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Diamars 24 augustus 2021

Dybala recalled to Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers

(AP) — Striker Paulo Dy- Buenos Aires. la (Betis), Lisandro Martínez
bala was called up to the and Nicolás Tagliafico (Ajax).
Argentina squad for the Defender Cristian Romero
first time in almost two and midfielder Leandro Pare- Midfielders: Rodrigo De
years Monday after an im- des are suspended for the first Paul (Atletico Madrid), Le-
pressive start to the season game. andro Paredes (Paris Saint
with Juventus. Germain), Giovani Lo Celso
____ (Tottenham), Exequiel Pa-
Dybala was included in the lacios (Bayer Leverkusen),
squad for three upcoming Squad: Guido Rodríguez (Betis),
World Cup qualifiers in Sep- Goalkeepers: Franco Ar- Nicolás Domínguez (Bolo-
tember, with veteran Sergio mani (River Plate), Emiliano gna), Emiliano Buendía (As-
Aguero out injured. Martínez (Aston Villa), Juan ton Villa) and Alejandro Gó-
Musso (Atalanta), Gerónimo mez (Sevilla).
Coach Lionel Scaloni includ- Rulli (Villarreal).
ed most of the players who Forwards: Lionel Messi and
won the Copa America in Defenders: Gonzalo Mon- Ángel Di María (París Saint-
July, Argentina’s first major host Brazil in the final, were tiel, Marcos Acuña (Sevilla), Germain), Lautaro Mar-
title in almost 30 years. all called up. Argentina is second in South Nahuel Molina (Udinese), tínez (Inter Milan), Nicolás
American qualifying with 12 Cristian Romero (Totten- González (Fiorentina), Ángel
Lionel Messi, goalkeeper Dybala was part of the 2019 points from six matches. The ham), Nicolás Otamendi Correa (Atletico Madrid),
Emiliano Martínez and strik- Copa America squad and has team has away games against (Benfica), Juan Foyth (Villar- Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Ju-
er Angel Di María, the scorer played 29 games in total for Venezuela and leader Bra- real), Lucas Martínez Quarta lián Álvarez (River Plate) and
of the winning goal against Argentina. zil before hosting Bolivia in (Fiorentina), Germán Pezzel- Joaquín Correa (Lazio).

Pacquiao ponders ring retirement, political plans after loss

(AP) — Manny Pacquiao Pacquiao said. “That’s why stump speech by a politician.
sounded like a fighter on I’m still here fighting at the
his way out and a politi- age of 42. I’m enjoying it, Indeed, the Filipino sena-
cian on his way up. but sometimes you have to tor’s next fight is probably
think about the response of in the political ring: He is
He might have concealed your body. ... My mind, my widely expected to enter the
his battered face behind big heart, it’s 100%. But my legs presidential race in the Phil-
sunglasses, but Pacquiao were cramping.” ippines next month ahead of
didn’t hide behind excuses the May 2022 election.
or denial after a discouraging In the moments after he re-
unanimous-decision loss to turned from a two-year ring “In my heart, I want to con-
Yordenis Ugás on Saturday absence with the loss to the tinue to fight,” Pacquiao said.
night. rangy, resilient Ugás, Pac- “But the thing is, I also have
quiao repeatedly hinted he is to consider my body. I’ve put
Yes, Pacquiao disclosed that planning to retire from box- it through a lot of things. Es-
his legs cramped throughout ing. pecially back in my country,
the fight on the Vegas Strip, there’s a lot of things that I his generation. Along with best guy, the best fighter. I
depriving him of the mobil- He is still alongside Canelo need to accomplish to help his stunning array of champi- hate to see the day when he
ity that has always made his Álvarez as the two biggest people. I want to be an in- onship belts and his ground- retires, but this could be it.
power so dangerous. active stars in the sport, yet spiration to the Philippine breaking mobility across the We’ll see what Manny de-
Pacquiao (67-8-2) has nev- people inside and outside the sport’s weight classes, Pac- cides.”
The eight-division world er spoken so frankly about ring.” quiao will be remembered
champion still acknowl- leaving behind 26 years in for his utter fearlessness in Another scenario seems
edged the larger fact that the pro fight game. Countless athletes have taking on countless larger equally plausible at this
was obvious even to most of struggled mightily to find foes without blinking. point: Pacquiao doesn’t
his devoted fans around the “I’ve done a lot for boxing, worthwhile ways to fill their win the presidency in nine
world: He deserved his loss and boxing has done a lot for time after retirement. That Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s months — he is behind sev-
to Ugás, a talented oppo- me,” Pacquiao said. “I look wouldn’t be a problem for devoted trainer for most of eral candidates in early poll-
nent who probably wouldn’t forward to spending a lot of Pacquiao: His chaotic life the past two decades, ac- ing — and he subsequently
have been much trouble for time thinking about my fu- won’t get less busy, but it knowledged being “a little gets a highly lucrative op-
prime Pacman. ture in boxing.” could be a bit more focused worried” about the champ. portunity to return to the
with only one career to con- ring late next year, when he
And that might be a good Pacquiao’s postfight com- sider. “He’s boxed for a long time, will be nearly 44.
reason to walk away. ments included a sprinkling and he’s the best guy I’ve
of such catchy, pre-written If Pacquiao retires, he leaves ever had,” Roach said. “The Given Pacquiao’s competi-
“This sport is my passion,” phrases — sort of like a boxing as one of the greats of tive nature and his relatively
expensive lifestyle, his self-
awareness could be over-
come by the rewards of the
fight game.

But in the moments after
this cramping, frustrated
great lost for the first time
in four years, Pacquiao was
thinking deeply about both
his current state and future
priorities.