Sports

Ballon d’Or disappointment will inspire Yamal – Barca coach Flick

Published

1 week ago

September 24, 2025

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal will be driven to greater heights after being beaten to the Ballon d’Or by Ousmane Dembele, the club’s coach Hansi Flick said Wednesday.

The 18-year-old winger finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain attacker Dembele at the glitzy gala in Paris on Monday in the battle to be crowned the world’s best player, but won the Kopa Trophy for best young player.

Flick, speaking to a news conference, said, “I spoke with him yesterday, and I think he sees it (in the) right (way), so it’s for him also motivation for the next years.

“Dembele, he deserved it also, it’s a vote and a lot of things can happen, and I think he accepted this in a good way, and he’s motivated to show it this season.

“Maybe next season he also will be an option for the Ballon d’Or, but I really appreciate that a lot of players from our team are in this situation, and it’s great for our team. It shows a lot how your last season was, and this is also our goal for this season.”

Yamal starred as Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

The winger is set to miss Thursday’s clash at Real Oviedo with a groin issue as the champions try to keep pace with La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who beat Levante on Tuesday to move five points clear of Barca.

Last season the Catalans struggled in games without the teenager but they thrashed Valencia and Getafe without him in their previous two games.

“I’m really happy, I never think about which player we are missing, I only focus on the team we have.

“Which players are the options for being in the starting XI… I’m happy with my team. It makes no difference; every starting XI can win matches. It’s not a big problem,” said Flick.

Midfielder Gavi is out for the next four to five months after undergoing knee surgery on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old missed nearly a year after a knee ligament tear in November 2023.

“We have to take care of him, we have to go step by step, because he is 21 years old and he has a huge career in the next 10 to 15 years,” said Flick.

“He’s a player with a big, big heart, he’s a player with a lot of emotion, he’s a player who lives… I wouldn’t say dies, for this club, but he’s like this and I’m really happy to have him on my team.

“Of course we are waiting until he’s back, it’s not easy for this team, because he has a huge quality for us, but every one of us will support him, will help him to reach his level again, and this is our goal now for him.”

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Sports

Man United finalise deal for teenage Colombian midfielder Orozco

Published

4 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

Manchester United have finalised a deal to sign 17-year-old Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco from Fortaleza CEIF.

The agreement, confirmed by renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Thursday, will see the young talent join the Red Devils in the summer of 2026 upon turning 18.

According to Romano, all contracts have been approved by United’s lawyers, and the deal was coordinated by lead scout Gerardo Guzmán Antonaccio.

He said on X, “Manchester United have now sealed and signed a deal to bring in 17-year-old Colombian talent Cristian Orozco.

“$1m transfer fee from Fortaleza in a deal valid from summer 2026. #MUFC lawyers approved all the contracts, deal coordinated by lead scout Antonaccio.”

Orozco is a defensive midfielder and captain of Colombia’s Under-17 national team, who has been hailed as a promising talent with strong intensity and potential.

He led his country to the final of the Under-17 South American Championships last year, showcasing his leadership and skills in youth international competitions.

The teenager has made appearances in Colombia’s domestic league with Fortaleza CEIF.

Orozco joins a growing list of young talents at Old Trafford, including recent additions like Sekou Kone and Chido Obi-Martin.

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Sports

Victor Osimhen breaks record, becomes Nigeria’s top Champions League goal scorer

Published

22 hours ago

October 1, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, has become the first Nigerian to score 10 goals in the UEFA Champions League (UCL).

The 26-year-old striker reached the milestone after scoring the lone goal in Galatasaray’s 1-0 win over Liverpool at the RAMS Park on Tuesday night, September 30.

Osimhen converted a penalty kick with Alisson Becker diving the wrong way after Dominic Sobozlai had smacked Barış Alper Yılmaz in the face to concede the penalty.

The goal took Osimhen ahead of Obafemi Martins to become the highest scoring Nigerian in the UCL, excluding qualification matches.

He also became the first Nigerian to score for three different clubs in the UCL. He had earlier scored for Lille and Napoli in the competition.

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Sports

Olapade, Okoko shine at Lakowe Golf Classic

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

Nigerian golf ace Sunday Olapade won the professional round of the 2025 Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic with a 10-under par score in 54 holes, as the event came to an end on Sunday.

Youngster Godwin Okoko, also made the winner’s list with a third-place finish in the professional round while also leading his amateur team members to be crowned the Team event winners. The members included Ikechukwu Boniface, David Maji, and Frances Omaruaye.

The 2025 event paraded some of the best professional players from West Africa, including Emos Korblah and Barry Yaw from Ghana, Oche Odoh, Kamalu Bako, Gift Willy, Godwin Okoko, Michael Ubi, and Francis Epe.

Olapade’s rounds were 69, 65, and 72 for the three days to beat Korblah with a five-stroke margin and pocket the N5m purse and an additional ARM champion bonus of N2.5m, totaling N7.5m for his victory.

Golf Manager of Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate, Femi Olagbenro, said Olapade had a brilliant spell at the event and came close to breaking the course’s 54-hole record held by Vincent Torgah.

“I believe every player showing up at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club puts in an extra effort to match the pedigree of the course and the tough field that is always on parade at each Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic event.

“This is a very satisfying win, given the effort I have put into my game in the past few months. I have just come back from a training round in Kenya. It’s been a very challenging routine, which is why this is satisfying. I want to thank everyone who has supported me this while, and believe in me.

In the team event, Kingsley Oparaku led the team of Roland Alexander, Terry Paul, and Abe Ayodeji to the runner-up position.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chairman of Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate Deji Alli said that the game of golf has impacted his person and outlook of business for the Lakowe Lakes project, despite the challenges of running a world-class facility like Lakowe Lakes Golf Club.

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