Sports
Super Eagles coach: NFF considers France women’s manager
Super Eagles coach: NFF considers France women’s manager
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is interested in making Herve Renard the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
L’Equipe reports that although Renard is still manager of the France Women’s team, his time in the role is coming to an end.
He is expected to leave at the end of the Olympics.
Renard also confirmed he has informed the France Football Federation, FFF, about his intentions.
READ ALSO:
- Naira exchanges for N1,280/$ on parallel market
- FG shifts Port Harcourt-Aba train launch to April, connects to two seaports
- Ningi will join us in few days, says Senate President
“It’s a difficult job. If I had to be brief, I have in the back of my mind the 2026 World Cup in men’s football.
“I hope that it will be my third World Cup at the head of a men’s team. These are my personal motivations,” he said.
Renard will not be short of suitors. The former Zambia and Ivory Coast manager is reportedly a target not just for Nigeria, but also for Poland, South Korea, Cameroon and Morocco, in the event that Walid Regragui leaves his post.
Renard will look to guide Les Bleues to their first gold medal finish at the Summer Olympics, after which he wants to work on taking a men’s national team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Super Eagles coach: NFF considers France women’s manager
Sports
Lionel Messi’s napkin contract sells for £762,400
Lionel Messi’s napkin contract sells for £762,400
The napkin on which Barcelona agreed to sign 13-year-old Lionel Messi was sold in an auction for £762,400.
The beginning price was £300,000 for the ‘standard Spanish waxy napkin’, which measures 16.5 x 16.5cm and is laminated and framed.
The serviette, written in blue ink in December 2000, contains a vow from ex-Barcelona director Carles Rexach to sign Messi.
It was also signed by Josep Minguella, the Spanish club’s transfer adviser, and agency Horacio Gaggioli, who recommended the Argentine teenager.
On Gaggioli’s behalf, London-based Bonhams held an online auction for the blue-ink serviette.
Messi joined Barcelona a month after the purchase was agreed upon and went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, with many considering him the greatest player in history.
He made his first-team debut at the age of 16 and went on to score a club record 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona. Messi won ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona before moving to Paris St-Germain in 2021; the 36-year-old World Cup winner now plays for Inter Miami.
READ ALSO:
- Referee saved Fury from knock-out in Round 9, says Usyk’s promoter
- NDLEA declares couple wanted, houses sealed after cocaine seizure
- JUST IN: Helicopter carrying Iran’s president crash-lands
The serviette was signed during a meeting arranged by Rexach, who brought Messi’s father Jorge to lunch after the Messi family expressed worries about Barcelona’s lack of responsiveness following the teenager’s initial trial.
Translated into English, it reads: “In Barcelona, on December 14, 2000, and in the presence of Messrs.
“Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.”
Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, said: “Since the sale was first announced, it has captured international attention, and fans all over the world have anticipated this day.
“What a wonderful result for one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled. Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career.
“It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”
Bonhams mentioned that “allegations concerning the ownership of the napkin were raised in March but have not been substantiated and appear from recent press comments to have been retracted.”.
The auction house adds, “The consignor of the napkin has received a legal opinion that confirms to them that they have clear title and the right to sell the napkin under Spanish law, and the seller gives a full warranty of title with the sale.”
Lionel Messi’s napkin contract sells for £762,400
Sports
Referee saved Fury from knock-out in Round 9, says Usyk’s promoter
Referee saved Fury from knock-out in Round 9, says Usyk’s promoter
Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk believes the victory should have come earlier than it did as the fight didn’t have to go past the ninth round.
Fury was saved by the ropes, and then the bell after a flurry of punches from Usyk almost sent him to the canvas.
“I am exhausted. I was cheering and backing Usyk the whole fight. No disrespect to the referee but he stole the KO. That’s my opinion. It was a tremendous performance.” Krassyuk told DAZN.
READ ALSO:
- NDLEA declares couple wanted, houses sealed after cocaine seizure
- JUST IN: Helicopter carrying Iran’s president crash-lands
- Mother, 2 kids, motorbike rider crushed to death in Osun
Usyk, however, did enough at the end of 12 Rounds to earn a split decision victory.
Two judges scored in his favour – 115-113 and 114-113 with the other giving it to Fury at 114-113.
Referee saved Fury from knock-out in Round 9, says Usyk’s promoter
Sports
Ronaldo tops Forbes, earning twice as much as Messi
Ronaldo tops Forbes, earning twice as much as Messi
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes’s global list of highest-paid athletes, earning $260 million in the past 12 months, twice as much as his rival Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo became the highest-paid athlete after moving to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The 39-year-old star’s earnings include a $200 million fixed salary and $60 million from sponsorship deals, thanks to his massive social media following.
In contrast, Messi, who moved to Inter Miami in the MLS, earned $135 million, placing him third on the list. This includes $65 million in salary and $70 million from sponsorships with brands like Adidas and Apple.
READ ALSO:
- Relief as 386 persons abducted in 2014 rescued from Sambisa Forest
- Oba Of Benin receives 2 looted ancestral stools from Germany
- Flamingos thrash Burkinabe Girls 6-0 in U-17 World Cup qualifier
Golfer Jon Rahm is second on the list, earning $218 million after joining the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s tournament system.
The top five also include NBA stars LeBron James ($128.2 million) and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($111 million). Other notable athletes include Kylian Mbappe ($110 million), Neymar ($108 million), Karim Benzema ($106 million), Steph Curry, and Lamar Jackson (both $100.5 million).
Overall, the 50 highest-paid athletes earned $3.88 billion over the past year, with the NBA contributing the most athletes to the list. The earnings highlight a generational shift, with many long-time top earners retiring or nearing the end of their careers.
Ronaldo tops Forbes, earning twice as much as Messi
-
News3 days ago
Using pre-registered SIM card may land you in jail, NCC warns
-
metro2 days ago
Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos
-
metro2 days ago
Breaking: Women protest against return of armed Okuama youths (+ Photos)
-
Sports17 hours ago
Flamingos thrash Burkinabe Girls 6-0 in U-17 World Cup qualifier
-
metro2 days ago
Updated: Many injured, shops destroyed in truck, BRT bus crash on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (PHOTOS)
-
News3 days ago
Police grill Osun monarch, Ataoja of Osogbo, over petition
-
News1 day ago
Nigeria will stop fuel importation by June – Dangote
-
Education18 hours ago
Wigwe varsity becomes most expensive Nigerian university, unseats Nile, Baze