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Cristiano Ronaldo Remains Trophyless As Al-Nassr Lose Saudi Super Cup To Al Ahli

Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest for a major trophy with Al-Nassr continues, as the team fell to Al Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday.

The game had ended 2-2 during regulation time and had to be decided by penalties.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the game with a penalty – his 100th goal for Al-Nassr.

But Franck Kessie equalized for Al-Ahli before halftime.

Marcelo Brozovic then restored Al-Nassr’s lead late in the match, only for Roger Ibañez to equalize again.

The game went to penalties, where Al-Ahli kept their composure, with a crucial save by Édouard Mendy proving decisive.

Mendy saved Al-Nassr’s fourth kick from Abdullah Al-Khaibari, before Wenderson Galeno converted his kick to win Al-Ahli’s first Super Cup since 2016.

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Ballon d’Or 2025: He Deserves It – Dembele’s France Team-Mate Backs Yamal To Win Award

Ousmane Dembele’s France teammate, Jules Kounde, has expressed support for his Barcelona colleague Lamine Yamal, backing him to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Kounde said that Yamal, who is expected to compete with Dembele, deserves the Ballon d’Or.

Both Yamal and Dembele are among the 30 nominees shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or.

“Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or? You’re putting me in a tricky situation, but I think he deserves it,” Kounde said (via Le10Sport).

“I have a very good relationship with him. He is a team player, he works a lot for the team. I understand him perfectly.”

Yamal, 18, recorded 18 goals for the LaLiga champions last term and produced brilliant display during the UEFA Champions League.

The Spain international was promoted to Barcelona’s first-team by former manager Xavi.

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‘So Good’ – Palmer hails two Chelsea new signings

Cole Palmer has praised Chelsea’s summer signings, singling out Joao Pedro and Liam Delap as standout additions while insisting the Blues “should be winning trophies” this season under Enzo Maresca.

After a turbulent spell midway through last campaign, Maresca guided Chelsea to Champions League qualification, a Conference League triumph over Real Betis, and Club World Cup glory against Europe’s elite Paris Saint-Germain.

Those successes, Palmer believes, have raised expectations at Stamford Bridge.

“The way the club’s going, the direction, everyone’s excited. We should be winning trophies.”

Among the £250m worth of arrivals, Palmer says he has already developed strong chemistry with Pedro, who joined from Brighton in a £60m deal.

“He’s so good, man. I love playing with him,” Palmer said. “Even in training we just have good chemistry and know where each other are going to be. To see it in person was really good.”

Palmer also backed Delap, signed from Ipswich Town for £30m, to offer Chelsea a different attacking option.

“He’s something different… more old-school, aggressive, runs in behind. He’s a handful for defenders and one of the best finishers I’ve seen,” Palmer said. “Hopefully those two together score some goals between them.”

Chelsea, who opened their Premier League campaign with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, face West Ham and Fulham in back-to-back London derbies later this month.

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Ancelotti leaves out Vinicius from Brazil World Cup qualifiers squad

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has left Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior out of his squad for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.

The 25-year-old is suspended for the clash with Chile on September 5, and Ancelotti has decided not to include him for the Bolivia game five days later.

He prefers that the winger remains in Madrid to rest and recover ahead of a demanding club and international schedule.

The Selecão currently sit third in the CONMEBOL standings, behind leaders Argentina and second-placed Ecuador.

Brazil edged Paraguay 1-0 in June and will be hoping to build on that result, with victory over Chile seen as crucial to strengthening their chances of securing a place at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

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Man City end pursuit of €100m Real Madrid star Rodrygo

Manchester City have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes, insist on keeping Savinho.

Pep Guardiola’s side had identified the 23-year-old as a potential replacement for Savinho, who was attracting strong interest from Tottenham.

However, Spurs’ reluctance to meet City’s valuation for Savinho has forced the Premier League champions to shut the door on his departure, and in turn, on Rodrygo’s possible arrival.

But with the winger now staying at the Etihad, Rodrygo’s prospects of joining City have collapsed.

Liverpool and Arsenal remain the other major contenders for the Madrid star, though both have conditions attached to a move.

Liverpool are monitoring Rodrygo as a fallback option should their pursuit of Alexander Isak fail, while Arsenal’s interest hinges on whether they can offload players and conclude a deal for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.

Rodrygo, who has been central to Real Madrid’s attack in recent seasons, may now be forced to weigh his options, especially after Madrid boss, Xabi Alonso waved off his transfer “noise”.

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Inter end pursuit of Ademola Lookman

Inter Milan have abandoned their move for Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman after negotiations with Atalanta collapsed.

The Nerazzurri are now set to officially notify the player’s camp that the deal is off, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Inter officials are expected to meet Lookman’s representatives within 24 hours to provide clarity, bringing an end to two weeks of stalled discussions.

Club sources also dismissed speculation that Lookman’s situation was tied to Nicola Zalewski’s potential switch from Roma to Atalanta, stressing the two transfers were unrelated.

Lookman, 26, has been instrumental for Atalanta since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2022, impressing both in Serie A and Europe.

He also starred for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals en route to the Super Eagles’ run to the final.

Inter had viewed him as a versatile option to bolster their forward line, but with negotiations deadlocked, the club will now shift focus to alternative targets before the transfer window closes.

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EPL: Cunha, Mbeumo shine but defensive woes hand Man United first defeat vs Arsenal

Arsenal opened their Premier League account with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford, punishing Manchester United’s defensive frailties from a set piece.

The decisive moment came in the first half when Declan Rice delivered a corner that United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir failed to claim under pressure from William Saliba.

Riccardo Calafiori reacted quickest to nod the ball over the line, handing Mikel Arteta’s side the lead.

New signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha impressed on debut, with Cunha striking the post and testing goalkeeper David Raya, but the finishing touch remained elusive.

Benjamin Sesko’s introduction after the break also failed to alter the outcome.

Arsenal, who struggled for attacking fluency, relied on their defensive organisation and depth from the bench to protect the lead.

Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Zubimendi endured difficult debuts, while substitutes Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke were introduced to steady the performance in the second half.

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EPL: Chelsea survive Crystal Palace test, begin campaign with goalless draw

Chelsea began their Premier League campaign with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace in a London derby at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Blues were handed a reprieve after Eberechi Eze’s first-half free-kick for Palace was disallowed following a VAR review.

Eze struck a thunderous effort that appeared to give the visitors the lead, but the goal was overturned when replays showed Marc Guehi had committed a foul in the build-up.

The Blues struggled to create clear chances, with a series of corners easily dealt with by Palace and Cole Palmer largely ineffective in attack.

Substitute Estevão Willian provided some energy after replacing Jamie Gittens, but his runs down the flank failed to break down the visitors’ defence as Chelsea laboured in the final third.

The London derby ended with Chelsea avoiding a major scare but still searching for a cutting edge in their attacking play.

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You Never See Anything – Boniface Reveals Past Exchange With Jose Mourinho

Victor Boniface, the Nigerian forward, has shared that he once had an encounter with former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan manager José Mourinho.

The conversation between the two professionals took place before AS Roma’s humiliating 6-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt.

The Norwegian club handed Jose Mourinho and his AS Roma side a humiliating defeat in the UEFA Conference League group stage on October 21, 2021.

Boniface played for the Norwegian club before joining Bayer Leverkusen.

The Nigerian international noted that cold in Bodo/Glimt, a small city in Norway was challenging for professionals.

Boniface told The CultureLeaguePodcast, “I played in Norway, one of the coldest countries in the world. I played for Bodø/Glimt, the city is too small… it’s surrounded by sea. It is freezing.

“Mourinho came to the pitch, walked inside, took his phone, recorded everything and posted: ‘This is the situation, we’re about to play, very cold.’

“He posted it. I commented on that same post because I didn’t know I’d be at this level today. I said to him, ‘You never see anything.”

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles star did not participate in that game as he was recovering from a cruciate ligament injury.

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“I’ve spoken to Ajibade” – Bukola Olopade on FG promised rewards to Super Falcons after WAFCON win

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has shared an update on the Federal Government promised rewards to Super Falcons after WAFCON win.

In an interview with Arise TV, Bukola Olopade clarified that the Super Falcons’ bonuses have been paid, excluding a few players with account issues related to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to Bukola Olopade, the Federal Government’s promises to the Super Falcons are underway.

He clarified that discussions are ongoing with the Minister of Housing and the Renewed Hope Homes initiative to provide the apartments without delay.

Recall that the Federal Government’s promises to the Super Falcons stemmed from the team’s thrilling 3-2 comeback against Morocco to claim the WAFCON title.

The promises include a $100,000 reward for each player, $50,000 reward for technical crew members and a three-bedroom apartment.

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