As the team won back-to-back games without Thomas Partey,some Arsenal supporters on social media called for his transfer.
Some contend that the Gunners should release the Ghanaian in the summer since the team has advanced past its over-reliance on him.
Thomas Partey had a stellar season up until April, when his repeated mistakes and poor performance caused Arsenal to lose their unbeaten streak and slip to second place in the standings.
He was introduced in the final 20 minutes of Arsenal’s 2-0 away win over Newcastle United. This is the first time the 29-year-old was left on the bench in back-to-back games this season.
His replacement Jorginho has filled the void and won man-of-the-match against Newcastle and winning the hearts of the fans.
Some fans believe Jorginho gave the team much better control and thus the club would only need a replacement for Partey and keep the Italian.
Arsenal are in hot pursuit of the Premier League, trailing league leaders Manchester City by a point with three games left but the City have a game more.
This team has evolved past Thomas Partey, he needs replacing now.— . (@The_Wilsh) May 7, 2023.
If anyone should get sold this summer, it’s Thomas Partey, not Granit Xhaka. #NEWARS
It’s time to sellThomas Partey this summer.— ag™️ (@TAGunner28) May 2, 2023
Honestly we might have seen the last of Partey at Arsenal.
With Rice and/or Caicedo possibly joining we’ll need to make space in midfield and given the selection of Jorginho against a very physical team with no news of an injury to Partey it looks like hes done here.— AfcBOM (@AFCBOM) May 7, 2023.
orginho is better than Thomas Partey.
Arsenal fans should we debate this?— Temitope (@IamTopsy4real) May 7, 2023.
The aftermath of Napoli’s win has been punctuated by a debate over who between Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the face of their title triumph.
Fans, especially Osimhen’s loyalists from Africa, feel hard done by as Serie A’s account continues to hand the Nigerian striker a peripheral significance despite being the league’s top scorer.
Seemingly not taking a cue from the backlash their post on Saturday received, Ser
Lega Serie A’s Twitter posts
In the first graphic, Diego Maradona was seen placing the new crown of King of Naples on Kvaratskhelia’s head, with fans arguing that Osimhen, and not the Georgian, deserved to be in the picture.
As reported by Sports Brief, Lega Serie A Twitter came under attack over the controversial graphics posted on the account.
The second one was amended to include Osimhen and club captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo as they ascended a flight of stairs. But the bone of contention herein was Kvaratskhelia was once again placed in front of his teammate.
It was a re-enactment of Maradona’s photograph where the Argentine legend was on the same stairs.
There were no other players in Maradona’s photo, which means the account introduced a new set of players to accommodate Osimhen.
ie A followed it up with another a few minutes before Napoli’s clash against Fiorentina.
And just like with the first post, Twitter went wild.
Fans reactions
@Obajemujnr said;
“I don’t know what your plan is, but the leader of “IDAN of Africa,” Victor Osimhen, should always be at the front. If you want to put him at the back in pictures, then make sure he plays your defence next season.”
@Mc_Phils tweeted:
“Trying to put Victor Osimhen in the picture so we don’t talk”
@comeback_snarky said:
“Why is Osimhen still not in the front?”
@valam0ghurliss was of a different opinion;
“Kvara is undoubtedly the main treasure ofNapoli and he is portrayed everywhere for a reason. It’s his 1st season and he could successfully contribute to the team. He was a piece of the puzzle that this team needed. With a huge respect to Osimhen and his brilliant moments.”
The other time Osimhen was snubbed
Osimhen is so far on 23 goals and four assists, while Kvaratskhelia has chipped in with 12 goals and 10 assists. The post by the Serie A account has brought about fears that Osimhen might get snubbed in the Most Valuable Player of the season.
But for Osimhen, as Sports Brief reported, getting snubbed after a prolific scoring season, sadly, won’t be something new.
Despite a hard-fought effort by the Magpies, the Gunners came out on top with a 2-0 win, which would have gifted the title to Manchester City if they had lost.
The loss was a setback for Newcastle’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
The game was marred by frequent breaks in play and heated confrontations, preventing the home team from finding a rhythm.
In the reverse fixture in January at the Emirates Stadium, Newcastle had been accused of similar tactics.
But, asked about Arsenal’s approach, Burn said: “Of course it’s frustrating, but that’s what they said we did at their place. We get a lot of stick for slowing the game down, which I don’t know if we intentionally do all the time.
“They did that, but it’s part and parcel of football. We can’t do it and then complain when it happens to us.
“A lot of teams tend to do that now when they feel the energy of the crowd, they try and stifle it a little bit.
Newcastle set off with high hopes of repeating their 2-0 home win over the Gunners last season and might have been on their way in front of an expectant home crowd had Jacob Murphy’s early shot not come back off a post or had referee Chris Kavanagh not been advised to review his decision to award a penalty for handball against Jakub Kiwior.
In the event, they were undone by Martin Odegaard’s first-half strike and Fabian Schar’s unfortunate own goal.
Burn said: “We knew it wasn’t going to be the same as last season, where we played them off the park. They’re a lot better this year and they’ve shown that all season.
“They’ve been unlucky that City have overtaken them, but they’re a very good team who caused us problems, especially at home. We’re just unfortunate we couldn’t get the win.”
Grimsby ended their first season back in League Two with a 1-0 win against AFC Wimbledon at Blundell Park.
The only goal of the game was an own goal by Isaac Ogundere, which came early in the match, after seven minutes.
Danilo Orsi’s low cross was deflected by Ogundere into the net past goalkeeper Nathan Broome.
With this win, Grimsby finished 11th in the league table, while their opponents, who had not won in seven matches, finished in 21st place.
Chances were generally few and far between in the opening 45 minutes, though Orsi and Shaun Pearson both took aim for Grimsby before half-time.
Josh Davison forced Max Crocombe into a decent save with his half-volley shortly after the restart and the Wimbledon frontman also set his sights on the hour mark, with a powerful drive which flew past the post from 25 yards.
Grimsby went close to grabbing a second when Gavan Holohan and George Lloyd had quickfire attempts blocked in a penalty-area scramble, while Orsi glanced wide after combining with substitute Otis Khan in the closing stages.
Lionel Messi has resumed training with Paris St-Germain after being suspended for taking an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.
The Ligue 1 club announced on their official Twitter account on Monday that the 35-year-old Argentine player had returned to the team after being fined and suspended for visiting the Middle Eastern country without permission, as it was a promotional visit.
Messi, who is an ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority, was pictured in Riyadh the day after his side had suffered a surprise defeat to Lorient.
He later revealed in a video posted on his official Instagram account that he had to make the trip for contractual reasons, having previously cancelled it, and had assumed he had a day off.
Messi said: “I wanted to make this video due to everything that is happening.
“First of all, I want to say sorry to my team-mates and to the club. I honestly thought that we were going to be free after the game, as had been the case in previous weeks.
“I had organised this trip to Saudi Arabia, which had been cancelled previously and this time I couldn’t. I apologise again and I’m here for whatever the club decide. All the best.”
Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, a former Minister of Science, Environment, Technology and Innovation (IMCIM), has defended himself against allegations made by Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
Frimpong-Boateng stated that he did not do anything wrong regarding the accusations leveled against him.
In March 2021, Frimpong-Boateng submitted a report to the Chief of Staff, claiming that Oppong Nkrumah had gathered a group of journalists to plot against him during his tenure as Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), which has since been dissolved.
“On Saturday the 8th of February 2020, Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister for information assembled a group of journalists from both NDC and NPP affiliated media houses at the Forest Hotel in Dodowa to discuss a strategy to bring me Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng down,” Prof. Frimpong-Boateng alleged in his report.
This was however debunked by the Information Minister, insisting that the claims were false.
But in response, Prof Frimpong Boateng said: “I have good advice for you, though. When I was part of the government, we were colleagues and I related to you as such. Now I will advise you as my son, just as I do my children.
After all you are the same age as my 4th-born son. When I returned to Ghana from Germany to start the cardiothoracic project you were just 6 years old as my 4th child. I will not lie to you or insult you or be harsh on you.”
“My advice is, always remember that political power is both short-lived and effervescent. In about 2 years’ time you may no longer be in government, and you may experience the real world as former high-profile political power holders do.
I will urge you to do your work diligently and avoid the coded and evil tactics Mr. Paul Adom-Otchere boastfully and unashamedly told the world on ‘Good Evening Ghana’ that you employ to deal with your real and perceived enemies,” he added.
Speaking further on the issue on UTV, Friday, Prof Frimpong-Boateng said, “I know exactly why I did that”.
According to him, “I did no wrong. I know exactly why I did that. Someone else could’ve done worst but I did the minimum so let’s take it like that”.
Meanwhile, Prof Frimpong Boateng has denied slandering persons in his report.
“The report was more than 100 pages but I considered a lot of things so I had to summarize it into 36 pages.
I’m not maligning anyone; I’m just speaking the truth. those I spoke about are my friends but I had to be brutally honest with the President. if he has put his presidency on the line, you have to be honest with him” he added.
The next eight days will see Manchester City play Real Madrid in a two-game semifinal of the Champions League, providing fans of football with a mouthwatering matchup.
Pep Guardiola will be attempting to reach just his second final as City’s manager, but in order to do so, he must defeat a team who eliminated him at the same point last year.
The Los Blancos late comeback won’t happen again this season, which is something the Premier League’s defending champions will be hoping for.
They enter the match having had a fantastic league run, but history has shown that Madrid always has a surprise in store for them when it comes to Europe’s top competition.
Stocked with Erling Haaland and a near impossible-to-beat formation of 3-2-4-1, Guardiola will fancy his chances in the Spanish capital and in Manchester.
As MEN reports, his latest game against Leeds United might have provided subtle indications of who will start on Tuesday night.
City survived a late scare from Sam Allardyce’s men to take another step to winning a fifth league title in six years.
Haaland surprisingly lasted the entire duration of the game alongside Julian Alvarez. Kevin De Bruyne was also given a full 90 minutes after missing the last two games through injury. Haaland and De Bruyne are sure starters on May 9.
City’s lineup vs Real Madrid
Jack Grealish, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Rodri were also given rest, but the Spanish holding midfielder came in the latter stages as Leeds threatened to cause an upset. The quartet is also in line to start from the word go against the record Champions League winners.
First-choice goalkeeper Ederson is among the starting eleven despite giving way in midweek.
Nathan Ake’s resurgence this season could have seen him become a sure starter, but the Dutch centre-half picked up an injury on Saturday. His involvement remains in doubt, paving way for Kyle Walker.
Vinicius Junior plan
Last season, Walker managed to keep Vinicius Junior silent, with the Brazilian only finding space after Walker went off injured. Manuel Akanji similarly did well against the pacy Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry and could be called upon to deal with Vinicius.
Bernardo Silva was also rested, and he could play either in the right wing or alongside De Bruyne should Guardiola choose to drop Gundogan. The Spanish manager wasn’t too impressed that his captain missed a penalty against Leeds and clearly ignored him after he took him off, per Sky Sports.
Should Gundogan be dropped, that will open a chance for Riyad Mahrez to slot in.
International students in Italy are eligible for the same financial assistance services as Italian students if they meet the same requirements regarding financial need or academic excellence.
The Italian government provides national and regional scholarships for which international students can apply.
Additionally, certain universities in Italy provide scholarship programs specifically for international students.
Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students The Italian Government awards scholarships for studying in Italy both to foreign citizens and Italian citizens resident abroad (IRE).
The scholarships are offered for the following type of courses: Master’s Degree (Laurea Magistrale 2° ciclo), Courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM), PhD program, Research under academic supervision (Progetti in co-tutela), and Italian Language and Culture Courses.
The scholarship includes tuition fees, health insurance and a monthly allowance. It is only possible to apply for three, six, or nine month scholarships.
The “Invest your Talent in Italy” programme, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development, offers students from Azerbaijan, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Turkey, Tunisia, and Vietnam the opportunity to develop their skills and specialise through a range of Master’s and postgraduate degree courses in English, in the fields of Engineering, Advanced Technologies, Architecture, Design, Economics and Management at prestigiousItalian universities.
The best students will be offered scholarships, sponsored by partners and main corporate sponsors.
EDISU Piemonte Scholarships Students including non-EU international students enrolled in a full-time Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Single Cycle Master’s degree, or PhD Degree courses at one of the Universities of Piedmont (i.e. The Politecnico of Torino, the University of Torino, the University of Eastern Piedmont) can apply for EDISU scholarships if they meet the merit and economic requirements of the competition. Part-time students can apply if enrolled in a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship amount varies depending on many conditions. Accommodation service can also be granted to non-resident students.
Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme The University of Padua also offers the which provides full scholarships to highly talented prospective students wishing to pursue a first-cycle or second-cycle degree taught in English at Padova. The scholarship includes a subsistence allowance of €8,000 and a tuition fee waiver.
Tuition Fee Waivers at University of Pavia for International Students In order to strengthen the presence of international students and foster the creation of an ever more global community, the University of Pavia is awarding 120 tuition fee waivers providing exemption from the payment of University tuition fees to all foreign students enrolling in selected degree programs in the 2023/2024 academic year. The fee waiver will be effective for the first year only and cannot be extended or renewed.
Bocconi Merit and International Awards Bocconi University offers merit-based scholarships to international students enrolling in any eligible Bachelor’s Program or Master of Science Program at Bocconi. The scholarship includes half to full tuition waiver worth up to €13,000 per year for Bachelor’s Program and up to €14,000 per year for Master’s of Science Program.
Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International Students Every year, Politecnico di Milano offers a number of merit based scholarships to the most talented international candidates admitted to a Master of Science programme. Students obtaining a scholarship will have to pay only an administrative fee of about €200. Scholarships of €5.000 to €10.000 per year may also be awarded on top of the tuition fee waiver.
Politecnico di Torino International Scholarships The Politecnico di Torino offers scholarships to international students to attend academic programs in certain fields such as Engineering and Architecture.
Università Cattolica International Scholarships The UCSC International Scholarship is an annual tuition fee reduction promoted by Università Cattolica in order to foster the access of international student to the degree programs. The discount covers about 25% of the total cost.
Once again,Kylian Mbappe has fueled speculation about a summer transfer to Manchester United.
Rumors suggest that the club’s possible new owner, Sheikh Jassim, is keen to make high-profile signings if he takes over the club, with Mbappe being at the top of the list.
Aside from these reports, Mbappe has been dropping hints that he may be considering a move to Old Trafford.
It remains unknown whether he does it knowingly or not, but the fact of the matter is, at least two of Mbappe’s recent Instagram posts have had the word ‘Manchester United’ embedded in them.
Mbappe’s cryptic Instagram posts
It started on February 14 when he took to his account after Paris Saint-Germain had just lost the Champions League round of 16 first leg to Bayern Munich.
Mbappe was barely fit for that game and came off the bench and despite his best efforts, he couldn’t impact the game.
He wrote, ‘Tout reste à faire’, and tagged his club, which when translated, means ‘All that remains to be done’ or ‘Everything has to be done’ ahead of the second leg.
However, Instagram translated it to ‘All that remains to be done... Manchester United’s team is now on @psg.
This was passed off as perhaps Mbappe rallying his teammates to pull off a comeback in the second leg the way United had done on them a couple of seasons back against all odds.
However, when the same script repeated itself on May 7, it became apparent that it wasn’t a comeback or anything of that sort.
Mbappe had just starred in PSG’s win over Troyes and this time, he wrote, ‘Un peu plus près’, which means ‘A little bit closer’ to imply the Ligue 1 title. Instagram translation picked it up as ‘A little closer… Manchester United’s team is now on @psg.
One thing that stood out in both posts was immediately after his French caption; what followed was the ellipsis sign (…) and two coloured circular emojis, a red one followed by a blue one, then he tagged his club.
Sports Brief repeated the same trick but used ‘je suis journaliste sportif’ which means I am a sports writer as a caption.
We then followed it up with the ellipsis, the coloured emojis and tagged PSG. Upon sharing the story, Instagram translated the caption to ‘I’m a sports journalist… Manchester United’s team is now on @psg’.
Verdict
Sorry Manchester United fans, it seems like Mbappe is not doing this knowingly. It looks like there is an Instagram glitch as far as the translation is concerned.
What’s interesting, though, is why of all clubs, the translation feature settled on Manchester United. When the same caption is used but one tags a different club, the caption remains as written.
Either it is a glitch or Instagram has specific emojis that denote certain teams.
Doesnt mean Mbappe can’t sign for Manchester United. Have some faith – it’s the hope that kills.
When Mbappe praised Rashford
Sports Brief had earlier reported that Mbappe andMarcus Rashford are arguably among the fastest-rising stars in modern-day football. The former especially has already exacted his presence with blistering performances on the biggest of stages, such as the World Cup final.
the idea of these two possibly linking up at Old Trafford next season creates an interesting prospect.
Mbappe and Rashford already have a rapport and have the greatest amount of respect for each other. They have met a couple of times, the most recent being the World Cup quarter-final, where France triumphed over England.
Thierry Henry has implied that Lionel Messi’s trip to Saudi Arabia may have caused a blow to the ego of Paris Saint-Germain’s owners, resulting in the club’s decision to fine the Argentine player and suspend him for two weeks.
The trip was taken without the permission of manager Christophe Galtier.
As per the report by Goal, Henry has further disclosed that since PSG’s owners belong to Qatar, a country at odds with Saudi Arabia, Messi’s visit to the Middle Eastern country may have resulted in the club feeling aggrieved.
“They hit a shot, maybe because he’s not going to stay. Or did the destination he went to affect their pride a little? But there were much more serious things that happened at PSG. Was Messi right? No, you don’t miss a practice.”
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been at loggerheads since the beginning of the Arab Spring, which left a power vacuum both states sought to fill. Qatar supported the revolutionary wave and Saudi Arabia opposed it.
PSG responds to Messi’s apology
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi was excluded from Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 clash against Troyes this weekend despite apologising for his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia, Daily Mirror reports.
Kylian Mbappe, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz all scored for the Parisians who ran out 3-1 winners against Troyes to tighten their grip on the Ligue 1 title this season.
PSG have now garnered 78 points from 34 matches played thus far and are six points clear of second place who have 72 points from same number of matches played this season.
Messi breaks silence after being suspended
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi has issued an apology to his club teammates after he was suspended for missing training.
The Parisiens punished the 2022 World Cup winner after travelling to Saudi Arabia in a sponsored visit.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is not expected to feature in the games against Troyes and Ajaccio.
During the Premier League match between West Ham and Manchester United on Sunday evening, May 7th, there was a situation where Declan Rice did not keep a promise he made to Marcus Rashford.
Both football players played against each other as United visited the London Stadium. The Red Devils were eager to win the game to increase their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
Nevertheless, the Hammers won the match, thanks to Said Benrahma’s goal in the first half, which gave them a home victory over Erik ten Hag’s team.
According to Goal, David de Gea was responsible for his side’s defeat, with his costly goalkeeping blunder earning the home side a vital win.
Rice breaks promise to Rashford
An off-field moment involving Rice and Rashford has become a major talking point, especially on social media.
The Mirror reports that Rice had promised to hand his match-worn shirt to Rasshford after the encounter, only for the midfielder to give it to a young fan, who was crying in the stands.
“Are you alright, brother? Why are you crying?” Rice asked the kid before giving him a big hug.
The young lad went on to ask for the midfielder’s shirt, to which the West Ham ace replied:
“You know what, I did promise it to Rashford. Don’t show them a lot [some other fans] because I’ve just told them I’m going to give it to Rashford, but I’ll give him another one!”
Chelsea could help Arsenal land Rice
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Chelsea could reportedly play an important role in Arsenal’s pursuit of the services of West Ham United midfielder, Declan Rice.
Rice has courted interest from a number of Premier League clubs over the years, with Manchester United also linked with a potential transfer move for the West Ham skipper.
Paris Saint-Germain has denied rumours that it intends to sever ties with Lionel Messi at the conclusion of the 2022–2023 season.
When his two-year contract with the Ligue 1 winners expires at the end of the current campaign, Messi, who is now serving a two-week suspension from PSG, will become a free agent this summer.
After Messi took an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia, the PSG leadership became upset, and the Ligue 1 winners punished the forward.
Barcelona, Inter Miami, Inter Milan and Al Hilal have all indicated an interest in signing Messi next season when his current PSG deal expires.
Messi’s apology changes nothing
Meanwhile, former Paris Saint-Germain player, Jerome Rothen, has described Lionel Messi’s apology to the Ligue 1 club as sad and revealed it changes nothing, Daily Post reports.
Rothen questioned Messi’s decision not to apologise to PSG supporters as he says the apology by the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves a bitter taste.
Messi posted an apology video days after the 35-year-old received backlash from PSG supporters and the board and was suspended for two weeks following an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.
How PSG’s pride was damaged
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Thierry Henry has suggested Lionel Messi’s decision to visit Saudi Arabia may have hurt the pride ofParis Saint-Germain’s owners, after the Parisians fined the Argentine.
Messi was suspended by PSG and fined two weeks’ wages after he took an unsanctioned trip to the Middle East without the approval of manager Christophe Galtier.
Henry has now revealed that Messi’s decision to visit Saudi Arabia, a country at loggerheads with Qatar, where PSG owners are from must have hurt the club’s ego.
Juventus is the latest club to express an interest in signingManchester United’s Mason Greenwood, according to reports.
The Italian Serie A team is believed to be using the presence of Greenwood’s former teammate Paul Pogba as a bargaining tool to persuade the troubled striker to join their ranks in Turin.
Greenwood has been out of competitive football for over 15 months, after being suspended by the club following allegations of sexual assault against him.
He was arrested and later released after the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the charges.
The Red Devils are yet to allow the 21-year-old back into the fold as they complete their internal processes.
There have been reports of disquiet among the United players, especially the Women’s side, that his return could cause divisions.
As the Sun reports, Juventus have now entered the fray to offer Greenwood a route back to professional football.
Before his misfortunes, he was one of the most promising striking prospects in the world. other Italian clubs, AC Milan and Roma, are also believed to be interested.
Greenwood is contracted until 2025 and given his latest cases, he shouldn’t attract a huge fee should United decide to sell him. Juventus are said to be interested in a long-term loan deal.
Pogba, meanwhile, hasn’t had the best of seasons since rejoining the Turin club for a second stint. His minutes have been minimal, with injuries keeping him out of Massimiliano Allegri’s side. Allegri is chasing a top-four finish, with the Europa League title also a huge possibility.
Greenwood gives up on Man United
Previously, Sports Brief reported that Greenwood has reportedly informed his friends that he won’t play for the club again.
Greenwood, who hasn’t played for over 15 months after he was suspended, was hopeful of a quick return once his charges were dropped.
Greenwoodhas seemingly given up on representing the club again. The teenage star is said to have informed his friends of his decision even as he awaits the club’s verdict.
After a fan was captured on camera making what looks to be a discriminatory gesture towards South Korean star Son Heung-min of Spurs,Crystal Palace committed to ban him on Sunday.
After Son was replaced in Saturday’s 1-0 victory for Spurs, the incident happened in the 89th minute.
The gesture was performed by one of the Palace supporters when the South Korean captain had to pass them as he was leaving the pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“We are aware of a video circulating online (as well as reports made directly to us) regarding an individual in the away end at Spurs yesterday, appearing to make racist gestures towards Heung-min Son,” said Palace in a statement.
“Evidence has been shared with the police, and when he is identified, he will face a club ban. We will not tolerate such behaviour in our club.”
Tottenham said they were working with Palace and the police to identify the individual.
“Discrimination of any kind is abhorrent and has no place in society, our game and at our club,” said Spurs.
Son was also racially abused during a match betweenChelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in August.
Chelsea banned a season-ticket holder indefinitely after footage emerged on social media of a fan in the home end making a racist gesture towards Son in the 2-2 draw.
“We will do everything in our powers to ensure that if found guilty, the individual will receive the strongest possible action — as was the case earlier this season when Son suffered similar racial abuse at Chelsea,” said Tottenham.
Raheem Sterling has an opinion, but it appears like the search for Chelsea’s new permanent manager for the upcoming season has come to a conclusion.
The English winger cost £50 million when he transferred from Manchester City to the Blues last summer. Thomas Tuchel was one of the four managers that coached him during that time.
In the first full season under the ownership of the Todd Boehly-led consortium, the team has had a very poor campaign.
Subject to confirming and settling on contract specifics, Mauricio Pochettino , a former head coach of Tottenham, is the heavy frontrunner to fill the permanent position as of next season.
Sterling advises coaching selection criteria
The former Manchester City winger has advised the club on the criteria for the selection of a new manager, subtly hinting coaches don’t have full authority at the club since his arrival.
‘‘I’m not one to tell the club what to do, but from what I can gauge from where I was previously, organisation is the most important thing,’’ Sterling told Sky Sports.
‘‘Having a manager that has the final say on everything and it being his way with everyone having to follow that.
‘‘Successful teams always have a manager that comes in, brings his blueprint, and everyone follows. If there are people that don’t follow, then they are not part of the team, and that is how brutal it needs to be at a high level.’’
It is hard to disagree with Sterling, who spent seven successful years at City, where Pep Guardiola is given full decision-making control.
How Chelsea could be relegated
Chelsea are one point away from the mythical 40-point relegation benchmark, but there are unlikely scenarios that could see them relegated.
Brazilian forward Rodrygo scored twice, once in each half, to secure the victory and Real Madrid’s 20th title in the competition.
The opening goal came just two minutes into the game when Vinicius created an opportunity for Rodrygo to score with a well-placed shot.
This was Osasuna’s second appearance in the final and they were unable to mount a comeback against the reigning champions. The result was reported by BBC.
Lucas Torro will draw parity for the underdogs however Rodrygo was on hand to deliver Real Madrid their first Copa triumph in almost a decade when he slotted home from close range after Toni Kroos’ shot deflected into his path.
After the blast of the whistle, the playing body switched into a jubilant mood following their triumph and gleefully posed for a team photo on the podium.
But one player, Eden Hazard, did not seem happy, perhaps with himself, despite adding another title to his growing trophy cabinet during his stint with Madrid.
Hazard has endured a bittersweet time with the La Liga giants, winning every possible trophy with Real Madrid but has seen game time being few and far between, especially under Carlo Ancelotti.
According to Transfermarkt, the ex-Belgian skipper is in his final year and looks likely to exit the Bernabeu when his current contract expires in the summer.
Rodrygo, Vinicius inspire Madrid’s Copa triumph
Rodrygo Goes fired Real Madrid to Copa del Rey glory with a clinical double in a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in Seville on Saturday, with Brazilian compatriot Vinicius Junior playing a part in both goals, Sports Brief reported.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid earned their 20th Spanish Cup at La Cartuja in their 40th final, ending a nine-year wait to lift the trophy again.
Madrid have now won all six of the trophies available to them during Ancelotti’s second reign at the club after the Italian returned in 2021.
Barcelona congratulates Real Madrid
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that following the end of the game, Real Madrid’s El Clasico nemesis put aside their age-old rivalry to congratulate the Spanish capital club on their most recent feat.
The Catalan giants took to the micro-blogging App, Twitter, to send a classy message to Los Blancos, which read: “Congrats to Real Madrid, the Copa del Rey Champions!”
Madrid remains the second most successful club in the Copa del Rey, only behind Barcelona, who boast a staggering 31 trophies.
On coronation day, the Egyptian was again the Reds’ matchwinner as he moves level with Steven Gerrard on the club’s all-time scoring list
Anfield hailed its true King on Saturday as Mohamed Salah’s 30th goal of the season gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Brentford to keep alive their hopes of Champions League qualification.
The Egyptian struck early on from Virgil van Dijk’s nod down, his goal moving him level with Steven Gerrard in fifth on the Reds’ all-time scoring list and, more importantly, putting Jurgen Klopp’s side within a point of fourth-placed Manchester United in the Premier League table.
It was not a vintage Liverpool performance by any means, but they defended firmly in a bitty second half as a robust and determined Brentford side repeatedly threatened from a series of set-pieces.
Did what he needed to do. Saw too much of the ball in the second half for Klopp’s liking, but his work from crosses was excellent.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (8/10):
More evidence of his incredible passing ability. Should have had an assist for Nunez and stung David Raya’s palms with a 20-yarder. Best player on the pitch.
Ibrahima Konate (7/10):
Needed to be on guard throughout against Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney. He was.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10):
Unselfish assist for Salah. Strange early booking, but kept his composure well in a fraught second half.
Andy Robertson (6/10):
Solid and steady before appearing to suffer a hamstring issue.
Midfield
Fabinho (7/10):
Stood up to the physical test and kept things simple.
Curtis Jones (6/10):
Repeatedly led the press from midfield in the first half. Less of that in the second 45, but a couple of lovely touches.
Attack
Mohamed Salah (7/10):
Poacher’s goal to open the scoring and move level with Steven Gerrard on the Reds’ all-time scoring list.
Cody Gakpo (6/10):
A few nice touches in what was more a midfield role generally. Looked a little leggy in the second half and somehow didn’t score from virtually on the line.
Nigerians dethroned Napoli, the league winners, by challenging the Serie A league’s administrators on Twitter. Napoli had been chosen as the best player.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia received a crown placed on his head by Argentine legend and Napoli legend Diego Maradona, indicating that he was the club’s greatest player this season, according to a picture uploaded by Serie A.
In less than an hour following the posting, Nigerians started tweeting an altered version of the picture showing Maradona crowning Osimhen.
Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian international who has been considered the finest player on the Naples team all season, formed a solid relationship with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the club’s No. 77.
Osimhen has 27 goals with 4 assists so far whiles Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has 14 goals with 14 assists.
Osimhen has been one of the most influential players for the new Scudetto winners, as he was seen celebrating with his colleagues on the pitch and in the dressing room after the game.
If not Racism, Victor Osimhen should wear the crown. Retweet if you agree???? https://t.co/XImpK4RY3c pic.twitter.com/WtISjbu3O7
— French ???????? (@Mc_Phils) May 6, 2023
You couldn’t make this up. Except, of course, it is Italy. No matter what Osimhen did, you always knew he probably needed to score a 100 goals before he’s given his due. https://t.co/J9N5g0ulJW
Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) May 6, 2023
VICTOR OSIMHEN THE ONLY NEW KING OF NAPOLI ???? PIC.TWITTER.COM/B42MTOIYJQ— STEADY BOY ???? (@STEADYDEY) MAY 6, 2023
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and his colleagues have been urged by De Laurentiis, the president of the recently crowned Italian champions Napoli, to ensure that their Serie A title success is replicated next season.
Since Thursday night, when Napoli’s 1-1 draw at Udinese handed them the Serie A title courtesy to Osimhen scoring their goal, there has been a great deal of celebration in Naples.
Even though Napoli still has five games left in the season, the draw ended their 33-year wait for the Scudetto.
According to the report on Complete Sports, De Laurentiis explained that he is happy with the success recorded by his players as he urged them to continue making the club and fans proud.
Statement made by De Laurentiis
“You always told me, we want to win. And we won! We all won together. And on Sunday against Fiorentina, everyone is here for the big party. Thank you to everyone.
“Today is the crowning of an expectation that lasted 33 years. When I arrived, I said it will take 10 years to get into Europe – we maintained that early. I said another 10 years to win the Scudetto, and we did that again a couple of years in advance.”
Osimhen breaks Serie A record
Earlier, Sports Brief had reported howVictor Osimhen helped Napoli to become Serie A champions for the first time in 33 years, through his equalising goal against Udinese in the second half.
The Nigerian powered home a shot through the crowd after a scramble from a corner kick, to help Napoli hold on and seal the Italian league title away from home in Udine.
Neapolitans put everything in place for a party at home last Sunday against Salernitana, but the team fell short of victory despite Inter Milan beating Lazio 3-1.
Napoli are now 16 points clear of second-placed Lazio with a maximum of 15 points left to fight for, meaning they cannot be matched or overtaken mathematically.
Frank Lampard celebrated his 100th game in Premier League management with a victory as Chelsea defeated Bournemouth 3-1.
Despite conceding an equalizer from Matias Vina after Conor Gallagher’s early goal, the Blues secured their first win in almost two months with two late goals from Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix, ending their six-game losing streak under interim manager Lampard.
Bournemouth also had the better of the chances before the late drama, with Dango Ouattara squandering a golden opening by heading over from inside the six-yard box.
Yet Badiashile and Felix punished that profligacy, leaving visiting fans to salute the overdue triumph with ironic chants of “we are staying up”.
Victory in Dorset moved the two-time European champions on to 42 points, three ahead of their hosts, albeit they remain in the bottom half of the table.
For Lampard personally, it was a first victory in 17 matches including his Everton days and his first with Chelsea in 832 days dating back to a 3-1 FA Cup success over Luton in January 2021 during his initial spell as manager.
The former Blues and England midfielder opted for five changes following Tuesday’s tame 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling among those dropped, while the Cherries were unchanged from the 4-1 thrashing of Leeds.
Gary O’Neil’s in-form hosts began brighter but after Jefferson Lerma, who scored twice last weekend, curled narrowly wide, Chelsea snatched a ninth-minute lead.
Trevoh Chalobah’s pass afforded N’Golo Kante time and space to deliver an inviting cross from the right wing and recalled midfielder Gallagher beat Adam Smith to the ball to divert a simple, close-range header beyond goalkeeper Neto.
Chelsea supporters responded to the early breakthrough with self-deprecating chants about avoiding relegation and “we’ve scored a goal” after seeing their side net for only the third time in nine outings.
Yet they were not ahead for long.
Uruguay left-back Vina claimed the 21st-minute equaliser, delightfully curling home via the right post from just inside the Blues’ 18-yard box following slick interplay involving Ryan Christie and Dominic Solanke.
The Roma loanee’s eye-catching leveller prompted calls of “sign him up” from home supporters, in addition to light-hearted taunts of “you’re going down with the scummers” directed at the away end and referencing local rivals Southampton.
While Chelsea have endured a torrid season under their American owners, Bournemouth have gone from strength to strength since Texas businessman Bill Foley completed his takeover in December.
O’Neil’s men, who won six of their previous nine fixtures to banish relegation fears, remained relatively comfortable for the rest of the half,with Chelsea short of ideas and looking toothless in attack.
The away team continued to monopolise the ball following the restart but the lack of creativity persisted.
At the other end, Badiashile turned behind Ouattara’s dangerous low cross while lively winger Christie rippled the side-netting.
Lampard, who suffered league and Carabao Cup defeats on this ground with Everton earlier this season, then saw his side survive a VAR check for a possible penalty when Thiago Silva slid in on Solanke before Vina was denied a second when his shot was pushed wide by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Ouattara should have given Bournemouth the lead 11 minutes from time when he somehow nodded over unmarked after Lerma headed a Lewis Cook corner back across goal.
That miss proved pivotal as Chelsea grabbed the three points with quick-fire goals in the closing stages.
Former Monaco defender Badiashile restored the Blues’ advantage in the 82nd minute, connecting with Hakim Ziyech’s searching free-kick into the box to volley beyond Neto and claim his first goal for the club.
Belated joy for Lampard was secured four minutes later as Felix put the result beyond doubt with a first-time finish after fellow substitute Sterling burst into the box and slipped the ball to his right.
According to BBC, Ilkay Gundogan revealed that Pep Guardiola became furious in the locker room after Gundogan missed a penalty in Manchester City’s Premier League game against Leeds United.
Despite the miss, Gundogan went on to score two impressive goals in the first half, leading City to a crucial victory and extending their lead at the top of the table by four points.
The midfielder scored the opener with a neat finish after Riyadh Mahrez found him in space on the edge of the area before he doubled the advantage in the 27th minute.
Gundgogan had a chance to bag a hat-trick with six minutes left, only for the ex-Dortmund star to fluff the chance from the penalty spot.
Erling Haaland looked destined to step up to take the penalty but opted to hand the ball to his captain – much to the disappointment of Pep Guardiola.
The Man City boss was seen fuming on the touchline as he shouted ‘You’ve got to take it.’
Guardiola fumes at Gundogan
Express UK reports that Guardiola extended his fury to Gundogan in the dressing room as he took issue with the midfielder’s decision to take the penalty.
“First he (Guardiola) showed to Erling that he was quite mad about that and then also he had a go at me,” Gundogan disclosed.
“It is what it is at the end. The moment Erling grabbed the ball, I was sure he was going to take it but he looked out for me. I checked with him a few times to make sure he was sure. He was certain to hand the ball to me and I was confident to score,” he added.
Following its unsuccessful 2022–23 season, Paris Saint–Germain will likely have one of its toughest summers since being bought by Qatari Sports Investments in June 2011.
After a split with the Argentine superstar, PSG is reportedly planning to part company with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi at the end of the current campaign. Kylian Mbappe may be the next player to leave Parc des Princes.
Former football agent Francois Gallardo reportedly told Sportskeeda that the French star is considering leaving the Ligue 1 winners at the end of the current campaign.
“Mbappé is looking forward to finishing the season to announce his departure from PSG to Real Madrid… the situation in the Parisian club is very delicate, the worst is yet to come, and he wants to leave now.”
Mbappe penned a three-year contract extension with PSG at the start of the season, but the France forward is said to be keen on quitting the club to join Real Madrid this summer.
Mbappe wanted at Manchester United
Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani will reportedly attempt to sign PSG star, Mbappe if he successfully completes a takeover of Manchester United, Sports Mole reports.
Sheikh Jassim is widely regarded as the favourite to buy the 20-time English League champions, with the Qatari banker seeking to acquire 100 percent ownership of the club.
He would almost certainly make significant transfer funds available if he were to complete a takeover from the Glazers,with Mbappe a top target for the club if he succeeds.
Mbappe slams PSG over image
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Mbappe being displeased with PSG over ‘excessive use’ of his image, following the club’s new campaign to promote ticket sales for the 2023/24 season.
The 24-year-old Frenchman has revealed he was not asked for his input before the Ligue 1 champions released a video to advertise the sale of next season’s Ligue 1 tickets online.
Mbappe, who is the club’s top scorer this season with 31 goals and eight assists in 34 appearances, has since released a statement condemning PSG for overusing his apperance.
In the Copa del Rey final on Saturday night against Osasuna,Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo worked in sync to devastating effect to help Real Madrid break the tie.
For Los Blancos, the Brazilian duo has been outstanding all season. They scored the game’s opening goal in just 109 seconds.
Madrid took an early lead in the match, which was played at the neutral Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, thanks to a brilliant play down the left flank by Vini Jr. Vini Jr danced along the byline past a few defenders before putting the ball on the plate for his compatriot, who made no mistake to prod home.
Rodrygo restored Madrid’s lead with 20 minutes left on the clock after Lucas Torro had drawn Osasuna parity shortly after the break.
Vini destroys Villarreal defenders
Vinicius Junior channelled his inner Ronaldinho to score a sublime goal to continue his purple patch of form this season, Sports Brief reported.
The Brazil international put in another assured performance from the left flank. However, his efforts proved futile as Real Madrid suffered a shock 3-2 defeat against Villarreal on Holy Saturday.
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Vinicius left an indelible impression on the game with a goal akin to Ronaldinho’s stunning goal against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2005.
Rodrygo produces sublime skill
In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that Rodrygo Goes produced a sublime piece of skill to set up Karim Benzema’s second goal in Real Madrid’s game against Almeria.
The 22-year-old Brazil prodigy proceeded to use an amazing technique to utterly bamboozle his opponent on the byline.
Rodrygo then stood up and sent the ballback to Benzema, who scored from about eight yards out with no mistake.
In the final second leg of the Asian Champions League on Saturday, Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan beat the defending champions Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia 1-0, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory and winning the championship.
The only goal of the game came from an own goal by Al Hilal’s Andre Carrillo in the second half.
Urawa’s win in front of a home crowd of almost 55,000 fans in Saitama, near Tokyo, gave them their third Asian title. In the opening leg of the final last week in Riyadh, the two teams drew 1-1.
Despite Al Hilal’s strong first-half pressure, Urawa held on to win against a team that was seeking a record fifth continental title and a third in four seasons.
The decisive moment came when Carrillo turned a header from Urawa’s Marius Hoibraten into his own net amid strong wind in the 48th minute, before a determined rear-guard effort from the home side saw out the result and sent the crowd into delirious celebrations.
The two teams were meeting in the final of Asia’s premier club competition for the third time in six years. Urawa won in 2017 but Al Hilal came out on top two years later.
Al Hilal were without injured captain Salman Al Faraj and suspended star winger Salem Al Dawsari, who was sent off late in the first leg for kicking out at Urawa’s Ken Iwao.
Al Hilal manager Ramon Diaz made three changes from the first leg, dropping Malian striker Moussa Marega and bringing in experienced Peruvian Carrillo, while Urawa were unchanged.
The Saudi side had an early chance when Odion Ighalo broke clear in the box, only for Urawa defender Alexander Scholz to block his shot on the line.
Al Hilal’s Michael also had a scent of goal midway through the first half, but Urawa goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa got down quickly to parry his shot.
Urawa came even closer to opening the scoring against the run of play when Shinzo Koroki, who scored his team’s goal in the first leg, hit the bar with a flying volley on the half-hour mark.
Nishikawa again had to be alert to keep out a long-range Carrillo effort with the first half winding to a close, before Urawa’s Yoshio Koizumi pulled a shot wide of the post at the other end.
Urawa made the perfect start to the second half when a floated free-kick from around the half-way line found Hoibraten, whose wind-assisted header found its way over the line via Carrillo’s boot.
The Japanese side enjoyed far more possession from then on and Atsuki Ito almost added a second goal when he shot just wide of the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
Al Hilal posed far less attacking threat in the second half and Nishikawa was on hand to deny Ighalo when the Saudi side did create a chance late in the game.
The final was taking place more than a year after the Asian Champions League season began, with delays because of the winterWorld Cup in Qatar and travel complications arising from the Covid pandemic.
Eddie Howe, the head coach of Newcastle United, has responded to rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar would sign with the team for the upcoming season if they make the UEFA Champions League.
Since the Saudi PIF takeover in late 2021, the club’s fortunes have improved both on and off the pitch, with the English manager at the forefront of the transformation on the pitch that is propelling the team into the elite stage in his first full season.
As they presently rank third in the Premier League standings, their potential European membership for the following season would aid them in luring top talents, and several names have been mentioned in connection with them should they succeed.
Cristiano Ronaldo is considering quitting Al-Nassr just five months after joining, while Neymar is also set for an exit at PSG after seven seasons in Paris.
Howe speaks on transfer rumours
According to talkSPORT, Ronaldo is growing frustrated with life in Saudi Arabia and has already witnessed a managerial change with Dinko Jelicic replacing Rudi Garcia.
Neymar had PSG fans protest at his house and chant at him to leave the club in a spate of demonstrations also targeted at Lionel Messi and Marco Veratti, according to The Athletic.
Both have been linked with a sensational move to the Premier League with Newcastle United, but Eddie Howe has other ideas opposed to bringing in 30+ stars.
“A lot of the names aren’t accurate. We need to recruit wisely,” he said, as quoted by Sportskeeda. “We want to discover them before they explode onto the world stage. We need to go underneath, find them young and develop them. I know the direction.”
Ronaldo has previous Premier League experience with Manchester United while Neymar does not, but both men have won six Champions League trophies between them.
Messi apologises for Saudi trip
PSG lost 3-1 at home to FC Lorient at the weekend before Lionel Messi embarked on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia the following day, which sparked the anger of the ultras.
As Sports Brief reported, Messi apologised in an Instagram video after reports the club had suspended him for two weeks without pay for the unprofessional conduct.
The club’s supporters have recently made headlines due to their recent protests outside Neymar’s home.
The PSG supporters demanded that the Brazilian quit the team this summer, as reported by The Mirror, who turned up outside the Brazilian’s house.
Messi’s suspension for travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club’s consent has Messi’s PSG supporters fuming as well.
According to ESPN, Galtier has now denounced the supporters for their behaviour, calling it unacceptable for supporters to gather outside a player’s residence.
“Regarding the protests in front of a player’s home, we have to be careful with that. Private life must remain private,” he said.
“I can understand the anger, the disappointment of our fans. You may protest at the training ground or at the PSG office, or after a match at the Parc des Princes. But I cannot accept it at anyone’s house, whether it’s Neymar or anyone else,” he added.
Galtier also added that it was the club’s decision to suspend Messi and that he had nothing to do with it.
“I’m employed by the club, and that is my role. The decision was nothing to do with me. I was informed of the decision,” he explained.
Following the protests against two of their star players, PSG have reportedly ramped up security at their training ground and in front of Messi and Neymar’s homes, SportsKeeda reported.
Neymar responds to angry fans
Neymar has taken to social media to respond to angry Paris Saint-Germain supporters.
Fans protested outside the Brazilian’s house, asking him to leave the club alongside Lionel Messi this summer.
Neymar has been a part of the French club since 2017, when he joined for a world record fee, Sports Brief reported.
Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, believes that the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna on Saturday might be his last game in charge, despite the fact that he has previously had the same belief and been proven incorrect, he said on Friday.
The 63-year-old Italian, who throughout his illustrious career has collected numerous championships with teams like Los Blancos, AC Milan, Chelsea, and others, explained how he approaches championship games.
“Playing a final is always exciting, I always think before a final that, personally, it could be my last,” said Ancelotti, ahead of the clash at La Cartuja in Seville.
“I thought that in 2003, and it wasn’t the last, and I think that today, it could be the last today.
“You have to enjoy it, and I ask the players to enjoy it too because they are special games.”
Ancelotti lifted his first Coppa Italia as a coach in 2003 with AC Milan, going on to win four Champions League trophies in his glittering career among several other cups.
Madrid’s last Copa del Rey triumph was under Ancelotti in 2014, when they beat rivals Barcelona in the final.
Los Blancos thrashed the Catalans 4-0 at Camp Nou in the semi-final second leg to progress to the final.
Madrid host Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday but Ancelotti said his team would be completely focused on the Copa final.
“Tomorrow we will go out there without thinking about what’s happening the next day,” insisted Ancelotti.
“We will go out with all the energy in the world to win another title. The players are motivated.”
Ancelotti even said his team needed to celebrate victory if they achieve it, despite the impending clash with Pep Guardiola’s side.
“When you win, you have to celebrate it,” said the coach.
“There are (different) ways of celebrating it — we like to celebrate with the fans.”
The coach reiterated that his Madrid contract expires at the end of next season, when he was asked about his future amid links to the Brazilian national team.
Ancelotti confirmed that midfield maestro Luka Modric was fit to face Osasuna after injury but did not confirm if the Croatian would start, with Madrid aiming to lift the Spanish cup for the 20th time.
The coach did say Austrian defender David Alaba was also fit and would be starting after a calf problem.
Following President Florentino Perez’s alleged emergency meeting withCarlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s most recent defeat is starting to cause the club’s management some concern.
After being well outplayed by Real Sociedad in Tuesday night’s 2-0 setback at the Reale Seguros Stadium, Los Blancos dropped their seventh La Liga match of the year.
Before Real Madrid’s critical games in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League, Ancelotti has been told to halt the unsightly trend of losses, according to Football Espana.
The La Liga giants are facing a season-defining few days including the Spanish cup culmination against Osasuna on Saturday, May 6.
Ancelotti will lead his squad against Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final a few days later, as Los Blancos continue the defence of the title they won last season.
Madrid: No Ancelotti replacement plan
Meanwhile, Real Madrid has yet to make plans to replace veteran Italian manager, Ancelotti at the end of the season, Madrid Universal reports.
The 2022/23 season has been up and down, with the La Liga champions failing to defend their title despite reaching the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semi-finals.
As of now, everything for the upcoming season is being planned with Ancelotti in charge of Real Madrid, despite reports linking the veteran manager to the vacant Brazil national position.
Brazil gives Ancelotti deadline
Meanwhile, Sports Brief reported on Brazil losing patience with Ancelotti, giving the Real Madrid manager an ultimatum to either accept or reject their offer to become their national team coach.
The five-time world champions have identified the Italian as their preferred option to take over from Tite, who resigned from his position following the Selecao’s ousting from the 2022 World Cup.
Ancelotti has publicly stated the Brazilian FA has contacted him about the national job but remains coy about committing his future to theSouth American giants when the 2022/23 season ends.
Following Napoli’s announcement that they would be the Italian Serie A winners for the 2022–2023 season, football star Diego Maradona ought to be jumping for delight in his afterlife.
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen answered in the second half with a bullet shot from inside the box to assist the Partenopei earn a draw and win the championship.
At Udinese, a draw was needed, but after the home team seized the lead in the 13th minute, it appeared that the celebration would have to wait another day.
The first two championships for Napoli, the last of which was in 1990, were won by Maradona. Before he tragically killed unexpectedly at age 60 on November 25, 2020, according to ESPN, he never saw the team lift another.
Maradona’s tribute to Napoli players
When Maradona passed on in 2020, his children announced his social media accounts would keep running to preserve his memory.
Two of his biggest dreams after his retirement never happened again in his lifetime – to see Argentina win theWorld Cup and see Napoli win the Scudetto; both have happened in the last six months.
According to Football Italia, the Instagram account of the late legend sent a tribute to Napoli players – a picture of Maradona and the last names of the squad, including head coach Luciano Spalletti was accompanied by a caption.
“A new date to remember, a new joy for the city, for the people, for history. Thank you to all of you guys! FORZA NAPOLI.” the caption on Instagram reads.
Juventus’ salty congratulations to Napoli
Sports Brief reported that Juventus sent salty congratulations to Napoli after their status as Italian champions were confirmed with the draw against Udinese last night.
The 36-times Italian champions remind the Neapolitans of their dominance and the times they received compliments before applauding their rivals’ success, a detail deemed unnecessary.
Napoli’s Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who has attracted the interest of several top European football clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Manchester United, may not be easily poached, as Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis is known for his tough negotiation skills.
Osimhen’s impressive performance, including scoring 22 goals in the Italian Serie A and 27 in all competitions, has confirmed Napoli’s position as champions for the 2022/23 season and earned him a place among African legends such as Samuel Eto’o and George Weah.
De Laurentiis’s recent comments have dealt a blow to the interested clubs, indicating that he will not easily let go of the talented striker.
“I will not sell Victor Osimhen this summer — no way,” he told Cinque Minuti after the match against Udinese.
The striker also spoke on his future after their status as champions was confirmed on Thursday and was only interested in partying for now.
”Future? Now I want to enjoy this historic moment. This is not the time to think about my future,” he told Sky Italia.
Multiple reports in theEnglish and Italian media suggest De Laurentiis will only listen to an offer in the region of €150m for the forward despite claiming he would not sell and is only trying to instigate a battle that will drive the price up.
Osimhen breaks Eto’o record
Victor Osimhen’s goal that delivered the league title to Napoli was also a record-matching and record-breaking goal for the Nigerian striker.
Osimhen broke Eto’o Serie A record for most goals by an African in a single season, as reported by Sports Brief. He also matched George Weah’s record of most goals by an African in Italy.
With five games left this season, he could cement his status as the best African to play in the Italian top-flight division.
The most sacred part of the ritual is now underway.
The King sits on the Coronation Chair to receive the anointing after having his ceremonial robe removed. It serves to highlight the sovereign’s spiritual stature as the leader of the Church of England.
The King is hidden from view behind a screen that has been set up around the chair.
What the anointing involves
The archbishop is pouring special oil from the Ampulla – a gold flask – on to the Coronation Spoon before anointing the King in the form of a cross on his head, breast and hands.
The Ampulla was made for Charles II’s coronation, but its shape harks back to an earlier version and a legend that the Virgin Mary appeared to St Thomas a Becket in the 12th Century and gave him a golden eagle from which future kings of England would be anointed.
TheCoronation Spoon is much older, having survived Oliver Cromwell’s destruction of the regalia after the English Civil War.
Popular Nigerian afrobeat musician Davido has sparked reactions after interacting with Jazlyn, a well-known teenage interviewer and giving her her first daughter’s name, Imade.
Jazlyn urged Davido to give her a Nigerian name during the interview, and the musician responded by comparing the young journalist to his first daughter and giving her the name Imade in that country.
He said; “You remind me a lot of my daughter, Imade, I feel like you are very advanced, your parents should be proud of you.
A lot of people your age are not doing what you doing. I’ll give you Imade, it is a nice name. Tell people you have a Nigerian name Davidi gave you.”
Jazzy in her reaction, appreciated the singer for giving her new Nigerian name, same as his first daughter, Imade Adeleke.
Davido is a popular Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is also known for his romantic relationships, particularly with his baby mamas.
Davido has three known baby mamas, and he has children with each of them. His first baby mama is Sophie Momodu, with whom he had his first daughter, Aurora Imade Adeleke. Davido and Sophie had a highly publicized custody battle over their daughter, which was eventually resolved.
Davido and first baby Mama Sophia
Davido’s second baby mama is Amanda, a US-based woman with whom he had his second daughter, Hailey Veronica Adeleke.
The singer has been known to share adorable photos of himself and his daughter on social media.
Davido and baby Mama Amanda and
The third and most loved baby mama of Davido is Chioma Avril Rowland. She is a Nigerian chef and has been in a romantic relationship with Davido for several years.
The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony while they were mourning the death of their son Ifeanyi.
The couple had their first child, a son named David Ifeanyi Adeleke, in October 2019 who happens to be Davido’s first son but third among his girls.
Ifeanyi was submerged underwater, first noticed by the cleaning staff. A source from the Davido family says that the tot was in the water for a long time. So, they pulled him and rushed him to the hospital, but unfortunately, it was too late.
The death of the youngster, Ifeanyi, is still under suspicion. The Lagos State Police Command is questioning eight workers regarding this accident.
The death of Ifeanyi broke both Davido and his most “cherished” among his baby mamas Chioma Rowland (mother of Ifeanyi).
Davido went into hiding for sometime and his comeback was a hit with the release of his Timeless album.
After months of anticipation, Afrobeats superstarDavido has finally released his fourth studio album, Timeless.
The album, which is the first since his 2020 album A Better Time, includes 17 tracks featuring music heavyweights like the legendary Angelique Kidjo, Asake, Skepta, The Cavemen, and more.
The album also includes the smash hit “Champion Sound,” which features Amapiano frontrunner Focalistic.
Davido is known to be a doting father, and he often shares photos and videos of himself spending time with his children on social media. He has also been involved in their lives, attending school events and birthdays.
Davido and kids celebrate father’s day
Despite the controversies surrounding his relationships and children, Davido has continued to excel in his music career, winning numerous awards and collaborating with international artists. He remains one of the most popular and influential musicians in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
According to the French publication, Neymar liked a TNT Sports tweet that stated Messi and himself were happier together at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017.
Later, he reportedly liked an Instagram post criticising Mbappe from football analyst Ofuiclear.
“This PSG team is the worst in recent years. For what? Because they renewed their prince for an extraordinary amount,” the pundit said.
He added: “The same prince who caused the UCL elimination, who had an easy pass for Neymar but made a pass to the keeper against Bayern. He thinks he’s god now.”
The move came after PSG ultras bombarded Neymar’s home and that of his colleague Lionel Messi.
PSG fans gather outside Neymar;’s house , chanting he leaves the club
PSG was quick to condemn the behaviour of the fans, but Neymar sent out a cryptic message on Instagram, indicating that he would not get caught up in the storm.
However, L’Equipe has since claimed that Neymar also engaged in more dubious activities on social media by liking posts critical of Mbappe.
Neymar joined PSG in a world-record transfer fee of €222 million in 2017, making him the most expensive footballer in history at the time.
Despite his high price tag, the Brazilian has had a mixed spell at the club, with injuries, suspensions, and public spats with the management and fans. In his first season, he helped PSG win the domestic treble but was injured during the Champions League campaign.
In his third season, he helped PSG reach the Champions League final but lost to Bayern Munich. He also suffered another injury that ruled him out for most of the season.
Neymar’s fourth season at PSG was also marred by injuries, as he missed several games due to a foot problem.
However, he managed to contribute to the team’s success in the domestic cup competitions, winning the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue. His partnership with Mbappe and Messi also showed glimpses of potential, as the trio combined to score some memorable goals. However, they were unable to win the Ligue 1 title, finishing second to Lille.
The latest incident involving Neymar and PSG fans has added fuel to speculation about his future at the club. Despite signing a contract extension until 2025, rumours persist that he may leave for another team, possibly his former club Barcelona or their arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Some fans feel that Neymar has not lived up to his price tag and that his injury problems have held the team back.
Others argue that he is still one of the best players in the world and that PSG should do more to protect him from the abuse of the fans.
Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Neymar’s stay at PSG has been eventful, to say the least. From his record-breaking transfer to his injury troubles, his on-field brilliance to his off-field controversies, he has certainly kept fans, pundits, and the media on their toes.
His latest social media activity will only add to the drama surrounding his career and raise questions about his relationship with his teammates.
Sports Brief earlier reported that Neymar and Mbappe have seemingly yet to put their differences aside. The duo was reported to have had issues to the extent that Mbappe wanted Neymar out of the club.
Mbappe talks about how Neymar helped him in his early days at the club
PSG to listen to Neymar offers
Manchester United’s hopes of landing Neymar have been boosted with Paris Saint-Germain willing to listen to offers for the Brazilian forward this summer, Sky Sports reports.
Potential new Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has identified the Brazilian forward as one of the key targets he hopes to bring to Old Trafford.
Manchester United will, however, have to battle with fellow English Premier League rivals Chelsea for the signature of the Brazilian who is facing turbulent times in Paris with the PSG supporters.
Fans protest outside Neymar’s house
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Paris Saint-Germain ultras have been filmed at Neymar Junior’s house, calling for the Brazilian to leave the club.
It has been a difficult week for the Parisians, who saw their Ligue 1 title hopes hit a snag after a home loss to Lorient on April 30.
The French giants also suspended superstar, Lionel Messi for two weeks following an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
Solar Taxi Limited, a company that assembles electric vehicles in Ghana, has been shortlisted to participate in the inaugural Qualcomm Make in Africa startup mentorship programme.
The program is part of the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform launched in December 2022.
The mentorship program aims to support startups in Africa that are developing innovative products and solutions in areas such as clean energy, agricultural technology, computing for education, geospatial predictive analysis, medical technologies, and innovations using electric vehicles.
Solar Taxi Limited is one of 11 startups recognized by Qualcomm Technologies, a global American multinational corporation.
The other startups selected for the program are also developing groundbreaking products and include female leaders in prominent roles.
This recognition is a significant boost for Solar Taxi Limited, as the mentorship program is expected to provide invaluable support for startups as they navigate the challenges of growing their businesses in Africa’s competitive market.
The startups based in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda, were selected from a pool of 550+ applicants from 34 African countries.
• Microfuse – Affordable plugin computers for the education sector in Uganda
• Neural Labs Africa Ltd – Deep learning and computer vision for healthcare diagnosis in Kenya and Senegal
• OneTouch Diagnostics – Diabetes patch and monitoring system in Nigeria
• QuadLoop – Leveraging e-waste for solar e-Lanterns and battery storage in Nigeria.
• SLS Energy – Recycled lead-cell battery storage banks in Rwanda
• SolarTaxi – Electric vehicle (EV) taxi and fleet management in Ghana
Announced in December 2022, Qualcomm Make in Africa will provide 1:1 mentorship for the shortlisted companies with Qualcomm leaders on a regular cadence to guide startups to product realization, as well as provide masterclasses on product management, pitch clinic, IPR, and hardware architecture.
He continued, “I am beyond excited to hear about their respective problem domains and innovative solutions.
They have applied their talents and ingenuity to address Africa’s present-day needs in areas of reliable access to clean energy, precision agriculture to conserve water and other resources, adaptations of electric transportation for many last-mile needs, using AI and other innovations for accelerating disease pathology and treatment, and addressing energy efficient, affordable computing for the education market.
Over the next few months, we will mentor them in areas of business development, technology applications and intellectual property law.
We are honored to be able to participate in their entrepreneurial journey and their future impact in Africa.”
On her part, Elizabeth Migwalla, Vice President and Head of Government Affairs (Middle East and Africa) of Qualcomm International also added that, “As part of our new Africa Innovation Platform, the Qualcomm Make in Africa mentorship programme is one of many initiatives we are working on in close collaboration with government and industry stakeholders in Africa, to help position African entrepreneurs and researchers to service markets throughout the continent and realize their global ambitions”.
She continued, “We believe that startups based in Africa are best placed to identify uniquely African problems that can be solved through end-to-end systems solutions and new business models,” said “We congratulate the shortlisted companies and look forward to a fruitful collaboration for innovation in the coming months.”
The programme will culminate in a finale demo day in December 2023, connecting startups with various industry leaders, venture capitalists, investors, and other accelerators.
Elizabeth Migwalla, Vice President and Head of Government Affairs (Middle East and Africa) of Qualcomm International has over 20 years of experience in the legal, regulatory, and policy sectors, with a focus on the African market. Prior to joining Qualcomm, Migwalla worked as a lawyer in Kenya and later as a consultant in the telecommunications sector in East Africa.
She has also served as the Vice President of Public Affairs for Africa at Visa Inc.
Mohammed Kudus, a midfielder from Ghana, has been declared fit for Ajax’s upcoming match against AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie.
The 22-year-old has been out of action for three weeks after picking up an injury during the KNVB Cup semi-final against Feyenoord.
This injury caused him to miss three Eredivisie games and the Dutch Cup final against PSV, which Ajax lost on penalties.
The return of Kudus is a major boost for Ajax, who are currently vying for a spot in the Champions League.
The Ghanaian midfielder has been an important part of the team since his arrival at the club, and his presence in the midfield is sure to be felt.
Ajax will be hoping that Kudus can help them to secure a crucial win against AZ Alkmaar and keep their Champions League dreams alive.
“Berghuis did not train this week and completed his own program, he had to go to the side with complaints during the cup final and is a doubtful case for Saturday evening,” said Ajax manager John Heitinga in the pre-match presser.
“The final came too early for Kudus, but he did participate in all training sessions with the group and is available again.
Devyne Rensch came in at De Kuip on Sunday and came out well, he had no reaction on Monday. So he has this week also fully trained with the group,” he added.
Kudus has been Ahjax’s best player this season, scoring 18 goals and proving five assists across all competitions.
Kudus advised to join Arsenal
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Former Holland and Ajax player, Frank de Boer believes Ghana midfielder, Mohammed Kudus will be a perfect fit for Arsenal.
The 22-year-old has attracted interest from Manchester United and Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window, following his blistering form for Ajax this season.
Kudus has scored 18 goals and provided five assists across all competitions for the Dutch giants.
Kudus ranked high in dribblers list
Mohammed Kudus, the talented Ghanaian midfielder, has been recognized as one of the top five U23 dribblers in the world.
The announcement was made on May 4, 2023, and it highlights some of the most skilled players at the age of 23 and under.
The prestigious list is dominated by the likes of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who ranks first, and Santos’ Angelo Gabriel, who comes in at second. Kudus is honored to be named in the elite group, which includes Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Pedro Neto.
Kudus, who turned 22 in August 2022, joined Ajax Amsterdam from Danish side FC Nordsjælland in July 2020. He was an immediate hit for the Dutch club, scoring on his Eredivisie debut against Sparta Rotterdam.
He went on to make 22 league appearances in his first season and contributed four goals, as well as earning praise for his impressive dribbling skills. Unfortunately, his progress was slowed down by injuries during his second season, causing him to miss a number of games.
Kudus is now back in action for Ajax after a three-week absence due to injury. His return is a boost for the team, as they compete for a place in the Champions League. Ajax is currently in second place in the Eredivisie, with just a few games left in the season.
With this recognition as one of the world’s best U23 dribblers, Kudus has shown that he has the talent and potential to become one of the top players in the game. Ajax fans and Ghanaian football supporters will be eagerly anticipating his future performances and hoping that he can continue to make an impact for both club and country.
Manchester United’s winger Antony was fortunate to avoid a red card after he kicked an opponent during the Premier League game against Brighton and Hove Albion on May 4th.
The Brazilian was back in the starting line-up after being benched in United’s previous game against Aston Villa. He started on his preferred right flank and could have scored in the opening 90 seconds of the match.
The match at the Amex Stadium was a tight affair, with both sides unable to break the deadlock.
The goalkeepers on both teams were called into action to make some top-class saves. The game was also marked by some questionable decisions from referee Andre Marriner, who allowed the game to flow without making major interruptions.
However, the match’s free-flowing nature came at a cost, with both teams feeling frustrated by some of the fouls that went unpunished. Many in the South Coast felt that Casemiro should have been sent off for a second yellow card.
The frustrations were even higher after Antony aimed a petulant kick at Alexis MacAllister in the second half.
He retaliated by lashing out with a kick, which was clearly intentional. His actions were met with widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Antony’s kick could easily have resulted in a red card, which would have left United down to ten men. It would have also resulted in a significant setback for the club’s pursuit of a top-four finish.
The winger’s actions are not the first time that he has found himself at the center of controversy this season. In February, he was given a four-game ban for using discriminatory language towards an opponent during a Europa League match. The incident highlighted the need for more education and awareness around issues of racism and discrimination in football.
United’s manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,was quick to condemn Antony’s actions after the match, stating that he did not condone violent behavior on the pitch. He also expressed his disappointment that the referee had not taken stronger action against some of the fouls committed during the match.
The incident has once again raised questions about the role of referees in modern football and the need for greater consistency in decision-making.
Many fans and pundits have called for the introduction of VAR in the Premier League, which would allow officials to review incidents and make more accurate decisions.
However, others argue that VAR has not been successful in reducing controversy and has led to delays in game time.
They also point out that referees should be given more support and training to help them make better decisions on the pitch.
Regardless of the debate around VAR, it is clear that players must take responsibility for their actions on the pitch.
Antony kicks opponent
Antony’s kick was a clear example of violent behavior that has no place in football. The incident should serve as a reminder to all players of the need to show respect and sportsmanship towards their opponents.
As for Manchester United, the club will need to ensure that their players are held accountable for their actions and that they continue to promote a culture of respect and fair play. With several important matches coming up, including a Europa League final against Villarreal, there is no room for complacency.
The Video Assistant Referee was content with Marriner’s decision to award just a yellow card.
The former Ajax man was then hooked off, with Jadon Sancho taking his place. Brighton’s skipper, Lewis Dunk also got booked in the game.
Antony’s woes were compounded when Luke Shaw handled the ball inside his own penalty area deep into stoppage time, with Mac Allister stepping up to score the resultant penalty.
The defeat meant the Seagulls completed a season double over United and got their revenge for the FA Cup semi-final defeat.
How Brighton beat Man United
Sports Brief also reported on Brighton getting revenge againstUnited for the FA Cup semi-final loss, with Mac Allister scoring from the spot in the dying seconds.
A classy Seagulls side dominated the possession but lacked a cutting edge until Shaw’s handball deep into injury time gave them a chance to claim all three points.
The result leaves United in fourth place in the Premier League with five games to play – only four points clear of Liverpool, while Brighton are now up to sixth place.
In Serbia’s second mass shooting in a week, eight people died and 14 were injured. A man has been detained.
The shooting started shortly after midnight when the attacker fired from a moving car near a town around 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of Belgrade.
After “an extensive search,” he was taken into custody early on Friday morning, according to the interior ministry.
It follows the bloodiest shooting in Serbia in years on Wednesday, when a youngster killed nine people at a school in Belgrade.
President Aleksander Vucic pledged the “practical disarmament” of the country, as he announced a list of new security measures intended to improve gun control on Friday morning.
The suspect – who has only been identified by his initials UB – was detained near the city of Kragujevac, the interior ministry said.
People mourn deceased after mass shooting in Serbia
The arrest followed an extensive manhunt, which local media reported involved over 600 police officers. He was eventually found hiding at his grandfather’s house, Serbian broadcaster RTS reported.
Photos from the scene showed police officers stopping cars at checkpoints as they tried to find the gunman. A helicopter, drones and multiple police patrols were also used.
Reports on local media say the suspect – who the interior ministry said was born in 2002 – started firing at people with an automatic weapon after having an argument with a police officer in a park in Dubona on Thursday evening.
Milan Prokić, a Dubona resident, told Radio Belgrade 1 he heard shots near his house: “It’s sad, regrettable, we locked ourselves in our home so [the shots] wouldn’t come to us.”
The man is then said to have proceeded to shoot people from a car, killing at least eight people and wounding many more.
All injured people admitted to hospital were born after the year 2000, RTS reported.
Two people aged 21 and 23 were operated on, but remain in critical condition.
Speaking at a news conference after the attack on Friday, Serbia’s president said the suspect had been wearing a T-shirt with neo-Nazi symbols, but no further details were given.
President Vucic called the shooting “an attack on us all” and announced a host of new security measures, including a plan to hire 1,200 new police officers.
He also announced a ban on new gun permits, tougher penalties for illegal weapons possession and psychological checks of gun owners. He said the new laws would result in the “practical disarmament” of Serbia.
On Wednesday, a thirteen-year-old boy shot dead eight fellow pupils at his school in Belgrade, as well as a security guard. It prompted the Serbian government to propose tighter restrictions of gun ownership.
NBA basketball player Luka Doncic said he would pay for the funerals of all nine people killed in Wednesday’s shooting, and for grief counselling for classmates and staff.
Mass shootings are extremely rare in Serbia, which has very strict gun laws, but gun ownership in the country is among the highest in Europe.
The western Balkans are awash with illegal weapons following wars and unrest in the 1990s. In 2019, it was estimated that there are 39.1 firearms per 100 people in Serbia – the third highest in the world, behind the US and Montenegro.
The USA for the past few years has been plagued with shooting. One of the most tragic of it is the Parkland shooting in 2018, where a 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire on students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the Miami suburban town of Parkland, Florida, United States, murdering 17 people and injuring 17 others.
Despite splurging over £600 million on talent, the club has not been able to deliver satisfactory performances on the pitch. However, this has not stopped them from continuing to add fresh faces to their squad.
The latest addition to the Blues is Alex Matos, who joins on a free transfer. Fabrizio Romano reported that Chelsea has “completed” the signing of the 18-year-old winger from Norwich City FC.
Matos will be part of the youth development and recruitment project headed by Jim Fraser, Chelsea’s chief.
Last month, reports emerged that Chelsea was in “advanced talks” to sign the talented youngster. The latest update confirms that the deal is all but done.
Born in 2004, Matos began his career at Luton before joining Norwich City’s Under 12 level in 2016.
He signed a scholarship with the club in 2021 and has been a regular feature in Norwich’s Under-18 squad this season.
Matos has made eight appearances in the Under 18 Premier League, scoring and assisting once each.
Chelsea’s ambitious approach to transfers in their senior squad has caused chaos behind the scenes, with some players being forced to change in the corridor due to a lack of space in the dressing room.
The club’s former manager, Graham Potter, was unable to turn things around, and the interim manager, Frank Lampard has faced a difficult time, with six consecutive defeats. Despite this, Chelsea’s management has continued to invest in new talent.
The addition of Matos to the youth development and recruitment project shows the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
It remains to be seen how Matos will fit into Chelsea’s future plans and whether he will be able to make his mark in the highly competitive world of professional football.
Chelsea’s trigger-happy approach to transfers in their senior squad has caused chaos behind the scenes, with Graham Potter being forced to make a number of stars change in the corridor despite making the dressing room bigger.
Frank Lampard has since taken over the helm, but things have only gotten worse with six defeats on the spin under the interim boss following the latest lacklustre performance against Arsenal.
Reacting to the news, one fan online joked: “Have to make the dressing room bigger again.”
While a third added: “Oh boy another kid because we lost yesterday 😍.”
It has been a difficult season for Chelsea as the beleaguered team has seen a streak of losses, with their vey recent 3-1 loss to Arsenal which thrashed them out of the Premier League.
For the past few months Chelsea, has had about 12 losses, 5 draws and a few wins which raises eyebrows of the clubs form and finnesse which it has had over the years.
Chelsea’s current owner Todd Boehly came under heat after the club’s board called the “failure” of a manger Frank Lampard back for the interim.
Lampard was a highly respected and beloved figure at Chelsea, having played for the club for 13 years and later serving as the team’s manager.
Therefore, it is possible that many Chelsea fans were excited about his return to the club, while others may have had mixed feelings considering his previous managerial tenure ended on a sour note.
However, Julian Nagelsmann is the favourite to become the next permanent Chelsea manager, according to the bookmakers.
But recent news have reported that, Nagelsman seem not to be interested in Chelsea’s offer but looking elsewhere.
Drogba recently called out managers of his former club to sit and revisit the principles table.
Napoli has secured the Serie A title after claiming a point at Udinese on the evening of May 5th and as a result of their impressive campaign, many of their top stars including Osimhen are sure to attract interest this summer.
The Partenopei have been in exceptional form this season and are poised to lift their first Scudetto in 33 years, having opened up a commanding lead at the top of the table.
As they look to build on their success, it is likely that several players will attract attention from other clubs.
Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen will be one of Europe’s hottest properties this summer after scoring a sensational 26 goals in 33 appearances this campaign.
The Nigerian striker has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Chelseaas well as Real Madridand Bayern Munich but Napoli’s hefty price tag may prove a potential stumbling block.
Those clubs could be reluctant to meet his reported £100million valuation but with few enjoying better goalscoring seasons than the 24-year-old, it may be money well spent.
Osimhen started playing football at a young age, and by the age of 18, he had made his professional debut for the Nigerian team, Ultimate Strikers Academy.
Osimhen’s big break came when he signed for Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga in 2017. However, he struggled to make an impact at the club and was loaned out to Charleroi in the Belgian First Division A, where he enjoyed a successful spell, scoring 20 goals in 36 appearances.
In July 2020, Osimhen joined Napoli for a reported fee of €50 million, becoming the club’s most expensive signing ever. Despite a slow start to his Napoli career due to injury and Covid-19 complications, he has gradually established himself as a key player for the club, scoring 10 goals in 24 appearances in his debut season.
Osimhen’s style of play is characterized by his pace, dribbling ability, and clinical finishing.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been in sensational form this season
Another attacking star who will not be short of suitors is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with Manchester City and Liverpool among a long list of interested parties.
The Georgian winger — nicknamed Kvaradona by the Napoli faithful — has been a revelation since arriving in Naples last summer from his homeland.
A price tag upwards of £100m is now being talked about for the pacy, skilful and clinical forward after 14 goals and 14 assists across 37 Serie A and Champions League appearances.
Minjae Kim
Minjae Kim has marshalled things expertly at the back and a switch to Liverpool, City or Utd could now be in the offing.
Napoli have conceded a league-low 22 goals this campaign and having started 31 of their 32 games, much of that has been down to their South Korean defender.
Kim, 26, signed a new contract with Luciano Spalletti’s men last summer but Premier League clubs are unlikely to be put off by a potentially substantial fee.
Alex Meret
Alex Meret has been linked with a move to Tottenham
Alex Meret has been named as a potential solution to Tottenham’s issues between the sticks.
Spurs are on the hunt for a successor to veteran captain Hugo Lloris and Italian stopper Meret has emerged as a prime target alongside the likes of Jordan Pickford and David Raya.
The 26-year-old has 19 clean sheets in all competitions this term but whether he wants to give up Champions League football to make the switch to North London remains to be seen.
Alex Meret is an Italian professional football player who currently plays as a goalkeeper forNapoli in Serie A and the Italy national team.
He was born on March 22, 1997, in Udine, Italy, and started his youth career at Udinese before moving to Parma.
He joined Napoli in 2018 and has since made over 50 appearances for the club, helping them win the Coppa Italia in the 2019-20 season. He has also represented Italy at various youth levels and made his senior debut in 2019.
Mario Balotelli, ex-Inter Milan striker, congratulated Victor Osimhen on facetime following Napoli’s victory in the Serie A on Thursday night. Osimhen’s goal against Udinese secured the Italian championship title for Napoli, their first in 33 years.
Osimhen has been a key player for Napoli this season, scoring 22 goals in the league to help his team achieve a historic triumph. In a heartwarming video shared on social media, Balotelli can be seen chatting with the Nigerian striker and celebrating his success.
Balotelli, who won the treble with Inter Milan, took time out to praise Osimhen’s achievements, expressing his admiration for the young forward. The video has since gone viral, with many football fans commending Balotelli for his graciousness and class.
“Trust me, you did something incredible. You still don’t know what you did, trust me. Now you’ve won, you will realise in years, not tomorrow, next year but in ten years you’ll understand what you did. It’s unbelievable, seriously.”
The victory is a significant milestone for Napoli, who have endured a long wait for Serie A glory. The club’s success has been built on a strong team spirit and a determination to succeed, with Osimhen playing a key role in their triumph.
Osimhen reacts after leading Napoli to Serie A title
As for Osimhen, the Nigerian striker has been widely praised for his performances this season, with many tipping him for a bright future in the game. At just 22 years old, he has already established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world football, and his success with Napoli is sure to further enhance his reputation.
Osimhen later shared how fans of Napoli had warmly accepted him when he arrived at the club in 2020.
“I am so happy, mostly for the fans. It’s been amazing. I remember when I came, a lot of things happened and these people sent messages, encouraging me,” the Nigerian striker said.
Overall, Napoli’s triumph in the Serie A has been widely celebrated by football fans around the world, with the club’s success serving as a reminder of the enduring power and passion of the beautiful game.
Balotelli then congratulated Osimhen, encouraging him to enjoy the moment.
Osimhen reacts to league success
In related news, Sports Brief reported on the Super Eagles forward breaking his silence after leading Napoli to the Serie A title – their first Scudetto in 33 years.
Osimhen scored the goal against Udinese that put the Italian league title mathematically into their hands, with five games still to go in the current campaign.
Osimhen celebrates Serie A triumph
Sports Brief also reported on Osimhen leading Napoli’s celebrations after the Naples side was crowned champions of Italy for the first time in 33 years.
The Super Eagles striker scored the goal that won his team the Italian top flight league title, during their 1-1 draw against Udinese on Thursday night.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Osimhen is seen screaming in excitement as he celebrates the moment among his teammates.
A gloomy start till an exciting finishing
Victor Osimhen is a Nigerian professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Napoli in the Italian Serie A. Born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, Osimhen started playing football at a young age, and by the age of 18, he had made his professional debut for the Nigerian team, Ultimate Strikers Academy.
Osimhen’s big break came when he signed for Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga in 2017. However, he struggled to make an impact at the club and was loaned out to Charleroi in the Belgian First Division A, where he enjoyed a successful spell, scoring 20 goals in 36 appearances.
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 07: Victor Osimhen of Wolfsburg is challenged by Amine Harit of Schalke during the DFB Pokal quarter final match between FC Schalke 04 and VfL Wolfsburg at Veltins-Arena on February 7, 2018 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)
His performances earned him a move to Lille in the French Ligue 1 in 2019, where he made an immediate impact, scoring 18 goals in 38 appearances in his debut season. His goalscoring exploits helped Lille to finish fourth in the league and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
In July 2020, Osimhen joined Napoli for a reported fee of €50 million, becoming the club’s most expensive signing ever. Despite a slow start to his Napoli career due to injury and Covid-19 complications, he has gradually established himself as a key player for the club, scoring 10 goals in 24 appearances in his debut season.
Osimhen’s style of play is characterized by his pace, dribbling ability, and clinical finishing.
The forward was suspended and fined two weeks’ wages by the club, a move that appears to have angered the Argentine superstar and caused rifts within PSG’s hierarchy.
According to a report by Sportskeeda, Messi is reportedly contemplating terminating his contract with PSG within the next ten days.
The player, who was also subjected to protests by the club’s fans, is keen on leaving the club before they are crowned Ligue 1 champions, and is said to be doing everything in his power to force his way out.
Soccer Football – Lionel Messi visits Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 1, 2023 Paris St Germain’s Lionel Messi during a visit to Saudi Arabia Saudi Ministry of Tourism/Handout via REUTERS
Messi’s current deal with PSG is set to expire at the end of the season. However, the 35-year-old appears determined to leave the club as soon as possible, and is reportedly exploring all possible avenues to make this happen.
It remains to be seen whether or not PSG will allow Messi to leave before the end of the season, or if they will try to keep hold of him for as long as possible.
The situation has been made all the more complicated by Messi’s recent suspension and subsequent fine by PSG.
It is unclear at this stage whether or not these issues can be resolved, or if they will lead to Messi’s departure from the club.
Messi’s potential departure from PSG is likely to send shockwaves through the world of football.
The Argentine superstar is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.
His decision to leaveBarcelona for PSG last summer was seen as a major coup for the French club, who were looking to build a team capable of challenging for the Champions League.
However, Messi’s time atPSG has been somewhat tumultuous. Despite his undoubted talent, the player has struggled to adapt to life in France, and has been the subject of criticism and scrutiny from fans and the media alike.
The recent suspension and subsequent fine have only served to compound these issues, and have led to rumours that Messi is no longer happy at PSG.
At this stage, it is unclear what the future holds for Messi and PSG. The player’s reported desire to leave the club is sure to have repercussions, both for PSG and for the wider football community.
Messi joined PSG amid fanfare in 2021 but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has failed to replicate his best form for the Parisians which has caused fans to turn on him recently.
Mascherano warns angry PSG fans
Meanwhile, former Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has warned Paris Saint-Germain supporters that they will regret criticising Lionel Messi, Goal reports.
Mascherano insists PSG were lucky and should be grateful they had the all-time great play for their team as Messi does not deserve the treatment he has gotten from the Parisian fans.
Disgruntled PSG fans had gathered in front of the club’s headquarters in protest as they called for Messi to leave the club after it was gathered the forward did not intend to extend his current contract.
It is also alleged that , Neymar Jnr, former Barcelona star and PSG stalwart is on the verge of leaving the club as the Parisian hierarchy is willing to let the player go if a good deal is presented to them.
Manchester United is currently leading the race for the Brazilian born striker.
He has been off the pitch for sometime due to an ankle injury he suffered last February, 2023.
However, it is reported that the Parisian fans are unhappy with the Neymar anymore hence gathered outside his house protesting that he leaves for his home country.
He later confirmed in a twitter post “they just left” with a crying emoji.
Barcelona prepares two-year deal for Messi
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona have intensified their push to re-sign Lionel Messi this summer as reports confirmed the Argentine could leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.
Messi enjoyed great success with the Catalan club between 2005 and 2021, winning four UEFA Champions League trophies before leaving heartbreakingly following Barca’s failure to renew his contract.
Barcelona has been heavily linked with a move for Messi, and club president Joan Laporta is now set to offer Messi a two-year deal when he eventually leaves PSG this summer.
It is reported that PSG’s willingness to listen to offers for Neymar especially one’s from clubs like Man Utd as the club aims to reduce their wage bill, which has been inflated by the high salaries of their star players.
Additionally, Manchester United is not the only club interested in signing Neymar, as there have been rumors of a potential return to Barcelona or a move to Real Madrid.
However, if Sheikh Jassim’s takeover bid forManchester United is successful, it is expected that the club will have significant financial resources to make a competitive offer for Neymar’s signature.
Man Utd’s chances of signing Neymar have received a huge boost
And it has emerged that PSG are planning for life without both the Brazilian and Lionel Messi.
Messi has been suspended for two weeks after defying club chiefs’ wishes and flying for a promotional tour to Saudi Arabia.
That was seen as a blatant move to alienate the club and fans, after his initial love affair in Paris has degenerated to more of a marriage of convenience.
PSG bosses have been working on a future blueprint over the past few months, which it is envisaged will mean a wholesale change in policy.
One club source explained: “From now on, the plan for PSG is simple – young, French and team players.
“It’s obvious to anyone who that applies to and who it doesn’t.”
PSG’s previous masterplan was to use the attacking trident of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to conquer Europe and winthe Champions League for the first time.
But the Ligue 1 champions have fallen short with last 16 exits – at the hands of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – for two straight seasons.
Messi, out of contract at the end of this campaign, will not be offered a new deal – although his hopes of a return to Barcelona depend on the catalan giants reaching a financial agreement with La Liga bosses.
And while PSG will not boot Neymar out of the door, it is understood that they will be willing to listen to serious offers if they come this summer.
That is the opportunity for United to pounce if they think Neymar is the jigsaw piece that can take them back into the title equation and a genuine Champions League run.
Neymar, who moved to Ligue 1 in a £198m deal from Barcelona in 2017, has two years left on his current PSG contract.
But it is understood the South American, on a staggering £490,000 per WEEK, would be keen on a move to the Prem.
Mbappe’s future has been clouded in uncertainty over the past 18 months, with Real Madrid desperate to land him.
But while his attitude to team-mates has seen heads being shaken at times, he is 24, the emblem of France and also a player who will give everything to win on the pitch.
A departure of the two South American stars would also leave Mbappe unchallenged as the “King of Paris” and the stand-out star in Ligue 1.
The model tagged the 31-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar in a post on social media(Instagram), where she announced the positive news to her 3.8 million followers.
The couple shared a series of snaps highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump, and in one of the photos, Neymar holds his girlfriend’s belly with a smile.
The news was reported by Sports Brief and announced by Biancardi herself on social media.
Neymar and his girlfriend Bruna Biancardi have announced they are expecting their first child together. Photo:@brunabiancardi
Source: Instagram
The post included a series of pictures, including some highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump. The post was coupled with a passionate message to the unborn child of how she has a beautiful family awaiting his/her coming into this world.
Neymar has been in a relationship with Biancardi for some time, and the news of their upcoming child has been well-received by his fans and followers on social media. This will be Neymar’s third child, as he is already a father to a son, Davi Lucca, whom he had with his former partner Carolina Dantas, and a daughter, whose mother’s identity is not publicly known.
Reports indicate that, Al-Hilal is allegedly set to make Lionel Messi an offer to join them for over half a billion pounds. A staggering amount to knock out of the waterRonaldo’s Al-Nassr’s deal.
Sky Sports reports that the Saudi company is allegedly willing to pay the PSG star £400 million for just one season.
According to the source, Argentina is in favour of Messi joining the team since it would increase the league’s marketability.
Messi and Ronaldo
The Saudi Pro League has already gained more interest since the new year after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo on a free transfer.
Ronaldo signed a record deal to join Al Nassr following his exit from Manchester United.
However, Messi’s potential deal will blow that out of the water.
He has also been welcomed to the country by Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the tourism minister of Saudi Arabia.
After Messi’s trip, he tweeted: “I am happy to welcome Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences.
“We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”
The Argentine is on course to leave PSG this summer once his contract at the Parc des Princes expires.
The club had previously been keen on extending his deal, but have changed their stance.
Messi is suspended from the club following an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia after a Ligue 1 loss to Lorient on Sunday.
However, fans reacted to the ban as they arrived in their droves outside of the club’s head office.
The protest saw fans ignite flares while holding up banners calling on the club’s management to resign.
Messi has also been linked with a return to Barcelona as well as to MLS side Inter Miami.
The French giants are currently five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with five games remaining.
But Barcelona’s dream of having their all time goal scoring machine back seems gloomy as it is reported that they have failed to convince La Liga over their ability to meet the forwards financial demands.
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team.
Messi is widely considered as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won numerous awards including seven Ballon d’Or titles.
He started his career in his native Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys before moving to Barcelona at the age of 13.
At Barcelona, he became one of the most successful players in the club’s history, winning numerous domestic and international titles.
Messi has also had a successful international career, leading Argentina to the Copa America title in 2021 and helping the team reach the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He also kept his Argentine national team at the top till they won the 2022 FIFA World Cup which was hosted in Qatar.
After the teams win, Messi gifted 14 iPhones to his team mates and all the staff of team to congratulate and applaud them for their hard work for the teams success at the World Cup.
Also, Lionel Messi is married to Antonella Roccuzzo, his childhood sweetheart. The couple first met when Messi was just five years old and Roccuzzo was his friend’s cousin. They started dating in 2008 and got married in June 2017 in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina.
The ceremony was attended by several famous footballers, including Messi’s Barcelona teammates and Argentina’s national team.
Messi and Roccuzzo have three children together: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. The family is known for being relatively private and keeping their personal lives out of the public eye.
Prince Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe both submitted bids on Friday, the third and likely final deadline for parties to make offers to purchase the Manchester United club and Ten Hag is clueless about where funds going to come from to form the ‘perfect’ squad he needs.
Now that the Glazer family must make a decision, the advancement made during Ten Hag’s first season in command may be jeopardised.
Even the manager is unsure of the financial support for changes, despite the fact that United are on track to finish in the top four and have a chance to add the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup.
Asked if he has been told he has the funds to do what he wants to this summer irrespective of how the takeover process pans out, Ten Hag said: “No, I don’t have. I don’t have influence on that, I don’t have… also I don’t know.
Man Utd manager, Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag is in the dark over Manchester United’s summer spending power as the takeover saga rumbles on.
The Old Trafford giants announced in November that the board was exploring strategic alternatives to enhance the club’s growth, with a full sale one option being considered.
Friday was the third, and what is expected to be final, deadline for parties to make offers to buy the club, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe both submitting bids.
Now the the Glazer family must decide how they want to proceed — a process that threatens to damage the progress made during Ten Hag’s first season in charge.
United are on course for a top-four finish and have the chance to add the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup but the financial backing for improvements is unclear even to the manager.
Asked if he has been told he has the funds to do what he wants to this summer irrespective of how the takeover process pans out, Ten Hag said: “No, I don’t have. I don’t have influence on that, I don’t have… also I don’t know.
“The only thing what I know is that Man United is one of the biggest clubs and I think it’s among maybe (the) two biggest clubs in the world from a fanbase perspective.
“So, I think this club has to compete for the highest in the world, so Champions League, Premier League.
“But in football you need funds to construct squads because in the end of the day the level from your players makes if you are successful or not.”
Ten Hag says “everyone knows you need funds to construct a squad” and that “high level players cost a lot of money” in elite football.
“I, we see this as a project,” the United boss said. “In a project also it belongs that you are in windows, that you strengthen your squad needs or to make refreshments, so that you get more balance, definitely, and you bring young players in.
“But I think we already have shown and proved that we can beat the best teams in the world, so, yeah, I think we can compete in the Champions League.
“But at the end of the day we want to be in the winter also in the Champions League and we want to compete, and knock them all out, so then we have a way to go.”
United are preparing to take on Brighton in the Premier League on Thursday after beating Aston Villa 1-0 to a backdrop of protests against the Glazers on Sunday.
Ten Hag was seen after the match at Old Trafford picking up a green and gold scarf as he headed down the tunnel game, holding it up before throwing it back to fans.
When asked if it was an act of solidarity with the fans, the United boss said: “No, it was just polite.
“But I know what’s going around, what the symbol of it is, but this matter was just polite.”
Ten Hag, understandably, refrained from publicly criticising his employers at this stage of the season but his desire for clarity on the club’s future is palpable.
Asked how important it is to get the takeover process resolved as soon as possible, Ten Hag said: “Yeah, I think it’s clear what I want but it’s not up to me.
“It’s about others in this club, finally there are the owners and they make the decisions, so it’s not up to me.
“So, I do everything I can and I influence the processes I’m in charge of.”
The “average performing” team has received many enhancements in an effort to rise from sixth to the top four after finishing 13 points behind Spurs the previous season. The ex-Ajax and PEC Zwolle manager has stressed the importance of United returning to theUEFA Champions League as soon as possible.
Last summer, United signed Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen. In January, they strengthened their lineup even more by bringing in Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the most successful football players of his generation, having won numerous individual and team accolades throughout his career. His departure from Manchester United in November 2021 left a significant impact on the team, as he was one of their top earners and star players.
Despite Ronaldo’s waning powers, he remains one of the most marketable athletes in the world and has continued to earn staggering amounts of money through his endorsement deals.
Forbes’ annual list of the world’s highest-paid athletes revealed that Ronaldo earned £109million in 2022, making him the top-earning athlete for the year.
This is more than any other sportsperson, including his arch-rival Lionel Messi, who earned £104m. Ronaldo’s earnings come from a combination of his salary and endorsements.
He reportedly took home £36.6m in salary last year, in addition to an astonishing £71.7m in endorsements.
Ronaldo’s earnings have dwarfed those of his former Manchester United teammates. Since his departure, the team’s top earner is goalkeeper David de Gea, who pockets £19.5m annually, as per Spotrac.
In fact, it would take the salaries of United’s eight top earners to match Ronaldo’s total earnings last year. Jadon Sancho reportedly takes home £18.2m a year, with Raphael Varane on £17.68m annually.
The disparity in earnings between Ronaldo and his former teammates highlights the value that he brought to the club, both on and off the pitch.
The club has struggled to find a replacement for the prolific forward, and it remains to be seen how they will fare in the future without him.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has continued to play football in Saudi Arabia, where he signed a two-year contract with Al-Nassr FC.
Ronaldo’s success on and off the pitch has made him one of the most recognizable and marketable athletes in the world.
His endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike, Tag Heuer, and Herbalife have earned him millions of pounds every year, and his social media following is one of the largest of any athlete.
He has leveraged his fame and success to build a business empire that includes hotels, gyms, and clothing lines.
Cristiano Ronaldo. Apart from his lavish lifestyle and expensive styling, the sportsman has a natural interest in cars, which he has spoken about on a lot of TV shows. This is reflected in his extensive car collection, which consists of more than 25 cars that are valued at over $20 million today.
Ronaldo pocketed far more than United’s current top starsCredit: Getty
Cristiano Ronaldois a professional footballer from Portugal who currently plays for Al-Nassr.
He is considered one of the greatest football players of all time, having won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including five Ballon d’Or titles.
Ronaldo has played for several major football clubs, including Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
He is known for his incredible speed, skill, and goal-scoring abilities, and has scored over 700 career goals. Ronaldo is also heavily involved in philanthropy, supporting various charities and initiatives to help disadvantaged communities.
Meanwhile there had been recent reports of alleged breakup with his long time girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez with whom he has five children is the stepmother of his first child (Cristiano Junior), raising the child as her own without involvement from the child’s biological mother.
The player went through a hard time during his son’s death, i.e, the male of the twins his wife gave birth to.
He disclosed in an interview with Piers Morgan, that it was a hard time for both himself and his partner, Georgina.
The Parisians have had a challenging week after having their chances of winning Ligue 1 derailed by a home setback to Lorient on April 30.
After making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, the French giants also put the world’s best player, Lionel Messi, on two weeks of suspension.
On Wednesday, fans chanted outside the club’s headquarters, demanding the board resign. Further clips showed supporters outside Neymar’s home, calling for him to move on, perPSG Report.
In a video shared on social media, some fans showed up with megaphones, flares, and banners in front of the Brazilian’s residence as frustration with the star’s performance continues to grow.
Neymar, who has been linked with a move away from Paris to the English Premier League in recent weeks, took to social media to confirm fans had come to his home in France.
“They’ve just left my door,” Neymar wrote on Twitter, along with a crying emoji.
In a statement, via Yahoo Sports, the club said: “Whatever the differences of opinion, nothing justifies such actions. The club gives its full support to its players, its staff and all those targeted by such shameful behaviour.”
Neymar nears return to Paris
Meanwhile, Neymar is expected to return to PSG at the end of April after recovering from his ankle injury in his home country of Brazil, Get Football reports.
The star saw his season end early after he sustained an injury during a Ligue 1 match against Lille on February 19,2021 which necessitated surgery in Qatar.
Neymar is still wearing an orthopaedic boot as he recovers from the injury, but the PSG forward can reportedly remove it once he returns to France.
However, he was expected to PSG by the close of April 2023.The injury forced him to miss a significant portion of the season and raised doubts about his availability for the team’s crucial upcoming matches.
Neymar has been a key player for PSG since joining the team in 2017. He has helped the club win multiple domestic trophies and reach the final of the UEFA Champions League in the 2019-20 season. The injury he sustained was a significant blow to PSG’s hopes of winning both domestic and European competitions, and his return to the team would be a welcome boost for the club and its fans.
Neymar’s girlfriend announces pregnancy
In more positive news, Sports Brief reported on Neymar becoming a father again after his girlfriend, Bruna Biancardi’s recent pregnancy announcement.
The model tagged the 31-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar in a post on social media(Instagram), where she announced the positive news to her 3.8 million followers.
The couple shared a series of snaps highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump, and in one of the photos, Neymar holds his girlfriend’s belly with a smile.
The news was reported by Sports Brief and announced by Biancardi herself on social media.
The post included a series of pictures, including some highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump. The post was coupled with a passionate message to the unborn child of how she has a beautiful family awaiting his/her coming into this world.
Neymar has been in a relationship with Biancardi for some time, and the news of their upcoming child has been well-received by his fans and followers on social media. This will be Neymar’s third child, as he is already a father to a son, Davi Lucca, whom he had with his former partner Carolina Dantas, and a daughter, whose mother’s identity is not publicly known.
Economists who are advising California‘s task force for reparations have estimated that it will cost $1.2 million per Black resident, which can be distributed over a lifetime although the details have not been finalized yet.
California is one of the several states that are discussing the feasibility of providing economic reparations to Black Americans whose ancestors were harmed by the Atlantic slave trade and its aftermath, despite the fact that California was designated as a free state when it joined the Union.
The movement for reparations gained significant momentum in 2020 after George Floyd’s death at the hands of police, but it is still a controversial issue both economically and culturally. California, known for its progressive policies, has recently arrived at an economic evaluation.
“Economists advising California’s task force on reparations have, at long last, released an estimate of the damages caused by the state’s history of slavery and its many vestiges of white supremacy: up to $1.2 million per Black resident over a lifetime,” the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.
Reverend Tony Pierce calls for more than $5 million in reparations for each Black Californian at a meeting of the California Reparations Task Force on March 29, 2023. (YouTube screenshot from California Department of Justice channel)
REPARATIONS FOR BLACK CALIFORNIANS COULD COST $800B, ECONOMISTS WARN
California’s reparations task force is preparing to recommend that the Golden State apologize and issue “down payments” to Black residents as a way to make amends for slavery and discrimination, although the state explicitly outlawed slavery when it joined the Union in 1850.
The task force, created by state legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2020, on Monday published more than 500 pages of documents that indicate it plans to recommend California issue a formal apology for slavery and racism and consider payments of varying amounts to eligibleBlack Californians.
The Chronicle suggested this massive number was merely a “rough, partial estimate of what it would cost the state to compensate Black people for that legacy of harm, according to a draft of the task force’s final report.”
The paper quoted the report directly.
“Rather, it is an economically conservative initial assessment of what losses, at a minimum, the State of California caused or could have prevented, but did not,” the report stated. “(T)he Legislature would then have to decide how to translate loss-estimates into proposed reparations amounts.”
The Chronicle added further that the process is still ongoing.
“The panel is preparing its final report to send to the Legislature, which will include a recommendation on the amount and form of cash payments,” the outlet wrote. “Task force members are expected to vote Saturday at Mills College in Oakland on whether to adopt the draft report, the capstone of its work after two years of tense meetings and in-depth research.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs into law a bill that establishes a task force to come up with recommendations on how to give reparations to black Americans in Sacramento, California, on Sept. 30, 2020. (Office of the Governor via AP)
The Chronicle observed that next task at hand would be figuring out the massive economic implications of this reparations program.
‘Whatever the task force decides, the Legislature and Newsom will have the final say. If reparations are approved, state officials would have to figure out how to pay for the program,” the outlet wrote. “An economist for the reparations panel has said the plan could cost California more than $800 billion; the state has a roughly $297 billion annual budget.”
Despite being nearly three times the state’s overall budget, a member of the task force in April dismissed concerns about the total cost, saying it was as the “least important piece” of their proposal.
“It’s important,” she said, “but it’s the least important in terms of being able to get to a point in our country’s history and in California’s history where we recognize that the harm cuts across multiple areas and domains and that the repair needs to align with that.”
The Chronicle noted that one key aspect is that the program does not distribute reparations merely for slavery, but for other economic and cultural issues seen as the legacy of slavery itself such as “mass incarceration and over-policing in Black communities,” “discrimination in housing,” and “health harms, including unequal access to health care, greater exposure to environmental pollution and discrimination from medical workers.”
In April, Detroit’s reparations task force met. Kofi Kenyatta, a senior policy director of UpTogether told the task force: “Reparations can mean a lot of things but it must include, no strings attached, direct cash to Black people and systemic change throughout all levels.”
The Municipal and Regional Fire Service stations in Damongo have had their power supply cut by the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), a subsidiary of the Volta River Authority (VRA), due to unpaid debts.
On Wednesday, April 26, a team of engineers from NEDCo carried out an operation to disconnect power to the fire service institution. DOIII Salisu M. Sirilbaini, the Regional Public Relations Officer of the service, expressed concern that the situation is hindering administrative work.
“We can’t even print a paper as a result of the disconnection of power to our outfit and all efforts to have the power restored by management of NEDCo have proved futile,” he lamented.
According to him, the disconnection of power to the stations has shut down their communication gadgets making it difficult to receive distressed calls from residents.
DOIII Salisu appealed to the electricity company to restore power back to the fire stations to continue with their mandate of fighting fire and saving lives and property.
The lack of electricity is a significant setback for the fire service station, which relies heavily on electricity to power their equipment and maintain a 24/7 response rate to fire emergencies.
The disruption in power supply has created a challenging situation for the fire service, as they now have to rely on alternative sources of energy, such as generators and solar panels.
The unpaid debt owed by the fire service station has led to frustration from the Northern Electricity Distribution Company.
The company has stated that it is standard practice to disconnect power to any institution that does not pay its bills. Despite the explanation, the decision to disconnect power to a fire service station has been met with widespread criticism from the public.
The Regional Fire Commander, DOII John Ankomah-Bonsu, has appealed to NEDCo to reconnect power to the fire station, stating that their operations are being hindered by the lack of electricity.
According to Ankomah-Bonsu, the fire service station is a critical facility that plays a crucial role in saving lives and properties during fire emergencies. He emphasized the importance of the station having uninterrupted power supply to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.
The incident has highlighted the need for better communication between institutions and utility companies to avoid unnecessary power outages that may hinder essential services.
The situation in Damongo serves as a reminder that non-payment of utility bills can have severe consequences, especially for institutions that provide critical services to the public.
It also underscores the need for institutions to prioritize payment of their bills to avoid any disruption in essential services.
Meanwhile, DOII John Ankomah-Bonsu he revealed that management of the service in Accra making frantic efforts to settle their indebtedness with NEDCo.
Is NEDCo following the footsteps of ECG?
The Electricity Company of Ghana embarked on a month long Nationwide Revenue Mobilisation exercise which began on March 20 to April 20, 2023.
The power supply company embarked on this exercise to recover all unpaid bills amounting to GH¢5.7 billion from its customers and to also clamp down on all customers engaging in illegal connection activities.
They announced a 6% commission for whistleblowers for power theft.
Later on, Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) begun a similar a national revenue mobilization exercise to collect about GH₵800 million in debts as of January this year, up from GH₵684 million debts that stood on the company’s books as of January 2022.
This was when in September 2022, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) increased the average end-user tariff for water by 21.55 per cent, increasing the debt situation to GH₵800 million.
Jamie Foxx’s friend, Charles E. Alston, also known as Charlie Mack, has requested his followers on Instagram to pray for Foxx. The actor is still in the hospital due to a medical complication.
It is not specified what exactly happened to Jamie Foxx, but according to reports, he suffered a “medical complication” and was hospitalized. The details of his illness have not been disclosed.
“I need you all to constantly keep our beloved brotha @iamjamiefoxx up whom we all [love] & care for dearly in our Hearts, Minds & Prayers!!!! We need you back Bro. As I always state a true champion isn’t the one that wins, it’s the one that meets & overcomes adversity,” he expressed.
“You’re test becomes your testimony!! We all can’t wait to receive you back home to celebrate, laugh with and applaud you,” he added.
He finished his post with a prayer of his own, writing, “I come before you yet once again humbly asking please heal & restore our brotha @iamjamiefoxx stronger & better than before!!! I have absolutely no shame in asking pleading & begging for your merciful healing powers over our brotha now in your time not ours for miracle. I must & will thank you in advance your gracious humble servant.”
A representative for Foxx did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Jamie Foxx’s friend Charlie Mack asked the public to continue to pray for the actor, expressing his excitement for the day in which Foxx returns home. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic)
Foxx’s family announced the actor had “experienced a medical complication,” on April 11, in a statement posted to Instagram the following day. At the time, Foxx was filming in Atlanta for his film “Back in Action,” alongside Cameron Diaz and Glenn Close.
Jamie Foxx was admitted to the emergency room on April 11, 2023 due to an unknown illness, his daughter revealed on April 12. “From the Foxx family: We wanted to share that, my father,Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday.
“Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery,” Foxx’s daughter Corinne wrote to her Instagram.
Since the complication, minimal information has been revealed on the actor’s condition, although a source previously told Entertainment Tonight that Foxx “is healing” and “feels the love from everyone.”
Foxx is reportedly still receiving care in a Georgia hospital, with a source previously telling People Magazine that the actor was “having tests run.”
Jamie Foxx is “lucky to be alive” after he was hospitalised with a “serious medical complication”, according to a source.
The 55-year-old actor is said to have needed immediate medical attention after being taken to hospital while in Atlanta shooting his upcoming Netflix movie Back in Action.
Nick Cannon shared he had Jamie Foxx’s blessing to speak on his health. (Johnny Louis/WireImage)
Just over a week ago, Foxx’s friend and fellow entertainer Nick Cannon revealed he had Foxx’s permission to speak on his health.
“I was reluctant to go all the way there, and even talk about it, but he gave me the blessing, so it’s a beautiful thing,” Cannon told Entertainment Tonight of Foxx. “He’s awake. They say he’s alert, so, we love it.”
“I know he’s doing so much better because I’m actually about to do something special for him, and doing him a favor,” the “Masked Singer” host revealed.
Several celebrities, including actor Martin Lawrence, have commented on Jamie Foxx’s health. (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Actor Martin Lawrence offered similar positive sentiments of Foxx, telling “Extra” last month, “I hear he’s doing better … My prayers go out for him every night and just wishing the best for him, one of the best that we got in Hollywood. Not only one of the best entertainers, but a good person.”
The Portuguese superstar’s earning is an impressive $136 million in the past 12 months.
Ronaldo, who left Manchester United in 2022, clinched the top spot in the rankings, beating Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi to the second spot.
Messi made a whopping $130 million in the past year, earning him a place among the top ten highest-paid athletes in the world.
The footballer previously held the title of the world’s highest paid athlete in 2017, but he was later dethroned by Floyd Mayweather and Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo’s comeback to the top of the list is impressive, especially considering the highly competitive nature of football in recent times.
After Messi, it was Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion who took the third spot on the list, earning $100 million in the past 12 months. NBA superstar LeBron James and tennis ace Roger Federer were tied for the fourth spot, earning $90 million each.
Forbes’ rankings are based on both on-field earnings, including salaries, prize money, and bonuses, as well as off-field earnings, including sponsorship deals, appearance fees, and memorabilia and licensing income.
The rankings also consider factors such as taxes and the inflation rate in the athlete’s home country.
PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 19: Leo Messi of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennes at Parc des Princes on March 19, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier – PSG/PSG via Getty Images)
Canelo Alvarez beats Gennadiy Golovk in trilogy fight
Cristiano Ronaldois a professional footballer from Portugal who currently plays for Manchester United.
He is considered one of the greatest football players of all time, having won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including five Ballon d’Or titles.
Ronaldo has played for several major football clubs, including Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
He is known for his incredible speed, skill, and goal-scoring abilities, and has scored over 700 career goals. Ronaldo is also heavily involved in philanthropy, supporting various charities and initiatives to help disadvantaged communities.
Meanwhile there had been recent reports of alleged breakup with his long time girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez with whom he has five children is the stepmother of his first child (Cristiano Junior), raising the child as her own without involvement from the child’s biological mother.
The player went through a hard time during his son’s death, i.e, the male of the twins his wife gave birth to.
He disclosed in an interview with Piers Morgan, that it was a hard time for both himself and his partner, Georgina.
“Piers, it was probably the worst moment that I passed through in my life since my father died,” Ronaldo told Piers Uncensored. “When you have a kid, you expect that everything will be normal and when you have that problem it’s hard.
“As a human being as I am, me and Georgina, we had quite difficult moments, because we don’t understand why it happened to us. It was difficult, to be honest. It was very, very difficult to understand what’s going on in that period of our lives.
“As you know, the football carries on, so fast, so many competitions, the football doesn’t stop. Passing through that moment, was probably the most difficult moment that I’ve had in my life, me and my family, especially Gio, that was tough.”
&w=707&quality=100)
&w=707&quality=100)
