Category: Entertainment

Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder, Rodri, has addressed swirling rumors regarding a potential summer transfer to Real Madrid. The 29-year-old made it clear that the upcoming 2026 World Cup is his sole priority at this moment.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Rodri emphasized that any decisions regarding his club future will be postponed until after the tournament in North America. He acknowledged that speculation is natural when a player’s contract is winding down, noting that if not for the World Cup, the situation might have evolved differently.

Rodri’s current deal with City expires at the end of next season, leaving less than a year remaining after the World Cup. Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has reportedly identified the midfielder as a key target. However, Rodri remains calm and focused, currently participating in a training camp with his national teammates.

Three key players have reported to the Super Falcons’ training camp in Ikenne as the team prepares for upcoming international friendlies against Senegal. Star forward Asisat Oshoala, along with Shukurat Oladipo and Kafayat Shittu, were among the first to arrive at the camp.

Head coach Justine Madugu has called up a squad of 23 players for the matches, and he expects the full complement to be in camp by Tuesday. The team is set to hold its first official training session on Tuesday evening as they fine-tune their preparations.

The two-legged friendly series will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. The first match is scheduled for Friday, while the second encounter is set for the following Monday at the same venue. These fixtures serve as important preparation for the team ahead of future competitions.

The race for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has intensified, with Chelsea emerging as a potential suitor. According to reports, Turkish side Galatasaray has placed a hefty €150 million valuation on the Super Eagles forward.

This development coincides with recent remarks from Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, who explained Osimhen’s absence from upcoming friendlies against Poland and Portugal. Chelle noted that potential transfer discussions could be a distraction, saying, “Victor Osimhen will not feature in our matches against Poland and Portugal. There is a possibility of a club move, so I felt it best for him to stay home. If your focus isn’t fully here, stepping onto the pitch isn’t ideal.”

However, Osimhen later countered, insisting that Chelle’s comments were misinterpreted and taken out of context. The striker remains one of Europe’s most coveted talents, with Chelsea now joining the list of clubs monitoring his situation closely.

Niger Tornadoes have officially announced the disbandment of their technical team following the conclusion of the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. The decision comes after a challenging season where the club narrowly escaped relegation.

The club, also known as Ikon Allah Boys, released a short statement on Monday confirming the immediate dismissal of the technical crew led by Majin Mohammed. This move signals a fresh start for the Minna-based side as they look to rebuild ahead of the next campaign.

Throughout the season, the Tornadoes struggled to find consistency, which ultimately led to their precarious 14th-place finish on the league table with 48 points. Their final match of the season ended on a positive note, however, as they secured a 1-0 victory over Shooting Stars in Minna.

The dissolution of the technical crew marks the end of an era for the club, which will now seek new leadership to steer them towards better performance in future seasons.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, has added two late arrivals to his squad ahead of the upcoming international friendlies. Genk full-back Christian Akpan and Baník Ostrava midfielder Abdullahi Bewene have been handed last-minute call-ups for the matches against Poland and Portugal.

Akpan, who recently featured in the UEFA Europa League playoffs for his club, has been a consistent performer for Genk’s reserve side this season. The 21-year-old defender’s inclusion provides depth to the defensive line.

Bewene earned his opportunity following a standout campaign with Baník Ostrava in the Czech Fortuna Liga. His impressive displays caught the attention of the national team coaching staff.

The call-ups come after several key players withdrew from the squad. Notable absentees include Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Alhassan Yusuf, who have all pulled out of the two-game tour.

Nigeria is scheduled to take on Poland on Wednesday, followed by a fixture against Portugal a week later. These friendlies serve as preparation for future competitive matches.

In a recent development that could shake up the summer transfer window, Atletico Madrid’s Marc Pubill has publicly encouraged his Spain teammate Marc Cucurella to leave Chelsea and join him at the Wanda Metropolitano. The 22-year-old defender, currently at Spain’s World Cup training camp, was questioned by journalists about whether he had already spoken to Cucurella about a potential move. Pubill’s response was candid: “Yes, of course, I have already told him!” When pressed for the Chelsea left-back’s reaction, Pubill smiled and simply said, “Nothing.” Cucurella, who joined Chelsea from Brighton in 2022, has spent four seasons with the Blues. The bond between Pubill and Cucurella, forged as international teammates, could prove pivotal in any transfer negotiations. This revelation adds intrigue to the upcoming transfer window, with Atletico Madrid seemingly keen on strengthening their squad with the Spanish full-back.

The Nigerian national team has officially set up camp in Warsaw, Poland, as preparations intensify for their upcoming international friendly against the Polish national side. A total of 18 players have reported for duty, marking the beginning of a crucial phase for the team under the guidance of head coach Éric Chelle.

Training sessions commenced on Monday morning at the team’s base, with key figures such as captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Paul Onuachu, and Frank Onyeka actively participating in the drills. The atmosphere is said to be focused and determined as the squad gears up for the fixture scheduled at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw on Wednesday.

However, the Super Eagles will be without some of their biggest stars for this encounter. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have both withdrawn from the friendly, leaving a gap in the attacking lineup that other players will look to fill. Despite these absences, the team remains confident in the depth of talent available.

Looking beyond the Poland clash, Nigeria is also set to face Portugal in another friendly on June 10 at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria. This double-header provides an opportunity for Chelle to assess his squad against strong European opposition.

Here is the full list of players who have arrived in Warsaw: Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo, Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Akor Adams, Terem Moffi, Tochukwu Nnadi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Rafiu Durosinmi, Paul Onuachu, Zaidu Sanusi, Igho Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Abdullahi Ibrahim.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has granted additional time off to four Arsenal players included in his World Cup roster. According to reports from Sky Sports, the majority of the 26-man squad will assemble in Florida on Monday evening to kick off their pre-tournament preparations. However, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze will report later than their teammates.

The decision stems from their participation in the recent Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Tuchel believes the extra rest will help them recover fully before joining the camp. Alongside these four, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who clinched the UEFA Europa Conference League title, will also enjoy a delayed arrival.

As a result, this group is expected to sit out the warm-up fixture against New Zealand later this week. Nonetheless, they are anticipated to be match-ready for the following friendly against Costa Rica. The move underscores Tuchel’s focus on player welfare as England aims to mount a strong World Cup challenge.

Chelsea Football Club has officially confirmed that young defender Justin Osagie has committed his future to the club by signing a new contract. The announcement came on Monday, solidifying the player’s stay at Stamford Bridge for the foreseeable future.

The fresh terms will keep Osagie at the Premier League outfit until 2029, marking a significant vote of confidence in the teenager’s potential. The 20-year-old centre-back originally arrived at the club early in the 2025/26 season and has since become a key figure in the Under-21 setup.

During his debut campaign, Osagie made 11 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, quickly establishing himself as a reliable presence in the academy backline. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and the club has moved swiftly to secure his services on a long-term basis.

Born to Irish and Nigerian parents, Osagie holds dual eligibility for the senior national teams of both Ireland and Nigeria. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to his development, as both football associations may soon vie for his international allegiance.

Godwin Okpara, a former defender for Paris Saint-Germain, has publicly encouraged Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen to make a summer switch to Manchester United. The Nigerian international, who has previously plied his trade in Belgium, France, and Italy, is now being tipped for a new challenge in the Premier League.

In an interview with Soccernet, Okpara expressed his belief that Old Trafford represents the ideal destination for Osimhen. He stated that the Super Eagles forward would thrive in Manchester United’s environment and enjoy his football there. “For me, I would prefer him to go to Manchester United,” Okpara said. “He has already played in Belgium, France and Italy. Now, what comes next? If he can’t go to Spain, why not England? Manchester United is the best place for him because he will enjoy his football there.”

It is worth noting that the last Nigerian player to feature for Manchester United was Odion Ighalo, who had a stint at the club during the 2019-2020 season.