Fifteen-year-old Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has broken his silence after being denied the opportunity to make his senior debut for the Red Devils during Friday evening’s 5-0 pre-season win over Rosenborg. The teenager was named in the matchday squad in Norway but remained an unused substitute.

While the likes of Harry Amass, Harry Williams, Jacob Devaney and Shea Lacy were all given the chance to stretch their legs – with each getting on the scoresheet in a dominant display – Gabriel was forced to watch on from the bench. That came despite the growing hype surrounding the youngster, who has already earned the nickname ‘Kid Messi’.

However, the teenager is likely to have plenty of opportunities to pick up valuable first-team minutes over the coming weeks. Michael Carrick’s side are set to face the likes of Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in Scandinavia before kicking off their Premier League campaign against Hull City on August 22.

JJ Gabriel Sends One-Word Message To Man Utd After Pre-Season Snub

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick via REUTERS/Scott Heppell

It’s still early days in terms of time Carrick has to plan who he wants in his first-team squad next season, with it unknown which youngsters will get a chance as the Carrington Academy cogs begin to churn out talent again. But that hasn’t stopped JJ Gabriel from posting to social media straight after failing to come off the bench in Friday’s convincing win.

The 15-year-old would have been licking his lips at the prospect of adding to United’s flourish this weekend, but showed his humble side with an Instagram story post captioned (see below):

While Gabriel didn’t feature in Norway, he was subject to a lot of attention around the stadium, as fans asked to take pictures with him and sign autographs.

The teenager looked refreshingly overwhelmed by it all, but he may just have to get used to the buzz if he continues to impress for the youth side as much as he has up until this point.

Just How Promising is JJ Gabriel?

Gabriel, who does not turn 16 until October, has quickly become one of the most talked about young players in English football. The striker, born in London in 2010 and doesn’t turn 16 until October, played in Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham’s youth set-ups before joining United in 2022.

On his debut for United’s U18 side, he scored a brace against Leeds and was later invited to train with the first-team squad under Ruben Amorim back in October. He later went on to score in the FA Youth Cup in December against Peterborough and has represented England U15, U16 and U17.

Last season, across the Under-18s Premier League and FA Youth Cup, he scored 26 goals and registered 6 assists in just 29 appearances.

The comeback begins for Anthony Joshua tonight as he returns to the ring to face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga from the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia.

The fight marks another major event in Saudi Arabia’s growing boxing calendar, with the Jeddah Superdome previously hosting some of the world’s biggest heavyweight clashes.

For Joshua, returning to Jeddah will bring back memories of his 2022 rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, when he fell short in attempting to reclaim the world titles. This time, the momentum shifts towards his upcoming face-off with Tyson Fury set to take place later this year.

Anthony Joshua Returns to the Ring

For the first time since the heartbreaking car accident in December, where he lost two close friends, the former unified heavyweight champion now steps back into competition against a dangerous opponent who enters the bout on a 16-fight knockout streak.

This is far from a routine return for Joshua. Prenga possesses a threatening knockout power, with all 20 of his professional victories coming by stoppage. However, the 35-year-old has yet to prove himself against world-class opposition.

Joshua, on the other hand, is no stranger to the large stages and high-pressure settings. A former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist, Joshua has spent most of his career competing under the brightest of lights.

Coming off a sixth-round knockout victory against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, AJ will be looking to build momentum to reestablish himself in the heavyweight picture.

A victory over Prenga would also set the stage for the long-anticipated heavyweight titan clash between Joshua and Fury. With the dates still unconfirmed, the two have been circling each other for years and have not yet come face-to-face in the ring.

How to Watch Joshua vs Prenga & UK Start Time

Matthew Childs via Reuters

In the UK, the fight will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier. For those looking to tune into the fight, you will require a DAZN plan, where you can either buy just the fight for £19.99, or £24.99 a month for DAZN Ultimate, which gives you access to multiple other PPVs and fights throughout the year.

DAZN’s broadcast is set to begin at 6pm, with the opening fight of Nishant Dev vs Ceaser Diaz set to begin at 6.10pm. The undercard also features the likes of WBO super middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz and IBF super welterweight champion Josh Kelly, both set to make their maiden defence of their respective titles.

The ring walk for Saturday night’s main event is set to begin at 10.52pm, with the fight getting underway just past 11pm here in the UK.

An Argentine TV station has put together a starting XI of high-profile names they believe are responsible for ‘Argentinophobia’ following the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina came ever so close to retaining their title after progressing all the way to the final. They were flawless in the group stage as they beat Algeria, Austria and Jordan.

They then defeated Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England to set up a showdown with Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium.

However, they fell at the final hurdle as they were defeated by the European nation. Spain triumphed 1-0 as Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Argentine TV Calls Out 10 People Responsible For ‘Argentinophobia’

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Argentina were criticised by many during the tournament. Some were upset that they received some favourable refereeing decisions during their campaign, while others were critical of their behaviour on the pitch.

Jonatan Viale, in an appearance on Todo Noticias, has now called out 10 high-profile names from around the world that are the main culprits of ‘Argentinophobia’.

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan is among the names that have been called out. Hassan was extremely unhappy after his Egypt side were knocked out of the World Cup at the last 16 stage by Argentina.

After the match, Hassan accused FIFA of favouring Lionel Messi and the South American nation.

Piers Morgan also features. Morgan was very critical of Argentina throughout the tournament. After Spain beat them in the final, the Englishman wrote on X: “Disgusting behaviour by the Argentinians at the end, especially Paredes. Just a bunch of nasty violent thugs, and a disgrace to football. Never been so happy to see a team lose.”

Viale has written in response: “Do we really have to put up with an English journalist spouting this nonsense?”

Another big name that features is Samuel L. Jackson. The American actor called Argentina ‘one of the most racist countries in the world’ following the World Cup final.

Viale has also called out American streamer IShowSpeed. The 21-year-old was present at many Argentina matches cheering on their opponents. The Cristiano Ronaldo mega-fan got into numerous altercations with Argentina fans, while he celebrated wildly when Spain beat them in the final.

The others they have called out are New York Mayor Zohran Mamdan, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Spanish singer Rosalía, Chilean actor Pedro Pascal, Spanish streamer Ibai and former Lebanese adult star Mia Khalifa.

Argentina President Slams Argentina’s Critics

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Argentine president Javier Milei has slammed the country’s critics. Taking to social media, he wrote: “The problem with Argentina is that we stand out. We don’t go unnoticed, people are jealous of us, and we’re good at almost everything. I’m sorry, but someone had to say it.”

In another post, which showed him wearing an AI-created Argentina shirt under a blazer, he continued: “Long live Argentina, damn it!” While another said: “Do you have enemies? It means you once defended something. We defend Argentina.”

Some players have also addressed the criticism. Lisandro Martinez wrote in a statement following the World Cup final: ‘”Remember that ‘the fall of the great is the joy of the mediocre.’

While Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister said in a social media post: ‘“And thank you also to those from other countries who send us messages mocking or rejoicing in our pain. Without meaning to, you help us feel more and more proud to be Argentinian every day.’