Latest news with #LegendsMatch
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Football: Andres Iniesta to miss Legends Match in Kobe
OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Vissel Kobe said Tuesday former Spain star midfielder Andres Iniesta will miss this weekend's charity match in Kobe, western Japan, for family reasons. Iniesta spent five years with the J-League club through the summer of 2023. The Legends Match commemorating the 30th anniversary of Vissel's founding is scheduled for Saturday at Noevir Stadium Kobe.
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mike Tindall reveals what it's really like to join the Royal Family - as the Rugby World Cup hero dusts off his boots for surprise return to the pitch during Aussie getaway with his wife Zara
Rugby World Cup hero Mike Tindall has opened up on what it was like becoming a member of the Royal Family, as the former England superstar made his return to the footy pitch on Thursday night. Tindall, who retired back in 2014, starred in the British and Irish Lions Legends Match, as a group of home nations icons took on a Classic Wallabies XV at the AAMI Stadium in Melbourne. It was a hugely entertaining game that hilariously also saw Scotland legend Ryan Wilson dump-tackle the Lions' mascot prior to kick-off. Several big names from the world of rugby lined up on both sides, with Andy Powell, Tom May and Alex Cuthbert all starting for the Lions. But it was the Wallabies who would claim the bragging rights, with their star-studded backline - that featured Australian legends including Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell - spurring the hosts on to a 41-31 victory. Tindall, meanwhile, has been touring around Australia over the past month alongside his wife Zara. The pair, who were married back in 2011 at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, have been enjoying some rest and relaxation while Down Under, notably spending a couple of days last week on Hamilton Island, which is situated just off the Queensland coast. They have shared a few snaps from their trip to the island on Instagram, with the pair being seen embracing while standing on a yacht in front of the stunning clear blue water that surrounds the island. 'It's our first time being out on the water in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park too and it really was unreal,' Tindall wrote on Instagram. 'Queensland definitely has it all. Made some incredible memories. What an unforgettable way to spend some downtime.' Zara, an Olympic equestrian superstar, is the daughter of Princess Anne and the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. She won silver in Eventing at the 2012 Olympic Games, and was notably presented with her medal by her mother. Earlier this month, the couple turned out to support Billy Slater's Queensland side during their State of Origin victory against New South Wales at the Accor Stadium. Zara donned a Maroons scarf while Mike sported a Queensland hat as the pair were invited back into the dressing room to celebrate with the team and coach Slater, who they are known to be good friends with. It comes as the former England centre also appeared in an interview with Sky Sports Golf presenter Wayne 'Radar' Riley on Wednesday. The pair took to the golf course as part of the Australian broadcaster's 'A Round with Radar' series, which is published on PING's YouTube channel. A funny moment took place before the match as Scotland legend Ryan Wilson was seen dump-tackling the Lions mascot As the pair made their way around the course, Radar quizzed Tindall on his life in sport and his marriage to Zara. 'As a family, they [the Royals] are sport-loving,' Tindall said when asked what it was like to be welcomed into the Royal Family. 'With Princess Anne being the patron of Scottish rugby now as well and the Prince and Princess of Wales being England patrons and Wales respectively, I was very fortunate that they knew a lot about rugby and had that sports side to it.' 'So you cruised into it there?' Radar replied. 'I wouldn't say I cruised into it...' Tindall responded. 'It's a journey you never plan for but they were just so good and so open.' Zara has followed in the footsteps of her mother, who competed at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, by pursuing a career in equestrian sports. Alongside her Olympic achievements, the 44-year-old also won the Eventing World Championship in 2006 and was later voted BBC Sports Personality of the year, 35 years after her mother won the same accolade. Radar then questioned the rugby union star on what it was like to be married to a fellow athlete. 'I think it's sort of something that has worked for us,' he replied. 'Especially, me being in a team sport and her being predominantly in an individual sport but has an element of a team when you get to the Olympics or a World Championships. Mike explained that their lives in sport have 'helped us understand each other' and added that their different sporting disciplines have 'benefitted them' Tindall enjoyed a glittering career in rugby union, making 108 appearances for Premiership sides Bath and 181 for Gloucester. He'd also go on to win 75 caps for England, but interestingly never played for the British and Irish Lions due to injuries. He did, though, play against the Lions during their 2013 tour of Australia, coming off the bench for the Barbarians, during their warm-up match in Hong Kong. He added: 'It helps us understand each other. You can recognise what framework we're in and understand people's routines and how to be supportive of each other at the right times. 'You know when to leave her alone because she's concentrating on cross country or whatever. 'Because her sport is very dangerous, ours is dangerous as well, but her sport is very dangerous. 'It's worked really well for us, just that understanding of each other and being able to plug gaps where some people might not understand what it's like to play professional sport. It has benefitted us to help us relax when things aren't going so well.'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Monday's Everton News: Holgate departs, El Aynaoui, Luiz and Bakayoko rumours
Toffee Bites Your daily dose of Everton news and rumours Read up on all the latest 'Legends Match' news ahead of Everton's match against Roma in August. [EFC] Idrissa Gana Gueye will be chasing a record set by none other than Gareth Barry. The club are making sure Goodison Park is ready to go for the Everton Women this upcoming season. [EFC] Advertisement Everton linked with 24-year-old French midfielder Neil El Aynaoui. [TEAMtalk] Big move for Mason Holgate! American supporter groups are gearing up for the club's visit in just a few weeks. [EFC] Check out some of the latest clips from Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Blues are reportedly inching closer to a deal for 27-year-old Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz. [TEAMtalk] Fabrizio confirms interest in 22-year-old winger Johan Bakayoko. Ashley Young is not ready to hang up his boots following his departure from Everton. [Sky Sports] What to Watch Not too much action on today. Everton are finally back in action in their first preseason match against League 2 side Accrington Stanley. Advertisement Full schedule of games here. Follow Us Twitter | Threads | Facebook More from
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Baller League Legends ratings: John Arne Riise and Balotelli shine but Arsenal cult hero gets a 1/10
MOUSSA DEMBELE is perhaps best known for being the toughest opponent your favourite player has ever faced - or the player who was the best any ex-Spurs star has ever seen. So when he was announced to be playing at the O2 Arena alongside Mario Balotelli, Ravel Morrison and John Arne Riise, fans came flocking. 6 The former pros lined up against KSI, Chunkz, George Clarkey and more in what was a spectacular Legends vs Influencers match decided by Niko Omilana missing a crucial penalty. SunSport's LLOYD CANFIELD rated the legendary players performances… JENS LEHMANN - 1 Unfortunately age catches up with all of us, and it seems to have done so with once-invincible goalkeeper. Failed to stop a number of shots that he got a hand to, but the 55-year-old was simply too slow to react to most of them - though one admittedly was a screamer from EmanSV2. PASCAL CHIMBONDA - 5 Didn't blow any minds with his performance, but wasn't really poor either. Pretty standard showing from the Barclaysman defender who would've been a blast from the past for most watching. 6 JOHN ARNE RIISE - 10 Wow! He's still got that left foot rocket in his locker, let's just say that. Hit the crossbar with a thunderbolt from range which alerted the keeper, before crashing home a screamer in the dying moments to level the scoring and send the game to penalties. Textbook Riise - Liverpool can save themselves a pretty penny on signing Milos Kerkez and just bring this beast back instead. LUKE CHAMBERS - 5 Much the same as Pascal Chimbonda, Chambers didn't really stand out what so ever and was largely overshadowed by the bigger names on the pitch. Mostly forgettable. JAY-JAY OKOCHA - 7 Scored a classy header that was unfortunately ruled out by the referee, it was the same Okocha we saw against Arsenal all those years ago - just much older. A legend of the game who still gave it his all and tried to entertain the crowd with a few silky touches and delicate passes. Didn't have the pace or engine he once possessed, but still impressed overall. MOUSSA DEMBELE - 9 The man of the moment looked like he still had it, running the show in the middle of the park for his time. You could still see echoes of the player he once was, impossible to get the ball away from and such a powerful presence with the ball at his feet. Dominated for large parts of the game and still had the silky feet and ability to pick a pass that he always had. 6 RAVEL MORRISON - 5 The ex- Manchester United wonderkid probably would've had a better rating were it not for the brilliance either side of him. Good on the ball and came close with a header that was flicked towards goal. Didn't blow anyone's socks off, but it was a solid performance from the former Red Devil. LEE TRUNDLE - 4 The highlight of his showing was sending KSI tumbling to the floor after a collision, but it must be said he gave it his all pulling off some of his trademark skills. The Football League cult hero was an entertaining watch, but didn't seem to have the end product or cutting edge he needed to get the better of the Influencer defenders all that often. MARIO BALOTELLI - 8 The man that most were excited to see, it was just a pleasure to see Super Mario back on the pitch with a ball at his feet. The ex- Liverpool and Manchester City striker still had a bit too, with some silky touches and passes, and a goal to boot! There was no trademark celebration or boasting from a man who has clearly matured since his playing days - but a showing more reminiscent of a classy Italian midfielder. Stuck around and took pictures with fans and players alike, which was lovely to see.
