Lionel Messi is set to wear Argentina’s jersey for one final time after being included in the preliminary 26-member squad for a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on October 6. Messi had confirmed his international retirement shortly after Argentina lost the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to Spain. Argentina Football Association (AFA) said Messi accepted its invitation to receive the farewell he deserves and confirmed that members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad, along with their families, will also be invited. Argentina will play Bolivia in Cordoba on September 30 and Burkina Faso at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental on October 3 before facing Benin. Messi’s final international appearance came in the 2026 World Cup final. (PC: X)

Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf has defended ACC President Mohsin Naqvi amid the Asia Cup trophy row with India. Yousuf accused India of showing “arrogance” after the Indian women’s team refused to receive the trophy from Naqvi. “When national pride turns into arrogance, victory brings no reward,” Yousuf wrote on X. “No trophy, only heels on heads,” he added. India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to win the Women’s T20 Asia Cup for a record eighth time. The trophy was not presented after the match, with the ceremony delayed by nearly 45 to 50 minutes.  

Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf faced trolling from Indian and Pakistani fans after criticising India for refusing to accept the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. Yousuf called India a nation without humility and said pride had become arrogance. India had refused the trophy because Naqvi, Pakistan’s interior minister and ACC chief, was linked to the stance following the Pahalgam terror attack. Indian fans reminded Yousuf of Pakistan’s cricketing struggles, while some Pakistani fans blamed Naqvi for damaging the sport. Reactions included accusations of hypocrisy and demands to hold Naqvi accountable. One Pakistani user questioned Yousuf’s praise, asking him to fear Allah for praising someone publicly described as a violator. (PC: AFP)

India's Chess Olympiad team, led by world champion D Gukesh, faced accommodation chaos after landing in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, ahead of the tournament's opening. Captain Srinath Narayanan said the squad was still waiting for rooms five hours after arrival, with no clarity on when the issue would be resolved. Vidit Gujrathi echoed the frustration, calling it a "very poor first impression" of the Olympiad. The defending champions, who swept gold in both Open and Women's sections at Budapest 2024, are looking to repeat that feat this year, with a record 400 teams competing across both categories starting September 16. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan's men's hockey team will travel to India for the 2026 Asian Champions Trophy, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed, with the tournament set for October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali. Pakistan Hockey Federation president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said the team's participation still depends on formal government clearance, adding the federation will follow whatever its government decides. India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea make up the six-team field, with India and Pakistan set to clash on November 1. Bilateral series between the two nations remain suspended, though multinational tournaments are permitted under current policy. (PC: NDTV)

The Hockey India League (HIL) is facing a major crisis ahead of its third season. Four of the eight men’s teams have pulled out or remain uncertain. The women’s league is also in trouble, with only one team confirmed so far. Financial problems and a power struggle within Hockey India have affected the league. President Dilip Tirkey and secretary general Bhola Nath Singh are involved in an ongoing dispute. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked officials and team owners to prepare a new financial plan by October 14. A new Bengaluru team is interested, while talks are on for a Chennai replacement.  

Former India pacer and 1983 World Cup winner Madan Lal has criticised India’s decision to refuse the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi. After India Women won the title by beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs, the team did not accept the trophy from Naqvi. The presentation ceremony was delayed by around 40 to 45 minutes. Reacting to the incident, Lal wrote on X, “We should not play Pakistan any trophies.” He said India should follow this approach if the same situation continues. India’s men’s team had also refused to take the trophy from Naqvi last year.  

Actress Sydney Sweeney is facing criticism from female athletes over a sports-prediction ad for Novig. The campaign shows Sweeney nude or wearing little to no clothes while holding sports equipment. Australian surfer Felicity Palmateer called the campaign “very damaging” to female athletes and young girls. Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus said she was “infuriated” by the campaign. Swimmer Lani Pallister also responded with a video showing her training and competing. Boxer Skye Nicholson accused the company of sexualising women in sport. Sweeney later shared photos from ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue”, which featured athletes posing nude or semi-nude. Novig and Sweeney’s representatives have been contacted for comment.  

India’s women’s cricket team refused to collect the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chief and Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi after a decision by the BCCI, coach Amol Muzumdar said. India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs to win the title on Sunday, but the trophy presentation ended without the champions receiving the trophy or winners’ medals. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said India had offered two alternatives: ACC deputy chair Khalid Al Zarooni could present the trophy, or a representative of the winning board could hand it over. Naqvi rejected both options, leading to the standoff. (PC: India Today)

All six stanzas of Vande Mataram were played before India’s first T20I against Afghanistan at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, marking the first such instance at an international sporting event. According to PTI, BCCI sources said the national song will now be played before the first match of every home series. The move drew criticism from Congress leader Udit Raj, who questioned its relevance amid issues such as unemployment, rising debt and weak exports. Congress recently resolved to use only the first two stanzas at party events, citing its 1937 resolution. (PC: BCCI)