Sports
I wish Salah team could go out in AFCON group stage – Klopp
I wish Salah team could go out in AFCON group stage – Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said on Friday that he would not wish Mohamed Salah too much luck at the Africa Cup of Nations in the face of crucial club games without the top scorer.
Salah is away with Egypt for the tournament in Ivory Coast while Japan captain Wataru Endo will be involved at the Asian Cup in Qatar, with both players expected to go deep in the respective competitions.
The key players will not be back until the second week in February but Klopp said he sent them on their way this week without wishing them too much success.
“I said if I wish you good luck it would be a lie,” Klopp said ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round tie at Arsenal on Sunday.
“From a personal point of view, I would be happy if they go out in the group stage but that’s probably not possible. They can go on and win it.
“So it was ‘Good luck and come back healthy’. We have to deal with it and we will deal with it. I am pretty positive that we will find a way.”
Klopp does not really have a suitable replacement for Salah, who plays on the right side of his attack and has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season.
Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai was touted as a potential option but he has been ruled out for at least two matches with a hamstring injury sustained in the New Year’s Day win over Newcastle.
But Klopp, whose side are top of the Premier League, is confident Liverpool can fill the hole left by Salah.
“I think we played against West Ham (in last month’s League Cup quarter-final) without Mo on that side and Harvey Elliott played there,” he said.
“We have different offensive options who can all play that wing in a different way. Nobody else can play like Mo, it is not possible — we just have to use the boys with their skills.”
He also said, “Do we want to play without Mo? No. In the past we didn’t have to do it often but we always found a way.
“But we play Arsenal and you can lose to Arsenal with Mo Salah so it’s possible to lose to them without him.”
Klopp said he was braced for a challenging January, even though there are fewer Premier League games due to a mid-season player break.
Sports
Messi Makes History as Barcelona, Inter Miami Celebrate Asturias Award
Messi Makes History as Barcelona, Inter Miami Celebrate Asturias Award
Spanish giants Barcelona and Major League Soccer club Inter Miami have congratulated Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi after he received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, becoming the first individual footballer to win the prestigious honour.
Messi received the award from Princess Leonor of Spain during a ceremony at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo on Friday, October 23, 2026. The recognition celebrates his remarkable football career, sporting achievements and contributions to society beyond the pitch.
Barcelona, where Messi spent more than two decades of his career, praised their former captain for his exceptional talent, commitment to football and charitable work.
In a message shared on social media, the Spanish club described the award as richly deserved, highlighting the Argentine’s lasting impact both on and off the pitch.
Barcelona also reflected on Messi’s enduring connection with the club, noting that his successful career had become an inseparable part of its history and legacy.
The 38-year-old joined Barcelona’s youth academy at the age of 13 and went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, recording 672 goals and winning 35 trophies before leaving in 2021.
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Inter Miami, where Messi currently serves as captain, also celebrated the achievement, describing it as recognition of his influence beyond football.
“Congratulations, captain, on receiving the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. Your talent makes history. Your values leave a mark that goes far beyond soccer,” the American club said in its congratulatory message.
The Princess of Asturias Foundation recognised Messi for his extraordinary sporting career, exceptional talent and continued charitable work to improve access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children.
The award jury also highlighted his humility, consistency, respect for others and commitment to teamwork, describing qualities that have earned him admiration across the football world.
Messi expressed happiness at receiving the honour, explaining that it carried significance beyond his achievements on the pitch. Having lived in Spain for more than 20 years during his Barcelona career, he said he understood the importance of the recognition.
The Argentine’s trip to Oviedo was particularly emotional following the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi. Reports said his father had encouraged him to travel to Spain to receive the award, making the occasion even more meaningful to the football star.
The latest honour adds to Messi’s extraordinary collection of individual and team achievements, which includes eight Ballon d’Or awards and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
His recognition also reinforces his standing as a global sporting figure whose influence extends beyond goals, trophies and individual records.
Messi Makes History as Barcelona, Inter Miami Celebrate Asturias Award
Sports
Kane Beats Yamal to Win Major Football Award Ahead of Ballon d’Or Ceremony
Kane Beats Yamal to Win Major Football Award Ahead of Ballon d’Or Ceremony
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has beaten Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal to win the MARCA 100 award for the 2025/26 season, strengthening his profile ahead of Monday’s 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Kane finished first with 3,962 points in the annual ranking organised by Spanish sports newspaper MARCA, edging Yamal, who scored 3,937 points, by just 25 points. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé finished third with 3,440 points.
The award is decided by an international jury of journalists, former professional footballers and coaches. A total of 226 voters selected their top 15 players from a list of 100 nominees, with points allocated according to their rankings.
Kane’s victory comes after an outstanding campaign in which the England captain delivered impressive goalscoring numbers for Bayern Munich and his national team.
The striker scored 61 goals for Bayern across all competitions during the 2025/26 season and recorded 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country between August 2025 and July 2026, according to reports on the award.
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His performances helped Bayern secure major domestic honours, while his individual achievements further strengthened his credentials ahead of the Ballon d’Or announcement.
Kane also finished among the leading scorers in the UEFA Champions League and claimed the European Golden Shoe after an outstanding domestic league campaign.
Yamal, meanwhile, finished second in the MARCA 100 ranking after another impressive season for Barcelona and Spain. The young forward remains among the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or, alongside Kane and Mbappé. <Cite refs=
Mbappé’s third-place finish in the MARCA ranking adds to the attention surrounding the Real Madrid forward ahead of football’s major individual awards ceremony.
The MARCA 100 award has previously been won by Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, Vinícius Júnior and Yamal, who claimed the 2024/25 edition before finishing behind Kane this time.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26. The event marks the first time the prestigious football awards ceremony will be held in London.
Kane is among the leading contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or following his remarkable goalscoring season, but his MARCA 100 victory does not determine the outcome of the separate award, which is decided through its own voting process.
Kane Beats Yamal to Win Major Football Award Ahead of Ballon d’Or Ceremony
Sports
Chaos in Abeokuta as Algerian Fans Attack Coach, Vandalise Stadium After Rangers Defeat
Angry supporters of MC Alger allegedly attacked a member of their club’s technical crew and vandalised stadium facilities after the Algerian side lost 2–0 to Enugu Rangers in the first leg of their CAF Champions League qualifying tie in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The disorder occurred on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, shortly after Rangers secured a crucial victory against the visiting Algerian champions.
Reports said more than 400 travelling supporters expressed their anger following the defeat, with some allegedly destroying seats in the covered stands and damaging other stadium facilities.
The situation reportedly escalated when some supporters followed members of the MC Alger delegation towards the players’ tunnel, where an assistant coach was allegedly assaulted.
Nigerian police officers attached to the Algerian delegation reportedly intervened and rescued the coach from further attacks, while security operatives subsequently restricted movement around the stadium to prevent additional violence.
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Former Super Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba was also reportedly attacked by members of the Algerian delegation in the VVIP section as he attempted to exchange pleasantries after the match. Further details surrounding the reported incident were not immediately available.
The ugly scenes overshadowed an impressive performance by Rangers, who overcame an early setback to secure a two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg in Algeria.
The Nigerian champions were reduced to 10 players in the first half after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh was sent off. MC Alger also lost a player when defender Oussama Benhaoua received a second yellow card in the second half.
With both sides reduced to 10 players, Rangers capitalised on their opportunities late in the match. Kenneth Igboke converted a penalty to give the hosts the lead before James Emo scored again to seal the 2–0 victory.
The result puts Rangers in a favourable position ahead of the return fixture scheduled for October 23 in Algiers, where they will attempt to protect their advantage and progress in the continental competition.
However, the reported violence has raised concerns about crowd control, stadium security and the conduct of travelling supporters at African club football matches.
Rangers will also be mindful of their history against MC Alger. In 1976, the Nigerian club won the first leg of their African Cup of Champions Clubs encounter 2–0 but lost the return match 3–0, exiting the competition 3–2 on aggregate. MC Alger went on to win the continental title that year.
The Nigerian side will now seek to avoid a repeat of that outcome as it pursues qualification for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage.
Chaos in Abeokuta as Algerian Fans Attack Coach, Vandalise Stadium After Rangers Defeat
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