All posts by n8rngtd.top

Thibaut Courtois admits that Cristiano Ronaldo has “more of a winning mentality” than current Real Madrid talisman Kylian Mbappe. The Blancos’ free-scoring No.10 is, however, considered to be working on that side of his game. In time, the French forward could go on to enjoy a similar standing at Santiago Bernabeu to that which Portuguese GOAT Ronaldo continues to boast.

• Mbappe goals: Real Madrid record compared to Ronaldo

  Five-time Ballon d’Or winner CR7 registered 450 goals for Real to become their all-time leading scorer. Mbappe has, across close to 18 months at Santiago Bernabeu, found the target on 62 occasions through 75 appearances. He has 18 efforts to his name this season.

  Mbappe is a World Cup winner and a man considered to be a Golden Ball recipient of the future. Leadership has not always been his strong suit, but experience – at 26 years of age – is helping him down that path. There is a determination on his part to savour Champions League glory.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Why Mbappe is different to Portuguese icon Ronaldo

  Courtois believes that Mbappe can fulfil his dreams, but told El Partidazo from when asked if the France international is cut from the same cloth as Ronaldo: “I haven't been around Cristiano because the summer I arrived at Real Madrid he went to Juventus. I think they're two different players, but Cristiano still has a bit more of a winning mentality than Kylian.

  “But this year Kylian has shown that mentality more; he's stepped up his game and is really driving the team forward. You can tell he's a leader, and it will become even more apparent with each match.”

• Be like Ronaldo: Will Courtois play into his 40s?

  Ronaldo continues to set remarkable standards in the latter stages of his career. He is now 40 years of age, but remains a prolific presence for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. CR7 is also expected to grace the 2026 World Cup with Portugal – as he continues to chase down 1,000 career goals.

  Many players are taking inspiration from Ronaldo, as they prolong their respective careers, and Courtois believes that he can go on for some time yet. He does not intend to emulate Ronaldo, but has no plans to hang up his gloves any time soon.

  The 33-year-old said of his future: “Seeing that [Gianluigi] Buffon played until his forties… I don't think I'll go that far, but [Manuel] Neuer, at 38 or 39, is still playing at a very high level. I've always had that idea in my head of playing until 38 or 39, and I hope it happens at Real Madrid.

  “And if that's not possible, when the club decides, I'll step aside and there won't be any problems. I'm happy here and I understand that at some point they'll want to put someone else in my place. It's only natural, and I already experienced it with Petr Cech [at Chelsea]; I learned a lot from him and he was there for me during difficult times. I'll never be any different from him, and if tomorrow the club wants something else, I'll continue to help because for me, the team always comes first.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Goalkeeper GOAT: Is Courtois Real Madrid's best ever?

  When the day does come for Courtois to leave he, like Ronaldo, will go down as a Real Madrid legend. He is not, however, convinced that he will be remembered as the Blancos’ goalkeeping GOAT.

  Courtois added: “No. Well, someone has told me that before, or I've seen it myself, but I think there's 'a Saint,' Iker Casillas, who means a lot to Real Madrid fans and Spanish football. But hearing your name among those names is already a compliment.

  “To be remembered as one of the best, you have to win trophies, and that's what I try to do. No one will remember if I saved eight shots against Liverpool, so it's important to keep winning trophies, and when I retire from Real Madrid, everyone can have their say. When I was eight, I dreamed of being Real Madrid's goalkeeper; I'm here now, and every day I'm here is wonderful. This is where I'm happiest.”

  Courtois’ current contract in the Spanish capital is due to run until 2027. He has taken in over 300 appearances for the Blancos, helping them to three La Liga titles and a couple of Champions League crowns.

There isn't much that Terry Francona, a former 10-year MLB veteran who is now managing his fourth franchise, hasn't seen in baseball. And yet, he still can't believe some of the things he's seen this spring from Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz.

De La Cruz is a defitional five-tool player, and may be the most dangerous baserunner in the game today. During Tuesday's spring training game against the Colorado Rockies, he managed to score from second base on a double-steal, something that Francona, who has over 4,300 MLB games under his belt as a player and manager, doesn't think he's seen.

"They say that you may see something when you come to a game that you've never seen before," Francona said, per(Cincinnati). "I've never seen that. I mean, that was—when he left third, I'm like, 'no, no, no, no. Good play.' I mean, that's as athletic and instinctual as you're ever gonna see. My goodness sake's. That was incredible."

After winning two World Series with the Boston Red Sox and a successful 11-year tenure with the Cleveland Guardians, Francona may be coaching the most exciting player of his managerial career in his first year with the Reds.

It’s been a great week for Chelsea, and an even better one for Estevao.

Enzo Maresca handed the Brazilian a start in the club’s Champions League game against Barcelona, his third on the bounce in the competition, and to say he shone would be an understatement.

The Catalan side couldn’t live with him, and thanks to some brilliant close control, he was rewarded with a goal early in the second half.

The teenage sensation looks destined to be a world-beater, so fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea with a striker who’d be a dream teammate for him.

Chelsea target a dream signing for Estevao

While he has been billed as one of the next big talents for over a year now, nobody would have expected Estevao to have had the start to the season he has.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Across all competitions so far, the youngster has made 17 appearances, totalling 740 minutes, in which he has scored five goals and provided one assist.

Moreover, three of those goals have come in the UCL, while his only Premier League goal came against Liverpool.

In other words, the Franca-born gem has already proven that he’s more than capable of performing in the biggest games for the Blues, and that might explain why the club are now targeting a striker who’d be a dream teammate for him.

At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which has claimed Chelsea are interested in Samu Aghehowa.

In fact, the report has revealed that the West Londoners are plotting to swoop for a couple of promising young stars in January, one of whom is the Porto star.

However, the Blues are not the only ones keen on the Spaniard, with reports from earlier this week linking Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur with a £79m move.

In all, it could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Samu’s immense ability and potential, it’s one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he’d be a dream teammate for Estevao.

Why Samu would be a dream signing for Estevao

The first reason, and the most crucial reason Samu would be an excellent signing for Estevao and Chelsea overall, is that he’s a proven and reliable output machine.

For example, across all competitions last season, the Spanish international made 45 appearances, totalling 3400 minutes, in which he scored 27 goals and provided three assists.

In other words, he averaged a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or every 113.33 minutes, which is all the more impressive given that it was his first campaign in Portugal.

Fortunately, that level of output does not look like an outlier, as so far this season, the Melilla-born monster has been even more dangerous.

For example, in 15 appearances, totalling 885 minutes, he has scored nine goals and provided one assist, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or more impressivley, every 88.5 minutes, which is a rate of return that lends to journalist Zach Lowy’s description of him as “one of the best STs in Europe.”

Now, on top of utterly bossing it in Portugal, the 6 foot 4 titan has also got some decent experience in a top-five league, as he spent the 23/24 season on loan with Deportivo Alavés, where he made 34 appearances in La Liga, totalling 1924 minutes, in which he scored eight goals and provided one assist.

Finally, on top of being someone who could help bolster Estevao’s assist tally with his impressive finishing, the four-capped international is still relatively young at just 21 years old.

This means that he could develop alongside the Brazilian and, over the coming years, create a potentially game-changing partnership with him.

Ultimately, given his ability and potential, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Samu in January, as he’d make the team far more dangerous and could be a perfect teammate for Estevao.

Shades of Estevao: Chelsea have another "left-footed magician" out on loan

Chelsea and Enzo Maresca could have another Estevao-type talent on their hands next season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 27, 2025

An unlikely England recall isn’t out of the question for controversial Marseille star Mason Greenwood, according to one of his team-mates, who has vowed to do all he can to help the former Manchester United winger back into the Three Lions reckoning. Greenwood has been in prolific form for the Ligue 1 side again this season and is believed to be keen on return to the England squad.

• Greenwood revival in south of France

  Greenwood joined Marseille in July last year, leaving Manchester United following charges of attempted rape, assault, and controlling behaviour, which were discontinued after key witnesses withdrew and new material emerged which meant there "was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction." After a successful loan spell at Getafe, Marseille signed him permanently for a reported £26.7 million ($35.3m), with the forward quickly becoming a key player under Roberto De Zerbi. 

  His career has seen a resurgence, with him becoming Marseille’s top scorer last season and continuing his form into the current campaign. In the recent Champions League clash with Newcastle, Greenwood delivered an excellent performance. He was a constant threat from the right wing, creating four chances and providing the cross for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's first goal as Marseille secured a crucial 2-1 victory. 

  And USMNT star Timothy Weah, son of former Paris St-Germain, AC Milan and Chelsea striker George, has promised to do all he can to help Greenwood make a remarkable return to to the England team. 

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Weah: 'I'm super proud of him'

  After the victory over Newcastle, Weah told : "When I speak about Mason it’s a special feeling because it’s very rare in a lifetime that you get to share the pitch with such an amazing player and amazing character. We’ve grown closer since I've joined the team and been here. Hopefully he gets that call-up soon. I’m super proud of him. He's having an amazing season and hopefully I can help him to reach those heights that he's aiming for."

• England boss clear on Greenwood position

  Greenwood has made just one senior appearance for the England national team when he was brought on as a substitute in a Nations League match against Iceland in September 2020. But there was controversy afterwards, as he was sent home shortly along with team-mate Phil Foden for breaching COVID-19 quarantine rules by bringing female companions back to the team hotel. He has not been called-up to the England squad since. 

  And while he is eligible to play for Jamaica, he holds hopes he could return to the England set-up, but Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel says he isn’t being considered for selection at the moment. Speaking in September, Tuchel said: "I have not spoken to him until now. I have not spoken to him or his camp. My understanding was that he tries to play for Jamaica so we didn't give it another thought. He was not in the mix at the moment, and he is not in our thoughts for our team."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Greenwood 'not wanted' by Jamaica players

  Greenwood has also been tipped to switch allegiance to Jamaica after gaining his passport earlier this year. Steve McClaren resigned as Jamaica's head coach after the team failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, following a 0-0 draw with minnows Curaçao earlier this month. However, Jamaica's World Cup dream is not over and can qualify through the inter-confederation play-offs. But former Arsenal youngster Isaac Hayden has slammed the possibility of Greenwood changing his mind and joining up with the Reggae Boyz if they qualify for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. 

  Hayden said: "I've only played for Jamaica for a year, and there was some resistance to me when I started, but I have played 12 games and everyone can see my passion and the way I play the game. The quality of the player, his numbers, what he is producing, is of the highest level. But it comes down to principle and integrity. If players can just rock up because of a World Cup, it would make the whole thing a farce. That would say a lot about the player, and the organisation for allowing that to happen."

Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton's seven years with the New York Yankees have been a bumpy ride.

Since coming over via trade from the Miami Marlins in Dec. 2017, Stanton has played 150 games in a season just once. He has produced only 9.1 bWAR with the Yankees—a mere fraction of the 35.8 he produced with the Marlins in a torrid start to his career.

Stanton has yet to play in 2025 due to epicondylitis in both elbows—but on Sunday, New York general manager Brian Cashman offered a timeline on when the slugger could return.

"He's scheduled for live BP for the next two weeks and he's really close to doing a rehab assignment thereafter," Cashman told MLB Network's Sirius XM radio station. "It'll be great to get him back at some point, and hopefully we don't lose anybody along the way."

Stanton played 114 games in 2024, slashing .233/.298/.475 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs. He raised his game significantly in the postseason—crushing seven home runs in 14 games, including four in the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians.

A rough sketch of Cashman's timeline would put a Stanton rehab assignment in mid-June—which, if it comes to pass, would be just what the doctor ordered for the American League East leaders.

West Ham are expected to make an offer to sign one striker who’s ready to green-light an immediate January exit, according to reports this week.

West Ham target new striker in January

The east Londoners have identified recruiting a forward as one of their primary objectives for the January window as Nuno Espírito Santo battles to steer the club away from relegation.

Currently languishing in 18th with just 10 points from 15 Premier League games, the Hammers have managed a meagre 17 goals this season — the fourth-lowest amount in the top flight.

Callum Wilson’s recent form has been a major positive, but with 2024 summer flop Niclas Füllkrug expected to depart, West Ham quite simply need another option up top.

The German international has mustered just three goals in 29 appearances across all competitions whilst battling persistent injury problems since his move from Borussia Dortmund last year.

Niclas Füllkrug is set to leave the London Stadium in January following his lacklustre stint in England, so West Ham are believed to be looking at strikers to replace him.

His lacklustre displays indicate a mutual desire for separation, with Hamburg and Stuttgart reportedly monitoring his availability for a potential Bundesliga return.

West Ham have compiled an extensive shortlist of potential striker targets spanning multiple leagues.

West Ham ready to take huge loss on mainstay who's 'failed to impress Nuno'

The Hammers are willing to sell for a cut-price fee.

By
Emilio Galantini

6 days ago

Santiago Gimenez remains under consideration at the London Stadium, despite his struggles at AC Milan following his January 2025 move from Feyenoord, with intermediaries actively offering the Mexican international to multiple clubs.

Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee has also been linked with a move to Rush Green, while it is believed that West Ham are big fans of Union Saint-Gilloise forward Promise David too.

Now, as per Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Lazio striker Taty Castellanos is another forward attracting their interest.

West Ham bid expected for Lazio striker Taty Castellanos

West Ham were linked with a move for the Argentine all the way back in 2022 during his time at New York City in the MLS, and that fondness for Castellanos hasn’t gone away.

According to Il Messaggero, Lazio are actively anticipating an offer worth between £22-26 million from West Ham for the 27-year-old forward.

Lazio desperately need funds to avoid another transfer ban as they continue battling severe financial difficulties.

Crucially, the report indicates Castellanos is prepared to join West Ham, or any other suitor, “straight away” as he looks to greenlight an exit from Rome next month.

The striker’s growing dissatisfaction with life under Maurizio Sarri at Lazio, particularly struggling to adapt to his manager’s tactical approach, means he’s quite keen to leave.

His desire for regular football stems from World Cup ambitions with Argentina, making a January departure increasingly attractive.

Castellanos would apparently give immediate approval to any Premier League approach, though La Liga clubs are also monitoring developments.

West Ham initially registered their interest during the summer transfer window when they made preliminary enquiries about the forward’s availability, with Nuno identifying striker reinforcements as his main January priority.

Lazio have already identified Atlético Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori as a potential replacement, and the Italy international has told his representatives to explore opportunities within Serie A.

This preparation could prove instrumental in facilitating Castellanos’s London switch, with the clubs potentially willing to conduct business once suitable alternatives are secured.

Chelsea have received a massive Liam Delap boost as the striker is set to make a swift recovery from his shoulder injury. Delap looked set for more time on the sidelines after being forced out of last weekend's game against Bournemouth in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium with a shoulder injury. The English forward landed heavily and looked to be in real pain in the first half of the game.

• Fresh injury setback for Delap

  After spending close to two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury at the start of the season, Delap returned to action in November. He featured in Enzo Maresca's starting against Bournemouth last weekend but lasted less than half an hour due to injury. The Chelsea forward appeared to dislocate his shoulder after a heavy fall and was replaced immediately. Delap had caught the eye in the opening exchanges against Bournemouth for his physical approach and was perhaps fortunate not to have been booked for catching Marcos Senesi with a stray arm twice before he had to be taken off.

  After the game, Maresca sounded worried about Delap's fresh setback, as the Italian coach had said: "Unfortunately, he has already been out for two months and he has to be out again. We don't know for how long, but it looks quite bad, his shoulder. He has been unlucky. We are also a bit unlucky because we need that kind of a No.9."  

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Chelsea's massive Delap boost

  According to , Delap did not fracture his shoulder and he is expected to recover from it in the next three or four weeks. This means that in the New Year, Delap will fully recover and will be ready to take the field for the Blues. However, the English forward is set to miss matches against Atalanta in the Champions League, Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup and then Everton, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Bournemouth in the English top-flight. 

  Providing a positive update on Delap's condition, Maresca had said before the Atalanta clash: "Liam is fortunately not any fracture. We had Liam two months out [earlier in the season]. Joao Pedro plays as a No 9, Pedro Neto too, also Tyrique [George] as a number nine. We try to find solutions. We know Liam needs to play games to be fit and be better and better. Now, unfortunately, he is out again."

• Emegha to remain at Strasbourg

  Following Delap's injury, reports emerged that the Blues might fast-track Emmanuel Emegha’s arrival from Strasbourg. However, the later reported that Emegha won't be rushed to Stamford and the youngster would rather join the Premier League giants in the summer of 2026, as decided earlier. Now, with Delap's latest update, Emegha is sure to stay in France for six more months. 

  Chelsea opted to bring back Marc Guiu from his Sunderland loan back in August after Delap's earlier injury, and the plan is to stick with the former Barcelona star yet again to provide cover for Delap. Guiu replaced the injured Englishman against the Cherries, with Maresca explaining that the physical nature of the match suited the teenager more than using Joao Pedro as a makeshift centre-forward. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Palmer fails to make Champions League squad

  Despite starting in the Premier League last weekend, Palmer was not included in the Chelsea matchday squad for their Champions League fixture against Atalanta on Tuesday.

  Explaining his decision to omit the starting attacker, Maresca said: "[He] played half an hour the other day, played one hour today. So now it's important that he can build the physical condition."

  The Italian coach had earlier called for protecting Palmer as much as possible, as he had said: "We need to protect Cole for sure, 100%. Not only Cole in my personal view, because as I said now, because of the Club World Cup or because we never stop, we need to manage and protect different players. The solution with Cole, I don’t know, now we have a meeting with the medical staff, and we will decide the best solution for him. But it’s also a kind of injury that is not like black and white. It’s an injury that someday you can be better. It’s not that you have pain and tomorrow will disappear. Sometimes you can be better, sometimes you can be worse. That’s why we need to manage day by day." 

Zimbabwe’s towering fast-bowling totem talks about his recent form, taking on Bazball and the chance to make history

Alan Gardner19-May-2025Blessing Muzarabani smiles a lot. He smiles when asked about the UK weather, which he knows well from two seasons as a Kolpak signing with Northamptonshire. He smiles when talking about the prospect of bowling to England’s little-and-large opening pair, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. He smiles when we come to the question of his own height, which ESPNcricinfo has wrongly recorded as 6ft 6in. “I’m six foot eight, actually,” he grins.Does he enjoy using that towering advantage to intimidate batters? Another smile. “My greatest weapon is my height,” he says, before alluding to the temptation to pitch the ball short: “Sometimes I get carried away.” You can’t imagine that Curtly Ambrose or Courtney Walsh, two of the fast bowlers that Muzarabani modelled himself on growing up, would admit quite so readily to overdoing it.But Muzarabani is used to having to go about things differently. Zimbabwe do not have a great fast-bowling lineage to call on, in the way West Indies do. Muzarabani has had to travel the world to learn his trade, from a gangly youth at the Takashinga Club in Harare, via his time in Northampton – one of the least-glamorous stops on England’s county circuit – to proving himself in Test venues as far flung as Bulawayo and Belfast, Abu Dhabi and Sylhet.Related

• RCB bring in Muzarabani as Ngidi's temporary replacement

• Zimbabwe seal Sylhet thriller to complete first away Test win since 2021

• Large and in-charge: Muzarabani proves too big a hurdle for Bangladesh

• From poverty to plenty: 2025 is a bumper Test year for Zimbabwe like none before

• Chivanga replaces injured Gwandu in Zimbabwe squad for England Test

The fruits of those labours are beginning to appear. Across four Test appearances in 2025, Muzarabani has taken 26 wickets at 18.61 – more than half of his career tally of 51. In the first three of those matches, he claimed innings figures of 6 for 95 (against Afghanistan in Bulawayo), 7 for 58 (against Ireland in Bulawayo) and 6 for 73 (against Bangladesh in Sylhet), making him the first pace bowler to take hauls of six-plus wickets in three consecutive Tests since Malcolm Marshall in 1988. The only other quicks to achieve the feat are Imran Khan and, in the 19th century, George Lohmann and Tom Richardson.Although that run came to an end in Chattogram, Muzarabani has already shot up to eighth on the all-time list for Zimbabwe. With another seven Tests scheduled in a bumper calendar year, he could well catch Ray Price (80) and end it behind only the peerless Heath Streak (216) for his country. Becoming only the second Zimbabwean to take 100 Test wickets is a realistic goal.”Yes, that’s a great thing,” he says. “Because I feel like Test wickets are really hard to get, actually, so getting 100 wickets is a big achievement for any fast bowler. That would be really special. I’m working through my processes and everything that happens, of course, we work hard to make sure those things happen. But, as well, I’m not really looking at wickets.”Contributing to victories, as Muzarabani did for only the second time in his 12-Test career in Sylhet, is the priority. “That is something that I would really love to do, to make that impact for the team, get those big wickets, so we can win more often. This is a big journey, playing against big teams. But, of course, I can’t be worried about what I’m going to do, thinking too much about it. The goal is just to win more games.”

“In T20 leagues, you learn a lot of things. You meet new people every day. You have to try to understand the captain that you’re working with. Of course, it’s not every captain that will believe in you, so you have to prove your point and try to improve yourself”

Whether sought after or not, wickets have come in a flood since his return to playing Test cricket for the first time in three years in mid-2024. No Zimbabwean who has taken 10 wickets can get close to Muzarabani’s career average (21.84) and strike rate (43.70), not even Streak. For his recent success, he credits the work put in with Zimbabwe’s bowling coach, former South Africa international Charl Langeveldt.”I’m really just enjoying my Test cricket. Working with my bowling coach, it’s about understanding the lengths to bowl in Test cricket. I feel like the more I play, the more I understand how I get my wickets. [Langeveldt] is the guy who has been working with me on my lengths and all the skills that I’m trying to use. He’s been really helpful in the things he’s saying.”While growing up in Zimbabwe honed his ability to “hit the deck” rather than look for swing, Muzarabani is well aware from his time with Northamptonshire of the importance of trying to pitch the ball up in English conditions. “For me, it’s about bowling a touch fuller. Yes, of course, my natural length can work, but also you have to be much fuller [to make the ball move].”Especially with me being tall, you can get carried away. In England the pitches are slower, sometimes when you bowl back of a length, guys can pull you and take you on. But the swing is something that can make you lose your control, so you have to find a balance. I learned a lot [in county cricket].”Muzarabani has played at Trent Bridge before, albeit only in pre-season for Northants six years ago. The ground’s reputation for swing (it is the English venue where James Anderson, with 73 wickets at 19.23, has the lowest average) has faded over the last few years, but Zimbabwe will hope for at least some bounce, allowing Muzarabani to operate at his favoured “ribcage length”.That, of course, will differ markedly for England’s opening pair of Crawley (tall, long levers, loves to drive) and Duckett (short, punchy, quick to pull and cut). Muzarabani knows the latter from his Northants days, although they barely overlapped before Duckett made Trent Bridge his home with Nottinghamshire. He knows both will look to take him on, but will lean on his own new-ball partner, the shorter, stockier Richard Ngarava, who has been Muzarabani’s counterpoint as a left-arm swing bowler since their days coming through together with Takashinga.Muzarabani spent two seasons at Northamptonshire on a Kolpak deal•Getty Images”It’s great bowling with Richie, we pick each other up. When it’s not going our way, we tend to communicate. When my head is going down, he will come to me, he knows my action. We were both playing together when we were really young, 9 or 10. So you know what to say because we know each other.”Just as important as a swift appraisal of conditions may be Muzarabani’s recent experience in franchise T20 cricket, which has seen him feature in the CPL, PSL and ILT20 – with a potential IPL debut on the way. Playing regularly overseas has added to his durability and skill set; against England’s Bazballers, with Crawley and Duckett in the vanguard, he knows he will need to have his wits about him.”To be honest, they [England] play almost like T20 sometimes. So for me, I’m trying to figure out the plan because they are not often going to get caught defending. It’s just more like backing yourself and being positive, because those guys are some of the best in the world. You can’t be worried about what they are going to do. You just have to worry about your lengths and your field.”In the leagues, you learn a lot of things. You meet new people every day. You have to try to understand the captain that you’re working with. Of course, it’s not every captain that will believe in you, so you have to prove your point and try to improve yourself. So I feel like it is good. You’re not in your comfort zone, but you have to learn. I feel like it’s something that’s really helping with my awareness and my T20 cricket.”With the red ball, he will fall back on a simple mantra: “Just hit your length. You can’t start thinking about those guys [what they are going to do], you get confused. Just trust yourself and trust your lengths.”Learning how to make the best of his natural advantages while overcoming the disadvantages – notably economic – of his background, it has been a significant journey for Muzarabani to get to this point. At 28, he should be at the peak of his powers as a fast bowler, and he is relishing the opportunity provided by Zimbabwe’s current glut of Test fixtures.”Playing for your country is always the best feeling, because you are representing your family. Of course, playing franchise cricket, you have extra money and you see the world, you get experience. But the first thing is always playing for your country. For me, that’s the number one thing.”Walking out at Trent Bridge next Thursday for Zimbabwe’s first Test match against England since 2003 will be, he says, “the greatest feeling ever for me and for the team. I’m just looking forward to showing everyone what we can do. It’s just a dream come true, for sure, getting to play [England in England]. No doubt that everyone is excited for the opportunity.”We believe we can actually cause an upset. I believe we are all good enough to really put on a good show. So I’m sure if we just come in and then do everything that we have to do, we are doing everything right, we’re going to come out in a good position in the game.”

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez was struck in the hand late in his team's 5-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers Monday night. He left the game in the ninth inning when a 96-mph fastball from Tigers reliever Will Vest ran up and got Suárez in the hand.

It was a scary moment for the slugger, who has 36 home runs on the season, but he received some good news shortly after the game's conclusion. According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Suárez said X-rays on his hand came back negative, avoiding a fracture.

Suárez is the best bat on the trade market ahead of Major League Baseball's deadline Thursday. After the game, D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo said the team was calling Suárez day-to-day, but it appears he avoided anything serious.

He's the most valuable rental bat available, as the 34-year-old third baseman is set to become a free agent after this season. If he had to miss any time, it would throw a serious wrench in Arizona's plans to acquire high-level talent in return from one of the many suitors interested.

What appeared to be a scary moment late against the Tigers, who are rumored to be interested in Suárez themselves, appears to have avoided long-term repercussions.

With a thrilling 2025 World Series in the books, it’s time to look ahead to MLB award season.

The majority of MLB awards for the 2025 season will be announced over the coming eight days, including who won MVP in the American League and National League, the sport’s most prestigious awards.

Before the announcement of the league’s top honors, here’s a look at how the voting process works.

Which awards are given out after the MLB season?

A number of awards and honors are bestowed to the top players in MLB each year. Here is a full list of those awards.

• Roberto Clemente Award (Given to the player that best represents baseball on and off the field through character and community involvement)
• Gold Glove Awards
• Silver Slugger Awards
• Platinum Glove Awards
• Rookie of the Year
• Manager of the Year
• Cy Young (Given to the best pitcher in each league)
• Executive of the Year
• All-MLB teams
• Hank Aaron Award (Given to the top hitter in each league)
• Rivera/Hoffman Reliever of the Year
• Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter
• Comeback Player of the Year
• MVP (Given to the top player in each league)
• Heart & Hustle Award (Given to a player that’s passionate about baseball and “best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game”)

Who votes for MLB’s major awards?

The Baseball Writer’s Association of America is responsible for voting for MVP, Cy Young Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year awards, the biggest awards of the year. The BBWAA uses 30 voters to vote on each of the four awards.

Managers and coaches from all 30 teams vote on both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove award winners, though they can’t vote for any players on their team. Fans then vote on the best Gold Glove winner from each league, and that player wins the Platinum Glove award.

All-MLB Team, which was first awarded in 2019, is voted on by fans as well as a panel including media members, former players and baseball officials.

For the Hank Aaron Award, fans account for 30% of the voting, while votes from broadcasters and analysts count for the remaining 70% of the points. Comeback Player of the Year is voted on by a panel of league beat reporters.

The Executive of the Year award is voted on by executives from all 30 teams prior to the start of the postseason. Reliever of the Year is voted on by a group of retired relievers.

Finally, the Heart & Hustle award sees committees from the MLB player’s alumni association nominate a player from every team. The MLBPAA, fans and players then vote for the winner among those 30 nominees.

When are MLB award finalists and winners announced?

The finalists for MLB awards were announced earlier this week. Winners of the Roberto Clemente Award and Gold Glove awards have additionally already been announced.

Outside of those awards winners, the majority of the remaining MLB awards will be announced between Nov. 7–13. Only the Heart and Hustle Award will be announced later than Nov. 13, on Nov. 20.

For the full MLB award announcement schedule, click here.

How the voting process works for MLB Awards

For each of the awards voted on by the BBWAA, there is weighted point system that determines the winner. For MVP, there are 10 spots on each ballot. First-place votes are worth 14 points while second to 10th-place votes are worth 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points in descending order.

There are five spots on the ballot for the Cy Young award. First place votes are worth 7 points while votes for second to fifth place are worth 4-3-2-1 points in descending order. Rookie and the Manager of the Year get three spots on the ballot. First place for those awards is worth five points, second place is worth three points and third place is worth one point.

Where and how to watch the MLB award announcements

MLB awards will be announced on MLB Network, and will include reactions from the winners of the awards. For those unable to tune in, MLB and BBWAA’s social media channels will also share who wins each honor.