Sports

Lionel Messi became Major League Soccer’s first back-to-back MVP winner after league officials named the 38-year-old Inter Miami captain the 2025 Most Valuable Player. The announcement followed a season in which Messi led Inter Miami to the MLS Cup title and topped club statistics in goals and assists. MLS confirmed that no player had previously secured consecutive MVP awards and said it would formally present the trophy at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale. League and club officials reported increased global attention, higher attendance and rising merchandise sales tied to Messi’s tenure.

Cambodia on Wednesday withdrew from the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand as an escalating border conflict between the two countries triggered a mass exodus of civilians from both sides of a disputed frontier, according to a Games official. SEA Games organizers in Thailand confirmed receipt of Cambodia’s withdrawal and began reviewing event plans, participation lists and security coordination with remaining member nations. Authorities in both countries evacuated residents from conflict-affected border areas and provided assistance to displaced civilians. The SEA Games Federation monitored the situation and prepared contingency measures to keep the regional multi-sport event on track despite Cambodia’s exit.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier entered a not guilty plea on Monday in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, facing charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money. Prosecutors allege he assisted gamblers in placing wagers on his own performance during NBA games.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges alleging he helped gamblers place bets on his NBA game performance. A judge ordered Rozier released on $3 million bond with travel restrictions and other conditions. Prosecutors outlined accusations involving electronic communications and financial transactions, while the defense vowed to review evidence and consider pretrial motions. The case remains under the Eastern District of New York as the NBA and the Miami Heat monitor developments.

Filipino Canadian Olympic medalist Kayla Sanchez will debut for the Philippines at the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand starting December 9. After leading the national swimming qualifiers, Sanchez posted times that broke the Philippine women’s 100m freestyle record and exceeded the previous SEA Games gold-medal mark in the event. She also registered a 29.00-second swim in the 50m backstroke. The SEA Games Thailand 2025 Organizing Committee has labeled her an “Olympic-Level Game Changer” and placed her among the top headline athletes of the Games.

National University forward Jolo Manansala suffered a hard fall in the final seconds of NU’s UAAP men’s basketball Final Four game against De La Salle University in Manila after a foul by La Salle guard Jacob Cortez on a three-point attempt. Officials immediately called the foul, and medical staff entered the floor to attend to Manansala as teammates and coaches from both sides checked on him. The NU forward later walked back to the bench under his own power and stayed out for the remaining seconds of the already decided game. UAAP organizers and team staff followed standard injury protocols and monitored his condition after the incident.

Jimmy Mariano, an 84-year-old former Olympian, PBA player and champion coach, has died, the Philippine Basketball Association announced on Sunday night. The league held a minute of silence before the Philippine Cup game between Rain or Shine and Converge to honor his memory, with players, officials and fans participating in the tribute. Mariano played in the PBA during its formative years, later guiding a team to a league championship, and previously represented the Philippines in the Olympic Games.

The Philippine men’s baseball team routed Malaysia, 21-0, in five innings at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Pathum Thani, Thailand, after officials applied the mercy rule, giving the Philippines a 3-0 start in the SEA Games 2025 baseball tournament and keeping the squad at the top of the men’s baseball standings.

LeBron James hit a late go-ahead three-pointer and finished with 29 points, while Luka Doncic posted a triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 112-108, on Sunday night in Philadelphia. Joel Embiid, who struggled from the field for most of the game, tied the score with an 18-foot jumper before James answered on the next possession. The Lakers secured key stops and rebounds in the final minutes to preserve the win and strengthen their Western Conference standing against the Eastern Conference contender.

Michael Jordan testified in a federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina, in an antitrust case that his NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, is pursuing against NASCAR alongside Front Row. The lawsuit challenges aspects of NASCAR’s business structure and commercial arrangements with race teams. This straight news report details who appeared in court, what the case involves, where and when the testimony occurred, and how the proceedings unfolded, following standard journalism rules and an objective tone.