Topps is creating a trading card of what became a famous photo during the World Cup of Argentina's Lionel Messi holding Spain's Lamine Yamal, the company said Monday. Messi, whom many consider soccer's greatest player, was photographed holding Yamal, then an infant and now a 19-year-old rising star. The two met in Sunday's final, with Yamal and Spain defeating Messi and Argentina 1-0. That game was a potential changing of the guard with the 39-year-old Messi perhaps playing in his final World Cup. Playing for Barcelona at the time of the initial meeting with Yamal, Messi took part in a fundraising drive for UNICEF and wound up holding the player who could be the future face of the sport. Yamal has followed in Messi's footsteps by becoming Barcelona's standout player. Reporting by The Associated Press

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Pain in neck: Marlins shelve injured SP Max Meyer originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Miami Marlins will be forced to continue their surprising run for an NL playoff spot without their emerging ace.The Marlins announced Monday that pitcher Max Meyer (9-1) was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained neck. The All-Star right-hander sustained the injury during last Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.Making his first start in 10 days he did not pitch in last Tuesday's All-Star Game in Philadelphia Meyer surrendered two runs on three hits with five strikeouts and three walks. The span between starts proved to be the longest of his four-year career.MORE:Impatient Marlins welcome back Griffin Conine, DFA disappointing Christopher MorelMarlins manager Clayton McCullough said before Monday's game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park that Meyer "felt a little sensation in the neck area" during a start July 7 that had yet to disappear.After feeling similar pains Saturday, McCullough pulled Meyer, who will be examined by a specialist later this week."Certainly, (there's) a level concern that he's gonna go to the IL and have to be down for at least a couple of weeks, but I think right now (they) just want to get a fuller picture of what's going on and what's leading to this," McCullough said, as reported by ESPN.com.The Marlins (52-48) entered Monday six games behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves. They were tied with the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates for the third NL Wild Card spot.In 20 starts during his breakout campaign, Meyer, a 2017 34th-round draft pick,posted a 2.68 ERA, ninth-best among MLB starting pitchers. In 111 innings, he collected 121 strikeouts, which ranked No. 8.More MLB news:Bold prediction: Giants GM Tony Vitello finds MLB trade deadline success, unloads high-priced veteransWith light second-half MLB schedule, Tigers out to ace Tarik Skubal decisionIs Orioles' cornerstone Adley Rutschman on MLB trade block?Angels' Mike Trout comes home, returns to MLB All-Star GameMariners' Logan Gilbert suffering bittersweet season

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Jrgen Klopp has confirmed he is closing in on becoming Germany's next head coach after agreeing a 'generous' exit arrangement with Red Bull group. The former Liverpool manager says only formal discussions remain before an official announcement, with the DFB edging closer to appointing its preferred candidate. Klopp Says Move Is Nearing Completion Klopp has confirmed he is on the verge of taking charge of Germany after reaching an agreement with Red Bull that clears the biggest obstacle to his appointment. The 59-year-old, who became Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer in early 2025, said negotiations are progressing well. Klopp explained that while his departure from Red Bull has been agreed, the formal process with the German Football Association (DFB) is still ongoing. According to Sky Sports Germany, Klopp could be officially unveiled as Germany's new head coach on Friday if the remaining formalities are completed. The appointment would mark his return to management after leaving Liverpool in 2024. Klopp Outlines Progress Towards Germany Job Speaking to MagentaTV, Klopp admitted that the process is not yet complete but believes an announcement is close. "Nothing is final yet, but talks have been ongoing and everything is moving in the right direction," Klopp said. "I've reached an agreement with Red Bull, a very generous one, so there's really nothing standing in the way." He added that discussions within the DFB still need to be completed before anything is made official, stating: "However, many more discussions need to take place because we're talking to a governing body and a lot of people need to be informed. Nothing has been decided, but we're not far from being able to make an announcement. Ideally, it should happen in the next few days; the decision will be made." Gtze Backs His former Mentor The news has been met with widespread approval from within the German football community, including former stars who flourished under Klopp's guidance. Mario Gtze, the hero of Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph, believes his former Dortmund boss is the perfect man to revive the national side's fortunes. "What he understands, and what most coaches may not, is how to manage people," Gotze said in an interview with The Athletic. "Managing players, managing expectations, putting people together as a whole, he understood that in the perfect way. "He can be very sharp about what he wants and demands. Thats why he was so successful. I read an interview when he was at Liverpool: He said he has to put people who like each other together so they can perform at 120 per cent instead of 100 percent. That is what he did." Germany Hope Klopp Can Lead A Revival Germany are looking to turn the page after a difficult period marked by three disappointing World Cup campaigns. The DFB views Klopp as the ideal figure to oversee the team's rebuild, with his previous success at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool making him one of football's most respected coaches. Klopp is also expected to reshape the national team's coaching structure, with plans to build a backroom staff capable of implementing the high-intensity style that defined his club career. Sporting director Rudi Vller is set to remain in his current role, providing continuity within the DFB. The remaining discussions between Klopp and the DFB are expected to conclude in the coming days. If everything proceeds as planned, Germany will formally appoint their new head coach before attention turns to assembling his coaching staff and beginning preparations for the next phase of the national team's rebuild.

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Jul 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lane Thomas (15) hits a single against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn ImagesOn the 57th anniversary of the moon landing, the Royals and Giants celebrated by playing a baseball game on the surface of the sun that the Royals won 4-3 on a walkoff squeeze bunt. It was 97 F at first pitch. Thankfully, the Royals gracefully managed to avoid all the extra innings while burning on the field.The surface of the sun makes weird things happen, apparently. After Alex Lange blew the game in the ninth by giving up a two-run, game-tying homer that just cleared the fence, the Royals came up in the bottom of the 9th with a chance to walk it off. Josh Rojas, who just made a beautiful diving stop down the third base line in the 8th inning to save a run, slapped a grounder against the shift for a single. Then Tyler Tolbert laid down a pop-spinner of a bunt that the Giants catcher picked up at the line. It was ruled a fair ball, and the catcher threw to second base for the force. Willy Adames was *not* standing on second base when he caught the ball, so no outs were given to the Giants. Im not sure if that ball would have kept rolling foul, but it was worth a shot. Im not sure they were getting the force at second anyway.Carter Jensen lined out deep enough to center field for Rojas to advance to third. That brought up Nick Loftin, who showed bunt early on. His first attempt was foul. With the infield in and charging on the pitch, Loftin did manage to lay down a bunt down the first base line. Bryce Eldridge was there, but he did not field it cleanly and could not get the throw to the catcher in time to get Rojas. Walkoff.I dont know if it was the sweat dripping down the pitchers arms, or cramps, or whatever, but this game was a bit cursed, if you hadnt noticed already. Both starters seemed to have grip issues with several errant pitches. Curveballs that were 15 feet above the plate. Changeups that seemingly moved up, not down. Sliders that did no such thing. Multiple hit-by-pitches. Giants starter Trevor McDonald was removed in the bottom of the 5th inning during warmup pitches for an injury of some kind. Bobby Witt Jr was subbed out for Nick Loftin in the top of the 5th due to lower back tightness. I think even the umpire was affected by the heat the strike zone seemed rather large. The Royals ran out of challenges, and the Giants used more than their allotted 2 since they won a few. There were 8 total ABS challenges.The slippery ball issues (Im assuming) came to haunt McDonald in the 4th inning before he was removed in the 5th. He hit Vinnie Pasquantino on a slider that looked like it just slipped out of his hand. Salvador Perez, himself hit by a similar slippery-errant pitch earlier in the game, blasted a majestic homer well beyond the center field fence to put the Royals ahead. That was his 316th homer, putting him 1 shy of George Bretts Royals record. Michael Massey doubled and then advanced to third on a groundout. He scored on a single from Isaac Collins.Worth noting the Royals got into McDonalds weakness runners on base early in the game in the second inning. A single, walk, and HBP (Salvy) loaded the bases with no outs. Then Michael Massey hit a shallow popup to left-center field, after which the Royals sent Lane Thomas home. The center fielder made a strong, accurate throw and nailed Thomas at home for a double play. A groundout ended the inning. How disappointing to load the bases with no outs and come away with nothing.When it wasnt slipping out of his hand, Wacha had excellent command of his changeup. He gave up a home run to Heliot Ramos on a curveball down the pipe, but otherwise Wacha pitched a very strong game. He struck out 5 guys in his 6 innings and gave up only 3 hits. Another quality start (his 13th) for the Royals leader in innings pitched.Quick NotesCags 10-game hitting streak ended as he went 0-4The Royals have won 3 of 4 games coming out of the All-Star BreakThe Royals move to 41-60 and the Giants are now 42-58. They will play again tomorrow at 6:40pm US Central time at Kauffman. Hopefully it will be cooled off by then.

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Spain captain Rodri has opened up on his emotional journey from a devastating knee injury to lifting the 2026 World Cup trophy in North America. The Manchester City midfielder was named the tournament's best player after leading La Roja to a historic victory over Argentina in the final. A Comeback For The Ages Rodri has revealed his disbelief after captaining Spain to World Cup glory following a grueling recovery from a serious knee injury. The 30-year-old suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in September 2024, just weeks before he was awarded the Ballon d'Or. The midfield general was officially named the best player at the 2026 World Cup, beating out Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to the Golden Ball. Reflecting on his personal battle to reach the summit of the game again, Rodri said: "We're a bit shocked right now, even myself. I cannot express with words. I think now we're like in a cloud but, for me, it's been a very tough time. "I just want the new generations to see my example as an opportunity. When you go down, you can rise again. This is my philosophy for my entire life." Gratitude And Self-Belief The Spain skipper was quick to acknowledge the support system that helped him return to the pitch, but he also highlighted the internal mental strength required to overcome such a significant physical setback. Having led his nation to a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final, Rodris leadership was praised by teammates and coaching staff alike. Speaking to FOX Sports after the trophy presentation, Rodri offered a candid assessment of his journey, stating: "Of course, sometimes things go well, things go wrong, but always the positiveness. I said to the lads before the game, 'we have to go for the game.' We need to face them, we have to look to their eyes. We want this game. "And then life gives you the World Cup or not, but we were brave and I was brave in that moment I was down, so I want to thank all the people that helped me. But I want to thank myself, to be honest, in those moments." Breaking Records On The World Stage Beyond individual accolades, Rodris leadership has helped this Spanish generation etch their names into the history books. By defeating Argentina, Spain officially set a new unbeaten recordin international football, reaching 38 matches without defeat. Rodri believes the key to their success in North America was the maturity the squad developed since their victory in Berlin two years ago. "I think the gap of improvement from the Euros, it was the way this team is matured," the captain explained. "It's built on the game, it's built on every single day. We faced very different opponents, of course, lots of European opponents, but different moments, different type of games. "And we managed to play all of them, so I think we grow in this sense and this talks about a generation that is making history for our country, as you can see, but also in the way we did it." Building A Dynasty The victory in the 2026 final marks Spains second mens World Cup title, following their initial success in 2010. While the Manchester City star was the individual standout, the collective effort under De la Fuente has been the hallmark of their campaign. The team displayed remarkable defensive rigidity, conceding only one goal throughout the entire tournament while maintaining their signature possession-based style. For Rodri, the focus now turns to his club future as his contract at the Etihad Stadium enters its final year, but his legacy with the national team is already beyond reproach. He has become the heartbeat of a side that balances tactical discipline with flair.