The highly anticipated IBF heavyweight title fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois is set for September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium in England. Ahead of the bout, Nigerian-born UFC star Israel Adesanya has placed a $10,000 bet on Joshua to emerge victorious. Adesanya revealed his wager via an Instagram post on September 17, 2024, showing he predicted Joshua would win between the 10th and 12th rounds, with a potential payout of $50,000. The showdown, expected to attract 96,000 fans, marks Dubois’ debut at England’s national stadium, while Joshua is familiar with the venue. The pressure will be on Dubois,…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman reflected on their goalless draw with Arsenal, describing the match as “a chess match.” The two sides faced off in their first Champions League game of the season on Thursday night, with both teams unable to find the back of the net. Atalanta had a golden opportunity in the second half, but David Raya saved Mateo Retegui’s penalty. “We had a plan, and we were unfortunate not to score. We’ll take the positives and move forward,” Lookman said. “It was like a chess match. Obviously, they’re one of the top teams, and we matched them tonight.…
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick stated that Eric Garcia’s red card in the 10th minute significantly impacted his team’s performance in their 2-1 loss to Monaco in the Champions League on Thursday. Monaco secured a surprising victory at home, marking their return to the competition after five years. They took the lead through Maghnes Akilouche following Garcia’s dismissal. Lamine Yamal equalized for Barcelona, but George Ilenikhena scored the winner for Monaco. In his post-match interview, Flick acknowledged, “The sending off completely changed the game. Monaco deserved the win. We need to reflect on what happened, but we should be proud despite…
Erik ten Hag has assured that he will not take any risks with Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount as both players have returned to training with Manchester United. Hojlund has yet to play this season due to a summer injury, while Mount last featured in the second week of the campaign. Both were back in training this week and could be available for Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace. After witnessing both players miss significant time due to injuries last season, Ten Hag is committed to allowing them ample time to regain their fitness. He feels confident that his squad is…
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has expressed sympathy for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury. Odegaard’s injury has cast doubt on his availability for Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday. During his pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola praised the 25-year-old midfielder, calling him an exceptional talent. “I feel so sorry for him. I always prefer to face the biggest and toughest squads,” Guardiola said. “Odegaard is Arsenal’s captain, and everyone knows he’s an important and exceptional player.” He added, “In a long season, injuries,…
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has expressed surprise at the team’s progress since he joined the club this summer. Maresca was appointed to replace Mauricio Pochettino, who left by mutual consent, and after a lackluster pre-season, many were concerned it would take time for the players to adapt to his methods. However, Chelsea has made a solid start to the season, earning seven points from their first four games, and Maresca acknowledged that he didn’t expect this level of progress so soon. “We are ahead of where I expected, to be honest,” Maresca told club media. “The players have been…
Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he misses being a football manager. The 82-year-old retired after the 2012/2013 season, having led United to their 13th Premier League title in his 27 years at Old Trafford. Since his departure, United has struggled for success, with Manchester City dominating much of the last decade. In an interview on BBC Breakfast, Ferguson reflected on life after retirement, saying, “Yeah, I miss it sometimes. The first year after retiring, I attended the European final and told Cathy, ‘This is what I miss’—the big games, the European matches. I started going…
Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has named Cristiano Ronaldo as one of his top three football idols. Zirkzee, who signed with Man United during the summer transfer window, also cited Robin van Persie and Dennis Bergkamp as key influences. At 23 years old, Zirkzee is aiming to follow in the footsteps of these legends. When asked by Viaplay to name his three idols, Zirkzee responded:”Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin van Persie, Dennis Bergkamp.” Ronaldo and Van Persie both had successful stints at Manchester United, while Bergkamp made his mark at Arsenal.
Portugal is set to introduce a new €7 coin in honor of Cristiano Ronaldo, celebrating the 39-year-old’s remarkable achievements in football. Journalist Carol Radull reports that the initiative acknowledges Ronaldo’s significant contributions to both club and country throughout his illustrious career. Having made a name for himself at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, he is now making waves in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo holds the record as the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football, with 132 goals in a record 214 appearances for Portugal. He played a crucial role in Portugal’s historic Euro 2016 victory and helped secure the…
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have maintained their 39th position in the latest FIFA world rankings following the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. This comes after a 3-0 victory over Benin Republic and a draw against Rwanda in Kigali. Despite these results, Nigeria remains among the top 40 football nations globally. In Africa, they are ranked sixth, behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia. Their direct rivals, Ghana, sit at 70th, while South Africa is at 59th. Nigeria is currently searching for a new head coach, with their next AFCON qualifier scheduled for next month against Libya in…
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to bench one of his forwards as part of a “mini revolution,” according to Marca. Ancelotti is considering dropping one of Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius, or Rodrygo as he plans a tactical shift. Since Mbappé’s arrival as a free agent this summer, Real Madrid has struggled to find cohesion on the field, prompting Ancelotti to consider moving to a four-midfielder formation. The Italian coach aims to restore balance to the team, making them more solid defensively without compromising their attacking prowess. While this new approach won’t be used in every game, it is expected…
Monaco made a stunning return to the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Barcelona on Thursday night. The Ligue 1 side, back in the competition after a five-year absence, took the lead at home when Maghnes Akliouche scored following Eric Garcia’s red card, which reduced Barca to 10 men. Although Lamine Yamal equalized for Barcelona, George Ilenikhena sealed the win for Monaco with the decisive goal. Meanwhile, in Bergamo, Atalanta held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw, with David Raya delivering a brilliant double save from a penalty. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-1 win over RB Leipzig, while Bayer…
Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has praised Barcelona’s young star, Lamine Yamal, who has impressed for both club and country, showing immense potential for a bright future. Yamal’s standout performances at the Euro 2024 championship in Germany played a key role in helping Spain secure the title. Widely regarded as one of the top young talents in the world, Yamal is celebrated for his dribbling, speed, crossing, technical skill, and vision. “I see a lot of talent in Lamine Yamal,” Ronaldo said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano. “I hope he stays injury-free, and I believe he will undoubtedly be one of…
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that both Rasmus Højlund and Mason Mount have returned to training, providing a timely boost for the Red Devils ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash with Crystal Palace this weekend. “It’s great news to have them back on the pitch and training with the team,” Ten Hag remarked. “We’ll need to assess if they’re fit enough to start on Saturday, but it’s very positive to have them available and back in the squad.” United currently sit 10th in the table, having earned six points from their first five league matches this…
Manchester City could face expulsion from the Premier League if found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The potential penalties could extend beyond the league, putting their participation in other competitions at risk. According to The Telegraph, City could be barred from the Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Club World Cup if they lose their case against the Premier League, which involves 115 alleged FFP violations. The club is accused of failing to provide accurate financial information from 2009 over a nine-year period and not cooperating with subsequent investigations. City denies all allegations and has assembled…
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has encouraged his teammate Rodrygo not to dwell on being left out of the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Despite Real Madrid having seven players on the list, Rodrygo was a surprising omission, especially after an impressive season with the club. The Brazilian forward had previously expressed his disappointment over the snub. Addressing the situation, Courtois emphasized Rodrygo’s importance to the team, saying: “Journalists may focus on Jude, Vini, or Mbappé, but in the dressing room, we know Rodrygo’s value and quality.” Courtois added humorously: “I don’t think Rodrygo needs to be upset,…
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has criticized Manchester United forward Antony, labeling him a “waste of money.” Jordan expressed his disappointment with the Brazilian winger, who joined United from Ajax in 2022 for an initial fee of €95 million, making him the club’s second-most expensive signing after Paul Pogba. Since his arrival at Old Trafford, Antony has struggled to make a significant impact, recording just eight goals and three assists in 44 appearances across competitions in his debut season. Speaking to talkSPORT, Jordan said, “When you spend big money on players, naturally you expect big results. If a £25m…
Anthony Joshua revealed that one of the proudest moments of his boxing career came after following advice from football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. Joshua, who is preparing for a showdown against Daniel Dubois for the IBF World Heavyweight title at Wembley, shared how Ronaldo’s influence had a significant impact on his training and lifestyle. Ronaldo, known for his remarkable longevity at the highest levels of football, currently plays in the Saudi Pro League at 39. Joshua first met Ronaldo after his knockout victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Riyadh earlier this year. The two athletes shared a conversation, and…
Former Argentina striker Sergio Aguero has suggested that Kylian Mbappe’s signing alone does not guarantee Real Madrid will win the Champions League. Madrid won their record-extending 15th title last season and have added Mbappe as a free agent this summer. Since his arrival in Spain, Mbappe has scored four goals in his first six matches. Speaking on behalf of Stake, Aguero acknowledged that while Madrid are favorites to win the competition again, success depends on teamwork. “Real Madrid has always been a strong contender. Mbappe joining them makes them an even bigger threat,” Aguero said. “He’s likely to be La…
Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has revealed that referee Chris Kavanagh made a mistake before Declan Rice’s red card in Arsenal’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton last month. Arsenal were incensed when Rice received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away during the match at the Emirates Stadium on August 31. However, prior to Rice’s dismissal, Brighton forward Joao Pedro avoided a booking despite delaying Arsenal’s restart by kicking the ball away. Webb believes Kavanagh should have issued a yellow card to Pedro before Rice’s red card. Commenting on the incident, Webb told Metro UK, “Pedro wasn’t…