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GOAT: What Cristiano Ronaldo Did After I Excluded Him From Top 10 – Ex-Real Madrid Star

Antonio Cassano, a former Real Madrid forward, has told the club’s all time scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo that he does not like him as a player.

Cassano, known for his criticism of the Portuguese, said this while divulging details of the interaction he had with Ronaldo.

The interaction followed the decision of the Italian to exclude Ronaldo from his Top 10 greatest players of all time lost.

Cassano said he got a message and a voice note from the Portuguese where he reminded him (Cassano) of his achievements.

Cassano ignored the 39-year-old in his list of the top 10, putting Ronaldo Nazario at the top spot.

Casano’s list also had the likes of Lionel Messi and other greats such as Pele and Diego Maradona.

The 42-year-old Casano told BSMT Podcast about his interaction with the Al Nassr captain.

“I said Ronaldo is No1, the Brazilian. Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t make my top five, or even top ten, because for me the quality of a player is another thing,” he said (via GOAL).

“Next thing, I finish the work I was doing and I get a text message from a +34 number, that’s Spain. It’s a list of all the trophies, goals and statistics.

“Then he sends me a voice note, telling me, ‘You disrespected me, don’t do anything like that again. You only scored 150 goals, you only won four trophies.’

“So I answered him. I say, ‘Dear Cristiano, listen to me. You think I disrespected you, I just don’t like you as a player. What’s the problem?’”

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Super Eagles Star, Ola Aina Reveals Reasons For Wearing Sagging Shorts

Ola Aina, the Nigerian international and Nottingham Forest defender, has opened up about his habit of sagging his shorts during football games.

Aina, known for his strong presence on the pitch, has often been seen with his shorts sitting lower than usual, a style that has sparked curiosity among fans.

Sagging of shorts in Nigeria often refers to the practice of wearing shorts or trousers below the waistline, often revealing a part of the u

nderwear or, in Aina’s case, sitting loosely around the hips.

While many might assume it’s a fashion statement, Aina revealed that his reasons are far more practical.

“Yeah, that’s, from young I’ve always been doing that. And it’s not for fashion or anything, there’s a reason towards that,” Aina said in an interview with Fanstribe released on Wednesday.

“You see this man?” he added, pointing at his thighs, “The size? And the one behind,” he continued, gesturing towards his buttocks, “It’s too big, so the shorts, it always goes up, you know, and it’s too uncomfortable.”

Aina went on to clarify that he chooses larger shorts to avoid the discomfort.

“So that’s why it’s always loose, so I take bigger shorts, you know, and this is why,” he said laughing

“Exactly, now you guys just leave me now,”
he added.

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Former Liverpool Coach, Klopp Gets New Job

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has gotten a new appointment.
He has been appointed as head of football operations at Red Bull, which owns the Leipzig, Salzburg and New York clubs, the company said Wednesday.
Klopp left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years in charge, during which he breathed new life into the club and won the Premier League and Champions League.
His announcement in January that he was leaving came as a shock to the club’s fans but Klopp said he was exhausted by the role.
The 57-year-old’s new job with the Austrian energy drinks giant does not involve hands-on coaching.
According to a statement released by the company, “Klopp will not interfere in the day-to-day business of the clubs, but rather take on a higher-level strategic position.”
Klopp himself said: “I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs.
 
“After nearly 25 years on the sidelines, I couldn’t be more excited to be involved in a project like this.”
 
The 57-year-old will start his tenure on January 1, 2025.
Sky Germany reports Klopp’s contract includes an exit clause which allows him to take over as manager of the German national side should he be approached.
Klopp spends much of his time at his home on the Spanish island of Majorca and retains a sponsorship role with German sportswear maker Adidas.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, the managing director of Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund, told AFP’s German sports subsidiary on Wednesday he had discussed the Red Bull role with him.
“As always, I wish Jurgen good luck in his new job,” Watzke said.
“It was no surprise to me because we talked about it personally,” he added.
Earlier this month, Klopp was presented with Germany’s Federal Cross of Merit.
In addition to their extensive football interests, Red Bull are the principal sponsor of the reigning Formula One champion team of Max Verstappen.
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AFCON 2025Q: Nigeria vs Libya – Date, Time And Where To Watch

The eagerly awaited 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Libya’s Mediterranean Knights is scheduled to be held at Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo.

This match marks a key moment in Group D, as international football returns to the screen for fans across the continent.

After two matchdays, Nigeria leads the group, having secured four points, while Libya lags at the bottom with just one point.

The Super Eagles are in strong form, going undefeated in their first two qualifiers.

They opened their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin Republic and followed up with a goalless draw against Rwanda.

Libya, however, has struggled in the group stages. The Mediterranean Knights earned a 1-1 draw in their home opener against Rwanda but suffered a defeat on the road against Benin, leaving them with one point in the standings.

Nigeria’s solid start in the qualifiers puts them in a favorable position to secure a place in the 2025 AFCON tournament.

The Super Eagles also hold a psychological and historical advantage, having won all previous encounters with Libya.

However, the Mediterranean Knights will aim to defy expectations, seeking at least a draw in Uyo.

Despite Nigeria being the favorites, they will be without their top forward, Victor Osimhen, who has been in exceptional form since joining Galatasaray. His absence may test the team’s attacking prowess.

Time and Where to Watch Nigeria vs. Libya

The first leg of the Nigeria vs. Libya clash is scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024, with a 5 PM local time kick-off. Fans can catch the action live on AfroSport TV.

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Manchester City Win Legal Premier League Legal Battle

Manchester City Football Club has won its legal battle with the Premier League over the Associated Party Transaction rules.
Reacting in a statement on Monday following the favourable ruling, Manchester City expressed gratitude to the members of the Arbitral Tribunal for their work and considerations and welcomed the findings.
“The tribunal found that both the original APT rules and the current (amended) APT rules violate UK competition law and the requirements of procedural fairness,” the statement said.
The tribunal criticised the Premier League for its application of the APT rules, stating that the rules were structurally unfair and that the league was specifically unjust in how it applied those rules to the club in practice.
This resulted in specific decisions by the Premier League regarding Manchester City’s sponsorship transactions being set aside.
The tribunal also found that the rules were discriminatory in how they operated because they deliberately excluded shareholder loans.
The statement added, “As well as these general findings on legality, the tribunal has set aside specific decisions of the Premier League to restate the fair market value of two transactions entered into by the club.
 
“The tribunal held that the Premier League had reached its decisions in a procedurally unfair manner.
 
“The tribunal also ruled that there was an unreasonable delay in the Premier League’s fair market value assessment of two of the club’s sponsorship transactions, and so the Premier League breached its own rules.”
 
“The club has succeeded with its claim: the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules have been found to be unlawful, and the Premier League’s decisions on two specific MCFC sponsorship transactions have been set aside.
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Victor Osimhen Celebrates His Daughter As She Turns 2

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen took to Instagram on Sunday, October 6, 2024, to celebrate his daughter,  Hailey, as she turns 2.

Osimhen expressed gratitude to God for blessing his child with another year and showered her with wishes for grace, kindness, and infinite mercy.

The 25-year-old Napoli striker wrote: “Thank you GOD for giving my child another year in this new era. I hope that this year will be marked by many instances of your goodness in our lives, continue to shower her with your grace, kindness and infinite mercy. Keep her on the right track and away from harmful forces AMEN! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE.”

Victor Osimhen accompanied the birthday message with adorable photos and a video of him and Hailey at Galatasaray’s stadium.

Hailey True, the daughter of Victor Osimhen and his girlfriend Stefanie Kim Ladewig, holds multiple citizenships, blending her Nigerian heritage with Italian and German roots.

Victor has spoken about the importance of ensuring that Hailey embraces her Nigerian heritage while reminiscing about his own childhood experiences.

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Transfer: Victor Osimhen Finally Reveals His Worth On The Transfer Market

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has revealed his worth on the transfer market.
According to him, he is worth over  €100 million.
Osimhen, speaking with TuttoSport, insisted he is one of the best footballers in the world currently.
The 25-year-old was key to Napoli’s Scudetto triumph two seasons ago, scoring 26 goals in Serie A.
It saw Osimhen also become the first African player to become the Capocannoniere.
However, last season, it was clear that Osimhen was going to part ways with Napoli. He was linked to PSG, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Al Ahli, but the deal failed to materialize.
Eventually, he signed for Turkish giants Galatasaray on a season-long deal, after he was frozen out of Napoli’s squad for the season.
In his four games at the club, Osimhen has registered two goals and four assists.
And in a recent interview, Osimhen said: “I am worth more than 100 million euros. There are few players like me in the world who have achieved the same results and success as me.
 
“Everything is linked to my characteristics, the things I do on the pitch and my quality. I think I deserve a high valuation.
 
“I am aware of the contribution I can give to a team. Do people think differently? Some say 15 million euros, others say 100-120-150. Everyone has different opinions.”
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I Don’t Have Much Time Left – Cristiano Ronaldo Hints at Retirement

Al Nassr striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he might retire soon.
According to him, he does not have “much time left” to play football.
Ronaldo stated this after scoring in their 2-1 win over Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League.
After the game, he said: “I’m just enjoying playing football now as I know I don’t have much time left on the pitch.
 
“It is not important to me now to be the best player or to win awards. What is important to me now is to enjoy and help my team.”
Ronaldo, who is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has won just the Arab Club Champions Cup, since joining Al Nassr in December 2022 after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United.
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Griezmann Retires From International Football at 33

France international, Antoine Griezmann has retired from internatiional football.
The footballer made the announcement on Monday.
“It is with a heart full of memories that I close this chapter of my life,” he said.
 
“Thank you for this magnificent tricolor adventure and see you soon.”
A central part of France’s World Cup triumph in 2018, Griezmann also lit up several other major tournaments for Les Bleus as part of a glittering international career.

The 33-year-old Atletico Madrid attacker retires as France’s fourth-most capped player with 135 appearances for the national team, while he scored 44 goals – which is only the fourth-most for France.
Griezmann was man of the match in the 2018 World Cup final as France beat Croatia to win the tournament for the second time and was the top scorer at Euro 2016, where they were runners-up.
Griezmann dropped into a deeper midfield role for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but was a revalation for Didier Deschamps’ side, and won the silver ball behind Lionel Messi after Argentina beat France in the final.
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Player Collapses At Lagos Stadium During Scouting Programme, Rushed To Hospital (Video)

On Sunday, a young player, who is yet to be identified, suddenly collapsed at Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle, Lagos State, after a match held as part of a scouting programme hosted by the Shazam Football Team.

According to a witness at the scene, who was part of the programme but pleaded for anonymity, the incident occurred on Sunday around 9:45 am on the pitch following the end of the game.

The witness, via a WhatsApp text to our correspondent on Sunday, wrote, “The player slumped at Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle after the end of the match of a scouting programme. He was rushed to the hospital.”

The scouting event was organised by the Shazam Football Team based in Mile 2 and attracted several young talents hoping to be scouted.

As of the time the player was being rushed to the hospital, he is seen (in the video) to be alive but not responsive.

There is no further information yet on the condition of the player, as the hospital’s response is awaited.