New teenage Real Madrid signing Takefusa Kubo said it was an "honor" to be nicknamed the "Japanese Messi" when speaking to reporters at the Copa America on Thursday.
In soccer, Japan's national Under-22 squad finished in second place after being defeated by Brazil in the final of an international competition in France.
For the first time in 44 years, Japan's national men's basketball team will compete in the Olympics. It will be joining the women's team to play in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Santiago Solari vowed to fight on but the reign of Real Madrid in Europe is over and their season effectively is too after they were stunned by a 4-1 defeat at home to Ajax on Tuesday.