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Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin takes leave from team as fiancée recovers from heart transplant

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Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin takes leave from team as fiancée recovers from heart transplant


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Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the team just months after his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, underwent a heart transplant, the team announced Friday.

Head coach Lindy Ruff spoke to reporters Friday and shared that Matovac had not suffered any setbacks, but that Dahlin would be traveling to Sweden as she continues to recover.

Carolina Matovac and Rasmus Dahlin (26) of the Buffalo Sabres pose on the red carpet at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Feb. 1, 2024. (Nicole Osborne/NHLI via Getty Images)

“[Dahlin] said everything is OK,” he said, via ESPN. “I think it’s been incredibly hard. I fully understand what this young man is going through. I don’t think you can describe it. I’m very passionate about the fact that no one would want to walk in his shoes and to have dealt with what he has dealt with. He has the support of everybody on this. This is larger than hockey.”

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Ruff said there was no timetable for Dahlin’s return.

In an open letter to fans in September, Dahlin shared that Matovac had been feeling ill for several days, which led to her experiencing “major heart failure.”

“Fortunately, she received CPR on multiple occasions, and up to a couple of hours at a time to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life. Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario,” he wrote.

Matovac remained on life support for weeks before receiving the transplant in France.

Rasmus Dahlin skates during an NHL game

Rasmus Dahlin (26) of the Buffalo Sabres skates during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on April 17, 2025. (Rebecca Villagracia/Getty Images)

NHL STAR REVEALS FIANCÉE RECEIVED HEART TRANSPLANT AFTER SUFFERING ‘MAJOR HEART FAILURE’ DURING VACATION

“Without the incredible commitment, expertise, care, and sensitivity of all the people who treated Carolina, we would not be in the position that we are in today, with Carolina recovering well and on the path to a full recovery.”

“While Carolina is still working through her rehab to return to be with me in Buffalo, she has demonstrated an incredible determination, spirit, positivity, and resilience that I am in awe of,” Dahlin continued. “This has undoubtedly been the most challenging chapter of our lives, however it is something that we have learned so much from. We will continue to grow from these experiences and are so grateful for all the love and support we have received. We are truly blessed in so many ways and fully realize how fortunate we are.”

Rasmus Dahlin prepares for a faceoff

Rasmus Dahlin (26) of the Buffalo Sabres prepares for a faceoff during an NHL game against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on Oct. 9, 2025. (Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

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Dahlin, 25, is entering his eighth NHL season after being selected first overall by Buffalo in the 2018 draft. The Swedish defenseman has topped 50 points in each of his past four seasons and was selected to represent his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

He has nine points in 14 games this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals

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February 15, 2026

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Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals


Feb 15, 2026, 08:17 AM ET

Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing what no soccer player — despite Pelé and Romário claiming otherwise when adding in friendly matches — has ever officially achieved in competitive games: The ultimate milestone of 1,000 career goals. It’s the summit of statistical greatness, a record that would redefine the limits of individual excellence in the sport.

Throughout his career, the Portugal superstar has broken most of the records and won most of the trophies he could have won, but being able to officially score 1,000 goals will put him in a pantheon of his own among athletes.

Ronaldo is already the leading men’s international scorer with 143 goals from 225 games, while the rest of his domestic career total over his two-decade career have come in the club game for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

So, as he nears an extraordinary landmark, ESPN will track every goal on his journey toward 1,000 — one strike at a time — until he reaches the magic number.

Ronaldo’s goal tally:

  • Games played: 1,306

  • Goals: 962

  • Ratio: 0.74 per game

Goal No. 962 | Feb. 14: Al Fateh 0-2 Al Nassr

Ronaldo missed Al Nassr’s last two Saudi Pro League games due to a short-lived dispute over the club’s transfer policy. However, he didn’t take long to let the club know what they missed, taking just 18 minutes to open the scoring by diverting Sadio Mane’s low cross into the far corner of the goal.

Goal No. 961 | Jan. 30: Al Kholood 0-3 Al Nassr

Four wins in a row for Al Nassr and it’s another goal for Ronaldo — his 17th of the season — as he scored the opener in their 3-0 win over Al Kholood after combining well with João Félix with a tidy finish inside the box.

Goal No. 960 | Jan. 21: Damac FC 1-2 Al Nassr

40 goals to go! Ronaldo got his 960th career goal giving Al Nassr their second consecutive win of the season, with the Portuguese scoring the winning goal by drilling a shot into the bottom corner.

Goal No. 959 | Jan. 12: Al Hilal 3-1 Al Nassr

Ronaldo was on the scoresheet and opening the match up in this huge clash against Al Hilal. However, second place Al Nassr was unable to cut the cap as the league leaders scored three times in the second half to get all three points.

Goal No. 958 | Jan. 8: Al Nassr 1-2 Al Qadsiah

It’s a new year but it’s the same old Ronaldo as he scored his first goal of 2026, making it 24 straight calendar years with at least one goal, as he scored a penalty but was unable to help Al Nassr beat Al Qadsiah.

Goal No. 957 | Dec. 30: Al Ettifaq 2-2 Al Nassr

Ronaldo surely didn’t want to end the year without a goal, and he was able to do it — with the help of a deflection off compatriot João Félix — as Al Nassr ended 2025 by snatching a point.

Goal No. 956 | Dec. 27: Al Nassr 3-0 Al Okhdood

Another strike that was all about timing and positioning, Ronaldo guided home a low cross from the right at close range to double his side’s lead and help seal a 10th consecutive win for Al Nassr.

Goal No. 955 | Dec. 27: Al Nassr 3-0 Al Okhdood

You’d think a defender would know better than to let Ronaldo have a free run into the six-yard box at a corner, but that’s what he got to tap home a flick-on at the far post and open the scoring.

Goal No. 954 | Nov. 23: Al Nassr 4-1 Al Khaleej

As pretty as any of the 953 goals that came before it. The 40-year-old got on his bike to connect with a floated cross from the right flank and deliver an exquisite right-footed bicycle kick into the top corner.

It also just happened to be the last action of the game.

Goal No. 953 | Nov. 8: Neom SC 1-3 Al Nassr

A penalty in the 65th minute… but it was dispatched with calmness as CR7 did a little stutter-step, waited for the goalkeeper to dive to his right and then slotted it home down his left side.

That’s now a cool 100 goal involvements in the Saudi League in 85 matches.

Goals No. 951 & 952 | Nov. 1: Al Nassr 2-1 Al Fayha

Another game, another two goals for the Portugal legend.

Ronaldo was in fine form on Saturday as Al Nassr came back from a goal down to defeat Al Fayha at the King Fahd International Stadium.

After slipping behind early, the 40-year-old latched on to a through-ball from Kingsley Coman to restore parity for the hosts in the 37th minute. Ronaldo then kept his cool to slot home the winner from the penalty spot to ensure Al Nassr kept a flawless seven-in-seven record to start the Saudi Pro League season.

Goal No. 950 | Oct. 24: Al Hazem 0-2 Al Nassr

The 40-year-old was on the scoresheet as he, and compatriot João Félix, helped Al Nassr beat Al Hazem to continue their perfect start in the Saudi Pro League with six wins from their first six matches of the season.

Following a great ball from teammate Wesley, Ronaldo was able to score with ease inside the box with a great strike and now needs just 50 goals to reach a four-digit total.





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T20 World Cup Pakistan Take the Field First After Toss Victory Over India – SUCH TV

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February 15, 2026

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T20 World Cup Pakistan Take the Field First After Toss Victory Over India – SUCH TV



Pakistan have elected to field first against India in the 27th match of the Men’s T20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday. 

According to details surfaced on Sunday, the Green Shirts will look to continue the momentum, they got after thumping Netherlands and USA.

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed

India XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah



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Sanjay Manjrekar criticises India over handshake row

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4 hours ago

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February 15, 2026

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Sanjay Manjrekar criticises India over handshake row


Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar seen in a file photo. — AFP

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the defending champions over the recent “no-handshake” controversy involving Pakistan during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup, terming the gesture unnecessary and against the true spirit of the game.

The two Asian giants will face off in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash here on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium, with fans eagerly waiting to see whether the two captains shake hands.

Taking to the social media platform X, the former cricketer-turned-commentator expressed concern over what he termed an unbecoming trend that contradicts cricket’s long-standing traditions of sportsmanship.

“This ‘no shaking hands’ is such a silly thing that India has started. It’s unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don’t play at all,” he wrote.

The absence of the customary post-match handshake has continued in recent encounters between the arch-rivals. 

Players from both sides have avoided traditional interactions since their group-stage clash at the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai last year.

The issue first drew widespread attention during that fixture when Suryakumar Yadav did not greet Agha Salman at the toss. 

After India sealed victory, Suryakumar and teammate Shivam Dube walked back to the pavilion immediately after scoring the winning runs, further fuelling debate.

India and Pakistan faced each other twice more in the tournament — in the Super Four stage and the final — but handshakes were again notably absent on both occasions.

Moreover, after defeating Pakistan in the final, the Men in Blue refrained from receiving the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and President of the Asian Cricket Council.

The practice has not been limited to senior men’s cricket. 

Similar scenes were witnessed during their meeting at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, as well as in age-group and emerging competitions, including the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship and the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup.

In the recently concluded ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, India captain Ayush Mhatre and Pakistan skipper Farhan Yousaf also avoided shaking hands following their match, highlighting how the controversy has extended across different levels of international cricket.

The practice remained the same during the recently concluded match between Pakistan A and India A in the ACC Asia Cup Rising Stars Women’s 2026 on Sunday.





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