Brazilian football legend Neymar Jr. has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's shocking 2-1 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. The 34-year-old forward, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, confirmed his decision after the match, marking the end of a celebrated career with the national team.
England football icon David Beckham has paid tribute to Lionel Messi, calling him a 'credit to himself' and an 'inspiration for millions' after the Argentina legend announced his retirement from international football.
Neymar has suggested he may have played his final match for Brazil following their 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup round of 16, a result that eliminated the five-time champions. The emotional 34-year-old scored a penalty but indicated his international career might be over, marking Brazil's worst World Cup performance since 1990.
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a career marked by numerous club and international accolades, including multiple Ballon d'Or awards and a World Cup title.
Argentina's veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi has announced his retirement from international football after a 17-year career, which included winning the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar maintains his position among India's top five celebrity brands, with a valuation of USD 125.9 million, according to the Kroll India Celebrity Brand Valuation 2025 report. His enduring reputation, trust, and authenticity continue to make him highly attractive to various brands, solidifying his status as the only retired athlete consistently in the top 10.
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to retire from international football in September, with speculation suggesting his final match will be Portugal's UEFA Nations League fixture against Wales.
At 41, Roelof van der Merwe aims to conclude his international cricket career at the upcoming ODI World Cup, ideally in Centurion, South Africa, representing the Netherlands. He discusses his dedication to national duty over franchise cricket, his fitness goals for future World Cups, and his continued impact as a left-arm spinner and fielder. He also highlights the potential of the European T20 Premier League to unearth new talent.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's legendary striker Edin Dzeko has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a nearly two-decade-long career. The 40-year-old, who has played for top clubs like Manchester City and Inter Milan, will make his final appearance for Bosnia against Sweden in October. Dzeko is the country's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, having helped them qualify for their first World Cup in 2014.
Neymar's father has penned an emotional message urging his son to reconsider his retirement from international football, which followed Brazil's unexpected exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, announced his decision after their Round of 16 defeat to Norway.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has become the first cricketer, male or female, to play 200 T20 Internationals, achieving this milestone during a World Cup clash against South Africa.
Dave Cousins, India's new national compound archery head coach, believes a historic first Olympic medal for India is inevitable. He is preparing the team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and has long-term plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, noting the changing Asian archery landscape and the impressive work ethic of Indian archers.
Former India captain Sunil Chhetri admitted to feeling "a little jealous" about the current national team getting the chance to play against footballing powerhouses Brazil and Uruguay, an opportunity he never had during his extensive international career. He expressed excitement for the team while also backing the coach's selection decisions and encouraging the young talent.
Retiring England women's cricket icons, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont were paid a heartfelt tribute by the Indian cricket team after the historic one-off Women's Test at Lord's on Monday.
Tennis legend Roger Federer described his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame as one of the greatest honours of his life, expressing his joy at immersing himself in the sport's history and finding his place among his heroes.
Lionel Messi leaves as a World Cup winner and twice Copa America champion, the man who stepped out of Diego Maradona's immense shadow to create an Argentine legacy entirely his own.
Luka Modri's illustrious international career concluded with Croatia's dramatic 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the World Cup. Despite a valiant effort, Croatia's hopes were dashed by a late Gonalo Ramos goal and a disallowed equaliser, marking an emotional exit for the 40-year-old football icon. Cristiano Ronaldo shared a poignant moment with his former teammate, acknowledging Modri's remarkable legacy.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen made a stunning comeback from Achilles surgery to win the men's 5,000 metres at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, securing a $150,000 prize. Fellow star Mondo Duplantis also claimed a pole vault title, narrowly missing a world record. The new championship format aims to attract new fans with its high-stakes fields and glitzy production.
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri expressed a mix of excitement and 'a little jealousy' about the national team's unprecedented opportunity to play against football giants Brazil and Uruguay in October 2026, an experience he never had in his two-decade career.
Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble reflected on the 36th anniversary of his international debut, expressing deep gratitude for his 'truly special journey' that began with his first Test wicket, Allan Lamb.
Adding another feather to his illustrious cap, Rohit Sharma on Saturday became only the second Indian opener after Virender Sehwag to score 16,000 international runs while opening the batting.
Former Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has been conferred with the Padma Shri in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian cricket over the past decades.
Anthony Andrews, the highly successful coach of East Bengal FC, has been appointed as the assistant coach for the India Under-17 women's national team. He joins the team in Tashkent for friendly matches ahead of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, bringing his extensive experience and winning record, including four IWL titles and continental success with East Bengal.
Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has publicly addressed the alleged death threats received by him and his family over the past six months, stating that the matter has been reported to the police and expressing confidence in their action.
Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane is set to begin his Test commentary career with the Sony Sports Network during India's upcoming two-match series in Sri Lanka.
Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medallist, reflected on the 18th anniversary of his historic win at the Beijing Olympics, stating, 'Life since has taught me that the spaces between the peaks matter just as much.'
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar paid an emotional tribute to his late childhood coach, Ramakant Achrekar, on Guru Purnima.
Former India fast bowler R Vinay Kumar has been appointed as the head coach of the Karnataka senior men's cricket team for the 2026-27 domestic season, bringing his extensive experience as a player and captain to the role.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has expressed profound satisfaction with his decision to retire from international cricket, stating he has 'no regrets at all' after giving his '200 per cent' on the field. Rahane also revealed his openness to venturing into coaching or mentorship roles in the future, aiming to share his extensive experience globally.
AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric has signed a contract extension, committing his future to the Serie A club until June 2027. The 40-year-old Croatian international, who joined Milan last year, has made 37 appearances and scored two goals.
Chhote Lal Yadav, the recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award, has been instrumental in extending the career of boxing legend MC Mary Kom and transforming Jaismine Lamboria into a world champion, attributing his success to a personalised coaching philosophy.
Indian MMA fighter Sangram Singh secured the STRIKE Asia Championship title by defeating Pakistan's Mohammed Abid Ali with a stunning knockout in just 80 seconds. This victory extends Singh's unbeaten professional record and highlights his successful transition from wrestling to mixed martial arts, further solidifying his status as a top Indian combat sports athlete.
Indian women's football team veteran Grace Dangmei has announced her international retirement following the team's SAFF Championships victory. The 30-year-old forward, who represented India 95 times, concluded her nearly 15-year career with a third SAFF title, having also played for top Indian and Uzbek clubs.
Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu is now setting her sights on an Asian Games medal, acknowledging the immense pressure that comes with high expectations after her successful Commonwealth Games campaign.
Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has paid an emotional tribute to the late Sir Garfield Sobers, hailing him as the West Indies' greatest player whose legacy will endure.
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara and Olympic medallist PV Sindhu congratulated Ajinkya Rahane after the veteran batter announced his retirement from international cricket.
Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup campaign concluded with an emotional defeat for Portugal against Spain.
Rodri, Spain's midfield maestro, completed his collection of major football prizes by winning the World Cup, less than two years after a significant knee injury. Named the tournament's best player, he joins an elite group of footballers. Rodri highlighted the importance of overcoming adversity and praised his team's collective effort in their hard-fought victory against Argentina.
Indian boxing icon Vijender Singh is planning to establish a boxing academy in his ancestral village of Kaluwas, Bhiwani, and has sought financial assistance from the Sports Ministry.
Two-time Olympic medallist Gurjant Singh has retired from international hockey after a successful career, citing a back injury and the desire to give younger players a chance.
