When you picture a professional footballer arriving for training, the scene usually involves the roar of a luxury car engine. But at Real Betis’ training ground in Seville, Hector Bellerin often pulls up quietly—on a bicycle. For Bellerin, it’s not just a lifestyle choice; it’s a statement. “It would be easier to take a cab,” he says. “I know I’m privileged, but it’s more of a revindication. We need greener…

Former Spain and Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba has announced he will retire from professional football at the end of the current Major League Soccer (MLS) season. The 36-year-old made the announcement via a heartfelt video on Instagram, marking the end of a glittering career that has spanned nearly two decades and seen him lift some of the sport’s most coveted trophies. Alba, who joined Inter Miami in 2023, will hang…

Conor McGregor, one of mixed martial arts’ most polarizing figures, has been handed an 18-month suspension by the UFC for violating the organization’s anti-doping policy. The punishment comes after the Irish fighter reportedly missed three drug test collections within a 12-month period in 2024, according to the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) agency. The 37-year-old fighter, who turns 38 in July, has not competed since suffering a broken leg during his…

Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League title defence began on a sour note as Melchie Dumornay’s first-half brace earned Olympique Lyonnais a 2-1 win at Meadow Park on Tuesday night. The reigning champions started brightly and appeared set to control proceedings, but two costly defensive errors handed the French giants all three points in their league phase opener. It was a rematch of last season’s semi-final, which Arsenal won 5-3 on…

Malaysia’s football scene has been rocked by scandal after FIFA accused the country of falsifying citizenship documents for seven foreign-born players on its national team. In a damning report released Monday, world football’s governing body alleged that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) forged birth certificates to make it appear that the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia, enabling them to qualify under FIFA’s “grandfather rule.” The rule allows players…

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has signed an improved contract at the Emirates Stadium, cementing his place as one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted players. The Spain international, who has been crucial in Arsenal’s rise under Arteta, agreed to a pay rise earlier this summer, reflecting his growing influence and consistency since joining from Brentford. Although the new deal does not extend beyond the original expiry date of 2028, it significantly…

Boluwatife Kehinde ‎ ‎The Super Eagles’ technical team, helmed by head coach Eric Chelle, has officially arrived in Polokwane, South Africa, as preparations ramp up for Nigeria’s vital 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho, affectionately known as the Crocodiles. ‎ ‎This encounter is set to unfold at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday and is seen as a crucial juncture in the Super Eagles’ campaign, as they strive…

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‎Boluwatife Kehinde ‎ ‎Manchester City midfielder Rodri will play no part in Spain’s upcoming international fixtures after sustaining a muscle injury during Sunday’s game. Although the issue is not regarded as serious, both club and country have agreed that the 29-year-old should rest as a precaution to avoid aggravating the problem. ‎ ‎The midfielder, who has been a key figure for both Manchester City and the Spanish national team, revealed…

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‎Boluwatife Kehinde ‎ ‎Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, showcased impressive grit and tactical discipline to secure a vital 1-1 draw against Colombia at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, Chile, booking their place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U20 World Cup. ‎ ‎Heading into the match, the stakes were clear: Colombia had already qualified for the knockout stage, while Nigeria needed at least a draw to progress.…

FIFA has ruled out the possibility of suspending Israel from international football, despite growing calls from some quarters to impose sanctions similar to those taken against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Reports in The Times suggested that the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) had been under pressure to consider barring Israel and its clubs from competitions in response to its ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip. However,…