Next Generation 2026 and rugby’s most inspiring sides – the week in sport recapped | The Guardian

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From left: Eduardo Conceição, Cavan Sullivan and Mezian Mesloub Soares

Next Generation 2026 and rugby’s most inspiring sides – the week in sport recapped

 
Guardian sport
 

Welcome to our weekly roundup, featuring highlights from our coverage over the past seven days, delivered to your inboxes first thing every Sunday morning. If you like it, do pass it on. New readers can subscribe by following the simple steps right here.

 
 

The best of the week

Next Generation 2026: 60 of the best young talents in world football Next Generation 2026: 60 of the best young talents in world football
Next Generation 2026: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs Next Generation 2026: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs
Lionel Messi’s Argentina career turned football into a sacred mystery Lionel Messi’s Argentina career turned football into a sacred mystery
‘Franchise cricket isn’t as rewarding’: Jonathan Trott on Lions pride and England ambitions ‘Franchise cricket isn’t as rewarding’: Jonathan Trott on Lions pride and England ambitions
Sergio Camello: ‘Rayo is the last team standing – it’s football from another time’ Sergio Camello: ‘Rayo is the last team standing – it’s football from another time’
‘I wanted to depart in the best way possible’: Kieran McKenna on Ipswich exit and future plans ‘I wanted to depart in the best way possible’: Kieran McKenna on Ipswich exit and future plans
Union Berlin’s Marie-Louise Eta: ‘I wanted to impress through my work, not because I am a woman’ Union Berlin’s Marie-Louise Eta: ‘I wanted to impress through my work, not because I am a woman’
From France to Old Reigatians: the most inspiring sides in rugby history From France to Old Reigatians: the most inspiring sides in rugby history
Inside NBA Europe’s $10bn plan that has football clubs queueing to join Inside NBA Europe’s $10bn plan that has football clubs queueing to join
Max Rushden: Sliding Doors meets Biff’s Almanac: City saga stirs up a world of alternate histories Max Rushden: Sliding Doors meets Biff’s Almanac: City saga stirs up a world of alternate histories
Jonathan Liew: is Fury v Joshua about meritocratic sporting excellence or just algorithmic celebrity power? Jonathan Liew: is Fury v Joshua about meritocratic sporting excellence or just algorithmic celebrity power?
Sean Ingle: how did some City fans become aggressive defenders of a nation state’s regime? Sean Ingle: how did some City fans become aggressive defenders of a nation state’s regime?
 
 

David Squires on …

Our cartoonist on … David Beckham’s heroics for England v Greece, 25 years on.

David Squires on David Beckham v Greece in 2001
 

From the archive