The Barbados Football Association (BFA) has officially named its National Senior Men’s Squad for the upcoming 2024/25 CONCACAF Nations League C campaign. The 23-man squad, alongside the management team, is set to travel to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands this Thursday as they prepare for their opening matches.
Head Coach Kent Hall has expressed optimism about the team's development, building on the groundwork laid during the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers and has chosen to blend experience with fresh talent as he looks to revitalize the squad following a challenging period.
Notably absent from the squad are Weymouth Wales’ Nadre Butcher and Elijah Downey, along with Tajio James and Akeem Hill. The squad will also be without the services of Thierry Gale, who is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in February. Hall emphasized the importance of fitness and readiness for the physical demands of international football as key factors behind the selection of the new-look squad.
In goal, Nicoli Brathwaite will take the lead, providing a solid foundation for the team’s defense. In defense, the likes of Andre Applewhaite, who will captain the side, along with Ackeel Applewhaite, Sheran Hoyte, and Shay Prescod, are expected to form a formidable backline. These players will be joined by Khimani Cox and Nathan Walters, offering further defensive strength.
Midfield duties will be handled by experienced players such as Hadan Holligan and Jireh Malcolm, who will work alongside younger talents like Nathan Sealy and Justin Griffith. Hall’s midfield selection highlights a blend of creativity, dynamism, and control, which will be essential in executing the team’s game plan.
In attack, the team will look to the pace and precision of players like Ricardio Morris and Ethan Taylor, both of whom have proven their goal-scoring capabilities. Khalil Vanderpool-Nurse and Mario Williams are expected to add further depth to the attacking options, ensuring Barbados can compete at the highest level in their matches against The Bahamas and the US Virgin Islands.
Former Dortmund defender Hummels joins Roma
Former Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has joined Roma on a free transfer, the Serie A giants have confirmed.
Hummels has been without a club since he was surprisingly released by Dortmund in June, having helped them reach the Champions League final last season.
He led all centre-backs in the competition for line-breaking passes, with 133, but was unable to lead them to victory against Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium, where they were beaten 2-0.
Hummels made a total of 508 appearances across two spells with Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles and finishing as a Champions League runner-up on two occasions.
The 2014 World Cup winner was linked with a move to Bologna last month after they sold Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal, only to fail to agree terms with the Rossoblu.
He has instead joined Danielle De Rossi's Roma, who were in need of defensive reinforcements after allowing Chris Smalling to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha.
Reports suggest he has penned a one-year deal with an option to extend his stay in the Italian capital by a further 12 months, with Roma announcing he will wear the number 15 shirt.
Hummels' debut could come at Genoa on September 15, with his first home outing potentially coming against Udinese one week later.
The Giallorossi failed to secure Champions League qualification last season and will play in the Europa League, with Athletic Bilbao their first opponents on September 26.
'Bunny' Shaw makes second Ballon d'Or shortlist
Jamaica and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has once again been included on the 30-player shortlist for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, which is considered the most prestigious individual award in world football.
Awarded by French magazine France Football, the winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony scheduled to take place at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28.
Though she didn’t match her 31 strikes from the 2022/23 campaign, Shaw enjoyed what could be described as her finest Barclay’s Women’s Super League (WSL) season to date last year, breaking individual, club, and league goal records.
The 27-year-old won the WSL Golden Boot with 21 goals in just 18 appearances and also became Manchester City’s record goalscorer when she netted against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in March 2024.
With an impressive turn of pace, remarkable aerial ability, and a clinical finish, Shaw was often the driving force behind City’s attack and was once again named in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) WSL Team of the Year for 2023/24.
To add to that list, the towering striker, who had her 2023/24 season cut short due to a broken foot, also claimed individual awards in the form of the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Women’s Footballer of the Year.
Shaw is one of three players from Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City nominated for the prestigious award, with Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp being the others.
The list also includes last year’s winner, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona.
Full Women’s Ballon d’Or shortlist
Barbra Banda - Shanghai RCB/Orlando Pride
Aitana Bonmati - Barcelona
Lucy Bronze - Barcelona/Chelsea
Mariona Caldentey - Barcelona/Arsenal
Tabitha Chawinga - PSG
Grace Geyoro - PSG
Manuela Giugliano – Roma
Patricia Guijarro - Barcelona
Caroline Graham Hansen - Barcelona
Guilia Gwinn - Bayern Munich
Yui Hasegawa – Manchester City
Ada Hegerberg - Lyon
Lauren Hemp – Manchester City
Lindsey Horan - Lyon
Lauren James - Chelsea
Marie-Antoinette Katoto - PSG
Alyssa Naeher - Chicago Red Stars
Sjoeke Nusken - Chelsea
Ewa Pajor - Wolfsburg/Barcelona
Salma Paralluelo - Barcelona
Gabi Portilho - Corinthians
Alex Putellas - Barcelona
Mayra Ramirez - Chelsea
Trinity Rodman - Washington Spirit
Lea Schuller - Bayern Munich
Khadija Shaw– Manchester City
Sophie Smith - Portland Thorns
Mallory Swanson - Chicago Red Stars
Tarciane - Houston Dash
Glodis Viggosdottir - Bayern Munich
Salah exit would hurt Liverpool a lot, says team-mate Diaz
Liverpool may struggle to recover when Mohamed Salah finally calls time on his stint on Merseyside, says fellow Reds attacker Luis Diaz.
Salah has entered the final year of his contract with Liverpool, for whom he has scored 214 goals in all competitions since arriving from Roma in 2017.
With Saudi Pro League clubs and Paris Saint-Germain having been linked with the Egyptian, he is yet to agree fresh terms with Liverpool, and his comments after Sunday's 3-0 win at Manchester United cast further doubt on his future.
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Salah said he was keen to enjoy 2024-25 in case it proves to be his "last year" at Anfield.
Salah said "nobody" at Liverpool has talked to him about a new contract and suggested his future will be dictated by the club.
Diaz, who scored twice from Salah assists at Old Trafford last time out, says Liverpool will suffer whenever the 32-year-old does seek pastures new.
"It would be hard for us," the Colombia winger told Telemundo. "It would be hard for Liverpool.
"It's going to hurt us a lot. He still has a year to think about it, it's not easy. He always gives his very best.
"He has done it from the start. It would be very hard to lose a key player like him. It's his decision and we respect that, but I hope he doesn't leave."
Salah joined Diaz on the scoresheet on Sunday, netting his 10th goal in nine appearances at Old Trafford in all competitions.
He is just the second player to score 10 or more goals at a single away venue for Premier League clubs since 1992-93, after Alan Shearer, who scored 10 at Elland Road.
Salah has now either scored (11) or assisted (six) 17 of Liverpool's last 23 Premier League goals against United, recording more goal involvements versus the Red Devils than any other player in the competition's history.
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