Author: Gabby

Nigerian midfielder Ebenezer Akinsamiro is poised to head back to Serie A champions Inter Milan after his planned permanent switch to Pisa fell apart, sources confirm. The 21-year-old, who spent the previous campaign on loan at the Tuscan side, impressed despite the team’s relegation from Italy’s top flight.

During his loan spell, Akinsamiro made 24 league appearances, contributing one assist. Pisa had intended to activate the €7.5 million buy option written into his contract, but the deal hit a snag during the final paperwork exchange, causing the transfer to unravel.

With the Pisa move off the table, the young midfielder is now attracting attention from the Bundesliga, where multiple clubs are reportedly keen on securing his services, according to TuttoMercatoWeb. Inter Milan are open to both loan and permanent transfer offers for the player.

On Monday, Egyptian star Mohamed Salah cemented his place in World Cup history by joining the ranks of African players with the highest combined totals of goals and assists.

During Egypt’s 3-1 comeback victory over New Zealand, Salah contributed both a goal and an assist. According to data from OptaJoe, these contributions elevate his career World Cup tally to three goals and two assists, placing him among the continent’s elite.

Salah now shares the fourth position on the all-time list of African players for combined goals and assists in FIFA World Cup tournaments. He trails behind Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan, who leads with six goals and three assists, and Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who has five goals and one assist. Tunisia’s Wahbi Khazri also sits above Salah with three goals and two assists.

After the match, Salah expressed his joy, stating, “It’s incredible. It’s a great achievement for all the players and the staff. We need to enjoy today and then shift focus to the next game.”

Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi has made his World Cup prediction, singling out England as his top pick to lift the trophy in 2026. The Nigerian midfielder believes the Three Lions possess the depth and talent to go all the way.

England kicked off their tournament with a commanding 4-2 victory over Croatia, a result that ended a long drought against top-15 ranked sides. Their last such win came against Argentina in 2002.

Iwobi acknowledged the strength of other contenders, particularly France, who started with a 3-1 win over Senegal. He noted that France’s attacking firepower is intimidating. However, he expressed a personal hope that England would emerge victorious.

“I personally believe England have a great, great chance,” Iwobi told Sky Sports. “They have so many stars in the team, so much ability. Even the players on the bench can hurt the opposition. I’ll say England, but I also believe in France. Their attacking threat is scary, but I’d actually hope England win it.”

Meanwhile, Spain thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 after a surprise 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, showing their resilience. But for Iwobi, England and France stand out as the teams to beat.

Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, is on the verge of etching his name in World Cup history once again when his team faces Austria in the 2026 tournament. The 38-year-old, fresh off a stunning hat-trick against Algeria in their opening match, now stands just one goal away from surpassing Miroslav Klose’s all-time scoring record. A single strike against Austria would hand him the outright lead in World Cup goals, a feat that would solidify his legacy as football’s greatest.

But that’s not all. Messi is also chasing another milestone: the record for most assists in World Cup history. Currently tied at the top, he needs just one more assist to claim sole possession of that mark. With his incredible vision and playmaking ability, fans and pundits alike believe he has every chance to achieve both records in a single match. The Inter Miami star has been in scintillating form, leading Argentina with both goals and creativity. As the world watches, Messi’s quest for double history adds an extra layer of excitement to what promises to be a thrilling encounter against Austria. Whether he finds the net or sets up a teammate, one thing is certain: Messi’s pursuit of greatness continues to captivate the football world.

In a significant managerial move, Manchester City has reached an agreement with Chelsea to secure the services of Enzo Maresca. The deal, valued at €20 million, will see the Italian tactician leave his current contract with the Blues behind.

Reports from Sky Sport Italia confirm that City will compensate Chelsea to release Maresca from his obligations, despite the fact that he was dismissed as Chelsea’s head coach back in January. The former Manchester City assistant, who worked closely with Pep Guardiola during the 2022-23 season, has long been considered the top candidate to take over the reins at the Etihad.

Maresca is anticipated to travel to Manchester later today to finalize a three-year contract, stepping into the role left vacant by Guardiola’s departure at the conclusion of the previous campaign. His previous stint as Guardiola’s assistant makes him a familiar face within the City setup.

Rivers United have officially announced the acquisition of Shehu Abdulrasheed Dabai from Niger Tornadoes, as the club gears up for the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season. The midfielder has put pen to paper on a three-year contract, committing his future to the Port Harcourt-based outfit.

Dabai emerged as one of the standout performers for Niger Tornadoes during the previous NPFL campaign, showcasing his abilities in the heart of midfield. His arrival is expected to inject pace and creativity into Rivers United’s attacking play, adding a new dimension to their offensive options.

The transfer also presents an exciting opportunity for Dabai to feature in the CAF Champions League, with Finidi George’s side set to compete on the continental stage next season. Rivers United are actively strengthening their roster, aiming to build a squad capable of challenging for top honors in the upcoming term, and Dabai is seen as a key piece in that puzzle.

Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has rewritten World Cup history by becoming the tournament’s all-time leading goal scorer. His milestone came during a tense match against Austria, where he initially missed a penalty but redeemed himself with a clinical finish from the edge of the box to give his team the lead.

This 17th World Cup goal moves Messi past Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who held the record at 16 goals. Klose now sits second on the all-time list. Notably, Messi is also the first player to compete in six different World Cup editions.

Here is the updated list of the top five goal scorers in World Cup history:

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 17 goals
Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals
Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15 goals
Gerd Müller (Germany) – 14 goals
Kylian Mbappé (France) – 14 goals

Messi’s achievement solidifies his legacy as one of football’s greatest, adding another historic record to his illustrious career.

Turkish football analyst Süleyman Rodop has disclosed that Galatasaray intends to reject any offer below €150 million for striker Victor Osimhen. This firm stance comes as speculation heightens over the Nigerian international’s future ahead of the summer transfer window.

Osimhen joined the Istanbul giants permanently in 2025 for an estimated €75 million after a successful loan spell. His debut season with the club was nothing short of spectacular, netting 22 goals and providing eight assists across 33 appearances in all competitions. His contributions were instrumental in securing the Süper Lig title for Galatasaray.

The forward’s outstanding form has attracted attention from several elite European clubs, including Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea. Speaking to Habersarikirmizi, Rodop emphasized the club’s unwavering valuation: “Galatasaray will not consider any offer under 150 million Euros for Victor Osimhen.”

Given that Osimhen was acquired for roughly half that amount, a sale at the desired price would represent a significant profit for the Turkish champions. However, with no official bids meeting their demands yet, it remains to be seen whether any club will meet the valuation during the upcoming transfer window.

In a captivating Group H clash on Monday night, Argentina defeated Austria 2-0, with Lionel Messi delivering a breathtaking performance. The star forward scored two goals, including one that made him the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 17 goals, surpassing the previous record.

Despite missing a penalty in the first half, Messi redeemed himself by finishing a brilliant team move to break the deadlock. He then added a second goal in stoppage time, sealing Argentina’s victory and securing their place in the Round of 32.

With this win, Argentina joins Mexico, the United States, and Germany as the fourth team to advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup. The defending champions have now amassed six points from two matches, showcasing their formidable form.

Lionel Messi has etched his name alongside World Cup legends by finding the back of the net in six consecutive tournament appearances. The Argentina captain achieved the feat during his team’s 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday.

The Inter Miami star’s brace against Austria followed a hat-trick performance against Algeria earlier in the group stage. His scoring run also extends to the previous World Cup in Qatar, where he consistently delivered for his nation.

With this latest goal, Messi becomes only the third player in World Cup history to score in six straight matches. He joins an elite club that includes France’s Just Fontaine from the 1958 tournament and Brazil’s Jairzinho from 1970.

Messi now has the opportunity to extend his record when Argentina faces Jordan in their final group match. The football world will be watching to see if the legendary forward can make it seven in a row.