Real Madrid have confirmed that both Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo will miss their upcoming Clasico encounter against Barcelona through injury.
The LaLiga champions revealed that Courtois had sustained an injury to the adductor in his left leg during their 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
Madrid also said that Rodrygo, who was replaced by Aurelien Tchouameni in the 85th minute against Dortmund, will undergo an MRI scan later this week.
The Brazilian was seen holding the back of his leg shortly before playing a role in Lucas Vazquez's goal seven minutes from time.
Rodrygo has impressed for Carlo Ancelotti's side this term, notching five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) in 13 appearances in all competitions.
His 16 chances created is a total only bettered by Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior (both 21), though Madrid are not without their reserves at the top end of the pitch.
Real are already without Dani Carvajal and David Alaba for the visit of their fierce rivals, but have welcomed Brahim Diaz back into training after a month-long lay-off.
When Canadian professional golfer and celebrity entertainer Todd Keirstead stands out on course, it is not just for his remarkable skills but for the way he’s using his talents to give back.
Known for his extraordinary trick shots that leave spectators amazed, Keirstead, who has been playing golf for over 20 years, found a way to turn his passion for the game into a powerful tool for charitable fundraising, and his unique blend of showmanship and philanthropy was on full display in Jamaica recently.
Keirstead’s appearance at the Baxter Canadian Travel Advisors Golf Tournament at the Sandals Golf and Country Club was more than just for an exhibition of incredible talent, as his jaw-dropping trick shots were designed with a larger goal in mind –raising funds for the Sandals Foundation’s junior golf programme, an initiative aimed at fostering the next generation of golfers in Jamaica.
The programme helps provide access to golf for young players who might otherwise not have the opportunity to engage with the sport, offering training, equipment, and mentorship.
“Anything that involves giving back is near and dear to my heart and I love when kids are introduced to this sport. This sport has given me so much; it's allowed me to travel the world and if I can give back, plus put a smile on kids face and show them what can be done through golf,” Keirstead told SportsMax.Tv.
“I also have a national adaptive golf programme where I work with people with varying disabilities and injuries, showing them that they can play the game of golf again because a lot of them gave up the game because they don't think they can play. But if I can show them that, yes, maybe you can't play the way that you used to, but here's an adaptive way to play golf, which is such an incredible sport,” he added.
While his impressive abilities—which involve performing shots blindfolded and even hitting balls from various parts of people’s bodies—saw him once win Trick Shot of the Year, complemented by features on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, TSN, and TMZ, Keirstead’s focus extends far beyond simply entertaining the crowd.
For Keirstead, who survived skin cancer in 2023 when he endured seven surgeries in just four months, every shot he takes is a chance to bring attention to causes that matter, as he is driven by a mission to empower and educate.
“I’ve always believed that golf can be more than just a sport; it can be a vehicle for change. I was doing a demonstration back in 2014, and I realised a lot of the shots that I was doing for pure entertainment value were actually emulating the individuals I was with. So I was hitting golf balls blindfolded, and there were individuals that lost their sight. I was swinging golf balls with one arm, showing the correlation between golf and tennis, and there were arm amputees present,” Keirstead, who is also a part of Paragolf Canada, explained.
“I was hitting golf balls off my knees, and there were people present with double leg amputations. So it immediately turned the light bulb on to me that this wasn't so much entertaining anymore; it was more inspiring, showing these individuals who suffered horrific physical situations, here's an adaptive way to play. I've travelled around the world, working with wounded military people, people in car accidents, individuals that suffered drugs, and just giving back to them through the game of golf,” he shared.
According to Keirstead, the Sandals Foundation’s junior golf programme is a perfect fit for his mission, as it is focused on providing resources and support to budding young golfers who dream of making it big in the sport.
In fact, the cheerful personality believes that by combining his passion for golf with a deep commitment to giving back, he is demonstrating that charity doesn’t have to come in the form of a traditional donation—it can come in the form of time and a willingness to inspire others.
“I would love to work at different golf courses here in Jamaica, helping draw tourism here as well and give the whole island an experience. Being able to give back through what I love doing is a gift, and if I can use my platform to help young golfers get the opportunities they deserve, that’s what makes it all worthwhile,” he declared with a broad smile.
“It’s amazing to see how something as simple as a golf ball can create a ripple effect of change. When these kids are given the opportunity to play, to learn, and to grow in the sport, they’re also learning life skills—discipline, focus, resilience, and that’s what we’re really investing in,” Keirstead ended.
Michael Keane believes Everton have made themselves hard to beat and is looking forward to testing that theory against Fulham in the Premier League.
The Toffees started the season with a run of four consecutive losses, but have since turned things around, going unbeaten in their last four in the top-flight.
Their 2-0 victory over struggling Ipswich Town last weekend helped move them five points clear of the relegation zone in the early standings.
And Keane is delighted with the uptick in their form as they look to extend that run at Goodison Park on Saturday.
"We've become hard to play against," Keane told evertontv.
"Obviously, against Newcastle, it wasn't our best performance but we grinded it out by doing all the ugly things really well and [last week], I think we played a lot better than we did and we got a deserved win.
"To have four games unbeaten now, it gives you that momentum and that confidence going into the next games."
Meanwhile, Fulham have suffered back-to-back losses against Manchester City and Aston Villa in recent weeks, following a five-match unbeaten streak in the league.
Marco Silva is looking to get back to winning ways against his former club and has won his last two away games against Everton in the Premier League.
However, the Cottagers went down to 10 men against Villa, having given up their lead, and Silva was left bemused by the decision that will leave him without Joachim Andersen for the trip to Merseyside.
"[Villa was] not the best performance from us," Silva said.
"But we're all confused [about the red card], we all don't understand, even for you, for fans for staff, managers and players, we're all confused because when things happen, we try to understand why and respect."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Everton – Dwight McNeil
Dwight McNeil has been involved in six goals in his last six Premier League appearances (three goals, three assists) for Everton.
He is only the third Toffees player with three goals and three assists in the opening eight games of a season, after Francis Jeffers in 1999-00 and James Rodriguez in 2020-21.
Fulham – Raul Jimenez
Raul Jimenez has scored or assisted in each of his last five Premier League appearances for Fulham (four goals, one assist).
No Cottagers player has done so in six games in a row, while only three players have scored or assisted in six in a row aged 33 or older: Gus Poyet aged 34 in 2001, Dennis Bergkamp aged 35 in 2004, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic aged 35 in 2017.
MATCH PREDICTION: EVERTON WIN
Since losing their first four Premier League matches this season, Everton are unbeaten in four games (W2 D2). Only once have the Toffees gone five unbeaten under Sean Dyche, doing so in April and May this year.
And their record in October is impressive - Everton have kept six clean sheets in their last seven such Premier League games (W4 D2 L1), including both games this season. Since 2022-23, the Toffees have averaged 0.75 points per game in August and September (P20 W3 D6 L11) compared to 1.55 points per game in October (W5 D2 L4).
Since Dyche's first Premier League games in charge of Everton, only Arsenal (33) have scored more goals via set pieces (excl. pens) than the Toffees (27).
However, Everton were unbeaten in their first 27 home league games against Fulham between 1949 and 2018 (W23 D4), winning each of the last 22 of those. Since then, they have lost their last three at home to the Cottagers.
In fact, Fulham are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against the Toffees (W3 D2), keeping four clean sheets in the process. All three of those wins in that run have come at Goodison Park.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Everton – 40.9%
Draw – 26.7%
Fulham – 32.4%
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Hong Kong Open due to a foot injury as she races to be fit for the Billie Jean King Cup next month.
Raducanu has not played since retiring midway through her quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina in the Korea Open last month.
The Briton revealed she had sprained ligaments in her foot and has subsequently missed four tournaments, including the China and Wuhan Open.
Raducanu was targeting a return at next week's WTA 250 event in Hong Kong, but has pulled out of the event after confirming she would not be fit to feature.
"I'm sorry to say that I will not be able to play in Hong Kong next week. Whilst my foot is making good progress, I need a little more time before I am match fit," she wrote on X.
"I hope to be able to come back and play this tournament in the future! In the meantime, I am doing what I can to be ready for BJKC [Billie Jean King Cup]."
But the world number 55's latest withdrawal has raised concerns about her chances of competing for Great Britain at the Billie Jean Cup.
Raducanu is in Great Britain's squad of five players for the competition, joining Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls.
Anne Keothavong's side take on Germany on November 15 in Spain, though Raducanu faces an uphill battle to be fit.
Under pressure Wolves manager Gary O'Neil is confident his team will stay in the Premier League, despite picking up just one point from their opening eight matches.
Wolves were beaten 2-1 by second-placed Manchester City last weekend, having initially taken the lead, and were seconds away from a draw before a stoppage-time winner from John Stones.
It was the third time this season Wolves opened the scoring in a Premier League game but finished empty-handed.
"We're good enough to stay in the league, and we will stay in it," Gary O'Neil told BBC Sport.
"It isn't a lot to turn around."
Their defeat to Manchester City was Wolves' sixth on the bounce in all competitions, which left them bottom of the league and three points from safety, but O'Neil remained optimistic about their predicament.
"I'm absolutely fine. I bumped into quite a few people around the town as well and everyone is unbelievably supportive," he said.
"They understand the difficulties, and they know the full situation with the fixtures and the transfer funds."
Brighton, meanwhile, climbed to fifth in the table last weekend with a 1-0 victory away to Newcastle United, with Danny Welbeck scoring the winner in that match, netting his fifth league goal of the season.
However, the striker was later stretchered off the pitch at St. James' Park, giving Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler another issue to think about in a growing injury list.
Another player struggling for fitness is midfielder James Milner, who has not featured since starting the opening three matches of the season.
"[Milner] had a small setback," Hurzeler told Sussex Live. "It's not that positive as it was before the international break.
"We have to be patient. It's not a thing that will be solved in one or two weeks. It will take several weeks. We can't give a clear schedule when he will be back, but before the break, we were more positive. I can be honest about that."
Milner and Welbeck are alongside Solly March, Matt O'Riley, Adam Webster and Joao Pedro in the Brighton treatment room, while Yankuba Minteh remains a doubt for this weekend.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brighton - Georginio Rutter
Georginio Rutter will be one of Brighton's most senior attackers who is not injured or doubtful for this match.
The 22-year-old has scored two goals and supplied an assist in his last three appearances in the Premier League.
Wolves - Jorgen Strand Larsen
Jorgan Strand Larsen is tied with Matheus Cunha at the top of Wolves' scoring charts, having opened the scoring at home to Manchester City last time out.
He has been involved in four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances (three goals, one assist), although he has ended on the losing side in all four games he has scored or assisted.
MATCH PREDICTION: BRIGHTON WIN
Brighton have already beaten Wolves 3-2 at home this season, albeit with a much-rotated side in the EFL Cup third round.
Brighton are looking to win three successive Premier League games for the first time since September 2023, while the Seagulls are also looking to win two in a row without conceding in the competition for the first time since April-May 2023 – one of which was against Wolves.
And after winning just one of their first seven Premier League meetings with Wolves (D4 L2), Brighton have now won four of their last five against them (D1).
The pressure is on bottom-of-the-league Wolves coming into this fixture. They have picked up just one point in their last 11 Premier League games, losing more games (10) and conceding more goals (33) than any other side in that time.
Wolves have lost their last five Premier League matches, despite finding the net in each match. The last team to lose six top-flight games in a row while scoring in every game were Manchester City in November-December 1960.
And a trip to the Amex is not what O'Neil would have wanted, as Wolves have won just three of their 20 away league games against Brighton (D8 L9), with all three victories coming by a 1-0 scoreline (September 2004, January 2016 and December 2021).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Brighton - 57.1%
Draw - 22.1%
Wolves - 20.8%
Mehidy Hasan Miraz's 87 not out helped Bangladesh produce a stunning comeback on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
Bangladesh's revival was halted an hour before the scheduled end of the day due to bad light, but they now lead by 81 runs after conceding a 202-run lead in the first innings.
The Proteas looked set to earn an innings victory at a canter when Mahmudul Hasan Joy (40) and Mushfiqur Rahim (33) were removed by Kagiso Rabada in quick succession.
Litton Das (7) was caught behind off Keshav Maharaj (3-105) shortly afterwards as Bangladesh slipped to 112-6 heading into the 35th over.
But Mehidy and Jaker Ali (58) helped the hosts to within one of South Africa's lead at lunch before the second session was stopped for 78 minutes due to heavy rain in Mirpur.
Jaker struck his maiden Test half-century before the delay in play before falling to Maharaj, but Mehidy and Nayeem Hasan (16 not out) remained calm at the crease as Bangladesh ended the day 283-7.
Data Debrief: Mehidy masterclass
Bangladesh have lost five of their last seven men's Tests (W2), including losing each of the last two on the bounce, but Mehidy's knock has them in contention in Mirpur.
Mehidy's 87 saw him register his ninth Test half-century and his fourth this year, smashing nine fours and one six during his 194-minute spell at the crease on Wednesday.
Guyana put on a dominant display at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships over the weekend, securing 333 points to top the overall standings. The host nation fielded 25 athletes and took home 25 medals, including seven golds, edging out Barbados, who finished second with 327 points. El Salvador placed third with 165 points.
The highlight of the event for the host nation was Emmerson Campbell, the National Men’s Physique Champion, who earned a prestigious Pro Card after winning gold in the Men’s Physique up to 173cm category. Despite finishing second in the overall pose-off, Campbell’s physique was deemed superior, securing him the professional status he had been striving for over the years.
Remalton Siland also delivered an impressive performance, winning gold in the Men’s Physique Masters Open and earning two bronze medals in fitness and the seniors up to 170 cm category. Julio Sinclair added to Guyana’s success with a gold in the Men’s Bodybuilding over 90 kg.
Delrae Mclean claimed bronze in the Men’s Bodybuilding Masters 40-49 years class and silver in the seniors up to 75 kg. Overseas-based athlete Rawle Greene took silver and bronze in the men’s bodybuilding seniors up to 85 kg and the masters class.
Guyana’s medal haul continued with Anthony Bayley, who won gold in the Men’s Junior Physique, and Christina Ramsammy, who secured two silver medals in the Bikini Masters over 35 and Women’s over 35 Bodybuilding categories. Angelica Barroncas earned silver in the Wellness Masters over 35.
Additional medalists included Jamal Pollydore, Joel Caldeira, Orlanzo Valenzuela, Kadeem Bowen, and Christopher Anthony, rounding off a dominant performance by the host nation at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery insisted that there is no issue between him and Jhon Duran after the striker reacted angrily to being substituted against Bologna on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old was taken off almost immediately after scoring the second goal in their Champions League victory and was visibly angry, punching the back of a dugout seat.
Duran's 64th minute strike saw him become the first Aston Villa player since Gary Shaw in 1982-83 to score in successive games for the club in the competition.
The Colombian has notched four goals from his eight Premier League appearances this season, despite not starting in the top-flight so far under Emery, though the Spaniard has been impressed with his displays.
"I have no problem with his reaction. Every message we send in the dressing room is about respect and having our values," Emery told The Independent.
“Some young players can react a little bit but it is under my control... Always it is more difficult to start when the opponents are fresh."
“He played very well and he scored a good goal. It was fantastic the way he accelerated," he said.
“We will play both strikers sometimes and when they play individually as well as today – with Ollie Watkins – it is best for the team."
That result maintained Villa's 100% start in Europe, while they are also currently fourth in the Premier League and four points off top.
But the Villa manager did not want to get carried away despite what he and his team have achieved thus far.
“We are going to focus on each match and how we are in the moment,” he added.
“There are other contenders, bigger favourites than us but we are improving and we will see how we continue.”
Bournemouth, meanwhile, arrived in the Midlands on the back of their most impressive win of the season to date.
Their 2-0 victory over Arsenal was their third of the campaign, and came at a time when they had lost three in their last four games in the Premier League.
Bournemouth's opening goal in that victory came from an ingenious set-piece routine, with Ryan Christie firing in a wonderful finish.
It is something that Villa will have to be wary of ahead of this Saturday's game, with manager Andoni Iraola confirming they had worked on it in the week.
"The advantage they have at set plays is they are taller than us so we had to find another way to make a difference," he told BBC Sport.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aston Villa - Youri Tielemans
Tielemans has created 17 chances for Aston Villa so far this term, which is more than any of his team-mates.
He is currently creating an average of 2.1 chances per 90 minutes - his best ratio in the Premier League - while also supplying three assists.
Bournemouth - Antoine Semenyo
Semenyo has been Bournemouth's leading attacking threat this season, with three goals and one assist in the Premier League.
The Ghana international has had a league-high 37 shots, which is at least two more than any other player.
MATCH PREDICTION: ASTON VILLA WIN
Aston Villa have carried on their impressive form from last season into this. They have picked up 17 points in their eight Premier League games this season, which is just the third time they’ve had that many points at this stage.
And having lost their first two Premier League home games against Bournemouth in 2016 and 2019, the Villans have won the last two by an aggregate score of 6-1.
But Emery's men have also showcased their powers of recovery this term. Only Manchester City (13) have won more points from losing positions in the Premier League this season than Villa (10), who have won three games despite conceding first so far this campaign.
Bournemouth, however, have won 50% of their eight Premier League games against Aston Villa (W4 D1 L3) – of those they’ve faced as many times, against no side do they have a higher win rate in the competition.
But the Cherries have struggled away from the Vitality Stadium. They have lost six of their last nine away Premier League matches (W2 D1), losing their last two without scoring since their late 3-2 comeback victory against Everton at the end of August.
No team has scored more goals from the 70th minute onwards of games in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (six). The average minute of their goals has been the 63rd minute, the latest average by a team in a single Premier League campaign.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Aston Villa - 48.8%
Draw - 23.9%
Bournemouth - 27.3%
The Rough Fight League (RFL) Ocho is set to take place this Saturday, October 26, at Funland in Hope Gardens, Kingston, promising an action-packed night of mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing. The event, which starts at 8 pm, will feature eight thrilling bouts, including two high-profile main events that fans won’t want to miss.
Headlining the card, Shiaeinie ‘Da Great’ Blake, a dominant figure in Caribbean MMA, will make his professional debut against Daron ‘Avatar’ Weir. Blake, who has held the number one spot across three weight classes in the Caribbean, will be tested by Weir, an accomplished boxer now stepping into the professional MMA scene. “We expect fireworks from that,” said event organizer Kyle Chin. Weir’s transition to MMA promises an explosive bout, as both fighters bring top-tier experience in their respective disciplines.
In another main event, Theron ‘The Iron Prince’ Rose Green will take on Jaheem ‘Imru Makonnen’ Morrison in an amateur welterweight championship fight. Rose Green, an emerging MMA star who has already made waves with wins in Trinidad and Jamaica, will face Morrison, a skilled kickboxer building a strong reputation in the sport. “It’s a classic wrestler versus striker match-up,” Chin explained, noting Rose Green’s well-rounded skill set, honed through international competition in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, beach wrestling, and MMA.
'Tank' Thompson
Adding to the excitement is Tyrece ‘Tank’ Thompson, the 2024 Pan American Super Heavyweight International Mixed Martial Arts Champion, who will be competing against Samuel Campbell. Thompson, fresh off his Pan Am gold, will look to continue his dominance in the super heavyweight division.
The event will also see the pro debut of Demar ‘Force’ Haslam, RFL’s 145-pound amateur champion, who will face Nakia Anderson in what promises to be another intense match. “It’s going to be an exciting night,” Chin said, emphasizing that the card will feature a mix of MMA and kickboxing fights, showcasing the depth of talent in the region.
This is the first major RFL event of the year, following the pandemic-induced hiatus. “We did have a level of consistency with seven events, but we are trying to return to that now,” Chin said, adding that the sport continues to grow in Jamaica. “Jamaica has always been known as a strong striking country. We have good boxing, karate, kickboxing, and now we are seeing an evolution in our game.”
With a new venue, a stacked fight card, and the return of some of Jamaica’s top combat athletes, Rough Fight League Ocho is set to be an unforgettable night for MMA and kickboxing fans.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at Jacana New Kingston, Jangas Soundbar, The Life Store and Jacana Manor Park.
Nuri Sahin cited his substitutions as a "mistake" in Borussia Dortmund's 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens had given the Bundesliga side a two-goal advantage heading into half-time, but they were unable to hold on to their lead.
Madrid came out firing after the interval, with a hat-trick from Vinicius Junior along with goals from Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez sealing the triumph.
But Sahin's decision to replace both Malen and Gittens for defender Waldemar Anton and holding midfielder Pascal Gross proved to be Dortmund's undoing.
Five minutes after Gittens' substitution, Madrid halved the deficit through Rudiger, and were level 105 seconds later when Vinicius struck beyond Gregor Kobel.
"It's not easy to explain, of course. We, who I thought played well with the ball, really had a lot of solutions," Sahin said.
"The boys did well, scored two goals and then went into half-time and we knew it would be very long. The second half very, very long.
"We noticed in the second half that we were being pushed back, we had defensive problems and I thought we should go to the three-man defence, and that didn't work out for us.
"It's my mistake and I have to live with it. There will be criticism, but that's something I have to face.
"We defended very, very badly. But also we have to factor the individual class of Real, a complete team."
However, Sahin insisted his side can take positives from the way they played in the first 45 minutes at the Bernabeu.
Dortmund registered six shots, with five of those on target, entering the interval with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.49 compared to Los Blancos' 1.14.
The visitors also boasted 52% possession, while also playing 158 passes in the opposition half to Madrid's 133 in the first half.
"It's an extremely bitter loss today, it hurts because we go out with the feeling that it was possible to go out with a better result," Sahin said.
"But tomorrow we also have to take the positives from this game with us.
"If we can play football like this against Real Madrid, then we have to do it against everyone and that has to be our benchmark. We're doing well up front."
Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown says it was "like a lid on the basket" as the team failed to break the record for the most 3-pointers in a single game despite having numerous attempts to do so.
The defending champions got off to a perfect start in their NBA opener, beating the new-look New York Knicks 132-109 on Tuesday.
Al Horford had tied the record in the fourth quarter, making Boston's 29th 3-pointer of the game (level with Milwaukee Bucks), but with nine minutes left to play, Boston failed to make their next 13 consecutive attempts.
Otherwise, it was the Celtics' day, as Jayson Tatum started their celebrations with 37 points and 10 assists, while Derrick White scored 24.
Brown added 23 himself but was left in disbelief that they had been unable to break the record after the start they had.
"It was almost like we got jinxed or something," Brown said. "It was like when we were just playing, having fun, playing our style of basketball, everything was going in.
"And then once the crowd got into it, and we started hunting them [3-pointers], we couldn't even hit the broadside of the barn. Everything was off. We got a bunch of great looks, and it was like a lid on the basket.
"So that just shows, like, we're not a team that's hunting 3s. We play the game, and we do what we're supposed to do, but I think towards the end it was tough because we wasn't playing the way we had normally played. But we still had a bunch of great looks."
The Knicks were tipped to be the Celtics' toughest opponents in the Eastern Conference this year but struggled to cause their opponents any real issues.
Jalen Brunson scored 22 points for New York, and new addition Karl-Anthony Towns had just 12 points and seven rebounds.
Despite the disappointing opener, coach Tom Thibodeau is already looking to how they can improve for their next game.
"It's Game 1," Thibodeau said. "We didn't have that much time yet. But it's early, and you got to learn from it.
"So, our thing is to get better from this and watch film, and I think it was a great test for a team like this, who are already up there.
"It's a good test, and we'll learn from that and try to build on what we got to do with our habits and everything."
The Celtics are next in action against the Washington Wizards on Thursday, while the Knicks will take on the Indiana Pacers a day later.
Charles Leclerc insisted that Ferrari are "still targeting the title" after the Italian-based team claimed a dominant one-two at the United States Grand Prix.
Leclerc, who claimed an eighth win of his career last weekend, is now just 22 points behind McLaren's Lando Norris in the drivers’ standings after sealing a fifth podium in the last six races.
And with team-mate Carlos Sainz finishing just behind him, it has given Ferrari a significant boost in the constructors' battle, with their new total of 496 meaning that they trail second-placed Red Bull by only eight points, while McLaren remain in the lead on 544.
"Yeah, very, very happy," Leclerc answered. "Now we are still targeting the title – it's a long way to go, but it's a good start to this triple header."
Sainz echoed his team-mate's confidence heading into the final five races of the season, with the pair enduring a difficult campaign last year that saw them finish fifth and seventh respectively in the drivers' championship.
Both Leclerc and Sainz have already surpassed their season totals from the 2023 campaign, and the Spaniard is looking forward to his final five races with the Scuderia before he joins Williams next year.
"Last year, we spent all of the races defending, losing position," Sainz explained.
"This year, it looks we can just go on attack mode, don't think too much about tyres and just push and overtake which is fun, and enjoy it a lot, and I just hope it stays like that until the end of the year."
However, team principal Fred Vasseur was more measured in his approach to challenging for both titles, saying Ferrari are focused on "pure performance" going forward rather than on their position in the constructors' standings.
"We're not thinking about the championship, and I want to keep the team in this mood because I think it’s important to be focussed on pure performance, session after session, and not to have somewhere in your mind the championship," Vasseur said.
"One week or two weeks ago, everybody was speaking about McLaren. Before this, it was Mercedes and before this, it was Red Bull. We have to take it with a bit of distance. We never spoke about something like this because we know it’s still a long way.
"If something can arrive at the end, it will be more by the performance day per day than by the approach of the overall championship. We know perfectly that next week will be a completely different challenge.
"We will start from scratch, and you can have a completely different result in Mexico in one week time."
DRIVERS TO WATCH
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
Having put on an impressive performance in Austin last time out, Leclerc will be keen to make inroads to Norris and beyond in the drivers' championship.
Leclerc took the eighth of his Formula 1 wins at the last United States Grand Prix. If he takes another victory in the remaining five races, it will be his best year in terms of race triumphs in the competition (that would be four, surpassing the three in 2022).
He has also won two of the last four races in Formula 1 (Italy and the United States), as many wins for the Monegasque in the competition as in the previous 55 (Monaco 2024 and Austria 2022).
And Leclerc will be confident of adding to that tally, having enjoyed recent trips to Mexico. He is the only driver on the current grid to achieve at least two pole positions at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez (2019 and 2023).
Should he do so again, he will become the third driver to achieve three in Mexico City after Ayrton Senna (three) and Jim Clark (four), and the first to repeat pole position around the circuit since the Brazilian legend did so in 1988 and 1989.
Ferrari enter the weekend with confidence. They achieved their second one-two of the season last time out (also in Australia). If they can do that again, it will be the first time since Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen in 2008 that the Italian team have managed three in a single year.
Max Verstappen – Red Bull
However, after winning the sprint race and finishing ahead of championship rival Norris, Max Verstappen will be looking to increase his advantage in the drivers' standings to try and wrap up his fourth consecutive title as soon as possible.
But the Dutchman has now gone eight races without a pole position and nine without a triumph - his worst respective streaks since the penultimate round in 2020, when he went 17 qualifying rounds without a win and 11 consecutive races without a victory.
Verstappen, though, will be confident of halting that streak around a track he has enjoyed in recent years. The Red Bull driver (five) is only behind Lewis Hamilton (six) for podium finishes around the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, though the three-time world champion has scored more points (147) than the Briton (137).
The Dutchman has won all three races corresponding to Mexico City since the naming change back in 2021. Only in Abu Dhabi (four) has he won more in a row in his Formula 1 career.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 354
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 297
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 275
4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 247
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 215
Constructors
1. McLaren – 544
2. Red Bull – 504
3. Ferrari – 496
4. Mercedes – 344
5. Aston Martin – 86
Thiago Motta shouldered the blame for Juventus' first defeat of his tenure after they lost 1-0 to Stuttgart in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Motta, who took charge of Juventus in June, had won six of his first 10 games in charge, but watched on as his side were outplayed by the Bundesliga outfit on home soil.
The contest was decided by El Bilal Toure, who notched the winning goal in second-half stoppage time, though the outcome should have been sealed much sooner.
Ermedin Demirovic struck the post while Enzo Millot saw his penalty saved by Mattia Perin, who was comfortably Juventus' standout player at the Allianz Stadium.
Perin made nine saves, with no Juventus goalkeeper making more in a single Champions League match on record, equalling Christian Abbiati's nine stops against Bayern Munich back in 2005.
Motta lamented his side's attacking display, not helped by the absences of Nico Gonzalez, Teun Koopmeiners, Gleison Bremer, Arek Milik and Douglas Luiz through injury.
"I agree we need to do more in attack to compete with a team like Stuttgart, but in order to play well we need to be much better in defending than tonight," Motta said.
"We struggled to build anything and were not in a condition to do well. A team has to defend well so it can recover the ball and then use it well.
"We suffered out of possession, while the most we managed in attack was a few counters. I take responsibility for that, we must improve for the next games."
Juventus had just one shot on target against Stuttgart, their fewest in a Champions League game since a 1-0 win against Chelsea in September 2021 (also one).
When questioned about Juventus' physical condition, Motta denied there was any difference in the pace of Serie A compared to the other top five leagues in Europe.
"I don't think we go slow in Italy. Certainly today in this match, we struggled with their rhythm and their game," Motta said.
"There are many things to analyse about Italian and international football ... teams that want to have the ball, high rhythm and low rhythm. This is the level."
Juventus now turn their attentions to league action, hoping to return to winning ways at the home of champions Inter, who are a point ahead of them in the table.
LeBron James said that it was "always family over everything" after making NBA history alongside son Bronny during the Los Angeles Lakers' season opener.
LeBron and Bronny checked into the game together with four minutes left in the second quarter, becoming the first father-son duo to share the court in an NBA game.
The pair spent over two and a half minutes on the court together and in those minutes, Bronny was credited with one offensive rebound on a put-back attempt and finished 0-for-2 from the field.
Bronny also missed an open three-pointer, but left the court to a standing ovation. However, he did not feature again in the Lakers' 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
LeBron, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, notched 16 points along with five rebounds and four assists, but was left emotional when asked to describe the historic moment.
"It's always been family over everything," LeBron said.
"For me, I lost a lot of time because of this league, committing to this league, being on the road on times, missing a lot of [Bronny's] things, Bryce's things, Zhuri's things.
"So, to be able to have this moment where I'm working still, and I can work alongside my son – it's one of the greatest gifts I've ever got from the man above.
"I'm going to take full advantage of it."
The Lakers have declined to speculate on how long Bronny will stay on their NBA roster, but Bronny expressed his gratitude at being able to share the court with his father.
"I'm just extremely grateful for everything. I was given an amazing opportunity to come in this league and get better every day and learn every day," Bronny said.
"Going up to the scorer's table with my dad and checking in for the first time, that's a crazy moment I will never forget."
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