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I Might Not Play at 2026 World Cup – Messi

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi has hinted that he may not play in the 2026 World Cup.
According to him, he doesn’t enjoy playing football when he’s not fully fit.
The 38-year-old made this admission after scoring twice in the 3-0 win over Venezuela on Thursday.
It could be the last time that Messi features in a qualifying game on home soil.
 
“As I’ve said before, I don’t think I’ll play another World Cup.
 
“At my age, it’s only logical to think I might not,” Messi told TyC Sports.
According to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, his participation at next year’s World Cup will come down to his fitness.
“Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then have preseason, and in six months, I’ll see how I feel,” he said.
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Yamal Names Two Players He’d Give Ballon d’Or If He Doesn’t Win It

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has revealed that if he couldn’t win the Ballon d’Or himself, he would love to give it to Lionel Messi or Neymar.

The 18-year-old also labelled Messi as the greatest footballer of all-time.

The Spain star added that Neymar deserves to win at least one Ballon d’Or.

“Neymar and Messi. I would give one [Ballon d’Or] to ‘Ney’, I think he deserves it,” Yamal told RTVE (via Barca Universal).

“The ‘Ney’ who was playing for Barca or Paris at the time would definitely win it [Ballon d’Or] now.

“I would’ve liked him [Neymar ] to have won one. And obviously, Messi because he is the best ever.”

Yamal is one of the top candidates that could win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

He will challenge the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, Kylain Mbappe and Mohamed Salah for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

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Sevilla Terminate Kelechi Iheanacho’s Contract

Kelechi Iheanacho’s contract with Spanish club Sevilla has been terminated.
The club and Iheancho reached a mutual agreement to end the contract, which was originally set to run until June 30, 2026.
Iheanacho, who joined Sevilla on a free transfer from Leicester City last summer, struggled to establish himself at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium. He made 15 appearances across all competitions in the first half of the 2024/25 season, scoring three goals, before being loaned to Championship side Middlesbrough in January.
During his spell in England, the 28-year-old registered one goal and two assists in 15 matches, but his performances were not enough to earn a return to Sevilla’s plans.
He failed to make the matchday squad for the club’s opening three league games this season, signaling the end of his time in Spain.
A club statement confirmed the departure:
“Sevilla FC and Kelechi Iheanacho have reached an agreement to terminate the contract of the Nigerian striker. Iheanacho joined the club last summer after ending his contract with Leicester City.”
The Super Eagles star is now strongly linked with a move to Scottish champions Celtic, where he could reunite with manager Brendan Rodgers, his former coach at Leicester City.
Iheanacho’s next move will be crucial as he seeks to revive his career ahead of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations.
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Super Falcons Star, Asisat Oshoala Signs for Al Hilal Move On Two-Year Deal

Super Falcons and Bay FC striker, Asisat Oshoala is now an Al Hilal player after signing a two-year contract to play in the Saudi Women’s Premier League.
The six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday to undergo her medical ahead of the deal, which was finalized before the close of the transfer window.
 
“Bay FC and Al Hilal reached an agreement on an undisclosed transfer fee, and Oshoala is now in Saudi Arabia ahead of a medical scheduled for tonight (Monday),” the report stated.
The 29-year-old forward only joined Bay FC earlier this year after a trophy-laden spell with FC Barcelona Femeni, where she won multiple league titles, Champions League honors, and Golden Boot awards.
Oshoala earned 23 starts in 25 games for Bay FC’s last season, scoring seven goals. This year, she’s seen less of the pitch, making five starts across 12 matches without a goal.
Her switch marks another major acquisition for Al Hilal, who finished sixth in the 2024-25 campaign as the competition expanded from eight to 10 teams.
She joins Super Falcons teammates Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega in Saudi Arabia.
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Liverpool Agree British Record £125m Deal to Sign Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak has signed a British-record transfer deal to play for Liverpool.
Premier League champions Liverpool agreed with Newcastle United  to sign Alexander Isak on a six-year deal, according to reports.
Both The Telegraph and football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano have reported that the deal has been agreed in what will end the biggest transfer saga of the summer window, with personal terms already sorted.
Isak is set for a medical at Liverpool on Monday before the summer window closes at 7pm with a British record move set to be completed.
The deal eclipses the current British record of £115m which Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo in 2023.
Liverpool had a bid of £110m plus add-ons rejected for Isak at the start of August as Newcastle were unwilling to sell their star man without certain conditions being met as they valued him at £150m.
Earlier this month, Newcastle said they were ‘disappointed’ by Isak’s bombshell social media post after he spoke publicly about his desire to leave the club.
Posting on Instagram after he was named in the PFA Premier League team of the Year, Isak said: ‘I’m proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season for 2024/25.
 
‘First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way.
 
‘I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With be everything going on, it didn’t feel right to there.
 
‘I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
 
‘The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.”
‘When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.’
Responding with a statement of their own, Newcastle strongly refuted Isak’s suggestion that he had been given their blessing to leave this summer.
‘We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening,’ the statement read.
‘We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.’
Isak has registered 62 goals and 11 assists across 109 games for Newcastle since he joined the club from Real Sociedad in 2022.
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UEFA Confirms 2025/26 Champions League Matchday 1 Fixtures: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool In Tough Openers

UEFA has officially unveiled the Matchday 1 fixtures for the 2025/26 Champions League, just 48 hours after completing the league phase draw involving 36 clubs.

The Champions League Matchday 1 promises mouthwatering clashes, with European giants set to test their credentials right from the start.

Juventus will welcome Borussia Dortmund to Turin, while Arsenal begin their campaign away to Spanish side Athletic Club in Bilbao. Real Madrid will host Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu, setting the tone for another thrilling European night in the Spanish capital.

Perhaps the biggest headline fixtures will be in Munich and Liverpool. Bayern Munich are set to face Chelsea in a heavyweight showdown at the Allianz Arena, while Liverpool will host Atlético Madrid at Anfield.

All opening-round games are scheduled to take place between September 16 and 18, 2025.

Champions League Matchday 1 Fixtures and kick-off time (Nigerian Time)

Tuesday, 16 September 2025

(6:45pm) Athletic Club vs Arsenal

(6:45pm) PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise

(9:00pm) Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund

(9:00pm) Real Madrid vs Marseille

(9:00pm) Benfica vs Qarabağ

(9:00pm) Tottenham vs Villarreal

Wednesday, 17 September 2025

(6:45pm) Olympiacos vs Pafos

(6:45pm) Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt

(9:00pm) Ajax vs Inter

(9:00pm) Bayern München vs Chelsea

(9:00pm) Liverpool vs Atlético de Madrid

(9:00pm) Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta

Thursday, 18 September 2025

(6:45pm) Club Brugge vs Monaco

(6:45pm) Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen

(9:00pm) Frankfurt vs Galatasaray

(9:00pm) Manchester City vs Napoli

(9:00pm) Newcastle United vs Barcelona

(9:00pm) Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty

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Chelsea sign Garnacho from Manchester United in £40m deal

Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United in a transfer worth £40 million.

The 21-year-old winger has agreed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with United inserting a 10 per cent sell-on clause in the deal.

His move comes after he was told by United manager Ruben Amorim that he was not part of the club’s plans for the 2025/26 season.

Garnacho becomes Chelsea’s latest addition following the arrivals of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato, as well as pre-agreed signings Estevao, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez.

Speaking to Chelsea’s website, Garnacho said: “It’s an incredible moment for my family and I to join this great club.

“I can’t wait to get started. To join the world champions is special, we’re the best team in the world! It’s amazing to be here and I’m very happy.”

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Manchester United 3-2 Burnley: Fernandes scores late penalty to ease pressure on Amorim

Manchester United secured their first win of the Premier League season with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford, courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes penalty deep into stoppage time.

United, under pressure after a poor start to the campaign, took the lead in the 29th minute.

Casemiro’s header from a Fernandes free-kick rebounded off Josh Cullen and crossed the line despite goalkeeper Martin Dubravka’s attempt to clear.

However, Burnley equalised through Lyle Foster, who converted Jens Larsen’s cross midway through the second half.

United responded almost immediately, with Diogo Dalot setting up Bryan Mbeumo for a close-range finish to restore the lead.

The visitors refused to fade, and substitute Jaidon Anthony levelled again after Kobbie Mainoo deflected his shot past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Burnley looked set to claim a point until a late VAR intervention awarded United a penalty for Antony’s shirt pulling on Amad Diallo.

Fernandes, who missed from the spot last week, held his nerve in the 97th minute to seal the victory.

The result provides relief for manager Ruben Amorim, whose side had endured a difficult run, including a midweek Carabao Cup exit.

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Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0 in controversial derby to go top of Premier League

Chelsea claimed a 2-0 victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but the result was marred by a string of contentious refereeing decisions that left visiting boss Marco Silva visibly frustrated.

Fulham thought they had taken the lead in the first half when youngster Josh King found the net, only for VAR to disallow the strike after Rodrigo Muniz was adjudged to have stamped on Trevoh Chalobah in the buildup.

The setback grew worse for Silva’s men when Chelsea went ahead in the ninth minute of stoppage time, one beyond the initial allocation, through Joao Pedro’s header from a corner.

Silva was seen remonstrating with referee Rob Jones over the added time.

The controversy didn’t end there. Early in the second half, VAR intervened again to award Chelsea a penalty after Ryan Sessegnon was penalised for a handball.

Enzo Fernandez converted from the spot to double the Blues’ advantage.

Despite Fulham’s efforts to fight back, they were unable to overcome the two-goal deficit.

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2026 WCQ: Chelle Releases Final Super Eagles 23-Man List For Rwanda, S/Africa Showdown

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his final 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa scheduled for next month.

While there are the regulars included, there are also notable omissions.

The likes of Bayer Leverkusen duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella have been left out. Also Sadiq Umar of Real Sociedad would not be playing any part.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali makes the final cut, just as defenders Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers.

The selected 23 include:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).

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