NBA's Antetokounmpo Wants to Play Soccer Too

Good Morning,

Antetokounmpo the latest athlete/celeb to invest in a soccer team, Messi’s family store gets attacked, Barcelona bracing for another tough summer in the transfer market, FIFA set to make decision on 2026 World Cup format soon, Napoli likely to see team raided this summer, and Tottenham signs a deal with F1 in hopes that maybe branching into another sport will lead to trophies for them.

Let’s get on with it.

Table Tops

Fixtures We’re Watching

• Dortmund v RB Leipzig

• Napoli v Lazio

• Real Sociedad v Cadiz

• Nice v Auxerre

Full schedule + where to watch

Starting Lineup

• Antetokounmpo purchases minority stake in Nashville SC (WST)

• Messi receives threat in Rosario store attack (ESPN)

• Barcelona slapped with summer transfer ban with LaLiga refusing to let them register players over FFP breaches (SUN)

• Vieira claims quota system may be needed as 'door is not open for black managers' (FM)

• Premier League unveil shortlist for February Player of the Month (90MIN)

• World Cup 2026: FIFA set to make decision on four-team group format this month (BBC)

• Ferretti: Mexican soccer stagnant, declining (ESPN)

• Premier League told to 're-examine' Newcastle takeover (ESPN)

• Judge Chelsea's spending 'in three or four years', says Premier League CEO (FM)

• Former Barcelona and Spain boss Luis Enrique eyed as Graham Potter replacement if Chelsea sack him (TS)

Transfer Headlines

• Belief Newcastle could move for South Korea international – ‘Will become loose cannon’ on transfer market (SW)

• Arsenal to use Wilshere connection to convince Rice (TF)

• Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has ‘earnt’ transfer to top-six Premier League club (TS)

• Man United interested in battling two Premier League giants for Southampton star Romeo Lavia (CO)

• Timothy Weah: ‘It would be great to play for Milan’ (FI)

• Sevilla hoping to sign out of favour Manchester United defender (FE)

• Napoli confident Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will stay despite Premier League interest (FM)

• Real Madrid linked with Benfica midfielder Antonio Silva (SN)

• Contact made: Man United now move to sign 'new star' from Ajax; he's keen to join Ten Hag at Old Trafford (TT)

• Tammy Abraham lined up for £40m Premier League return as former club scout Roma striker (SUN)

• Official: Danilo extends Juventus contract (FI)

• Man City star who is “very happy” set to sign new contract at the Etihad (CO)

• Barcelona want €100m for Manchester United target Ansu Fati (SN)

• Tottenham interested in Napoli goalkeeper (CO)

• West Ham United linked with Southampton ace James Ward-Prowse (SN)

Data Based

• The stats behind Man Utd's odds-defying run of home cup draws (SKY)

• Arsenal fans hail Trossard as January signing of the season ahead of Mudryk – and incredible stats show why (SUN)

• The 10 most fouled Premier League players in 2022-23 (PF)

Offsides

• Achraf Hakimi and partner split following rape allegations (FE)

• 'Tone deaf' FIFA name supermodel Adriana Lima as ambassador for Women's World Cup (DS)

• Cristiano Ronaldo furiously denies claims he had sex with Venezuelan influencer at Portugal team hotel (SUN)

• Premier League legend’s daughter has fans hot under the collar with see-through lingerie as she flashes underwear (SUN)

On The Ball

• Union Berlin Extend Adidas Deal Until 2030 (FH)

• PIF plotting another investment which will boost Newcastle project (CO)

• Innovative | Tottenham Hotspur Sign 15-Year Deal With F1 (FH)

• FIFA plan to take over the Stade de France (GFF)

Fantasyland

• FPL GW26: CAPTAINCY PICKS

• Early FPL Gameweek 26 team and injury news

• FPL Gameweek 26 differentials: Mac Allister, Pinnock + Barnes

Throw Ins

• Barcelona sign up legend Ronaldinho's son and hope greatness runs in the family (FM)

• The highest paid player at every 22-23 PL club (PF)

• Inside the Bundesliga’s VAR centre and the possibility of virtual reality (TA; Paywall)

Meme Brace

What did you think of today’s Pitch Notes?

• Hat Trick

• Draw

• Own Goal