Sports

Atkinson Rejects Offers To Speak Ill Of Cristiano Ronaldo

February 20, 2026 8:06 am

In an era where celebrity breakups routinely evolve into commercial spectacle, Gemma Atkinson’s account of her separation from Cristiano Ronaldo offers a counterpoint to a familiar script. The British television personality has disclosed that she was offered substantial sums of money to criticise the Portuguese footballer after their relationship ended—an offer she says she declined because she had no adverse experiences to recount.

Atkinson’s remarks illuminate a broader ecosystem in which personal relationships involving global sports figures are quickly monetised. The intersection of fame, media demand and financial incentive often places former partners at the centre of narratives shaped less …

Saka Signs New Five-Year Deal With Arsenal

February 17, 2026 1:02 pm

Bukayo Saka has committed his immediate future to Arsenal F.C., signing a new five-year contract that reinforces both the club’s sporting project and its long-term asset strategy. The agreement, reported by the Africa Digital News with formal documentation completed and an official announcement expected imminently, secures one of Europe’s most influential young players at a pivotal moment in Arsenal’s resurgence.

The decision carries weight beyond routine squad management. Saka is not merely a productive winger; he is central to Arsenal’s competitive identity. At 23, he represents continuity from academy prospect to first-team cornerstone, embodying the club’s post-rebuild philosophy under manager …

Messi’s Arrival Reprices MLS And Transforms Inter Miami

February 16, 2026 1:25 pm

The arrival of Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer has functioned less as a sporting acquisition and more as a structural market event. What initially appeared to be a high-profile player transfer has evolved into a case study in how a single globally recognized asset can reprice a franchise, expand digital consumption patterns, and accelerate league-wide commercial growth.

For Inter Miami CF, the financial data illustrates the magnitude of the shift. In 2022, before Messi’s signing, the club generated approximately $56 million in revenue. Within a short period following his arrival, revenues are estimated at roughly $200 million. The near …

J‑League Introduces Penalty Shootouts For All Drawn Matches

February 12, 2026 5:15 pm

— The Japanese professional football league has unveiled a significant change to its competition format, announcing that all matches that finish level after regulation time will now be decided by a penalty shootout.

Under the revised system adopted at the start of the season, traditional league scoring has been adjusted to place greater emphasis on decisive results. Teams that secure a win in the standard 90 minutes still receive the full three points, with the defeated side earning none. However, if a match ends in a draw at the final whistle, both sides will advance immediately to a penalty shootout …

Tottenham Slump Continues With Home Loss To Newcastle

February 11, 2026 12:30 am

Tottenham Hotspur’s slide in the Premier League continued on Tuesday with a 2 to 1 home defeat to Newcastle United, a result that left the north London club hovering above the relegation places and intensified scrutiny of manager Thomas Frank.

The loss at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium extended a winless run in the league that stretches back to late December and left the side with 29 points from 26 matches, only five clear of 18th placed West Ham United. Tottenham have not dropped out of England’s top division since 1977, but their current position has drawn attention to a tightening …

Grealish’s Season Over After Surgery Ends World Cup Bid

February 10, 2026 1:44 am

Jack Grealish’s hopes of forcing his way into England’s World Cup squad collapsed Monday after the Everton midfielder confirmed he underwent surgery on a stress fracture in his foot that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. The 30-year-old, on loan from Manchester City, posted a message from his hospital bed expressing devastation at the premature end to what had been a resurgent campaign on Merseyside. “Didn’t want the season to end like this but that’s football, gutted,” he wrote on Instagram. “Surgery done and now all focus on getting back fit. I know for sure I will …

Al-Hilal Ready To Pursue Pep Guardiola If Position Opens

February 4, 2026 8:08 am

Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal have reportedly expressed readiness to pursue Pep Guardiola should he become available, signalling the club’s ambition to secure one of the most high-profile managers in world football. Guardiola, widely regarded as one of the game’s tactical masterminds, has achieved unprecedented success with clubs including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. His potential arrival would mark a major statement of intent for the Saudi side.

According to sources close to the club, Al-Hilal’s interest is not speculative; it reflects a strategic desire to pair their growing financial power with elite managerial expertise. While no negotiations are …

Guardiola Tops €800m Spend After Reported Guehi Arrival Deal

January 22, 2026 5:46 am

Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking investment at Manchester City has once again come into focus following reports that Marc Guéhi has arrived at the club for a fee of €25 million. If confirmed, the deal would push Guardiola’s total transfer spending since taking charge in 2015 beyond the €800 million mark — a figure higher than that of any other Premier League manager over the same period.

The reported signing of Guéhi, a defender long admired for his composure and leadership, would further underline City’s continued willingness to invest in squad renewal rather than short-term fixes. While City have consistently balanced spending …

Xabi Alonso Set For Quick Return As Europe Watches

January 16, 2026 6:29 am

Xabi Alonso is expected to return to work soon, with no long break planned, despite stepping away after what has been described as a disappointing chapter at Real Madrid. Those close to the situation indicate that the Spanish coach remains highly motivated and “hungry for more,” viewing this period not as an ending but as a brief pause before his next challenge.

Although his most recent spell did not meet expectations, Alonso’s reputation within the football industry remains strong. Top clubs across Europe are still maintaining active interest in him, seeing his overall coaching profile as far more significant than …

Xabi Alonso Bids Farewell To Real Madrid Fans With Gratitude

January 13, 2026 11:18 am

Xabi Alonso has issued a personal message to Real Madrid and their supporters, confirming that his professional chapter at the club has come to an end. In a statement filled with reflection and appreciation, the former midfielder and coach described his time at the club as both an honour and a responsibility, even though the overall outcome did not unfold as he had hoped.

“This professional stage is over, and it didn’t go as we would have liked,” Alonso wrote. His words acknowledged that expectations were high, and while the journey carried pride and commitment, it did not meet the …

Michael Carrick Appointed Interim Manchester United Manager

January 13, 2026 11:07 am

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Michael Carrick as their interim manager, with the former club midfielder signing a short-term contract that will see him lead the team through the remainder of the current season. The announcement marks a reunion between Carrick and the club where he enjoyed significant success as a player, stepping into a managerial role at one of English football’s most high-profile institutions.

Carrick’s new contract runs until June, when the club’s campaign concludes, and he will oversee first-team affairs during a transitional period for the Red Devils. The decision reflects United’s intention to stabilise their …

BUA Chairman Pledges $1.5m To Eagles For Semis, Final Bonus

January 11, 2026 4:55 am

Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has announced a major financial incentive for the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of their upcoming semi-final match. In a message directed to the team, Rabiu praised the players for lifting the nation’s spirit and pledged substantial rewards tied directly to their performance in the remaining stages of the competition.

“You have lifted the spirit of the nation, and we proudly cheer you on as you prepare for the semi-finals,” Rabiu said. To motivate the players further, he promised $500,000 to the team if they win the semi-final. In addition to that base …