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Kane on the shortlist: FIFA announces nominees for World Footballer of the Year award

Jeffrey Gooding
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Kane on the shortlist: FIFA announces nominees for World Footballer of the Year award

On Thursday evening, FIFA announced the eleven nominees for the 2025 World Footballer of the Year award. Unlike last year, no German made it onto the shortlist – but Bundesliga striker Harry Kane did.

Exactly one year ago, two Germans, Florian Wirtz and Toni Kroos, were among the candidates for the World Footballer award. The latter has long since hung up his boots, and Wirtz is also missing from this year’s FIFA shortlist. On Thursday evening, the world governing body announced the eleven names in contention for “The Best” award for the best player of the 2024/25 season, including the Club World Cup. Although no German professional made the list, one Bundesliga player did: Harry Kane. The 32-year-old Englishman, who plays for FC Bayern and was not considered for the World Footballer of the Year award last year, scored 26 goals in 31 league games last season, won the first major title of his career with the Bundesliga trophy, and also contributed 11 goals in 13 appearances to FC Bayern’s quarter-final run in the Champions League.

However, Kane, who finished 13th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, is not among the top favorites for the World Footballer of the Year award. That honor goes to Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembelé, one of four PSG stars among the eleven nominees for “The Best” award.

Four from PSG, three from Barcelona

In addition to Dembelé (France), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Nuno Mendes and Vitinha (both Portugal) from the Champions League winners are also represented in FIFA’s top 11. They are followed by four FC Barcelona professionals, of whom Lamine Yamal is likely to be Dembélé’s biggest challenger. Pedri (Spain) and Raphinha (Brazil) are also nominated, as are Kylian Mbappé (France and Real Madrid), Cole Palmer (England and Chelsea FC) and Mohamed Salah (Egypt and Liverpool FC).

The next World Footballer of the Year will be voted for not only by the coaches and captains of all 211 national teams of the FIFA member associations, but also by media representatives and fans. Voting is open until November 28.

Title chances for Flick, Berger, and Neuer

Three Germans can also hope to win an award, albeit not in the FIFA World Footballer of the Year or FIFA World Footballer of the Year awards. In the women’s category, it comes as no surprise that Ballon d’Or winner Aitana tops the list of nominees.

Instead, Hansi Flick is one of the seven nominees for the FIFA World Coach award, alongside Mexico’s national coach Javier Aguirre, Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Luis Enrique (PSG), Enzo Maresca (Chelsea), Roberto Martinez (Portugal), and Arne Slot (Liverpool).

Germany’s national goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger is on the list of candidates for FIFA Women’s World Goalkeeper of the Year, while Bayern’s Manuel Neuer is in contention for the Men’s World Goalkeeper Award. The 39-year-old has already won the award five times in his career. Switzerland’s Yann Sommer (Inter Milan) has also made the shortlist, with the other nominees being Alisson Becker (Brazil and Liverpool), Thibaut Courtois ( Belgium and Real Madrid), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy and PSG, now Manchester City), Emiliano Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa), David Raya (Spain and Arsenal), and Wojciech Szczesny (Poland and Barcelona).

Ajax parts ways with coach Heitinga – technical director allowed to stay

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Ajax parts ways with coach Heitinga – technical director allowed to stay

He was supposed to make up for the lost championship title, but four months after taking office, John Heitinga is no longer the coach of Ajax Amsterdam. Things took a strange turn for the technical director on Thursday.

Two of the 36 participants are still without a single point halfway through the Champions League group stage. José Mourinho with Benfica Lisbon – and bottom-of-the-table Ajax Amsterdam with John Heitinga. One day after the 0-3 home defeat against Galatasaray, he has now lost his coaching position at the top Dutch club. His initial two-year term thus became a four-month interlude.

As Ajax officially announced on Thursday, Heitinga’s contract, which was valid until summer 2027, was terminated with immediate effect. The 41-year-old, who had enjoyed great success with the club as a player, had only been appointed in the summer after Ajax squandered what seemed to be a certain championship title in the final stages of the season. Defending champions PSV Eindhoven won the title by a single point.

Ajax is currently only fourth in the table, already eight points behind leaders Feyenoord Rotterdam and second-placed PSV. Davy Klaassen and Wout Weghorst’s team has won only one of its last seven competitive games.

“It’s a painful decision,” admits technical director Alex Kroes. “But when you look at the last few months, we have to conclude that we had imagined things would be very different. We are seeing too little development and have lost unnecessary points. We know that it can take time for a new coach to work with a team that has undergone changes. We gave John that time, but we think it’s best for the club to put someone else in charge of the team.”

Kroes wants to resign, but is not allowed to do so for the time being

Until a new head coach is found – Bayer Leverkusen’s short-term coach Erik ten Hag was immediately linked with a return – assistant coach Fred Grim will take over on an interim basis. Heitinga himself was interim coach at Ajax for six months in 2023 before gaining experience as assistant coach at West Ham United under David Moyes and Liverpool FC under his compatriot Arne Slot.

Kroes himself would also like to step down, but is not allowed to do so for the time being. According to the club, the technical director resigned, but was asked by the other board members and the supervisory board to remain in office for the time being “in the interests of continuity.” He will now leave in the summer at the latest, when his contract expires.

“If the club hires a new technical director earlier, I will hand over my duties at that point,” announced the 50-year-old, who initially joined Ajax as CEO in 2024 but was suspended in the meantime on suspicion of insider trading. He then slipped into his new role.

Deschamps struggles with scheduling on anniversary of terrorist attacks

Phil Laffertey
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Deschamps struggles with scheduling on anniversary of terrorist attacks

In the eyes of France’s national coach Didier Deschamps, scheduling the World Cup qualifying match against Ukraine on the anniversary of the Paris terrorist attacks is unfortunate, to say the least—the commemorations should be the focus.

France’s national coach Didier Deschamps would have liked to have played the upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Ukraine on a different date, as it falls on the tenth anniversary of the Paris terror attacks. “It’s a sensitive issue. Deep down, I think it would have been better if we could have avoided playing the match on November 13,” Deschamps said on Thursday. “Would that have been possible? I don’t have an answer to that; it’s not in my hands.”

On November 13, 2015, the German national team was playing a friendly match against France at the Stade de France when three suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the stadium during the game. A total of 130 people died that night in Islamist-motivated attacks in the French capital.

Three days later in Azerbaijan

According to Deschamps, the match against Ukraine at the Parc des Princes in Paris will be “a special day full of commemorations”: “Out of respect for the families who have suffered and lost loved ones, the duty to remember must always be upheld.”

France goes into the match against Ukraine (7) at the top of Group D with ten points. Three days later, the World Cup runners-up will play in Azerbaijan. The German national team will not be playing on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Paris. The team, coached by Julian Nagelsmann, will play in Luxembourg the following day (November 14).

World champion for world champion: De Rossi succeeds Vieira in Genoa

Jason Maverick
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World champion for world champion: De Rossi succeeds Vieira in Genoa

Daniele de Rossi has taken over as coach at CFC Genoa. A world champion thus succeeds another world champion in the port city.

Roma legend Daniele de Rossi is back on the big stage of Serie A. The 42-year-old takes over as coach at CFC Genoa, succeeding Patrick Vieira. This means that a 2006 World Cup winner is taking over the reins from one of France’s 1998 title winners.

De Rossi takes up his post in Liguria ahead of CFC’s important match against AC Florence on Sunday. Both traditional clubs are fighting against relegation. According to reports, de Rossi has signed an initial fixed-term contract until the end of the 2025/26 season, with an option to extend if he can avoid relegation to Serie B with Genoa.

CFC is the third coaching position for the former professional, after SPAL Ferrara in Serie B and AS Roma in Serie A.

Under Vieira, Genoa had not won any of its nine league games, and it was only after his dismissal that the club recently managed to secure its first three points. With only six points, however, the third-to-last team in the table still has a meager points tally.

First victory after Vieira’s departure

“Genoa warmly welcomes Daniele de Rossi and his staff and at the same time thanks Roberto Murgita and Domenico Criscito for their work,” the CFC wrote on its website on Thursday. The interim duo had led the club to a last-minute 2-1 victory in Sassuolo.

De Rossi, who ended his playing career at the beginning of 2020 with Boca Juniors, has already met the team and invited them to the training ground for the first time on Thursday afternoon. The new coach will be presented to the media on Friday.

Green makes strong debut: Suns celebrate another home win

Jeffrey Gooding
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Green makes strong debut: Suns celebrate another home win

The Phoenix Suns defeated a decimated L.A. Clippers team 115-102. Jalen Green impressed in his debut for the Suns.

Green scored 29 points (10/20 FG) in his first game for Phoenix after the former No. 2 pick missed the first eight games due to a thigh injury. The guard was part of the trade for Kevin Durant in the summer, who now plays for the Houston Rockets.

The Clippers were without James Harden for personal reasons, and Kawhi Leonard (ankle) was also unavailable. Nevertheless, the visitors played a good first half, even taking the lead thanks to Ivica Zubac (23 points, 11 rebounds).

After that, however, not much happened. The Suns won the third quarter 40-23 and led by as many as 20 points at times during that period. Royce O’Neale (17) made three three-pointers in the quarter, and the team made 19 (of 39) over 48 minutes. Devin Booker impressed with 24 points and seven assists. It was a return for Clippers guard Bradley Beal, albeit not a happy one. The former All-Star was booed by the Suns fans – every single time he touched the ball. The shooting guard scored just five points in just under 20 minutes and missed 12 of his 14 attempts from the field.

Francesco Bagnaia continues to puzzle: “If someone could explain Motegi to me”

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Francesco Bagnaia continues to puzzle: “If someone could explain Motegi to me”

Victory or crisis – for Francesco Bagnaia, there is hardly anything in between in 2025 – Ducati continues to search for causes – And Marco Bezzecchi is lurking in third place in the World Championship

The last two MotoGP race weekends will decide third place in the World Championship. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) is five points ahead of Francesco Bagnaia. The Ducati rider recently retired from the podium in Malaysia with a puncture.

Nevertheless, Bagnaia has experienced mixed results in recent weeks. It was a shift from total dominance in Japan to disastrous races in Indonesia and Australia, to Malaysia, where he was back at the front and won the sprint. “I can’t understand it, and ‘Pecco’ probably finds it difficult to understand himself,” says ServusTV expert Stefan Bradl. “Everything is either great or terrible. When things aren’t going well, you can see how listless he is on the bike.“

”And then he shows again what an incredibly good racer he is.“ There are always tracks that suit you more or less. ”But such extreme fluctuations in performance, especially for a two-time world champion, are rare,“ says Bradl. ”Even Ducati can’t explain it.”

Even at the start of the penultimate race weekend of the season, the perplexity is still palpable. “To be honest,” says Bagnaia on Thursday in Portimao, “if someone can explain to me one day what happened in Motegi, I’ll give them a reward.”

“Because for the first time this season, I felt like I was back in 2024. I could do whatever I wanted with my bike, and the result was clear: track record, victory in both races, faster than last year. It was incredible to have that feeling again.”

“And then came the return to reality in Indonesia, perhaps my worst weekend ever in MotoGP—in terms of feeling, in terms of results, because of the crash. It was probably one of the strangest crashes of my career.”

“After that, things continued more or less similarly at Phillip Island. The bike was almost uncontrollable in certain situations. Fortunately, we found something in the race that helped me. I started far back, was able to catch up, and might have finished in the top 7.“

”Considering the rest of the weekend, that would have been a good result. In Sepang, things went quite well at first, then I made mistakes and missed Q2. But getting through Q1 to Q2 helped me, and in the end I got pole position and the sprint win.“

”The race at Sepang was more important because I was able to adapt better to the bike there. Fortunately, we found a better setup that helped me. Even if my feeling wasn’t perfect, I was fast enough to fight for the win.”

Despite retiring due to a puncture, Bagnaia was confident at the end of the Sepang weekend because he had been competitive up to that point. The question is whether this was the actual turning point in his rollercoaster ride.

“I don’t know, but I hope so. Sepang is a great test track, unlike Qatar, Thailand, or Misano. What works there usually works reasonably well everywhere. So I’m hoping for that.“

”The grip here [in Portimao] is quite good, the rear tire degradation isn’t so bad. That could suit us.” Bagnaia has already won the Grand Prix twice and the Sprint once in Portimao. Last year, he collided with Marc Marquez, causing both of them to crash.

How important is third place in the world championship?

Is it important for Bagnaia to defend third place in the world championship against Bezzecchi? “Yes, I think so. Third is better than fourth, of course. But I’m not here to finish third. It’s positive, but not satisfactory.“

”It’s the best result I can achieve this season, and therefore my short-term goal. But only for this year. Next year, I want to fight for the title. I want to finish the season fighting, not like now.”

And how important would third place in the world championship be for Bezzecchi? “It’s important for me, of course,” says the Aprilia rider. “For a long time, it wasn’t a goal for me. Even now, I’m not obsessed with it, but there are only two races left, and we’re right in the thick of it.”

“We’re close together, ‘Pecco’, Pedro, and me. So why not believe in it? Of course, it will be difficult because ‘Pecco’ is strong, Pedro is strong, but I’m also pretty strong. Hopefully, I can fight for this result.”

Pedro Acosta is 31 points behind and therefore also has a mathematical chance of finishing third in the World Championship. A maximum of 74 points can still be collected in Portimao and Valencia.

Liberty Media posts record figures: Formula 1 and MotoGP drive revenue up

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Liberty Media posts record figures: Formula 1 and MotoGP drive revenue up

Liberty Media presents impressive quarterly figures: over a billion dollars in revenue—thanks to strong Formula 1 business and the new MotoGP addition

Liberty Media has once again recorded strong growth in the third quarter of 2025. The group, which has owned MotoGP as well as Formula 1 since July, reports revenues of $1.085 billion for its Formula One Group. In the same period last year, the figure was 911 million. This means that the motorsport empire has recorded a significant increase, even though there was one less race weekend compared to 2024.
Of the total revenue, $869 million came from Formula 1, which represents an increase of one percent. According to Liberty Media, the growth in hospitality, licensing, and commercial partnerships offset the loss of one Grand Prix. Operating profit was $168 million. In addition, revenue from MotoGP was included for the first time, contributing $169 million to the group’s revenue following the acquisition of Dorna Sports in the summer.

Domenicali: Formula 1 remains a cultural cornerstone

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is enthusiastic about the development in the quarterly report. “We are approaching the end of another incredible season that showcases the best of Formula 1 – exciting racing, close battles and almost half the field on the podium,” he says. “Formula 1 remains a cultural cornerstone, as evidenced by the global success of the F1 film and the ever-growing engagement of our fans.” Domenicali particularly highlights the commercial progress: “We have secured several new partnerships this quarter and successfully extended existing contracts. Our new US distribution partner Apple represents the innovative strength of both brands and will further drive our growth in the United States.“

This popularity is also paying off on the racetrack. ”Recent contract extensions in key markets such as Austin, Azerbaijan, and Monaco underscore the value that Formula 1 brings to host cities. We are confident that we are entering the next phase of growth,” explains Domenicali.

MotoGP grows under Liberty’s leadership

Since July 3, 2025, MotoGP has also been officially under the umbrella of Liberty Media, after the company acquired 84 percent of the shares in Dorna Sports. The first quarter with the new owners has already been positive: $169 million in revenue, record numbers in terms of viewership and digital reach, and new sponsorship deals.
MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta gives an optimistic interim assessment: “Our first few months with Liberty have been exciting and productive, and we look forward to continuing to grow together in the coming years.” He emphasizes that MotoGP is currently growing in many areas: “We have gained new sponsors and extended existing partnerships this quarter, while building on the momentum of our brand refresh last year.”

According to Ezpeleta, the MotoGP season is closing with “record attendance, rising TV ratings, growing digital engagement, and more followers on social media.” The Spaniard adds: “We are working to reach new audiences while deepening our connection with existing fans. We are convinced that the long-term opportunities are enormous.”

Group on the rise – motorsport as a growth engine

With its entry into MotoGP, Liberty Media has strategically expanded its motorsport portfolio – and the synergies already seem to be paying off. In addition to stable Formula 1 revenues, additional events and new licensing models are providing a broader revenue base.

The Quint event business, which is responsible for hospitality and fan experiences, also continues to make a solid contribution to growth. Together with the strong Formula 1 and MotoGP brands, Liberty Media is positioning itself as a leading global provider in premium motorsports.

Stefano Domenicali sees Formula 1 and MotoGP as two complementary pillars of the same growth strategy. Both series stand for international reach, technological progress, and an enthusiastic audience. “The future looks very promising,” emphasizes the Formula 1 boss. “We have the right partners, the right fans—and we deliver the best racing in the world.”

Abt responds to disappointing season: DTM exit for sporting director Tomczyk!

Jeffrey Gooding
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Abt responds to disappointing season: DTM exit for sporting director Tomczyk!

Restructuring at Abt after the worst DTM season in the team’s history: Why Martin Tomczyk is no longer in charge and what happens next

Abt responds to the team’s weakest season in DTM history with a change in leadership: After the former Audi team’s disappointing first year with Lamborghini, in which champion Mirko Bortolotti was the best Abt driver, finishing only 14th in the overall standings, sporting director Martin Tomczyk will no longer be responsible for DTM operations.

This role will now be taken over again by Abt Managing Director Thomas Biermaier, who held this position before Tomczyk’s arrival in 2023. What will happen to Tomczyk now?

The former DTM champion, who ended his professional career at the end of 2021, is set to continue managing Abt’s entry in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring until May. The team is leaving open what will happen to Tomczyk after that, which does not rule out a complete separation.

Tomczyk’s explanation for leaving the DTM: “Family has been neglected”

“Thomas and I have been thinking intensively about a new team structure for Abt Sportsline over the past few weeks,” explains sporting director Tomczyk. “The decision to leave the DTM was not an easy one for me.”

The former racing driver, who served as a representative for the DTM organization ITR after ending his racing career in 2022, cites personal reasons for his retirement.

“I realized that I want more time for my family and personal projects. I went straight into management after my active career – first with Gerhard Berger, then with Abt. That’s why my family has been somewhat neglected,“ he explains. ”What happens after May 2026 remains to be seen. My full focus is now on preparing perfectly for the 24-hour race,” says Tomczyk, leaving his future open for the time being.

Collaboration with Tomczyk confirmed “until May”

Meanwhile, Biermaier makes it clear that Tomczyk’s contract as Abt’s sporting director already ended last month, but that the team does not want to do without Tomczyk’s services due to the enormous double burden in the first half of the year.

“We are in the process of positioning ourselves as best we can for 2026 and beyond and are undertaking a series of restructuring measures to this end. Preparations for the DTM and the 24-hour race will run completely parallel in the coming months and will be quite a feat for all of us. That’s why I’m very happy that Martin will continue to support us until May, even though his original contract expired in October.”

Biermaier is therefore only saying that the collaboration will continue “until May” 2026. That doesn’t sound like there are any further joint plans for the period after that.

Biermaier no longer responsible for Formula E day-to-day business

The Abt managing director, who also heads the tuning company in Kempten and has had less time for the DTM and the 24-hour project in recent years due to his dual role as Formula E team boss, is looking forward to the new era with optimism.

“It’s no secret that my heart beats for motorsport and the DTM. I’m looking forward to being more involved again. This is made possible by the changeover to Formula E, where Fred Espinos is now pulling all the strings.”

The Swiss national has been with Abt for three years and was announced at the end of October as deputy team boss of the Lola-Yamaha-Abt team in the electric racing series. Since then, Lola’s motorsport director Mark Preston has been acting as team principal, replacing Biermaier. The former Abt team principal is no longer involved in the day-to-day business of Formula E and can now focus more on the DTM. It will be interesting to see how the Lamborghini team will line up for the upcoming DTM season.

“We expect to announce further details about the team lineup and our drivers in consultation with Lamborghini in early 2026,” the team said. According to reports, it does not look as if Bortolotti will remain with the Kempten-based team after a disappointing 2025 season.

“One of the most promising rookies in a long time”: Hülkenberg praises Bortoleto

Jason Maverick
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“One of the most promising rookies in a long time”: Hülkenberg praises Bortoleto

Nico Hülkenberg praises his Sauber teammate Gabriel Bortoleto in the highest terms and predicts a successful career for the Brazilian.

Formula 1 veteran Nico Hülkenberg praises his teammate, Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, at the media day for the Brazilian Grand Prix of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

“‘Gabi’ is one of the most promising rookies I’ve seen in a long time. He’s really got what it takes. He learns extremely quickly and he’s a very fast driver,” says Hülkenberg about Bortoleto. And he predicts a great future for him: “If he continues like this, he will have a really good and successful career.”

Bortoleto has marched through the junior classes like few others before him. The Brazilian became champion as a rookie in both Formula 3 (2023) and Formula 2 (2024). In the 2025 Formula 1 season, which is his rookie season, while Hülkenberg is already in his twelfth season as a regular driver, the team duel is quite balanced despite the big difference in experience.

Hülkenberg clearly has the upper hand in terms of World Championship points, not least because of his first podium finish ever. He achieved this in July with P3 in the rain at Silverstone. In addition to these 15 championship points, the German has collected 26 more championship points so far this season. With 41 points, he currently ranks ninth in the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ standings. Bortoleto is in 19th place with 19 championship points.

In the qualifying duel, however, it is Bortoleto who has the edge. After 20 qualifying sessions so far, the young Brazilian leads his experienced teammate 11:9 (the qualifying, sprint and race duels of the 2025 Formula 1 season). In the Grands Prix, the duel between the two Sauber drivers is currently tied at 10:10, although, as already mentioned, it is Hülkenberg who has scored significantly more World Championship points with 41:19.

Looking at the qualifying duels between the two Sauber drivers this season, it is striking that Bortoleto was the faster driver seven times in a row in the summer: from the Austrian weekend in Spielberg up to and including the Azerbaijan weekend in Baku. Since then, however, it has been Hülkenberg who has won the qualifying duel three times in a row.

“I just pulled myself together,” is Hülkenberg’s own explanation for his recent upward trend in qualifying. “I think sometimes you have positive momentum or just momentum. And sometimes you don’t.”

“The summer phase was obviously a difficult one for me,” says the German, “but we just kept going, kept working, kept fighting. I think the feeling and the relationship with the car are probably a little better now than they were in the summer. And that’s probably the result of that process.”

From his wealth of experience, which for him in Formula 1 dates back to the 2010 season, Hülkenberg knows: “It just depends on how well you can adapt yourself and your driving style to changes.”

This weekend, Bortoleto’s home race is on the agenda in the form of the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo. But Hülkenberg also has a strong connection to Brazil, as it was in Sao Paulo exactly 15 years ago, when he was a rookie, that he sensationally achieved his first (and so far only) Formula 1 pole position.

Hülkenberg and Bortoleto get along well in the Sauber team. Both have long been confirmed for 2026, when the team will officially compete as an Audi works team.

Sabalenka in the semifinals

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Sabalenka in the semifinals

The tennis star from Belarus will now face Amanda Anisimova at the year-end tournament in Riyadh.

With a perfect record of three wins from three matches, world number one Aryna Sabalenka is in the semifinals of the WTA Finals in Riyadh. At the end of the group stage, the tennis star from Belarus defeated defending champion Coco Gauff (USA) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 and will now face another American. Sabalenka will play Amanda Anisimova, who finished second in the parallel group, on Friday in the year-end tournament. In the other semifinal of the $15.5 million event in Saudi Arabia, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who like Sabalenka is undefeated, will face Jessica Pegula (USA). Pegula booked her place in the semifinals on Thursday with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, who had already been eliminated. Rybakina had already secured the group victory on Wednesday. Sabalenka lost to Gauff in the final of this year’s French Open, but this time the 27-year-old came out on top.

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