Following the recent conclusion of the European Championship and Copa América, the world’s football governing body FIFA published the updated rankings after what was a busy month of football. Spain climbed to third spot following their Euro 2024 success against England – in the latest rankings released on Thursday. Meanwhile, reigning world champions Argentina retained their status as the number one national team in the world following their Copa América victory against Colombia in the final. England moved into fourth spot, climbing past Brazil, who were disappointing in the Copa América, crashing out in the quarter final stage. Venezuela, who…
Author: Somto Isaac
Luka Modric has penned a new one-year contract extension with Real Madrid which will see him remain at the club until 2025. The 38-year-old recently lifted his sixth UEFA Champions League and a fourth LaLiga title with Los Blancos last season. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner’s previous contract had expired at the end of the 2023-24 campaign but he revealed to fans during Madrid’s 15th Champions League victory celebration that he would remain put at the Spanish capital. Modric is the most successful Real Madrid player, with 26 trophies since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2012. The veteran…
Victor Osimhen is a big name on the transfer market as the Nigerian striker looks set for a move away from Napoli this summer. The reigning African Footballer of the Year has been monitored by different clubs ahead of a potential move after the Naples club agreed to let him go. Osimhen is reportedly expected to leave for less than the release clause in his Napoli contract to encourage suitable buyers for his signature. A report from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Osimhen’s camp is now in advanced talks with Paris Saint-Germain to replace Kylian Mbappe who was…
France captain and superstar Kylian Mbappe was officially presented and unveiled as a Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. The 25-year-old made a bold statement in front of the Los Blancos faithful — as he completed his medical in the morning and signed a five-year contract while also being given the No.9 shirt by club president Florentino Perez. Expressing his happiness, Mbappe said to a sell-out crowd: “Wow.” “For years I’ve dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream has come true. “I’m a happy boy. I’m going to give my life for this club.”…
Gareth Southgate has left his role as manager of the England national team after eight years in charge. After taking over in 2016, he led the Three Lions to successive European Championship finals, coming close but not achieving silverware since they last won the World Cup in 1966. Following their World Cup semi final in 2016, England went a step further by reaching the final of Euro 2020, losing to Italy on penalties. Their quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup was followed by another appearance at the Euro 2024 final, losing 2-1 Spain — an outcome which has led…
Gareth Southgate admitted Spain were deserving winners of Euro 2024, saying La Roja were the best team in the final against England. Spain were triumphant in all seven games in Germany on their way to winning the trophy, but England took La Roja to the limit, losing 2-1 in the end following Mikel Oyarzabal’s late winner. “As always in these games, it’s fine margins. But I think they were the best team in the tournament and over the piece they deserved to win,” Southgate said. “We’ve competed until the very end of the final. I think today we didn’t keep…
Germany’s Thomas Muller has announced his retirement from international football following the conclusion of Euro 2024. Muller and hosts Germany were eliminated from the quarter final stage in what was a crushing extra time loss against Spain. “After 131 national team games and 45 goals, I am saying goodbye,” the 34-year-old said in a video. Muller – who turns 35 in September – was a key member of the German team that lifted the World Cup in 2014. The Bayern Munich forward also scored the opening goal in Germany’s historic 7-1 win over the hosts Brazil in the semi-final. “When…
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has revealed his desire to see Angel Di Maria end his international career with a goal against Colombia in the Copa América final on Sunday. Di Maria announced, in November, he would be bringing an end to international commitments after dawning La Albiceleste’s colours for 15 years. Ahead of what would the 36-year-old’s final game for the world champions, Messi wants his teammate to be on the scoresheet once again, like he did in the continental final to win it against Brazil in 2021 and against France in the World Cup final in 2022. “Who knows,…
Gareth Southgate is one hurdle away from redemption as his England team faces Spain in the final of the 2024 European Championship. Southgate expressed satisfaction with how far his team has come in Germany in his press conference as his side aims to win another major trophy since the FIFA World Cup in 1966. It has been 58 years of wait which has included huge expectations and bitter disappointments – however, the Englishman is now of the opinion his team’s status on the continent is up with the best. “We tried to change the mindset from the start, we’ve tried…
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has insisted his charges must stick to being themselves and their identity of football as they gear up to face England in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday. La Roja have been phenomenal in the competition, notching six successive wins – including the likes of France, hosts Germany and defending champions Italy. Ahead of their final hurdle to what could be a record fourth European Championship, De la Fuente has urged his side not to sacrifice their attacking mentality, confidence and style. “If we are not Spain, we have no chance,” De la Fuente…