Sports Express | September 1, 2026 Messi Retires From International Soccer

1. Messi announces retirement from international soccer after 21 years

Source: AP News

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, ending 21 years with the national team. The 39-year-old wrote on social media that the decision hurt deeply but that the time had come. He will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Messi scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina, finishing as the team's all-time leading scorer, including 21 in World Cups. He played in a record-tying six World Cups and won the 2022 title in Qatar.

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2. Canada defeats Argentina 97-92 to stay unbeaten in FIBA World Cup qualifying

Source: Sportsnet.ca

Canada defeated Argentina 97-92 on Monday night in a FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas qualifier in Quebec City. Lu Dort scored 25 points and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 26 as more than 13,000 fans watched at the Videotron Centre.

Canada, ranked fifth in the world, improved to 8-0 in qualifying. Argentina's Nicolas Laprovittola led all scorers with 31 points. Canada next visits Uruguay on Nov. 26.

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3. Alcaraz returns with US Open win; Sabalenka also advances

Source: AP News

Carlos Alcaraz beat Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Monday in the U.S. Open first round, showing no issues with the right wrist injury that had sidelined him since April. The No. 2 seed and seven-time Grand Slam champion missed the French Open and Wimbledon.

Aryna Sabalenka beat Camila Osorio 6-4, 6-4 to begin her bid for a third straight U.S. Open title. Top-ranked Jannik Sinner is sidelined by a knee injury, while No. 4 Novak Djokovic lost in the first round on Sunday.

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4. Blue Jays open pivotal three-game series in Cleveland

Source: CBC

The Blue Jays begin a three-game series in Cleveland on Tuesday with a chance to climb into a playoff spot. Toronto went 17-11 in August to move to 68-70 and remains in the mix for the final American League wild-card spot.

Cleveland leads that race, with Baltimore, Texas, Minnesota and Seattle all within five games. Spencer Arrighetti starts the series opener for Toronto, with Dylan Cease and Jose Soriano also set to pitch.

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5. Yankees call out Red Sox radio voice over beaning suggestion

Source: Sportsnet.ca

Several Yankees players took exception Monday to comments by Red Sox radio announcer Will Flemming, who called Jazz Chisholm Jr. a 'bush league player' for stealing two bases with New York leading 7-1 in the eighth inning Sunday.

Flemming also suggested Red Sox pitcher Jovani Moran retaliate by beaning catcher Austin Wells. Flemming later apologized on social media, saying his comments crossed a line.

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6. Blue Jays pass on Luis Robert Jr.; outfielder lands with Orioles

Source: Toronto Star

The Blue Jays passed on a waiver claim for Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr., allowing him to land with the Baltimore Orioles. Toronto held the higher waiver priority entering Monday, trailing Baltimore by half a game in the wild-card race.

Robert hit .223 with 10 homers and 23 RBIs in 58 games for the Mets. The 29-year-old is still owed at least $5 million. Toronto will stick with internal options ahead of Tuesday's roster expansion.

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7. Aaron Donald comes out of retirement to rejoin Rams

Source: Sportsnet.ca

Aaron Donald returned to the Rams on Sunday, ending a 2 1/2-year retirement to chase another Super Bowl. The 35-year-old signed a one-year deal reportedly worth at least $20 million.

Donald won three Defensive Player of the Year awards and recorded 111 career sacks, a Rams franchise record. He joined a light practice Sunday and said he has not decided whether to play the season opener in Australia next month.

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8. Questions abound for Djokovic after first-round US Open exit

Source: TSN

Novak Djokovic lost to Mariano Navone 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the U.S. Open first round Sunday night, his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades and his first opening-round loss at the tournament.

The 39-year-old holder of a men's record 24 Grand Slam singles titles has now gone three straight years without a major. He has dealt with physical issues this year and made 70 unforced errors in the loss.

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9. Houston mayor backs NHL expansion: 'We'll be there'

Source: Sportsnet.ca

Houston mayor John Whitmire said Monday his city is ready to land the NHL's 33rd franchise. The league and The Friedkin Group are conducting a six-month evaluation of Houston and Austin, with a target to begin play in 2029-30.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the evaluation in June, and the expansion fee plus new arena are expected to cost $3.5 billion.

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10. Scheffler wins another FedEx Cup, passes Tiger Woods in career earnings

Source: The Globe and Mail

Scottie Scheffler shot a 66 on Sunday to win the Tour Championship and claim his second FedEx Cup, and his career earnings passed Tiger Woods. Scheffler erased a three-shot deficit and won by three strokes over Viktor Hovland.

He earned $10 million, pushing his career total to about $130.4 million. Woods had held the top spot on the career money list for nearly 26 years.

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