of homegrown athletes, notably the last two world champions Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr. That pair each outsprinted Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen for victory in Eugene in 2022 and Budapest a year later, respectively. Ingebrigtsen was a late withdrawal from London, his team saying he "still needs a little more time to heal the injury he has been struggling with lately... he does not want to risk anything". Further British hopes ride on the shoulders of Neil Gourley, George Mills and Elliot Giles, while it is Kenya's Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech who owns the fastest time of the season in 3:27.72. Women's 800m There may be no local hero Keely Hodgkinson on the cards as the Olympic champion is still bidding to recover from injury, but the two-lap race is another loaded one. Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie and Georgia Hunter Bell form a strong home trio. The presence of Uganda's Halimah Nakaayi and Jamaican Natoya Goule-Toppin will ensure a rapid race. Men's 800m All eyes will be on Kenya's world champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who heads a pack of runners hunting down David Rudisha's world record of 1:40.91. Rudisha set that mark when he won gold at the London Olympics, but for the first time in more than a decade, there are a handful of middle distance stars seemingly capable of pushing their limits to the max. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

A sell-out crowd of 60,000 is expected at the London Stadium, home to Premier League club West Ham and the venue for a memorable athletics programme at the 2012 London Olympics.

100m Olympic champ Noah Lyles to participate in London Diamond League

EU countries on Friday (July 18) signed off on a new package of sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, including lowering a price cap on Moscow's oil exports. The 18th round of economic sanctions against Russia since its 2022 invasion was approved after Slovakia dropped a weeks-long block following talks with Brussels over separate plans to phase out Russian gas imports.&nbsp;"The EU just approved one of its strongest sanctions packages against Russia to date," EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas said. "Each sanction weakens Russia's ability to wage war. The message is clear: Europe will not back down in its support for Ukraine. The EU will keep raising the pressure until Russia ends its war."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-slams-nato-chief-s-threat-of-sanctions-over-trade-with-russia-warns-against-double-standards-1752756054422">India slams Nato chief’s threat of sanctions over trade with Russia; warns against ‘double standards’</a>&nbsp;Slovakia's Russia-friendly leader, Robert Fico, dropped his Opposition after getting what he called "guarantees" from Brussels over gas prices as the bloc pushes to cut off Russian imports by the end of 2027.&nbsp;France said the EU’s new round of sanctions on Russia agreed Friday over the war in Ukraine were without precedent and would force Moscow into a ceasefire. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X that “together with the United States we will force (Russian President) Vladimir Putin into a ceasefire”, adding the new sanctions — which include a lower price cap on Russian oil exports — were “unprecedented”.&nbsp;As part of the new sanctions designed to sap Russia's war chest, diplomats said the EU has agreed to lower its price cap on Russian oil exported to third countries around the world to 15% below market value.&nbsp;That comes despite EU allies failing to convince US President Donald Trump to go along with the plan.The cap is a G7 initiative aimed at limiting the amount of money Russia makes by exporting oil to countries across the globe such as China and India.&nbsp;The oil price cap, set at $60 by the G7 in 2022, is designed to limit the price Moscow can sell oil around the world by banning shipping firms and insurance companies dealing with Russia to export above that amount. &nbsp;Under the new EU scheme — which is expected to get the backing of G7 allies like Britain and Canada — the new level will start off at $47.6 and can be adjusted as oil prices change in the future. In addition, officials said the EU is blacklisting over 100 more vessels in the "shadow fleet" of ageing tankers used by Russia to circumvent oil export curbs.&nbsp;There are also measures to stop the defunct Baltic Sea gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 from being brought back online. Among other targets, sanctions will be placed on a Russian-owned oil refinery in India and two Chinese banks as the EU seeks to curb Moscow's ties with international partners.&nbsp;There is also an expanded transaction ban on dealings with Russian banks and more restrictions on the export of "dual-use" goods that could be used on the battlefield in Ukraine. The new sanctions will be formally adopted by EU ministers later on Friday.

EU countries sign off fresh sanctions on Russia. EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “Each sanction weakens Russia's ability to wage war.”

EU countries on Friday (July 18) signed off on a new package of sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, including lowering a price cap on Moscow's oil exports. The 18th round of economic sanctions against Russia since its 2022 invasion was approved after Slovakia dropped a weeks-long block following talks with Brussels over separate plans to phase out Russian gas imports. "The EU just approved one of its strongest sanctions packages against Russia to date," EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas said. "Each sanction weakens Russia's ability to wage war. The message is clear: Europe will not back down in its support for Ukraine. The EU will keep raising the pressure until Russia ends its war." Also read: India slams Nato chief’s threat of sanctions over trade with Russia; warns against ‘double standards’ Slovakia's Russia-friendly leader, Robert Fico, dropped his Opposition after getting what he called "guarantees" from Brussels over gas prices as the bloc pushes to cut off Russian imports by the end of 2027. France said the EU’s new round of sanctions on Russia agreed Friday over the war in Ukraine were without precedent and would force Moscow into a ceasefire. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X that “together with the United States we will force (Russian President) Vladimir Putin into a ceasefire”, adding the new sanctions — which include a lower price cap on Russian oil exports — were “unprecedented”. As part of the new sanctions designed to sap Russia's war chest, diplomats said the EU has agreed to lower its price cap on Russian oil exported to third countries around the world to 15% below market value. That comes despite EU allies failing to convince US President Donald Trump to go along with the plan. The cap is a G7 initiative aimed at limiting the amount of money Russia makes by exporting oil to countries across the globe such as China and India. The oil price cap, set at $60 by the G7 in 2022, is designed to limit the price Moscow can sell oil around the world by banning shipping firms and insurance companies dealing with Russia to export above that amount. Under the new EU scheme — which is expected to get the backing of G7 allies like Britain and Canada — the new level will start off at $47.6 and can be adjusted as oil prices change in the future. In addition, officials said the EU is blacklisting over 100 more vessels in the "shadow fleet" of ageing tankers used by Russia to circumvent oil export curbs. There are also measures to stop the defunct Baltic Sea gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 from being brought back online. Among other targets, sanctions will be placed on a Russian-owned oil refinery in India and two Chinese banks as the EU seeks to curb Moscow's ties with international partners. There is also an expanded transaction ban on dealings with Russian banks and more restrictions on the export of "dual-use" goods that could be used on the battlefield in Ukraine. The new sanctions will be formally adopted by EU ministers later on Friday.

EU countries sign off fresh sanctions on Russia. EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “Each sanction weakens Russia's ability to wage war.”

'Each sanction weakens Russia...': EU signs off new sanctions on Moscow amid ongoing Ukraine war

Ruth Chepngetich, the Kenyan who shattered the women's marathon world record last year, has been provisionally suspended on suspicion of doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit said on Thursday (Jul 17). Chepngetich, who improved the record to 2hr 09min 56sec in Chicago in October, has been suspended after testing positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide on March 14 this year. AIU head Brett Clothier said 30-year-old Chepngetich's case was being investigated and would be heard by a disciplinary tribunal.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/who-is-the-first-woman-to-defeat-iga-swiatek-at-wimbledon-she-is-an-olympic-silver-medalist-1752757165833">Who is the first woman to defeat Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon?</a>"When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code," he explained."Chepngetich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification. However, on 19 April she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU's investigation was ongoing."In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension."In April, Chepngetich withdrew from the London Marathon, saying she was "not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best".Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat fluid retention and hypertension.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In April, Chepngetich withdrew from the London Marathon, saying she was "not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best".

Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat fluid retention and hypertension.

Ruth Chepngetich, the Kenyan who shattered the women's marathon world record last year, has been provisionally suspended on suspicion of doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit said on Thursday (Jul 17). Chepngetich, who improved the record to 2hr 09min 56sec in Chicago in October, has been suspended after testing positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide on March 14 this year. AIU head Brett Clothier said 30-year-old Chepngetich's case was being investigated and would be heard by a disciplinary tribunal. Also Read - Who is the first woman to defeat Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon? "When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code," he explained. "Chepngetich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification. However, on 19 April she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU's investigation was ongoing. "In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension." In April, Chepngetich withdrew from the London Marathon, saying she was "not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best". Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat fluid retention and hypertension. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In April, Chepngetich withdrew from the London Marathon, saying she was "not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best".

Ruth Chepngetich, world record holder in women's marathon, suspended for doping

The British government said on Thursday it plans to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in general elections, a landmark change giving the UK one of the lowest voting ages worldwide. It follows a pledge from the ruling Labour Party to make the shift ahead of winning power last year, and is among several planned changes to the democratic system, which some argue is "in crisis" due to low turnout among other issues.&nbsp;The voting age change is likely to prove contentious, with critics previously arguing it is self-serving as newly-enfranchised teenagers are seen as more likely to support the centre-left Labour party. "I think it's really important that 16- and 17-year-olds have the vote, because they are old enough to go out to work, they are old enough to pay taxes, so (they) pay in," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.&nbsp;"And I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go," Starmer added. The government will have to bring legislation before parliament, where it has a comfortable majority, to make the changes. Only a small number of countries allow 16-year-olds to vote in national elections, according to online databases.&nbsp;They include Austria -- the first EU country to lower the voting age to 16 when it made the shift in 2007 -- as well as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Cuba. Labour ministers in the United Kingdom insist the change is intended to "modernise our democracy" and boost turnout, while aligning general elections with the existing voting age for elections for the devolved regional parliaments in Scotland and Wales.&nbsp;Other planned changes include introducing automated voter registration -- which is already used in Australia and Canada -- and making UK-issued bank cards an accepted form of ID at polling stations.It follows changes to the electoral law introduced by the previous Conservative government which required voters to show a photo ID, which the Electoral Commission found led to around 750,000 people not voting in last year's election.&nbsp;Harry Quilter-Pinner, executive director of the Institute For Public Policy Research think tank, said the changes were "the biggest reform to our electoral system since 1969", when the voting age was lowered to 18. He noted lowering the voting age and introducing automated voter registration could add 9.5 million more people to the voter rolls. "Our democracy is in crisis, and we risk reaching a tipping point where politics loses its legitimacy," he added, backing the changes.

UK to lower voting age to 16 ahead of 2029 general elections

The British government said on Thursday it plans to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in general elections, a landmark change giving the UK one of the lowest voting ages worldwide. It follows a pledge from the ruling Labour Party to make the shift ahead of winning power last year, and is among several planned changes to the democratic system, which some argue is "in crisis" due to low turnout among other issues. The voting age change is likely to prove contentious, with critics previously arguing it is self-serving as newly-enfranchised teenagers are seen as more likely to support the centre-left Labour party. "I think it's really important that 16- and 17-year-olds have the vote, because they are old enough to go out to work, they are old enough to pay taxes, so (they) pay in," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. "And I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go," Starmer added. The government will have to bring legislation before parliament, where it has a comfortable majority, to make the changes. Only a small number of countries allow 16-year-olds to vote in national elections, according to online databases. They include Austria -- the first EU country to lower the voting age to 16 when it made the shift in 2007 -- as well as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Cuba. Labour ministers in the United Kingdom insist the change is intended to "modernise our democracy" and boost turnout, while aligning general elections with the existing voting age for elections for the devolved regional parliaments in Scotland and Wales. Other planned changes include introducing automated voter registration -- which is already used in Australia and Canada -- and making UK-issued bank cards an accepted form of ID at polling stations. It follows changes to the electoral law introduced by the previous Conservative government which required voters to show a photo ID, which the Electoral Commission found led to around 750,000 people not voting in last year's election. Harry Quilter-Pinner, executive director of the Institute For Public Policy Research think tank, said the changes were "the biggest reform to our electoral system since 1969", when the voting age was lowered to 18. He noted lowering the voting age and introducing automated voter registration could add 9.5 million more people to the voter rolls. "Our democracy is in crisis, and we risk reaching a tipping point where politics loses its legitimacy," he added, backing the changes.

It follows a pledge from the ruling Labour Party to make the shift ahead of winning power last year, and is among several planned changes to the democratic system, which some argue is "in crisis" due to low turnout among other issues

At least three people were killed and more than 1,000 evacuated Thursday after South Korea was hit by torrential rains, officials said, with one region pummelled by the most rainfall per hour since full records began.&nbsp;South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July, but three areas in the country's South Chungcheong province this week saw some of the heaviest hourly downpours on record, official weather data showed.&nbsp;Three people were killed Thursday, the Ministry of Interior and Safety said, all in South Chuncheong province.&nbsp;"As of 4pm local time at least three people have died today due to torrential rains," a Ministry of Interior and Safety official told AFP, adding that more than 1,000 people had been evacuated.&nbsp;Police told AFP that one person was found inside a submerged vehicle, an elderly man was swept away near a stream, and another elderly man had been found dead in a flooded basement apartment after his son reported him missing.&nbsp;The western Seosan area was hit by rainfall peaking at 114.9 millimetres (4.5 inches) per hour, "a level typically seen only once in 100 years", a weather agency official told AFP, adding that this was the highest rate since full records began in 1904.&nbsp;The heavy rains were due to "warm and moist air flowing in along the edge of the North Pacific High, triggering strong atmospheric instability", the official added.&nbsp;South Korean broadcasters ran videos of severe flooding in Seosan, with water swamping markets and apartment complexes, as well as submerging parked cars.&nbsp;AFP reporters saw residents in Seosan struggling to clean up the aftermath of the floods on Thursday, with parking lots and shops still seen flooded with muddy water.&nbsp;Choi Hee-jin, a nightclub owner, told AFP it had been "heartbreaking" to return to her business after the floods had swept through.&nbsp;"Water had completely filled the club, and everything -- sofas, fridges, furniture, even computers -- was just floating around," Choi said.&nbsp;"How do you think it feels to see that? Honestly, it felt like the world was collapsing. There are no words to describe it."&nbsp;The national weather agency said in a statement that nearly 440 mm (about 17.3 inches) of rain had fallen in Seosan by 10:30 am on Thursday -- equivalent to 35 percent of the region's average annual rainfall.&nbsp;"The water is just too deep and so much mud has been pushed in that I've already been working for about five hours trying to drain it all out," said Kim Min-seo, a 50-year-old restaurant worker, as she scrubbed the muddy floor.&nbsp;"I'm still not done," she added.&nbsp;Evacuation orders&nbsp;&nbsp;Residents in Hongseong county, in South Chungcheong province, were ordered to "evacuate immediately to a safe location" early Thursday morning due to flooding from a nearby stream.Several schools and nurseries in the county were also closed.&nbsp;South Korea is regularly hit by flooding during the summer monsoon period, but is typically well-prepared and the death toll is usually relatively low.&nbsp;Scientists say climate change has made weather events around the world more extreme and frequent.&nbsp;South Korea also endured record-breaking rains and flooding in 2022, which left at least 11 people dead.&nbsp;They included three people who died trapped in a Seoul basement apartment of the kind that became internationally known because of the Oscar-winning Korean film "Parasite".&nbsp;The government said at the time that the rainfall was the heaviest since records began, blaming climate change for the extreme weather.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The national weather agency said in a statement that nearly 440 mm (about 17.3 inches) of rain had fallen in Seosan by 10:30 am on Thursday -- equivalent to 35 percent of the regions average annual rainfall.

At least three people were killed and more than 1,000 evacuated Thursday after South Korea was hit by torrential rains, officials said, with one region pummelled by the most rainfall per hour since full records began. South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July, but three areas in the country's South Chungcheong province this week saw some of the heaviest hourly downpours on record, official weather data showed. Three people were killed Thursday, the Ministry of Interior and Safety said, all in South Chuncheong province. "As of 4pm local time at least three people have died today due to torrential rains," a Ministry of Interior and Safety official told AFP, adding that more than 1,000 people had been evacuated. Police told AFP that one person was found inside a submerged vehicle, an elderly man was swept away near a stream, and another elderly man had been found dead in a flooded basement apartment after his son reported him missing. The western Seosan area was hit by rainfall peaking at 114.9 millimetres (4.5 inches) per hour, "a level typically seen only once in 100 years", a weather agency official told AFP, adding that this was the highest rate since full records began in 1904. The heavy rains were due to "warm and moist air flowing in along the edge of the North Pacific High, triggering strong atmospheric instability", the official added. South Korean broadcasters ran videos of severe flooding in Seosan, with water swamping markets and apartment complexes, as well as submerging parked cars. AFP reporters saw residents in Seosan struggling to clean up the aftermath of the floods on Thursday, with parking lots and shops still seen flooded with muddy water. Choi Hee-jin, a nightclub owner, told AFP it had been "heartbreaking" to return to her business after the floods had swept through. "Water had completely filled the club, and everything -- sofas, fridges, furniture, even computers -- was just floating around," Choi said. "How do you think it feels to see that? Honestly, it felt like the world was collapsing. There are no words to describe it." The national weather agency said in a statement that nearly 440 mm (about 17.3 inches) of rain had fallen in Seosan by 10:30 am on Thursday -- equivalent to 35 percent of the region's average annual rainfall. "The water is just too deep and so much mud has been pushed in that I've already been working for about five hours trying to drain it all out," said Kim Min-seo, a 50-year-old restaurant worker, as she scrubbed the muddy floor. "I'm still not done," she added. Evacuation orders Residents in Hongseong county, in South Chungcheong province, were ordered to "evacuate immediately to a safe location" early Thursday morning due to flooding from a nearby stream. Several schools and nurseries in the county were also closed. South Korea is regularly hit by flooding during the summer monsoon period, but is typically well-prepared and the death toll is usually relatively low. Scientists say climate change has made weather events around the world more extreme and frequent. South Korea also endured record-breaking rains and flooding in 2022, which left at least 11 people dead. They included three people who died trapped in a Seoul basement apartment of the kind that became internationally known because of the Oscar-winning Korean film "Parasite". The government said at the time that the rainfall was the heaviest since records began, blaming climate change for the extreme weather.

The national weather agency said in a statement that nearly 440 mm (about 17.3 inches) of rain had fallen in Seosan by 10:30 am on Thursday -- equivalent to 35 percent of the region's average annual rainfall.

Three dead, over 1,000 evacuated as South Korea lashed by extremely heavy rains

Young Barcelona star Lamine Yamal inherited the club's number 10 shirt, previously worn by all-time great Lionel Messi, on Wednesday.&nbsp;"Messi made his path and I will make mine," Yamal told reporters at an event at the club shop at the Spotify Camp Nou stadium. "I will work as hard as I can, give everything and try to make those Barca fans who are there happy and those who are at home."&nbsp;The 18-year-old winger, often compared to the Argentine superstar who also came through the club's La Masia youth academy, helped the Catalan giants win a domestic treble last season.&nbsp;He signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2031 in May, becoming one of the best paid players at the club.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lionel-messi-mls-record-goes-for-a-toss-in-inter-miami-loss-to-cincinnati-1752720562090">Messi’s MLS record goes for a toss in Inter Miami’s loss to Cincinnati</a>&nbsp;"I hope to enjoy myself more than last year and make my dreams come true," continued Yamal, who said he wanted to win the Champions League with the Catalan giants, and also the World Cup with Spain.&nbsp;Yamal has scored 25 goals for the club in over 100 appearances, making his debut in 2023 at the age of 15 wearing the number 41 shirt.&nbsp;"Barca is my life, I've been here since I was seven, for all kids from La Masia their dream is to make it to the first team and I'm doing it and I have to keep working," said Yamal.&nbsp;"When I was little I dreamed of being at Barca and having this number."&nbsp;After a season wearing the 27, last summer Yamal followed in Messi's footsteps by taking the number 19, which the Argentine wore at the club between 2005 and 2008.&nbsp;Ansu Fati inherited Messi's number 10 shirt in 2021, when now Inter Miami player left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain.&nbsp;Beset by a series of injuries Fati was unable to fulfil his potential at Barca and signed on loan for Monaco earlier in July.&nbsp;Other star names including Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo have worn the Barcelona number 10 shirt in the past.&nbsp;"(Messi, Maradona, Ronaldinho) are three legends of football, three legends of this club," said Yamal.&nbsp;"I am grateful for what they gave the club and I will try to continue this legacy."&nbsp;Yamal made headlines after celebrating his 18th birthday last weekend with a private event involving hired entertainers with dwarfism.&nbsp;Spain's Ministry of Social Rights asked the public prosecutor to investigate the party after a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE).&nbsp;"In the end I work for Barca, I play for Barca, but when I'm away from (the club) I enjoy my life, and that's all," he added.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The 18-year-old winger, often compared to the Argentine superstar who also came through the club's La Masia youth academy, helped the Catalan giants win a domestic treble last season.

Young Barcelona star Lamine Yamal inherited the club's number 10 shirt, previously worn by all-time great Lionel Messi, on Wednesday. "Messi made his path and I will make mine," Yamal told reporters at an event at the club shop at the Spotify Camp Nou stadium. "I will work as hard as I can, give everything and try to make those Barca fans who are there happy and those who are at home." The 18-year-old winger, often compared to the Argentine superstar who also came through the club's La Masia youth academy, helped the Catalan giants win a domestic treble last season. He signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2031 in May, becoming one of the best paid players at the club. Also read | Messi’s MLS record goes for a toss in Inter Miami’s loss to Cincinnati "I hope to enjoy myself more than last year and make my dreams come true," continued Yamal, who said he wanted to win the Champions League with the Catalan giants, and also the World Cup with Spain. Yamal has scored 25 goals for the club in over 100 appearances, making his debut in 2023 at the age of 15 wearing the number 41 shirt. "Barca is my life, I've been here since I was seven, for all kids from La Masia their dream is to make it to the first team and I'm doing it and I have to keep working," said Yamal. "When I was little I dreamed of being at Barca and having this number." After a season wearing the 27, last summer Yamal followed in Messi's footsteps by taking the number 19, which the Argentine wore at the club between 2005 and 2008. Ansu Fati inherited Messi's number 10 shirt in 2021, when now Inter Miami player left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain. Beset by a series of injuries Fati was unable to fulfil his potential at Barca and signed on loan for Monaco earlier in July. Other star names including Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo have worn the Barcelona number 10 shirt in the past. "(Messi, Maradona, Ronaldinho) are three legends of football, three legends of this club," said Yamal. "I am grateful for what they gave the club and I will try to continue this legacy." Yamal made headlines after celebrating his 18th birthday last weekend with a private event involving hired entertainers with dwarfism. Spain's Ministry of Social Rights asked the public prosecutor to investigate the party after a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE). "In the end I work for Barca, I play for Barca, but when I'm away from (the club) I enjoy my life, and that's all," he added. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The 18-year-old winger, often compared to the Argentine superstar who also came through the club's La Masia youth academy, helped the Catalan giants win a domestic treble last season.

Lamine Yamal gets into Messi's shoes with Barcelona's number 10 shirt takeover

Lionel Messi's Major League Soccer-record streak of multi-goal games ended at five on Wednesday as his Inter Miami squad was blanked 3-0 at FC Cincinnati. The 38-year-old Argentine star forward had scored a brace, two goals, in five consecutive matches for Miami, giving him 16 goals on the season as Inter managed four wins and a draw in the run. Not since 2012 when he played for Barcelona had Messi netted a brace or more in five consecutive matches. But Cincinnati kept Miami to only two shots on goal in the contest.&nbsp;"Clearly today we were outplayed from the beginning of the match," Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said through a translator. "It was very difficult for us to win the individual duels. Maybe one of the reasons is that physically we come with a very big hustle and bustle and in the long run we end up paying.&nbsp;"Leo suffered a knock at the end but it ended well."&nbsp;US 20-year-old midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela opened the scoring for Cincinnati in the 16th minute.&nbsp;Brazilian striker Evander followed with a goal in the 50th minute and struck again in the 70th to provide all the scoring the hosts needed.&nbsp;"We didn't play the game we wanted. They put us under pressure all the time, we weren't fresh or lucid and they beat us very well," Mascherano said.&nbsp;Miami fell to 11-4 with five drawn for 38 points, fifth in the Eastern Conference and eight points adrift of first-place Philadelphia, the overall MLS leader which beat Montreal to stay one point ahead of Cincinnati in the overall MLS standings.&nbsp;Inter Miami has three games in hand on both clubs but would need to win them all to overtake their rivals for the overall league lead.&nbsp;"The opponent outplayed us from start to finish," Mascherano said. "The result and the way they beat us obviously worries us. Now we have to rest and think about the next game."&nbsp;That will come on Saturday when Miami will visit the New York Red Bulls, who got two goals each from Cameroon's Eric Choupo-Moting and Sweden's Emil Forsberg in a 5-3 home win over New England on Wednesday.<h3>De Paul to join Miami</h3>&nbsp;A source close to negotiations told AFP on Wednesday that Inter Miami has agreed on terms with Argentine international Rodrigo De Paul, a midfielder for Atletico Madrid.&nbsp;The deal is for the next four seasons with De Paul to play the remainder of 2025 in Miami on loan from Atletico Madrid with a subsequent purchase option for Inter worth more than $12 million.&nbsp;De Paul could play for Miami for the first time on July 30 against Mexican side Atlas in Inter's debut match in the Leagues Cup, a tournament between MLS and Mexican League clubs.&nbsp;He will leave Europe after four seasons in Madrid to join countryman Messi 11 months before the World Cup to be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.&nbsp;Messi has not said if he will play in the World Cup.&nbsp;De Paul and Messi were teammates on Argentina's 2022 World Cup champions and reuniting them could help entice Messi to sign a new contract with Inter, whose deal with the superstar expires at the end of this year.&nbsp;The club wants Messi to stay for the 2026 season, in which Inter will open a new stadium in Miami.&nbsp;DePaul, 31, joins a Miami core that includes Messi, Uruguayan Luis Suarez and Spaniards Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.&nbsp;Charlotte was named host city for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday. This year's all-star matchup will be in Austin, Texas, next Wednesday with the MLS All-Stars facing the Mexican League All-Stars.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Not since 2012 when he played for Barcelona had Messi netted a brace or more in five consecutive matches. 

Lionel Messi's Major League Soccer-record streak of multi-goal games ended at five on Wednesday as his Inter Miami squad was blanked 3-0 at FC Cincinnati. The 38-year-old Argentine star forward had scored a brace, two goals, in five consecutive matches for Miami, giving him 16 goals on the season as Inter managed four wins and a draw in the run. Not since 2012 when he played for Barcelona had Messi netted a brace or more in five consecutive matches. But Cincinnati kept Miami to only two shots on goal in the contest. "Clearly today we were outplayed from the beginning of the match," Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said through a translator. "It was very difficult for us to win the individual duels. Maybe one of the reasons is that physically we come with a very big hustle and bustle and in the long run we end up paying. "Leo suffered a knock at the end but it ended well." US 20-year-old midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela opened the scoring for Cincinnati in the 16th minute. Brazilian striker Evander followed with a goal in the 50th minute and struck again in the 70th to provide all the scoring the hosts needed. "We didn't play the game we wanted. They put us under pressure all the time, we weren't fresh or lucid and they beat us very well," Mascherano said. Miami fell to 11-4 with five drawn for 38 points, fifth in the Eastern Conference and eight points adrift of first-place Philadelphia, the overall MLS leader which beat Montreal to stay one point ahead of Cincinnati in the overall MLS standings. Inter Miami has three games in hand on both clubs but would need to win them all to overtake their rivals for the overall league lead. "The opponent outplayed us from start to finish," Mascherano said. "The result and the way they beat us obviously worries us. Now we have to rest and think about the next game." That will come on Saturday when Miami will visit the New York Red Bulls, who got two goals each from Cameroon's Eric Choupo-Moting and Sweden's Emil Forsberg in a 5-3 home win over New England on Wednesday. De Paul to join Miami A source close to negotiations told AFP on Wednesday that Inter Miami has agreed on terms with Argentine international Rodrigo De Paul, a midfielder for Atletico Madrid. The deal is for the next four seasons with De Paul to play the remainder of 2025 in Miami on loan from Atletico Madrid with a subsequent purchase option for Inter worth more than $12 million. De Paul could play for Miami for the first time on July 30 against Mexican side Atlas in Inter's debut match in the Leagues Cup, a tournament between MLS and Mexican League clubs. He will leave Europe after four seasons in Madrid to join countryman Messi 11 months before the World Cup to be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. Messi has not said if he will play in the World Cup. De Paul and Messi were teammates on Argentina's 2022 World Cup champions and reuniting them could help entice Messi to sign a new contract with Inter, whose deal with the superstar expires at the end of this year. The club wants Messi to stay for the 2026 season, in which Inter will open a new stadium in Miami. DePaul, 31, joins a Miami core that includes Messi, Uruguayan Luis Suarez and Spaniards Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. Charlotte was named host city for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday. This year's all-star matchup will be in Austin, Texas, next Wednesday with the MLS All-Stars facing the Mexican League All-Stars. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Not since 2012 when he played for Barcelona had Messi netted a brace or more in five consecutive matches.&nbsp;

Messi’s MLS record goes for a toss in Inter Miami’s loss to Cincinnati

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