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John Whelpton on Nepal's transformation from the time of ‘Jang' Bahadur's European odyssey
Subscribe to the SBS Nepali podcast here . Disclaimer: We would like to inform you that the opinions expressed in the segment are those of the talents themselves.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
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Glitz and graft: Pogba in race against time as Ligue 1 season looms
Paul Pogba's return to Monaco this summer set tongues wagging as the 2018 World Cup winner made his comeback to football after nearly three seasons on the sidelines -- a turbulent period blighted by injury, blackmail and an 18-month doping ban. Now with the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season looming large, the former Manchester United star must put all that behind him and get to work if he is to light up Monaco's Stade Louis II and realise his "dream" of winning back his spot in the France national team. "It's the wish of every French football player to represent the France national team, but there are stages," Pogba said during his unveiling at Monaco in July. "Today I'm at stage one: coming back and performing well." Pogba's words attracted attention for what he could still offer on the field, but it was his tears of joy that really grabbed the spotlight. Images of the 32-year-old weeping as he signed a two-year contract with Monaco went viral on social media -- thus setting the tone for a very different type of graft. The arrival of the midfielder at Monaco represented more than just the return of a star name of French football to Ligue 1, it was clearly a marketing opportunity too good to pass up. Pogba was sent straight to work. First, he joined Zinedine Zidane for a video produced by their mutual sponsor, which garnered huge attention. Then, he took a trip to Saint Tropez with American influencer Darren Watkins Junior, who has 40 million followers under the name IShowSpeed. After that, he and his wife, Zulay, launched their new high-end jewellery brand, accompanied by a suitable social media campaign. Named 'Unbreakable', the jewellery collection is a direct nod to Pogba's recent travails. He was the victim in March 2022 of an attempt to extort 13 million euros ($15.1 million) from him by relatives, including his brother Mathias who was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, in 2024. Pogba was also injured for a long period and then suspended for 18 months after failing a drugs test while at Italian club Juventus in August 2023. - 'High intensity' - Since having his contract terminated by the Serie A outfit last November, Pogba had been living in the United States and training alone until Monaco came calling and offered him the chance to make his comeback. "A lot of boxes were ticked: the conditions, the lifestyle, France, Ligue 1, the family, and of course the club," explained Pogba, who will be playing club football in his home country for the first time in his professional career. Once back in a professional environment at Monaco, "the easy part was just beginning" for Pogba. If the exquisitely gifted ball-player was less worried about getting his touch back, rediscovering the fitness and intensity of an elite athlete would be more challenging. A month later, Pogba has moved on to the second phase of his programme: individualised work on the pitch, often with the ball. "I'm determined," he said on his arrival. "I want to get back on the pitch. But it will take as long as it takes." "Everything is going in the right direction," Monaco general manager Thiago Scuro told AFP. "He has started sessions on the pitch and is making progress. The timing is on track, the process is positive, with no red flags or setbacks so far." Pogba's progress is been closely monitored by Monaco coach Adi Huetter, who so far is impressed by his commitment and how quickly he has integrated into a squad in which he is the elder statesman. For Scuro the key moment will be "when (Pogba) is able to participate in all training sessions with the group". "The intensity, pressure and level are very high. He will have to be able to repeat this training load on a daily basis. We will then see how his body adapts." Should all go to plan, Pogba could return to competition in the autumn -- perhaps even in time for the home match against fierce rivals Nice on October 5. "We really want to see him succeed," said Scuro. "It's going to be a great story. The most special thing would be to see him play in the World Cup (in 2026). That would mean he's done a lot of good things in Monaco."
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Liga champions Barca aim to add steel to youthful flair
While Barcelona thrilled on their way to winning La Liga last season, scoring 102 goals in the process, coach Hansi Flick accepts this season his team need to improve defensively. With teenager Lamine Yamal and Raphinha shining in attack, the Catalan giants proved an irresistible force as they claimed a domestic treble. However the German coach's high-pressing defensive line sometimes left Barcelona high and dry at the back, even as it made for frequently gripping, end-to-end matches. The team's 7-6 Champions League semi-final aggregate defeat by Inter Milan was a prime example of the risks inherent in their set-up. "For me, it's not always fun, sometimes I really suffer a lot," admitted Flick in May after Barca beat rivals Real Madrid 4-3 in a wild Clasico battle to move to the brink of the title. "I'm really happy with what we are doing (in general), and of course, football is a game of making mistakes. Hopefully, we can make things better and make fewer mistakes." The coach made a pledge before the summer break. "I know that we have to improve (defensively) and we will do it next season," vowed Flick. Whether Barca can maintain the same verve in attack is up for debate even before any defensive considerations. Raphinha, 28, had the best season of his career, which will be hard to repeat, while striker Robert Lewandowski turns 37 later in August. Yamal, who has taken former Barca great Lionel Messi's hallowed number 10 shirt, turned 18 in July and is his team's greatest hope in the months and years ahead. - Limited spending power - While Real Madrid have been able to spend over 172 million euros ($200 million) on new arrivals Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono, as well as hiring Xabi Alonso as coach, Barcelona's poor financial state means their activity in the transfer market has been limited. The Catalans believe their youngsters like Yamal, centre-back Pau Cubarsi, 18, and midfielder Pedri, still only 22 despite his experience, will continue to grow and improve. They brought in Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan from Manchester United to try and revive the English attacker's career and reap the benefits of his huge potential, giving Flick more quality to rotate with. Barcelona did make one important permanent signing this summer in Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, improving arguably the weakest area of their team. Wojciech Szczesny filled in admirably after coming out of retirement to replace the injured veteran Marc-Andre ter Stegen last season, but is expected to take a reserve role behind the new arrival from Barca's city rivals. Garcia is in line to start as Barca kick off their campaign at Mallorca on August 16. Another hope for the champions is that the return to the Spotify Camp Nou strengthens them. While the Olympic Stadium on the city's Montjuic hill has proven a pleasant stand-in for the past two seasons, it lacks the atmosphere and grandeur of Barcelona's traditional home. The Catalans plan to return there for the fourth league game of the season after the first three are on the road, against Valencia on September 13 or 14. However Barca's entry date has been pushed back numerous times, initially planned for November 2024, and there could be further disruption. Regardless, barring disaster Barca will be back there by the time they host Real Madrid in May 2026, with that game potentially decisive in the title race. Given Flick's side started last season as underdogs to Madrid, that they are favourites to retain the title this time around cannot be taken too seriously. The key may be whether Flick is able to set the team up in a sturdier way without losing any of their attacking edge.
