Category: Entertainment

A host of football legends have shared their predictions for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, offering diverse choices ahead of the prestigious award ceremony. The opinions were gathered in a special segment by the UEFA Champions League official social media account, featuring figures like Xavi, Roberto Carlos, and William Gallas.

Barcelona icon Xavi expressed his support for Lamine Yamal, the young winger at Barcelona, while Real Madrid great Roberto Carlos backed Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Ashley Cole, along with ex-Liverpool goalkeeper David James, both selected Harry Kane from Bayern Munich as their favorite. Meanwhile, Theo Walcott, who previously played for Arsenal, put his faith in England midfielder Declan Rice.

Julio Cesar, the former Brazil goalkeeper, picked Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as his candidate. Ivan Rakitic, who spent time at Barcelona, chose Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, and William Gallas tipped Ousmane Dembele to secure back-to-back Ballon d’Or wins after his 2025 triumph.

The current holder, Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain, won the award in 2025, making his repeat victory a hot topic. This year’s Ballon d’Or race looks wide open with a variety of stars being backed by influential voices from the football world.

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has pinpointed two positions where Arsenal need significant improvements following their Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. According to the former defender, the Gunners must prioritize reinforcing their center-forward and left-wing slots during the upcoming transfer window to become genuine contenders for Europe’s top prize.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Carragher remarked that while Arsenal’s attempt to integrate Gyokeres hasn’t paid off, the team’s attacking deficiencies were exposed in the final. He emphasized that to lift the Champions League trophy, Mikel Arteta’s squad requires major upgrades in those specific areas. Carragher noted that despite coming close, falling short on penalties, Arsenal’s path to the final was relatively straightforward, underlining the need for more quality in the final third.

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, delivered a commanding performance in the second leg of their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Guinea, winning 6-0 in Ikenne on Sunday. The victory sealed an emphatic 11-0 aggregate triumph for coach Akeem Busari’s squad.

The hosts wasted no time establishing control, with Oluwakemi Adegbuyi breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute. Captain Harmony Chidi, who had already netted a hat-trick in the first leg, doubled the lead in the 21st minute. Just two minutes later, Queen Joseph added a third goal, and Adegbuyi struck again in the 28th minute to make it 4-0. Chidi completed her brace in the 34th minute off an assist from Adegbuyi, sending the Flamingos into halftime with a commanding 5-0 advantage. The second half saw only one goal, scored by Precious Oscar, as Nigeria cruised to victory.

The Flamingos’ dominant display ensures their progression to the final qualifying round for the U-17 World Cup, showcasing their offensive strength and defensive solidity throughout the tie.

The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League season concluded on Saturday with Paris Saint-Germain defeating Arsenal in the final to claim the coveted trophy. The match took place in Budapest, and following the game, the UEFA Technical Observer Group revealed the winners of several individual player awards.

PSG midfielder Vitinha was honored as the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance in the final. The award recognizes the most impactful player during the championship match.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe finished as the tournament’s top scorer, netting an impressive 15 goals throughout the competition. His consistent scoring prowess earned him the top scorer accolade.

On Sunday, the UEFA Technical Observer Group named PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season. The Georgian star contributed 10 goals and 6 assists in the competition, showcasing his exceptional skill and influence.

Additionally, Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler was awarded the UEFA Champions League Revelation of the Season. This new honor is designed to highlight young players who have a breakthrough campaign in the Champions League, and Guler’s performances this season made him a worthy recipient.

Enyimba’s captain, Chinedu Ufere, has passionately called on his teammates to secure victory in the upcoming President Federation Cup. The team is set to battle Gombe United in the Round of 32 on Monday, with Ufere emphasizing the importance of the competition as a pathway to continental football.

Speaking through the club’s media channel, Ufere highlighted that winning the Federation Cup is Enyimba’s primary route back to the CAF Confederation Cup. He stressed that the squad must treat each match as a final and replicate their recent stellar performance at home in the NPFL to overcome Gombe United.

“In the Federation Cup, we face Gombe United in the next round, and we will give our all to bring the team back to where it belongs—on the continent,” Ufere stated. “This is our only chance, and we cannot afford to be complacent. We are going all out, because every game is a final.”

The captain further urged his colleagues to maintain the same commitment they demonstrated in their last home fixture, believing that such dedication would put the trophy within reach. “If we show the same level of commitment in the upcoming games, winning the title is certainly possible,” he added.

The President Federation Cup champion earns the right to represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, making this encounter critical for Enyimba’s continental aspirations.

The UEFA Technical Observer Group has officially announced the Champions League Team of the Season following the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign. The selection features a strong presence from Paris Saint-Germain, who claimed the title after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Arsenal in Budapest.

In total, five PSG players earned spots in the elite XI, while Arsenal contributed three representatives. Bayern Munich also secured two places, and Atletico Madrid had one player recognized for his outstanding performances throughout the tournament.

The goalkeeping position went to Arsenal’s David Raya, who delivered a series of impressive displays between the posts. The defensive line consists of Marcos Llorente from Atletico Madrid, PSG’s Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes, alongside Arsenal’s Gabriel. This back four was praised for their consistency and resilience during the competition.

In midfield, the selection includes Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, PSG’s Vitinha, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from the French champions. The attacking duo features PSG’s Ousmane Dembele and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, both of whom were instrumental in their teams’ deep runs.

The Team of the Season reflects the standout individuals who made a significant impact in Europe’s premier club competition, with PSG’s triumph heavily influencing the final lineup.

Following a disappointing end to the 2025/26 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, Lobi Stars have announced the departure of 18 players from their squad. The club failed to earn promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), finishing outside the qualification positions.

The list of released players includes Orya Joseph, Daniel Abah, Atavti Samuel, Eyigege Pius, Achiv Douglas, Eru Jackson, Amia Kenneth, Ingbila Henry, Ofem Emmanuel, Itim Paul, Yanmar Moses, Iorliam Eric, Bello Raji Egigogo, Edeh Chukwuebuka, Amara Christian, Ifeanyi Ezema, Jonathan John Abu, and Okoh Chukwuma.

In contrast, the Pride of Benue have retained 17 players for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign. Among those staying with the team are Kumaga Suur, Kwambe Solomon, Odinaka Francis, Akile Monday, Iteji Jimmy, Onah Peter, Agugu Benjamin, Foga Dominic, Imenger Barnabas Jnr, Kongbenda Joseph, Uja Manasseh, Sunday James, Atsaka Daniel, Egiga Valentine, Afeez Yusuf, Azeez Tijanni, and John Akende.

Lobi Stars’ failure to secure promotion was a major setback for the club, which had aimed to return to the top flight. The squad overhaul reflects a strategic shift as they prepare for another season in the NNL.

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has shared his perspective on why Paris Saint-Germain managed to overcome Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final held on Saturday. The match saw Arsenal take an early lead through a superb strike from Kai Havertz during the first half. However, PSG leveled the score in the second period after Ousmane Dembele converted from the penalty spot. The game ultimately went to a penalty shootout, where the French side emerged victorious after both Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed their attempts from the spot.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Carragher pointed out that Mikel Arteta’s squad lacks sufficient quality in the attacking department, a deficiency that proved costly against the Parisian outfit. He noted, “That has always been the critique of Arteta’s Arsenal. I believe the approach they took last night was nearly the only strategy they could employ to have a chance against PSG.” He added, “PSG didn’t perform well in the first half. Were they vulnerable? Yet, that’s the nature of Arsenal.”

Carragher emphasized, “What I will mention, and I have repeated this throughout the season—and I thought this flaw would prevent Arsenal from winning the league, but it didn’t—is that they lack sufficient firepower up front. Arsenal are exceptional, arguably the best team globally at defending their own penalty area, and their two center-backs delivered outstanding performances last night. Even though they are champions of England, they desperately need better attackers.”

Enyimba International FC’s striker, Nelson Sule, has assured fans of the team’s full preparedness for their President Federation Cup Round of 32 encounter against Gombe United. The match is scheduled to take place in Makurdi on Monday.

In a statement relayed by Completesports, Sule emphasized that the squad is taking the competition one game at a time and is not succumbing to pressure. “We are focused and ready for Monday’s game. Our approach is to work hard and secure the win against Gombe United,” the forward declared.

Despite a lackluster league campaign, Sule called on supporters to maintain their faith in the team. “We urge all Enyimba fans to keep believing in us and praying for us. We promise not to disappoint them,” he added.

The People’s Elephant are determined to advance in the cup competition and redeem themselves after a difficult season in the Nigeria Professional Football League. The fixture against the Savannah Scorpions represents a crucial opportunity for the team to shift focus and deliver a positive result for their loyal followers.

Lobi Stars have made significant changes to their technical bench as they prepare for the upcoming Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign. The club, which fell short of securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last term, is aiming to bounce back stronger.

In a move to strengthen the team’s foundation, assistant coaches Benjamin Kude and Mathias Asongu have been shifted to the club’s U-19 feeder team. They will collaborate with Stephen Waghbo, who has been assigned from the Benue State Sports Council.

Meanwhile, former Lobi Stars goalkeeper Jighjigh Ahungwa has taken up the role of goalkeeper coach. This appointment is part of the club’s strategy to enhance its developmental framework.

Additionally, ex-defender Odeh Ogah has been appointed as Assistant Team Manager for the U-19 side. The management believes these adjustments will foster a more competitive and disciplined squad capable of meeting the challenges of the new season.