Messi noted that Argentina had faced significant pressure but still advanced to their third consecutive final in a major tournament, following their wins in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup. He expressed his belief that Ángel Di María deserved to conclude his career on the grand stage of a final, ensuring a fitting farewell for him. As Argentina’s captain, Messi acknowledged that the upcoming Copa America final might be his last chance to win another major trophy with his national team. After their 2-0 semifinal victory over Canada, Argentina secured a spot in the championship match at…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Paris Saint-Germain have submitted a €200 million bid for Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen, according to Corriere dello Sport. The Ligue 1 champions are seeking to strengthen their attack following Kylian Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid, with his unveiling set for later this week. Napoli’s new manager, Antonio Conte, is determined to keep Kvaratskhelia in his squad, while Osimhen’s future remains uncertain. Osimhen’s contract includes a release clause of €130 million. Kvaratskhelia’s agent has suggested that despite PSG’s interest, there is a possibility of his client staying at Napoli and potentially extending his contract.
Former France international Emmanuel Petit has criticized Kylian Mbappé’s performance at Euro 2024, questioning his suitability as captain. Petit described Mbappé as lacking leadership skills and not fulfilling the role of captain effectively. This criticism comes in the wake of France’s exit from Euro 2024 after a semi-final defeat to Spain. On RMC Sport’s show Rothen s’enflamme, Petit stated, “In my opinion, Mbappé has not demonstrated strong leadership qualities as captain, especially since his almost forced appointment to the role. The drama surrounding his mask after his broken nose is irrelevant—many have played with similar injuries.” Petit added, “It’s not…
Manchester United announced on Thursday the official appointment of Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy as assistant managers for the men’s first team. Both coaches will work alongside head coach Erik ten Hag until June 2026. In response, Ten Hag expressed his enthusiasm, noting that their addition would bring valuable experience, knowledge, and fresh energy to the coaching staff. “I am delighted that Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, bringing a wealth of experience, knowledge, and new energy to the team,” Ten Hag said, as quoted on Manchester United’s website. “Now is an ideal time to refresh…
Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood was present at the club’s Carrington base on Monday but did not participate in training with the team. Greenwood’s future with the Premier League club remains unclear after being suspended in January 2022 due to allegations of rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his partner. Although the charges were dropped in February 2023, Greenwood was loaned to Getafe in La Liga last summer. With the transfer window now open, Greenwood is expected to leave Manchester United permanently. Following the end of his loan spell, he reported to Carrington on…
After several weeks of negotiations, Premier League giants Manchester United have completed the signing of Bologna and Netherlands international striker Joshua Zirkzee. The 23-year-old will remain at Old Trafford until at least 2029. BREAKING: Manchester United Secure First Signing of the 2024 Summer Transfer Window According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have agreed to a deal worth over €34 million for Zirkzee, with the payment to be made in three annual installments. Zirkzee is recognized as one of football’s rising talents, known for his ability to hold up play, bypass defenders, and link up effectively with teammates. He…
Ajax goalkeeper Tommy Setford is poised for a surprise transfer to Arsenal. Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal has made an initial offer to Ajax for the 18-year-old player. Romano also noted that Setford is eager to join the Premier League club. “Arsenal have submitted their first proposal to Ajax for 18-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford. Negotiations are ongoing. Ajax considers Setford a promising talent, but his current contract runs until June 2025. The England U20 keeper is keen on the move,” Romano tweeted on Thursday.
Manchester United announced on Thursday that midfielder Toby Collyer has signed a new contract with the club. The deal will keep Collyer at Old Trafford until 2027, with an option to extend through 2028. Man United’s statement read, “The new deal is a reward for his efforts since joining the club, and everyone would like to congratulate Toby and wish him well for the upcoming 2024/25 season.” Collyer, who joined Manchester United from Brighton in 2022, made the first-team bench for seven Premier League matches last season.
After a demanding 2023-24 season, Manchester United is preparing for the new campaign with a set of pre-season fixtures. The Red Devils finished eighth in the Premier League and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup and European competitions by mid-December. Nonetheless, a win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final earned them a spot in the Europa League, thanks to a UEFA decision. Here are Manchester United’s 2024 pre-season fixtures: – Mon, Jul 15: Rosenborg vs Man Utd, 12 pm ET (5 pm BST) at Lerkendal Stadion, Norway – Sat, Jul 20: Rangers vs Man Utd, 11 am…
Bruno Fernandes has sent a heartfelt message to Van de beek following his departure from Old Trafford, Van de Beek bid an emotional farewell, expressing gratitude to Manchester United. In a heartfelt message, he said, “From the moment we arrived at Manchester United, we felt extremely welcome and we are grateful for that. Thank you to everyone at the club for making us feel at home. A special thanks to all the fans that made these years unforgettable.” Reflecting on his personal life, he added, “Besides the football, the birth of our two children here ensures that Manchester will always…
Real Madrid’s new signing, Kylian Mbappe, is set to receive a new jersey number for his debut season with the club. According to The Mirror, the French star will inherit the prestigious No. 9 shirt at Los Blancos, a number previously worn by legends such as Alfredo Di Stefano, Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema. Mbappe will fill the vacancy left by Benzema’s departure from the Bernabeu in 2023. The 25-year-old has previously worn various numbers during his career, including 11, 29, 13, 33, and 39 at Monaco, and 7, 14, 17, and 29 at PSG. Internationally, he has…
According to Bild, Thomas Müller, the 34-year-old forward from Bayern Munich, has announced his retirement from international football. Müller’s decision comes after making limited appearances for Germany at Euro 2024, playing twice as a substitute against Scotland and in extra time against Spain, where Germany was knocked out in the quarter-finals. Despite his reduced role in the recent European Championships, Müller has enjoyed a highly successful career with the German national team. He made his debut in March 2010 against Argentina and quickly distinguished himself by finishing as the top scorer at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Müller’s…
Euro 2024 Final Confirmed: England Set to Face Spain England secured their place in the Euro 2024 final after a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday night. The Dutch initially took the lead with a stunning strike from Xavi Simons, but Gareth Southgate’s team equalized through a controversial penalty converted by Harry Kane. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins then scored the decisive goal late in the match, avoiding extra time. Meanwhile, Spain advanced to the final by defeating France 2-1 in the other semi-final on Tuesday night.
“Spain and England are set to vie for the UEFA Euro 2024 championship title in a showdown this weekend in Germany. England enters the highly anticipated final after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Netherlands, aiming to triumph over Spain for the ultimate tournament prize. Meanwhile, Spain approaches the match following their own challenging 2-1 win against France, seeking to continue their impressive form by defeating England and claiming the title. Date and Kickoff Time: The final match between England and Spain for the UEFA Euro 2024 championship will take place on Sunday, July 14, at 8:00 PM Nigerian Time.”
Uruguay Striker Darwin Nunez Involved in Altercation with Colombia Fans After Copa America Defeat Darwin Nunez, Uruguay’s striker, found himself in the midst of a skirmish with Colombia fans following his team’s loss in the Copa America on Wednesday night. Uruguay suffered a 1-0 defeat against Colombia in the Copa America semi-final match, with Jefferson Lerma scoring the decisive goal in the first half. Immediately after Mexican referee Cesar Ramos blew the final whistle, Nunez and his teammate Ronald Araujo were among several Uruguay players who rushed towards a section of Colombia fans inside the Bank of America Stadium. Nunez…
Real Madrid Announces Departure of Rafa Marín to Napoli Real Madrid has officially confirmed the departure of defender Rafa Marín to Napoli. The announcement was made via a statement on their website on Wednesday. “Real Madrid wishes him and his family the best of luck in this new chapter of his career,” the statement read. Marín, who joined Real Madrid at the age of 14 in 2016, spent two seasons with Castilla. During the 2023-2024 season, the 22-year-old played on loan at Deportivo Alavés.
Netherlands Captain Virgil van Dijk Criticizes Referee Felix Zwayer’s Post-Match Conduct Following Euro 2024 Semi-Final Loss to England Virgil van Dijk, captain of the Netherlands, has expressed his frustration with referee Felix Zwayer’s reaction after their 2-1 defeat to England in the Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday evening. The Dutch team lost despite initially taking the lead through Xavi Simons. Harry Kane equalized from the penalty spot, and Ollie Watkins secured the win with a goal in the 90th minute. Kane’s penalty was awarded after Denzel Dumfries inadvertently clipped the England captain while attempting to block a shot. The VAR…
Euro 2024 Golden Boot Battle Centers on Harry Kane and Dani Olmo The Euro 2024 Golden Boot race is shaping up to be a showdown between England striker Harry Kane and Spain midfielder Dani Olmo. Both players will compete in the final in Berlin on Sunday. Kane secured his third goal of the tournament with a penalty as England defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals. Olmo also advanced his tally with a goal in Spain’s 2-1 victory over France in the semis. While Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Jamal Musiala (Germany), and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia) have also scored…
Lamine Yamal Makes History by Entering Ballon d’Or In a remarkable achievement, Lamine Yamal has made his mark in the football world by cracking the prestigious Ballon d’Or rankings. The talented midfielder’s exceptional performances on the field have captured widespread attention from fans and critics alike. Yamal’s impressive displays have secured him a position among the top 30 players globally, as announced by the Ballon d’Or organizers. This milestone underscores his emergence as one of the most promising young talents in football today. Yamal’s journey to recognition has been nothing short of phenomenal. His electrifying speed, superb dribbling ability, and…
Wilfred Ndidi, recently departed from Leicester City, will be succeeded by another Nigerian player. Leicester has continuously had Nigerian representation since Ahmed Musa joined in 2016, followed by Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho in 2017. The latest addition is Caleb Okoli, a 22-year-old centre-back born in Italy with Igbo and Yoruba heritage. Okoli has signed a five-year contract after transferring from Atalanta in Serie A, where he spent last season on loan at Frosinone Calcio. He also represented Italy at the European Under-21 Championship last year. “I think now is the right moment for me to take a significant step forward.…