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The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
Rory McIlroy reveals he rejected approach to be future playing captain at Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy has revealed that he has already dismissed the idea of being a playing captain at the Ryder Cup in the future out of hand, believing it to be impossible to balance both roles. No player has been both skipper and competed in the biennial contest between the United States and Europe since Arnold Palmer in 1963, though Keegan Bradley has suggested he may attempt to do so at Bethpage Black in September. A surprise choice as captain for the 2025 event last year, Bradley's strong form on the PGA Tour leaves him just outside the list of automatic qualifiers for his team, potentially leaving him with a tricky choice when he comes to select his six captain's picks to compete in New York. On form alone, the 39-year-old would appear a strong contender - though the wider responsibilities that come with captaining a Ryder Cup team would make both playing and leading a tough logistical and mental challenge. McIlroy will again be a key part of Luke Donald 's European team as he prepares to make his eighth Ryder Cup appearance, and is all-but-certain to skipper the side in the future once his playing days are over. It is only then, though, that the Northern Irishman would consider taking on the role, believing that he would not be able to straddle the duties of captain and player. 'I've been asked to do that and I've turned it down,' McIlroy said ahead of the BMW Championship when asked about the prospect. 'The idea of me being a playing captain some time soon has come up and I've shut it down straight away. I don't think you can do it.' The 2027 Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor in Ireland. Donald was retained as captain after winning back the trophy in a strong performance in Rome two years ago having replaced Henrik Stenson in the role following the Swede's accepting of a deal with LIV Golf. Europe have not won on American soil since 2012 at Medinah. Their six automatic qualifiers will be finalised after the British Masters concludes on Sunday 24 August, with Donald then selecting the rest of the team. Justin Rose, winner of the FedEx St Jude Championship, and Tommy Fleetwood have already sealed their spots alongside McIlroy.
The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
Gianluigi Donnarumma's agent weighs in star's PSG future amid Man City and Man United links
Gianluigi Donnarumma was omitted from Paris Saint-Germain's squad for their UEFA Super Cup match, with manager Luis Enrique stating he wants a different type of goalkeeper. Donnarumma expressed his disappointment, indicating that a decision had been made for him to no longer be part of the team. His agent, Enzo Raiola, criticised PSG for showing 'zero respect' and demanding a high transfer fee, which he believes is hindering a potential move. Raiola stated he is considering legal action against PSG and exploring options for Donnarumma in the Premier League. Manchester City and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Donnarumma, with French reports suggesting City has already agreed personal terms with the player.
The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
La Liga Odds: Latest 2025/26 La Liga Betting Odds
The new La Liga season promises plenty of excitement as Spain's biggest sides fight for the top-flight title once again in 2025/26. La Liga – Spain's top football division – remains one of the most prestigious football leagues on the planet, with its competitiveness and range of top quality players attracting fans from all over the world. Of course, La Liga wouldn't be so popular without the presence of Real Madrid and Barcelona and the Clasico rivals remain the main attraction, especially for fans abroad, with their appeal also extending to players, as has been shown with the moves of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marcus Rashford to Madrid and Barcelona this summer. This page details the latest and best La Liga odds for the 2025/26 season. We use the latest Spanish La Liga odds from the best football betting sites to offer readers optimum value on wagering. Readers will find not only the top value on La Liga winner odds, but also La Liga top scorer odds, La Liga relegation odds and prices for each and every game in Spain's top flight. Our La Liga odds are live, meaning any changes made by online bookmakers are instantly reflected in the markets. All the La Liga betting odds displayed come from our recommended betting sites, all of which are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. La Liga Match Odds La Liga consists of 20 teams that play each other twice, creating a 38-match season for every club. The 2025/26 season gets underway on 15 August and runs until 23 May. This section will detail La Liga odds for individual matches during the season, with odds updated regularly based on form, injuries, suspensions, fixture congestion and plenty more. Do note that any changes made by bookmakers are immediately reflected in our live football odds. Real Madrid and Barcelona tend to dominate the title race, with Atletico Madrid the most common outside challengers, pulling off surprise title wins in 2013/14 and 2020/21. No side has won more titles than Real Madrid, who have claimed 36 to Barcelona's 28, while Atletico have 11. Barca and Madrid start nearly every season as the favourites in the La Liga outright odds and 2025/26 is no different. Below is a table of the last five La Liga winners with their points totals as well as their title odds from the opening day of the season. La Liga Relegation Odds This section will provide the latest Spanish league odds for the La Liga relegation battle. The sides that finish in the bottom three places are relegated to the Segunda Division each season. At the start of each season, newly promoted teams are often favourites for relegation. Two of the three newly promoted sides (Valladolid and Leganes) went straight back down last season, but only one or none had been relegated in the three seasons prior to 2024/25. Anyone looking to have a bet on the La Liga relegation market should check if any teams are struggling financially, as well as which players have been sold by those likely relegation candidates and who have been added as replacements. Note that this market can change quickly as the season develops, and the fight to stay up often goes to the final round of fixtures in La Liga. The top scorer at the end of every La Liga season is awarded the Pichichi Trophy. Kylian Mbappe took the award last season with 31 goals in his debut campaign with Real Madrid, while Lionel Messi is the most successful player in La Liga history, winning the Pichichi eight times. Top scorers are often from big clubs, but there have been exceptions with Artem Dovbyk the surprise winner in 2023/24 with 24 goals for Girona. Factors that can affect the market include penalties, injuries, transfers, and playing style. Bettors can find value by placing each-way bets on this market, with most bookmakers paying out on the top four places at 1/4 the odds. Below is a table of the last five LaLiga top scorers and their end-of-season tallies. Responsible Gambling When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. When using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using horse racing betting sites, new betting sites, slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, betting apps, or any other gambling medium. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. It's particularly important not to get carried away by any free bets or casino offers you might receive, both of which are available in abundance on betting sites and, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having:
