Argentina to honour Lionel Messi with 10th-minute tribute across foot…

Buenos Aires [Argentina], September 4 (ANI): All football matches across Argentina this weekend will be paused in the 10th minute for a 60-second round of applause in honour of Lionel Messi, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced, following the superstar’s decision to retire from international football, Reuters reported. tr-sport.click

The tribute will be held across men’s and women’s divisions and disciplines, with stadiums equipped with screens also instructed to play an AFA institutional video before matches.

“For the upcoming matchday across all men’s and women’s divisions and disciplines, matches will be paused in the 10th minute of the first half for a minute of applause in recognition of Lionel Messi’s career with the Argentina national team," the AFA announced late Wednesday, according to Reuters.

“Furthermore, stadiums equipped with screens must broadcast the Association’s institutional ⁠video before the start of the matches," the AFA statement added.

The 10th-minute tribute is a nod to Messi’s iconic No. 10 jersey, which he has worn throughout the majority of his Argentina career.

Messi announced his retirement from the national team on Monday, bringing the curtain down on a decorated international career that began with his senior debut in 2005. He became Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, while guiding the country to three major international titles.

“After the time that passed since the final, thinking about it a lot, I want to communicate to everyone that I am retiring from the national team," Messi wrote Monday on Instagram.

“It was a decision that hurt and hurts in a soul, but I understand that this is the moment. I swear to you that I always gave everything, not just in ‌the ⁠last few years when we won everything but before as well and I always fought and left everything on the field for this shirt, to give you all joys and make you feel proud to be Argentines through soccer," he added.

The 39-year-old’s Argentina journey included several years of disappointment before he finally delivered major silverware. After losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and the 2016 Copa America final to Chile, Messi helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa America, ending a 28-year wait for a major trophy.

He then led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, scoring twice in the final against France before converting his penalty in the shootout as Argentina won 4-2 after the match ended 3-3 following extra time.

Argentina retained the Copa America title in 2024, adding another major trophy to Messi’s international honours.

His World Cup career spanned six editions from 2006 to 2026, with 21 goals in 34 appearances. At the 2026 World Cup, he scored eight goals and provided four assists, including his first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer despite stepping away from international football. (ANI)

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The Athletics Integrity Unit is stepping up its game with random checks on elite Indian athletes. Experts warn that the use of certain herbal supplements, notably Ashwagandha and Shilajit, may result in unfavorable test results. Many athletes neglect to report their consumption of these unregulated supplements, raising alarms about doping practices. This rigorous examination reveals deeper concerns within India’s doping regulation and athletics testing protocols.

With the Afghanistan series and Asian Games on the horizon, the cricket community is keenly waiting for Jasprit Bumrah's fitness reports. Meanwhile, potential backup player Prince Yadav is being considered for the squad. This week, several players will participate in match simulation tests, with the medical team clearing them for practice games. There’s pressure on Bumrah to play a first-class match prior to the upcoming New Zealand Test series.

In the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 match against Hong Kong, Team India has reached the score of 85 runs for the loss of one wicket in 10 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.

Having been put to bat first, Team India's opening batswoman Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal are unbeaten at the crease. Fellow opening batswoman Shafali Verma was dismissed on 28 runs in 17 balls, including three boundaries and two maximums.

Hong Kong's Ruchitha Venkatesh has managed to claim one wicket. Iqra Sahar, Kary Chan, Marina Lamplough, Maryam Bibi, and Mei Wai Siu will continue the hunt for their first wicket.

Earlier, Hong Kong's skipper Natasha Miles has won the toss and elected to bowl first against the "Women in Blue".

After winning the toss, Hong Kong's skipper Miles said, "We're going to have a bowl first. I think the conditions would suit that. Very confident with our batting lineup to come out here and chase down any score. So, let's make the most of these conditions. [What is a good total?] I think we've seen, as an average score, it's been about 120 -130. They're obviously a very accomplished side, so, looking at 140, 150, we've had a couple of chases like that this year. So, if we can keep them to 140, 150... [Any changes?] We have two changes. I'm coming in for Dorothea, and Iqra Sahar is coming in. [How big is this occasion?] It's obviously a very exciting occasion. We're playing one of the top teams in the world. They're an incredible side. Obviously, everyone's very excited to see how we can compete against such an incredible side. And, I mean, taking in the occasion and enjoying ourselves, and hopefully we come back to the Asia Cup in the future. [On Alison Siu playing her 100th T20I] She's been a spearhead for our attack for many years now. Always making 100 appearances for your country is an incredible achievement. So, congrats to Alison, and we're happy to have her on the side always and hope she has a great game".

Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026, India vs Hong Kong: Confirmed Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud.

Hong Kong: Natasha Miles (C), Maryam Bibi, Alison Siu, Mariko Hill, Iqra Sahar, Joyleen Kaur, Marina Lamplough, Yasmin Daswani (WK), Ruchita Venkatesh, Shanzeen Shahzad, Kary Chan.

The debate around transgender participation in sport has rarely been short of strong opinions. But behind the headlines and social media arguments are questions that are far more complicated: eligibility, physiology, fairness, inclusion and, ultimately, who gets the opportunity to compete.

Anaya Bangar now finds herself at the centre of that conversation.

Cricket Australia’s decision to make Anaya eligible to pursue a pathway into elite women’s cricket in Australia has opened a new chapter in her cricketing journey. The decision has also triggered a wider debate, with South African cricket great Marizanne Kapp describing Cricket Australia’s decision as “absolutely ridiculous”.

For Anaya, however, the decision represents something much more personal. After a period in which she felt she might have to choose between her identity and the sport she loves, the clearance has given her renewed hope of competing in women’s cricket.

Her eligibility, however, does not mean an automatic place in the Women’s Big Bash League. Anaya will have to establish herself through club cricket, perform on the field and meet Cricket Australia’s ongoing eligibility requirements, including testosterone testing.

In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, Anaya spoke at length about what Cricket Australia’s decision means to her, the science and medical process behind her case, the distinction between inclusion and competitive fairness, the different approaches taken by Cricket Australia and the ICC, and her hopes of making her mark as a left-arm spinner and left-handed batter.

Here are the key excerpts:

Trisha Ghosal: Anaya, what does Cricket Australia’s decision actually mean for you, and where are you in the process of pursuing a pathway into women’s cricket?

Anaya Bangar: When I got the news that I was eligible and had been cleared to play women’s cricket, it felt like my life was back. It felt like I had hope again, that I could play, compete and have the chance to just be myself out there on the field.

For the longest time, I felt like I had to either give up on myself or give up on cricket. But now that this is happening, it’s a game-changer for me.

I’m just looking forward to going there and playing cricket. But that doesn’t mean I have clearance or a fixed position to play in the WBBL. I have to go there and play club cricket, prove myself through my performances and, subject to my arrival on March 27, undergo a testosterone test.

As long as I comply with those requirements, I’ll be cleared to play. So, again, it’s not just about getting clearance. I still need to work on myself, perform on the field and get picked, which is how I intend to approach it as well.

Trisha: When you saw the reaction to Cricket Australia’s decision, particularly Marizanne Kapp calling it “absolutely ridiculous”, what was your immediate reaction? What do you wish people understood about what this process has actually been like for you?

Anaya: To be honest, it was expected that someone or the other would try to raise questions or scrutinise me in that way. I understand the political climate we live in, and I understand how trans athletes are looked upon and treated. I also understand where people who want to spread negativity around this come from.

I think a lot of it is based on a lack of education and awareness around the topic. When we’re talking about potential advantages, I have scientific evidence backing my case. I have Manchester University’s report, my testosterone levels are in check, and all of it affects muscle mass, hormonal density and other aspects of the body.

On top of that, Cricket Australia has made sure that it has a panel in place, with researchers who have studied this topic and know far more about it than many of us do. People are quick to put their assumptions and judgements on this topic.

But, again, it’s about understanding the topic, educating yourself and growing from it.

Trisha: Let’s take this conversation a little more towards the science, because there is genuine confusion around it. What happens to the physiological changes when someone who has gone through male puberty undergoes hormone therapy? What have doctors, scientists or specialists explained to you about what changes and what may not completely change?

Anaya: You lose muscle mass and you lose most of the physical capabilities you have gained through testosterone and during male puberty. I don’t deny the fact that it gives you a lot of strength and some of the advantages that people talk about.

But when you’re suppressing your testosterone for a long period of time, along with going through hormone replacement therapy and surgeries as well, my body doesn’t produce testosterone anymore. That diminishes your body a lot. You basically aren’t functioning or moving the same way that you used to.

Physically, I could do 50 push-ups before; now I can only do two at maximum. That’s how drastic the change has been.

Again, people are quick to put their views and assumptions on this topic, but it’s science-based. People need to look at the facts rather than hear about feelings and opinions.

Trisha: Do you think the effects of transition can vary from individual to individual? Is there a particular scientific principle that applies across the board, or are people quick to judge because they don’t understand the individual effects?

Anaya: I think it’s very complex because each transition and each body is different. Considering the fact that people may have gone through male puberty as well, you need to assess cases on a case-by-case basis rather than provide general rules and regulations.

That is why such panels are set up in the first place. Once people understand that and recognise how different each transition and each body can be, that’s when we create a far better place for understanding.

Trisha: The ICC and Cricket Australia have arrived at different policies. The ICC takes a puberty-based approach for international cricket, while Cricket Australia allows a domestic pathway based on eligibility requirements, including testosterone levels. Having gone through this process yourself, do you think one approach better addresses the question of fairness, or is the issue more complicated than either policy suggests?

Bangar: I think how Cricket Australia is handling this is far better, more inclusive and more dignified towards the principles of women’s sport, while making sure fairness is maintained at the same time.

With the ICC and BCCI, the BCCI has stayed quiet about this despite my repeated attempts to reach out to them, while the ICC has set up rules which, in my view, aren’t science-based but assumption-based. They haven’t actually considered the approach that Cricket Australia has taken.

Trisha: When we talk about the unfair advantage that is often discussed, do you think people forget that cricket is a very skill-based sport? It’s not only about muscle mass or bone strength; there is also a significant skill component. Do you think that argument is sometimes missing from the sports-science debate?

Anaya: Exactly. Cricket is a skill-based sport.

Thank you for bringing that up. You’re the first one to talk about this as well. It is purely skill-based and it’s a team-based sport.

People need to take that into consideration as well.

Trisha: You’ve spoken about following Cricket Australia’s regulations. But putting the policy aside for a moment, what does fairness in women’s cricket mean to you? Do you believe inclusion and competitive fairness necessarily have to be in conflict?

Anaya: It’s about keeping both inclusion and fairness in mind and building policies around that, basically ensuring that there is no unfair advantage.

Again, it’s trans women and women at the end of the day. But it’s about having spaces and rules through which we don’t have cases of people transitioning just for women’s cricket, which isn’t true for most of us.

We have to go through years and years of therapy and years and years of physical change.

Trisha: If you could have one conversation with women cricketers who are uncomfortable with trans athletes participating in women’s cricket, what would you want them to understand about you? And what would you be willing to listen to from them?

Anaya: I understand where those concerns come from. If I were in that place, I would probably feel the same way.

But I would ask them to keep an open mind and look at the science behind it rather than how the world is projecting its assumptions onto people like us.

I’ve already put my case out there. It’s all on paper. It’s not based on personal feelings or opinions.

Trisha: And when you begin your cricket journey, what do we see you as, an all-rounder, a batter? What do you have in mind when it comes to cricket?

Anaya: I’ve always been a left-arm spinner and a left-hand batter. So I’m looking forward to proving myself and doing my best on the field in those roles.

Trisha: Finally, is there anything you feel we haven’t covered that you would like to say?

Anaya: No, I think it’s all covered. Thank you so much.

Trisha: All the best, and thank you for speaking to us.

Anaya: Thank you so much.

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