Messi to meet young Afghan famed for shirt made from plastic bag

KABUL (Reuters) - Barcelona star Lionel Messi will meet an Afghan boy who gained Internet fame after a touching series of photographs went viral, showing him playing in a shirt improvised from a plastic bag and bearing the name and playing number of his hero.

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Icho determined to learn from end of 13-year win streak

Ten-time world champion Kaori Icho said Monday she believes she can come back stronger after suffering her first loss on the mats in 13 years at the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. The 31-year-old Icho, a freestyle wrestling gold medal winner at the last three Olympics who is already assured a place […]

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JRFU lays out vision for future under new coach Joseph

Following the Japan Rugby Football Union’s recent announcement that Jamie Joseph would take over as head coach of the men’s national rugby union team, the governing body explained its selection process for Eddie Jones’ successor and the team’s plans for the future on Monday. JRFU managing director Noriyuki Sakamoto said at a news conference that […]

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Bangladeshi 'Tiger' desperate to earn Olympic stripes

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - While former world number one Adam Scott dismisses the value of an Olympic gold medal, Bangladeshi golfer Siddikur Rahman is unequivocal about its importance to the wider world ahead of the sport's return at the Rio Games later this year.

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Manning and Newton a contrast in styles on and off the field

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Peyton Manning-Cam Newton quarterback generation gap was on graphic display at San Jose airport as the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers arrived on Sunday to begin final preparations for Super Bowl 50.

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Japan Under-23 hero Asano beginning to blossom

Takuma Asano was named the Best Young Player of the 2015 J. League season. It may not be long before he becomes the best player in the league, period. To a hero’s welcome of 500 fans at Haneda international airport, Asano and his Japan teammates came home shortly before midnight Sunday from Doha, where Asano […]

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Terry to leave Chelsea at end of the season

Chelsea captain John Terry will leave the Premier League champions at the end of the season after the club he has served since the age of 14 told him it would not be renewing his contract. The 35-year-old central defender, the most successful captain in Chelsea’s history, was informed about the decision before last week’s […]

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