Category: Entertainment

Alex Iwobi is set to be honored with a commemorative plaque marking his 100th cap for the Super Eagles, as confirmed by DAILY POST sources. The ceremony will take place before tonight’s international friendly against Portugal.

The 30-year-old midfielder will become the latest member of an elite group of Nigerian players to reach a century of appearances. He joins the ranks of legendary figures such as goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, former captains Joseph Yobo, and Ahmed Musa.

Since his debut in 2015 against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iwobi has contributed 10 goals and eight assists across 99 matches for the three-time African champions. The Fulham star’s milestone is a testament to his consistency and longevity in the national team setup.

Former Aston Villa striker Alan McInally has publicly advised Celtic manager Martin O’Neill to hold onto forward Kelechi Iheanacho as the summer transfer window approaches. The Nigerian international’s future at Parkhead remains undecided, with his contract set to expire soon.

Iheanacho joined Celtic on a free transfer from Sevilla last season, agreeing to an initial one-year deal that included a club option for an additional year. Despite showing flashes of quality, his campaign was hampered by injuries and inconsistency, leading to speculation about his departure.

Speaking to the Daily Record via The Herald, McInally expressed his support for Iheanacho, stating, “I would definitely keep him. If he can maintain the level he showed in his final six games over a full season, he becomes a valuable asset. The key, however, is his fitness. I’m not sure if he’s enjoying life in Glasgow; maybe Martin should keep a close eye on him.”

McInally added a nuanced perspective on player management: “It’s up to Iheanacho to display the discipline and attitude necessary to perform week in and week out. Some players require a firm push, while others respond better to encouragement—most want support nowadays. If Martin believes he can reignite the player’s best form, then retaining him is a no-brainer.”

With Iheanacho’s future hanging in the balance, the Celtic hierarchy faces a crucial decision. The striker’s talent is undeniable, but his ability to stay fit and consistent remains a concern. As the transfer window looms, McInally’s advice adds to the growing chorus urging the club to extend the Nigerian’s stay.

Marcus Rashford’s loan spell at Barcelona is coming to an end, with the England international set to return to Manchester United. The Spanish giants have confirmed they will not activate the €30 million buyout clause included in the deal.

During his season-long loan in LaLiga, Rashford managed a respectable 13 goals and 10 assists. Despite these contributions, Barcelona have decided not to make the transfer permanent.

Renowned football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano provided the update on social media, stating: “Barcelona will NOT pay the €30m buy option clause for Marcus Rashford, which expires in five days.” He added that Rashford is “formally set to return to Man United.”

However, Romano also noted that Barcelona remain open to alternative solutions, such as negotiating another loan deal. “Barça are open to discuss again if Manchester United open the doors,” he wrote.

The decision leaves Manchester United with a key player returning to their squad, while Barcelona may seek a more favorable arrangement in the future.

Manchester United have officially announced the list of players who will be leaving the club as free agents when their contracts expire this summer. The Premier League giants confirmed the departures of Jadon Sancho, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, Sonny Aljofree, James Bailey, and Malachi Sharpe.

The announcement was made via a club statement on Wednesday morning. Casemiro, who spent four seasons at Old Trafford, made 160 appearances and scored 26 goals. He was instrumental in helping United secure the 2023 Carabao Cup, notably scoring a header in a standout performance against Newcastle United. The Brazilian captain also lifted the Emirates FA Cup in 2024.

Tyrell Malacia joined the Red Devils in 2022 and featured in 50 first-team matches. The full-back struggled with persistent injuries during his tenure, appearing only three times this season. He was part of the squad that won the Carabao Cup in 2023.

Jadon Sancho arrived at United in 2021 and was also a member of the 2023 Carabao Cup-winning team. The winger played 83 times for the club before returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan, with additional temporary moves to Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Edo Queens delivered a dominant performance, thrashing Abia Angels 6-2 to climb to the top of the NWFL playoff standings on Wednesday. The 2024 champions secured their second victory of the competition, putting them in prime position for another title.

Coach Moses Aduku’s squad now has six points from three matches, sitting comfortably at the summit. The win showcased their attacking prowess, with Chioma Moses stealing the spotlight by netting four goals, including the opener in the third minute.

Additional strikes from Precious Oscar and Atume Doosuur sealed the comprehensive victory for the Benin City-based club. Abia Angels, participating in their first NWFL playoff, fought back with goals from Mariam Abdulrasheed and Blessing Saleh, but it wasn’t enough to stop the champions.

The Nigerian U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, are preparing to reconvene for training this Sunday. This marks the beginning of their final preparations for the decisive World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic.

Coach Akeem Busari’s squad had been given a short rest period after their commanding aggregate victory over Guinea in the previous round. They will now gather at the Remo Stars Sports Institute to start their intensive camp.

In their last outing, the Flamingos dominated Guinea with an 11-0 aggregate scoreline. They recorded a 5-0 win in the first leg and followed it up with a 6-0 triumph in the second leg.

Their opponents, the Young Amazons of Benin Republic, secured their spot in the final round by overcoming Sierra Leone 5-1 on aggregate.

The first leg of this crucial tie is scheduled for Saturday, 5 July, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Nigeria. The return match will take place a week later at the Stade de Kegue in Lome.

The team that emerges victorious on aggregate will earn a place in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted in Morocco from 17 October to 7 November 2026.

Chelsea has officially confirmed that four young players will be departing Stamford Bridge at the end of June as their current contracts come to a close. The announcement was made by the West London club on Wednesday.

The quartet consists of Brodi Hughes, Richard Olise, Jimi Tauriainen, and Sam Rak-Sakyi, all of whom have been associated with the Blues for a significant portion of their careers.

Defender Brodi Hughes has been with Chelsea since the Under-8 level, a tenure spanning 13 years, during which he advanced through the ranks at the Cobham training facility. Similarly, Richard Olise joined the club as an Under-9 and progressed through various academy age groups, earning a spot in the first-team squad for the UEFA Conference League fixture against Astana in the 2024/25 season.

Jimi Tauriainen was recruited by Chelsea in 2020 and was included among the substitutes for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in 2024. Meanwhile, Sam Rak-Sakyi entered the academy as an eight-year-old and went on to make four senior appearances for the club.

These departures mark the end of an era for these academy products, who have contributed to Chelsea’s development system over the years.

As the 2025/26 season draws to a close, Chelsea has officially announced that four of its players will be leaving the club upon the expiration of their contracts on June 30. The news emerged via a statement published on the club’s official X account on Wednesday, detailing the individuals who will not be retained.

The list includes defender Brodi Hughes, who spent 13 years within Chelsea’s academy system. Hughes initially joined the Blues as an Under-8 player and developed through the ranks at Cobham. During the previous campaign, he gained experience on loan at AFC Wimbledon in League One.

Another player moving on is Richard Olise, whose association with the club spanned a decade. Olise arrived at Chelsea as an Under-9 prospect and featured across multiple youth levels. He even earned a spot in the first-team squad for the UEFA Conference League fixture against Astana in the 2024/25 season.

Midfielder Sam Rak-Sakyi is also part of the departing group, having made four senior appearances for Chelsea. Starting his journey at the academy at age eight, Rak-Sakyi progressed through Cobham’s youth system and represented England at various youth levels. During the 2024/25 campaign, he made his senior debut in the UEFA Conference League against Noah and went on to feature three more times in the same competition.

The fourth player leaving is Jimi Tauriainen, who joined Chelsea in 2020. He was previously named among the substitutes for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in 2024.

This departure list comes at a time of transition for the club, with the arrival of new head coach Xabi Alonso signaling a fresh chapter. Alonso is expected to stamp his authority on the squad, and these player exits are part of the natural reshaping process.

Arsenal are on the verge of bringing in former Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes as their new first-team doctor, replacing the dismissed Zafar Iqbal. According to The Telegraph, Abrantes is the leading candidate for the role.

The 39-year-old recently ended his tenure as head of medical services at Aston Villa after the 2025/26 campaign wrapped up. He previously served as head of performance at Nottingham Forest.

In separate news, West Ham United have confirmed that defender Axel Disasi is heading back to Chelsea following the conclusion of his six-month loan stint at the London Stadium. Disasi, 27, featured 17 times across the Premier League and FA Cup, netting a goal against Leeds in the sixth round of the cup competition. He will be seeking a fresh start under new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso.

The 2026 World Cup will showcase some of the world’s most talented footballers, but a few of them also stand out for their massive earnings. According to a recent report by Sportico, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are the top two highest-paid players participating in the tournament, with Ronaldo leading the pack.

Ronaldo’s estimated pre-tax earnings over the past year amount to a staggering $295 million. His on-field income, which includes his contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr, accounts for $230 million of this total. He joined Al-Nassr in 2023 and renewed his contract for two more years, securing a lucrative deal that is reportedly supplemented by commercial agreements. Off the field, endorsements from partners like Nike and Herbalife add another $65 million to his annual earnings.

Messi follows with $140 million, split evenly between on-field ($70 million) and off-field ($70 million) income. The Argentine star’s off-field earnings are bolstered by his partnership with brands such as Adidas and his involvement with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Other notable players on the list include France’s Kylian Mbappe, who earns a total of $100 million, and Norway’s Erling Haaland with $80 million. Brazil’s Vinicius Junior is fifth at $60 million, while Egypt’s Mohamed Salah ($55 million), Senegal’s Sadio Mane ($54 million), Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez ($53 million), England’s Jude Bellingham ($44 million), Spain’s Lamine Yamal ($43 million), and England’s Harry Kane ($42 million) round out the top 11.

This group of players represents some of the biggest names in football, and their earnings reflect their status as global superstars both on and off the pitch.