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PSG Suspend Messi For Two Weeks

Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris Saint Germain (PSG).
The French Ligue 1 side suspended Messi for allegedly embarking on an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia.
Messi, who has an ambassadorial role with the oil-rich Arabian country, was said to have been there on commercial duties.
The suspension comes on the back of poor performances by the French capital club’s players, including Messi, who featured in an embarrassing 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday.
According to BBC, despite the fact that the club’s hierarchy did not approve the trip, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner left France for Saudi Arabia.
The decision has landed the 35-year-old forward a two-week ban.
The Barcelona and Argentina legend is set to miss matches against Troyes and Ajaccio.
Messi, who joined the club two years ago, is coming to the expiration of his two-year contract in June, and there are indications the World Cup winner will not sign an extension.
He has scored 31 goals and secured 34 assists in 71 matches for the Paris club.
He could win the French League title with PSG who have a five-point lead at the top of the league with five matches left to play.
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Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe Among Highest-Paid Athletes in 2023 (See Top 10)

The list of the highest-paid athletes in the world has been released.
Forbes revealed the list of the 10 highest-paid athletes in 2023, with Ronaldo, Messi and Mbappe occupying the first, second and third positions, respectively.
Following his exit from Manchester United in 2022, Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabia side Al-Nassr for a staggering annual fee of $46million while drawing an additional $90 million from endorsements, licensing income, and other business endeavours, making him the highest-earning athlete this year.
Ronaldo topped the list with $136 million, while his arch-rival Messi came in second with $130 million.
Messi’s teammate Mbappe came third with $120 million.
Others that make Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletics in 2023 are basketball star LeBron James ($119.5 million), boxing star Canelo Alvarez ($110million), golf duo Dustin Johnson ($107 million) and Phil Mickelson ($106million), NBA star Stephen Curry ($100.4million), tennis legend Roger Federer ($95.1million), and basketball star, Kevin Durant ($89.1 million).
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NFF To Install VAR In Regional Stadium In Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced plans to install Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in regional stadiums across the country.

It also disclosed that plans are underway to train and retrain referees to achieve the purpose.

The President of the federation, Malam Ibrahim Gusau, disclosed this on  in Ilorin at the National Elective Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Referees’ Association (NRA) over the weekend.

Gusau, represented by an NFF official, Malam Muhammed Ameenu, charged the incoming leadership of the association to come up with development plans, to forecast, organise and ensure the future of Nigeria referees are properly nurtured and watered towards the growth of the game.

While reiterating the unflinching support of the NFF to NRA in its quest to change the face of football in the country, Gusau said the installation of VAR is to ensure the growth and development of football.

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Xavi confirms Barcelona met with La Liga authorities over possible Lionel Messi return

Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez has confirmed that they held talks with La Liga authorities over a possible return of Lionel Messi from Ligue 1 club, Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentine football legend who left the club in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, will be out of contract with the French club at the end of this season.

Confirming that they are interested in bringing Messi back to Camp Nou, Xavi told reporters;

“Yes [Barcelona met with La Liga], but not only for the possible arrival of Leo. We’ll see in order to improve the squad for next year, but it is not the important issue; there is still a league to win.

“Tomorrow we have a key game and this is the important issue. This is a matter of Mateu (Alemany) and he informs us, but, in theory, everything is going well. In the end, we don’t know if it’s going to happen or not. It’s very soon to talk about it. We are focused on the match against Betis and on winning La Liga, which would give us a lot of stability. We will talk about possible signings.”

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I’ve Never Seen Him So Sad – Marcos Rojo Reveals Lionel Messi’s Saddest Moment

Marcos Rojo, the former Manchester United defender, has talked about his national team mate, Lionel Messi.

He said that Lionel Messi of PSG was devastated following La Albiceleste’s Copa America Centenario defeat in 2016.

Argentina lost the FIFA World Cup final 1-0 to Germany and were defeated by Chile 4-1 on penalties in the Copa America final.

The Chilean also beat Argentina through another shootout at the Copa America Centenario in 2016.

Rojo was Messi’s teammate in the national team during these trying periods and now revealed that everyone was wrecked following the Centenario defeat.

“For everyone, I never saw so much sadness together as on that day,” he told TyC Sports.

“It was already the third time we lost. The World Cup hurt, but it was the World Cup final; it can happen.

“In Chile, we played very well, and we lost again. We flew that Cup; we broke it. We screwed up all the teams, and we didn’t get it again,” he added.

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Aguero Speaks On Messi Returning To Barcelona

Sergio Aguero, the world-famous Manchester City legend, has talked about Lionel Messi.

He expressed his desire to see Messi, the Paris Saint-Germain forward return to Barcelona.

Aguero and Messi are close friends and a former international teammate with the Argentina national team.

Messi’s contract with PSG will expire at the end of the season, and the 35-year-old is yet to sign a new deal with the French Ligue 1 champions.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona.

Speaking with Stake, Aguero said, “Wherever he feels like. That is the best place for him.

“I wish Leo the best because he deserves it. Nothing can beat whatever his choice is.”

He added, “I would love to see him play for Barca again, but as I said, it is on him to decide.

“We all know what Leo can give back to Barca once more.”

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Napoli Fans Have Waited Long Enough For Serie A Title — Victor Osimhen

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has sent a message to Napoli fans as they prepare to lift the Seria A title.
According to him, the fans have waited long enough for the moment.
Napoli edged closer to the Italian topflight title after beating Juventus 1-0 away on Sunday, April 23.
A stoppage time goal from Giacomo Raspadori sealed the win for Napoli taking Luciano Spalletti’s side to 17 points ahead of second placed Lazio.
A win for Napoli against Salernitana and Lazio failing to beat Inter will see Osimhen and his teammates crowned champions.
The last time Napoli were crowned champions of Italy was in 1990 under the guidance of late Argentina football great Diego Maradona.
Taking to social media; Osimhen wrote: ”Dear Neapolitans,You Have Waited Long Enough!Now It’s Your Turn!!!💙🤍.”
Osimhen still leads the top scoring chart with 21 goals.
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I Would Have Worth €150m Now – Okocha

Football legend, Austin Okocha has revealed what he would have worth in today’s transfer window.
According to him, he would be worth around €150m.
Okocha joined Fenerbahçe from Eintracht Frankfurt in 1996 in a deal believed tobe around £1m after the German outfits were relegated from topflight football.
The Nigerian dazzled during his two years with the Turkish club and an impressive performance at the 1998 FIFA World Cup was enough to convince French giants, Paris Saint Germain, to pay an African transfer record fee of £14m to lure the player to France.
In an interview with hurriyet, Okocha believed he would have cost around €150m going by the current transfer market.
“Maybe 1 billion should have been paid for me,” he said.
 
“They paid £106m for their defensive midfielder Chelsea. To a player from Portugal. I would have cost around €150m. My assists, dribbles… World football started to pay a lot of money. Such would be the numbers of players of this quality.”
The 49-year-old also expressed his sadness at leaving Fenerbahçe, where he was loved by the fans.
He added, “It was a really difficult decision. I left very sadly. I was very happy in Fenerbahçe. Moreover, I married my wife in Turkey. My children were about to be born.
 
“When I went to the World Cup, I had no such thing in mind. After the matches in the World Cup, an offer came from PSG. Aziz Yildirim was the president. He didn’t want to send me. He didn’t even interview the PSG Club. This process has been very difficult. Despite my sadness, when such an offer came, I wanted to make money for Fenerbahçe.”
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Napoli Fans Go Gaga In The Street Of Naples For Oshimen After Win Against Juventus

Fans of Napoli have taken to the street to celebrate Nigerian international Victor Osimhen and the club for defeating Juventus over the weekend.
This is as the club gets closer to a historic Seria A title.
Thousands of joyous Napoli supporters greeted the team early Monday as they returned from their victory over Juventus, according to AFP.
Fans flew banners and flags and sang songs as the team arrived shortly before 3:00 am (0100 GMT) at Naples-Capodichino Airport from Turin.
Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the two stars of Luciano Spalletti’s team, climbed onto the roof of the team bus to hail the fans below.
After the vehicle carefully navigated its way out of the crowd, it drove into town followed by dozens of scooters.
Napoli’s 1-0 triumph at Juventus on Sunday left them 17 points clear at the top of the table.
To be crowned champions for the first time since 1990 this weekend, Napoli will have to beat regional rivals Salernitana on Saturday, and will need Inter Milan to avoid a home defeat by Lazio on Sunday.
On Sunday, Spalletti warned it wasn’t yet time to start celebrating, noting that “we still have a little way to go”.
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Chelsea: I Don’t Recognise My Club Anymore – Drogba Speaks

Didier Drogba, the former Chelsea striker, has talked about the club’s recent woeful performances.

He says he does not “recognise the club” compared with when he played at Stamford Bridge.

His comment comes after Chelsea’s faint Champions League dreams were dashed on Wednesday.

Speaking with Canal+, Drogba said “It is not the same club any more. I don’t recognise my club. There is a new owner and a new vision.

“We try to compare with what was done under the Abramovich era, where there were many acquisitions of players, but the choices were very intelligent.

He continued, “Bringing in players like Petr Cech, Andriy Shevchenko, Hernan Crespo, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, and I go on. It was to win titles and they are players who already have some experience. Here the strategy is different, they bet on young players.

“I think they certainly lack charismatic players and leaders. It needs players who take responsibility.”

Drogba won 12 major awards between 2004 and 2012 under previous owner Roman Abramovich, whose generous backing transformed the Blues into serial trophy winners following his takeover in 2003.

The 56-year-old was forced to sell the club last year after the UK government sanctioned him for alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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