National Sports

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — When Joan Monfort took photos of Lionel Messi with a baby for a charity calendar almost 17 years ago, he knew the long-haired young man would make it big in soccer. He could not have imagined the little boy would as well.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Having led Canada to the semifinals of the Copa America, coach Jesse Marsch said he didn't need success to prove his ability after he was fired by Leeds and overlooked by the U.S. Soccer Federation.

NEW YORK (AP) — Lionel Messi won't be stopped by a leg injury and will play in Argentina's Copa America semifinal against Canada on Tuesday night. Messi has been dealing with a right leg problem since the 1-0 group stage win over Chile on June 25.

LONDON (AP) — Maybe the Centre Court spectators were saluting Novak Djokovic's opponent by saying his name. Maybe they were booing Djokovic, trying to rattle him.

CHICAGO — Canadian international midfielder Julia Grosso has signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League.

Canada's rugby sevens women have been drawn in a pool with New Zealand, Fiji and China at the Paris Olympics later this month. The Canadians, who finished fifth in the HSBC SVNS overall standings this season, will play No. 6 Fiji and No.

TORONTO — Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is willing to be patient with Sasha Vezenkov. The 28-year-old forward was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Raptors on June 28 on the second day of the NBA Draft.

QUEBEC CITY, Que. — Two former Quebec junior hockey players were handed prison sentences Monday for sexually assaulting a minor at a hotel in June 2021 in the aftermath of a Victoriaville Tigres championship celebration.

LONDON (AP) — After Taylor Fritz deposited a backhand that Alexander Zverev didn't even chase, wrapping up the American's comeback from a two-set hole in Wimbledon's fourth round Monday, the men met at the net for what turned into a longer-than-usual

TORONTO — The future is now for Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. Barnes and Quickley had new deals with the Toronto Raptors officially announced on Monday, locking up the team's young core for at least the next three seasons.