Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Brazilian star Neymar has extended his contract with Santos until the end of 2026 in a bid to secure a place in the national squad for the upcoming World Cup. The 33-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club in January 2025, has not played for Brazil since 2023 due to a combination of injuries and rehabilitation setbacks, but he is determined to put himself in contention for coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans this summer. Neymar’s return to Santos marked a homecoming for the forward who first made his name in professional football at the club. His impact was immediate, as he…

Lionel Messi has revealed that he has no plans to pursue coaching after retiring from football, instead expressing a strong interest in football club ownership and the business side of the sport. The Inter Miami star spoke candidly at the American Business Forum this week, outlining his ambitions to follow in the footsteps of fellow football legend and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. “I like to start looking at what could come next. I like the business world; I want to keep learning. I’m just getting started with it,” Messi said. His comments indicate a growing curiosity among elite players…

Gary O’Neil has been appointed manager of Strasbourg following Liam Rosenior’s departure to Chelsea, marking a fresh chapter in the Englishman’s coaching career and underlining the growing influence of the BlueCo multi-club model in European football. The 42-year-old has been out of management since being sacked by Wolves in December 2024 but now returns to the dugout with a Ligue 1 side pushing for European qualification. Strasbourg currently sit seventh in the table and acted quickly to secure O’Neil’s services after Rosenior accepted a six-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge earlier this week. O’Neil said he was “proud” to join a…

Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have emerged as the leading candidates to take charge of Manchester United on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, following the club’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim after a turbulent 14 months in charge. The two former United midfielders, both popular figures at Old Trafford, are expected to hold face-to-face talks with the club’s leadership as United weigh up their short-term options. It is even possible the pair could work together, given Carrick was a key member of Solskjaer’s coaching staff during the Norwegian’s previous spell as manager. For now, Darren…

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has admitted the club would be prepared to sell captain Marc Guehi in the January transfer window if their valuation is met, acknowledging the growing financial and sporting pressures surrounding the England defender’s future. Guehi, 25, is out of contract in the summer and has yet to agree an extension at Selhurst Park. With Manchester City now emerging as serious contenders for his signature, Palace face a familiar dilemma: cash in now or risk losing one of their most valuable assets for nothing at the end of the season. City’s interest has accelerated following defensive…

Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s number one women’s tennis player, believes her highly publicised exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios has given her a competitive edge ahead of the 2026 season. The Belarusian star began her Brisbane International campaign with a swift 47-minute victory over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, winning 6-0 6-1 in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, lost 6-3 6-3 to Kyrgios in Dubai last month in a modern iteration of the famous ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition. The match, which garnered global attention, saw Sabalenka testing herself against a male opponent known…

Celtic have parted company with manager Wilfried Nancy after a disastrous 33 days in charge, making his tenure the shortest in the club’s history. The French coach oversaw just eight games, suffering six defeats, including Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Rangers. Nancy, 48, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Scottish champions after concluding the Major League Soccer season with Columbus Crew, taking charge on 4 December. Expectations were high after interim manager Martin O’Neill had won seven of eight matches, but Nancy’s arrival coincided with a dramatic slump in form. The Frenchman lost his first two games in charge—a first in…

Celtic’s brief flirtation with Wilfried Nancy came to an abrupt end after just 33 days, with the Frenchman’s disastrous eight-game reign exposing deeper problems at the Scottish champions. The club confirmed Nancy’s departure following a 3-1 home defeat to Rangers, marking six losses in his short tenure and the shortest managerial stint in Celtic’s history. Nancy arrived at Celtic on 4 December, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract after leaving Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew, where he had struggled, finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference. His appointment, widely seen as a bold gamble, was reportedly championed by Paul Tisdale, Celtic’s former…

Tyson Fury has announced, once more, that retirement is over. The former two-time heavyweight world champion confirmed he will return to professional boxing in 2026, bringing an end to his latest spell away from the ring and reigniting debate about what still drives one of the sport’s most unpredictable figures. The 37-year-old Briton last fought in December 2024, when he suffered a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight rematch. A month later, Fury declared he was done with boxing, a familiar refrain in a career defined by dramatic exits and equally dramatic returns. This time, however, Fury…

Leeds United have expressed their devastation after a supporter died at Elland Road ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Manchester United. The club confirmed that a medical emergency occurred inside the stadium shortly before the 12:30 GMT kick-off. Despite efforts from emergency services, the supporter sadly passed away before the match began. In a statement released on Sunday, Leeds said: “Leeds United are devastated to confirm that a supporter sadly passed away ahead of our Premier League fixture with Manchester United at Elland Road. The thoughts of everyone at Leeds United are with the family and friends of the…