Records, major milestones and opportunities to shape the future headline this week’s Team of the Week.
Maia Bouchier played a starring role as England set a new record for their highest ever chase in women’s ODIs, London City Lionesses continued to raise the bar with the biggest front of shirt sponsorship deal in the women’s game, Lionel Messi brought his remarkable international career with Argentina to an end, and Lando Norris launched a new driver development programme to help create opportunities for the next generation of Formula 1 talent.
Como
Renewing Roberta Picchi’s contract
Italian side Lake Como have renewed Roberta Picchi’s contract, supporting the forward following her breast cancer diagnosis. The club’s medical team will support her throughout her treatment as the side get set for their first season in Serie A, demonstrating incredible commitment to the 34-year-old.
Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal captain
The Norwegian has found his form again after a couple of underwhelming seasons, proving his naysayers wrong with four goals in the first five games of this season, including key strikes against Manchester City, Chelsea and Napoli. He's the heartbeat of an Arsenal team that are reminding the world they can play good football, with recent performances reminiscent of Wenger's free-flowing football of yesteryear.
On Your Side
A new sport mental health toolkit
Launched by the Prince of Wales, On Your Side is a set of resources made available online that aims “to make suicide prevention as much a part of sport as warm up, training and performance”. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 6,190 suicides registered in England and Wales in 2024, and suicide remains the biggest cause of death for men under the age of 50. The project will be launched at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, a venue chosen to commemorate former player Gary Speed, who sadly took his own life. A fantastic new initiative.
Matthew Brennan
British cyclist
GB’s Matthew Brennan has enjoyed a remarkable start to his Grand Tour debut, sprinting to a fifth stage victory at this year's Vuelta a Espana. In doing so, the 21-year-old has become the youngest-ever rider to reach five Grand Tour stage victories.
