WAYNE ROONEY "still has the offer of an ambassadorial role" at ManU on retirement despite having left the club for Everton. When signing his last agreement at Old Trafford in Feb. '14, Rooney expected to finish his playing career at ManU. The terms "also included an ambassadorial position but the contractually binding nature of this ended when the player left for Goodison Park" (London GUARDIAN, 7/17). ... Former Italy forward ANTONIO CASSANO has "un-retired" from football a few hours after telling his Serie B side Verona teammates that he was "missing his family too much and wanted to quit the game." The former Italy int'l joined Verona "only eight days ago and made the decision to leave the club and retire from football early on Tuesday." However, in the afternoon, the 35-year-old told the media that he "reconsidered" and was now looking forward to "having a fun season" with his new club (GUARDIAN, 7/18). ... Former Wallaby ROD KAFER wants to "help make Australian rugby great again" after being charged with setting up a National Coaching Advisory Panel, his first official role in the game for more than a decade. The TV pundit and businessman was recruited by the Australian Rugby Union as "part of a drive to arrest the decline of the 15-man code" (REUTERS, 7/18). ... Spanish cyclist HAIMAR ZUBELDIA said that he is retiring in August after taking part in his 16th Tour de France. The Basque "was a last-minute inclusion" in Trek-Segafredo's Tour team after ANDRÉ CARDOSO was suspended "following a positive drugs test" (REUTERS, 7/17).
NEYMAR ON THE MOVE?: Several reports "surfaced on Monday" which linked NEYMAR with a "possible move" to Paris St. Germain, "but one Brazilian outlet has gone a step further and has reported that a deal is already done." Brazilian TV channel Esporte Interativo said that Neymar "accepted a proposal from the French capital to move away from the Camp Nou," with the Ligue 1 side ready to pay his release clause of €222M ($256.5M) (MARCA, 7/18). Neymar responded to the Esporte Interativo report with an email to Goal. He said in the email, "The last one was my best season in Barcelona. I am very adapted to the city, the club and I am happy here. That is reflected on the performance of an athlete" (GOAL, 7/18).
