Category: Entertainment

Former Watford captain Troy Deeney has expressed strong doubts about England’s ability to lift the World Cup trophy with Jordan Pickford as their last line of defense. According to Deeney, the Everton shot-stopper lacks the composure and reliability needed at the highest level.

Pickford recently earned his 85th international cap in England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia, a match that kicked off their World Cup campaign on a positive note. Since his debut in late 2017, he has been a mainstay for the Three Lions, featuring prominently under both Gareth Southgate and current manager Thomas Tuchel.

Despite his experience, Deeney remains unconvinced about Pickford’s capabilities. The former striker voiced his concerns during an appearance on CBS Sports, stating that England’s title aspirations are compromised by the goalkeeper’s erratic behavior. “To say the least, yeah,” Deeney replied when asked if Pickford is too unpredictable. “I don’t really know the stats and all of that. I’m just saying what my eyes told me.”

Deeney pointed to a specific moment in the Croatia match where Pickford should have done better. “I still think he should have saved the first one [Croatia goal], that’s my opinion. I think when you get a hand to it, it’s got to be a solid hand and keep it out.” He also criticized Pickford’s demeanor, noting instances where the goalkeeper shouted at teammates and waved away blame. “There’s just that feeling when I watch Jordan… there’s a shot from 50 yards and it trickles to him and he’s screaming at everyone, ‘Do your job! Don’t let any shots come in!'”

Deeney concluded by saying that Pickford fails to inspire confidence in the team. “Every time he parries one, fouls someone, does whatever, he’s like, ‘Don’t look at me!’ We’re trying to win a World Cup. That’s why we’re here. In my opinion, and respectfully Jordan, because you know I like you. We can’t win it with that guy in goal. He doesn’t give you any confidence.”

Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has voiced concerns over Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on the Portuguese national team, describing the 41-year-old forward as a significant challenge for manager Roberto Martinez.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt argued that Ronaldo’s immense ego could disrupt team dynamics. ‘He’s a great lad, but his ego is huge, and it makes him a massive problem for the squad,’ Butt stated, drawing parallels to Ronaldo’s controversial second stint at Manchester United.

Butt also highlighted the overwhelming fan support for Ronaldo, noting that nearly 90% of Portuguese fans at the recent 1-1 draw with DR Congo wore Ronaldo jerseys. ‘You’ve got that to deal with as a manager too,’ he added.

Martinez, meanwhile, defended his decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch, attributing the lackluster performance to insufficient support in attack. ‘We need to get the ball to him near the six-yard box,’ Martinez said after the match.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has stirred debate by declaring that Harry Kane is the only player in the England squad who can be considered truly world-class. Speaking on his YouTube channel after the Three Lions’ 4-2 victory over Croatia in their World Cup opener, the former defender lauded Kane’s undeniable quality while suggesting others are merely hovering around that elite level.

Ferdinand remarked, “Harry Kane is our only genuinely world-class player right now. There are others teetering around it, but he is the absolute world-class figure in the squad. When you look at players who comfortably sit at the top table, he is that for England.” This assessment came despite a strong team performance that included goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford in the second half, securing a promising start for manager Thomas Tuchel’s side.

England’s campaign began with a thrilling encounter, during which Kane netted a brace in the first half. However, Croatia responded through Marin Baturina and Petar Musa to level the score before the break. The second half saw England reassert control, demonstrating the depth that has many optimistic about their chances in the tournament.

Kane, 32, who already holds the record as England’s all-time leading scorer, matched Gary Lineker’s mark for the most World Cup goals by an English player during this match. His outstanding form for Bayern Munich, where he netted 61 times in 51 matches last season, further cements his status as one of the game’s elite forwards. Ferdinand emphasized that while others may be close, Kane is the only one who unequivocally belongs in that highest tier.

England next face Ghana followed by Panama in Group L, with Tuchel’s men aiming to build on their opening win and secure knockout phase qualification.

The Black Stars of Ghana have reached a historic milestone in the FIFA World Cup, pulling level with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in terms of total victories. Their 1-0 triumph over Panama in the opening Group L fixture marked their sixth win in the tournament’s history.

This achievement makes Ghana only the second African nation to secure six World Cup wins, a feat previously exclusive to Nigeria. Caleb Yirenkyi became the hero for the West Africans, netting a dramatic goal in the 95th minute at Toronto Stadium in Canada. His late strike not only secured the three points but also denied Panama their first-ever point in World Cup competition.

The result leaves Ghana tied at the top of Group L alongside England, who are next up for the Black Stars on Tuesday. Ghana’s sixth victory came from 16 World Cup appearances, while Nigeria required 21 matches to reach the same tally. Cameroon follows closely with five wins from 26 games.

This accomplishment underscores the growing competitiveness of African football on the world stage, as Ghana continues to build on its rich World Cup history.

Mexico has become the first team to guarantee a place in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against South Korea on Friday. The co-hosts now have six points from their opening two Group A matches, making them the only side with a perfect record so far.

The decisive goal came from a costly mistake by South Korean goalkeeper Seung-Gyu Kim. He failed to hold onto a header from Raul Jimenez, allowing Luis Romo to pounce and chip the ball into an empty net. It was a moment of fortune that Mexico capitalized on fully.

On the other end, Mexico’s goalkeeper Raul Rangel was equally decisive. He produced a remarkable double save to deny substitute Gue-Sung Cho, preserving his team’s slender lead. The contest was ultimately a battle between the two goalkeepers, with Rangel coming out on top.

With this win, Mexico is poised to finish as group winners, which would mean their knockout match will be played in Mexico City—a huge advantage for Javier Aguirre’s squad. They now await their opponents in the next round, having already secured their place among the final 32 teams in the tournament.

Former French international Patrick Vieira has raised concerns about Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy being tarnished during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Vieira urged Portugal manager Roberto Martinez to prioritize the team over the Al-Nassr forward.

Vieira pointed to Ronaldo’s goalless performance in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo as a sign that the 41-year-old may no longer be an automatic starter. He suggested that Martinez must make a tough decision to bench Ronaldo if it benefits the squad.

“He has to think about the team first before thinking about Ronaldo,” Vieira said. “He will have to make a really strong decision not to start him if the team is better without him.”

The Arsenal legend expressed worry that Ronaldo’s legacy could be spoiled if he reacts negatively to being substituted or dropped. “For two decades, he has been an extraordinarily wonderful footballer, but if he kicks off and gets taken off, his legacy will be spoiled a little bit,” Vieira added.

Portugal next faces Uzbekistan in a crucial World Cup group stage match. Vieira’s comments add to growing scrutiny over Ronaldo’s role in the national team as he nears the end of his illustrious career.

The Nigerian film industry mourns as the beloved actor Alexx Ekubo has been laid to rest in his ancestral home of Arochukwu, Abia State. The ceremony was filled with emotional tributes and tears from family, friends, and colleagues.

Alexx Ekubo passed away on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40, following a courageous battle with kidney cancer. His funeral events began on Wednesday with a wake-keep in Ujari Village, Arochukwu.

The main funeral service took place on Thursday at Mary Slessor School in Amanagwu Village, Arochukwu, followed by his final interment at his family compound. Many of his colleagues and friends took the opportunity to share heartfelt memories and pay their respects.

Throughout his career, Alexx Ekubo starred in numerous Nollywood films and was also known for his philanthropic efforts. His death has left a void in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has explained why he chose not to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo during their 2026 World Cup opener against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Houston. Despite widespread criticism of Ronaldo’s performance, Martinez insisted that keeping the veteran striker on the pitch was the logical choice for a team chasing a goal.

Martinez described Ronaldo as “the best goalscorer in history” and argued that removing him would have been counterproductive. “It made no sense at all to take off a player of his caliber when we were desperately searching for a goal,” Martinez stated. The coach’s comments come after fans and analysts questioned Ronaldo’s impact, with many suggesting the 41-year-old is no longer at his peak.

Ronaldo, who now plays for Al Nassr, failed to find the net as Portugal had to settle for a point. The draw puts pressure on the team ahead of their next match against Uzbekistan, where Ronaldo will be eager to prove his detractors wrong and rediscover his scoring touch.

The specifics of Real Madrid’s agreement with Ibrahima Konaté have come to light. The French defender officially left Liverpool to join the Spanish powerhouse on Thursday.

Real Madrid confirmed via an official announcement that an accord was reached with the centre-back, marking his arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 2024/25 Champions League winner has committed to a four-year contract, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2030.

This acquisition follows the recent signing of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, as Real Madrid aims to strengthen their squad under the guidance of new manager José Mourinho ahead of the upcoming season. Konaté’s arrival is expected to provide significant depth to the defensive line.

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has issued an urgent call to all clubs, stressing the importance of adhering to registration protocols for the Division Two U-19 Youth League. A final deadline of June 30, 2026, has been firmly established, and any club failing to meet this date will face exclusion from the upcoming season’s fixtures.

The league organizers are intensifying preparations for the 2026 campaign and require strict compliance with all outlined directives. Clubs must ensure that both payment and player registration are completed via the official NLO portal before the specified cutoff.

Furthermore, each club is obligated to affiliate with its respective state football association and settle the annual registration fee as set by the NLO Board. Failure to make this payment will be interpreted as a withdrawal from league participation. As part of the verification process, clubs must submit proof of payment—such as bank tellers or transfer receipts—to the NLO accounts department for confirmation.

The NLO U-19 Youth League is slated to commence on July 24, 2026. All clubs are urged to act promptly to secure their place in the competition.