FIFA World Cup: ‘This wound will take time to heal,’ says Messi 

Football trophies, medals and cash bonuses are common rewards for World Cup champions, but two Spanish stars have received a prize unlike any other. Following Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph, Fabián Ruiz and Gavi were honored in their hometown with fresh tomatoes equal to their body weight, turning a local celebration into a viral moment. The unusual tribute took place in Los Palacios y Villafranca, a town in Spain’s Seville province that is famous for producing high-quality tomatoes. Instead of presenting conventional awards, local authorities chose a gift that reflects the town’s agricultural identity and long-standing tradition. During the ceremony, both midfielders were first weighed before baskets of freshly harvested tomatoes matching their exact weight were presented to them. Fabián Ruiz, who weighs 85 kilograms, received 85 kilograms of tomatoes, while 21-year-old Gavi was awarded 68.5 kilograms of the locally grown produce. The colorful ceremony, held at the town hall, drew applause from residents who gathered to celebrate their hometown heroes. Spain lifted the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 19, sparking celebrations across the country. While players have been receiving congratulations and awards from football organizations and government officials, the tomato-themed tribute quickly stood out for its originality and connection to local culture. Fabián Ruiz played a significant role in Spain’s successful World Cup campaign. The 30-year-old midfielder featured for a total of 366 minutes during the tournament and scored Spain’s opening goal in the quarter-final victory over Belgium. His performances were widely praised as Spain marched to the title. Gavi, despite limited playing time, also contributed to Spain’s championship-winning squad. The young midfielder appeared for 85 minutes during the tournament and remained an important member of the national team throughout the campaign. Local officials also announced another lasting tribute to commemorate the players’ achievements. Two football grounds in Los Palacios y Villafranca will be renamed after Fabián Ruiz and Gavi, ensuring that future generations remember their contribution to Spain’s historic World Cup success. The heartwarming celebration highlighted how communities often honor sporting heroes in ways that reflect their own traditions. For the people of Los Palacios y Villafranca, there could be no better symbol of local pride than the tomatoes that have made their town famous—making the gift just as memorable as Spain’s World Cup victory itself.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reduce Babar Azam’s media commitments during the upcoming Test tour of England, warning that the Pakistan skipper could face intense scrutiny from the English press. Pakistan have arrived in England for a three-match Test series, with Babar returning to the leadership role in red-ball cricket. The series begins at Headingley in Leeds on August 19 and will continue at Lord’s before concluding at Edgbaston in September. Speaking on a television programme, Latif described an England tour as a challenging assignment and suggested that the PCB should carefully manage Babar’s interactions with the local media. According to the former wicketkeeper-batter, the English press can generate considerable attention around visiting teams, potentially creating distractions away from the cricket. “An England tour is a difficult assignment,” Latif said, adding that the PCB should consider keeping Babar away from frequent media appearances. His suggestion is not to isolate the captain completely, but rather to share the responsibility of representing the team with other experienced players. Latif specifically recommended Shan Masood, who previously led Pakistan in Test cricket and has considerable experience of playing in England. He believes Masood is well equipped to handle difficult questions and media pressure. The former captain also identified Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Abbas as players who could take on media duties during the tour. Babar was reappointed Pakistan’s Test captain in July, replacing Shan Masood after his stint in charge. The PCB confirmed Babar as captain for both the West Indies and England Test tours. Pakistan’s immediate challenge will be to carry the momentum from their recent Test victory over the West Indies, where they secured an eight-wicket win in Port of Spain to level the two-match series 1-1. The England assignment will test Babar both as a batter and captain. With the spotlight likely to remain firmly on him, Latif’s advice raises an interesting question: could fewer media commitments help Babar focus more sharply on Pakistan’s battle in English conditions? The first Test will be played in Leeds from August 19–23, followed by Lord’s from August 27–31 and Birmingham from September 9–13. Pakistan squad for England Tests Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.

SYDNEY: Former Australia opening batsman David Warner has been convicted and fined A$1,500 for a mid-range drink-driving offence, with a Sydney court also ordering the retired cricket star to use a vehicle breathalyser interlock for the next 12 months. The 39-year-old Warner pleaded guilty last month after being accused of driving a van in April and stopping short of a random breath-testing site. He was subsequently breath-tested, arrested and taken to a police station. Judge Clare Farnan formally convicted Warner at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, according to court records. Along with the fine, Warner was ordered to hold an “interlock” licence for one year. The licence condition requires him to use a breathalyser device installed in a vehicle. The system prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath. Warner’s lawyer, Awais Ahmad, acknowledged that his client’s decision to drive after drinking was poor judgment. According to Australia’s ABC, the lawyer described it as “impaired, impulsive and frankly foolish decision-making”. Ahmad told the court that Warner had accepted responsibility for his actions and had completed a traffic offender programme. He also highlighted the intense media attention surrounding the case, including what he described as personal attacks against the former international cricketer. Police reportedly said Warner had consumed three glasses of wine before driving towards his family home. During sentencing, Judge Farnan stressed the potential danger of making a poor decision behind the wheel. She noted that Warner’s actions could have resulted in serious consequences for other road users. “Thankfully, on this occasion that decision did not have consequences for other people,” the judge said, while noting that Warner himself had faced consequences as a result of the incident. Warner, one of Australia’s most recognisable modern cricketers, built an illustrious international career as an aggressive left-handed opener. He represented Australia across all three formats and became particularly renowned for his attacking batting at the top of the order. His career included major international triumphs and numerous memorable performances, establishing him as one of Australia’s most prominent cricketers of his generation. Warner left the Sydney court without speaking to reporters, according to AFP journalists present at the hearing. The conviction now adds a legal setback to the former Australia star’s post-playing career, with the 12-month interlock requirement set to remain in place as part of his sentence.