Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Los Angeles FC forward Son Heung-min announced himself in style on Wednesday night with his first Major League Soccer hat-trick, inspiring his side to a 4-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. The 33-year-old South Korean, who only joined LAFC last month after a decade at Tottenham Hotspur, wasted no time in stamping his mark on the American game. Lightning Start from Son Son opened the scoring inside 10 minutes with a clinical finish, before doubling his tally just six minutes later to give the hosts a commanding 2-0 lead. The crowd at America First Field witnessed the kind of composure…

Chelsea’s return to the Champions League ended in a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, highlighting the challenges of competing at Europe’s elite level

Manchester United have announced record annual revenues of £666.5 million for the year ending 30 June 2025, even as the club endured one of its poorest seasons on the pitch in decades. The financial update comes just months after United finished a dismal 15th in the Premier League, their lowest placing since the relegation campaign of 1973-74. Yet, despite the footballing struggles, the club’s commercial muscle continues to flex, largely thanks to the launch of a five-year front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with technology giant Snapdragon. That partnership, along with record matchday revenue of £160.3m, helped United post record commercial earnings of…

Nicolas Jackson’s turbulent summer ended with a fresh start at Bayern Munich, but the Senegalese striker will face a quick reunion with his parent club Chelsea when the Champions League group stage kicks off on Wednesday. The 24-year-old forward sealed a dramatic loan move to the German champions on deadline day, in a deal that swung between collapse and revival before finally being completed. Bayern paid a remarkable £14.3m loan fee—one of the highest ever for a temporary deal—with a conditional obligation to buy for £56.2m. That agreement, however, is not straightforward. Former Bayern striker and current board member Uli…

Jose Mourinho is closing in on a dramatic return to management with Benfica, two decades after first taking charge of the Portuguese giants. The 61-year-old is in advanced talks to replace Bruno Lage, who was sacked following Tuesday’s shock 3-2 Champions League defeat to Qarabag at Estadio da Luz. Benfica president Rui Costa confirmed the club intend to have a new manager in place before Saturday’s league fixture, though he stopped short of naming Mourinho as their choice. BBC Sport understands the two parties are negotiating, with Mourinho keen on a return to his homeland 21 years after he left…

Partey’s case has generated a mix of reactions among fans, commentators, and the wider football community.

Barcelona will be without teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for their Champions League opener against Newcastle United on Thursday, after the winger was left out of Hansi Flick’s squad with a groin injury. The 18-year-old has been one of Barcelona’s brightest young talents, playing a key role in their La Liga title triumph last season. However, his fitness has become a growing concern after returning from international duty with Spain earlier this month. Yamal featured heavily for his country, playing 79 minutes in Spain’s 3-0 victory over Bulgaria on 4 September before logging another 73 minutes in a 6-0 win against…

Crystal Palace midfielder Chrisantus Uche has expressed optimism about his future at the club following his Premier League debut, insisting he is ready to give his all to help the Eagles achieve their goals this season. The Nigerian international made his first appearance for Palace on Saturday, coming off the bench in the 84th minute of a goalless draw against Sunderland. Although he had limited time on the pitch, Uche said the experience was a crucial step in adapting to English top-flight football and proving his worth to both manager and fans. A Promising Debut “It was a good game,…

It was a derby to forget for Manchester United as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City ran out 3-0 winners at the Etihad. For United boss Ruben Amorim, the result underlined the challenges he faces in making his philosophy work in the Premier League. His record now stands at eight wins from 31 league matches, and questions over his rigid approach are growing louder. City’s victory was not simply down to Erling Haaland’s brace and Phil Foden’s strike, but to a carefully constructed tactical plan that exploited United’s structural weaknesses. Guardiola’s ability to adapt his system contrasted sharply with Amorim’s insistence on…

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has officially unveiled his final 21-man squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, with Nigeria set to take on Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia in the group stage. The seven-time African champions will be making their latest bid for global glory at the tournament in Chile, and Zubairu has opted for a squad packed with familiar faces who impressed at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations earlier this year in Egypt. Familiar names and key inclusions Among the standout names in the team are Sporting Lagos goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, who retains his spot…