Jose Mourinho has officially returned as head coach of Real Madrid in a quiet ceremony at their training center. He signed a contract until June 2029 and aims to rebuild the team's winning culture after recent trophyless seasons.
Key Facts
Mourinho began working with Real Madrid again on July 10 during preseason.
He signed a contract with Real Madrid lasting until June 2029.
The club held a low-key presentation without fans or media at their training center.
Real Madrid has not won a major trophy in the last two years.
President Florentino Perez is overseeing an aggressive transfer window, bringing in several new players.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 and won several titles then.
He described his return as a personal and emotional mission to restore hard work and ambition.
Real Madrid’s first league game under Mourinho’s return will be against Espanyol in Barcelona.
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The Big Ten and Southeastern Conference (SEC) are competing for top spots in college football rankings. The Big Ten holds the top two preseason AP Top 25 spots, while the SEC has more teams ranked overall, showing depth across the conference.
Key Facts
Ohio State and Oregon, both in the Big Ten, are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25.
Indiana, another Big Ten team and last season’s national champion, is ranked sixth.
The SEC has nine teams ranked in the top 25, compared to eight teams from the Big Ten.
The Big Ten received 62 out of 69 first-place votes; no SEC team received a first-place vote.
Since 2024, seven different SEC teams have appeared in the College Football Playoff, versus four from the Big Ten.
The Big Ten went 4-3 against the SEC last season in head-to-head matchups.
Clemson is unranked in the preseason AP poll for the first time since 2011 after a 7-6 season.
Some early season key games include Oklahoma vs. Michigan and Ohio State vs. Texas, both rematches from last year.
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Ford tested its new Hypercar at the Paul Ricard race track in France, aiming to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race again. The car uses a special type of race car design called LMDh, featuring a hybrid system and a 5.4-liter V8 engine based on Ford’s Mustang engine.
Key Facts
Ford hopes its new Hypercar will win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a famous endurance race.
The car was tested at Paul Ricard circuit in France by drivers Matt Campbell and Logan Sargeant.
Ford has won Le Mans overall four times, last in 1969, but returned to racing in the top class with this new car.
The Hypercar is designed using LMDh rules, requiring a carbon fiber chassis from approved suppliers; Ford chose ORECA.
The car uses a hybrid system with a spec gearbox, electric motor, and battery shared with other teams, but the engine and bodywork are Ford’s own.
Ford’s Hypercar has a naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V8 engine, derived from the “Coyote” V8 in Mustang cars.
Initial testing began on August 5 and has gone smoothly according to Ford.
Drivers involved in testing include Matt Campbell, Mike Rockenfeller, Tom Blomqvist, and Logan Sargeant.
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Fin Tarling, a 19-year-old British cyclist, died in a crash with a van during the Volta a Portugal race. Former cyclist and team boss Jonathan Vaughters says many smaller races are dangerous because organizers struggle to keep roads fully closed to traffic, which could prevent such accidents.
Key Facts
Fin Tarling died on Friday in the Volta a Portugal after hitting a van on a road that was supposed to be closed.
The van had entered the race route despite efforts to keep the road clear.
Jonathan Vaughters, former rider and team boss, said these incidents are preventable with better road safety measures.
The UCI (cycling’s world governing body) oversees many road races but struggles to keep traffic off the courses.
Smaller races often use partial road closures (rolling roadblocks), which allow some vehicles on the course, unlike bigger races like the Tour de France that use full road closures.
The UCI receives fees from race organizers and sets standards but has focused on small rules rather than major safety issues.
Six cyclists have died in road races in the past three years.
After a fatal crash in 2023, the UCI started the SafeRoad cycling initiative to improve safety but has not commented on Tarling’s crash details yet.
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been recovering from a groin injury and missed most preseason activities. Coach Matt LaFleur recently said Jacobs is expected to take part in team practice, which is a positive sign for the team's upcoming season.
Key Facts
Josh Jacobs suffered a groin injury during Packers practice earlier this month.
Jacobs missed most practices and did not play in the first preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coach Matt LaFleur reported Jacobs will return to participate in practice soon.
Last season, Jacobs had 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns over 15 games.
Jacobs was a Pro Bowl player after rushing for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first Packers season.
Backup running backs MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Pierre Strong Jr. played in preseason, but none scored.
The Packers face tougher competition in the NFC North with the Vikings signing quarterback Kyler Murray.
Green Bay’s regular-season opener is on September 13 against the Vikings.
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Patrick Mahomes had a tough 2025 NFL season due to a knee injury but remains highly respected by other players. He was ranked No. 18 on the 2026 NFL Top 100 list, showing his strong reputation despite the team's struggles.
Key Facts
Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season.
The Kansas City Chiefs finished with a 6-11 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Mahomes was ranked No. 18 on the 2026 NFL Top 100 players list, voted by active NFL players.
Before his injury, Mahomes had a completion rate of 62.7%, threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
He also ran for 422 yards, his career high, in fewer games than usual.
The Chiefs posted a supportive message about Mahomes' ranking on social media.
Mahomes is recovering faster than expected and is likely to play in the season opener on September 14 against the Denver Broncos.
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The Washington Commanders have signed tight end Tre McKitty to support quarterback Jayden Daniels as he develops. McKitty has previously played for several NFL teams and in the United Football League before joining the Commanders.
Key Facts
The Washington Commanders are signing tight end Tre McKitty in 2024.
McKitty was a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.
He caught 16 passes for 117 yards and no touchdowns from 2021 to 2022.
McKitty has been on practice squads for the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns and briefly with the Houston Texans.
After being waived several times, he played in the United Football League with the Louisville Kings, catching seven passes for 130 yards.
The Commanders’ tight end group includes Chig Okonkwo, John Bates, Ben Sinnott, and Colson Yankoff.
McKitty played college football at Florida State and Georgia, with 56 catches for 628 yards and three touchdowns.
The Commanders aim to help Jayden Daniels succeed in the 2026 season.
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The New York Jets' running back Breece Hall suffered a groin injury during practice but is expected to miss only two to three weeks. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Hall should be ready in time for the regular season.
Key Facts
Breece Hall injured his groin during a non-contact practice session.
Coach Aaron Glenn estimates Hall will miss two to three weeks.
Hall is expected to play in the regular season after recovering.
Hall ran for 1,065 yards and scored four touchdowns last season.
He also caught 36 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown last year.
Hall was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
In his career, he has rushed for 3,398 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Hall signed a three-year, $45.75 million contract extension this offseason.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks have removed relief pitcher Andrew Hoffmann from their active roster. Hoffmann has played in eight games this season but struggled with injuries and performance.
Key Facts
The Diamondbacks designated Andrew Hoffmann for assignment, meaning he is removed from their 40-man roster.
Hoffmann pitched in eight games for the Diamondbacks this season with a 1-0 win-loss record and a 7.71 earned run average (ERA).
In his last MLB game on April 28, Hoffmann allowed seven earned runs in just one-third of an inning pitched.
He also played 12 games for the Triple-A Reno team, recording a 1-1 record and a 6.08 ERA.
Hoffmann has been injured since June and was on the 60-day injured list before his designation.
When a player is designated for assignment, other teams can claim him off waivers; Hoffmann’s injury may reduce interest.
Over his two seasons in Major League Baseball, Hoffmann has played 19 games and has a career ERA of 6.85 with 24 strikeouts.
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KJ Lewis has been named the top transfer player in the Big Ten basketball conference for the 2026-27 season. He transferred to USC after playing at Arizona and Georgetown, where he was a leading scorer. Another guard, Jalen Cox, also joined USC and was ranked among the best transfers in the conference.
Key Facts
KJ Lewis transferred to USC for the 2026-27 basketball season.
Lewis previously played at Arizona and Georgetown.
At Georgetown, Lewis averaged 14.9 points per game and was a regular starter.
Lewis earned All-Big East Third Team honors last season.
Lewis scored at least 20 points in six games last season, with a high of 27 points.
Jalen Cox also transferred to USC from Colgate and was ranked the No. 8 transfer in the Big Ten.
Cox started all 31 games at Colgate last season and led the team in assists with 5.3 per game.
Both Lewis and Cox will be seniors this season and add experienced players to USC’s basketball team.
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The Washington Commanders are strengthening their defensive line by signing veteran defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II for the 2026 NFL season. Hurst has played 65 NFL games over seven years, mostly with the Cleveland Browns and Raiders, but injuries have limited his recent playtime.
Key Facts
Maurice Hurst II is joining the Washington Commanders for the 2026 season.
He is 31 years old and plays the defensive tackle position.
Hurst has played 65 games over seven NFL seasons.
He spent three years with the Cleveland Browns, recording tackles, sacks, and interceptions.
Injuries have reduced his playing time recently; he missed most of 2024 and 2025 due to injury and practice squad placement.
Hurst was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Raiders.
He also played for the San Francisco 49ers, where he suffered a major injury in 2021.
Hurst played college football at Michigan, achieving notable defensive stats.
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The NFL will have nine regular season games played outside the United States this year, starting with a game in Melbourne, Australia. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league plans to have NFL teams based outside the U.S. in the future and may have an international team host the Super Bowl one day.
Key Facts
Nine NFL regular season games will take place outside the U.S. this season.
The first international game is between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell believes NFL teams will eventually be based outside the U.S.
The league expects to create an international expansion team before holding a Super Bowl outside the U.S.
Possible international game locations this season include Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City.
Goodell said international cities could eventually host the Super Bowl if they have an NFL team.
The NFL has not yet decided which city will get the first international expansion team.
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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is out for at least a week due to an undisclosed injury. Washington was a key player last season and has been performing well in training camp.
Key Facts
Parker Washington is a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He will miss at least the rest of this week because of an injury that has not been publicly described.
Washington had 58 catches, 847 yards, and 5 touchdowns last season.
He has been one of the best players in the team's training camp so far.
The Jaguars’ next preseason game is against the Carolina Panthers on August 21.
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said starters will play a few drives in that game.
Other wide receivers on the team include Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, Travis Hunter, Josh Cameron, and CJ Williams.
Washington was chosen in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has 106 catches, 1,369 yards, and 10 touchdowns in his career so far.
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Iranian football clubs will play their matches against teams from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates at neutral locations in the Asian Champions League Elite tournament, which starts September 14. The tournament features teams from across Asia, with key matches in Saudi Arabia later in the competition.
Key Facts
Iranian teams Esteghlal and Tractor will face clubs from the UAE (Al Ain, Al Wasl, Shabab Al-Ahli) and Qatar (Al Gharafa, Al Sadd, Al Shamal) at neutral venues.
Matches are part of the Asian Football Confederation’s top club competition called the Champions League Elite.
The tournament has two regional zones with 16 teams each, west and east.
Five Saudi Arabian clubs are competing, including Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr, the latter led by player Cristiano Ronaldo.
From the quarterfinals on, all games will be held in Saudi Arabia, with the final scheduled for May 1.
Iranian domestic football was paused in February due to regional conflicts but has recently restarted with some restrictions on attendance.
The tournament's group stage starts on September 14, with the top eight teams from each group moving on to the knockout round of 16.
Iran and its neighbors have recent political and military tensions, influencing match arrangements.
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The Los Angeles Rams recently held a second workout for Aaron Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, to help him decide if he wants to return to playing football. Rams head coach Sean McVay said the workout was part of Donald’s process and not about the team deciding whether to bring him back.
Key Facts
Aaron Donald worked out for the Rams twice in August to assess his readiness to return to football.
Donald, 35, has been retired for a couple of years but is considering a comeback.
The second workout allowed Donald to use the team's equipment, helping him evaluate his decision.
The Rams have a strong team and are aiming for another Super Bowl win.
Donald could potentially join forces with Myles Garrett, another top defensive player on the Rams.
In 2023, Donald recorded 53 tackles, eight sacks, and three passes defended in his last NFL season.
Donald was a first-round NFL draft pick in 2014 and has had a very successful career with 542 tackles and 111 sacks.
Coach McVay said the workout was more about Donald’s personal decision than the team’s.
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The Atlanta Falcons signed linebacker Za'Darius Smith to a one-year contract to strengthen their defense. Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl player, has played for several NFL teams and was recently with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
Key Facts
Za'Darius Smith is a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker.
He signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Cleveland Browns also wanted to sign Smith, but he chose the Falcons.
Smith has played in the NFL since 2015 and has been on seven teams.
Last season, Smith played for the Philadelphia Eagles, appearing in five games.
In 2024, Smith played for both the Browns and the Lions, starting 16 games.
The Falcons ranked around the middle in defense last season, allowing 326.6 yards and 23.6 points per game.
The Falcons lost key defensive players Jalon Walker (injury) and James Pearce Jr. (suspension).
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The Cincinnati Reds have removed left-handed pitcher Kent Emanuel from their roster and recalled pitcher Zach Maxwell. Emanuel had just started a game this season and now will be available for other teams to claim.
Key Facts
The Reds designated pitcher Kent Emanuel for assignment, removing him from their roster.
Emanuel started one game this season, allowing two runs over five innings with four strikeouts.
After being designated, Emanuel goes on the waiver wire, meaning other teams can claim him.
Emanuel is 34 years old and a left-handed pitcher.
Over his career, Emanuel has played in 23 Major League games with a 1-1 win-loss record and 4.46 earned run average (ERA).
He has spent most of his career in minor league baseball, with 45 wins, 38 losses, and a 4.84 ERA in 186 games.
The Reds recalled pitcher Zach Maxwell from their Triple-A minor league team in Louisville.
It is uncertain if another team will claim Emanuel after this move.
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The Seattle Mariners have signed Andy Ibanez, a former Mets infielder, to a minor league contract. Ibanez has played in parts of the current MLB season with the Athletics and Mets and will add depth to the Mariners' infield.
Key Facts
Andy Ibanez was released by the New York Mets before signing with the Mariners.
He has played 14 MLB games this season with zero home runs, five runs batted in (RBIs), and a .087 batting average.
Ibanez played more games with the Detroit Tigers earlier this season, hitting four home runs and 21 RBIs with a .239 batting average in 91 games.
In minor league games this season, Ibanez hit five home runs with 22 RBIs and a .310 batting average over 38 games.
Ibanez has appeared in 434 total MLB games during his career with the Texas Rangers, Tigers, Athletics, and Mets.
His career MLB stats include 28 home runs, 133 RBIs, and a .250 batting average.
The Mariners signed him to add infield depth and he could join the major league team if he performs well in the minors.
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The Colorado Rockies have removed pitcher Michael Lorenzen from their team roster. The Rockies also brought back pitcher TJ Shook from their minor league team.
Key Facts
Michael Lorenzen was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies.
Lorenzen’s record this season with the Rockies was 3 wins and 11 losses.
His earned run average (ERA) this season is 7.08, which is a measure of pitching effectiveness.
Lorenzen previously had a 7-11 record and a 4.64 ERA with the Kansas City Royals in 2025.
He was an All-Star player in the 2023 season.
Lorenzen has played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He has appeared in 421 games and has a career record of 57 wins and 66 losses.
The Rockies recalled pitcher TJ Shook from their Triple-A team in Albuquerque.
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The rock band Journey is starting the last part of their farewell tour in September in Los Angeles, ending in November in San Francisco. They plan to play over 100 concerts this year, performing a mix of popular hits and lesser-known songs.
Key Facts
Journey’s farewell tour begins in September in Los Angeles and ends in November in San Francisco.
The band expects the final San Francisco show to be emotional since it is where they began.
The tour includes stops in cities like Phoenix, Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston.
Journey has more than 100 concerts planned for this year, often playing for over two hours.
They perform both famous hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and deeper album tracks.
“Don’t Stop Believin’” was written by Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, and Steve Perry and is very popular across media and events.
Current band members include Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Arnel Pineda, Jason Derlatka, Deen Castronovo, and Todd Jensen.
Band members sometimes share singing duties during concerts to support lead singer Arnel Pineda.
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