Cristiano Ronaldo might be the "GOAT" to many fans across the football world, but not everyone in his household agrees, with the Portugal star admitting that his own son prefers Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé.

Ronaldo scored twice in Al Nassr's comfortable Saudi Pro League win at the weekend to move to the top of the division's goal-scoring charts, but that was not enough to impress his five-year-old child, Mateo.

In an extract from an upcoming interview with Spanish outlet La Sexta, Ronaldo admitted the France captain has surpassed him in his son's eyes.

"Mateo, he really likes Mbappé," Ronaldo said. "He sometimes tells me: 'Hey dad, Mbappé is better than you,' and I reply by saying: 'No, I am better than him, I have scored more goals."

Mbappé, who is known to have idolised Ronaldo in his youth, has started to emulate some of his feats at the Bernabéu in recent weeks after his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

After his hat trick against Real Valladolid on Saturday, Mbappé now has 15 goals in LaLiga, second in the Pichichi race behind Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski. Ronaldo scored a club-record 450 goals for Los Blancos between 2009 and 2018.

Mbappé has the chance to continue his recent hot streak later on Wednesday against Brest, while Ronaldo is next in action against Al Raed on Thursday.

The Super Bowl trophy is named after Vince Lombardi, the legendary Green Bay Packers coach who led his team to wins in the first two Super Bowls.

However, Bill Belichick said coaches can't win games without the players and suggested the Lombardi Trophy be renamed after Tom Brady, who won an NFL-record seven Super Bowl rings in his career -- six with Belichick as his head coach.

Belichick, the former New England Patriots head coach who is now the coach at the University of North Carolina, made his comments on the "Let's Go!" podcast this week in a conversation with co-host Jim Gray.

"Maybe they should name it the Brady Trophy. He won seven of them." Bill Belichick, on the Super Bowl trophy

"Players win games. You can't win games without good players. I don't care who the coach is, it's impossible. You can't win without good players. You know, I found that out when I had [Lawrence] Taylor and [Carl] Banks and Harry Carson, Pepper Johnson, Jim Burt, Everson Walls, all those guys at the Giants," said Belichick, who has won eight Super Bowl rings, including two as an assistant with the Giants. "And same thing when we got good at Cleveland and then at New England. I mean, it's [Tom] Brady, it's [Willie] McGinest, it's [Mike] Vrabel, it's [Tedy] Bruschi, it's Corey Dillon, it's Randy Moss, Troy Brown, Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, Rodney Harrison. Those are guys that won the games, man. I didn't make any tackles. I didn't make any kicks. That was [Adam] Vinatieri that made that kick in 4 inches of snow.

"You got to have good players and as a coach, you want to give your players a chance to win. You want to put them in a position where if they go out there and play well, they'll have a chance to win. That's what Coach [Bill] Parcells taught me, is there's always a way to win. You just got to figure out what it is, and you have to give the players a chance."

Gray, however, pointed out, "They don't name it the Starr Trophy," referring to Bart Starr, the Packers' quarterback for those first two Super Bowl wins. "It's named the Lombardi Trophy."

Belichick responded, "Maybe they should name it the Brady Trophy. He won seven of them."

Brady won six Super Bowls as the quarterback with the Patriots and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is a five-time Super Bowl MVP, the most by any player in NFL history.

Hall of Famer Reggie Miller will join NBC Sports as its top color commentator when the NBA returns to the network later this year, Front Office Sports reported Wednesday.

Miller reportedly will call the games alongside play-by-play broadcasters Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle, starting with the 2025-26 season.

An NBC Sports spokesperson declined to comment and Miller's representatives could not be reached for comment, per Front Office Sports.

Miller, 59, has worked as an NBA analyst for TNT since 2005.

In August, the NBA announced a new 11-year, $77 billion media deal with incumbent ESPN and newcomers NBC and Amazon Prime Video that goes into effect next season.

NBC previously aired NBA games from 1954-62 and again from 1990-2002.

Miller was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012. The five-time All-Star shooting guard averaged 18.2 points per game over 18 seasons with the Indiana Pacers from 1987-2005.

NEW YORK -- The rate of increase for Major League Baseball's average salary slowed to 2.9% last year to a record $4.66 million, according to the annual report of the players' association.

The average of $4,655,366 was up from $4,525,719 in 2023, which marked a 7% increase from 2022.

After declining to $3.68 million in 2021, a year following the pandemic-shortened season, the average rose 23% over the next two seasons.

Union figures are based on the 2024 salaries, earned bonuses and prorated shares of signing bonuses for 1,033 players on Aug. 31 active rosters and injured lists, before active rosters expanded for the remainder of the season.

The union's report was finalized as salary arbitration hearings started this week.

Right-hander Ryne Stanek and the New York Mets are in agreement on a one-year contract, according to a source, further bolstering a bullpen with a hard-throwing reliever with significant postseason experience.

The deal marks a reunion between the two sides after the Mets acquired Stanek in a trade with the Seattle Mariners last summer.

Stanek, 33, posted a 6.06 ERA in 17 relief appearances for the Mets down the stretch of the regular season, but he was better in the playoffs, allowing just three runs across eight innings in seven games as New York fell two wins short of the National League pennant.

The veteran reliever boasts a 2.89 ERA in 30 career postseason appearances with the Miami Marlins, Houston Astros and Mets. The track record includes four scoreless appearances during the Astros' World Series run in 2022. He owns a 3.65 ERA over 401 career regular-season games since making his major league debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017.

The Mets initially acquired Stanek for minor league outfielder Rhylan Thomas last July, days before the trade deadline, as part of a midseason bullpen overhaul that included the acquisitions of veterans Phil Maton and Huascar Brazoban.

It's been a busy winter for the Mets, who landed Juan Soto, the offseason's most prized free agent, in early December and have continued fortifying the roster.

Stanek is the third reliever the Mets have acquired over the past two weeks. The club claimed right-hander Austin Warren off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on Jan. 15. Eight days later, the Mets signed A.J. Minter, one of the top left-handed relievers on the free agent market, to a two-year, $22 million contract. They all figure to serve as a bridge to closer Edwin Diaz.

Pete Alonso, the Mets' homegrown star first baseman, remains a free agent. A reunion, although unlikely, remains possible.

Tennis players facing allegations of doping or corruption will be able to access pro bono legal support as part of a new scheme launched by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).

The PTPA, established by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in 2020 to increase player power in the sport, said it would ensure access to "world-class legal expertise regardless of a player's financial standing and personal resources".

Men's world number one Jannik Sinner and five-time women's Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek failed doping tests last year.

The handling of those cases by tennis authorities led to criticism from some players over double standards - a claim the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has strenuously denied.

Sinner, 23, did not receive a ban after failing two tests in March - but that case will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in April after an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

Former world number one Swiatek served a one-month suspension, which ended in December, and missed three tournaments after the ITIA found the 23-year-old's positive test was caused by contamination.

However, former British doubles player Tara Moore served a two-year absence because of a doping ban, which was later overturned, and told Reuters she spent 200,000 in legal fees.

Moore, who co-founded the PTPA's pro bono Athlete Counsel & Equity (ACE) Program, returned to tennis in April 2024 after her ban was lifted. That decision is being challenged by the ITIA.

Moore said: "The fight to prove my innocence left me with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and overwhelming emotional distress.

"My hope is that the PTPA ACE Program and these incredible legal teams will ensure that no player has to face these challenges alone, especially in cases involving integrity issues.

"Every player deserves the chance to defend themselves without fear of financial or emotional ruin."

Ange Postecoglou has brushed off mounting speculation over his future as winger Dejan Kulusevski backed the beleaguered Tottenham boss by insisting he's the "right man" for the job.

Spurs are 15th in the Premier League after suffering their 13th defeat of the campaign on Sunday as they lost 2-1 at home to relegation-threatened Leicester City.

The team was booed off afterwards with some supporters turning their anger on Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy.

Speaking on Wednesday ahead of their Europa League group stage finale against IF Elfsborg, Postecoglou said: "My message to all Spurs fans, because I represent them all, not just the angry ones that you're referring to and maybe you're talking to, is that we're working hard to turn this around.

"We know the situation. Notwithstanding the fact that the possibilities and opportunities in the second half of the season are still very much in our hands to capitalise on and still make it a successful season."

The 59-year-old went on to highlight the fact Spurs are still fighting on four fronts with a win against Elfsborg guaranteeing automatic qualification to the Europa League knockout stages, ahead of a week in which they defend a first-leg advantage in their Carabao Cup semifinal against Liverpool and face an FA Cup fourth-round trip to Aston Villa.

ESPN reported on Monday that Spurs will give Postecoglou a further chance to save his job but another downturn in results over the next 10 days could force a rethink.

"[The speculation] doesn't affect me," Postecoglou, who is able to recall Micky van de Ven after he recovered from a hamstring injury, said.

"It never has, it never will. My view of my role has never been about self-preservation or security. It is about trying to achieve and I'm still in a position where we can do that.

"You suggest there is a running commentary on me which is not surprising given our league position. I don't have to respond to that or get involved in that it doesn't interest me, it doesn't affect me.

"What is important to me is I have a responsibility ... As I said, people can choose to ignore it but we are still in a great position to achieve something really special this year. I am going to push this group of players and everyone at the club to not lose sight of the fact that this is a tough spot we're in but the possibilities of us doing something special are still there if we work our way through it."

Kulusevski's form has been one of the few positives, scoring seven goals in his last 14 games, and he launched a passionate defence of Postecoglou, who was named Spurs boss in the summer of 2023.

"We had games where we showed perfect football, football that not many teams can play in the world," he said. "We played beautiful games against United, City away 4-0, so I think he is the right man. We play for him, we want to win for him. To be honest, we have a little bit the same ideas because I am very positive as a guy, I always want to play that football that he wants.

"So I have to fight for him because I believe in that football too. So, yeah, I think he is the right man. Opinions change. It is not for me. I don't listen to anyone because I know the truth, I see the truth from my side. It is not important what people say, it has never been actually. The league is very bad and also the game on Sunday was tough to lose but I think you have to stay clear-minded and focus on the goals.

"We have made mistakes. Don't get me wrong, we have made a lot of mistakes. We have almost 10 fit players in four competitions, that is not OK and that's why the team is paying that price in the league especially. That's what I can tell you. You can look at the manager, you can look at the players but I think it is bigger than that. It is everything involved."

Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are available to face Elfsborg but James Maddison is out for "two or three weeks" with a calf strain.

Manchester United and Chelsea are both considering a late move for Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, while Al Nassr are eying two of Europe's top strikers. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.

Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men's January grades | Women's January grades

TOP STORIES

- Sources: Arsenal eye alternatives as Sesko hopes fade
- Sources: Man United push for Dorgu, Casemiro may leave
- Arsenal's Tierney to rejoin Celtic in summer - Rodgers

TRENDING RUMORS

- Fabrizio Romano says that Mathys Tel wants to leave Bayern Munich this window, with the club and forward now assessing potential transfer options, either on loan or permanently. Sky Sports Deutschland adds that Chelsea and Lyon are among the clubs showing a serious interest in the 19-year-old, while Manchester United may also consider a move for Tel -- as they rate him highly -- but will need to sort out the futures of Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford first.

- Aston Villa will accept an offer worth over 70m from Al Nassr for Jhon Durán, reports L'Equipe, which adds that the 21-year-old is waiting for the clubs to agree a fee having come to personal terms with the Saudi Arabian outfit. Florian Plettenberg, however, says that Al Nassr have reached an agreement to sign Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen for over 60m. It remains to be seen if both strikers will head to the Gulf, or if Al-Alami are waiting to see which deal suits them best before proceeding. If Al Nassr do choose to sign Boniface, Mark McAdam reports that Leverkusen have lined up Brighton & Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson as a replacement.

Napoli have turned down a 65m offer from Galatasaray for the permanent transfer of Victor Osimhen, reports Corriere dello Sport. The Nigeria striker has impressed after joining Galatasaray on loan in September, with 16 goals and five assists in 20 appearances across all competitions and has Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea on his trail. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis wants to wait until the end of the season to evaluate any offers for the 26-year-old, who has a contract until June 2026, but the club have already lowered Osimhen's release clause from 120m to 75m in the summer and De Laurentiis is reluctant to accept any offers below that.

- Manchester City have made Juventus an offer to sign midfielder Douglas Luiz on an "expensive" loan deal, according to Nicolo Schira. The Bianconeri have responded by demanding that an obligation to make the move permanent is included for them to give the green light to the 26-year-old being transferred. The Brazil international was on the City books between 2017 and 2019 but did not make a senior appearance for the club.

- AC Milan will make a second offer to sign Feyenoord striker Santiago Giménez on Wednesday evening if they secure a place in the Champions League top eight, reports Calciomercato, which adds that it will be worth 35m-40m with bonuses being part of that figure. The 23-year-old has put proposals from Ligue 1, the Premier League and Saudi Pro League on hold as Milan is his priority. In another Calciomercato report, it is stated that Feyenoord are taking a harder stance when it comes to Juventus' interest in Dávid Hancko, but the Bianconeri will keep pushing to sign the defender -- especially if Andrea Cambiaso leaves for Manchester City.

CONFIRMED TRANSFERS

- Neymar has agreed to return to Santos nearly 12 years after he left the Brazilian team, according to club president Marcelo Teixeira. The Brazil forward confirmed earlier that his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal had been terminated by mutual consent. He had an injury-marred spell at Al-Hilal, where he played only seven matches and scored once. Read

- Fiorentina have signed Spanish defender Pablo Mari on a permanent transfer from Como. The former Arsenal player, who made 83 league appearances for Como, has signed a contract with La Viola until June 2027.

- USWNT defender Crystal Dunn is free to pursue new opportunities after NWSL side Gotham FC announced that she would be leaving the club. Read

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN's resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen explores interest in Bayern's 19-year-old prodigy Mathys Tel.

While Tel's talent is undisputed -- his record at youth level for France is exceptional and he became Bayern's youngest ever goal scorer (17 years and 126 days) when he hit the net in a cup game just a few weeks after his 20m switch from Rennes in the summer of 2022 -- he has struggled to make a consistent mark for the German giants.

One reason for that is obviously the presence of Harry Kane as a No. 9, another being the perpetual dilemma over his future position: will he ever mould into an out-and-out centre-forward? Or does is he intrinsically a winger (as his heatmap suggests)? At only 19, such considerations are part of a player's natural development but it's problematic when a lack of playing time is thrown into the equation.

Whether he'd see more minutes for Chelsea or United remains unclear. But the Frenchman has everything in the locker to become one of the top forwards in European football. He's wonderfully athletic -- strong and fast with the acceleration to stretch defences. He also has excellent control and excels in attacking 1v1s through bursts or dribbling.

There's a reason why his youth performances drew comparisons to Kylian Mbappe, but those impressive skills have only been witnessed in flashes at senior level. A change of environment to build confidence can prove wonders though. If (and it's a big "if") a big club can reinvigorate the teenager, they might well have a 100m player on their hands.

OTHER RUMORS

- The WSL window ends tomorrow but Chelsea have shown interest in signing USWNT defensive midfielder Sam Coffey from the Portland Thorns. (BBC)

- Arsenal's women are finalizing a deal for former NWSL rookie of the year and USWNT defender Jenna Nighswonger from Gotham FC. (Athletic)

- Marcus Rashford's wage demands mean Juventus are his only option to leave Manchester United in January, although there is still the prospect of a Barcelona move in the future. The 27-year-old reportedly has little interest in the proposals from Tottenham and West Ham, while there is no prospect of a deal being completed to join Borussia Dortmund. (The Independent, )

- Chelsea are in advanced negotiations to sign 16-year-old left-back Denner from Corinthians for 8m and another 4.5m in add-ons. (UOL)

- Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has rejected the option to join Roma, as the Brazil international is not interested in a move to the Italian capital. (TNT)

- Santos are preparing for the return of Neymar but have also agreed to sign Chelsea forward Deivid Washington on loan until June. (Fabrizio Romano)

- Real Betis have already taken winger Antony on loan from Man United and the club are also keen to bring in left-back Tyrell Malacia. (Diario de Sevilla)

- Inter Milan are looking to sign left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal in the summer, with a move to Borussia Dortmund this month having collapsed. (InterLIVE)

- Struggling Tottenham want to sign Lille midfielder Angel Gomes this month, with chairman Daniel Levy pushing for a deal. (GMS)

- Manchester City are close to a 70m deal to sign Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso, 24, but have to wait until after Wednesday's Champions League match against Benfica, although he is injured and won't play in the game. (GMS)

- Bayer Leverkusen have withdrawn their interest in Manchester City midfielder James McAtee as they are set to land Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia. (Florian Plettenberg)

- Real Madrid won't sign any players in January now but will try to persuade 26-year-old Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold to join them in the summer. (Marca)

- RB Leipzig midfielder Eljif Elmas is set to undergo a medical at Torino, before signing on loan. (Fabrizio Romano)

- Shakhtar Donetsk have submitted a 15m bid to sign West Ham's 18-year-old winger Luis Guilherme. (Fabrizio Romano)