Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen forward, Nathan Temitayo Tella, has expressed his frustration over his lack of playing time this season. Despite being a key contributor to Leverkusen’s successful Bundesliga and DFB Pokal campaign last season, the 25-year-old winger has struggled to secure regular minutes under manager Xabi Alonso. Tella, who joined Leverkusen from Southampton last year, played an important role in the squad’s double-winning season, scoring six goals and providing five assists across 37 appearances. However, much of his involvement came from the bench as he played second fiddle to Jonas Hoffman and Jeremie Frimpong in the right-wing and…
Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi
South Korean footballer Hwang Ui-jo has issued a public apology after admitting to secretly recording sexual encounters with his partners without their consent. The 31-year-old striker, who currently plays for Turkish club Alanyaspor, expressed his regret during his first court appearance in Seoul on Wednesday, where he is facing charges of illegal filming. Hwang, who had been a prominent figure in South Korean football and recently played for Nottingham Forest in England, admitted to filming the intimate encounters on four separate occasions between June and September 2022. Prosecutors revealed that two women were unknowingly recorded during these interactions. In court,…
Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as manager of the United States men’s national team suffered an early setback as his side lost 2-0 to rivals Mexico in an international friendly at Estadio Akron. The match, which also marked the farewell of Mexico’s legendary midfielder Andrés Guardado, saw the hosts put in a dominant performance to claim victory, ending the USA’s seven-match unbeaten streak against their regional rivals. Pochettino, who took charge of the U.S. team after Gregg Berhalter’s departure earlier this year, had enjoyed a winning start in his new role just days before, with a 2-0 victory over Panama. However, his…
Lionel Messi once again proved why he remains one of the greatest footballers of all time, as he led Argentina to a resounding 6-0 victory over Bolivia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The 37-year-old football icon delivered a masterclass performance at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, scoring his 10th international hat-trick and assisting two more goals. The win propelled Argentina to the top of the South American qualifying group, three points clear of second-placed Colombia. Argentina’s victory came despite a somewhat rocky campaign so far, which included a defeat to Colombia and a draw against Venezuela in…
Former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Piqué has joined a growing list of voices speaking out against the increasing demands placed on football players due to congested fixture schedules. Speaking at *The Summit*, part of Leaders Week London, Piqué urged football’s governing bodies to reduce the number of matches and reconsider the introduction of new competitions to protect player welfare. Piqué, now 37 and retired since 2022, criticized FIFA and UEFA for adding more tournaments and expanding existing ones, such as FIFA’s new 32-team Club World Cup and the upcoming 48-team World Cup in 2026. He also took aim at…
Eric Cantona has launched a fiery criticism of Manchester United’s decision to allow Sir Alex Ferguson to step down from his ambassadorial duties at the club. The legendary former Manchester United forward took to social media, calling the move “scandalous” and expressing his frustration over what he sees as a lack of respect for Ferguson. Ferguson, who turns 83 in December, is reportedly stepping back from his ambassadorial role due to the time-consuming nature of the position. The decision comes amidst a series of cost-cutting measures implemented by Manchester United, driven in part by their financial losses and efforts to…
A representative for French football star Kylian Mbappé has condemned recent reports in the Swedish media alleging the Real Madrid forward is suspected of rape. The reports, citing police documents and filed criminal reports, have ignited a media frenzy, which Mbappé and his legal team have labeled as “totally false and irresponsible.” Several Swedish outlets, including public broadcaster SVT and CNN affiliate *Expressen*, reported that Mbappé was under suspicion after visiting a nightclub and staying in Stockholm on October 10. Swedish police indicated that “reasonable grounds” exist, meaning specific circumstances suggest involvement in a crime. In response, Mbappé took to…
Global football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has expanded his brand beyond the pitch with the launch of his exclusive luxury watch collection in collaboration with renowned jeweler Jacob & Co. Announcing the new venture on Instagram, Ronaldo revealed that the collection, which features two models – Flight of CR7 and Heart of CR7 – draws inspiration from his illustrious football career. “I’ve always dreamed of having my own watch collection,” Ronaldo shared with his fans. “The Flight of CR7 & the Heart of CR7 take inspiration from some of my most iconic moments on the field. I hope you like them…
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has expressed her delight after returning to competitive football following a long injury layoff. The 26-year-old had been sidelined since April after undergoing surgery on her right foot, forcing her to miss Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Plumptre made her much-anticipated comeback last weekend, appearing for her Saudi Arabian club, Al-Ittihad, in their 1-0 victory over Al-Ula. She was introduced in the second half, contributing to her team’s clean sheet and eventual win. The former Leicester City defender took to social media to share her excitement, saying, “Hey, Etihad fans! I’m…
The nominees for the prestigious BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2024 award have been revealed, with five standout players from around the globe in contention. Fans are now invited to vote for their favourite player from the shortlist, which includes Barbra Banda, Aitana Bonmatí, Naomi Girma, Caroline Graham Hansen, and Sophia Smith. The award, now in its 10th year, was first established in 2015 to celebrate the finest talents in women’s football. Voting closes on Monday, 28 October 2024, and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 26 November across BBC World Service platforms. Barbra Banda (Zambia, Orlando Pride)…
