After being imprisoned for 10 months in Russia an American basketball player publishes a book about her "harsh" memoirs

American basketball player Brittney Griner announced, on Tuesday, that she is preparing a book about her 10-month imprisonment in Russia until December 2023, after her release in an exchange deal between Moscow and Washington.

Brittney Grainer said: “That February day marked the beginning of an incomprehensible period in my life, and I am now ready to share it.

The main reason I moved back to Russia at that time was because I wanted my (lesbian) wife, family and colleagues to be proud of me. After a very difficult 10 months behind bars, I am thankful that I was rescued and that I am home. Readers will hear my story and understand why I am so grateful for the support of people around the world."

The book of the American national team player and the “UMMC” team is scheduled to be published in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, previously, in the spring of 2024.

Brittney Grainer was detained in February 2022 at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow, on charges of attempting to smuggle narcotic substances into Russia.

And the Khimki District Court of the Moscow region issued a 9.5-year prison sentence against the American basketball player, along with a fine of one million rubles, about ($ 20,000), after she was convicted of smuggling and storing drugs - cannabis oil.

Brittney Grenier, who was detained in Russia from February to December 2023, was released in an exchange deal with Russian businessman Victor Bout, and the exchange took place at Abu Dhabi Airport, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is noteworthy that Brittney Grainer, 32, won with the US national team the 2014 Basketball World Cup in Turkey, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 2018 World Cup in Spain, and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Before her arrest, the American played with the basketball team (UMMC Ekaterinburg) from the Russian city of Yekaterinburg.

“I want to play with him soon.” Lewandowski hints at Messi's return to Barcelona

The Polish star, Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona striker, spoke about the return of the Argentine star, Lionel Messi, to the Catalan team, and the reasons for his decline in level and the approach to crowning the “La Liga” league.

Lionel Messi's contract with the French team, Paris Saint-Germain, expires next June, and he has not yet reached an agreement to extend it, amid reports of his desire to return to Barcelona.

"Messi is part of this club, if he returns, it will not only be great for the fans, but also for the players," Lewandowski said in statements to the Spanish newspaper "Sport".

The Polish striker added, "We know that his place is here in Barcelona. I do not know what will happen, but I hope that we will play together next season, although I am not the right person to answer these questions. Messi belongs to Barcelona, ​​and if he returns, it will be something incredible."

And Spanish newspapers reported news about Lionel Messi's agreement to return to Barcelona again next summer, especially since everyone welcomes him in the "Blaugrana".

And press reports indicated that Barcelona will make a financial offer to Messi at a value of 10 million euros, an annual salary, in addition to a percentage of the income related to the team’s sponsorship related to his return, and a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of tickets and his shirts.

On the other hand, Lewandowski explained the reason for his decline in the recent period, saying: "In the last matches, I was not good enough. Also, the World Cup held several things."

He continued, "The fans always expect more goals, but I am convinced that we can be better offensively. I am sure that we will score several goals."

The Polish star concluded by talking about approaching the crowning of the Spanish League: "We are focused on La Liga, and there are still several points remaining. We do not think about the difference between us and Real Madrid, but we have to score goals and make the fans happy."

Barcelona leads the league list with 72 points, 13 points ahead of runners-up Real Madrid, the defending champions, just 10 rounds before the end of the league.

The nightmare of English clubs God save Karim Benzema!

The Spanish newspaper “AS” said that Frenchman Karim Benzema, Real Madrid striker, is a headache for English clubs, ahead of Chelsea’s confrontation this evening, Wednesday, in the Champions League.

The "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium will host this evening, at exactly 19:00 GMT, the upcoming match between Real Madrid and its guest Chelsea, in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The official website of the “AS” newspaper published an article entitled: “May God protect Karim Benzema”, using the British national anthem, and the phrase “God save the king” was replaced by “God save Karim Benzema” as a metaphor for his permanent superiority with Real Madrid against the English teams.

The famous Spanish newspaper indicated that the French striker scored 19 goals and provided 3 assists in 26 matches against English teams, including 5 goals against Chelsea in 4 matches he played in the Champions League.

According to the newspaper, Benzema has a goal scoring rate every 110 minutes against English clubs.

The Real Madrid striker did not miss any opportunity to score Chelsea, at the "Santiago Bernabeu", the stronghold of the royal team.

Chelsea visited the “Santiago Bernabeu” stadium twice before, the first in the first leg of the semi-finals of the European Champions League season (2020-2021), and it ended in a positive draw (1-1), and Benzema scored the “Merengue” goal.

As for the second visit, it was in the second leg of the quarter-finals of the championship last season (2021-2022), which ended with Chelsea’s victory (3-2), and the French striker scored the second goal for the royal team.

Karim Benzema, 34, scored 16 goals in the Champions League knockout matches, which Real Madrid won four times between (2014 and 2018), including the 2018 final against Liverpool.