Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has shutdown talk of landing a maiden Ballon d’Or while emphasizing on the need to keep improving as opposed to individual laurels. The 23-year-old is seemingly focused on winning a second Champions League title on Saturday, when Los Blancos battle Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, before worrying about personal glory. The Brazilian was responsible for Madrid’s 14th European triumph in 2022, netting from close range in the 1-0 win over Liverpool. The final in 2022 was a crowing moment for Vini who had a difficult start to life in the Spanish capital. Following the departure of…
Author: Somto Isaac
Reigning African Player of the Year and Nigeria star, Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of the all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers coming up in June. The 25-year-old will now miss the games against South Africa and Benin due to injury. The Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] revealed that the Napoli striker sustained an injury which will sideline him for up to four weeks. Osimhen — who is of keen interest in the upcoming summer transfer window and has a 120million Euros release clause — has now been replaced by Enugu Rangers defender Kenneth Igboke. The Super Eagles are set…
Real Madrid stormed to their record-extending 36th league title following a stunning 2023-24 campaign which saw them record just one loss and one player key to their success has been ultimately awarded as the LaLiga Player Of The Season. Jude Bellingham was voted by fans, club captains and a panel of experts beating teammate Vinicius Jr., Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid and Girona marksman Artem Dovbyk. The 20-year-old scored 19 goals and recorded six assists in 28 league games, while also totalling 23 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for the Los Blancos. The Englishman, who was…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted the club ‘”respects” neighbours Manchester United “for its history” while also agreeing with Erik ten Hag on his sentiments of injuries costing the season. The Premier League manager of the year was swift to defend his “suffering” opposite number who claimed the Red Devils’ season has been derailed by ‘numerous injuries’. The bitter rivals are set to clash at Wembley on Saturday (3pm Nigerian time) for a consecutive FA Cup final. After becoming England’s first team to win the Premier League title four times in a row — if City come out victorious in…
FC Barcelona announced the sacking of head coach Xavi Hernández on Friday which stirred a plethora of opinions. The hierarchy of the Catalan club had initially convinced the Spaniard to stay until the end of his contract in 2025 after he announced his resignation in January but have now fired the 44-year-old ahead of next season – however, he will be in the dugout for their final game of this term against Sevilla on Sunday. Sevilla gaffer Quique Sanches Flores has now provided his sentiments on the situation, criticizing Barcelona on how they treat the greats of their club. Flores…
SSC Napoli have been on a downward spiral since winning the Italian league and reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter final in 2022-23 under Luciano Spalletti. The Parthenope have gone through though three coaches in this past 2023-24 campaign while also failing to qualify for Europe. The Italian outfit are reportedly set to advance in talks with Antonio Conte to take over as the new coach of the side ahead of next season. It had been initially reported that club president Aurelio De Laurentiis was highly interested in bringing Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League-winning coach, Gian Piero Gasperini to start a…
Xavi Hernández has been relieved of his duty as head coach of FC Barcelona’s first team, the club announced on Friday. The 44-year-old had, months ago, previously announced his decision to step down as gaffer of the side at the end of the season. However, following discussions with and convinction from the club hierarchy, the former Blaugrana captain decided to reverse his decision. Despite Xavi’s u-turn on his initial decision, the LaLiga giants have proceeded to sack him – with a fallout with the club president Joan Laporta reported as the cause of his exit. Laporta was reported to be…
West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá has been charged by the English FA with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3. The Brazilian is the next Premier League player who has now faced similar charge from England’s football governing body. Brentford captain Ivan Toney returned early this year after a ban from football in relation to betting breaches. Meanwhile, Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is also currently serving a suspension in relation to an identical case. A statement from the FA’s read: “It’s alleged that Lucas directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or occurrence…
Olivier Giroud has made known his plan to call time on his international career this summer. The France striker will make the step once next month’s European Championship comes to a conclusion, admitting he wants to ensure he does not play “one season too many.” The 37-year-old who joined Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC from AC Milan at the start of May, is the county’s all-time leading has scored 57 goals for the men’s national team, after surpassing Thierry Henry during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker has also featured 131 times…
Ademola Lookman was unplayable in the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League final as the Nigerian forward netted a hat-trick to end Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s unbeaten run. Lookman also made history by becoming the first man to score three goals in a Europa League final. The 3-0 bashing of the German outfit ensured the Bergamo club lifted their first ever European title. Lookman’s two first half strikes sent the Italian side on their way against the German champions. The former RB Leipzig man then put the cherry on top of a dashing performance with a glorious goal in the second half. Lookman’s…