Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has revealed the players, coaches, and goalkeepers he voted for in various categories for the 2023 FIFA Best Award. Messi, who clinched the FIFA The Best men’s award on Monday, secured the accolade ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and former Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé. Here is the breakdown of Messi’s votes: FIFA 2023 Best Player: 1. Haaland 2. Mbappé 3. Alvarez FIFA Best Goalkeeper: 1. Ederson 2. Onana 3. Ter Stegen The FIFA Best Coach: 1. Pep Guardiola 2. Xavi 3. Luciano Spalletti
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
In a compelling start to their 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) journey, two-time champions Algeria found themselves in a 1-1 draw against a determined Angola, who orchestrated a second-half comeback to clinch a valuable point in Group D. ALG 1-1 ANG: Match Recap and Updated AFCON Group D Standings Algeria, fielding a star-studded lineup with players from Europe’s top five leagues, asserted early dominance in Bouaké. Baghdad Bounedjah displayed his scoring prowess by volleying a precise over-the-top pass from Youcef Belaïli into the net, granting the Desert Warriors a well-deserved lead. Despite Bounedjah’s early heroics, Angola remained steadfast, adjusting…
On March 8 in Saudi Arabia, Great Britain’s Anthony Joshua is set to take on MMA fighter Francis Ngannou in a heavyweight showdown. Previously dismissing the idea of facing Cameroon-born Ngannou as a “gimmick fight,” the 34-year-old Joshua is now committed to this bout. Ngannou, a 37-year-old former UFC champion, entered professional boxing in October, delivering a knockdown to Tyson Fury before narrowly losing by decision. The undercard features Joseph Parker against China’s Zhilei Zhang, with Briton Nick Ball facing Rey Vargas for the WBC featherweight title in his first world-title bout. Ngannou surprised the boxing world last year by…
Premier League teams are now particularly susceptible to facing Financial Fair Play (FFP) penalties following a recent alteration in regulations. The Premier League’s recent implementation of its most stringent points deduction in history signifies a notable shift in its stance on financial compliance. The November 10-point deduction handed to Everton for violating financial regulations serves as a stark reminder to all league clubs regarding the importance of upholding fiscal responsibility. This unprecedented penalty not only underscores the league’s gravity regarding financial mismanagement but also establishes a precedent for future enforcement. Understanding the rules of profitability and sustainability The Premier League’s…
Super Eagles media officer, Babafemi Raji, has addressed concerns regarding Victor Osimhen and Alhassan Yusuf training separately from the main squad. Osimhen played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, while Yusuf was substituted in the second half by Joe Aribo. Raji reassured that both players are expected to be ready for selection in the upcoming match against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday. “Alhassan Yusuf left the pitch yesterday due to a cramp, and Victor Osimhen experienced a slight strain. However, it’s nothing to worry about; it’s just precautionary. They should still be available for selection when…
Ederson, the goalkeeper for Manchester City and Brazil, clinched the 2023 The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award following his outstanding performance in a triumphant season with the club. As the mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s squad, Ederson played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s success, securing victories in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. The 30-year-old showcased his exceptional skills in the Champions League final against Inter, making crucial saves, including a spectacular one in the closing moments, ensuring Rodri’s 68th-minute goal secured the title. This marked Ederson’s first time receiving the prestigious award, a notable achievement after finishing…
Ghana endured a disastrous start to their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, suffering a surprising 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in their inaugural Group B encounter. Veteran forward Jordan Ayew points to a crucial missing element that the team needed to overcome Cape Verde’s challenge. Cape Verde’s Jamiro Monteiro capitalized on a 17th-minute opportunity after Richard Ofori parried a powerful shot, giving the Blue Sharks an early lead. Although the Black Stars leveled the score with a goal from Majeed Ashimeru, it was disallowed for offside. Alexander Djiku managed to score Ghana’s lone goal in the 56th minute. Unfortunately,…
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United’s recently acquired minority shareholder, attended the clash at Old Trafford where his investment team battled Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Sunday. Despite facing significant pressure during an action-packed first half, Manchester United managed to take the lead twice courtesy of their revitalized attacking duo, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford. Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur responded for Tottenham, leading to a balanced but less eventful second half. The draw saw Tottenham drop out of the top four, while Manchester United climbed to seventh place. Game Highlights: Hojlund, who had previously taken…
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has shared that acquiring a stake in Manchester United ranks as the most thrilling endeavor in his life. Ratcliffe, along with his company INEOS, has reached an agreement to purchase a 25% stake in United. The billionaire made his inaugural visit to Old Trafford for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur since the announcement of this arrangement. Speaking publicly for the first time since the agreement, Ratcliffe addressed journalists gathered in the press conference room ahead of kick-off. “It’s the first match for me since we sort of got there, if you like,” Ratcliffe mentioned during his…
Real Madrid secured a triumphant El Clasico victory over Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final, with Vinicius Junior’s first-half hat trick setting the stage for a memorable win. Capitalizing on defensive lapses from Barcelona, Vinicius Junior showcased clinical finishing, securing his three goals in the opening half. The scoring continued in the second half as Rodryo Goes added another for Madrid. Barcelona’s woes escalated when Ronald Araujo received a red card in the second half, compounding their disastrous evening in Saudi Arabia. The game unfolded rapidly, with Real Madrid taking the lead within the first seven minutes. Jude Bellingham’s…
Karim Benzema, currently playing as a striker for Al-Ittihad, expresses a strong desire to return to European football, and Manchester United is reportedly keen on securing his services this month, as per Marca reports. Having concluded a remarkable 14-year stint with Real Madrid last June, Benzema embarked on a new chapter by signing a three-year deal with the Saudi Pro League side, reportedly valued at £86 million per season. Despite a noteworthy performance with 12 goals in 20 appearances in the Middle East, challenges have arisen for the 36-year-old in Saudi Arabia. Notably, Benzema failed to appear for the commencement…
Chelsea FC is reportedly poised to acquire the services of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, with a willingness to make a substantial €80 million investment in the 23-year-old forward, according to Goal Italia. Chelsea’s interest in the Serie A player stems from Vlahovic’s mixed tenure at Juventus since his transfer from Fiorentina, where he has struggled to consistently reach top form. Despite the challenges, Chelsea sees potential in the Serbian striker and believes that a fresh start at Stamford Bridge could revitalize his career. According to Goal.com, Chelsea’s leadership is prepared to make a significant financial commitment to bring Vlahovic to…
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has drawn a comparison between Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne. Keown made the observation following Palmer’s influential performance in Chelsea’s crucial 1-0 victory against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Impressed by Palmer’s abilities, Keown noted the young England star’s ‘helicopter vision,’ a trait reminiscent of De Bruyne’s playmaking skills. Keown stated via talkSPORT, “Palmer played a De Bruyne-like pass, it’s the kind of pass we hadn’t seen in this game yet. Palmer sees these opportunities on the pitch. We talk about a helicopter vision of the game from De Bruyne, and…
Okocha made a visit to the Super Eagles players following their disappointing start to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. After the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening Group A match, the Super Eagles expressed their respect for Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, the former Nigeria captain, who took the time to visit the team. Despite being the favorites, Nigeria faced an unexpected setback as Equatorial Guinea took the lead with a goal from Ivan Salvador. Victor Osimen managed to equalize for the Super Eagles, but they couldn’t secure a victory despite numerous chances. Following the match,…
The Premier League is set to notify Everton and Nottingham Forest of potential breaches of profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR), which may lead to a points deduction, as reported by The Athletic. The formal charges are expected to be communicated to both clubs on Monday, January 15. Subsequently, Everton and Nottingham Forest will be referred to an independent commission to address the alleged violations. If found guilty, potential punishments may include fines or a deduction of points. Premier League clubs are allowed a maximum loss of £105 million over a three-year period, equivalent to £35 million per season. It’s noteworthy…
Throughout football’s rich history, certain players have transcended the ordinary, etching their names in the annals of the sport with exceptional skills. Below is a comprehensive list of the top 10 most skillful footballers of all time, each celebrated for their unique prowess on the field. 10. Garrincha: The Samba Maestro A pivotal figure in Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup triumphs, Garrincha not only secured both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot in the latter but showcased mesmerizing skills that echo through football history. 9. Jay-Jay Okocha: Nigeria’s Dazzling Virtuoso Twice recognized for his extraordinary skills, Jay-Jay Okocha’s dazzling…
Bayern Munich is contemplating a summer swoop on Bayer Leverkusen’s playing and coaching staff in an effort to reclaim their dominance in German football. Despite securing the Bundesliga title in each of the last 11 seasons, Bayern faced a close call in the 2022/23 campaign, relying on Borussia Dortmund’s final-day stumble to clinch the championship. Currently trailing Leverkusen in the ongoing season, the reigning champions are considering reinforcements. Leverkusen, under the management of former Bayern player Xabi Alonso, has been making waves, remaining unbeaten across all competitions and holding a four-point lead over Bayern at the top of the table.…
Cole Palmer’s debut season at Chelsea has showcased a calm demeanor that belies his limited top-flight experience prior to joining the London club at 21. Despite having only three Premier League starts at Manchester City, where he spent much of his youth, Chelsea invested £42.5m in the promising attacking midfielder, who had fewer league goals and assists than Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson. The gamble has proven successful, with Palmer seamlessly adapting to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, effortlessly navigating games and consistently finding the back of the net. Surpassing the goal tally of any Chelsea player from the previous season before the halfway…
Mikel Arteta, adopting a tone reminiscent of a disheartened Love Island contestant, nonchalantly commented, “It is what it is,” following Arsenal’s third consecutive defeat, sounding resigned after the team’s slump. With one win in seven games across all competitions leading to a drop from the top spot on Christmas Day to five points behind league leaders Liverpool, Arteta faces challenges heading into the second half of the season and the upcoming Champions League knockout stages. Here are five strategies for Arteta to navigate through this tough period: 1. Maintain Composure: Despite a recent goal drought and a challenging run of…
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau voiced his discontent with the Super Eagles following their 1-1 draw against the underdog Equatorial Guinea in the inaugural AFCON Group A match in Abidjan. Despite staging a comeback from a goal down, the Super Eagles’ lackluster performance, characterized by their failure to convert numerous clear-cut chances, fell short of expectations. Gusau, accompanied by the Presidential delegation leader George Akume, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other high-ranking officials, visited the team’s dressing room to convey his disappointment. He criticized the team for not delivering their best on the field, especially considering the significant support from the…