Category: Entertainment

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has expressed disbelief over reports suggesting the club is considering offloading captain Martin Odegaard. The former midfielder described the move as sheer madness, predicting a long queue of suitors eager to sign the Norwegian playmaker.

Speaking on The Sports Agents, Merson acknowledged that the Gunners might be weighing a transfer for their skipper, but he firmly believes Odegaard would have no shortage of options. “When you operate in that role, you desperately need pace up front,” Merson noted, emphasizing the mismatch in Arsenal’s attack.

Odegaard, who joined the north London side permanently from Real Madrid in 2021, etched his name in history last season by becoming the first Arsenal captain since Patrick Vieira to lift the Premier League trophy.

Former Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen experienced another health scare during Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine on Sunday, which ended 2-1 in favor of the Danes. In the 65th minute, the 33-year-old was seen grabbing his chest before collapsing on the pitch, causing immediate concern among players and fans.

The match was promptly halted, and Eriksen was rushed to the hospital. Fortunately, the Danish Football Association (DBU) issued a reassuring update on social media, stating that the midfielder is conscious and in good condition given the circumstances.

Denmark’s national team doctor, Morten Boesen, who previously played a key role in saving Eriksen’s life during his cardiac arrest at Euro 2021, provided further details. Boesen noted that Eriksen regained consciousness quickly after briefly fainting and was able to walk off the pitch under his own power. He credited the pacemaker implanted after the 2021 incident for functioning correctly and likely preventing a more severe outcome.

Boesen added that additional medical tests would be conducted at the hospital to determine the exact cause of the episode. This incident marks the second time Eriksen has collapsed during a match, with the first occurring in Copenhagen against Finland during the European Championship, where he received life-saving CPR after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Frank Leboeuf, the former Chelsea defender, has expressed strong support for Manchester United’s pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery. He believes the 20-year-old French talent could be a transformative addition for the Red Devils under manager Michael Carrick.

Speaking to Tribal Football, Leboeuf highlighted Zaire-Emery’s warrior mentality and his willingness to sacrifice for the team’s cause. He noted that Carrick, a former midfielder himself, would be the ideal mentor for the young star, given their shared position on the pitch.

Leboeuf stated, “This would be an excellent acquisition for Manchester United, though he will require the right teammates to realize his full potential. I hold Michael Carrick in high regard for his contributions to the club, and he played in the same role as Zaire-Emery. He can offer invaluable guidance to help the player improve.”

He added, “Zaire-Emery is a true competitor. He will give everything for the team he represents. That is beyond doubt.”

Zaire-Emery’s current deal with PSG runs until 2029, but speculation is growing about a potential summer move to Old Trafford. Whether Manchester United will make a concrete offer remains to be seen.

Emmanuel Osahon, the head coach of Robo Queens, has expressed no concern over his side’s opening loss at the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Super Six playoff tournament. He attributes the setback to the inexperience of his squad.

Osahon noted that most of his players are making their first appearance in such a high-stakes competition, contrasting sharply with their opponents, Rivers Angels, who are seasoned campaigners in the playoffs.

The Lagos-based outfit fell to a 3-2 defeat against Rivers Angels in Port Harcourt on Saturday. Despite the narrow loss, Osahon sees the tournament as a crucial learning opportunity for his young team’s growth.

Speaking after the match, the veteran tactician said, “The result does not bother me greatly because my players are quite young and this is their first time participating in the competition. Many of them are playing at this level for the first time, unlike Rivers Angels, who are frequent competitors here.”

Barau FC’s defender, Orji Kalu, praised the Sunshine Stars U-19 team, describing them as a formidable opponent following their President Federation Cup Round of 16 clash.

In a tightly contested match held in Abuja on Saturday, the Maliya Boys emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline against the younger side.

Kalu emphasized that his squad put forth their maximum effort to secure the win. “Sunshine Stars U-19 are undoubtedly a very strong side,” Kalu stated in an interview with Totori News.

“In football, there’s no distinction between senior and junior teams; you must give your all, and that approach helped us claim the victory,” he added.

Looking ahead, Kalu confirmed that the team is already focusing on their upcoming fixture in the competition.

Feyenoord has officially dismissed Robin van Persie from his role as head coach, confirming that the 2026-2027 season will commence under new leadership. The club communicated their decision through a concise statement on X, expressing gratitude for van Persie’s contributions during his tenure.

Van Persie, who rejoined his boyhood club in February 2025, oversaw a second-place finish in the Eredivisie and secured qualification for the upcoming UEFA Champions League. Despite these achievements, the club opted for a change.

Newly appointed technical director Devy Rigaux explained that a comprehensive internal review highlighted concerns regarding the evolution of playing style and a downward trajectory in points accumulation, both domestically and in European competitions. Rigaux stated, “Our analysis led us to believe that beginning the next season with a fresh approach is the best course of action.”

Popular Nollywood actor Nkem Owoh, widely known as Osuofia, has revealed that his journey into acting was completely unplanned. He described his career shift as a happy accident, driven by encouragement from colleagues who recognized his natural comic talent.

During a recent appearance on the Selah Meditate podcast, the veteran actor shared that he initially worked as a scriptwriter behind the scenes. It was there that his peers noticed his ability to make everyone laugh, and they urged him to step in front of the camera. “My colleagues kept pushing me to perform on screen,” Owoh recounted.

He recalled that ATV once created a seven-minute stand-up comedy slot for him in the 1980s. Despite his initial reluctance, the persistent pressure eventually convinced him to try. “When I finally did it, the audience loved it, and that marked the start of my acting career,” he explained.

However, fame came with its own challenges. Owoh admitted that celebrity status stripped him of his freedom. “Many people only see the glamour of fame, but they don’t understand the loss of privacy. You can no longer do many things you once enjoyed freely,” he stated.

His story serves as a reminder that success often comes from unexpected places, but it also requires sacrifices.

Veteran Nigerian artist SkyB has voiced his disappointment with the current generation of musicians from Port Harcourt, alleging that they have failed to support him despite his earlier efforts to pave the way for them. In a candid interview on the KAA Truth podcast, SkyB, known for his hit song ‘Pray For Me,’ recounted how he once aided fellow Port Harcourt acts like Mr. 2Kay and Timaya when he was at the peak of his career. However, since his fortunes declined, these artists have distanced themselves from him.

SkyB specifically called out Burna Boy, stating that while he did not directly assist the Grammy winner, he believes Burna Boy should have extended a helping hand through financial support or a collaboration to help revive his career. He argued that if he were from the Yoruba or Igbo ethnic group, he would have received more assistance, attributing the lack of support to envy stemming from his Rivers State origin.

The singer shared a frustrating experience where he recommended an artist to perform with him at an event, but the artist declined, refusing to share the stage with SkyB. This incident, along with others, has left him feeling abandoned by those he once helped. SkyB emphasized that he made significant sacrifices for the Port Harcourt music scene, investing heavily in resources, but now feels unappreciated by the very artists who benefitted from his groundwork.

Abdurrahim Albayrak, a former vice-president of Galatasaray, has openly acknowledged the immense difficulty of repeating the club’s landmark acquisition of Victor Osimhen. Despite the Turkish side’s unwavering ambition to compete at the highest levels of European football, Albayrak conceded that such a financial feat is unlikely to happen again soon.

The Nigerian striker, who was named African Footballer of the Year, joined Galatasaray permanently in July 2025 after a stellar loan spell. His transfer, worth €75 million (approximately N119 billion), set a new record for Turkish football and captured global attention, even as clubs from the Saudi Pro League and Europe’s top five leagues circled.

Speaking to NTV via Ajansspor, Albayrak said, “Every Galatasaray fan dreams of this, but realistically, we are up against very strong teams. We signed Osimhen for €75 million, and the world press was buzzing. He contributed immensely. However, paying €75 million a second or third time is extremely difficult right now.”

The former executive highlighted the financial constraints that make it challenging to acquire players of Osimhen’s caliber. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in Galatasaray’s transfer strategy moving forward. He added, “Galatasaray will make good transfers. The dream of every management is to win the Champions League. Just as God granted us the UEFA Cup, He will also grant us the Champions League.”

Osimhen still has three years remaining on his contract with Galatasaray, but speculation about a summer departure persists. European giants like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Arsenal have all been linked with a move for the striker.

Patrice Evra, the legendary former Manchester United defender, has issued a bold challenge to rising star Lamine Yamal. The Frenchman insists that in his prime, he would have completely overpowered the young Barcelona winger if they faced off.

Evra, who famously played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and frequently battled Lionel Messi during his career, claimed that both superstars would confirm his dominance. ‘Ask Cristiano, ask Messi, ask any player who faced me—they know I was not an easy opponent,’ he stated in an interview with ESPN UK.

The 45-year-old didn’t mince words when comparing himself to the 17-year-old talent. ‘In my prime against Lamine? I would eat him alive. I’m sorry, Lamine, I love you, but it’s true,’ Evra declared. He emphasized that those who know his game understand how formidable he was during his peak years.

Evra’s comments come amid Yamal’s rapid rise, which has drawn comparisons to football’s elite. The teenager has already shown he can handle pressure from French players, notably during the 2024 European Championship semifinal. Adrien Rabiot had challenged him before the match, but Yamal responded with a stunning goal—widely considered the tournament’s best—and appeared to mock Rabiot after the game.

For Evra, his message is clear: despite Yamal’s immense potential, the veteran believes his own experience and tenacity would have been too much for the youngster. ‘Those who played against me know the truth. I wasn’t there to make friends,’ Evra added.