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Napoli President confirms Victor Osimhen’s summer departure

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Victor Osimhen

Napoli President confirms Victor Osimhen’s summer departure

Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has officially announced that Victor Osimhen will depart the club this summer. Despite signing a new contract with the Italian champions just last month, it’s been revealed that the agreement includes a release clause of approximately £112m.

The 25-year-old striker recently expressed his intention to explore new opportunities during the summer transfer window. Osimhen hinted at a potential move to the Premier League, with reported interest from Chelsea and Arsenal. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also closely monitoring the situation, while Manchester United is actively seeking an elite centre-forward and has been previously linked to Osimhen.

In a conversation with reporters, De Laurentiis disclosed that negotiations for the new contract had an understanding about Osimhen’s departure destination. He stated, “This was already known since this summer; our negotiations [over the new contract] were friendly, otherwise, it would not have been so long. We knew he would go to Real Madrid, PSG, or a top English club.”

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Osimhen showcased exceptional form for Napoli during the 2022-23 season, scoring 31 goals and providing five assists in 39 appearances across all competitions. His prolific performances, especially in Serie A with 26 goals, played a vital role in Napoli clinching the title. However, the current season has seen Napoli struggle in their title defense, placing them in ninth position.

Despite the challenges, Napoli remains within reach of Champions League football, sitting just three points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina. Osimhen, with eight goals and three assists in 18 appearances this season, continues to be a crucial asset for Napoli.

Having joined Napoli from Lille in 2020, Osimhen has made 119 appearances for the club, scoring 67 goals and providing 17 assists. Currently with the Nigeria squad at the Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen’s contributions have helped his country reach the last-16 stage, where they will face Cameroon. The striker’s departure marks a significant transition for Napoli as they navigate the challenges of reshaping their squad for the future.

Napoli President confirms Victor Osimhen’s summer departure

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Kane Beats Yamal to Win Major Football Award Ahead of Ballon d’Or Ceremony

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Kane Beats Yamal to Win Major Football Award Ahead of Ballon d’Or Ceremony
Harry Kane

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

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Chaos in Abeokuta as Algerian Fans Attack Coach, Vandalise Stadium After Rangers Defeat

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Chaos in Abeokuta as Algerian Fans Attack Coach, Vandalise Stadium After Rangers Defeat
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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Mbappé Runs Riot as Real Madrid Crush Sevilla 4-1 Ahead of El Clásico

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Mbappé Runs Riot as Real Madrid Crush Sevilla 4-1 Ahead of El Clásico
Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé Runs Riot as Real Madrid Crush Sevilla 4-1 Ahead of El Clásico

Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Sevilla 4-1 in their La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, October 18, 2026, boosting their confidence ahead of next weekend’s highly anticipated El Clásico against Barcelona.

The French forward produced a standout performance, scoring from open play before converting a penalty to help Real Madrid secure a convincing victory. Arda Güler and Yan Diomande also found the net for the hosts, while Manu Bueno scored Sevilla’s only goal.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 30th minute when Güler collected a pass from Diomande and unleashed a superb left-footed strike into the top corner.

Mbappé doubled the advantage seven minutes later after combining with Jude Bellingham. The striker controlled a clever backheel pass, evaded his marker and goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, and calmly finished to put the hosts firmly in control.

The Real Madrid forward completed his brace in the 63rd minute, converting a penalty with a cheeky Panenka-style chip after Sevilla defender Andrés Castrín brought him down inside the penalty area.

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Sevilla attempted to fight their way back into the contest when substitute Manu Bueno scored in the 80th minute, capitalising on a mistake by Mbappé.

However, Real Madrid responded almost immediately. Diomande collected the ball and unleashed a powerful strike in the 82nd minute to restore the hosts’ three-goal advantage and seal the 4-1 victory.

The result provided Real Madrid with a timely boost before their meeting with Barcelona in El Clásico on October 25. The Spanish giants will look to carry their attacking momentum into the crucial encounter.

Sevilla, meanwhile, were left to reflect on another disappointing result at the Bernabéu as Real Madrid demonstrated their attacking strength and ability to punish defensive mistakes.

 

Mbappé Runs Riot as Real Madrid Crush Sevilla 4-1 Ahead of El Clásico

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