eurosport.com - Karim Benzema, NFTs and Andriy Shevchenko, the true winner of the Ballon d’Or

Karim Benzema, NFTs and Andriy Shevchenko, the true winner of the Ballon d’Or – The Warm-Up

TUESDAY’S BIG STORIES King Karim Ad For over a decade we moaned that the Ballon d’Or was just a high school popularity contest between the ringleader and the whizz-kid. It didn’t matter how good you were, if you weren’t called Lionel or Cristiano (or, err, Luka) you were going to be left out. Premier LeagueVilla want Pochettino if Gerrard is sacked after crucial double-header – Paper Round10 HOURS AGO It was proved in 2010, when Messi somehow won ahead of Andres Iniesta, who not only made it unreasonably easy for the Argentine to score so many that year, but also, y’know, scored the biggest goal at the actual World Cup.

'Stay behind Ukraine and help' - Andriy Shevchenko gives powerful tribute to his home country at Ballon d'Or

Andriy Shevchenko says he is «so proud» of his war-torn home country Ukraine, which is fending off an invasion from Russia. The former AC Milan, Chelsea and Dynamo Kyiv striker was speaking at the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony on Monday night where he gave a powerful speech to the star-studded crowd inside the Theater du Chatelet. Ad With global stars and powerful football figures from around the world gathered in Paris on Monday night, the former Ukraine international footballer issued a reminder of the troubles his home country is facing.

Belinda Bencic battles past Leylah Fernandez in Guadalajara Open thriller to keep WTA Finals dream alive

Belinda Bencic is desperate to reach the WTA Finals and the dream is still alive after she battled past Leylah Fernandez in a Guadalajara Open thriller. The Swiss lost out to Fernandez over three tough sets at Roland-Garros but got her revenge with an exhilarating 7-5 6-7(10) 6-3 victory to reach the second round in Mexico. Ad Bencic required six match points to eventually come through what was a pulsating match in tough conditions and a superb atmosphere with the crowd very much invested in the encounter.

CJ Cup betting tips as Rory McIlroy heads a stellar cast at Congaree Golf Club, Collin Morikawa catches the eye

After an unsurprisingly quiet start to the new PGA Tour season, things ramp up a notch at the CJ Cup in South Carolina. A star-studded cast will tee it up, as 15 of the world’s top 20 head to Congaree Golf Club. Ad Rory McIlroy is in action as the defending champion, and heads the betting at 6/1.

'I was having breakfast in a Wetherspoons' - Mark Williams opens up on 11-hour day trip to Hong Kong Masters

Mark Williams has expanded on his whirlwind trip to Asia for the Hong Kong Masters, saying he was in the city for 11 hours. The Hong Kong Masters was the return of international snooker in Asia following the Covid-19 pandemic, but the schedule was thrown into turmoil when Zhao Xintong was forced to withdraw due to a positive coronavirus test. Ad Williams was summoned from South Wales, and revealed he was blissfully unaware of the situation until receiving a phone call the day before the event was due to take place.

British championship falls silent to remember racer and EWC commentator Rouse

Chrissy Rouse, part of the team that commentated on Eurosport UK’s live coverage of the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2022 and a rider in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, was remembered at Brands Hatch last weekend. Rouse died from injuries sustained in an accident at Donington Park earlier this month, prompting an outpouring of grief and leading to the BSB paddock paying tribute to the young British rider.

Aston Villa to target Mauricio Pochettino if Steven Gerrard gets sacked after crucial double-header – Paper Round

Villa’s ambitious Poch bid Aston Villa will attempt to lure Mauricio Pochettino to Villa Park if the club decide to part ways with Steven Gerrard in the coming weeks, the Telegraph reports. Villa are 16th in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone, after picking up just two wins in their opening 10 league games.

Mark Williams posts tournament-high break in win over Alexander Ursenbacher at Northern Ireland Open

Mark Williams produced a mixed performance but had enough in the tank to secure a 4-2 victory over Alexander Ursenbacher in the second round of the Northern Ireland Open. The three-time world champion weathered an early storm from his Swiss opponent, before getting himself in the contest at the Waterfront Hall. Ad Williams is seeking a second Northern Ireland Open title, and kept Ursenbacher in his seat with a tournament-high break before closing out the win to set up a meeting with Jimmy Robertson.

Contacts

Eurosport.com Sport News

Karim Benzema, NFTs and Andriy Shevchenko, the true winner of the Ballon d’Or – The Warm-Up

'Stay behind Ukraine and help' - Andriy Shevchenko gives powerful tribute to his home country at Ballon d'Or

Belinda Bencic battles past Leylah Fernandez in Guadalajara Open thriller to keep WTA Finals dream alive

CJ Cup betting tips as Rory McIlroy heads a stellar cast at Congaree Golf Club, Collin Morikawa catches the eye

'I was having breakfast in a Wetherspoons' - Mark Williams opens up on 11-hour day trip to Hong Kong Masters

British championship falls silent to remember racer and EWC commentator Rouse

Aston Villa to target Mauricio Pochettino if Steven Gerrard gets sacked after crucial double-header – Paper Round

Mark Williams posts tournament-high break in win over Alexander Ursenbacher at Northern Ireland Open