The American midfielder to be among the highest-compensated women's soccer players in the world

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Macario signs record deal with NikeWorth $10 million over 10 yearsDeal would make her among highest-paidFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱ImagnWHAT HAPPENED?

U.S. women's national team star Catarina Macario has reportedly signed a record-breaking endorsement deal with Nike that will see her paid $10 million over 10 years. Nike announced the signing of Macario this week, having recruited the American playmaker after her previous association with Adidas.

As part of the deal, which includes a signing bonus and annual payments, Macario will hit that $10 million figure, according to Forbes, and her earnings could also be boosted through incentives and royalties.

Additionally, the contract reportedly includes options in the final two years of the deal.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Per Forbes, between Macario's deals with Nike and her club, Chelsea, Macario is set to earn at least $2 million during the 2025-26 season, before taking into account other sponsors and appearance fees with the USWNT.

She is expected to be one of the highest-paid players in women's soccer. Both Chelsea and the USWNT play in kits made by Nike.

Despite dealing with knee injuries throughout the past few years, Macario has bounced back to reclaim her place as a USWNT mainstay in the months following the 2024 Olympics. Macario has 11 goals in 25 USWNT appearances, including three goals in 2025.

DID YOU KNOW?

This isn't Nike's first big swing in the women's soccer space. The company lured Ada Hegerberg away from Puma in 2020 for a reported $1.1 million over 10 years. In total, Forbes 2024 list of highest paid female athletes determined that women's players across all sports had off-field earnings rise 11 percent in 2024.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MACARIO?

Currently in the offseason, Macario's Chelsea campaign will begin with preseason in August. The USWNT, meanwhile, recently played a trio of summer friendlies, twice defeating Ireland 4-0, before topping Canada 3-0.

Manchester United’s pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo has hit a major roadblock after Brentford received a fresh bid for Yoane Wissa from Nottingham Forest. With the Bees unwilling to sell both of their star forwards this summer, Mbeumo’s proposed move to Old Trafford is now in serious doubt — and the Red Devils may be forced to accelerate talks for the Cameroonian or look elsewhere.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Brentford receive new bid from Nottingham Forest for Wissa
• Man Utd’s Mbeumo move threatened by Brentford’s transfer stance
• Brentford unwilling to sell both Wissa and Mbeumo this summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester United remain keen on signing Mbeumo this summer and have already seen two bids rejected by Brentford. The Red Devils value the Cameroon international highly and were hoping to conclude a deal before their United States pre-season tour. However, a new twist has emerged that could derail their plans to add Mbeumo to Ruben Amorim's squad.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Nottingham Forest have lodged a fresh offer for Wissa, as per The Athletic, as they look to replace outgoing winger Anthony Elanga. Brentford are reluctant to part ways with both Wissa and Mbeumo in a single summer. If Wissa is sold, Brentford are expected to block Mbeumo’s departure to Manchester United or raise his price further.

• TELL ME MORE…

  Brentford director Phil Giles recently acknowledged Mbeumo’s popularity in the market but insisted the club is under no pressure to sell. Mbeumo is reportedly open to a Manchester United move but is also content to stay for another year. With Wissa in talks to leave, Brentford could demand well above their current £63 million ($85m) asking price for Mbeumo.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR THE BRENTFORD DUO?

  Manchester United may be forced to act swiftly to close a deal before Brentford green-light Wissa’s transfer. Should Forest succeed in signing Wissa, Mbeumo’s future may remain at the Gtech Community Stadium, and the Red Devils may have to explore alternative attacking targets.

Having played a crucial role in India’s big win over England last week, Pooja Vastrakar was at it again, this time with Australia in her sights. The fast-bowling allrounder presented a masterclass in swing bowling, making the ball talk both ways to pick up career-best figures of 4 for 53 as Australia were bowled out for 219 in their first innings of the one-off Test at the Wankhede Stadium.Vastrakar picked up two wickets apiece in the first and second sessions while Sneh Rana returned 3 for 56 as India continued their impressive Test bowling show. In reply, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma added 90 for the first wicket in 16.4 overs. Shafali fell six minutes before close of play, but India comfortably held the upper hand after day one, ending it 98 for 1 in 19 overs and trailing Australia by 121 runs.Australia could not have foreseen a worse start after winning the toss when Phoebe Litchfield was run out for a diamond duck in the first over. Beth Mooney tapped a Renuka Singh delivery to the left of gully and set off. Miscommunication ensued and Litchfield was found nowhere in the frame.Vastrakar then rattled Elyse Perry’s middle pole with an inswinging jaffa. The ball pitched outside off and deviated sharply back in through the gap between Perry’s bat and pad as Australia were reduced to 7 for 2 ten balls into their innings.With the ball hooping around and also keeping low, Mooney found the going tough. The ball slid past her outside edge several times and she also had an umpire’s call verdict going her way when she missed a Renuka Singh indipper from around the stumps.Ellyse Perry was cleaned up by a jaffa from Vastrakar•BCCI

Tahlia McGrath, however, decided to go the counterattacking way. She got her innings going by creaming Vastrakar through the covers twice in two balls before tapping her past point. India had the chance to dent Australia further but Deepti Sharma failed to hang on to a tough chance over her head at second slip when McGrath slashed at Renuka and edged thickly in the seventh over.McGrath cashed in, going on a boundary spree even as Mooney continued to struggle. Then the introduction of spin stemmed the flow of runs to an extent. McGrath raised her fifty off 52 balls but failed to go further. It was Rana who ended the promising 80-run stand with McGrath flicking to a leaping Rajeshwari Gayakwad at short midwicket.While Alyssa Healy made a bright start, getting off the mark with a six over long-on, Mooney’s luck ended when she fell off the final ball of the first session courtesy a sharp Vastrakar bouncer that she could only fend to first slip as Australia reached lunch at 103 for 4.Healy and Annabel Sutherland started confidently after the break. Both batters used their feet to good effect, collecting boundaries at every given chance. They had added 40 off 96 balls when the sweep brought about Healy’s undoing. Deepti switched her angle to around the wicket and Healy immediately brought out the sweep only to miss the ball completely and find her stumps in a mess.Vastrakar then ended Sutherland’s dogged stay with a nip-backer that caught her right in front of the stumps. The first ball of her next over, she had Ashleigh Gardner poking at an away-swinger outside off with Yastika Bhatia doing the rest as Australia were reduced to 160 for 7.Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma added 90 for the first wicket•Getty Images

That soon became 168 for 8 when Rana had Alana King caught behind, with a little help from the DRS. Jess Jonassen and Kim Garth took Australia to tea at 180 for 8.The duo hung around for 93 balls but added only 30 as the spinners tightened up after the break. India stitched six maidens between the 63rd and 70th overs and that contributed to the wicket of Jonassen, who was sent back via another DRS overturning. Jonassen shaped up for a reverse-sweep to a full Deepti ball and was struck in front, with ball-tracking indicating that the ball would have smashed into middle stump.Garth and debutant Lauren Cheatle added 21 for the last wicket before Rana claimed her third wicket to close out the Australia innings in 77.4 overs. The only blemish in a largely professional performance from India were three catches dropped by Deepti in the slips.Mandhana and Shafali then came out and immediately found their bearings. All the demons in the surface seemed to have subsided as they feasted on the Australian bowling. Mandhana got off the mark with a cut for four off Garth before Shafali struck Cheatle for two successive cover drives. India raced past fifty off just 46 balls with neither opening bowler looking particularly threatening.Shafali and Mandhana rode their luck to an extent with a a few inside and outside edges falling safely. Shafali fell close to stumps on day one when she missed a straight Jonassen delivery to be trapped in front on 40. Mandhana and Rana then took India safely to stumps with just a wicket down.

اختار سيرجيو أجويرو المهاجم الأرجنتيني السابق، الفريق المرشح للفوز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، في الموسم الجديد.

ويثق أجويرو في قدرة مانشستر سيتي على العودة وإثبات جدارته من جديد، وكان ليفربول قد حقق لقب البريميرليج في أول موسم لآرني سلوت خلفاً ليورجن كلوب.

اقرأ أيضاً.. محمد صلاح يوجه رسالة إلى نونيز بعد انتقاله إلى الهلال السعودي

وكان مانشستر سيتي قد احتل المركز الثالث الموسم الماضي وقد تأخر فريق بيب جوارديولا بفارق 13 نقطة عن ليفربول في الدوري الممتاز.

وقال أجويرو عندما سئل عن النادي الذي يتوقع فوزه باللقب في تصريحات نقلتها “مترو” البريطانية: “مانشستر سيتي”.

وتوقع المهاجم الأرجنتيني ترتيب الأربعة الأوائل في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي: “أعتقد مانشستر سيتي ثم ليفربول ثم آرسنال وتشيلسي”.

ويثق أجويرو بأن إيرلينج هالاند وقدرته التهديفية ستؤثر بشكل كبير على ترتيب مانشستر سيتي في نهاية الموسم.

وحول تأقلم فيكتور جيوكيريس في الدوري الإنجليزي فإن أجويرو يرى أن مهاجم آرسنال الجديد قادر على إحداث تغييري جذري في موسمه الأول.

وعن المرشح للفوز بالحذاء الذهبي اجاب أجويرو: “أتمنى أن يفوز هالاند بالجائزة، هذا يعني أنه سيسجل الكثير مع مانشستر سيتي، يجب أن يذكر اسم محمد صلاح أيضاً وكذلك إيزاك وجيوكيريس لديه فرصة للقيام بنقلة نوعية وتحقيق سجل تهديفي ضخم مع آرسنال”.

ويأمل أجويرو أن يعود فودين لأفضل حالاته بعد أن سجل سبعة أهداف وصنع هدفين فقط خلال الدوري الموسم الماضي: “أتمنى أن يفوز فودين بجائزة لاعب العام مرة أخرى، ذكرت فودين ولكن هناك أيضاً ماك أليستر وإنزو فرنانديز وكول بالمر وديكلان رايس، سيكون لديهم فرصة للفوز بالجائزة”.

وأثارت تعزيزات ليفربول الصيفية إعجاب سيرجيو أجويرو الذي ختم تصريحاته بقوله: “انضمام إيزاك سيجعل الفريق أكثر خطورة، ليفربول خسر نونيز ولويس دياز كمهاجمين رئيسيين، ومن ناحية أخرى سيضيف فيرتز قدرات من صناعة اللعب، إيكتيكي أظهر موهبة تسجيلية مميزة خلال فترة لعبه السابقة مع فرانكفورت، لذا من المتوقع أن يكون عاملًا مؤثرًا أيضًا”.

Allen’s last six T20 scores have read 137, 74, 34, 78*, 50 and 38

Vishal Dikshit17-Jan-2024The 2022-23 season was not a great summer for Finn Allen. At the start of the season, he had a disappointing 2022 T20 World Cup by managing just 95 runs in five innings. He then lasted more than 20 balls only once in the remaining five T20Is that summer and his ODI form also lost sheen after a glittering start. A year later, he didn’t get a ticket for the ODI World Cup in India.This summer, though, has been remarkable for him in T20s. Let’s go back a few months to another summer, the one in England. Allen smashed 240 runs from nine outings in the Hundred, only behind Jos Buttler’s tally of 391, with a strike rate of nearly 145 that helped Southern Brave reach the playoffs. He stayed back for the T20Is against England and blasted 83 off 53 in the third game before returning for the home summer where his last six T20 scores (both domestic and international) have been 137, 74, 34, 78*, 50 and 38.Related

Finn Allen, perfect and imperfect all at once

Allen's record-breaking 137 seals the series for New Zealand with two games left

Finn Allen equals world record with 16 sixes

The latest of those was 137 off 62 balls in the third T20I against Pakistan, studded with a record-breaking 16 sixes that made his score the highest by a New Zealand player in T20Is. So what’s changed for him this season?”I think I’m just evaluating risk and times that I want to take a high-risk option,” he said after the Pakistan game. “Maybe prior to this summer was a little bit all over the show and not so much control but I’m trying to have more control now and be a bit more decisive.”I’m working on just adapting to the scenario better, situations better, and I guess picking my moments to go. I’m basically trying to have a stable base and build off that and expand my game from there.”The stable base was on show in Dunedin where he let his flourishing swings and hand-eye coordination do all the work to belt all his sixes in the arc from long-off to square leg. He stood tall to either swing down the ground or put away the short balls with pulls whenever Pakistan erred with their lengths, even if they came with a change of pace.That he could score at a very high strike rate was evident even before this season, but now he is also being consistent, something he has been working on since returning to his home team Auckland before this domestic season. His scores in the ongoing T20I series – 137, 74 and 34 – are a testimony to his consistency, which bodes well for both Allen and New Zealand in the build-up to the T20 World Cup in June.Along the way, Allen has also been taking down some big names. After a 26 off 17 in the opening Super Smash game, he struck 50 off 24 against Wellington where he took down Ben Sears for 20 off just six balls. In his unbeaten 78 off 46 balls after that, he punished Ish Sodhi for a sequence of 6, 4 and 6 after the powerplay to hit him for 22 runs off seven balls. On Wednesday, it was Pakistan’s Haris Rauf who came in his way and Allen blasted him for 47 off just 14 with the help of six sixes and two fours.Allen says a lot of it comes down to his preparations before the games because the “fickle” nature of the format can turn the tide quickly.”I come back to my basics and making sure that before a game I know my basics,” he said. “And going into a game I feel like I’ve ticked everything off. It’s such a fickle game, the tide can turn real quick so knowing that I’ve ticked everything off before a game and can put it down to execution and plans.”With two more T20Is to go in the series and another home T20I series against Australia next month, Allen will hope his hot streak continues this summer.

He takes over the role from Shadab Khan and will work closely with Shaheen Shah Afridi who was named full-time T20I captain

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jan-2024

The Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] has appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the vice-captain of the T20I side ahead of the team’s five-match series against New Zealand. The wicket-keeper batter replaces Shadab Khan in the role, who is on the road to recovery following an ankle injury, which ruled him out of the New Zealand tour.Rizwan’s appointment is the latest in a slew of changes that have happened in the Pakistan leadership group and board structure after Babar Azam stepped down as captain from all formats of the game following the 2023 ODI World Cup. Pakistan finished fifth on the table with just four wins in nine matches and failed to qualify for the knockouts. The 31-year-old Rizwan will be working as a deputy to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was named captain of the T20I side.Rizwan has prior leadership experience, both on the international and domestic fronts. He led Pakistan in two Tests against New Zealand in late 2020 and early 2021 after a fractured right thumb ruled Babar out. In the PSL, Rizwan has been captain of Multan Sultans since 2021. Under his leadership, Sultans won the title in 2021, and have qualified for the final in 2022 and 2023. In all, he has led in 64 of the 238 T20s that he has been part of.Related

T20 World Cup agenda dominates clash of the titans

'A real shocker': Wasim and Waqar slam Afridi's Sydney omission

Explainer – Making sense of Babar Azam's unexpected resignation as Pakistan captain

Shaheen Afridi to lead Pakistan in T20Is; Shan Masood appointed Test captain

Babar Azam resigns as Pakistan captain in all formats

“It is an honour to be named as the vice-captain of Pakistan Men’s T20I side. I am thankful to the PCB for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am looking forward to working closely with the captain, coaching staff, and my team-mates to contribute to the team’s success,” Rizwan said.Rizwan has a stellar T20I record in which he has scored 2797 runs in 73 innings at an average of 49.07 with 25 half-centuries and one century. His strike rate of 127.30, however, has come under criticism in the last few years. He has also taken 41 catches and effected 11 stumpings.Pakistan are coming off a deflating 3-0 Test Aseries loss against Australia and will hope a change of format brings about a change in fortunes. They are scheduled to play five T20Is in New Zealand, the first of which will start on January 12 in Auckland. They will then travel to Hamilton for the second T20I followed by Dunedin before going to Christchurch for the last two games.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fortaleza bateu o Santos na Vila Belmiro e, com uma combinação de resultados, garantiu uma vaga na próxima edição da Libertadores da América. Na coletiva de imprensa após o jogo, o técnico Pablo Vojvoda jogou limpo sobre o futuro e afirmou que ainda não definiu o que vai fazer em 2023.

RelacionadasFortalezaFortaleza confirma ascensão no Brasileirão e garante vaga na LibertadoresFortaleza13/11/2022Humor EsportivoFora da Libertadores, São Paulo é alvo de memes dos torcedores rivaisHumor Esportivo13/11/2022BrasileirãoVÍDEO: os melhores momentos da vitória do Fortaleza sobre o SantosBrasileirão13/11/2022

– Ainda não decidi, sou totalmente sincero. O Castelão fez uma festa inesquecível para mim, mas minha cabeça estava focada nesta partida (contra o Santos) – afirmou.

Pablo Vojvoda tem em mãos uma oferta de renovação do Fortaleza, mas ainda não respondeu o presidente Marcelo Paz. O treinador, no entanto, também desperta o interesse de vários outros clubes, como Corinthians e Vasco.

Caso tope ficar no Tricolor, ele terá um calendário recheado e com direito à segunda participação do clube na Libertadores da América.

The 2022 winners are into a sixth-successive major semi-final, but must make changes to successfully defend their European Championship title

Home

Home Kit

• Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the past
• Features classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Away

Away Kit

• Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletes
• Features bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless black
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Kit

• Comes in the traditional green colourway
• Logos centralised for a retro look
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Home

Home Kit

• Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the past
• Features classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Away

Away Kit

• Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletes
• Features bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless black
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Kit

• Comes in the traditional green colourway
• Logos centralised for a retro look
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Home

Home Kit

• Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the past
• Features classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Away

Away Kit

• Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletes
• Features bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless black
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Kit

• Comes in the traditional green colourway
• Logos centralised for a retro look
• Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL

From

£84.99

Buy

There was so much to take away from England's penalty shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals of the 2025 European Championship. Some of it was good, be it the impact of the substitutes or the resilience from the whole team. Some of it, though, was bad, particularly in defence, where the Lionesses were torn apart despite their remarkable second-half comeback.

It's a performance that should serve as a wake-up call for Sarina Wiegman, who needs to address the issues in the backline if England are to retain their European title. That starts on Tuesday, when her side come up against an Italy team that is in its first major tournament semi-final this century.

The Lionesses will be the favourites, given their status as holders and the greater experience in their squad when it comes to these big moments. But that does not mean Wiegman should rest on her laurels when it comes to team selection, as GOAL takes a look at how England line-up in Geneva…

• Getty Images
  

  GK: Hannah Hampton

  Whatever changes Wiegman makes, there will not be one in between the sticks. Hannah Hampton remains England's only capped goalkeeper and she comes into this semi-final off the back of an incredible high, having made two huge saves in the penalty shootout win over Sweden.

  She's not been perfect this tournament, with her struggling to come out and collect crosses in particular on Thursday. Still, she deservedly remains England's undisputed No.1.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  CB: Esme Morgan

  England have to change shape in order to address the issues they have in defence right now, and there is no better opportunity to do so than on Tuesday, against Italy. Having used the system to remarkable success at the 2023 Women's World Cup, Wiegman last deployed her team in a 3-5-2 from the start in a friendly against Switzerland in December of last year. Asked why, she cited the desire "to be adaptable to what we have in front of us", as that was the shape the Swiss lined up in. Italy prefer the same formation.

  Despite her difficult day out against Sweden, there is an argument to keep Jess Carter in the team in that system, as she is at her very best in a back three. However, that game will have certainly knocked her confidence and there's no doubt Italy would target her again, so it makes sense to bring in Esme Morgan, replicating the in-game change Wiegman made in the win over Sweden.

• Getty Images
  

  CB: Leah Williamson

  This selection depends on the fitness of Leah Williamson, who limped off in extra-time against Sweden with an ankle injury. If she is okay to start, then the England captain must, with her leadership and quality vital, even if some of her performances this tournament have been a little shaky.

  If she cannot play, the Lionesses would be in a bit of a pickle. Carter would make sense to take this spot then, unless Wiegman wants to take her out of the firing line. Then, she'd be turning to Maya Le Tissier or Lotte Wubben-Moy, neither of whom have played any minutes since the 2024-25 club season concluded.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  CB: Alex Greenwood

  The biggest reason why a formation change is necessary is because England are being too easily exposed at left-back. Against France, Carter played there and was torn apart by Delphine Cascarino. Against Sweden, Alex Greenwood failed to cover the position well enough, which allowed the opposition to get at left centre-back Carter regularly. There's no natural option for the orthodox left-back role in the Lionesses' squad – so why set-up in a shape that needs it filling?

  Instead, Wiegman can change to a 3-5-2 and put Greenwood back into a back three that she thrived in at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Lucas Vazquez is set to leave Real Madrid after first joining them as a 16-year-old in 2007, with the Spaniard posting an emotional farewell online.

Vazquez's contract with Madrid has expiredPosted heartfelt farewell on social mediaHis next club has not yet been finalisedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Vazquez is officially an ex-Real Madrid player. The 34-year-old's contract with the club expired on July 13, upon the end of the Club World Cup. On Wednesday, the former Spanish international posted a farewell letter for Madrid and the fans, stating that "every step along the way has been a gift."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Vazquez joined Real Madrid's famed youth academy, La Fabrica, as a 16-year-old in 2007. He rose through the ranks rapidly and helped reserve side Real Madrid Castilla return to the second tier after a five-year absence, with the B team winning the third division at the end of the 2011-12 season. His displays earned him a loan to Espanyol in La Liga in the 2014-15 season, after which he was promoted to the Blancos first team in the 2015-16 season. Never one of the stars names in the dressing room, Vazquez embodied Madridismo like very few other in recent memory, and sacrificed himself on countless occasions to prioritise the team's interests. He played 402 games, scoring 38 goals, delivering 61 assists, and winning 23 trophies – including five Champions League and four league titles.

WHAT LUCAS VAZQUEZ SAID

Taking to Instagram, Vazquez posted an emotional farewell video, stating: “Dear Madridistas, it's been nearly two decades since I arrived at Valdebebas as a 16-year-old full of dreams and excitement to wear this shirt. Every step along the way has been a gift, and over time, Madrid became my home.

“We've lived unforgettable nights together, celebrated 23 titles and created memories that will stay with me forever. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the President, board, staff, coaches, teammates and above all, to the fans. You pushed me to always give that little bit more.

“Today, after more than 400 matches, it's time to say goodbye to the club of my life. But I leave with peace of mind knowing I gave it my all. I've always been aware of the responsibility and privilege that comes with wearing this badge. I've enjoyed every match, training session, trip, and if there's one thing this journey has taught me, it's that no one should ever tell you that you can't achieve something.

“I may be leaving Real Madrid, but Real Madrid will never leave me. Wherever I go, I will proudly say that I had the honor of playing for the greatest club in the world. Thank you for being part of the most beautiful journey of my life. Hala Madrid, and nothing more!”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LUCAS VAZQUEZ?

Vazquez's future remains uncertain at the moment. According to reports, the 34-year-old has turned down the opportunity to reunite with Espanyol out of respect for Madrid, while offers from Qatar and Turkish side Fenerbahce remain on the table.

Cheteshwar Pujara has scored his 17th double-century in first-class cricket, in the opening round of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, against Jharkhand. Batting overnight on 157, Pujara went past 200 in the first session of the third day and remained unbeaten on 243 after lunch, when Saurashtra declared on 578 for 4, with a massive lead of 436.Pujara is now level with Herbert Sutcliffe and Mark Ramprakash on 17 first-class doubles and behind Don Bradman (37), Wally Hammond (36) and Patsy Hendren (22) overall. It was Pujara’s eighth double-hundred in the Ranji Trophy, where he is second on the list behind only Paras Dogra’s nine.Pujara also has three first-class triple-centuries, the last of which came against West Indies A in October 2013.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Pujara will hope his latest double puts him in contention for the five-Test series against England starting on January 25 in Hyderabad. Pujara last played a Test in June, the WTC final against Australia at The Oval, in which he scored 14 and 27 as India went down by 209 runs.India have since played two Test series of two games each, in the West Indies in July 2023 and recently in South Africa. Shubman Gill dropped down to No. 3 in all those Tests with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the batting.Pujara, meanwhile, played county cricket for Sussex, the Irani Cup (the annual first-class match featuring the Ranji Trophy champions vs the Rest of India) and the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, but without impressive returns until now.He will probably play at least one more Ranji game – against Haryana at home from January 12 to 15 – before the India squad is announced for the England Tests. Saurashtra’s third fixture is against Vidarbha from January 19 to 22.