Sports
Joe Root praises Ben Stokes for showing great ‘courage and bravery’ over mental health struggles
Joe Root has paid tribute to England captain Ben Stokes for the ‘great courage and bravery’ he demonstrated by continuing to speak out about his mental health.
Stokes took an indefinite break from cricket last summer to focus on his wellbeing, following the loss of his father to cancer the previous December, having struggled with anxiety and panic attacks.
The all-rounder announced in July he would retire from the one-day format due to the “unsustainable” rigour of playing all three formats of the game, while Stokes believes the public will see a different side to him when a new documentary about him heavily features his battle with a “mental breakdown”.
The 31-year-old revealed in the documentary ‘Ben Stokes: Phoenix from the Ashes’, released on Friday, how close he came to walking away from cricket and that he was still taking anxiety medication after his return to the international arena.
“I think it’s exactly what you come to see from Ben [Stokes] as a leader, is how honest he is,” Root said ahead of England’s second Test against South Africa this Thursday live on Sky Sports. “What he expects of everyone else are all things that he wouldn’t be asked of or willing to do himself.
“I think, like with any of your mates, you want to get around them and you want to make sure you do what you can to help. That goes within the dressing room environment and away from the game as well – you just want to do what you can to help out really.”
Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum were aligned in their post-match analysis of last week’s innings defeat at Lord’s, insisting it was no cause to doubt the blueprint which allowed them to record four thrilling victories earlier in the summer.
Both men suggested that they would be examining if there were times the team could have played more aggressively against the Proteas and Root, who banked a rare double failure in that match, is happy to follow their lead.
“Even though the result didn’t necessarily go how we wanted it to and we didn’t play as well as we could, that doesn’t change anything,” Root added. “That’s been made very clear to the group.
“If anything it’s an opportunity for us to come out and play with more intent. It’s just another opportunity to get back to how well we were playing in those first four Test matches.
“It’s about really committing to how we want to go about things and having full trust and belief in it. It’s a great chance to get our teeth into it this week and show people what we can do.”
AS Roma join Manchester City and Galatasaray in the race to sign Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina, whose contract ends in six months
Serie A giants AS Roma have expressed interest in signing Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, joining a growing list of clubs targeting the in-form Nigeria international.
According to Italian outlet *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, the Italian side has already initiated contact with Aina’s representatives.
The full-back, who has just six months remaining on his contract with Nottingham Forest, has also attracted attention from Premier League champions Manchester City and Turkish club Galatasaray.
Aina has been pivotal to Nottingham Forest’s campaign this season, playing in all 20 of their Premier League matches.
His performances have earned widespread acclaim, including being named the Reds’ Player of the Month for December. Additionally, Aina secured the Goal of the Month award for December, underlining his impact on the pitch.
AS Roma’s interest could reignite the 27-year-old’s ties with Italian football, as he previously played in Serie A with Torino.
The lure of reuniting with the league might prove tempting, particularly with Roma looking to strengthen their defensive options.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s reported interest signals the high regard in which Aina is held, with Pep Guardiola potentially seeking to add depth to his squad. Galatasaray’s pursuit also highlights the defender’s appeal across European leagues.
With his contract nearing its conclusion, Aina will be free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs. Nottingham Forest may face a tough decision in January: sell the player to secure a transfer fee or risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer.
West Ham United has sacked Head Coach Julen Lopetegui following disappointing results in the 2024/25 season, initiating a search for a new manager.
West Ham United has confirmed the dismissal of Head Coach Julen Lopetegui after a difficult beginning to the 2024/25 season.
The club issued a statement earlier today, revealing that the results in the opening months of the campaign had failed to meet the ambitious expectations set by the Board, prompting an immediate managerial change.
Alongside Lopetegui, several key members of his coaching staff have also been relieved of their duties. Assistant Head Coach Pablo Sanz, Head of Performance Oscar Caro, Head Analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, Fitness Coach Borja De Alba, and Technical Coach Edu Rubio will all depart from the club, effective immediately.
This unexpected shake-up has sent shockwaves through the West Ham community, particularly as the Hammers had hoped for a revival under the Spanish manager’s leadership.
Despite Lopetegui’s impressive track record, including a successful stint at Sevilla, he was unable to replicate that form at West Ham, with inconsistent results leading to his departure.
The Board expressed gratitude for Lopetegui and his team’s dedication, acknowledging the difficulties they faced but reiterating the club’s commitment to achieving its long-term objectives.
“We thank Julen and his staff for their hard work and wish them the best of success moving forward,” the statement read.
With the managerial vacancy now open, West Ham confirmed that the process of appointing a new head coach is already underway.
The club will be looking for a leader who can guide them back into contention and restore hope to fans who have been disappointed by the season’s early struggles.
West Ham supporters will now be eagerly anticipating the announcement of their new manager as the search for a fresh approach to reviving the club’s fortunes begins.
Yewande Balogun, Super Falcons goalkeeper, announces her retirement from football, expressing gratitude for her journey and support along the way.
Yewande Balogun, the goalkeeper for Nigeria’s Super Falcons, has officially announced her retirement from professional football.
The 35-year-old made the announcement on social media, reflecting on her illustrious career and expressing her gratitude for the support she received throughout her journey.
In a heartfelt message posted to Instagram, Balogun shared her decision with her fans and followers:
“My body is telling me it’s time to close this chapter and hang up the boots, but I thank God for every step of this journey.
I’m forever grateful to the beautiful game and all it has given me, so here’s to continuing to find ways to give right back. Thank you for all of the love and support along the way,” she wrote.
Balogun’s career saw her playing for several clubs, with her most recent stint at French D1 Arkema club Saint-Étienne.
She was also part of the Super Falcons squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where she made one appearance for the nine-time African champions.
Her retirement marks the end of an era for the Nigerian goalkeeper, who made significant contributions to her national team. Balogun’s legacy is one of perseverance, dedication, and passion for the game.
Fans and colleagues in the football community have since paid tribute to her outstanding career, with many expressing their admiration for her skill and sportsmanship.
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