'Our biggest opportunity lies with the younger age-group teams.' 'If you look at the senior national team, our chances are about 50-50.' 'The gap becomes smaller as you move down the age groups.' 'At the Under-20 level, it's closer to 60-40.' 'By the Under-17 level, it's around 80-20. That's where I feel we have our best chance.'
Lionel Messi's unparalleled influence extends beyond his on-field performance, transforming opponents into admirers. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Messi effect,' sees rival players expressing awe and seeking mementos after matches, highlighting his profound impact on the current generation of footballers.
If Rohit Sharma's ODI exit is coming, it should be announced with dignity and not through rumours and leaks. You don't whisper exits for great players -- you announce them with respect, asserts K R Nayar.
It happened in 2017, two years after Scaloni ended his playing career. De la Fuente, then in charge of Spain's youth teams, was among the figures who helped guide a recently retired player taking his first steps towards management.
Mikel Merino, the Arsenal midfielder, has once again proven to be Spain's late-game hero, scoring an 88th-minute winner against Belgium to send his team into the World Cup semi-finals. This follows his stoppage-time goal against Portugal in the last 16. Merino attributes his consistent clutch performances to thorough preparation, embodying the collective spirit praised by coach Luis de la Fuente.
'It's very easy for people to say, 'She got work because of her connections. What they don't see is the number of rejections I went through. Even if someone helps you get your first opportunity, you can't sustain a career unless you know your craft. I wanted people to hire me because they believed in my work, not because I was related to someone.'
Jasmine Paolini defeated Alexandra Eala in a three-set thriller at Wimbledon, ending Eala's impressive run to reach the quarterfinals. The match, witnessed by Roger Federer, saw Paolini's experience prevail after Eala had previously upset World No. 3 Iga Swiatek.
The Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has made an explosive debut at the worldwide box office, setting new records for the highest opening weekend for a music biopic.
'ISRO is planning to build a Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2030. So, our goal is to create a vehicle that can supply modules to the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and bring the products back.'
A year after the devastating AI-171 Dreamliner crash near Ahmedabad, forensic scientists recount the immense emotional and scientific challenges faced in identifying the 260 victims. The director of Gujarat Directorate of Forensic Sciences, H P Sanghvi, shared the indelible image of a severed hand, symbolising the terror and the team's dedication.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed confidence that Indian fencers will secure medals at the upcoming Asian Games and qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He emphasized the need to popularize fencing in India, highlighting its potential to capture the youth's imagination and its significant medal opportunities at the Olympics. Rijiju also commented on the government's non-interference policy regarding sports federations' internal affairs, specifically addressing the Manika Batra selection issue.
A satirical song about leaving Bosnia for America has become the country's unofficial World Cup anthem after Dubioza Kolektiv rewrote the hit to celebrate Bosnia's remarkable journey to the global football stage.
Jaspreet Kaur and Jhandu Kumar, two Indian para powerlifters, have overcome significant personal challenges, including polio and poverty, to qualify for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Residents and pilgrims in Ayodhya are anxiously awaiting the outcome of a Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust meeting, convened amidst serious allegations of embezzlement of temple donations. The controversy has led to a subdued public mood, concerns among devotees about the security of their offerings, and calls for strict action against those responsible, including "big people" behind the alleged scam. Security has been heightened as an SIT investigates and arrests have been made.
By taking one of the oldest stories and finding new meaning within it, Christopher Nolan has created the most timely film of his career, asserts Mayur Sanap.
'My fans don't mind me hamming.'
The Indian team, which looked invincible under Suryakumar Yadav, has suddenly hit rock bottom a few months after winning the T20 World Cup.
Legendary Indian goalkeeper Brahmananda Sankhwalkar reflects on the emotional FIFA World Cup exits of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Junior. He discusses their unfulfilled World Cup dreams, their rivalry with Lionel Messi, and the circumstances of their respective team's eliminations, highlighting their enduring legacy despite the absence of a World Cup trophy.
Dhamaal 4, the latest instalment in the comedy franchise, struggles with lazy writing, recycled jokes, and an over-reliance on self-referential humour, despite a committed cast.
From Fahadh Faasil and Dilip Kumar to Sridevi and Shah Rukh Khan, a look at Indian actors who reportedly came close to starring in iconic Hollywood blockbusters but ultimately missed out.
With Elon Musk reportedly entering the trillionaire club after the SpaceX IPO, here's a fun guide to the biggest number most of us will never see outside a calculator and fancy dreams.
Ecuador's World Cup nightmare turned into a dream, as La Tri's once seemingly doomed campaign was resurrected against Germany in a remarkable conclusion to Group E on Thursday.
The best time to buy health insurance is when you don't think you need it.
'I don't see a point in Dhoni batting at Number 8 or 9, because he has the potential to turn games around single-handedly, something no other batter in the CSK team can do.'
The monsoon session of Parliament will set the tone for how the Hindu community feels about what happened at the Ram Mandir. Whether emotions will be stirred within the voters of India lies solely at the oratory skills of the Congressis and Samajwadis, notes Zainab Sikander.
Ecuador's World Cup nightmare turned into a dream, as La Tri's once seemingly doomed campaign was resurrected against Germany in a remarkable conclusion to Group E on Thursday.
'We ourselves hadn't heard it initially. Many people called us. The entire village was overjoyed.'
Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic 92nd-minute goal to secure a 1-0 victory for Canada over South Africa, propelling the co-hosts into the World Cup last 16 for the first time. The tense match in Los Angeles saw few clear chances until Eustaquio's late strike, ending Canada's frustration and sending them to face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the quarter-finals. South Africa, despite a strong defensive effort, exited the tournament.
Seventh seed Francisco Cerundolo out-lasted American Tommy Paul in a gruelling Queen's Club final to claim the biggest title of his career on Sunday, winning 6-7(4). 6-4. 6-3.
We have built an economy that can deliver everything -- from iPhones to biryani -- to a doorstep in 10 minutes, but it cannot deliver a fire engine through a lane in 20, points out Amit Kapoor.
Say hello to the S 450 e Launch Edition. Priced at 2.20 crore upwards.
The once promising YRF Spy Universe, which delivered Bollywood's first Rs 500 crore grosser with Pathaan, is now grappling with an uncertain future as recent releases like Alpha and War 2 fail to ignite the box office.
Following a dominant group stage performance, Argentina is now preparing to face Cape Verde in the Round of 32.
'She taught us that acting wasn't something people did because they couldn't do anything else. It was a skill. A skill that needed to be constantly polished and shaped, and the respect you command with that.'
Nikhat Perveen, who is fondly called Chunchun by her family, was very emotional while writing this feature about her beloved father. As you read this Father's Day special, you will realise why.
The H-1B visa once symbolised the American Dream for Indians, but today's students are increasingly asking whether they need America at all. In 1995, the question was: How do I get to America? In 2026, it may be: Do I need to?
Bihar's greatest resource is not beneath its soil but above it -- its people. With a population approaching 140 million and one of India's youngest demographic profiles, Bihar possesses an asset many societies would envy, explains Bihar Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd).
'Even lower middle class parents in cities opt for just one child. A son is a must.'
Omar Abdullah states that normalisation of relations with Pakistan is difficult due to terror incidents and lack of a credible civilian partner in Islamabad.
More Indians are consciously choosing to remain child-free. From personal freedom and finances to climate anxiety and mental wellbeing, young couples and singles tell us why parenthood isn't part of their life plan.
