England midfielder Angel Gomes has explained that he left Manchester United four years ago to join Lille in order to develop both as a player and as a person. Gomes, who joined Manchester United’s academy at age six, was highly regarded for his potential at Old Trafford. However, he made the move to French Ligue 1 side Lille in 2020. Recently selected by England interim manager Lee Carsley for Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, Gomes spoke to the media ahead of England’s match against Ireland on Saturday. He said: “When I left Manchester United, it…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
For the first time in 21 years, the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominations list excludes football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Messi, an 8-time winner, and Ronaldo, with 5 victories, have dominated the award for nearly two decades. Their absence marks the end of an era, as a new generation of talent takes the spotlight. Ronaldo’s remarkable run began in 2004, earning him the most nominations with 18. Messi, with 16 nominations and a record-setting 8 wins, holds the most victories in Ballon d’Or history, a feat unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon. The 2024 shortlist highlights top talents like…
The Croatian midfielder praised Portuguese forward Bernardo Silva, highlighting the Manchester City star’s skill and intelligence on the field. While Ronaldo often dominates discussions around Portuguese football, Modric made it clear that Silva is another standout talent from the nation. “Bernardo Silva is a player I really like. He’s very clever with the ball, knows how to control the game, and is one of the best playmakers around,” Modric said during an interview.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has stated that the team is not concerned about facing former manager Gernot Rohr again. Rohr led Benin Republic to a historic 2-1 victory over the Super Eagles in June and will look to repeat that success when he manages the Cheetahs in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifying match against Nigeria in Uyo on Saturday. Troost-Ekong assured that the Super Eagles are prepared for the challenge. “We’re ready for the game. Playing against Gernot Rohr, a coach who knows us well from his time with us up to five years ago, doesn’t faze…
On Wednesday, the Premier League approved the sale of two hotels by Chelsea’s owners to an associated company. In June 2023, Chelsea FC Holdings Ltd sold the Millennium and Copthorne hotels to BlueCo 22 Properties Ltd, both of which are owned by BlueCo 22 Ltd, Chelsea’s holding company. The £76.5 million generated from the sale reduced Chelsea’s financial loss in the 2022/2023 accounts from £166.4 million to £89.9 million. Under Premier League financial regulations, clubs are allowed a maximum deficit of £105 million over a rolling three-year period. The Premier League cleared the deal after determining that the sale reflected…
Ángel Di María has not held back in naming the worst manager he has ever worked with during his illustrious football career. The Argentine winger, who has played under several top coaches at clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain, made it clear who stands out as the worst. “I can assure you, he was the worst manager I’ve ever had,” Di María stated bluntly, without naming the manager directly in this instance. Di María’s career has seen him work with some of the biggest names in football management, but his comments indicate that not all experiences were…
Falconets head coach, Christopher Danjuma, has expressed confidence that the Nigerian U-20 women’s team will deliver a stronger performance in their upcoming match against Germany at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Danjuma acknowledged that the team faced challenges in their previous matches but assured fans that adjustments have been made to improve their play. “We’ve analyzed our past performances and identified areas that need improvement,” Danjuma stated. “I believe the Falconets will rise to the occasion and perform better against Germany.” The Falconets are set to face Germany in a crucial group stage match, and Danjuma…
During the summer transfer window, both PSG and Chelsea were keen on securing Osimhen’s signature, recognizing the Nigerian striker as one of Europe’s top talents. PSG, with their deep pockets, and Chelsea, in desperate need of a reliable goalscorer, saw Osimhen as a key addition to their squads. However, Napoli stood firm in their determination to keep Osimhen. The Serie A club placed a hefty price tag on the forward, reportedly demanding over €150 million for his transfer. This valuation deterred both PSG and Chelsea, who were unwilling to meet Napoli’s steep asking price. Despite ongoing negotiations and substantial offers,…
Nigeria’s junior basketball team has been denied visas to travel to South Africa for the AfroBasket 2024 tournament. The news comes as a significant setback for the young athletes, who were set to represent Nigeria in the prestigious competition. The visa denial has sparked disappointment and frustration within the Nigerian basketball community, as the team had been preparing intensively for the tournament. The reasons behind the visa refusal have not been officially disclosed, leaving the team’s participation in AfroBasket 2024 in jeopardy. This development has raised concerns about the impact on the players’ morale and the broader implications for Nigeria’s…
Former Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has been offered a record-breaking contract by AEK Athens. Martial, who is currently a free agent after leaving the Red Devils this summer, spent nine years at Old Trafford. The French forward has been linked with several clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United States, but it now appears he could continue his career in the Greek Super League. According to The Sun, AEK Athens is keen to sign Martial for the upcoming season and is reportedly prepared to break the bank to secure his services. While the exact wages on offer in Greece…
Bendel Insurance have announced the signing of 18 new players for the upcoming season, according to Torizone. Leading the list of new recruits are former Enyimba players Uche Collins and James Oronsaye. Other notable signings include Kayode Oke from Shooting Stars, Suleiman Solihu from Kwara United, Emmanuel Ugwu from Dakkada FC, Moses Ajiboye from Nasarawa United, and Isaac Ajibola from Sporting Lagos. Additional signings include Chinedu Onyinjekwe from Fame FC, Uche Martins from Rangers, Jesse Kelechi from Crown FC, Stephen Bekewe from Bayelsa United, Martin Owolija from Niger Tornadoes, and Nazir Mohammed from a non-league side. Edo State Commissioner for…
Former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson has criticized referee Chris Kavanagh for sending off Declan Rice during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Sunday. In the match, Arsenal initially took the lead with a goal from Kai Havertz, assisted by Bukayo Saka. Rice received his first yellow card for a foul on Brighton’s Joël Veltman in the 42nd minute, and a second booking in the 49th minute, leading to his dismissal. Brighton equalized with João Pedro’s goal in the 58th minute. Jenkinson, who was at the Emirates Stadium for the match, took to Instagram to express his frustration: “Always an honor…
The nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or will be announced today. It appears unlikely that the current holder and eight-time winner, Lionel Messi, will make the podium this year, paving the way for a new winner to be crowned at next month’s ceremony. Today, the organizers will unveil the full longlist of nominees. Real Madrid and Spain players are expected to feature prominently, following their recent successes. Among the favorites for the trophy are Vinicius Jr., who has expressed his ambition to win the top prize, Rodri, and Jude Bellingham. Manchester City’s goal machine, Erling Haaland, is also expected to…
Sandra Viana revealed that doctors identified a viral infection in her son Juan Izquierdo’s heart, which led to his tragic death. Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo passed away after collapsing on the pitch during a Copa Libertadores match last month. According to Pulse Sports, he was taken to the hospital immediately after the incident. Izquierdo’s mother, Sandra Viana, explained that doctors had diagnosed a viral infection in his heart. The combination of this infection and the physical exertion during the match triggered a cardiac arrhythmia, ultimately leading to his death. Viana expressed her gratitude to both Nacional and Sao Paulo for…
Manchester United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has clarified that Jadon Sancho was not forced out of the club. Sancho joined Chelsea on a loan deal on transfer deadline day, even after seeming to have reconciled with United manager Erik ten Hag following their disagreement last season. As part of the loan agreement, Chelsea is obligated to buy Sancho at the end of the season for a fee between £20-£25 million. Ashworth dismissed claims that Sancho was pushed out of Old Trafford because of his fallout with Ten Hag. When asked if the disagreement with Ten Hag meant there was no…
Moses Simon emphasized the importance of the Super Eagles starting their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a victory. The West Africans are set to host their neighbors, Benin Republic, in their first match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. The last time the two teams met, Gernot Rohr’s side defeated the Super Eagles 2-1 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in June. Simon expressed the need for the Super Eagles to avenge that defeat. “Of course, all Nigerians are expecting a win, so we will just go there and do our best,”…
Victor Osimhen is set to arrive at the camp on Thursday for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda. The 25-year-old forward is included in the Super Eagles’ 23-man squad for the matches against the Cheetahs and Amavubi. Osimhen is also expected to finalize his loan move to Turkish Super Lig champions, Galatasaray, on Tuesday. According to a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Osimhen and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will join their teammates at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel base two days before the game against Benin Republic. Kelechi Iheanacho, recently signed…
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly fired his agent, Roberto Calenda, amid ongoing transfer complications, according to Il Mattino (via TMW). Osimhen is said to be frustrated with Calenda’s handling of his situation, particularly in his attempts to secure a permanent move away from Napoli. It’s believed that the Nigerian international even negotiated his potential loan move to Galatasaray without an agent. Osimhen was widely expected to leave Napoli on transfer deadline day, with interest from Al Ahli and Chelsea, but no deals materialized. Calenda faced significant backlash on social media for failing to finalize any transfers. Reports suggest that…
Transfer: Details of Osimhen’s Move from Napoli to Galatasaray Unveiled The specifics of Victor Osimhen’s transfer from Napoli to Galatasaray have been disclosed. The Nigerian forward is set to join the Turkish giants on a season-long loan, with the agreement reflecting significant terms. Galatasaray’s offer includes a break clause, allowing Osimhen the possibility of a move to a top club in January. Additionally, Napoli has agreed to lower the striker’s asking price from €130 million to €75 million. The move comes as Galatasaray aims to strengthen their squad and defend their Süper Lig title. Osimhen’s arrival is expected to bolster…
Real Madrid Manager Ancelotti Identifies Key Area for Improvement After Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday night, manager Carlo Ancelotti has pinpointed what his team is lacking. Kylian Mbappé, who joined in the summer, scored both goals for Madrid in the second half. Despite the win, Ancelotti highlighted areas for improvement. “We need to be more consistent,” Ancelotti said at the post-match press conference. “At times, we lose our position and cannot afford to give the ball away carelessly. “Consistency and maintaining our shape are crucial for success. While scoring goals is important,…