Sports

Wayne Rooney Denies Rift With Ronaldo, Praises Former Teammate

Wayne Rooney Denies Rift With Ronaldo, Hails His Successes

September 27, 2025 10:08 am

Wayne Rooney has moved to quash speculation about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting he harbors nothing but admiration for the Portuguese forward.

The former Manchester United and England captain addressed lingering rumors during a conversation on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, emphasizing the depth of their friendship on and off the pitch.

“For years, people think I hate him. I love him. I think he’s an absolute genius and what he’s doing is incredible,” Rooney said. “I love Cristiano and playing with him. I don’t think people realize how close me and him were.”

Rooney’s comments come amid long-standing debate over …

Chelsea Faces Turmoil As Players Question Maresca’s Leadership

Chelsea Faces Turmoil As Players Probe Maresca’s Leadership

September 27, 2025 9:12 am

Chelsea’s season is under scrutiny just weeks into the Premier League campaign, as off-field unrest threatens to overshadow on-pitch ambitions. Despite significant investment in the squad, concerns are emerging over the management of head coach Enzo Maresca.

Reports indicate that key players are unsettled under Maresca, raising questions about his tactical decisions and leadership style. Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s standout performers since joining from Manchester City, is reportedly dissatisfied with his role. The 23-year-old, often deployed in systems that limit his creative and goal-scoring abilities, has voiced frustration, highlighting potential discord in the squad.

Beyond Palmer, sources suggest

…
Alaba Likely To Leave Real Madrid At Contract End In 2026

Alaba Likely To Leave Real Madrid At Contract End In 2026

September 26, 2025 7:46 am

David Alaba’s time at Real Madrid appears set to end in 2026, when his current contract runs out, according to multiple reports. While Alaba has publicly dismissed rumours of an early exit, many media outlets—especially in Spain—believe his departure at the end of the 2025-26 season is almost certain. 

Alaba, now 33, joined Madrid in 2021 after a distinguished spell at Bayern Munich, where he won multiple league titles and Champions League trophies. At present, he remains under contract until June 2026, but changes in the club’s defensive ranks, fitness issues, and incoming younger defenders are pushing him further down …

Hansi Flick Reaches 50 Wins At Barcelona Faster Than Xavi

Hansi Flick Reaches 50 Wins At Barcelona Faster Than Xavi

September 26, 2025 7:35 am

Barcelona has a rich tradition of measuring its coaches not just by trophies, but also by how quickly they establish dominance. One of the clearest benchmarks has always been the time it takes to secure 50 victories in charge of the Catalan giants. Looking back at the club’s last eight managers, the comparisons are fascinating and reveal both the evolution of styles and the relentless pressure that comes with leading Barça.

Johan Cruyff, the man who laid the foundations for modern Barcelona football, needed 82 matches to claim his first 50 wins. His revolutionary ideas took time to settle, but …

José Mourinho Faces Growing Scrutiny As Benfica Held By Rio Ave

José Mourinho Faces Growing Scrutiny As Benfica Held By Rio

September 25, 2025 12:37 pm

José Mourinho is facing early pressure at Benfica after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Rio Ave, a result that leaves the Lisbon club trailing in the Primeira Liga title race.

Benfica looked set for a crucial win at the Estadio da Luz before conceding a stoppage-time equalizer that stunned home fans and denied Mourinho back-to-back victories since taking charge. The draw leaves the Eagles four points behind league leaders and intensifies questions about their ability to compete for the championship.

Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Benfica struggled to turn control into goals. Mourinho, visibly …

Rooney: ‘Ballon d’Or Rankings A Joke, Raphinha Deserved’

Rooney: ‘Ballon d’Or Rankings A Joke, Raphinha Deserved’

September 25, 2025 9:05 am

Wayne Rooney has delivered a stinging verdict on the latest Ballon d’Or results, branding the rankings a “joke” and insisting that Raphinha should have been crowned the winner. The former Manchester United and England captain was left baffled by the voting, particularly with Vitinha finishing third and Raphinha only fifth.

Speaking candidly, Rooney said: “It’s a joke, really. How come Raphinha finished fifth and Vitinha third? He led his team in key moments, played with passion and heart, and gave us some magical nights. If that doesn’t deserve the Ballon d’Or, what does? For me, he should have been number …

Silva Slams Schedule After City’s Draw With Arsenal

Silva Slams Schedule After City’s Draw With Arsenal

September 25, 2025 8:52 am

Bernardo Silva has voiced his frustration after Manchester City’s 2–2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League, criticising what he described as an “unfair” scheduling disadvantage. The Portuguese midfielder argued that City were left at a serious disadvantage after having just two and a half days of rest compared to Arsenal’s five, insisting that such disparities should not be allowed in high-stakes matches.

“It’s not fair to play one of these games like this,” Silva said in a post-match interview. “It’s just not right. They had five days of rest, we had two and a half. In one of the …

2030 World Cup Nears Historic Expansion To 64 Teams

2030 World Cup Nears Historic Expansion To 64 Teams

September 25, 2025 8:39 am

The 2030 World Cup looks set to mark a historic milestone, with football edging closer to hosting its first-ever 64-team tournament. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez, speaking in New York ahead of a high-profile summit in the United States, hinted at a development he described as “something that will shock the world.” FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the presidents of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will also attend the meeting, underlining its significance.

Domínguez’s comments point to a growing momentum behind the expansion plans, which could be formally announced as early as next week when the FIFA Council convenes. The Council, where …

Mourinho Slams VAR: ‘I Don’t Like Today’s Football’

Mourinho Slams VAR: ‘I Don’t Like Today’s Football’

September 25, 2025 8:18 am

Jose Mourinho has launched a fresh attack on modern officiating, voicing his frustration at the growing influence of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football. The Portuguese manager, known for his outspoken nature, lamented the way goals are being ruled out for what he sees as trivial offences, arguing that technology is taking the spotlight away from players and undermining the essence of the game.

Speaking in typically forthright fashion, Mourinho said: “I don’t like the current state of football, where goals are disallowed for a simple shirt pull or a minor foot contact. The main actors in matches are …

Tchouaméni Suspended For Two France Matches After Red Card

Tchouaméni Suspended For Two France Matches After Red Card

September 24, 2025 6:33 pm

Aurélien Tchouaméni has been handed a two-match suspension by UEFA and the French Football Federation, meaning he will miss France’s upcoming qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland during the October international break. The ban comes after the Real Madrid midfielder was sent off in his country’s recent 2–1 win over Iceland following a red card upgraded via video review. 

As a consequence, Tchouaméni will remain in Madrid during the October break instead of being called up to Les Bleus’ squad. For Real Madrid, the development offers both relief and opportunity: relief that one of their key players won’t be traveling or …

Agnelli Gets Suspended Sentence In Juventus Accounting Case

September 24, 2025 6:13 pm

Former Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has been handed a suspended sentence of 1 year and 8 months in a plea bargain deal sanctioned by a Roman court. The ruling, part of the so-called “Prisma” case involving false accounting and inflated capital gains, spares him actual prison time, given the nature of the judicial agreement under Italian law. 

The plea bargain also saw reduced sentences for other former Juventus executives. Ex-vice president Pavel Nedved was given a 1 year and 2 month suspended sentence, while former sporting director Fabio Paratici received a 1 year and 6 month suspension. The club itself …

Madueke Faces 6–8 Week Layoff; ACL Reportedly Intact

Madueke Faces 6–8 Week Layoff; ACL Reportedly Intact

September 24, 2025 5:09 pm

Arsenal have confirmed that winger Noni Madueke is set to miss up to six to eight weeks following a knee injury sustained during their 1–1 draw with Manchester City. While the setback is significant, early reports suggest that he has not suffered damage to his ACL, offering a sliver of relief to both the club and the player. 

The injury forced Madueke off at halftime, limping down the tunnel, in a match where he had been influential before the knock. Manager Mikel Arteta described the situation as serious but not catastrophic, emphasizing that further scanning will clarify the full extent …

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𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤, is a nonpartisan online news portal founded on the truth to provide you with weekly, insightful articles written with precision and current updates on current events from Africa in particular and the rest of the world in general. All of our reports undergo extensive fact-checking to ensure their veracity, and we adhere strictly to the facts, no matter whose ox is gored.

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