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One of the lesser-discussed NL West rivalries had its moment on Tuesday night, as things got heated between the Giants and Rockies during their game at Coors Field.

During the top of the first inning, before a single out had even been recorded in the game, Rafael Devers parked a ball into the right field seats off of Kyle Freeland. The two-run shot opened the scoring, and also seemed to open some emotions between the two sides.

It's unclear what prompted it, but Devers began shouting at Freeland while heading towards first base. He continued to shout at the Rockies pitcher once he reached the base, and from there, things escalated quickly. The benches cleared and punches were thrown from players on both sides, as a sea of players and coaches collided in the infield.

Have a look at the melee:

It certainly seemed to catch the broadcast off guard, as things went from a few choice words to some fisticuffs in the infield in a matter of seconds.

Devers was so enraged he didn't even round the bases after his two-run shot, instead getting into it with Freeland. Eventually, he was told to finish rounding the bases to complete his home run before play resumed.

After the dust settled on the skirmish, discipline was handed out by the umpires, and three players were ejected, including Willy Adames and Matt Chapman from the Giants, and Freeland from Colorado. Freeland was replaced on the mound by Antonio Senzatela.

England have defended their limited Ashes preparation ahead of the start of their warm-up game against the Lions at Lilac Hill in Perth on Thursday. The three-day match-up is England’s only match practice ahead of next Friday’s first Test at Optus Stadium, which assistant coach Marcus Trescothick described as “the way of the modern game”.Ashes tours have historically started with a series of warm-up fixtures between travelling squads and either domestic or invitational teams, but they have been greatly reduced in recent series as boards look to streamline schedules.England have largely eschewed warm-up fixtures since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over as head coach and captain, preferring training camps and intra-squad matches, but have generally started series strongly. They have won all the first Test in each of their last five overseas tours, including in India, Pakistan and New Zealand last year.”It’s the way that the series are generally done – for us and for other opposition teams – around the world nowadays,” Trescothick told reporters in Perth on Tuesday. “With the volume of cricket that’s played [elsewhere], you don’t have the time for preparations like potentially playing two or three first-class games, which has happened in the past.”I think you generally roll with a prep game, or some facilities – whatever you have available – and you go from there. Of course, most of the guys have been playing in New Zealand for us. Some of the guys have come out from England, but it’s the way of the modern game nowadays.”Michael Vaughan, who opened the batting with Trescothick on England’s 2002-03 tour to Australia, has questioned the value in playing on a club ground which will “bounce really low” ahead of the first Test on an Optus Stadium which is expected to be fast with steep bounce.Related

• Stokes urges England players to go full throttle in intrasquad Ashes warm-up

• Marcus Trescothick: 'I want to see what franchise cricket is all about'

• Cummins ramps up bowling with eye on second Test

• The Australia selectors' aversion to risk might have boxed them into a corner

• Duckett: England evolving from being 'entertaining, reckless at times'

But Trescothick said England were “very happy” with their preparation: “We’ve had facilities here with the nets, and obviously then the nets out in the middle, and then we’ve got the preparation game here as well.”In my day, playing at the Waca was very unique and very different, but you prepare yourself for those sorts of changes in facilities and pitches as you go along. We’ll have three days of prep at Optus, just to get used to pitches and we go along with that, and we’ll go from there. We’re very happy at the moment.”Ben Duckett, who will open the batting in next week’s first Test, arrived in Perth last week and said that facing England’s fast bowlers in the nets has provided “pretty good” preparation following a white-ball tour to New Zealand.”I don’t know what the right answer is,” Duckett told the podcast. “We play a lot of cricket at the minute, and we’ve obviously just come off the back of our summer. We’re certainly not lacking any gametime.”I don’t make those plans, but I’m pretty happy getting ready in the nets. If we’re facing Jofra [Archer], Woody [Mark Wood] and those guys everyday, I think that will be pretty good prep.”England’s preparation has been heavily criticised by former players, with Ian Botham suggesting their slimline schedule “borders on arrogance”. It stands in clear contrast to Australia’s build-up, with 14 members of their 15-man squad for the first Test involved in the ongoing round of Sheffield Shield fixtures.

When it comes to the greatest Chelsea players of the last 15 years or so, it’s impossible to look past Eden Hazard.

The Belgian wizard joined the Blues in the summer of 2012 and, over the next seasons, made 352 appearances, scoring 110 goals, providing 88 assists, and winning a host of trophies, including two Premier Leagues.

The international superstar was more than just output, though; he was an entertainer, someone who could make something of anything, and a legend of the league.

So, fans should be delighted about reports linking Chelsea to another superstar who could become their new Hazard.

Chelsea target their new Eden Hazard

The transfer window reopens in just over a month, and as a result, Chelsea are being linked with some seriously exciting players.

Transfer Focus

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

Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, for example, has been touted for a £79m move to Stamford Bridge, as has Nottingham Forest’s defensive powerhouse Murillo.

Yet, while both would improve the Blues’ squad and potentially the starting lineup, neither can be described as the next Hazard, unlike Vinícius Júnior.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are one of a few teams keen on signing the Real Madrid winger.

In fact, the report has revealed that, alongside Manchester City, the West Londoners are leading the race for the Brazilian’s signature, while Manchester United trail behind.

However, on top of the competition, the Blues will have to stump up a fee of up to £100m to secure the superstar’s signature.

It could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Vini Jr’s immense ability, it’s one Chelsea should be all over, especially as he could be another Hazard.

Why Vini Jr would be another Hazard for Chelsea

Now, while Vini Jr obviously isn’t a carbon copy of Hazard, there are undeniable similarities between the two.

For example, in addition to sharing a position with him, the Brazilian is also a winger most would describe as an entertainer; he is not merely efficient.

In other words, the 25-year-old is more than happy to take on an opposition defender, is capable of scoring a myriad of goals and isn’t afraid of pulling off a trick or two, even if he sometimes gets heat for doing so.

While this is all obvious from simply watching the former Flamengo gem play, it’s also borne out in his underlying numbers.

For example, according to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries and carries into the penalty area, the top 3% for successful take-ons, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, and more, all per 90.

Simply put, the São Gonçalo-born star is someone who wants to carry the ball into dangerous areas and is one of the very best at doing so.

With all that said, while Vini Jr has the entertainment side of Hazard to his own game, he’s also as, if not more, dangerous when it comes to backing that up with output.

Appearances

340

Starts

267

Minutes

24,291′

Goals

111

Assists

92

Points per Game

2.15

For example, in 340 appearances, for Los Blancos, totalling 24291 minutes, he has scored 111 goals and provided 92 assists.

That comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.67 games, or every 119.66 minutes, which is even more impressive when you consider his slow start in Madrid.

With numbers like those, and the fact he’s one of the few players in the world guaranteed to get fans on their feet, it’s hard to disagree with Ronaldo’s assertion that he is “the best player in the world.”

Therefore, while it will cost an arm and a leg, Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign Vini Jr, especially as he could be their next Hazard.

Chelsea: Enzo Maresca provides major Cole Palmer update ahead of Arsenal

The Blues are set for a mouth-watering Premier League clash this weekend.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 28, 2025

Arsenal have made a blistering start to this season, and the theme of their success continues to be squad depth.

On Wednesday night, it was substitutes that made all the difference, as the Gunners beat Bayern Munich 3-1 in the Champions League.

Riccardo Calafiori set up Noni Madueke to score the go-ahead goal, before Gabriel Martinelli raced around Manuel Neuer to stroke home the clincher soon after, all three doing so off the bench.

In recent seasons, most notably last year, Arsenal’s title hopes have been derailed by injuries, simply not possession-requisite deputies, in terms of quality, quantity and sometimes both, to cope with key absentees.

Well, this time round, numerous key figures have been or are currently still sidelined, and this has not hampered the Gunners one bit, so do Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta now have their eyes set on further new recruits in January?

Arsenal target a new attacker

Those who thought Mikel Merino up front had been confined to the past were very much mistaken, the Spaniard forced back into the emergency centre-forward role because, well, in recent weeks there haven’t been any other options.

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyökeres remain sidelined, Martin Ødegaard, Madueke and Martinelli have all made their returns this week, but Leandro Trossard is a doubt for Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge after suffering a knock against Bayern, the severity of which is not yet known.

So, could Arteta request the arrival of a new attacker in January?

Well, according to reports in Spain, Arsenal are interested in signing Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, with Manchester United also in the race to secure his signature.

They add that die Schwarzgelben value the German international at £75m, but could be under pressure to sell, considering that his contract expires in 2027, hence why there is ‘intensifying’ interest from the two Premier League giants.

So, could he become the 13th German to feature for Arsenal, following in the footsteps of Jens Lehmann, Per Mertesacker, Mesut Özil, Bernd Leno, Lukas Podolski and others?

What Karim Adeyemi​​​​​​​ would bring to Arsenal

After beginning his senior career at RB Salzburg, Adeyemi joined Dortmund in the summer of 2022 for €38m (around £33m), scoring 31 goals and registering 22 assists for the club to date.

Analyst Ben Mattinson praises his “electric pace” and labels him a “transitional monster”, which is possibly best demonstrated by this goal he scored in the Champions League against Graham Potter’s Chelsea at the Westfalenstadion​​​​​​​.

Meantime, according to the Bundesliga, he is one of the fastest players in the division’s history, reaching a top speed of 22.77 miles per hour, which would result in an £80 fine if he ran that fast up Holloway Road parallel to the Emirates.

He is very much a key player at Dortmund, as the table below documents.

Goals

5

2nd

Assists

3

2nd

Shots

31

2nd

Key passes

12

3rd

Shot-creating actions

39

2nd

Goal-creating actions

7

2nd

Big chances created

4

2nd

Attempted take-ons

54

1st

Successful take-ons

24

1st

Progressive carries

35

1st

Top speed

32.2 km/h

1st

Touches in box

65

1st

Average rating

7.31

2nd

The table underlines Adeyemi’s importance to Dortmund.

Only Serhou Guirassy has scored more goals, with wing-back Julian Ryerson the only player boasting better creative numbers, but Adeyemi is currently combining the two.

The attacker also leads the way at die Schwarzgelben for all the dribbling statistics as well as top speed, registering the most touches of any Dortmund player in the opposition penalty area.

This emphasises how he is currently able to combine all the things that make both Madueke and Bukayo Saka elite – the two players noted as among the five most stylistically and statistically similar players to Adeyemi among those in their position across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.

Madueke is a direct dribbler who is a major goal-threat, underlined by the fact that he ranked third in the Premier League last season for progressive carries and fifth when it came to touches in the attacking penalty box.

Saka meantime is the creator in chief, registering more shot-creating actions and big chances created than any other Arsenal player so far this season, despite a spell on the sidelines due to injury.

Well, right now, Adeyemi is able to combine all of these qualities into one, seemingly fulfilling his full potential at the age of 23, suggesting he would be an excellent addition to Arteta’s team and could be the man to fire them to that elusive first Premier League title since 2002.

Shades of Declan Rice: Arsenal expected to move for £80m "superstar"

Arsenal are ready to add the final flourishes on their high-flying squad.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 29, 2025

Jamie Smith joins Ben Duckett in sitting out T20Is with World Cup just six months away

Matt Roller08-Sep-2025England will go into their T20I series against South Africa without both Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith this week, prompting head coach Brendon McCullum to concede they must learn how to cope better with their busy international schedule.Duckett, Smith and Harry Brook have been ever-present for England across their 15 international fixtures to date this summer, and all spent August playing in the Hundred. All three players will miss next week’s brief tour to Ireland, and McCullum has prescribed an additional week’s rest for his ODI openers so they can “freshen up” ahead of a busy winter away.It means that Duckett and Smith will miss consecutive T20I series less than six months out from a World Cup in the format, when better planning would have seen them skip the ODIs instead. In their absence, Phil Salt – who missed England’s most recent T20Is on paternity leave – looks set to open the batting alongside either Tom Banton or Will Jacks.Related

South Africa beat England and the rain to leave Cardiff 1-0 up

ECB chair says crammed Hundred schedule is 'short-term issue'

Bethell admits he 'probably should have played more' this summer

Bethell, Root tons, Archer four-for see England hand out record thrashing

England face a tight turnaround between the Ashes and the T20 World Cup this winter, interspersed with white-ball tours to New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Rob Key, England’s managing director, claimed last year that their upcoming schedule was “easing” when expanding McCullum’s role to cover white-ball cricket but it shows few signs of doing so.A one-day gap after the Hundred final meant that England’s players did not train together as a full squad ahead of Tuesday’s first ODI in Leeds, in which they were thrashed by seven wickets. ECB chair Richard Thompson acknowledged the crammed fixture list was an issue on Sunday, but admitted that it is unlikely to change significantly within the ongoing broadcast rights cycle.”The scheduling isn’t ideal,” McCullum said after England’s consolation win in Southampton. “That’s just the way it is and it’s not going to change, so we’re going to have to find ways to deal with it… We’re just going to have to find ways to be able to hit the ground running a bit quicker than what we did in this one.”I spoke to [Duckett] and I said, ‘I think you need to freshen up. You’ve played so much cricket and you’re such an influential player for us over the next few months.’ He’ll have a decent break at home, as will Jamie Smith… It gives the other guys opportunities, and it’s exciting, too. If we just rely on 11 players, then we’re not really going to be competitive.”One of those “other guys” is Sam Curran, who will bat in the top six against South Africa after winning a recall through his performances for Surrey and Oval Invincibles. McCullum has never previously picked Curran for one of his teams, and told him in an “honest conversation” over breakfast earlier this summer that he needed to “bang the door down” as a batter.”The message to Sam was that a lot’s come to you quickly and you’ve had a lot of success and a lot of fame, and a lot of things have fallen your way,” McCullum said, “but, of late, your performance had just tailed off a bit… With us resting both Jamie and Ben, it gives us the opportunity to bring Sam in and he’ll get his chance to bat in the top six.”England are expected to stick with the spin-heavy strategy they trialled against West Indies in June for this week’s series as they prepare for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Curran will likely be their third seamer, with Jacob Bethell and Jacks supplementing Adil Rashid and either Liam Dawson or Rehan Ahmed as spin options.Bethell and Jacks acted as England’s fifth bowler in the ODIs against South Africa but their combined 10 overs in a tight defeat at Lord’s were hammered for 112 runs. McCullum said it was “really hard” to balance the side without a genuine allrounder, but has already spoken to Brook about how to give his part-time options “slightly more in their favour”.”We’ve just got to be a bit smarter with it… Utilising the big side of the ground, or also trying to set slightly more defensive fields,” McCullum said. “They don’t need to take 3 for 30 off 10 overs. They’ve just got to find a way to be able to create pressure and hold for a period so that our attacking guys can come in.”We won’t always be married to that [balance] but at the moment, we want to make sure that we’ve got that familiarity within our batting group – particularly in the middle order, as they adjust to some new roles so that they get more and more comfortable with how each of them is going to play.”McCullum said that England’s record 342-run thrashing in Southampton had provided them with “an incredible blueprint” in ODIs during an “oscillating” series. “We got hammered in the first one, we were within one blow in the second, and we dished out a pretty good performance in the third… It shows that there’s not a huge gulf between the two teams.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is officially a billionaire.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which ranks the world’s richest people based on their net worth, has included the Real Madrid legend for the first time, revealing his net worth – which includes career earnings, investments and endorsements – has now reached $1.4bn (£1.04bn).

The 40 year-old Portugal star is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers and goalscorers of all time, and has earned lucrative contracts throughout his career with Manchester United, Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr.

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He also has endorsement deals with global companies such as Nike and Armani, as well as his own CR7 brand that sells clothing and fragrances worldwide.

Ronaldo’s contract in Saudi Arabia makes him the highest-paid player in football history, taking home an estimated $400m (£298m) from the two-year deal he signed this year.

Highest paid footballers: in pictures

But while the goalscoring machine is now hundreds of millions ahead of rival Lionel Messi, he does not rank first when it comes to net worth amongst active footballers.

Brunei prince is world's richest footballer

The richest player in the world is Faiq Bolkiah, a winger for the Brunei national team and Ratchaburi FC, a Thai football club.

Bolkiah is the nephew of Hassanal Bolkiah, the current Sultan of Brunei, and his net worth is believed to be around $20bn (£15bn), despite receiving a monthly salary of just $2,900 from his club.

Boasting over 250,000 followers on his Insatgram page, Bolkiah unsurprisingly lives a lavish life away from the pitch, trying his hand at modelling and reportedly owning a pet tiger, while his father is thought to own in excess of 2,000 cars.

Born in Los Angeles, USA, the 27 year-old was raised in the United Kingdom, and began his footballing career at A.F.C Newbury, in Berkshire. A winger by trade, he joined the famous Southampton academy in 2009, where he spent four years and played alongside the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and James-Ward Prowse.

Bolkiah signed a two-year youth contract at Chelsea in 2014 after an unsuccessful trial at Arsenal, but after failing to break through in West London eventually landed at Leicester City, where he penned his first professional deal at the age of 17 and lived in a converted hotel.

Despite spending four years with the Foxes, Bolkiah never made a first team appearance, but did play five times in the UEFA Youth League in the 2015/16 season, registering an assist in a 2-1 defeat to Club Brugge.

With a breakthrough into senior football difficult to come by in England, he joined Portuguese side Marítimo in 2020, a move he later he admitted was a mistake: “Marítimo said to me, ‘You’ll come here, you’ll play’, so I said, ‘I just want to be here for a year. The main thing for me is I want to play.’ Obviously, that didn’t happen.

“I definitely regret moving there. I feel like there was a lot of politics to do with it as well, why Marítimo wanted me. I didn’t feel like they were being fully honest.”

Bolkiah then moved to Asia in 2021 to join Thai outfit Chonburi, where he spent two years before the switch to his current club, Ratchaburi. They are third in the Thai League 1, the top flight of the Thai football league system, but Bolkiah has played just 35 minutes so far this season.

He has also scored once in six caps for his national side of Brunei, but has not featured for them since 2018.

أسفر الاجتماع الفني الخاص بمباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز المقرر إقامتها غدًا الخميس على استاد آل نهيان في أبوظبي ضمن نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المصري، عن اعتماد الأطقم الرسمية للفريقين وترتيبات اللقاء النهائية.

وسيرتدي الزمالك زيه الأساسي المكوَّن من القميص الأبيض والشورت الأبيض، بينما يظهر حارس مرمى الفريق بالزي البنفسجي الكامل، في المقابل، يخوض بيراميدز اللقاء بزيه الكامل باللون الأسود، فيما سيرتدي حارسه الزي البرتقالي.

وحضر الاجتماع الفني من جانب الزمالك كلٌّ من محمد حسن تيتو المدير الإداري، وحمزة عبد الوهاب مدير شؤون اللاعبين، وباسم زيادة مسؤول العلاقات العامة، ومحمد حسني مسؤول المهمات.

طالع أيضًا | حكم مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز في كأس السوبر المصري

وخلال الاجتماع، تم التأكيد على اللجوء مباشرة إلى ركلات الترجيح في حال انتهاء الوقت الأصلي للمباراة بالتعادل، دون اللجوء إلى أشواط إضافية، وفقًا للوائح البطولة.

كما أوضح مسؤولو لجنة الحكام أن قانون التبديل السادس المرتبط بحالات الارتجاج الدماغي (ضربات الرأس) لن يُطبق في البطولة، نظرًا لعدم اعتماد تطبيقه حتى الآن في البطولات المحلية المصرية، بسبب اشتراطات طبية محددة تتعلق بالبروتوكولات المعتمدة للارتجاج، وبذلك سيُسمح لكل فريق بإجراء خمسة تبديلات فقط على ثلاث فترات توقف خلال زمن المباراة.

ويواصل فريق الزمالك استعداداته الجادة لمواجهة بيراميدز، غدًا الخميس، في موقعة ينتظرها عشاق الكرة المصرية، حيث يسعى الفريقان لخطف بطاقة التأهل إلى نهائي السوبر المصري وسط أجواء جماهيرية مميزة في العاصمة الإماراتية أبوظبي.

While promotion has already allowed for Leeds United’s many new signings this summer to thrive, the step-up to the Premier League will also have solidified who is deadwood at Elland Road moving forward.

Indeed, with Noah Okafor continuing to impress with another top-flight strike against Tottenham Hotspur, you can’t help but fear for Jack Harrison’s long-term future as another option down the wings, considering the 28-year-old has just 130 minutes of league action so far this season under his belt.

Moreover, the nail looks to firmly be in Illan Meslier’s Leeds coffin, with Lucas Perri’s injury not handing him a redemption arc in between the sticks, as Karl Darlow is preferred to the error-prone Frenchman by Daniel Farke.

It’s been a disappointing fall from grace for the ex-Lorient stopper, who has never been able to recover from some costly moments last campaign that nearly derailed his side’s promotion mission.

How Illan Meslier became a villain at Elland Road

Originally added to the Elland Road camp when Marcelo Bielsa was still manager, Meslier has now notched up 214 games for the club, becoming something of a stalwart over a number of years.

Throw two Championship titles into the mix, and it’s clear that the 25-year-old hasn’t always been looked down upon as an accident waiting to happen in goal for the West Yorkshire outfit.

During 2023/24, Farke went as far as to label Meslier as “the best goalkeeper in the league.” How times change.

This outrageous showering of praise all unravelled rather quickly, however, when Meslier inexplicably gave up that goal away at fellow promotion winners Sunderland last October, with TalkSPORT commentator Mark Wilson branding the gaffe as one that “will live with him forever.”

It must have knocked his confidence, as another two errors directly led to efforts beating him across his full 39-game campaign, with Farke then dropping the shaky ‘keeper for his side’s final seven matches in the tense promotion run-in, despite his previous outlandish comments.

Meslier has yet to return to the first-team fold since being axed, and with his contract up next summer, it does appear as if the 25-year-old is on borrowed time now as a regular fixture at Elland Road.

He isn’t the only member of the promoted squad who could be falling victim to the step-up in quality, however, with another forgotten face facing the chop.

Leeds graduate is in danger under Farke

Meslier might well be considered lucky that he wasn’t shifted on during the summer, with the potential for the Frenchman to now be moved on this coming January, as Rangers reportedly circle for his services.

As it happens, Sam Byram didn’t hold any concerns during the summer that he was going to be let go, though, with an announcement coming in July that a one-year contract extension had been handed to the experienced defender, which was justified after being utilised as a worthwhile utility figure last campaign by Farke.

The 32-year-old only made 16 starts all season long, but he bowed out from these minimal moments in the first-team with five big chances created as a menace from the full-back spot, on top of also picking up six clean sheets. This ability to slot in and do a competent job at a moment’s notice would lead to his manager hailing him as “so important” as he can play “wherever I need him.”

Despite possessing this versatility up his sleeve, his minutes have become even sparser this season to date, with the likes of Gabriel Gudmundsson coming in to bolster the left-back personnel, effectively leaving the ex-West Ham United defender permanently on the periphery.

25/26

2

78

24/25

39

1617

23/24

36

2251

As is visible from the table above, it’s clear that Farke is relying less on Byram now to get him out of some sticky selection issues, with just a 71-minute run-out afforded to the number 25 in the Premier League so far this season.

This is the price the likes of Byram and Meslier have to, unfortunately, pay as their side strives for more success up a level, with flashier signings more cut out for the intensity of the top-flight preferred over them.

Having amassed 221 appearances for Leeds over two spells, next summer might well spell the end for Byram in West Yorkshire, unless he miraculously proves himself in the first team picture shortly.

Leeds have signed "explosive" ace who looks like a new Raphinha-type player

Leeds fans might finally get their dream Raphinha replacement

ByJoe Nuttall Oct 12, 2025

Manchester United's hopes of keeping teenage sensation JJ Gabriel, nicknamed 'Kid Messi', have been given a massive boost as Arsenal's supposed interest in the player has been labelled as "premature". The 15-year-old, widely tipped as one of the most gifted players to emerge from United's academy since Marcus Rashford, has agreed to commit his immediate future to Old Trafford after a tense behind-closed-doors meeting with United chiefs Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada.

• JJ Gabriel: Turning heads across Europe

  Gabriel’s reputation has exploded in recent months. Known for his dazzling dribbling, lightning-fast feet, and a swagger that has seen him compared to the Argentine legend himself, the teenager has already drawn interest from across Europe. Despite being just 15, he has been starring for United’s Under-18 side, racking up seven goals in six matches this season. His performances have left scouts stunned, with insiders calling him a 'once-in-a-generation' talent. But while the hype around him grows, United’s internal message is clear: keep him grounded, keep him focused, and keep him in Manchester.

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  Arsenal cool their interest in teenager

  Reports in recent weeks suggested Arsenal were plotting a bold move to lure the teenage sensation to North London. However, according to the those rumours were "premature" and no formal approach has been made. United have already poached Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi from Arsenal's youth system, and the prospect of the Gunners hitting back still looms large. For now, it’s United who can breathe a sigh of relief, having secured a commitment from Gabriel that will see him remain at Carrington until at least his 16th birthday. He will be eligible to put pen to paper on his first professional contract in the summer of 2027, which will come into play from October of that year, following his 17th birthday. 

  Recognising Gabriel’s unique potential, United recently arranged a meeting between the youngster and manager Ruben Amorim, who shared his coaching philosophy and spoke passionately about discipline, dedication, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s work ethic. Amorim's motivation, echoing Ronaldo’s famous mindset, appears to have resonated deeply with Gabriel, who is now more committed than ever to breaking through at United.

• The YouTube star who became a Red Devil phenom

  A viral YouTube video titled "Eight-year-old Kid Messi is unbelievable (better than the real Lionel Messi)" catapulted him into the spotlight, clocking up over 4.8 million views and 110,000 likes. More recently, the teenager was seen juggling a tennis ball, keeping it off the ground for nearly a minute using flawless control and footwork. However, it was his move to United’s academy in 2021 that turned promise into progression. He quickly caught the eye of scouts, formed a close bond with Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., and began living up to the online hype in real matches. Now, just a few years later, he’s being spoken about as the most exciting English-based prospect of his generation. The club’s coaching staff are said to be in awe of his ability, with several senior players privately admitting the kid is miles ahead of his age.

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  A future in red for Gabriel?

  If United’s loyalty strategy wasn’t already clear enough, they’ve reportedly gone one step further by promising Gabriel his very own hospitality box at United's new stadium once it's completed by 2030. The new £2 billion project, led by Foster + Partners architects, will become the largest stadium in the UK, surpassing Wembley’s 90,000 capacity, and second only to Barcelona’s Camp Nou in Europe. The futuristic design, part of a regeneration project set to pump £7.3 billion annually into the UK economy and create over 90,000 jobs, will symbolise the dawn of a new era for United, one where homegrown stars like Gabriel could become the face of the club’s future.

  Initial plans featured a dramatic canopy supported by three masts, representing Manchester’s industrial skyline. However, reports suggest the canopy may be scrapped due to ongoing land acquisition issues.

  Gabriel’s story is still in its early chapters, but if the past few years are any indication, the ending could be something spectacular. From YouTube sensation to United’s most prized academy jewel, the "Kid Messi" tale is one of talent, tenacity, and timing. And now, with Arsenal backing off and United doubling down, the stage is set for Gabriel to shine brighter than ever.