Category: Entertainment

Alvaro Arbeloa, who has been serving as Real Madrid’s interim manager, took a moment to express a deeply personal farewell to one of his players, Gonzalo Garcia. The emotional exchange came after the final LaLiga match of the 2025/26 season, where Real Madrid secured a 4-2 victory over Athletic Club.

Arbeloa stepped into the managerial role in January after the club parted ways with Xabi Alonso. Despite his efforts, the team fell short in both the Champions League and LaLiga, losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and suffering a crucial defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico. This marked two consecutive trophy-less seasons for Real Madrid, leading to President Florentino Perez’s decision to bring in a new head coach, with Jose Mourinho expected to take over this summer.

Before the match against Athletic, Arbeloa announced his departure, prompting several players to share their gratitude. Garcia, who scored the opening goal against Athletic, took to Instagram to thank Arbeloa: ‘Mister, I am incredibly thankful for everything you have taught me over these years. It has been an honor to work with you, both at the academy and with the first team. I wish you and your staff the very best; you truly deserve it.’

In his response, Arbeloa admitted he wished he had been more fair with the forward, stating, ‘Thank you so much, Gon. You’ve been much more than just a player to me. I wish I had been more fair with you. Go show all your worth.’ Garcia finished the season with six goals and one assist in 30 LaLiga appearances.

Manchester United icon Gary Neville has tipped Paris Saint-Germain to overcome Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final, despite the Gunners securing the Premier League title just days earlier. In his podcast, Neville asserted that PSG operate at an entirely different level from Arsenal and possess the finest manager in world football right now, Luis Enrique.

Neville admitted that the North London club will face a monumental challenge in Budapest. He described PSG as being on a separate tier, emphasizing the relentless winning mentality instilled by their coach. According to Neville, Enrique belongs to a rare breed of managers who are obsessed with victory and will stop at nothing to achieve it.

The former defender elaborated that Enrique has instilled a ruthlessness in his squad, a characteristic that sets them apart. He praised the Spaniard’s track record, labeling him a serial winner and arguably the top manager globally at this moment. Neville’s comments come as Arsenal bask in their domestic triumph, but he warns that the Champions League presents a far sterner test.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has showered praise on Noni Madueke for his outstanding contribution to the club’s Premier League victory this season. The former defender, now a pundit, admitted that the winger exceeded his expectations more than any other player during the Gunners’ successful campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s team secured the league title with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on the final day at Selhurst Park. Madueke scored the winning goal after Gabriel Jesus had put Arsenal ahead. The match ended in triumph for the north London side, capping off a memorable season.

Before Madueke’s move from Chelsea to Arsenal last summer, some fans were unhappy with the transfer. Rio Ferdinand had to step in and defend the player, slamming the supporters for their ‘vulgar’ reaction. Now, Madueke has proven his worth, and scoring the decisive goal in the title-clinching game was a perfect conclusion to the story.

Keown was quick to acknowledge the player’s impact. Speaking to Madueke after the match, as reported by Metro UK, Keown said, ‘You surprised me the most. I recall that initially, some supporters had doubts about you. But you’ve done an incredible job. You’ve won the Premier League and earned a World Cup spot with England. You’ve already made your mark at this club.’

Madueke responded with gratitude, describing winning the league and earning a call-up for the FIFA World Cup with England as a dream come true.

The Super Eagles’ preparation for the Unity Cup semifinal against Zimbabwe intensified on Monday evening, with 20 players taking part in a training session at Charlton Athletic Stadium.

Former Golden Eaglets captain Samson Tijani joined the squad in time for the workout, boosting the numbers ahead of the crucial clash.

However, several key figures are yet to arrive in London. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Raphael Onyedika remain absent from camp.

Head coach Éric Chelle is likely to field an experimental lineup against the Warriors, as many of his first-choice stars are unavailable. Debuts are anticipated for Femi Azeez, Owen Oseni, and Rafiu Durosinmi, who could all feature for the first time against Kaitano Tembo’s side.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM Nigerian time. The winner will advance to Saturday’s final, facing either Jamaica or India.

Zimbabwe’s captain, Marvelous Nakamba, has expressed the team’s strong morale as they prepare for the Unity Cup semi-final match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, as reported by Daily Post.

Kaitano Tembo’s squad will compete against the three-time African champions at the Valley in London on Tuesday evening.

The Warriors arrived in Birmingham last Thursday to start their training for the invitational tournament, later moving to London on Sunday.

Nakamba highlighted the team’s dedication, stating that the players have trained hard and are ready for the challenge. “Our preparations for the match against Nigeria have been thorough,” Nakamba remarked. “The team spirit is high, with everyone motivating each other during training. We are eagerly awaiting the game and hope to see strong support from Zimbabweans.”

The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM Nigerian time.

The family of the late Nollywood star Alexx Ekubo has officially unveiled the schedule for his funeral, honoring a life defined by love, faith, and generosity. The actor, whose full name is Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke, passed away after a battle with kidney cancer, as previously reported.

In a statement shared on the actor’s social media page, the Ekubo-Okwaraeke family expressed deep sorrow and gratitude for the time they had with him. They described him as someone who lived with remarkable warmth, compassion, and an unwavering devotion to God and his loved ones. His presence, they noted, brought joy and light to every room he entered.

The family invited friends, colleagues, fans, and well-wishers to join them in celebrating his legacy. A Service of Songs is scheduled for Wednesday, 10th June 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at The Monarch Event Center in Lekki, Lagos. Attendees are asked to dress in white.

A Wake Keep will take place on Wednesday, 17th June 2026, at 7 Ekubo-Okwaraeke Avenue, Aziukwukwa, Ujari Village, Arochukwu, Abia State. The Funeral Service and Interment will follow on Thursday, 18th June 2026, at Mary Slessor School, Amanagwu Village, Arochukwu, Abia State. The burial will be at the family home on 7 Ekubo-Okwaraeke Avenue. A reception will be held at Mary Slessor School immediately after the interment.

The family concluded by asking for continued prayers for Alexx, his wife, and all those mourning his loss. They emphasized that his light and impact on countless lives will never be forgotten.

The social media landscape has taken a dramatic turn as Phyna, the former Big Brother Naija winner, finds herself locked out of her Instagram account. The platform suspended her page on Monday, escalating tensions in her very public dispute with influencer VeryDarkMan.

According to reports, the reality star had earlier accused VeryDarkMan of trying to manipulate public opinion against her after she declined his alleged sexual advances. In response, VeryDarkMan countered that seeking consent for intimacy between consenting adults is normal and challenged Phyna to provide evidence.

Attempting to substantiate her claims, Phyna shared screenshots of private conversations with VeryDarkMan on her Instagram page. However, within hours of posting, her account was no longer accessible, sparking widespread speculation online. Some netizens suggested she had deactivated her profile voluntarily, while others suspected platform enforcement.

Clearing the air, Phyna took to X (formerly Twitter) to set the record straight. She wrote, “I didn’t deactivate my IG. Deactivate say wetin happen na? It got suspended.” Her statement has since fueled further debate about the circumstances surrounding the suspension and the role of social media platforms in policing such disputes.

As the 2026 World Cup draws near, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise has disclosed his picks for the best players from several powerhouse nations, offering a fresh perspective on the tournament’s standout talents. In a recent Instagram interaction with FC Bayern Esports, the French international shared his choices, sparking debate among fans.

Olise, who is set to represent France after a stellar season with Bayern, highlighted England’s Harry Kane and Germany’s Joshua Kimmich as their respective country’s finest, both of whom are his club teammates. For Spain, he selected the rising star Lamine Yamal, while Argentina’s Lionel Messi earned his nod as the reigning champions’ top player.

However, when it came to Portugal, Olise bypassed the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, opting instead for Bruno Fernandes. This decision reflects Ronaldo’s declining influence at the international level, as Fernandes has become Portugal’s creative hub. Olise admitted uncertainty regarding Brazil’s best player, simply responding, “I don’t know.”

Messi and Ronaldo are both preparing for what could be their final World Cup appearances, with Argentina aiming to defend their title and Portugal seeking to dethrone them. Olise, coming off an impressive campaign with 22 goals and 31 assists, hopes to make his own mark in the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The race to secure the signature of Millwall’s standout winger, Femi Azeez, has intensified, with Sunderland emerging as the newest Premier League club to register their interest. According to reports, the Black Cats have entered the fray, adding to an already impressive list of top-flight admirers.

Azeez, who is 24 years old, has had a stellar season in the Championship, finding the back of the net 11 times and providing assists on eight occasions in 37 league appearances for the Lions. His consistent displays earned him a spot in the Championship Team of the Season, further boosting his reputation as one of the second tier’s most exciting talents.

Earlier links highlighted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Fulham. Now, Sunderland have joined the chase, indicating the widespread appeal of the former Reading academy product.

Millwall, however, are under no pressure to sell and are expected to hold out for a significant offer. Reports suggest that the club will only entertain bids in the region of €20 million for the in-form winger, a price tag that reflects his growing value in the transfer market.

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has identified Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres as the standout acquisition in the Premier League this season. The Sweden international joined the Gunners from Sporting CP last summer and has been instrumental in their title triumph.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney highlighted Gyokeres’ impact, stating that the forward provided exactly what Arsenal needed. He acknowledged that while Granit Xhaka performed admirably for Sunderland, Gyokeres’ contributions were pivotal.

Rooney emphasized that Arsenal had finished second in the previous three campaigns, and Gyokeres brought a fresh dimension to their attack. This difference proved crucial in helping them secure the league crown. According to Rooney, the striker’s arrival was a significant factor in Arsenal’s success.