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When Warren Zaire-Emery (19) made his France debut back in November 2023, it felt as though he had the world at his feet. The likes of Luis Enrique and Thierry Henry were fawning over him, and the likes of Manchester City were circling, not that Paris Saint-Germain were ever considering letting one of their most promising academy prospects in recent decades leave.

‘I’m restricting myself’ – Zaire-Emery

However, the past 12 months have been significantly more difficult for Zaire-Emery, who now finds himself in a backup role at PSG. His demotion has now seen him lose confidence and now his place in the France squad.

“I’m holding myself back,” said Zaire-Emery on Tuesday. “I know that I have the ability. Confidence is playing a bit of a part. It is up to me, in my mind, to go and free myself, to play how I know, to have that carelessness from when I was young. It will come back naturally.”

Reflecting on when he began to lose his confidence, he noted an injury at the start of 2025 that played a role. “After the injury, the manager (Luis Enrique) rotated the team, and I wouldn’t say that it affected it, but suddenly I was playing left,” said the PSG midfielder. 

Zaire-Emery targets World Cup 

Whilst Zaire-Emery won’t play with Les Bleus, he will play with Les Bleuets. Zaire-Emery is looking at what is effectively a demotion with a positive mindset. “Honestly, I’m taking it well. The objective isn’t to stay here too long,” he said.

His manager at U21 level, Gérald Baticle, also added that he hopes the PSG midfielder can quickly make the step back up to the senior side. With Les Bleuets, he hopes to regain confidence and convert that into an uptick in form at PSG, in what is an important year. 

“There is the World Cup this summer. It is an objective. It is the biggest competition in the world,” said the midfielder. At the end of 2023, there was hardly any doubt that Zaire-Emery would be a part of Didier Deschamps’ plans for the 2026 World Cup, however, he is now in a position of having to re-earn his place.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Martin Necas scored two goals, Nathan MacKinnon had two assists to become the leading scorer in Avalanche history, and Colorado opened the regular season with a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.

Sam Malinski and Artturi Lehkonen also scored during Colorado’s three-goal second period. Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves during a commanding performance by the Avalanche in their first game back from their disappointing first-round playoff exit to Dallas.

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Kevin Fiala scored a power-play goal with 4:53 left for the Kings, who matched the franchise records for victories and points last season before their fourth consecutive first-round playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Darcy Kuemper stopped 19 shots for Los Angeles, which made only a few changes under new general manager Ken Holland — but the defense-first club looked slow during the Avs’ second period.

Anze Kopitar began his 20th and final NHL season after the Los Angeles captain announced his impending retirement last month.

Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog played in his first season opener since October 2021 and his first regular-season game since March 10, 2022. He missed the past three regular seasons due to multiple knee surgeries, only returning for the playoffs last April.

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MacKinnon’s first assist was his 1,016th point in 871 games, pushing him past Joe Sakic’s 1,015 points in 870 games for the Avalanche — although Sakic scored an additional 626 points before his Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver.

This game was played exactly 30 years after the Avalanche visited the Forum in Inglewood for their first road game following relocation.

Lehkonen made it 3-0 on a rebound after Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar made a stunning drive to the net. Necas added a power-play goal in the third.

The Kings surprised their fans by wearing a previously unannounced third jersey for the game after warming up in their regular home sweaters. The new jersey is black and silver with the historic crown logo blown up into the main crest.

Up next

Avalanche: Host Mammoth on Thursday.

Kings: At Golden Knights on Wednesday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Aaron Rodgers has all but confirmed the 2025 season will be his swan song. After 18 NFL seasons, he’ll ride off into the sunset — or maybe vanish to a cave or some remote spot off the grid, never to be heard from again.

That leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers in line for a new starting quarterback, as it’s unlikely backup Mason Rudolph will be handed the reins again.

Which means Pittsburgh will most likely turn to the 2026 NFL Draft to find its next signal-caller. In his latest mock draft, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson has the Steelers’ replacement pegged as USC quarterback Jayden Maiava.

“Jayden Maiava plays with poise and confidence and thrives in the pocket, where he’ll consistently get through progressions and deliver tight-window throws with both anticipation and touch,” Wilson wrote. “He can make accurate, layered throws to all levels of the field, shows escapability under pressure and can create plays out of structure. At 6-foot-4, Maiava has a big arm, and he’ll use it to exploit coverage mismatches on intermediate and downfield throws.”

Maiava has enjoyed a breakout season with the Trojans in his first year as a starter. He leads the Big Ten in passing yards with 1,587 and has 11 touchdowns, helping USC to a 4-1 start while also emerging as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.

“Statistically, he’s been the best quarterback so far. If you look at wins against replacement, other metrics, several metrics in college football have him at number one,” ESPN’s Greg McElroy said. “He looks extremely comfortable. He’s got a great supporting cast, and he is delivering a lot of difficult throws on a week-to-week basis, and he doesn’t miss many, man. Jayden Maiava is playing at an outrageously high level for the Trojans.”

Maiava transferred to USC from UNLV last year, where he appeared in seven games as a backup to Miller Moss. The season before with the Rebels, he played in 14 games, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. In three seasons, the USC rising star has accounted for 50 total touchdowns.

There’s still a ways to go before Maiava is considered a surefire first-round pick as Wilson projects at No. 15 overall. His limited number of starts will raise concerns. But in a quarterback class that looked loaded with seasoned veterans heading into the season, Maiava is among the new names reshaping the draft board.

DETROIT — The Seattle Mariners are on the brink of a spot in the AL Championship series for the first time in 24 years.

Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer, Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford had solo shots and Seattle beat the Detroit Tigers 8-4 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Division Series.

The Mariners are within a win of their first AL Championship Series since 2001. Their first chance to advance is on Wednesday afternoon in Game 4 at Comerica Park and if necessary, another opportunity awaits on Friday back in Seattle for a decisive Game 5.

“The Seattle Mariners deserve where we’re at right now,” Suarez said.

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said not to count his team out after it showed resolve following a historic collapse in the regular season and bounced back by eliminating Cleveland in an AL Wild Card series, then won Game 1 against Seattle.

“We’ve had to play more and more back-against-the-wall-type games,” Hinch said. “I know our guys are going to be ready.”

Seattle’s Logan Gilbert gave up one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking none over six innings.

“Can’t say enough about what Logan did,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Just an incredible outing. He had everything going.”

Raleigh, who had a major league-high 60 homers during the regular season, hit a 391-foot, two-run homer to left-center in the ninth to make it 8-1.

The offensively challenged Tigers were limited to four hits and one run through eight innings before suddenly generating some offense in the ninth against Caleb Ferguson, who allowed three runs on three hits and a walk without getting an out.

Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run double and Andy Ibanez followed with an RBI single.

All-Star closer Andres Munoz entered with one on and no outs and ended Detroit’s comeback hopes with a flyout and game-ending double play.

Detroit’s Jack Flaherty lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks.

Seattle scored two runs in the third after starting the inning with three hits and a walk.

Victor Robles led off with a double and scored on an error, which was credited to left fielder Riley Greene for an errant throw that could have been fielded on a bounce by catcher Dillon Dingler.

“A little bit of a breakdown all the way around,” Hinch said.

Randy Arozarena’s RBI single put the Mariners ahead 2-0 in the third.

Suarez sent a 422-foot shot to left in the fourth to make it 3-0. Raleigh’s two-out RBI single in the inning gave Seattle a four-run cushion.

The Tigers were hoping their first home game in two-plus weeks might make them more comfortable at the plate, but it didn’t help and they lost an eighth straight at Comerica Park.

Detroit finally scored in the fifth on Kerry Carpenter’s fielder’s choice on what was potentially an inning-ending double play. Crawford’s throw from second base pulled first baseman Josh Naylor off the bag and he didn’t secure the ball in his glove, allowing Dingler to score.

Crawford’s homer in the sixth restored Seattle’s four-run lead.

The Tigers allowed the Mariners to score a second unearned run in the eighth inning after Carpenter dropped Victor Robles’ fly in right field, allowing Luke Raley to advance to third and to score on Crawford’s sacrifice fly.

Detroit RHP Casey Mize and Seattle RHP Bryce Miller are expected to start Game 4 on Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins‘ first goal of the 2025-26 NHL season came from an unlikely place.

And by the end of Tuesday night, the NHL had its first multi-goal scorer of the season. His name: Justin Brazeau.

Yes, it’s an incredibly unlikely reality.

Brazeau is a journeyman who scored 11 goals across 76 games between the Bruins and Wild last season.

But on this season so far, his first with Pittsburgh, Brazeau has two goals in one game. That rate will work.

MORE: Gavin McKenna is off to a fast start at Penn State

Who is Justin Brazeau?

Justin Brazeau is a 6-foot-5, 25-year old Canadian forward who signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason as a free agent.

He came up in the OHL playing for the North Bay Battalion, and in his final season there, Brazeau had 61 goals and 53 assists.

He began his pro career with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies for a couple of seasons, along with time with the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers.

He then moved on to the Providence Bruins of the AHL and the Maine Mariners back in the ECHL.

Brazeau made his NHL debut for the Boston Bruins in February 2024.

He hung around with Boston and then was traded to Minnesota as a prototypical fourth-line bruiser at his 6-5 and 220 pounds.

Now, he’s doing that for the Penguins, except apparently he’s got some goals in him, too.

More NHL News:

The Charlotte Hornets delighted fans at Queens University of Charlotte’s Curry Arena with a lively event following their training camp in Charleston.

The event provided a welcome break from the rigors of training camp, allowing players and fans to connect in a more relaxed setting.

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The arena was filled with enthusiastic supporters, eager to see their team in action.

“I mean, the seats were filled, they were getting real loud,” said Liam McNeeley, a forward for the Hornets.

ALSO READ: Hornets begin training camp in South Carolina

“Training camp’s been great. I don’t know if I’ve been working them hard enough, though,” joked Charles Lee, the Hornets’ head coach, as he reflected on the team’s energy during the event.

The event featured Hornets rookies Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James, and Liam McNeeley showcasing their dance moves to the delight of the crowd. “I’m not going to lie. Ryan kind of shocked me with his moves,” admitted Coach Lee, praising the rookies’ performances.

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Even Coach Lee took to the floor, much to the amusement of the audience. “I’m going to go home. I’m going to watch the film as I always do. Self-reflect. I can get better,” he said humorously about his own dancing.

The event was not only a chance for fun but also a moment to appreciate the support from the local community.

“It’s cool to see people come out on a Tuesday night, and show this much support,” McNeeley noted, promising that Charlotte’s support will be rewarded.

Coach Lee expressed gratitude towards Queens University for hosting the team during the summer while their usual facilities were under renovation. “It’s nice to be able to come back to our second home,” he said.

With four more preseason games ahead, the Hornets are gearing up to host the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 22 at Spectrum Center.

VIDEO: Hornets begin training camp in South Carolina

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon has been fined $100,000 by the team after a heated sideline altercation with Emari Demercado following the running back’s costly fumble during the team’s 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans, two people with knowledge of the penalty said.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team did not announce the fine. The NFL has been in contact with the NFLPA and there will be no further punishment for Gannon.

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The coach said on Monday that he had apologized to Demercado.

“I woke up this morning and didn’t feel great about it, honestly,” Gannon said. “So in the team meeting I addressed it, I apologized to Emari, apologized to the team. I just told them I let the moment of what happened get the better of me.”

ESPN first reported that Gannon had been fined.

Demercado looked as if he had a 72-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter Sunday that would have increased the Cardinals’ lead to 28-6. Instead, he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line, and the play was ruled a fumble out of the back of the end zone, which gave the Titans possession at their 20.

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In the aftermath, video circulated on social media showing Gannon yelling in Demercado’s face before swiping his arm downward, appearing to jostle Demercado.

“I try to be emotionally stable and calm because my job is to solve problems during the game,” Gannon said. “It’s not really who I am, who I want to be, and I told the guys that today. So it’s a mistake by me.”

The Titans eventually rallied for 16 straight points and snapped a 10-game losing streak dating to last season. Gannon said Demercado would not face any punishment for his mistake.

The Cardinals (2-3) have dropped three straight games, all on last-second field goals. That’s the first time in NFL history that’s happened, according to Sportradar.

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Gannon is in his third year leading Arizona, coming to the desert after two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator.

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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this story.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

LAS VEGAS – Punahele Soriano met with MMA Junkie and other media members Saturday after his win over Nikolay Veretennikov at UFC 320.