Sports

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that the 2026/27 season could be his final campaign as a professional footballer.

The 41-year-old Portugal captain and Al-Nassr forward made the disclosure in an interview with lifestyle magazine Vogue, published on Sunday.

Ronaldo, who began his senior career with Sporting Lisbon in 2002, said he hopes to bring his football career to an end with a lasting legacy.

“This is probably my last year of football and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” he said.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also spoke about his plans for life after football, saying he already has several activities that could keep him occupied.

“I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.

“And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned — what we’ve earned. Because, after all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

Ronaldo has won domestic league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia. He also holds the record as the highest-scoring player in men’s international football.

The Portuguese star has scored 976 goals for club and country, leaving him 24 goals away from reaching the 1,000-goal landmark.

He has one year remaining on his contract with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo was absent from Al-Nassr’s opening league match of their title defence against Al Fateh on Saturday. He watched the game from the stands alongside members of his family.

The development comes only days after his wedding to his long-time partner, Georgina Rodriguez.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump has warned Fifa against removing its president, Gianni Infantino, amid growing pressure on the football governing body’s leadership over a controversial investment proposal.

Trump said replacing Infantino would be a “terrible mistake”, as opposition to the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal continues to grow among major football confederations.

The FFE plan reportedly involved the creation of a new company to oversee the commercial and ticketing rights of Fifa competitions, including the World Cup. Under the proposal, a 21 per cent stake in the company would have been sold to a private investment firm.

Trump made his latest comments on social media, marking his first public defence of Infantino since details of the FFE proposal emerged on 28 July.

“Fifa would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on social media.

“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.”

The 2026 World Cup was jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Spain winning the tournament after defeating Argentina in the final.

Trump had earlier said on 31 July, when the FFE proposal first came under scrutiny, that he had not discussed the plan with Infantino.

The proposed investment group was expected to be led by Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, who is the brother of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Infantino has maintained a close relationship with Trump. In December 2025, the Fifa president presented the US president with the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize.

The pressure on Infantino has increased after Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation accused him of violating their trust “through deception” over the abandoned FFE proposal.

The three confederations have also threatened further action. Uefa has warned that it could boycott Fifa competitions and pursue legal action over the failed investment plan.

In a joint letter, the confederations said:

“When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,”

Although the statement did not identify Infantino by name, sources cited by BBC Sport said it should be interpreted as an opportunity for him to resign.

There have also been preliminary discussions among the three confederations about possible breakaway competitions if Infantino remains in office. However, substantive negotiations have reportedly not started.

Fifa had earlier described the opposition to the proposal as a “concerted and ongoing effort” to “undermine” the organisation and Infantino.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon on Sunday.

The result at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium ended Nigeria’s defence of the continental title and left the nine-time African champions facing a tougher route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Cameroon secured the victory through Myriam Nyadjou, who scored the decisive goal in the 20th minute.

The encounter was closely fought, with both teams engaging in physical challenges and intense battles in midfield.

Nigeria struggled to create clear opportunities after falling behind. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade attempted to control the game and organise the Super Falcons’ attacks, but the team relied largely on efforts from distance during the first half.

Cameroon returned from the break with greater intensity and applied pressure higher up the pitch. The approach disrupted Nigeria’s attempts to build attacks and limited the Super Falcons’ ability to find openings.

Nigeria increased the pressure as the match progressed and continued its search for an equaliser into stoppage time. Cameroon, however, maintained its defensive shape until the final whistle.

The victory gave Cameroon its first WAFCON knockout-stage win over Nigeria since the 2012 third-place play-off.

Cameroon will now advance to the semi-finals, which guarantees the team a top-four finish and an automatic qualification spot for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria, by contrast, will have to go through a playoff tournament to secure a place at the 2027 World Cup.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Jorge Messi, the father and long-time representative of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68.

According to reports by MARCA and Argentine news outlet Infobae, Jorge died at about 10pm on Friday at a sanatorium in Rosario, Argentina, after a prolonged illness.

Jorge was married to Celia Cuccittini, and the couple had four children: Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.

He played an important role in Lionel’s journey from a young footballer at Newell’s Old Boys to an internationally celebrated player.

One of his major contributions came when Lionel needed growth hormone treatment as a youngster. After attempts to obtain the required treatment in Argentina failed, Jorge helped facilitate his son’s move to Barcelona when Lionel was 13.

Jorge later stayed with Lionel in Spain during the early stages of his career, while other members of the family remained in Rosario.

In a 2007 interview, Messi recalled the difficult period and said his father gave him the choice of continuing his football dream in Spain or returning to Argentina.

“My old man was always by my side. We lived through many bad moments,” Messi recalled.

He added, “My old man asked me, what do you want to do, do you want to continue or shall we go back? I wanted to continue and he stayed with me.”

Lionel eventually went on to become one of the most decorated footballers in history after establishing himself at Barcelona and later achieving success with Argentina.

Beyond his role as his son’s father, Jorge also handled several aspects of Lionel’s professional affairs, including negotiations involving major international brands.

Although he was an influential figure in Messi’s career, Jorge generally kept away from public attention and rarely granted interviews.

During one of his interviews, he spoke about the difficult experiences he and his son had shared as Lionel’s career developed.

“You know very well that we have gone through many good and not-so-good moments,” Jorge said.

He also praised Lionel’s character and said the challenges they faced as a family had strengthened them. He described his son as “an excellent person”.

Jorge’s health became a matter of public interest during the 2026 World Cup after Messi appeared emotional following Argentina’s opening game.

After scoring a hat-trick, Messi explained his emotional state when asked about it, saying, “It is for a reason completely unrelated to sport. I had some difficult, complicated days.”

When he was later asked about the family situation, he said, “The truth is, more than anything, because of the family.”

The Messi family later disclosed that Jorge was “under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favourably within the condition he presents”.

Jorge, who trained as a chemical technician, started his career at Acindar, an Argentine steel company, in the 1980s. He eventually rose to a managerial position at the firm.

He also had an early connection with football. Jorge played as a midfielder in Newell’s youth system before leaving the sport after he was called up for military service.

His death represents the loss of a key figure in Lionel Messi’s life and career. Although he largely remained away from the spotlight, Jorge played a major role in supporting and managing his son’s journey to football stardom.

By Agabi Charis 

Spain were crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after edging Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a captivating final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Ferran Torres’ decisive strike in the 106th minute settled a tactical battle that showcased Spain’s discipline, defensive resilience and control, handing La Roja their second World Cup title. 

From the opening whistle, Spain looked the more complete side. They dominated possession, limited Argentina’s attacking opportunities and remained composed under pressure. While Lionel Messi and his teammates fought until the very end, Spain’s organisation and patience ultimately proved too much. Simply put, the better team on the night emerged victorious. 

Despite the heartbreak, Lionel Messi’s final World Cup campaign deserves enormous praise. The Argentine captain delivered one of the finest tournaments of his illustrious career, finishing with eight goals and four assists, inspiring Argentina to another World Cup final and reminding the football world why he remains one of the greatest players ever to grace the game. Though the trophy slipped away, his performances will be remembered for years to come. 

Spain’s triumph was reflected in the post-tournament awards. Midfield maestro Rodri was deservedly named the Player of the Tournament (Golden Ball) after orchestrating Spain’s midfield throughout the competition with intelligence, composure and leadership. At the other end of the age spectrum, teenage defender Pau Cubarsí claimed the Young Player of the Tournament award following a sensational campaign that saw Spain concede just one goal throughout the tournament. 

The final was also a celebration of football’s global appeal, with cameras frequently cutting to a host of celebrities in attendance. Among those spotted were Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon and Luciana Damon, Tom Brady, Timothée Chalamet, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, James Harden, Draymond Green, Rob Gronkowski, Odell Beckham Jr., Lindsey Vonn, Kevin Hart, Julia Garner, Winnie Harlow and tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, while the historic halftime show featured performances from Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy and Jennifer Hudson. 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered unforgettable moments from start to finish. Spain leave North America as worthy champions, Rodri leaves as the tournament’s outstanding player, Cubarsí announces himself as football’s brightest young defensive talent, and Lionel Messi bows out of World Cup football having once again produced a campaign worthy of his legendary status.

Agabi Chubiyojo Charis is a 300-Level student in Information and Media Studies at Yakubu Gowon University and is currently interning at IMPR. He can be reached via chubicharis@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Senegal captain Sadio Mane has announced his retirement from international football following his country’s dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 34-year-old ends a remarkable 14-year international career with 132 appearances and 55 goals for the Lions of Teranga. Widely regarded as one of Senegal’s greatest footballers, Mane played a key role in transforming the national team into one of Africa’s strongest sides.

His greatest achievement came when he inspired Senegal to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title, cementing his place in the country’s football history. Throughout his international career, Mane was known for his leadership, consistency, and match-winning performances.

His retirement marks the end of an era for Senegal, with fans paying tribute to a player whose contributions helped elevate the nation’s status on the world stage.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has disclosed what he told Croatian midfielder Luka Modric after Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Portugal recovered from a goal down to book a place in the Round of 16 after a tense encounter against Zlatko Dalić’s side.

Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through experienced forward Ivan Perisic. Portugal later responded in the 68th minute when Ronaldo converted a penalty to level the score. The goal marked Ronaldo’s first strike in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup.

The match appeared set for extra time before substitute Goncalo Ramos scored a late winner with a header in the 94th minute to seal qualification for Portugal.

Croatia thought they had forced the game into extra time after Josko Gvardiol found the net in the 103rd minute. However, the effort was ruled out for offside.

After the final whistle, Ronaldo was seen speaking with Modric, his former teammate at Real Madrid. The Portuguese star later explained that he praised the Croatian midfielder for continuing to compete at the highest level despite his long career in football.

Ronaldo said, “I played many years with Modrić, it’s great to see him still playing at top level.

“I told him: congrats Luka, good luck for the future of your career”.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Aston Villa, UEFA announced on Thursday.

The prestigious fixture, scheduled to take place in Salzburg, will see the Champions League winners PSG face Europa League champions Aston Villa in the traditional curtain-raiser to the European club season.

Artan’s appointment marks another milestone in a refereeing career that has earned widespread recognition across Africa and beyond. The Somali official is regarded by many football observers as one of the continent’s finest referees, having handled high-profile matches in both African and international competitions.

His selection for the UEFA Super Cup comes days after he was controversially excluded from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Reports indicated that Artan was denied entry into the country, preventing him from participating in the tournament despite being considered among Africa’s top referees.

UEFA’s decision to entrust him with one of Europe’s most prestigious club matches is likely to be seen as a strong endorsement of his abilities and standing in world football.

The UEFA Super Cup annually brings together the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League, making it one of the most anticipated fixtures on the European football calendar.

By Muhammad Abubakar

A debate over perceived double standards in international football has resurfaced on social media, with critics accusing some Western media organisations and European football associations of hypocrisy in their responses to the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups.

The discussion was sparked by an X post from user Yan Goi (@GongR1ight), who contrasted the strong criticism directed at host nation Qatar before the 2022 World Cup with what he described as a muted response to the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The post cited Norway’s calls for a boycott of the Qatar tournament, Denmark’s public criticism of Qatar’s human rights record, and political gestures by Germany’s national team during the 2022 competition. It also pointed to the BBC’s decision to focus on controversies surrounding Qatar rather than broadcasting the full opening ceremony, a move that drew both praise and criticism at the time.

Critics argue that many of the organisations and commentators who were vocal about labour rights, governance, and social issues in Qatar have been comparatively quiet about concerns linked to the 2026 World Cup, including immigration policies, border enforcement, and other political controversies in the host countries.

Others reject the comparison, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the two tournaments differ significantly and that media outlets have continued to report on issues related to the 2026 World Cup, albeit with less intensity than the coverage seen ahead of Qatar 2022.

The debate has renewed broader questions about consistency in sports journalism and international football governance, with supporters and critics divided over whether similar standards are being applied to different World Cup hosts.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Galatasaray assistant head coach Ismael Garcia Gomez has described Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen as one of the finest strikers in world football, placing him among the top five in the game.

Gomez highlighted the Super Eagles star’s qualities while speaking about the calibre of players in the Turkish club’s squad.

Osimhen has enjoyed an impressive spell at Galatasaray since arriving from Italian side Napoli. His performances have continued to attract interest from several leading European clubs, with reports linking him to teams such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window.

In an interview with Marca, which was quoted by Forza Cimbom, Gomez praised the striker’s overall contribution on the pitch.

“We have very top-level players, but in my opinion, Osimhen is among the world’s top 3–5 strikers.

“He possesses an extremely high level and impressive physical strength: he presses, he defends.

“In addition, he has the ability to influence the opposing defence even in moments when he’s not heavily involved in the game.”

The comments add to the growing recognition Osimhen has received following another strong season that has further strengthened his reputation as one of the most sought-after forwards in European football.