Category: Entertainment

Marco Silva, Fulham’s head coach, has confirmed that Alex Iwobi will miss Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Bournemouth at Craven Cottage.

The Nigerian midfielder has been absent from the last three league matches due to a hamstring injury. Silva provided an update during his pre-match press briefing on Friday, stating that Iwobi, along with Ryan Sessegnon, remains unavailable for selection.

“Ryan Sessegnon and Alex Iwobi are both still recovering from hamstring problems and won’t be involved. The rest of the squad is fit and ready,” Silva explained.

Iwobi is anticipated to make his comeback before the season concludes. The 30-year-old has contributed four goals and three assists in 27 Premier League appearances for the Cottagers this campaign.

Fulham are aiming to strengthen their bid for European qualification as they take on Andoni Iraola’s side.

In a rare candid moment, Lionel Messi, the iconic Barcelona and Argentina star, shared his thoughts on the fierce but respectful competition with Cristiano Ronaldo that has defined modern football. Speaking during an Argentine TV interview, Messi described their decade-long battle as a natural product of their elite status, emphasizing that it never spilled into personal animosity.

The duo, who dominated headlines from 2009 to 2018 while representing Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, relentlessly pushed each other to new heights. Messi explained that the constant comparisons were inevitable given their simultaneous pursuit of team titles and individual accolades. ‘Our relationship was always cordial and professional,’ he noted, adding that their interactions were limited to matches and awards ceremonies.

Despite the intense competition, Messi stressed that nothing was ever personal. ‘Everything that happened remained strictly within the boundaries of sport,’ he said. Reflecting on their current lives, he acknowledged they are now in different phases, but the legacy of their rivalry remains a remarkable chapter in football history.

Galatasaray’s board member Bora Bahçetepe has made it clear that the club will only consider parting ways with their star striker Victor Osimhen if a massive offer comes in. Speaking on HT Spor, Bahçetepe revealed the hefty price tag of 150-200 million euros for the Nigerian international.

Amid swirling transfer rumors linking Osimhen to a summer exit, Bahçetepe emphasized the striker’s immense value. “Victor Osimhen is the best striker in Europe,” he declared. “We won’t sell him unless we receive an offer of 150-200 million euros.”

Osimhen, who moved permanently to Galatasaray from Napoli in 2025, has become a pivotal figure for the Turkish giants. However, his future remains uncertain as the season winds down, with several top European clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.

Bahçetepe’s comments underscore the club’s stance: they are not actively looking to sell, but every player has a price. The board member’s bold statement suggests that only a world-record bid would pry Osimhen away from Istanbul.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has voiced his criticism of Chelsea’s decision to offload Nicolas Jackson. According to Merson, the Senegalese forward was the one player who maximized Cole Palmer’s potential at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues sent Jackson on loan to Bayern Munich last summer and replaced him with Liam Delap, who has struggled to make an impact in West London. Speaking in his column for Sportskeeda ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League match against Liverpool, Merson stated: “I’ve maintained from the start that Chelsea made a mistake by allowing Nicolas Jackson to depart. He brought out the best in Cole Palmer.”

He added: “Chelsea let him go to bring in Liam Delap, who hasn’t performed well enough. There’s no question that Chelsea needs a significant overhaul this summer.”

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four, Sporting Lagos emerged as champions despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to city rivals Inter Lagos at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Friday night. The result left both sides level on six points, but Sporting Lagos secured the title on superior goal difference.

Managed by Jeffrey Butler, the team walked away with the championship trophy and a prize of N10,000,000. The runners-up, Inter Lagos, along with Ranchers Bees and Doma United, each received N2,000,000 in consolation.

Ranchers Bees ended their campaign on a high note, thrashing Doma United 3-0 in the other fixture to claim third place. The Super Four playoff saw intense competition, with Sporting Lagos ultimately prevailing thanks to their earlier performances.

The Premier League has stamped its authority on the European stage this season, with three of its clubs securing spots in the finals of UEFA’s premier competitions. Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Crystal Palace have all booked their tickets to the title deciders in the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League respectively.

Arsenal clinched their place in the Champions League final by overcoming Atletico Madrid in the semifinals earlier this week. The Gunners are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the final later this month, aiming to lift the coveted trophy.

Aston Villa followed suit by defeating Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semifinal on Thursday. They will go up against German side Freiburg in the final.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, secured their spot in the Europa Conference League final after overcoming Shakhtar Donetsk. The Eagles will face Rayo Vallecano in the final later this month.

Afrobeat sensation David Adeleke, widely recognized as Davido, has earned a spot in the 2026 class of inductees for the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame. The ceremony is set for June 1 in Atlanta’s historic Westside district.

Announced by the organizers, this accolade acknowledges Davido’s profound impact on Black culture and global music. He joins a distinguished group that includes rapper Ludacris, philanthropist Paul Morton, gospel singer, and former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.

This achievement adds Davido to the ranks of African artists previously honored by the organization, such as Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. The walk of fame, established by the Black American Music Association and Georgia Entertainment Caucus, celebrates individuals who have shaped Black entertainment. Inductees receive plaques along the Atlanta walkway.

The recognition coincides with Davido’s 15-year milestone in the music industry. Reflecting on his journey, he shared on X (formerly Twitter), “God is the best of all planners! 15 years in da game.” Born in Atlanta, Davido began his professional career in 2011 with the group KB International and rose to fame with the hit single “Dami Duro” from his debut album ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ (2012).

Over a decade and a half, he has released five studio albums, including ‘A Good Time’ (2019), ‘Timeless’ (2023), and ‘5ive’ (2025). His work earned three nominations at the 2024 Grammy Awards, including Best Global Music Album for ‘Timeless’.

In a surprising turn of events, Nigerian music star Seyi Vibez has publicly lashed out at his colleague Adekunle Gold, labeling him a mediocre musician with uninspired fashion sense. The outburst occurred on Friday via his X handle, where Vibez wrote, ‘Adekunle Gold, you’re wack, and your swag is wack. Old fool!’

The reason behind this harsh criticism remains unclear, though fans speculate it stems from a line in Adekunle Gold’s new track ‘Life Of The Faaji.’ In the song, Gold sings, ‘They love my fuji / This one no be fuji moto,’ which many interpret as a jab at Vibez’s hit song ‘Fuji Moto.’

As of now, Adekunle Gold has not responded to the attack. The Nigerian music industry watches closely to see if this feud will escalate.

Nollywood celebrities Lateef Adedimeji and his spouse, actress Adebimpe Oyebade, have publicly refuted a photo of triplets that went viral online, clarifying that the image is not of their children. The clarification comes just a week after the couple joyfully announced the birth of their own triplets, ending a five-year wait.

Following the couple’s naming ceremony on Thursday, a photograph surfaced on social media depicting the pair holding three infants. Fans and well-wishers quickly circulated the image, believing it to be the first glimpse of the newborns.

However, on Friday, Adebimpe Oyebade took to Instagram to set the record straight. In her post, she stated unequivocally, “All the babies pictures flying around aren’t our babies, please.” She attributed the picture to artificial intelligence and assured followers that authentic photos would be shared at a later date. “We’ll share @etawithlove pictures soon,” she added.

Echoing his wife’s sentiments, Lateef Adedimeji also addressed the issue on X (formerly Twitter). Expressing gratitude for the public’s support, he wrote, “Please note that the AI-generated baby photos circulating right now are not ours. Thank you for understanding.”

The couple’s prompt response has helped curtail the spread of misinformation, as fans now await the genuine photos of the triplets.

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final, overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first leg. The match at Villa Park saw the hosts dominate from start to finish, ensuring a 4-1 aggregate triumph.

This victory sets up a final showdown with SC Freiburg, who also staged a comeback against Braga. The German Bundesliga team won the second leg 3-1 at home, reversing a 2-1 loss from the first leg to advance with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline.

The Europa League final is scheduled for May 20, where both teams will compete for the prestigious trophy. Villa’s performance highlighted their attacking prowess, while Freiburg demonstrated resilience by overturning a deficit.