Sports Express | August 9, 2026 Jorge Messi, Father of Lionel Messi, Dies at 68

1. Jorge Messi, Father of Lionel Messi, Dies at 68 After Long Illness

Sad news from the football world. Jorge Messi, father of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, passed away in the early hours of August 8 at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, following a long illness. He was 68. Jorge had been dealing with an undisclosed health condition, which the Messi family addressed during this summer's World Cup.

Jorge was not only Lionel's father but also his agent since the age of 14. When 13-year-old Lionel was signed by Barcelona in 2001, Jorge stayed with him alone in Spain, supporting his journey to becoming arguably the greatest player of all time. Under Jorge's guidance, Messi won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, four Champions League titles, and the 2022 World Cup. The Argentine Football Association and FC Barcelona both issued statements of condolence.

2. Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald Headline 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class

The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony took place on August 8 in Canton, Ohio. Five legends — Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald, and Adam Vinatieri — were officially inducted, capping off their remarkable careers with the sport's highest honor.

Brees, presented by former Saints head coach Sean Payton, delivered an emotional speech thanking the city of New Orleans and his wife. Fitzgerald honored his late father in a heartfelt address. Craig shared a health update through a pre-recorded video, Vinatieri roasted NFL legends with humor, and Kuechly reflected on his Carolina Panthers roots. The ceremony was filled with both tears and laughter.

3. Canada Routs USA 8-1 to Win Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold

Canada's U18 hockey team delivered a dominant performance at Rogers Place in Edmonton, crushing the United States 8-1 in the gold medal game of the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Brock England, Maddox Schultz, and Liam Pue each scored twice, and the power play went 3-for-5, as Canada avenged last year's loss in emphatic fashion.

Canada controlled the game from start to finish, overwhelming their American rivals in every phase. The victory showcased the depth of Canadian junior hockey talent and provided a major confidence boost heading into the new season. Defenseman Landon DuPont said afterward that avenging last year's defeat was the team's singular goal — and they delivered.

4. Max Scherzer Passes Walter Johnson for 10th on MLB All-Time Strikeout List

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer made history on August 8 against the Philadelphia Phillies. He struck out Kyle Schwarber for his 3,516th career strikeout, officially passing Hall of Famer Walter Johnson to take sole possession of 10th place on MLB's all-time strikeout list.

The Blue Jays went on to defeat the Phillies 7-5. Scherzer delivered a strong outing, showcasing the resilience and dominance of the veteran ace. Meanwhile, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. snapped his home run drought, and Nathan Lukes hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning to seal the win. The Blue Jays are now eyeing a series sweep.

5. UFC Fight Night: Quillan Salkilld Shocks Mateusz Gamrot with First-Round Submission

Australian rising star Quillan Salkilld stunned the MMA world in the main event of UFC Fight Night 284, submitting veteran Mateusz Gamrot by rear-naked choke at 4:25 of the first round. This marked his fourth consecutive first-round finish and a flawless debut in his first UFC main event.

Salkilld came out aggressive from the opening bell, quickly establishing dominant position before sinking in the rear-naked choke to force the tap. The lightweight prospect is rising at a meteoric pace, and the UFC's 155-pound division has a serious new contender to reckon with.

6. Raiders Suspend Kirk Cousins and Maxx Crosby from Team Drills After Practice Fight

Tensions boiled over at Las Vegas Raiders training camp. Quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby had to be separated by teammates after a heated altercation during practice. Cousins, apparently upset after Crosby tipped his pass for an incompletion, charged the defensive end who stands three inches taller and outweighs him by 42 pounds.

Head coach Klint Kubiak suspended both players from Saturday's team drills, stating: "We have very clear expectations about how we want to practice. We violated that yesterday." The incident opened the door for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza — the Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana and first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — to take his first reps with the starting offense.

7. 49ers' Kyle Shanahan Reveals Tesla Was on Autopilot Before Crash

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan publicly addressed details of his car accident last month for the first time. He revealed that his Tesla was in autopilot mode at the time of the crash, and he was reaching for his cell phone — which had fallen behind the seat — when the vehicle inexplicably crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a Mercedes SUV.

Shanahan said he doesn't know whether the autopilot system malfunctioned or if he accidentally disengaged it. Despite the harrowing experience, Shanahan confirmed on Saturday that he is recovering well and intends to coach the 49ers' preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans as planned.

8. NBO Toronto: Leylah Fernandez and Alex Eala Fuel Star Power Buzz

The National Bank Open (NBO) is heating up in Toronto. Canadian star Leylah Fernandez delivered for the home crowd, earning a spot in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, breakout Filipina sensation Alex Eala has ignited "Eala-Mania," with her latest victory driving fan excitement to fever pitch.

Despite some early hurdles at the tournament, the combined star power of Fernandez and Eala, along with world-class players like Iga Swiatek, has kept attendance and enthusiasm soaring. Tournament officials say this year's edition is shaping up to be one of the most successful in recent memory.

9. CFL: Nathan Rourke Returns to Lift BC Lions Over Tiger-Cats 27-24

The BC Lions finally got the moment they had been waiting for. Star quarterback Nathan Rourke returned to action after missing multiple games and led the Lions to a dramatic 27-24 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BC Place, securing the team's first home win of the season.

Rourke's return provided an immediate spark. A last-second field goal sealed the win, ending the Lions' frustrating home losing streak and putting them back in contention in the West Division playoff race.

10. CFL: Davis Alexander, Tyson Philpot Connect for Three TDs as Alouettes Dominate Elks 48-30

The Montreal Alouettes put on an offensive clinic in a marquee CFL matchup. Quarterback Davis Alexander threw four touchdown passes, with receiver Tyson Philpot hauling in three of them, as the Alouettes crushed the Edmonton Elks 48-30 in a statement victory.

Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo briefly tied the game in the second quarter and made history as the ninth player in CFL history to record 100 passing touchdowns and 50 rushing touchdowns. But the Alouettes responded wave after wave. Halfway through the season, Montreal is making a powerful case as the team to beat for this year's Grey Cup.