Category: Entertainment

Real Madrid’s newly appointed manager, Jose Mourinho, has officially communicated to the club that midfielder Dani Ceballos does not feature in his future strategies. Consequently, Ceballos is set to exit the Santiago Bernabeu as a free agent when his contract expires this summer.

This development makes Ceballos the third player to leave Madrid following the conclusion of his deal, after David Alaba and Dani Carvajal. The Spanish midfielder’s departure opens the door for potential suitors, with Ajax already initiating contact to secure his services.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed via X: “Dani Ceballos to leave Real Madrid as a free agent. Decision made. Ceballos, ready for new chapter as he’s not part of José Mourinho’s plans. Real Betis is one of the clubs keen after Ajax tried in May, @diarioas reports. It’s over between Real and Ceballos.”

During a recent appearance on Fox Sports, former France international Thierry Henry made a bold statement about two of football’s biggest icons. Alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Arsenal legend shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, describing them as players from another planet. Henry’s comments came after Messi delivered a stunning hat-trick for Argentina in their 3-0 victory over Algeria in the World Cup.

Henry emphasized the need to appreciate every moment with Messi, noting that opportunities to watch him play are becoming increasingly rare. He said, ‘We must cherish these moments; there are truly fewer and fewer opportunities to watch him.’ The former striker also looked ahead to seeing Ronaldo in action the following day, adding that both he and Messi seem to belong to a different realm.

Messi’s performance against Algeria was nothing short of spectacular, as he single-handedly led his team to victory. Henry, who has played alongside both stars at various points in his career, marveled at their extraordinary abilities. ‘You all know Messi well, and we have also played alongside him,’ he remarked, highlighting the privilege of sharing the pitch with such talents.

This isn’t the first time Henry has praised the duo, but his latest remarks underscore the awe they continue to inspire, even among football legends. As the World Cup progresses, fans around the world are eager to see more from these two phenomenal athletes.

Nigerian artist Emoseh Khamofu, better known as Bloody Civilian, has opened up about how her career has reshaped her perspectives on traditional values she grew up with. In a candid chat on the Not Just On podcast, the 26-year-old shared that marriage is not on her agenda, despite family pressure.

The Taraba-born singer admitted that her family still struggles to grasp that the conventional expectations for a woman from the North—like marriage—simply don’t appeal to her. “One thing my family still does not understand about being an artiste is the fact that certain conventional things that they expect of a woman from the North are just simply not things that I am excited to do,” she said.

She elaborated that the constant inquiries about wedding plans are unwelcome. “For instance, marriage is not something that I am thinking of at all. But that question keeps being brought up,” she added. The singer’s remarks highlight a growing disconnect between her personal choices and her family’s traditional views.

In a recent interview with Yanga FM Lagos, Nigerian singer Olawale Olofooro, widely known as Brymo, called for a shift in the country’s political landscape, advocating for an Igbo presidency. He emphasized that the time has come for Nigeria to move beyond historical grievances and work towards reconciliation.

Brymo, who faced criticism during the 2023 presidential campaign for his earlier stance against an Igbo leader, now believes that Nigerians must let go of past divisions to strengthen the nation. However, he cautioned that the growing insecurity in the South-East region could pose a significant obstacle to this vision. He noted that various groups across Nigeria have increasingly used violence and instability as bargaining chips for political power.

Interestingly, Brymo praised President Bola Tinubu for his role in curbing the activities of the South-West security outfit, Amotekun, suggesting that without such intervention, the group might have evolved into a separatist force. He drew a parallel, questioning how the country could remain intact if regional security outfits like Amotekun in the South-West, militants in the South-South, Boko Haram in the North-East, and other armed groups were all actively destabilizing the nation.

According to Brymo, the path to an Igbo presidency requires addressing these security challenges head-on. He argued that whenever a region pursues the presidency, it often resorts to militancy and kidnapping to press its demands. This cycle, he believes, must be broken for true national unity to take root.

Kun Khalifat FC has officially paid tribute to their former captain, Chikamso Amaefula, as he prepares to join Nigeria Premier Football League outfit Rivers United. The Owerri-based side lauded the defender’s unwavering commitment and professionalism during his tenure.

In a heartfelt statement, the club described Amaefula as a diligent and disciplined player who consistently prioritized the team’s objectives. He was commended for his humility, respect for others, and exemplary team spirit.

The club noted that his loyalty and reliability set a high standard for his teammates. Amaefula’s positive influence and tireless work ethic left a lasting impression on the squad.

Kun Khalifat FC extended their best wishes to him as he embarks on a new chapter with Rivers United, expressing confidence in his ability to succeed at the next level.

Manchester United have officially confirmed that Premier League competitors Manchester City and Liverpool are not permitted to trigger Marcus Rashford’s £40 million release clause. The 27-year-old forward is poised to rejoin the Red Devils after Barcelona opted not to exercise a €30 million permanent transfer option.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the clause specifically excludes both City and Liverpool, leaving the final decision to the player himself. Romano shared on social media that Rashford will review all available options, which could also include remaining at Old Trafford under manager Michael Carrick.

Currently, Rashford is representing England at the 2026 World Cup hosted in North America, adding another layer of complexity to his future plans.

Rivers Angels forward Abasiofon Uwah has addressed the controversy surrounding the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) top scorer award, which sparked tensions at the season’s end. Uwah and Edo Queens’ Atume Doosuur both netted 13 goals in the 2025-26 campaign, but only a single trophy was presented during the ceremony, leading to a heated moment.

Reflecting on the incident, Uwah acknowledged her reaction was excessive. She expressed gratitude to those who reached out: “Thank you to everyone who has shown care, and I want to be transparent with you,” she shared in a statement. “Atume and I gave our all this season to finish as co-top scorers. When just one award was handed out, I held onto it—not from anger, but because that trophy symbolized every sacrifice I made this season. However, looking back, I admit I could have handled that situation better.”

Uwah emphasized there is no animosity between her and Doosuur. “There is no bad blood between Atume and me. We respect each other as players and individuals,” she said. The NWFL organizers have since resolved the issue, ensuring both players receive due recognition.

Nigerian striker Stanley Iheanacho has officially rejoined Danish Superliga side FC Midtylland from Portuguese club CD Mafra. The 21-year-old forward has committed to a contract that runs through December 31, 2030, signaling the club’s long-term plans for the talented attacker.

Iheanacho initially played for FC Midtylland before moving to CD Mafra two years ago. During his stint in Portugal, he scored 17 goals in 65 appearances, showcasing his ability to find the back of the net consistently.

Expressing his excitement about returning, Iheanacho noted that many of his former teammates from the U19 squad and his time at Mafra are now part of the first team. He emphasized his eagerness to contribute to the club’s success, aiming to win titles and compete in the Europa League.

Emmanuel Petit, the former French international, has advised England manager Thomas Tuchel to exclude Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from the starting lineup for the Three Lions’ World Cup opener against Croatia. Petit believes the winger has not been performing at his best, citing his struggles in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain last season.

The 24-year-old, according to Petit, has lost his impact on the pitch. In a conversation with talkSPORT, Petit stated that Saka should not be in the first XI, as other players are more deserving. He emphasized that Saka is not the kind of player who can be effective even when playing below his best, unlike legends such as Zinedine Zidane or Lionel Messi.

Petit’s comments come ahead of England’s crucial group stage match, and he is urging Tuchel to make bold decisions to ensure the team’s success in the tournament.

Kylian Mbappe delivered a stellar performance for France in their 2026 World Cup debut, securing a 3-1 victory against Senegal and etching his name into the history books with two remarkable records. The match, held on Tuesday night, saw the French captain rise to the occasion after a quiet first half.

Mbappe struggled to make an impact early on, but the game shifted in the second half. After a penalty appeal was turned down, the Real Madrid star connected with a pass from Michael Olise to break the deadlock. This goal tied him with Olivier Giroud at 57 goals, making him France’s joint all-time leading scorer.

Bradley Barcola, coming off the bench, extended France’s lead with a well-taken goal. Senegal responded when Mbaye pulled one back, briefly reigniting hopes for the African side. However, Mbappe had the final word, capitalizing on a loose ball and slotting it past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

That second goal cemented Mbappe’s status as France’s all-time top scorer, surpassing Giroud. Additionally, with 14 World Cup goals, he now holds the record for the most by a French player in the tournament’s history, surpassing even Lionel Messi’s tally on the global stage.