Timeline: Russell Domingo's stint as head coach of Bangladesh

Some big wins, many crushing losses, and a heavy dose of drama – that sums up Domingo’s time with Bangladesh

Mohammad Isam28-Dec-2022

BCB

August 17, 2019: BCB appoints Domingo as head coach. “Everything looks in place to be a real powerhouse in world cricket,” he says at the time.February 21, 2020: Six months on, BCB chief Nazmul Hassan says that the team management had been asked to inform him of their game plans, including the exact batting line-up, the day before each game.Related

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Russell Domingo resigns as Bangladesh head coach

February 21, 2020: Domingo takes a strong position on Bangladesh’s strategy of preparing raging turners for home Tests, asking for more balanced pitches.February 14, 2021: BCB president Hassan slams Domingo and Test captain Mominul Haque after the series defeat against West Indies at home.August 9, 2021: Bangladesh crush Australia 4-1 in a home T20I series.September 8, 2021: Bangladesh beat New Zealand 3-2 in a home T20I series but with the series played on massive turners, questions remain about their T20 World Cup preparations.November 4, 2021: After Bangladesh crash out of T20 World Cup, Mashrafe Mortaza demands answers from Domingo, calling Bangladesh coaching staff a “rehab centre for South Africa coaches”.January 5, 2022: Bangladesh beat New Zealand for the first time in any format in New Zealand, winning the first Test in Mount Maunganui by eight wickets. It’s perhaps their most famous Test win ever.March 23, 2022: Bangladesh win their maiden ODI series in South Africa, having never won a match in the country previously.August 22, 2022: After Bangladesh’s loss to Zimbabwe in ODI and T20I series, BCB appoints Sridharan Sriram as T20 consultant for three months. The board says Sriram would act as head coach of the T20I side, with Domingo taking charge of the Test and ODI teams.August 25, 2022: Domingo denies reports of his resignation, says he would return to the side for the India home series.December 28, 2022: Not long after Bangladesh beat India 2-1 in the ODIs and pushed them hard in the second Test in, Domingo resigns as head coach.

Southampton now considering loan exit for "promising" deadline day signing

In a decisive move, Southampton are now already reportedly considering sending one particular January signing out on loan this month despite only just securing his signature on deadline day.

Southampton transfer news

The Saints needed a strong winter window, but were forced to settle for a mixed month in the transfer market with Alex Gronbaek the significant standout arrival out of the four who arrived. The midfielder has already got his Premier League start and victory under his belt too, having played his part in Southampton’s 2-1 defeat of relegation rivals Ipswich Town recently.

Whilst Gronbaek was one that the Saints managed to get over the line, Ivan Juric didn’t end the transfer window completely satisfied.

The Southampton boss told reporters when asked whether he was disappointed: “A little. There are some positions where we are missing players and that could be an issue in the future. But I understand the situation and it is difficult when you are bottom of the table to convince players. The club tried to bring me what I want – but we didn’t succeed.”

Now, after at least welcoming the young Victor Udoh, the Saints could be about to show the 20-year-old the door. According to Yeni Asir, as relayed by Sport Witness, Southampton are now considering sending Udoh out on loan to Goztepe SK, who are also owned by Sport Republic.

Juric not optimistic as senior Southampton figure suffers fresh injury blow

Frustrating news for the Saints…

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Tom Cunningham

Feb 7, 2025

The Saints and the Turkish club have already done business in the past thanks to their ownership link and could now do business once again regarding Udoh. The young forward arrived on deadline day from Royal Antwerp, before being put straight into the U21s rather than the first-team.

That academy stay may be short-lived, however, with Goztepe potentially swooping in before Turkey’s deadline on February 13.

"Promising" Udoh is one for the future

Whilst there’s no doubt that Southampton could do with the added firepower, Udoh’s inexperience in senior football was always likely to stand in the way of the Nigerian making an instant impact. Instead, a loan move in pursuit of adding that experience to his game should prove to be an intelligent move from those at St Mary’s.

Dubbed “promising” by All Nigeria Soccer as he completed his move, Udoh impressed at youth level for Royal Antwerp enough to earn a place from the bench in 12 of their Jupiler Pro League games in the current campaign.

If he is to secure an instant loan spell away from St Mary’s in the coming days, then Udoh will be one to watch from afar. Even as Southampton continue to scrap away in an attempt to restore some pride to their season, they may yet have discovered a gem.

SouthamptonmanagerIvan Juric

In an ideal world, whilst Juric came away disappointed from the January transfer window, the Saints have given him an eventual solution to lead the line for his side – be it in the Premier League or the Championship.

Arsenal make moves to keep Leandro Trossard! Gunners open talks with winger over new deal after impressive Emirates spell following £27m move from Brighton

Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Leandro Trossard over a new deal following his £27m move from Brighton.

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Trossard has an agreement until 2026An extension until 2029 is in talks Has been in good form this season for the GunnersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to the Gunners have entered formal discussions with Trossard regarding a new long-term deal that could see the Belgian winger remain at the Emirates Stadium until 2029. His current agreement with the north London club is due to expire in the summer of 2026. However, Arsenal do hold the option to extend his stay by an additional year until 2027.

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Trossard, who arrived from Brighton in January 2023 for a reported £27 million fee, has become an essential piece in Arsenal’s attacking setup. Hence, a fresh four-year deal has been offered on the table despite him turning 30 earlier this year.

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In the ongoing Premier League campaign, Trossard has made a significant impact. Featuring in 35 league games, 26 of which he started, the winger has netted eight goals and provided six assists. His ability to operate effectively on the left flank, as well as in more central roles, has offered Arteta crucial tactical flexibility in an intense title race.

In fact, the Gunners’ determination to keep hold of the Belgian international dates back to last summer, when they reportedly turned down an offer from Al Ittihad, one of the Saudi Pro League’s big-spending clubs. That bid was swiftly rejected by Arsenal, who saw Trossard as a vital asset in their pursuit of domestic and European success.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR TROSSARD?

Arsenal are understood to be targeting reinforcements in the forward line, with a new striker and a left winger on the shopping list. However, securing the future of a proven, experienced attacker like Trossard would offer both continuity and depth in what is expected to be a busy summer at the Emirates.

David Warner's full statement about his leadership ban review

On Wednesday evening, David Warner issued a lengthy statement about his leadership ban review and said he was withdrawing from the process

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2022My family is more important to me than cricket.Over the course of the past nearly five years since the events that occurred during the Third Test in Cape Town, even with all the humiliation and attacks that they have had to endure, I have enjoyed the unwavering support and love of my wife Candice and my three daughters, Ivy Mae, Indi Rae, and Isla Rose. They are my world.Since that Test and even though my ban from leadership roles may never be lifted, I have taken it upon myself to reform, to rehabilitate and to transform my approach to the game.I have served and been subject to a crushing, unprecedented, penalty that has horribly impacted me and my family for the past nearly five years without the prospect of any relief until now.On 21 November 2022, the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel (the Code of Conduct) was amended to permit players to apply for a modification to Long-Term Sanctions.With the announcement of the amendment to the Code of Conduct, I held the hope and was encouraged, that I would be given a proper opportunity to demonstrate to the Review Panel that I have demonstrated my deep regret and remorse; and that my rehabilitation and transformation are profound.With the encouragement of administrators and colleagues and in accordance with the rules under the Code of Conduct, on 25 November 2022 I submitted an application to Cricket Australia for a modification to my life-time ban from leadership positions in cricket. I did so in good faith on the understanding that regular established procedures under the Code of Conduct would be followed.I hoped I would be given the opportunity, under the established practice and procedure of the Code of Conduct that is reflected in the amendments, to demonstrate that I have satisfied the necessary requirements for a modification to my ban and that I might be permitted to see out the balance of my career without the yoke hanging around my neck and further anguish for my family.However, despite my opposition and that of Cricket Australia, on Tuesday last week Counsel Assisting the Review Panel and the Review Panel took it upon themselves to concoct an irregular procedure (overturning presumptions and previous practice) for the determination of my application and establish a novel approach that would negatively impact the health and welfare of my family and the interests of the Australian cricket team.In his submissions, Counsel Assisting made offensive and unhelpful comments about me that had absolutely no substantive purpose under the Code of Conduct.Regrettably, the Review Panel acted contrary to the submissions of Cricket Australia and my lawyer and appeared to adopt virtually entirely the position of Counsel Assisting.In effect, Counsel Assisting, and, it appears, to some extent the Review Panel, want to conduct a public trial of me and what occurred during the Third Test at Newlands. They want to conduct a public spectacle to, in the Panel’s words, have a “cleansing”. I am not prepared for my family to be the washing machine for cricket’s dirty laundry.The Rules of the Code of Conduct in relation to applications such as mine are clear. Article 10.7 states that the hearing is not an appeal of the original decision or a new review of the offence.Counsel Assisting the Review Panel appeared to be determined to revisit the events of March 2018 and the Review Panel appears determined to expose me and my family to further humiliation and harm by conducting a media circus.I note that the engagement of Counsel Assisting was terminated. Nonetheless, following the curiously irregular position adopted by the Review Panel, and in the interests of my family and Australian cricket, last Thursday I submitted a request for the Review Panel to revisit their procedural decision and at least apply a protocol that is consistent with established practice and procedure under the Code of Conduct. That request had the support of Cricket Australia.Having had nearly a week to consider that proposal, today the Review Panel has decided to ignore the request in any meaningful way and has provided a dismissive rejection of the substantive matters. It appears that the Panel has given no more than passing consideration to issues of player welfare and the interests of Australian cricket and is instead determined to conduct a public lynching.Regrettably, I have no practical alternative at this point in time but to withdraw my application. I am not prepared to subject my family or my teammates to further trauma and disruption by accepting a departure from the way in which my application should be dealt with pursuant to the Code of Conduct.Some things are more important than cricket.

Everton star is now ready and waiting to become Bramley-Moore's own Lukaku

Everton are now unbeaten in their last six matches in the Premier League with any worries about relegation firmly wiped away with David Moyes’ inspired reappointment.

Now, the revitalised Toffees are staring up at the table, potentially even looking to break into the top half of the division if results continue to go their way, with Moyes and Co only ten points shy of Aston Villa occupying the dead centre of the league.

Once upon a time, finishes in and around this region were customary for the Merseysiders, with the efforts of one goalscoring hero in Romelu Lukaku memorably seeing Everton finish in a dizzying fifth position back in 2014, as the Belgian then went on to cement himself as a modern great at Goodison Park.

Romelu Lukaku's heroics at Everton

There are many names that come to mind when looking at some of the greats that have graced the Goodison turf in recent years.

Richarlison was one captivating figure who endeared himself to the Toffees fanbase with full-blooded displays when he was still present, alongside other faces from yesteryear such as hulking giants, Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini.

But, Fellaini’s fellow compatriot is definitely in contention to be the cream of the crop here, considering the towering 6 foot 3 forward would pick up the top scorer accolade every season he was present.

In total, across those four celebrated campaigns, Lukaku notched up a stunning 87 strikes from 166 contests, leading to the Antwerp-born star joining Manchester United for a huge fee of £90m in the summer of 2017.

So, with the club’s time at Goodison coming to an end, the club’s supporters will be longing for some new heroes as they enter Bramley Moore.

Could the new Lukaku lie in wait? Quite possibly.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Everton's next version of Lukaku

Everton seriously lacked confidence in front of goal when Sean Dyche was still at the Goodison helm with Moyes’ reentry into the Toffees hot-seat thankfully working wonders in this department.

Indeed, ex-Udinese striker Beto was barely given a chance to impress under the former Burnley manager’s drab regime, before now finally finding his shooting boots in England under the Scotsman.

Looking at the table below, it’s clear to see Moyes’ impact on the Portuguese star, with Beto picking up five of his six Premier League goals for the campaign across his last handful of league outings, leading to the Athletic’s Paddy Boyland suggesting that is now “thriving” under the new regime.

Brentford (A)

90

0

Man United (H)

90

1

Crystal Palace (A)

90

1

Liverpool (H)

90

1

Leicester (H)

90

2

If he can keep this goalscoring form up, it looks likely that Beto will take home the top scorer nod at the end of the unfolding season, with the imposing 6 foot 4 attacker then hoping to head down the same path as Lukaku in becoming a revered figure on Merseyside.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin continuing to suffer from his own injury problems, the resurgence of Beto has come at the perfect possible time as his side strives to climb further and further up the tricky division.

Whilst it will be difficult for the former Udinese forward to ever eclipse Lukaku’s hefty Toffees goal haul, the Lisbon-born striker is already becoming a firm fan’s favourite for how quickly he has turned around his fortunes, with lots more to hopefully come when the new era at Bramley Dock officially kicks off.

He's outscoring Beto: Everton may regret selling Finch Farm star for £7.5m

Everton must rue this £7.5m sale of “outstanding” star who’s now outscoring Beto

ByConnor Holden Mar 3, 2025

فيديو | جون ﻛﯿﻨﯿﺪي يسجل هدف باتشوكا الأول أمام الأهلي

تقدم فريق باتشوكا المكسيكي، بالهدف الأول أمام النادي الأهلي، في المباراة الودية المقامة بينهما الآن، ضمن الاستعدادات لكأس العالم للأندية.

وسجل اللاعب جون ﻛﯿﻨﯿﺪي، هدف فريق باتشوكا الأول أمام الأهلي في الدقيقة 11 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة.

وجاء هدف الفريق المكسيكي، عن طريق لاعبه جون كينيدي بعدما وصلته الكرة داخل منطقة الجزاء عقب عدة تمريرات من لاعبي الفريق المكسيكي ليسدد في مرمي محمد الشناوي. هدف باتشوكا الأول أمام الأهلي

طالع | شركة الأهلي تحسم الجدل حول أنباء بيع زيزو بعد كأس العالم للأندية

وتعد مواجهة باتشوكا، أولى المواجهات تحت قيادة الجهاز الفني الجديد للأهلي بقيادة البرتغالي خوسيه ريبيرو.

ويتواجد الأهلي في المجموعة الأولى ضمن منافسات كأس العالم للأندية، رفقة أندية إنتر ميامي الأمريكي وبورتو البرتغالي وبالميراس البرازيلي.

ويفتتح الأهلي بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، بمواجهة إنتر ميامي الأمريكي، صباح يوم الأحد 15 يونيو 2025، في الثالثة فجرًا

He’s outscoring Delap: Ipswich must rue not signing PL star now worth £67m

This season has been something of a roller coaster for Ipswich Town fans.

Kieran McKenna’s side came into the campaign as one of the favourites to be relegated from the Premier League, and while they are in the drop zone, they have played far better football than most would’ve predicted.

Moreover, with reinforcements signed last month and safety just three points away, there is still every chance they’ll be able to beat the drop, especially if Liam Delap keeps up his impressive form.

However, survival would be even more of a possibility had the club been able to secure one of their prior transfer targets, who’s currently outscoring the young striker.

Liam Delap's season so far

Following Ipswich’s surprise promotion last season, it was clear that they were going to need more firepower to stand any chance of remaining in the division for more than a single campaign.

So, the club turned to Manchester City’s young prospect Delap, who had spent 23/24 on loan with Championship outfit Hull City, and even though he had only racked up a haul of eight goals and two assists in 32 games, the Tractor Boys decided to splash £20m to bring him to Portman Road.

It may have been something of a gamble at the time, but as we know now, it’s one that has more than paid off.

For example, in just 25 games under McKenna, totalling 1806 minutes, the 22-year-old marksman has scored nine goals and provided two assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.27 games, or every 164.18 minutes.

However, it’s not just the output that makes the Winchester-born star such an important player for the Suffolk side, as his ability to hold up the ball, bring others into play and occupy opposition defenders also makes him a real handful.

With that said, while Delap is having a brilliant season, he is being outscored by another Premier League star the club tried to sign in the past.

The Premier League star Ipswich tried to sign

With how brilliantly Delap has played for Ipswich this season, the player in question has to be someone pretty special to be outscoring him, and they most certainly are.

Morgan Rogers is one of the most exciting players in the top flight, but before he moved to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2023, McKenna told the press that the Tractor Boys were “certainly there or thereabouts to bringing him here a couple of times.”

Unfortunately for the Portman Road faithful, the Northern Irishman wasn’t able to get his man, and after impressing in the northeast, he earned a £16m move to Aston Villa, where he has gone from strength to strength.

Appearances

33

Minutes

2779′

Goals

11

Assists

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.51

Minutes per Goal Involvement

163.47′

For example, in just 33 appearances across the league, Champions League and FA Cup this season, the “magnificent” talent, as dubbed by former professional Stephan Warnock, has scored 11 goals and provided six assists.

Such an incredible tally more than justifies his new valuation of around £67m from CIES Football Observatory.

Ultimately, Ipswich have their own super talent in Delap, but we can’t help imagining that safety would be all but assured if they were able to get a hold of Rogers as well.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 9, 2025

Diana Baig returns as Pakistan name squads for women's T20 World Cup and Australia tour

Fast bowler Diana Baig has been named in Pakistan’s squads for the ODI and T20I series in Australia in January and the women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in February, after recovering from a shoulder injury. Pakistan will be taking the same set of players to the T20Is in Australia and the World Cup.Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal also made a return to both the ODI and T20I squads, while legspinner Tuba Hassan has been picked for her first T20 World Cup after missing the home series against Ireland in November. With Fatima Sana, Sadia, Tuba and Baig, Pakistan have largely brought together the same bowling group that took them to the semi-finals of the T20 Asia Cup in Bangladesh this October.Fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz did not make the T20 World Cup squad but was picked for the ODIs in Australia despite taking only one wicket in two matches against Ireland. Anam Amin, a T20 specialist, was also left out of the squads. Offspinner Umm-e-Hani, who made her international debut in the third ODI against Ireland in October, was not part of the squad in either format.Bismah Maroof will lead the Pakistan team on both campaigns, while former captain Javeria Khan is part of the T20 squad, and in the list of reserves for the ODI series in Australia.”I wish luck to the players who have been selected for both the Australia series and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup,” Asmavia Iqbal, the women’s chief selector, said. “I am hopeful the side will continue to perform in the same manner they have performed recently in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup and Ireland series. The ODI series against Australia is very crucial, the expectations are high as we have won five of the six ICC Championship matches and our aim is to qualify directly for the 50-over World Cup.Sidra Nawaz has been included as the second wicketkeeper to give Muneeba Ali space to focus on her batting•PCB

“We have relied more on the senior players in the formation of the squad for the World Cup and we expect them to use their experience on the field and get positive results for the team. The return of Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan will give a boost to the side and will strengthen our bowling attack, which has the capability to do well. Sidra Nawaz has been added as our second wicketkeeper in the squad to give Muneeba Ali some space to express herself more with the bat, and gives an added option to the captain to utilise the services of a second wicketkeeper on the long tour.”Pakistan are in Group 2 in the T20 World Cup along with England, India, Ireland and West Indies. They play their opening game against India on February 12 in Cape Town. Pakistan have never gone past the group stage in the T20 World Cup; in the 2020 edition, they won only one game, against West Indies, lost to England and South Africa, and the fixture against Thailand was washed out.Before going to South Africa for the World Cup, Pakistan head to Australia to play three ODIs, which are part of the 2022-25 Women’s Cricket Championship, on January 16, 18 and 21, followed by three T20Is on January 24, 26 and 29. The squad leaves for Brisbane from Karachi on January 6, and they will have training camps in Lahore and Karachi before their departure.Pakistan T20I squad for Australia and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Bismah Maroof (capt), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Tuba Hassan
Reserves: Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz, Sadaf ShamasPakistan ODI squad for Australia: Bismah Maroof (capt), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk)
Reserves: Aiman Anwar, Javeria Khan, Tuba Hassan

Worse than Beto: Moyes must drop 6/10 Everton star who had 0 shots

Everton’s impressive start to life under David Moyes continued as they extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven matches with a 1-1 draw against Brentford on Wednesday night.

The Toffees found themselves 1-0 down at the break after Yoanne Wissa found the back of the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

A second-half header from Jake O’Brien, who brilliantly met Vitalii Mykolenko’s cross to the back post, secured a point for the Blues on the night, though.

Despite the positive performance and result, it was not a perfect evening for Moyes and his men as in-form forward Beto did not put on his shooting boots.

Beto's performance against Brentford

The Portuguese number nine has been in phenomenal form since the Scottish manager took charge of Everton, with a return of five goals in his previous four Premier League matches before the trip to Brentford.

Beto

Unfortunately, Beto squandered both of his ‘big chances’ to find the back of the net, as his two shots on target from one-on-one situations were saved by Mark Flekken.

However, both of those chances were created by his tireless running and desire to chase down every loose ball in anticipation of a mistake, and it did take two good saves from the Bees number one to keep him out.

Beto also provided an excellent presence at the top end of the pitch for the Toffees, as the former Udinese marksman won nine of 16 duels on the night.

Chalkboard

Whilst he may be criticised for missing the chances, which he created for himself, there was an Everton player who was even worse than him – Jesper Lindstrom.

Why Jesper Lindstrom should be dropped

The Danish forward was selected to start on the right flank for the Toffees on Wednesday night and failed to make the most of his opportunity to impress.

He only had 37 touches of the ball, fewer than his goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (44), and this illustrates his lack of impact on the pitch, as the winger failed to get involved in the match to make a difference at the top end of the pitch.

Vs Brentford

Jesper Lindstrom

Minutes

75

Key passes

0

Big chances created

0

Shots

0

Dribbles completed

0/2

Duels won

4/10

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Lindstrom came off the pitch without a single shot or chance created to show for his efforts across 75 minutes, whilst he also let his side down out of possession by losing the majority of his duels.

Beto, at least, won the majority of his physical battles and caused problems in the final third by testing Flekken on multiple occasions, whilst the Danish lightweight offered very little.

Jesper Lindstrom for Everton

The Liverpool Echo handed him a mediocre player rating of 6/10, which seems fair given his average statistics, and Moyes must instantly drop him from the starting XI as a result of this showing.

Abdoulaye Doucoure missed the game for the birth of his baby and should be brought back in to replace Lindstrom, should he be available for the clash with Wolves next week.

Moyes has unearthed Everton's new version of Richarlison in "thriving" star

He’s been one of the best performers in the Premier League over the past few weeks.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 25, 2025

That could allow Charly Alcaraz to move out wide to the right to accommodate the former Watford man coming in to fill the number ten position behind Beto.

Lionel Messi credited with turning Inter Miami into the 'Real Madrid of MLS' as Josef Martinez lifts lid on poor standards at the club before Barcelona legend's arrival

Lionel Messi has been credited with turning Inter Miami into the “Real Madrid of MLS”, with Josef Martinez detailing a stunning raising of standards.

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  • Argentine moved to Florida in 2023
  • Made immediate impact on & off the field
  • Everyone else forced to raise their game
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Venezuelan frontman Martinez was already in South Florida when eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi arrived in the summer of 2023. He made an immediate impact with the Herons, as Leagues Cup success was savoured within weeks of his arrival.

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    The most decorated player of all-time has brought several familiar faces along with him – including Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets – helping to make the Herons more competitive while attracting greater interest from a global audience.

  • WHAT JOSEF MARTINEZ SAID

    Martinez has told the podcast: “When I joined Inter Miami, it was El Combate [The Combat] FC. When it became official (Messi’s signing), it went from being the worst team in MLS to the Real Madrid of MLS.

    “Before Messi’s first training session, not even people on Instagram knew us, not even the club’s own journalists came. That was the first time I met my godfather, and people who didn’t even know I existed were writing to me. Outside, there were 1,000 journalists – when before, we had seen maybe one. And there were 50,000 people at the first training session. It changed overnight.”

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    DID YOU KNOW?

    Martinez added on Messi: “He had already won everything, and yet he was there and was the first to arrive. He might be the most disciplined, but with us – or at least with me – he was great. That made you feel like you had to match his level. Before, there were players who couldn’t even complete a pass.

    “[Robert] Taylor couldn’t score on God himself. Messi arrived, and he became the team’s top scorer. Everyone’s level rose. From being a team nobody watched, to being the biggest spotlight in the league – you couldn’t afford to fail.”

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