Sport

RIYADH – Ivan Toney is making a compelling case for himself in the Saudi Pro League, and his recent performance is directly challenging Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance. Toney scored a hat trick on Thursday for Al Ahli in a 4-1 victory over Al Najma, surging ahead in the race for the league’s Golden Boot and drawing his team level on points with league leaders Al Hilal.

The 29-year-old’s tally now stands at 23 goals for the season, five more than Ronaldo, who has 18. While Ronaldo, the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League for the past two seasons, has the opportunity to respond on Saturday when Al Nassr returns to action, Toney’s form is undeniably putting pressure on the Portuguese superstar. Julián Quiñones of Al Qadsiah also has 18 goals, keeping the competition fierce.

Toney’s performance wasn’t without a minor blemish; he missed a penalty during the match, a rare occurrence for the striker who boasts a typically flawless record from the spot. However, he quickly redeemed himself, converting a second penalty later in the game to complete his hat trick. His goals came from close range, a crisp volley, and the aforementioned penalty, showcasing his versatility in front of goal.

Al Ahli’s impressive form, fueled by Toney’s goals and bolstered by the presence of players like Édouard Mendy and Riyad Mahrez, has seen them climb to the top of the Saudi Pro League standings. They are now level on points with Al Hilal, who have a game in hand, setting up a thrilling title race.

The prolific form is also fueling Toney’s international ambitions. He has openly expressed his desire to earn a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup. “It would be a dream to play there,” Toney told Sky Sports News. “Everybody dreams of that, and imagine if we were to win the World Cup? That would be for the country.” He added, “My job is to keep scoring goals and hopefully that gives me the best chance of being there.”

Toney’s move to Al Ahli in 2024 raised questions about its impact on his international prospects, but his current form is silencing any doubters. He has surpassed Ronaldo’s goal tally in the Saudi Pro League after Matchweek 22, establishing himself as the league’s leading scorer.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, recently ended a brief dispute with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and has returned to action for Al Nassr. However, his coach has publicly lamented the club’s lack of “economic power,” according to ESPN, potentially hinting at challenges in strengthening the squad.

The battle for the Golden Boot and the league title is heating up in Saudi Arabia, and all eyes will be on both Toney and Ronaldo as the season progresses. The next match for Al Nassr on Saturday will be a crucial opportunity for Ronaldo to close the gap on Toney and reassert his dominance in the league.

What remains to be seen is whether Toney can maintain his exceptional form throughout the remainder of the season and if his goals will be enough to earn him a coveted spot in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup. The coming months promise to be pivotal for both players as they strive for individual and team success.

What are your thoughts on Toney’s chances of winning the Golden Boot? Share your predictions in the comments below!

The Repco Supercars Championship is already seeing adjustments ahead of the upcoming season, with General Motors teams receiving a mandate to add ballast to their Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race cars. The change, totaling 4.4kg, is a result of detailed centre of gravity testing conducted by Supercars at Bathurst last Sunday and Monday, involving the Camaro, Ford Mustang and Toyota Supra.

The adjustment requires teams to affix the ballast around the roll-cage tube directly above and forward of the passenger seat. While the alteration is relatively minor, it underscores Supercars’ ongoing efforts to ensure parity between competing manufacturers as Toyota enters the fray alongside Ford and Chevrolet. The focus on achieving a level playing field is crucial as the championship prepares for a new era with increased manufacturer diversity.

Supercars motorsport boss Tim Edwards downplayed the significance of the change, emphasizing a more clinical approach to testing this year. “We did a more detailed version of what we’ve done before,” Edwards explained. “In the past we’ve actually had more cars, but then you end up with a big spread of that’s got a new bumper, that’s got a used bumper, that’s got a new rear guard, that’s got a used rear guard. To be more clinical, we had three cars, all with brand new bodywork, we took all of those individual panels off the car and weighed them, so we were 100 percent confident exactly where they were.”

Edwards continued, stating the difference identified was minimal. “Obviously, that highlighted that there was a small difference. We see only a small difference, we’re talking in millimetres, but actually then the translation is you’ve obviously got to put that into kilograms to create the change, but in millimetres, we’re talking a small amount. The GM guys have made that tweak to their cars.”

Parity Concerns and Pre-Season Testing

The pursuit of parity remains a central theme heading into the new season. With Toyota joining Ford and Chevrolet, ensuring a competitive balance is paramount. Initial pre-season testing at Bathurst saw the top Toyota entry finish 16th in Wednesday’s session, but Edwards cautioned against drawing firm conclusions. “Everybody was keeping their powder dry for tonight,” he said, referring to the Thursday night session on the full track layout. “Yesterday you would run on your worst tyre. Tonight we’ll get a better read of where everybody’s at.”

Anton de Pasquale’s Move to Team 18

The centre of gravity adjustment comes as teams, including Team 18, continue to adapt to changes in the off-season. Anton de Pasquale, who joined Team 18 after four seasons with Dick Johnson Racing, will be a key driver in Chevrolet’s efforts. According to Supercars.com, De Pasquale is now positioned as the lead driver for Chevrolet as Triple Eight no longer supports the brand. He finished eighth in the championship in his first season with Team 18 in 2023.

De Pasquale’s Career Highlights

De Pasquale’s career includes success in various racing disciplines. He won the Australian Kart Championship in 2011 and the Australian Formula Ford Championship in 2013, as noted in his Wikipedia profile. He briefly competed in Formula Renault series in Europe before returning to Australia and joining the Supercars Championship in 2018 with Erebus Motorsport. He has secured nine race wins and 39 podiums in his Supercars career to date.

The upcoming season promises to be a closely contested one, with manufacturers working to optimize their cars within the regulations. The adjustments made to the Camaro, while seemingly minor, demonstrate Supercars’ commitment to maintaining a competitive and equitable championship for all teams. The focus now shifts to further testing and refinement as teams prepare for the season opener.

What impact will these adjustments have on the performance of the Camaro teams? The early stages of the season will be crucial in determining whether the changes have achieved the desired effect. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see how the new season unfolds.

Share your thoughts on the changes and predictions for the upcoming season in the comments below!

Mirko Gherlinzoni, a soccer coach, recently participated in an interview, offering insights into his career and approach to the game. The conversation, highlighted on social media, provides a glimpse into the world of professional soccer coaching and the dedication required to succeed.

Gherlinzoni’s appearance at the microphones comes as soccer continues to draw significant attention, both domestically and internationally. The interview, shared on February 20, 2026, underscores the growing interest in the individuals shaping the future of the sport. Understanding the perspectives of coaches like Gherlinzoni is crucial for fans and aspiring players alike, offering a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the game.

The interview was publicized with the hashtag #storytime, suggesting a more personal and narrative-driven approach to the discussion. Gherlinzoni is identified as an “allenatore di calcio” – Italian for football coach – and is tagged with the Instagram handle @_gherli_. This indicates a potential focus on his perform within the Italian soccer landscape, though his broader coaching experience remains to be fully explored.

Further online presence reveals additional details about Gherlinzoni. He maintains a Facebook profile here, and an Instagram account under the name aya_tub here, where he promotes a YouTube channel. Another Instagram account, a.gherlinzoni here, shows limited activity but confirms his presence on the platform.

While the specifics of the interview content haven’t been widely reported, the promotion suggests a focus on Gherlinzoni’s coaching philosophy and experiences. The use of the term “storytime” implies a conversational format, potentially delving into anecdotes and personal stories that illuminate his journey in soccer. This approach can offer valuable insights beyond tactical analysis, revealing the human side of the sport.

The Milton High School Soccer team has likewise recently announced its 2026 rosters here. While there is no direct connection established between Gherlinzoni and the Milton High School team through the provided sources, it highlights the broader soccer community and the ongoing development of young athletes. The rosters include both Varsity and Junior Varsity teams for both girls and boys, indicating a robust program with significant participation.

The 2026 Varsity Girls roster includes players such as Peyton Asher, Eliza Barber, and Paxton Battaglia, among others. The Varsity Boys roster features Oluwatobiloba Awosanya, Tripp Beerbower, and Nate Blahnik. Both rosters demonstrate a commitment to building a competitive soccer program at the high school level.

Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how Gherlinzoni’s insights from the interview translate into his coaching practice. Further coverage of his work and the experiences shared during the interview will undoubtedly provide a more comprehensive understanding of his contributions to the world of soccer. The continued development of young athletes, as exemplified by the Milton High School soccer program, also remains a key focus for the future of the sport.

What are your thoughts on the importance of coaching in shaping the next generation of soccer players? Share your comments below and let us know what aspects of the game you find most compelling.

The Premier League weekend is quick approaching, and with it comes the usual flurry of injury concerns and selection dilemmas for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers. Several key players are doubtful for gameweek 27, impacting both on-pitch performance and potential FPL returns. Understanding the latest team news is crucial for making informed decisions, and we’ve got the latest updates from Stamford Bridge and beyond.

Chelsea, currently fifth in the Premier League with 44 points, face Burnley at home on Saturday, February 21st. However, their preparations have been hampered by a growing injury list. Burnley, sitting in 19th place with 18 points, are nine points from safety and will be looking to build on their recent win against Crystal Palace. This match presents a crucial opportunity for both sides, with different objectives at stake.

Chelsea Injury Updates

Chelsea are grappling with a significant number of absentees. Defender Marc Cucurella is facing up to a month on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury during the 2-2 draw with Leeds United on February 10th. What we have is a blow to Mauricio Pochettino’s options at the back, potentially impacting the team’s defensive stability. Alongside Cucurella, Levi Colwill (torn ACL), Jamie Gittens (thigh), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh), and Filip Jorgensen (unspecified) remain unavailable.

Burnley’s Mounting Concerns

Burnley’s injury situation is equally concerning, with up to seven players potentially missing the trip to Stamford Bridge. Armando Broja, on loan from Chelsea, has been ruled out with an unspecified injury, adding to Vincent Kompany’s woes. Axel Tuanzebe continues his recovery from a calf injury, and Josh Cullen (knee), Zeki Amdouni (knee), Jordan Beyer (knee), Connor Roberts (knee), and Mike Tresor (ankle) are also sidelined. The Clarets’ depleted squad will face a stern test against a Chelsea side eager to bounce back from their recent draw.

FPL Talking Points: Key Players to Watch

For FPL managers, several players are attracting attention. Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer (£10.6m) has been in excellent form, scoring five goals since gameweek 22, although only one has come from open play. He remains a popular pick, despite the fluctuating form of the Chelsea attack.

Joao Pedro (£7.7m) is currently the most transferred-in player this week, with over 225,000 FPL managers bringing him into their teams. He had seven shots in gameweek 26, highlighting his attacking threat.

Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony (£5.0m) has been a standout performer for the Clarets, reaching 84 points for the campaign, the most of any Burnley player, after scoring in gameweek 26. Whereas Burnley’s overall form has been poor, Anthony’s consistent performances make him a budget FPL option to consider.

Chelsea are looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League under Liam Rosenior, while Burnley aim to continue building momentum after their recent victory. Historically, Chelsea have dominated this fixture, losing only one of their 19 Premier League games against Burnley.

The match at Stamford Bridge promises to be an intriguing encounter, with both teams having much to play for. The availability of key players will undoubtedly influence the outcome, and FPL managers will be closely monitoring the situation as the weekend approaches.

Looking ahead, the Premier League season is entering a crucial phase, with teams battling for Champions League qualification, European spots, and survival. The coming weeks will be pivotal, and staying informed about team news and player form will be essential for both fans and FPL enthusiasts.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming fixtures? Share your predictions and FPL team selections in the comments below!