Brighton and Hove Albion's Danny Welbeck is said to be in talks with Chelsea -Credit:Justin Setterfield, Getty ImagesChelsea have initiated discussions with Brighton and Hove Albion regarding a potential move for Danny Welbeck, according to football.london.It has emerged that club-to-club talks have begun between the Blues and the Seagulls, with the intention of bringing the center-forward to Stamford Bridge ahead of the upcoming season.At 35 and in the latter stages of a career which has seen him represent Manchester United and Arsenal among others, Welbeck turned back the clock with Brighton last season, netting 14 goals and contributing two assists across all competitions.Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup commentsArgentina World Cup Final red card rescinded, face potential FIFA disciplinary action -Credit:Jan Kruger - UEFA, UEFA via Getty ImagesAs a result, the decision-makers in West London have kicked off negotiations to secure his services ahead of 2026/27 - given last season's attacking options struggled to deliver consistent performances.While Joao Pedro managed 15 goals and eight assists in the Premier League, Liam Delap found the back of the net just once despite making 28 appearances, raising serious questions over his suitability to the club.Bringing Welbeck on board would ultimately strengthen Chelsea's attacking options, particularly if Xabi Alonso can unlock his best form.Brighton declined to comment on the matter when approached for a response by football.london.Although Chelsea may have had a sluggish start to the summer transfer window, it now appears that the club's hierarchy has begun to set things in motion. Chelsea have bolstered their squad significantly, adding Dastan Satpaev, Denner, Emmanuel Emegha, Geovany Quenda and Marco Palestra before capping their recruitment drive with the 117 million ($156.5 million) acquisition of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HEREThe dynamic attacking midfielder has penned a deal at Stamford Bridge through 2033, arriving as one of the most exciting young prospects in the Premier League.Reflecting on his move via the club's official website, Rogers said: "I'm so excited. For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I've always admired since I was a kid."I'm really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we've got and where the club is heading. That's why I'm here and I can't wait to get started."Alonso was equally swift in setting out his vision for the young Englishman, telling reporters: "In that position we needed an important player, and I'm sure there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers."You need players who can have that almost instant impact and I'm sure Morgan won't need much time to adapt to the club, the system and his team-mates. That was the idea, to get a top player, and Morgan is one of them."

Connor McDavid believes Gavin McKenna faces a difficult start with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Edmonton Oilers captain expects the top pick to handle the challenge.McDavid shared his thoughts on Monday during Zach Hymans annual charity golf tournament. His comments came weeks after Toronto selected McKenna first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft.I dont know much about him. I havent paid attention all that much, to be honest, McDavid said. Seems like hes a good kid.MORE: Connor McDavid calls Mike Babcock hire great opportunity for OilersMcKenna enters Toronto with enormous expectations. The 18-year-old recorded 51 points in 35 games at Penn State before leading Canadas offense at the 2026 World Junior Championship. He also signed his three-year entry-level contract after becoming the franchises newest cornerstone.The Maple Leafs hope McKenna helps reverse last seasons disappointment. Toronto finished 32-36-14 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. New general manager John Chayka responded with major roster changes, adding veterans while reshaping the teams supporting cast.Connor McDavid believes Torontos support system will helpBuffalo, New York, USA; Gavin McKenna poses with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and singer Justin Bieber after being selected with the first pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn ImagesMcDavid acknowledged the pressure that comes with playing in Canadas biggest hockey market. He also believes McKenna is entering the right environment.Hell have his hands full in Toronto, but he seems like hes prepared for it, McDavid said. Hell have a good support system there too, obviously with Auston, and hell have lots of support around him, so he should be fine.McDavids mention of Auston Matthews carries added significance. Matthews also entered the NHL as Torontos first overall pick in 2016. Since then, he has become the face of the franchise while learning to manage intense media attention and fan expectations.That experience could prove valuable for McKenna during his rookie season. Toronto expects him to play an important offensive role alongside an established leadership group. The organization also strengthened its roster with veterans like Sergei Bobrovsky to reduce pressure on its young talent.McDavids comments were measured rather than promotional. He admitted he has not closely followed McKennas development. Still, he recognized the demands of playing in Toronto.MORE: Toronto columnist says Mitch Marner was spoiled & blasts agent for spewing drivelMcKennas talent earned him the first overall selection. His long-term success, however, will depend on adapting to one of hockeys toughest markets. With Matthews and a veteran core beside him, the Maple Leafs will ensure he has every opportunity to grow into the franchise player they envision.

North Carolina football is reportedly under investigation by the College Sports Commission, per Pablo Torre. This comes on the heels of football GM Michael Lombardi being placed on paid administrative leave on Monday. The College Sports Commission concerns itself with revenue-sharing and its cap, third-party NIL deals and sport-specific roster limits, meaning that an investigation into UNC's football team is related to one or more of those areas. Division I athletes are required to report NIL deals of $600 or more, and the College Sports Commission also determines whether these NIL contracts are for "valid business parternships" and that they do not "exceed a reasonable range of compensation," per the organization's own website. What, specifically, UNC is being investigated for is unclear, as is whether Lombardi's paid administrative leave is related in any way. In the recent past, however, the College Sports Commission has found potentially precedential success. In May, the CSC won in arbitration against Nebraska players, who had agreed to third-party NIL deals that the commission argued lacked a valid business purpose. As for Lombardi, UNC did not provide reason for his being placed on administrative leave. noting that employees and athletes aren't permitted to address the topic "as is standard procedure with personnel matters." Lombardi joined Bill Belichick in making the NFL-to-college move when the school hired the former New England Patriots coach in December 2024. Lombardi's career as an NFL executive had included being the GM of the Cleveland Browns in 2013, and he was an immediate hire by the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach in Chapel Hill. The school had hired Belichick to jolt a football program that had largely been an Atlantic Coast Conference also-ran while making periodic but unsustained climbs into national relevance. A few months into Belichick's tenure, Lombardi said the goal was running a college program in a way similar to the NFL, saying the Tar Heels "consider ourselves the 33rd (NFL) team" due to the staff connections to the pros. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Andrea Pirlo is out of contention for the Italian national team job amid political concerns over a sponsorship deal with a Russian betting firm. Maldini, the federation's technical director, and his adviser Leonardo handed their resignations to federation president Giovanni Malago just 16 days into his new job as the technical director for the Azzurri, according to Sky Sport Italia. This comes after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti had already turned down offers to coach a national team that has failed to qualify for three straight World Cups. The crisis surrounding Italys once-proud squad is expanding to new dimensions four months after the four-time World Cup champion was beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff. Pirlo himself confirmed that he was out in an Instagram post Monday, saying he "heard last night that Im no longer the candidate for the Italy national team job." Several Italian politicians had raised concerns about Pirlos contract to be an ambassador for Fonbet, saying the national team coach should not have conflicting views. Pirlo, who had been prepared to leave his current job as coach of Dubai United, was an unpopular choice after unsuccessful stints coaching Juventus and Sampdoria despite having been one of the standout players when Italy last won the World Cup in 2006. Pirlo said the Fonbet deal was linked to his job in the United Arab Emirates and is "exclusively for commercial and sports" purposes. "Attributing a political significance to that collaboration means attributing beliefs to me that I have never expressed and don't belong to me," Pirlo added. "My love for Italy doesnt depend on a job. Its part of my history, my identity and it will remain forever." Pirlo Was Not The First Choice Pirlo was at best a third choice after Brazil coach Ancelotti and former Manchester City manager Guardiola turned down offers from Maldini and special adviser Leonardo. But Pirlo was preferred by his former AC Milan teammate Maldini ahead of figures like former Italy coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte because he was seen as someone more willing to adapt to new policies and promote younger players in an attack-minded system. Gennaro Gattuso, another former Milan player, left as Italys coach by mutual consent in April after the defeat in Bosnia. What's Next For The Azzuri? Now Mancini and Conte are back being discussed for the job. The final decision lies with Italian soccer federation president Giovanni Malag, who was elected in June after leading the Milan Cortina Olympics organizing committee and, previously, the Italian Olympic Committee. Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 then failed to get the Azzurri to the following years World Cup before bolting to take over Saudi Arabias national team. He left Saudi Arabia in 2024 and was most recently coach at Al-Sadd in Qatar. Conte coached Italy to the quarterfinals of the 2016 European Championship and was most recently at Napoli. Another option could be former Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi, who is currently coaching in the Saudi league. Whoever gets hired will be Italy's fourth coach in as many years. When Luciano Spalletti was fired after Italy lost its opening qualifier to Norway last year, Claudio Ranieri turned down an offer to replace him and the much less experienced Gattuso was hired instead. Italy next plays in September and October, when it will face Belgium, Turkey and France in the Nations League. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The US Open introduced a $1 million top prize in 2025 to attract some of the worlds top players to its mixed doubles tournament. Mission accomplished. The second year of the new prize format features a stacked lineup with a pairing of Novak Djokovic and Aryana Sabalenka at the top of the marquee. The US Open announced the pairing Monday as part of the initial list of entrants to the tournament. More are yet to be announced, as are the matchups.Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion and four-time singles winner at the US Open. Sabalenka is the world No. 1, a four-time Grand Slam winner and the two-time reigning US Open champion in singles. Theyll be joined be other high-profiles singles players in the mixed doubles draw.Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, seen here at a charity event ahead of the 2024 Australian Open, headline the initial mixed doubles field for the US Open.DAVID GRAY via Getty ImagesSix-time Grand Slam champion Iga witek will join Casper Ruud again after the pairing advanced to the final of last years mixed doubles tournament. Other standout pairings include Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe and Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori.Mixed doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori will also return in search of their third consecutive US Open title. The new format drew criticism last year for prioritizing big-name singles players over traditional mixed doubles specialists like Errani and Vavassori. But Errani and Vavassori prevailed over the field and defeated witek and Ruud in the final to capture the third of their four mixed doubles Grand Slam titles. Mixed doubles play is scheduled to start on Aug 24, and the final is scheduled for Aug 26. The first round of the US Open singles draw is scheduled to start on Aug. 30. US Open mixed doubles entrants (as of July 27)Aryna Sabalenka and Novak DjokovicIga Swiatek and Casper RuudElena Rybakina and Taylor FritzSara Errani and Andrea VavassoriMirra Andreeva and Andrey RublevBelinda Bencic and Flavio CobolliDiana Shnaider and Daniil MedvedevAmanda Anisimova and Learner TienAlexandra Eala and Felix Auger-AliassimeLeylah Fernandez and Frances TiafoeTaylor Townsend and Alexander ZverevElena-Gabriela Ruse and Nuno BorgesJessica Pegula and Jack DraperNaomi Osaka and Kei NishikoriKaterina Siniakova and Henry PattenPeyton Stearns and Preston Stearns

The summer of the Philadelphia 76ers continues ahead of the 2026-27 season. After pulling the trigger on a blockbuster deal involving Jaylen Brown, the Sixers then waited their turn and were able to land LeBron James and have since brought in proven champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.A 13-year veteran, Caldwell-Pope averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 31.6% from deep on 3.4 attempts in the 2025-26 season with the Memphis Grizzlies. Caldwell-Pope was limited to 51 games with 14 starts, but will now be looking to help the Sixers reach the mountaintop and win his third NBA championship in his career.Now with the Sixers, here's an idea of what Caldwell-Pope can bring to the Sixers:Caldwell-Pope's career thus farThe No. 8 pick in the 2013 draft by the Detroit Pistons, Caldwell-Pope has career averages of 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists along with 1.1 steals. He spent four seasons with the Pistons before moving on to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played with James and helped win a title in 2020, before then moving on to the Washington Wizards before being sent to the Denver Nuggets. He was a key piece next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray and helped Denver win the title in 2023. He then signed with the Orlando Magic for a year before being sent to Memphis in the Desmond Bane deal.Caldwell-Pope on offenseA big part of KCP's offense is his 3-point shot. His percentage has dropped drastically in his two seasons since leaving Denver as he shot just 34.2% in 2024-25 with the Magic and then 31.6% in Memphis. That comes after he shot 42.3% in the title season in 2023 and then 40.6% in his second and final season with the Nuggets. However, that can probably be attributed to going from playing next to a guy like Jokic and having to adjust to playing with Paolo Banchero in Orlando and then everything that was going on in Memphis in 2025-26. One has to believe his 3-point percentage will take a big jump playing next to James and Co. in Philadelphia. He shoots 36.5% from deep for his career.Caldwell-Pope on defenseDefense has been a staple for Caldwell-Pope in his career. Per Cleaning the Glass, he had a 1.6% steal percentage with the Grizzlies in 2025-26, 1.9% in 2024-25 in Orlando, and it was 1.8% in his final season with the Nuggets in 2023-24. He is an athletic player who can defend multiple positions on the floor and will give Philadelphia a real presence on that end when he is in the game. When considering the starting lineup might have issues on the defensive end, a guy like KCP could give this group a real jolt on defense and help the Sixers get some much-needed stops in big moments.Caldwell-Pope is a superb athlete. See how he immediately turns on the jets and is able to get himself a layup on the break as he is able to get up the floor quickly. One can envision Maxey and Edgecombe having fun next to KCP in transition. pic.twitter.com/0KwbzNam4g Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) July 27, 2026This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Get to know new Sixers addition Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after signing

Tyleik Williams entered the NFL known as a powerful interior defender capable of swallowing up blockers and clogging running lanes.Five months later, the Detroit Lions defensive tackle looks like he may be preparing to become something more.Williams revealed Monday on social media that he has dropped 50 pounds over the past five months, a dramatic offseason transformation that immediately became one of the biggest Lions storylines heading into training camp. The team still lists him at 325 pounds, though Williams indicated his actual weight had climbed beyond the publicly listed number before he began cutting.For a player expected to inherit a much larger role in Detroits defensive front, the timing could not be better.Tyleik Williams Prepared for a Bigger Lions RoleWilliams spent his rookie season working as part of Detroits defensive-line rotation after the Lions selected him No. 28 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.He appeared in all 17 games and started 10, finishing with 18 tackles, one sack and four passes defended. Those numbers do not fully capture the job Detroit initially asked him to perform, which centered largely on occupying blockers and holding his ground against the run.His responsibilities could expand significantly in Year 2.With veterans DJ Reader and Roy Lopez no longer occupying major snaps inside, Williams enters camp as one of the leading candidates to take on a more prominent role next to Alim McNeill and within Detroits defensive-line rotation.The Lions drafted Williams because of his rare power. A lighter and quicker version could bring a different dimension.Weight Loss Could Unlock His Pass-Rush PotentialWilliams arrived from Ohio State with a reputation as a dependable run defender who still had room to grow as a pass rusher.That is where the transformation becomes especially interesting.Dropping excess weight could help Williams improve his first-step quickness, lateral movement and stamina. Rather than being viewed only as a massive early-down defender, he may be able to stay on the field in more passing situations.Detroit has seen a similar physical change pay off before.McNeill reshaped his body earlier in his Lions career, reducing body fat and improving his movement without sacrificing the power that made him effective inside. That work helped McNeill develop into a more disruptive pass rusher and a far more complete defensive tackle. Williams offseason plan appears to follow a comparable path.The Lions would gladly take a similar result.The Lions Still Need Williams PowerLosing 50 pounds sounds startling for an NFL defensive tackle, but the final number matters less than how Williams performs once the pads come on.Detroit did not draft him to become a smaller finesse defender.The Lions still need him to anchor against double teams, control the line of scrimmage and make life easier for Jack Campbell and the rest of the linebackers behind him.The ideal outcome is not Williams abandoning his power. It is Williams becoming quicker while keeping enough mass and strength to handle the physical demands of the position.That balance will become one of the first things to watch during camp.Can he still hold his ground against Detroits offensive linemen? Does he move more smoothly during individual drills? Can he generate pressure without relying entirely on strength?The answers could reshape the Lions defensive front.Detroit Needs More Interior DisruptionAidan Hutchinson remains the player opposing offenses will build their protection plans around.Detroit cannot ask Hutchinson to create every negative play by himself.The Lions need pressure from the middle, especially against quarterbacks who are comfortable stepping forward when edge rushers come around the outside. Williams has the frame and strength to collapse that space. Improved conditioning and quickness could help him finish those plays.That would make Kelvin Sheppards defense more difficult to block.An interior defender who can stop the run and threaten the pocket forces offensive lines into uncomfortable choices. Help inside, and Hutchinson receives more favorable matchups. Focus on Hutchinson, and Williams gets chances to attack one-on-one.That is the version of Detroits defensive line the organization envisioned when it invested a first-round pick in Williams.Expectations Should Rise in Year 2Williams will not be judged like a rookie anymore.He has experienced a complete NFL season, learned what his body must endure and seen exactly where he needs to improve. Losing 50 pounds suggests he did not waste the offseason.It also raises expectations.A first-round defensive tackle entering his second year with a clearer path to playing time should become more than a rotational space-eater. Detroit needs Williams to make plays, disrupt protections and become a reliable part of its defensive foundation.His transformation gives him a chance to do exactly that.Bottom LineTyleik Williams did not wait for training camp to make his first major statement of 2026.By dropping 50 pounds over five months, the Lions defensive tackle has given himself an opportunity to become quicker, better conditioned and more disruptive during his second NFL season.The weight loss alone guarantees nothing. Football will provide the real test.If Williams kept his power while adding speed and endurance, Detroit may be looking at one of the most important breakout candidates on the entire roster.

U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker has an opportunity to finally break the mold: Put Jackson Koivun on the United States Presidents Cup team as one of six captain's selections.Who cares that he's only 21 years old? Who cares that he is a part of the new era of players? Who cares that he still has so much to prove as a professional?If the U.S. leadership for the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup (especially the latter) truly cares about building for the future while also giving its teams the best chance of winning, Koivun undoubtedly should be on the 12-person squad in two months at Medinah. The notion of the boys club has to go. The goal should be to pick the 12 best players and to use Medinah as a test run for Adare Manor next fall's Ryder Cup.It would be almost idiotic to not pick Koivun. Break it down: Koivun won the 3M Open on Sunday, topping World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by three shots for his first professional win in his third start since turning pro. As his victory came into focus, more and more people clamored on social media for him to be on the Presidents Cup team. The win gave him seven total in the calendar year, more than any other player in the world.He finished his amateur career as one of the best ever, amassing 11 collegiate wins, helping Auburn win two national titles and making his PGA Tour impact known well before he turned pro. Koivun missed the cut in his pro debut this month at the John Deere Classic, but other than that lackluster start, his worst finish in a professional event dating to last summer's U.S. Open was a T-23 at this year's U.S. Open.Look back to the 2025 Walker Cup, the amateur equivalent to the Ryder Cup. Last fall at Cypress Point, Koivun played in the lead match all four sessions and went 3-1, including wins in both his singles matches against a top-10 player in the world, Tyler Weaver. Koivun was the heart and soul of the U.S. team, and he rose to the occasion when he got to wear the red, white and blue.Why wouldn't you want someone like that on your team?Now, in only his third pro start, he has backed up every single iota of hype he received the last few years. Data Golf ranks Koivun as the best amateur golfer since 2010. Better than Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa or Ludvig Aberg.Speaking of Aberg, consider how the Europeans deployed him in 2023. He became the first player to suit up in a Ryder Cup without competing in a major championship. He won a DP World Tour event, the European Masters, to prove his worth to captain Luke Donald as a young player who was going to be the future of an aging Team Europe. He went 2-2 in Rome and has helped Europe win consecutive Ryder Cups.Koivun not only won a bigger event in the 3M Open, his world ranking is higher and his resume is better than Aberg's was, both having turned pro after their college season ended at the national championships. Let Koivun gain his first professional international experience at home in the Presidents Cup. Test him in possible pairings with players to gain experience and prep ahead of Adare Manor and the Ryder Cup. Sure, the Presidents Cup is important, but it pales in comparison to the Ryder Cup, for which the Americans should be preparing.To be prepared, it's important to have the best players on the team. Koivun is a budding superstar. Give him his first shot now.Koivun is ranked 51st in the U.S. standings, though that's nearly irrelevant considering he would be a captain's pick and, again, has been a pro for a whole three events. In Data Golf's rankings, he's 30th in the world, ahead of other players who will likely need captain's picks such as Akshay Bhatia, Jacob Bridgeman, Patrick Reed and others. While those players and others have much more pro experience and have won some of this year's biggest events, Koivun is likely to be a fixture on U.S. international teams for years to come. Snedeker has a difficult decision ahead, and if Koivun continues to play well in the coming weeks, it could simplify his choice. But even as of now, Koivun has done enough to deserve a spot on the team. For now, and for the future.Cameron Jourdanis an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).This article originally appeared on Golfweek: The U.S. team needs Jackson Koivun at the Presidents Cup, now and for the future

Photo by Mpu Dinali / ESPN ImagesESPN is ready to boogie with professional dancing.On Monday,The Hollywood Reporterreported that ESPN has entered into a media rights agreement with the International Dance League (IDL), a professional dance competition that aims to bring a sporting-like structure to dance by creating teams, regular-season and post-season events, and a championship at the end of the season.The deal with ESPN will see IDL events appear sporadically on ESPN2 throughout the season, with other events being available for streaming on ESPN+. The first IDL broadcast on a linear network will be this Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.Dance already has one of the most passionate fanbases in the world, Connor Lim, CEO and co-founder of IDL, told The Hollywood Reporter. They watch, they share, they show up, and the engagement on social proves that. This agreement provides a chance to show a broader sports audience that dance is both an art form and a legitimate sport, on a global scale.It does not appear as if most broadcasts will air live, as IDL moves from city to city across the globe, but all events will still air at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 when linear coverage is available. Disney will make the league available in other markets across the world on Disney+ and the ESPN app.The post ESPN strikes media rights deal with International Dance League appeared first on Awful Announcing.

France captain Kylian Mbapp has reached out to the nation with a deeply personal open letter following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid superstar expressed his gratitude to the supporters and his teammates while reflecting on a tournament that ended in heartbreak for the Bleus in North America. Mbapp Reflects On World Cup Heartbreak One week after the World Cup campaign that ended on a sour note for the French national team, who finished fourth after being beaten by England in the third place playoff, Mbapp chose to address the fans directly through an open letter published in the regional daily press on Monday. In this letter, illustrated with personal photos, including a childhood memory of himself in front of a poster of his idol Thierry Henry, Mbapp did not hide the pain he felt after the team's failure. "We didn't bring home a team trophy. It hurts, and it will continue to hurt for a while, I'm not going to lie to you about that," Mbapp wrote. A Powerful Message To French Fans A large part of the letter is dedicated to French fans, who followed the team's adventures despite the significant time difference. Mbapp noted the dedication of fans throughout France and beyond. "You stayed up late, sometimes until the dead of night depending on the time zone, to watch us play on the other side of the world. You gathered at home, in bars, with family or friends, all over France and beyond," he emphasized. "Others were right there with us, in the stadiums, flags draped over their shoulders. Children with shining eyes, men and women of all backgrounds and generations, united by the same joy: the joy of sharing. That's the power of this sport. And you never gave up on us, even in the toughest moments, even when we least deserved it. This story was written by millions of hands, not just eleven on the field, all driven by the same passion. "Above all, it's passion, the same passion that drives us on the pitch and drives you, in front of the screen and in the stands. That's what we experienced together, an incredible story." Individual Pride And A Tribute To The Collective Mbapp finished the competition as top scorer with an impressive total of 10 goals. However, this individual distinction remains secondary in his eyes compared to the ultimate goal that eluded Les Bleus, who crashed out to eventual winners Spain in the semi-finals. "I take the title of top scorer with pride, but it would have been so much better with the cup as well. Perhaps we owed you a better ending. But we don't always choose the ending of the story, we choose what we put into it, and we put everything into it. We are proud of that," he affirmed. The captain also didn't forget his teammates, paying a heartfelt tribute to those who helped him achieve his exceptional statistics: "Thank you to my teammates. Without their work, their runs, their passes, without this team spirit that carried us from the first to the last match, I could never have scored so many goals. This title belongs as much to the team as it does to me. As a child, I dreamed of playing in a World Cup, at least one. I played in three, I won one, and this year, I had the honor of playing in it as captain. I will never forget it." Football 'Brings Us All Together' Mbapp was keen to acknowledge the work of his mentor Didier Deschamps, who is set to be replaced at the helm of the national team by Zinedine Zidane, and the entire coaching staff: "I've already said what I had to say to Didier, he knows it. Thank you to him, and to all his staff too: physiotherapists, cooks, trainers, drivers, all those people no one ever sees and without whom none of this would be possible. And to those who welcomed us to the United States throughout this tournament." In conclusion, Mbapp reiterated the simple values of football, the game that has captivated him since his childhood: "Football, at its core, remains a game. A game that we take very seriously, that we work our whole lives to try to master, but a game nonetheless, with its simple rules that haven't changed since we started playing it: ball, goal, desire to score. That's why it brings us all together with the same passion."