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…
Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi
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)…
Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has revealed that he was financially supported by his teammates after the club suspended his wages when he was charged with multiple rape and sexual assault allegations in 2021. Mendy, now 30, is currently pursuing £11.5 million in unpaid wages from the Premier League champions, which he claims are owed to him due to the club’s decision to withhold his salary following his suspension. The employment tribunal heard that Mendy, who was cleared of all charges in 2023, was lent money by several of his former teammates, including Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad…
Randal Kolo Muani scored twice as France triumphed 2-1 over Belgium in an action-packed UEFA Nations League encounter in Brussels. The match was filled with drama, including two penalties, a red card, and multiple VAR interventions that kept both sets of fans on edge. Belgium started the game on the front foot and were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Youri Tielemans was fouled in the box by William Saliba. The incident, which initially went unnoticed, was reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR) and resulted in a penalty. However, Tielemans squandered the chance by blasting his…
