Young Australian defender Lucas Herrington has traveled an extraordinary journey over the past nine months, but this week he returned to Brisbane in preparation for playing two friendly matches against Brazil, and fulfilling a dream he had since childhood.
At the beginning of the year, the promising centre-back was one of the most prominent emerging talents in the ranks of Brisbane Roar in the Australian League, but his move to the American Colorado Rapids, his brilliance on the international scene, and then joining Hull City in England, changed the course of his career remarkably within a short period.
Herington, who celebrated his 19th birthday at the beginning of this month, told reporters on Wednesday: “It seems really crazy... Time has passed so quickly.”
He added: “It was a wonderful trip for me, and I enjoyed every moment of it.” "I'm just trying to stay humble, keep working hard, and enjoy this experience."
Herrington, who on Tuesday won the Harry Kewell Award for the best Australian under-23 player, expressed reservations when it was pointed out that his innate talent facilitated his reaching this level.
“Obviously I had to work hard and adapt to every stage I went through,” he said.
He added: “From Brisbane to Colorado, and from the Australian national team to English football, each station has its own environment and different style of training. “You have to adapt to all of that.”
He continued: “But in the end, football is football, and I simply love playing it.”
The Australian national team will face its Brazilian counterpart in Townsville, Queensland, on Friday, before meeting them again next Tuesday at Lang Park Stadium in Brisbane, the city that witnessed Herrington's first professional appearance less than two years ago.
In addition to the possibility of facing stars like Vinicius Junior, the second match is of special importance for the young defender, as he has never represented his country on the soil of his city.
“I can't wait,” he said. “It has always been one of my dreams to represent Australia in Brisbane.”
He added: “A large number of my family and friends will come to watch me, and we will face one of the greatest teams in the world. “There are not many competitors that match Brazil on the international stage.”
He concluded by saying: “I think everyone is excited about this match.” I'm excited, the coaching staff is excited, Brisbane is ready for it and even the whole state of Queensland looks ready too. "I can't wait to wear the shirt."
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will not allow his players to relax and be satisfied with what they achieved this summer when they were crowned world champions, with their return to competitions this week for the first time since their coronation at the expense of Argentina.
Although they imposed their dominance over Europe in 2024 and then won the World Cup this summer, the Spaniards are looking to continue development and progress when they face England on Saturday in the European Nations League.
De la Fuente said that, after beating Argentina in the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19, he was already thinking about the future.
The 65-year-old coach signed a new contract earlier this week binding him to the national team until 2032.
De La Fuente said: “In the midst of the celebrations, after only two or three minutes, one of the players came to me and asked me: What do we have left to win? Well, the England match is on September 26.”
He added: “This team never stops. The World Cup is not enough, we have to become better. What we achieved is not enough to win the next match.”
Spain's next big goal will be the 2028 European Cup, where it has a chance to emulate the achievement of the golden generation that won the 2008 European Cup, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Cup.
De La Fuente admitted that repeating that achievement would not be easy, saying: “In life, it is very difficult to win, and the number of losers is much greater than the number of winners,” adding: “Repeating previous successes in terms of titles... We will try to be in a position that allows us to compete for victory.”
He added: “We are now the team that everyone wants to defeat. This is an additional motivation.”
England, led by German Thomas Tuchel, who lost to Spain in the 2024 European Cup final, is a direct reminder of the level that the world champions are expected to maintain.
De La Fuente called up a squad very similar to the one that won the World Cup, in preparation for the upcoming European Nations League matches against England, Croatia (twice), and the Czech Republic.
Young star Lamine Gamal, who has regained his form with Barcelona, and captain Rodri remain the most prominent pillars of the team, and both are candidates to win the Ballon d'Or, despite some changes in the rest of the list.
Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez returned after missing the World Cup due to a foot injury, and Real Madrid defender Dean Housen was also called up again.
The injury of goalkeeper Joan Garcia made way for Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez, while the brilliant Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandez may make his debut with “La Roja,” while Ivan Fresneda received a late call-up as a replacement for injured Tottenham defender Pedro Porro.
“How can there not be continuity with players who have won everything,” De La Fuente said. But this does not mean that we will not give the opportunity to those who knock on the door.”
Mikel Oyarzabal led Spain's attack during most of its World Cup campaign, while Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the final, but Fernandez is able to impose himself after he was chosen at the expense of Real Madrid striker Carlos Espe.
This position, along with other positions, will remain in contention during the European Nations League competitions and on the way to the 2028 European Cup, which de la Fuente sees as ideal.
The coach's message is clear: Spain seeks progress and development despite all the titles it has won, and strong competition within the team may help provide the appropriate environment for this development.
Frenchman Isaac Hajjar will defend the Red Bull colors for the 2027 season of the Formula 1 World Championship after extending his contract, according to what the Austrian team announced, on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix scheduled for this weekend in Baku.
The Austrian team said in a statement: “We are pleased to announce the extension of Ishak Hajjar’s contract, thus completing the duo of drivers for the 2027 season of the Formula 1 World Championship,” referring to the extension of the contract of four-time world champion Dutchman Max Verstappen until 2030 in August.
The young French driver made a strong start to the season in his first year with Red Bull, but his progress was hampered by a wrist injury that forced him to miss the last three rounds.
He is expected to return to the wheel of his car this week in Baku.
Red Bull quoted Hajjar as saying: “I am very happy to continue this adventure with Oracle Red Bull Racing.” “I joined this team eight months ago, and I immediately realized the size and ambition of this organization.”
He added: “I constantly strive to listen, learn and develop myself every day, which increases my enthusiasm for what awaits me in the future.”
For his part, the French director of the Red Bull team, Laurent Mekes, welcomed the contract extension, saying: “We are happy to continue our journey with Isaac. Since joining us at the beginning of the year, he has shown an exceptional level on and off the track, especially since he is still only in his second season in Formula 1. Therefore, the decision to extend his contract was a no-brainer.”
He added: “The period following his injury was difficult for him, but this extension reflects the confidence we place in him, and we are eager to see him again on the track.”
Hajjar, who will turn 22 next Monday, is ranked eighth in the World Championship standings with 71 points.
He reached the podium at the Monaco Grand Prix by finishing third, and also achieved a series of seven consecutive places in the top six before suffering an injury.
The Frenchman is playing his second season in Formula 1 after finishing runner-up in the Formula 2 championship in 2024. After a distinguished first season with the Racing Bulls team in 2025, this year he moved to Red Bull to partner with Verstappen.
