Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Didi Hamann has caused a real stir with his comments about Harry Kane following England’s victory over Croatia at the 2026 World Cup.

Kane, who had an outstanding 2025/26 season with Bayern Munich which saw him record 68 goal contributions (61 goals and seven assists) in just 51 games, was named in England’s starting XI for their opening match of the tournament.

England’s captain, who is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or this year, put in another outstanding performance as the Three Lions picked up all three points. Kane scored his side’s first two goals as England won 4-2 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Didi Hamann Questions Harry Kane After England 4-2 Croatia

Hannah Mckay via Reuters

Kane has, rightfully so, received many plaudits for his performance against Croatia. Not everyone has been gushing over the 32-year-old, though.

Hamann was covering the match as a pundit for RTE. Following the game, he said ‘the jury is still out’ about England’s captain as he questioned his effectiveness in big matches.

He said: “He’s scored eight in the group games. He’s got two against Tunisia, three against Panama, penalty against Colombia in the round of 16.

“Out of 10 goals he’s got seven or eight in the group stage. He’s playing in his third World Cup now. He’s the captain and he’s there to score goals in the knockout games.

He added: “When I see him move sometimes, obviously he scores a lot of goals, then again in Munich every centre-forward has scored goals. It doesn’t matter if he scores 35 or 25, they’re going to win the league, usually.

‘”In the Champions League this is where he scored this season against Paris [PSG]. Then again, when I watch the level of Paris and watch his level, I’m not sure. I think there’s a few centre-forwards in this tournament I’d probably rather have in my team than him.

“In tournament football you score on the counter-attack. He won’t score on the counter-attack. Because when you play against the best teams sometimes you have to sit back and then go 50-60 yards to score a goal. If [Noni] Madueke takes off, if [Anthony] Gordon or [Marcus] Rashford take off, he won’t be able to keep up with him.

“I’m sitting on the fence for now, I’ve got my doubts about him. Whether he’s the player that’s taking England to the World Cup. At some stage in the tournament you need pace and he simply hasn’t got it.”

He continued: “His finishing is probably the best in the tournament, the best in the world. Left foot, right foot, give him half a chance and he’ll score. But does he get in these positions against Germany, against Brazil, against France? I’m not too sure.”

Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters

Hamann’s comments have not gone down well on social media. One fan said: “Surely up there one of the stupidest things anyone has uttered,” while a second wrote: “This is the most ridiculous statement I have heard in a while.”

A third stated: “This is one of the worst 2 minutes of punditry I’ve ever seen in my life,” while a fourth added: “Bloke’s a clown.”

Kane and England are next in action on Tuesday, June 23 when they take on Ghana at Boston Stadium. The African side also won their opening match of the tournament as they beat Panama 1-0.

Cristiano Ronaldo wore a special shirt in Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener against DR Congo, and is likely to continue to do so for the rest of this summer’s tournament.

Ronaldo, despite being 41 years old, was included in Roberto Martinez’s 26-man Portugal squad for the competition in North America.

This summer’s tournament will most likely be the last opportunity for Ronaldo to end his career as a World Cup winner.

He was named in Portugal’s starting lineup for their opening match of the tournament against DR Congo on Wednesday afternoon. However, he struggled to make an impact at Houston Stadium.

Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but was unable to get on the scoresheet as Portugal stumbled to a 1-1 draw against the African outfit.

Cristiano Ronaldo Wears Special Shirt vs DR Congo

Phil Noble via Reuters

Ronaldo is starring at a record-equalling sixth World Cup this summer. His World Cup career began in 2006 when he helped his nation to the semi-finals. He has since featured for Portugal in 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026.

To commemorate his achievements, Ronaldo’s World Cup shirt features a special ‘legacy’ patch on the sleeve.

The patch, which is located just below the World Cup logo, features the Portugal flag alongside the word ‘legacy’.

Only players that have featured in five or more World Cup tournaments are permitted to wear the special patch this summer.

Argentina star Lionel Messi also wore the patch during Argentina’s opener against Algeria. He has also played in the same six World Cups that Ronaldo has played in.

Japan’s Yūto Nagatomo, Germany captain Manuel Neuer and Croatia star Luka Modric also wore the patch in their matches against the Netherlands, Curaçao and Croatia respectively.

Cristiano Ronaldo Slammed For Performance vs DR Congo

Cristiano Ronaldo via REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Ronaldo was slammed by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino following his performance against DR Congo.

He said, per Goal: “I’m trying to be as kind as I can… but he [Ronaldo] was really off it. And he just looks like time has caught up with him. He hasn’t got the pace. He’s not even got the energy to pick up the ball.

“He offered nothing to the Portuguese team. I can’t believe Martinez has kept him on. I’m thinking, ‘This is your job – does he just want to keep friends with Ronaldo? Do you want to stay on his side?’ You’ve got to take people off.

“If that’s the decision that improves the team and gives the best chance of winning, you’ve got to make it as a manager. And I know he’s going to leave at the end of this term. This felt like it’s a manager just going, ‘I’m gonna stay pals with my mate Ronaldo’.”

Thierry Henry was also critical of his ‘seflish’ play. The Frenchman said on Fox: “One thing that’s important, people, please at home, the team needs to score. Not you needs to score…

“Because he wants to score, he goes in the path of the back pass, you see both players, and it’s easier for you to defend. And that’s my thing: the team needs to score. Not you.”

Ronaldo and Portugal return to action on Tuesday, June 23 when they take on Uzbekistan.

UFC Freedom 250 will certainly go down not only in the history books of combat sports, but also in the history books of sporting events. The production was as grand and ambitious as you can get, while the stacked fight card also delivered.

Justin Gaethje captured the elusive undisputed UFC gold for the first time in his career, a journey that couldn’t have had a better highlight with the 38-year-old realising his dream in front of the White House. Meanwhile, Ciryl Gane shocked much of the fanbase with an utterly dominant win over Alex Pereira.

Even before the two title fights, there were special moments throughout. Whether it be Sean O’Malley‘s salute KO, Josh Hokit’s rampant victory over Derrick Lewis, or the early finishes that preceded it.

Seven fights, seven finishes, six of them not even reaching the third round. However, with these kinds of performances, it’s no surprise that some of the fighters may have to spend time out with injuries.

UFC Freedom 250 Medical Suspensions

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

One of the main talking points following the event was the extent of Ilia Topuria‘s damage. The Georgian’s right eye was shut after just the first round, while blood was pouring out of his face throughout.

A vintage Gaethje performance, as he once again left his opponent in a brutal state. However, this isn’t to say he didn’t have to overcome his fair share of adversity.

Topuria was applying plenty of pressure in the second round, teeing off to the body with a series of powerful shots. Despite this, the American weathered the storm and came on strong in the third, with a doctor stoppage almost coming.

In terms of medical suspensions, Topuria received a minimum 180-day lay-off, while needing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon clearance. Meanwhile, Gaethje faces the same duration, after suffering injuries to his right wrist and left knee.

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

Unlike the main event, Gane versus Pereira was much more one-sided. The Frenchman put on a masterclass that many fans and fighters wouldn’t have expected. He was too light on his feet and quick for Pereira, who was left with no answers.

Despite this, the fight did end in a somewhat controversial fashion. Herb Dean didn’t intervene when Gane was unloading strikes to the back of Pereira’s head; the Brazilian has since took to social media criticising the referee.

Pereira is now set to face a minimum 180-day suspension or until a maxillofacial CT scan is cleared as negative, with an extra 45 days for the TKO finish. In contrast, Gane faces a measly eight-day mandatory rest.

Similarly, O’Malley also came out of the fight unscathed and has just the eight-day suspension. However, his opponent Aiemann Zahabi, like Periera, is suspended for 45 days due to the TKO, with a further 180 days or until the maxillofacial CT scan is cleared as negative.