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Ronaldo vows to be ‘good boy’ amid Ireland boos

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Ronaldo vows to be ‘good boy’ amid Ireland boos


Cristiano Ronaldo promised to be a “good boy” as he prepares to face a tide of boos at the Aviva Stadium.

The Portugal skipper will lead his teammates in their World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Thursday a month after celebrating Rúben Neves‘ last-gasp winner in the reverse fixture in the face of defender Jake O’Brien.

Ronaldo told media on Wednesday that he expects to be booed, but is concentrating only on the task of helping his team reach what will be his last World Cup finals.

He said: “I really like the fans here. The support they give to the national team, it’s lovely. For me, it’s a pleasure to come and play here again.

“Of course, it will be tough. I hope they don’t boo me too much tomorrow. I swear that I’m going to try to be a good boy.

“But of course, I do my job. I try to win the game and try to score to help my team. I’m sure that the game will be difficult.”

Ronaldo endured an evening to forget in the Lisbon encounter as he drew a blank after Caoimhín Kelleher saved his penalty, which had been awarded by Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak.

Ireland fans accused the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star of having an undue influence over the match official, but Ronaldo was having none of it.

He said: “It’s normal because they know if they lose tomorrow, they are out, so they try to make things around the game, to try to do things.

“But we have to be prepared for a tough game. I think it will be very similar to the game they played in Lisbon — and they have a chance.

“They are a good team, so we are prepared. I think Portugal will have a good game and will try to win the match.”

Portugal will secure qualification to the World Cup with a win, while Ireland have work to do to finish ahead of rivals Hungary and Armenia in the race for second spot in Group F and a spot in the UEFA playoffs in March.

Ronaldo said earlier this week the World Cup campaign will be his last as he contemplated retirement, but the 40-year-old is intent on adding to his already sizeable trophy haul.

However the man with a staggering 143 international goals to his name said that quest is far from all about him.

He said: “A national team doesn’t depend on one good player, but it helps to have good players who can make a difference, especially with goals.

“It’s always good for me to score goals. I want to play in this next World Cup, but we’ll take it step by step.”

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez will be without suspended midfielder Bruno Fernandes and injured defender Nuno Mendes in Dublin, where he expects a difficult evening after the victory in Lisbon.

Martinez said: “I think we’re going to see an Irish team that is full of confidence, they’re playing at home and this is the last camp to try to qualify for the World Cup, so I think the game will be totally different.”

Information from PA was used in this story.



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Diamondbacks acquire 8-time All-Star Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals in big move

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Diamondbacks acquire 8-time All-Star Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals in big move


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The Arizona Diamondbacks made a big splash on Tuesday, acquiring eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado and cash considerations from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for minor-league pitcher Jack Martinez, the teams announced. 

The Cardinals are reportedly sending $31 million to the Diamondbacks to help offset the final two years of Arenado’s nine-year, $275 million contract. 

The Cardinals are sending Arizona $22 million to offset this season’s salary — $2,666,666.67 on the 15th of each month from April to September — and $9 million on Nov. 1, 2027, according to reports.

The 34-year-old is not the offensive force he used to be. He hit .237 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs last season, and his numbers have declined each of the last couple of seasons.

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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado celebrates in the dugout after scoring in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colo., July 21, 2025. (Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images)

The 10-time Gold Glove winner still plays a strong third base and will fortify the position for the Diamondbacks defensively. Arenado gives the team a veteran presence at the position after the Diamondbacks traded slugger Eugenio Suárez at last season’s trade deadline.

Arenado waived his no-trade clause to help make the deal.

CUBS, ALEX BREGMAN AGREE TO 5-YEAR DEAL: REPORTS

Nolan Arenado in action

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado throws to first base for an out against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco Sept. 23, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Imagn Images)

“We are grateful for Nolan’s five years as a Cardinal, on and off the field — for his drive, his competitiveness, and for all of the memories he gave us,” Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said in a statement.

“As we continue to move forward, we are pleased to add another intriguing pitching prospect to our organization, and excited for the opportunity this move creates for a number of our players to step up and further establish themselves at the big league level.”

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Nolan Arenado runs home

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado runs home after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco Sept. 23, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Imagn Images)

Arenado is a career .282 hitter with 353 home runs and 1,184 RBIs.

Martinez was an eighth-round pick by the D-backs out of Arizona State in 2025. He did not pitched after being signed. In his last college season, Martinez had a 5.47 ERA while striking out 110 batters with 33 walks in 77 1/3 innings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Menzies out as Kansas City coach after season

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Menzies out as Kansas City coach after season


Kansas City will move on from head coach Marvin Menzies at the end of the season, the school announced Monday.

The Roos are just 4-14 this season, with only one win coming against a Division I opponent. Menzies will coach the team the rest of the season.

“Coach Menzies has been a great ambassador of our men’s basketball program. Since arriving in Kansas City, Coach Menzies and his staff have been committed to the holistic development of our student-athletes and the advancement of the UMKC campus community at large,” said athletic director Brandon Martin, who will begin the search for Menzies’ replacement. “We wish Coach Menzies all the best in his professional and personal endeavors moving forward.”

Menzies was hired in 2022 to replace Billy Donlon, who guided the Roos to 19-12 season and a third-place finish in the Summit League.

Menzies improved the team from Year 1 to Year 2, finishing tied for second in the conference in 2023-24. But performances have cratered since then, going 13-20 overall and 4-12 in league play last season and struggling mightily in the first half of this season.

In three and a half years at the helm, Menzies is 44-71.

Menzies previously was the head coach at New Mexico State and UNLV, guiding the Aggies to five NCAA tournament appearances during his final seven seasons in charge. He also spent two seasons as an assistant under Rick Pitino at Louisville.



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Mike Tomlin steps down as Steelers coach after 19 seasons

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Tomlin led the franchise to a Super Bowl victory early in his tenure but struggled to advance in the playoffs in recent years.



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