Naraka: Bladepoint is set to heat up the 2025 Esports World Cup Festival in Riyadh. The game's Mid-Season Cup will run on August 22 and 23, with solo and trio fights. Though it’s not part of the main World Cup, the tourney is a big move for the game and its fans.

The solo match will have a prize of $150,000, while the trio match will have a prize of $350,000. This is part of Naraka’s plan to grow its spot in the world of top esports games. Since its launch in 2021, Naraka has held the J Cup, which gives out more than $1.5 million each year.

Producer Ray Kuan said this is a big step, ‘By leveraging the global influence of EWC’s Festival, we continue to prove our commitment to delivering a premier competitive experience for players everywhere.�?nbsp;

The event is set in Boulevard City, where the Esports World Cup Festival blends top games with a grand show of skill and style. With big prize pools and strong play, it's clear the game aims to stay on the map. Find out who’ll rise and claim the crown in this mid-year brawl.

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Gary Lineker will leave the BBC following intense criticism over a recent Instagram post. He will officially exit on Monday.

The issue started when Lineker shared a video that called Israel supporters rats. This image has a long history of hate tied to anti-Semitism. He removed the post and apologised, saying he regrets the error and accepts full responsibility. The BBC and Lineker agreed to end his contract to avoid further issues.

Lineker has hosted Match of the Day since 1999 and plans to leave after the 2024/25 season. He won’t cover the FA Cup or the 2026 World Cup as planned.

This is not the first time Lineker has faced problems over his social media. In 2024, the BBC briefly suspended him after he criticised the UK government’s asylum policies.

Lineker’s early exit marks the end of a long and well-known career in British sports TV.

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USA crushed Canada by 169 runs in Lauderhill, marking their biggest win in ODI history during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. They post a record score of 361/3, then bowl out Canada for just 192. This win keeps the USA second on the table with 24 points from 17 games, just behind the Netherlands.

The strong form continues for the USA, which has now won four out of five matches in this series. Earlier, they also defended a low total of 122 against Oman, the lowest-ever defended score in men’s ODIs.

Openers Smit Patel and captain Monank Patel led the charge after the early fall of Andries Gous. Milind Kumar then joined Smit Patel for a 208-run stand. Smit Patel made 152, and Milind added 115, both not out.

Canada never looked in control, chasing 362. USA’s bowlers, led by Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Noshtush Kenjige, and Harmeet Singh, wrapped up the match with ease.

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The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is ready for action again with its Season 12 player auction set for May 31 and June 1 in Mumbai. This comes after the Haryana Steelers took home their first-ever PKL title in December 2024, beating Patna Pirates in a thrilling final. 

Ahead of the auction, the league revealed 83 retained players. These include 25 Elite Retained Players (ERP), 23 Retained Young Players (RYP), and 35 New Young Players (NYP). Big names like Sunil Kumar, Jaideep Dahiya, and Mohit Goyat are among those staying with their teams.

Over 500 players will be up for grabs during the auction. Fans can expect to see top stars like Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, and Ashu Malik. Even PKL 11’s top raider Devank Dalal, with veterans Maninder Singh and Pardeep Narwal, are set to go under the hammer.

The auction allows all teams to build a strong lineup for the new season. Since 2014, eight teams have won the title, showing how fierce the competition has become.

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The May 18th match secured Arsenal’s Champions League position after defeating Newcastle 1-0. The Player of the Match, Declan Rice, took the shot and gave the winning score to his team. The victory was celebrated by fans at the Emirates Stadium, who knew how important the result was for the season.

David Raya and Declan Rice were considered heroes of the game. During the first half, Arsenal’s David Raya maintained a tight defence and denied the visitors scoring opportunities. 

Raya made a series of impressive saves, stopping shots from Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento, and Harvey Barnes, before making a brilliant double save from Dan Burn and Sven Botman after a corner.

Rice scored a goal early in the second half with a smooth, first-touch shot into the bottom corner, after getting a pass from Martin Odegaard near the edge of the penalty area. This score was the winning goal, giving Arsenal the victory. 

This match gave Arsenal five points ahead of Newcastle. With this victory, they are tied to the current Champions League second-placer, Barcelona, with both securing 19 points. 

Without Alexander Isak, Newcastle found it hard to make good chances and challenge Arsenal’s defence, leading to their almost inevitable defeat. 

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The Ballon d’Or is football’s highest individual prize. Since 1956, it has been handed to the sport’s brightest stars for their skills, wins, and impact on the pitch. Yet, as the years pass, it feels like this award was made only for goal scorers. 

If saving games isn’t enough for keepers to win the Ballon d'Or, what is? It’s time for goalkeepers to get the honour they’ve long earned.

The Ballon d’Or

The Ballon d’Or, a French term for ‘Golden Ball�? is an esteemed award that the France Football magazine hosts every year. It’s given to the best-performing footballer over the last season. 

The winner is chosen through votes from a panel of specialised journalists. The jurors weigh the footballer’s playing form, team performance, trophies, and fair play. But in truth, the award leans hard on goals and assists, often leaving defenders and goalkeepers behind.

Goalkeepers and their role on the field

Keepers are called the ‘last line of defence�?for a reason. They hold the backline, make split-second saves, and often start counter-attacks to help stop the opposing team from scoring.

Modern goalkeepers like Thibaut Courtois and Gianluigi Donnarumma show how the role demands speed, strength, and smarts. Yet, despite all this, they get less praise and almost no rewards. 

Goalkeeper analyst Bill Reno has the answer. He mentioned that a keeper’s position is ‘antithetical�?to the sport, where everyone is trying to score a goal and they stop it. This makes it harder for fans to appreciate the role, and somehow, keepers receiving no Ballon d’Or awards made sense.

Keepers and the Golden Ball: Will they ever meet again?

For over 69 years of Ballon d’Or, only one keeper has ever won the award: Lev Yashin, in 1963. Dubbed ‘The Black Spider�? he was deemed as a wall in goal, but even his win remains a rare case. 

Take the 2014-15 season. It was a time when top-tier players graced the Ballon d’Or. Keeper Manuel Neuer had just lifted the World Cup and led Bayern Munich to the Champions League. Yet, Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball, thanks to his goals and Barcelona’s success.

Critics called it unfair. Headlines argued that Neuer deserved the Golden Ball that year. In a nutshell, the system is flawed, as the jurors tend to favour strikers and goals. Media hype outweighs the stats and clean sheets from players on the backline, and only a few appreciate the goalkeeping craft.

What can be done? France Football might tweak their system a bit to help shine the spotlight on other deserving players by:

• Weighing each position’s impact and not just depending on goals.
• Introducing a keeper-focused specific prize or adjusting voting panels if the Ballon d’Or can’t change
• Highlighting saves, clean sheets, and clutch moments from keepers in matches

Time to rethink the gold standard

The Ballon d’Or is meant to honour the best footballer of the season. For keepers, the bar remains out of reach for a lack of fair recognition. As the game evolves, so should its awards. It’s high time to crown the hidden powerhouse of football clubs.

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Riot Games, best known for League of Legends (LoL), is not slowing down. After the success of Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, and other spin-offs, the company now has several new titles in the works. These upcoming games are expected to span many genres, showing Riot’s push to stay at the top of gaming. Here’s a look at what Riot is building now.

2KXO: Riot’s first console fighter

Riot’s most complete project is 2KXO, a free-to-play fighting game set in the LoL world. You choose two champions and switch between them in battle. Names like Darius, Ahri, and Ekko are already confirmed. The game will be Riot’s first on console, launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. A set date hasn’t been given, but Riot has said it will come out sometime in 2025.

LoL Esports Manager: A mobile sim with no global plan yet

LoL Esports Manager was teased back in 2019. It’s a sim game where you run a LoL esports team. The game uses gacha-style systems and is made for mobile. It went into open beta in China in 2022. However, Riot has been quiet since then. There’s no update on when or if it will launch outside of China.

Project F: A ghost of the past?

Project F was teased in 2019 with a short clip, which looked like a top-down action RPG, close to games like Diablo or Torchlight. Since then, nothing has happened, the director left Riot, and there have been no updates. Riot hasn’t cancelled it, but no news likely means it’s stuck or nearly dropped.

Valorant mobile: Almost here, but not for everyone yet

Valorant Mobile was confirmed in early 2025, after leaks in 2022 and 2024 test clips. Riot has said it will first launch in China but didn’t say when it will reach the West. North American fans will need to be patient.

Riftbound: A LoL card game for 2025

Riftbound is Riot’s new card game, first shown in late 2024. It brings champions like Jinx, Yasuo, and Lux to a standard TCG format. You can play 1v1, 2v2, or even 4-player battles. Some card art has been changed after fan feedback. The first set, Origins, drops in China in the Summer of 2025. English regions follow later in the year.

Can Riot strike again?

Riot once ruled esports. LoL, Valorant, and TFT changed how we view online play. But not every new title has hit the mark. Wild Rift failed to lead mobile MOBAs. Legends of Runeterra lost to older card games. Now, Riot must prove it can lead again. With fighting games, shooters, and card games on the rise, Riot has one more chance to shape the scene again.

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Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket. He shared the news on Instagram days after Rohit Sharma stepped down from playing the same format. With both players out, India faces a tough tour of England without their top two players.

Kohli shared ‘As I step away from this format, it's not easy—but it feels right.�?Famous names from their other respective sports such as Novak Djokovic and Harry Kane praised Kohli, showing how far his fame reaches beyond cricket.

Kohli’s journey started when he led India to win the Under-19 World Cup in 2008. Soon after, he joined the senior team and made his Test debut in 2011. He became known for his strong attitude, bold style, and passion.

He led India in 68 Test matches and won 40 of them. He scored 9,230 runs in Tests, ranking fourth among Indian batters in history. As Kohli retires from Test cricket, fans hope to see him continue to shine in other formats.

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The striker position is integral to any team’s success as the players in that role are typically the pivotal pieces that determine the match’s result. Since it is a big-time role, you must distinguish between the best and mediocre strikers.

Any top-tier striker is a game-changer, but some have separated themselves from the rest. However, you must learn first how to determine an elite striker before looking into the top names.

What makes a good striker?

In football, only a few types of players can affect a game as much as a good striker. Here are the traits that make them what they are:

• Clinical finishing - The biggest role a striker has to play is to score the goals. Passes will be made to the striker, and it is up to them how to finish the opportunity. They must do their best to score goals in the most efficient way possible, which means they must finish most of the chances they are given.
• Ball control - Strikers are meant to score goals, but they should also be superb when the ball is on their feet. They must be able to stand out when defenders are hounding them, so being creative with their dribbling should lead to good results. 
• Link-up play - A striker’s job is not only to score goals, but they can also help the team out by providing options to pass to. With link-up play, strikers can hold their defenders in uncomfortable spots, while the other players make the moves to the right places. 
• Positioning and awareness - A big part of playing as a striker is the positioning they must consider when playing. They have to avoid being called for offside, while the defenders are bothered enough to make mistakes and let him score goals. As long as the striker is aware of what he must do, he can make a difference.

Who are the best strikers in world football?

Now that you know the qualities of a good striker, you should look into which players can be considered the best out of the crop of strikers in football. Here they are: 

Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)

Erling Haaland is one of the most feared strikers in the world. Known for his exceptional mental toughness, Haaland has the resilience to go up against elite defenders and dominate them with his towering frame and power. He outmatches his defenders physically, as he can bully his opponents in one-on-one duels.

His left foot is one of his best weapons as he scores countless goals with powerful shots. Even when he is playing awkward angles, he combines power and accuracy to constantly find the back of the net. His positioning is also elite, as he is relentless with his movement. That has made him an elite number nine that people will see as the pinnacle of the position.

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid and France)

If you want to see a fast striker, Kylian Mbappé is your guy. He is arguably the fastest player in the world, which makes him a threat to any defender. The combination of his blistering pace with supreme control is unmatched since no defender can keep him under wraps.

Mbappé is more than just a speedy player, as he is also one of the smartest on the pitch. He can read the game, which leads him to exploit his defenders�?lack of pace and awareness with his movement and deft touch when he gets the ball.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United and Sweden)

Intelligent strikers are hard to come by, but Alexander Isak might be the best example of a striker with an elite football IQ. He has tremendous physical attributes, including his height and deceptive strength. However, his football IQ stands out as he loves manipulating the defence with subtle movements and good positioning.

Whenever Isak is in front of the goal, he has solid composure. He is always dangerous when he has a chance to score due to being extremely clinical. His ability to be calm under pressure makes him one of the scariest players, as he can create a goal out of nothing. He can also drift to either side of the box, which confuses defenders when he takes them on.

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)

Harry Kane is remarkable with his playmaking and goal-scoring, making him one of the most well-rounded strikers. He is a natural finisher with either foot and a strong presence in the air with his headers. Kane is always reliable since he constantly delivers when he is given the ball. 

He is capable of excelling in any situation as he has the power, IQ, and finishing you would expect from an elite striker. Kane is also quite reliable in clutch moments as he finds ways to get shots off and bends them into the net.

Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP and Sweden)

Viktor Gyökeres has flown under the radar compared to the other names on this list, but he has made a serious impact at Sporting CP. He is a relentless striker who is constantly pushing his defenders to their limits. The movement and physicality disrupt his matchups, which opens him up for a chance to score. 

He has a powerful shot, which makes him a constant goal threat anywhere he plays. Forcing defenders to always stay alert makes them anxious every time he has the ball because he can shoot or make a pinpoint pass.

These strikers are good examples of the pinnacle of this position. They are important to any team, as they could become the game-changers when they’re on the pitch. Football has 11 positions, but no one can deny that strikers are essential, especially since they score goals.

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The PUBG Global Series 7 (PGS 7) 2025 ended, and 17 Gaming came out on top. After many exciting matches, they proved they were the best with great teamwork, smart moves, and sharp aim. 

However, their win wasn’t just about where they went or how they moved—it was also about the weapons they used. Check out their arsenal today and discover how each of their weapon choices helped secure this win. 

Yang �?7owo�?Yuxuan

During Finals Day 3, 77owo was one of the fighters who liked to take down his enemies up close and personal. He switched between his assault rifle and marksman rifle to engage enemies of varying distances. 

Here are his weapons: 

Beryl M762

The Beryl M762 is an AK-pattern assault rifle that can be found in multiple PUBG maps. It shoots the commonly found 7.62mm rounds, and has a fairly low damage offset by its fire rate. This weapon is best at close to medium ranges. 

Ace 32

The Ace 32 is a 7.62mm rifle and is considered a better rifle than the Beryl. Its lower recoil makes it more controllable and easier to use for continuous suppressive fire. However, it is 1 point lower in damage compared to Beryl. 

Mini 14

The Mini 14 is a marksman rifle with a decent fire rate without too much accuracy falloff. It shoots further than the two rifles above, making it a good choice for long to medium-range engagements. It shoots 5.56mm rounds, a fairly common world drop. 

Tu ‘Xbei�?Zhanya

In the Finals match, Xbei chose four weapons that helped him take down enemies from closer and longer distances. His arsenal is among the widest, switching between two sets of marksman and assault rifles. 

Have a look at his chosen guns:

Mini 14

Similar to 77owo, Xbei also picked up this rifle since it is one of the easiest found world drop marksman rifles. However, he switched to a much harder-hitting MR in the game's final stages. 

SLR

The SLR is a 7.62mm rifle and is considered the 2nd best MR in the game. Its muzzle velocity and damage are almost similar to sniper rifles. However, the recoil can be uncontrollable without the proper attachments.

AKM

The AKM is another 7.62mm assault rifle that offers minimal customisability. However, what it lacks in attachments is equalled by its incredibly high damage and decent fire rate. Because of this, most pro players choose this rifle for close quarters. 

Beryl M762

Xbei also held the Beryl in the late stages of the game. Since this rifle is more controllable than the AKM, it is normal to switch to it now that the match is getting more intense. He also used his weapon to finish off DNF_DIEL to win the tournament. 

Wu ‘xwudd�?Bo

Xwudd had an interesting loadout in the earlier stages of the match. After they landed, he had a specialised role: it was to take down incoming vehicles. 

Take a peek at his weapons during the game: 

Beryl M762

xwudd is the last member in the group who favoured the Beryl in the Finals match. He found this weapon early in the game, but replaced it with something better and more controllable.

Panzerfaust

The Panzerfaust is a single-shot, anti-vehicle weapon that shoots a highly explosive rocket. Once shot, you cannot use it again and need to find another one. A few minutes into landing, xwudd equipped himself with one since there are tons of enemies in vehicles that need to be taken care of. 

AUG

The AUG is an assault rifle that shoots 5.56mm rounds. Due to its low recoil and decent damage, it is a favourite among competitive players. It also accepts almost all AR attachments, except the stock. 

SLR

xwudd’s choice of long-range weapon is the SLR. Because it shoots 7.62mm rounds, the high damage helped him engage and kill enemies from hundreds of metres away. He used this weapon until the game ended. 

Luo ‘LilGhost�?Shengjun

LilGhost took the initiative to be a support role by picking up a machine gun that could be used for suppressive fire. However, as the game gets deeper, he drops it and opts for a much lighter assault rifle, which increases its capacity using attachments. 

M249

The M249 is a light machine gun that shoots 5.56mm rounds. It also has one of the highest ammo capacities in the game, making it the ultimate suppressive fire weapon. LilGhost picked up this weapon so they could harass enemies who came close to their area.

Mini 14

The Mini 14 is 17 Gaming’s favourite marksman rifle, alongside the SLR. Since long-range engagements cannot be avoided, even LilGhost had to carry one. It worked well for him since his light machine gun also shoots 5.56mm, so he only had to bring one type of ammo. 

AUG

Another fan of the 5.56mm rifle, he switched out his M249 for something lighter—the AUG. However, since it only holds 30 rounds without attachments, he had to increase its capacity using an ‘extended magazine�?attachment. 

Choosing the perfect weapons for the right purpose

These are the weapons that the winning team, 17 Gaming, chose in the PUBG Global Series 7 Final Stage. It is clear that they picked up these weapons to fulfil a role, and later on changed to lighter weapons as the game progresses. 

They had their favourite firearms such as the M762 Beryl, AUG, Mini 14, and the SLR. However, some of them picked up weapons for a specialised purpose, such as the M249’s superior suppressive fire abilities and the Panzerfaust’s capability to destroy vehicles in one shot. 

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