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Pele, Messi, others pay tribute to Maradona

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  • Pele: I hope we can play football together in the sky
  • Diego is eternal, says Mess

Pele paid tribute to his fellow all-time great Diego Maradona after the Argentina legend’s death at the age of 60, saying, “One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky.”

The Brazilian three-time World Cup winner has consistently been compared as Maradona’s closest competitor in debates and polls to decide the greatest footballer of all time.

Pele, 80, issued heartfelt praise for Maradona, writing on his official Twitter account: “What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend.

“There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to family members. One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky.”

Maradona’s death was confirmed by Argentina’s football association. He had been in hospital in Buenos Aires after surgery to remove a blood clot on the brain earlier this month.

He captained his country to World Cup glory in Mexico in 1986, and later led Napoli to two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990.

Lionel Messi, the greatest Argentina player of the current generation, wrote on Instagram: “A very sad day for all Argentines and for football. He leaves us but does not leave, because Diego is eternal.

“I keep all the beautiful moments lived with him and I wanted to take the opportunity to send my condolences to all his family and friends. RIP.”

Argentina eliminated England from the 1986 finals at the quarter-final stage, as Maradona scored twice. The first was a blatant handball – ‘the Hand of God as Maradona described it – and the second a stunning solo effort.

Gary Lineker, who was playing for England that day, tweeted: “By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time.

“After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego”

Lineker later added on BT Sport: “I played for a Rest of the World side at Wembley, when I was at Barcelona, all the great players like (Michel) Platini on the pitch were all totally in awe of him.

“The first thing he did in the dressing room was sit there in just a pair of shorts, juggling his socks on his left foot for about five minutes.

“Then he went out on the pitch and did something incredible, one of the most unbelievable things I have even seen on a football pitch.

“He juggled the ball all the way out to the centre circle, when he got there, still juggling, he went ‘bang’ and kicked the ball up as high as he could, then waited.

“It came down; he went ‘bang’ and did it again. He did it 13 times and the most he ever did was walk three paces to it.

“All of us were sitting there saying: ‘that is impossible’.”

European football’s governing body UEFA held minute’s silences before all Wednesday night’s Champions League matches in tribute to Maradona.

Boca Juniors, where Maradona made his name before securing a then world-record transfer to Barcelona in 1982, tweeted: “Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego.”

Asif Kapadia, who directed the 2019 film Maradona, tweeted: “Can’t quite believe DM has gone. Hard to process.

“He always seemed indestructible. I had 10 hours with the man!! I touched his left foot. We did our best to show the world the man, the myth, the fighter he was. The greatest.”

Peter Reid, another member of the England side which suffered from the left foot – and hand – of Maradona in 1986, spoke highly of the South American’s incredible footballing gift, exhibited so gloriously during the 2-1 quarter-final win.

He said, “The crowd in the stadium exploded in terms of the first goal being given. There were a few of us running after the Tunisian referee but they didn’t see it. It was cute the way he did it, but to us on the pitch, it was obvious.

“My Spanish ain’t great and his Scouse wasn’t great, but I met him in Dubai a few years ago and I did ask him about it. He laughed, and he reiterated to me that it was the ‘Hand of God’. I am going to argue, because he cheated. But as bad as that one was, the second one was a great goal.”

Regarding that second goal, a slaloming solo effort voted the best of the century on an online FIFA poll in 2002, Reid said:”It’s something that I’ve seen once or twice, if I’m being honest. We were playing against someone who was at the absolute height of his career and as bad as the first goal was, that was outstanding.

“I saw him go past the great Alan Hansen in 1981 for the first time. He had this in his locker. He made people, like the No 16 [Peter Reid], look foolish.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: “There was a banner in Argentina some time ago when it said ‘it doesn’t matter what you have done with your life, it matters what you have done with our lives’.

“I think Maradona would have done in our generation. There are a few incredible players in history, and he is one of them.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, who alongside Messi is regarded as one of the game’s greatest current players, also offered his own personal tribute.

The Juventus and Portugal star posted on Twitter: “Today I bid farewell to a friend and the world farewells to an eternal genius.

“One of the best ever, an unmatched magician. Leaves too soon but leaves a boundless legacy and a void that will never be filled. RIP. You will never be forgotten.”

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Real Madrid Reach €20m Agreement for Inter Milan Star Denzel Dumfries

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Real Madrid Reach €20m Agreement for Inter Milan Star Denzel Dumfries
Denzel Dumfries

Real Madrid Reach €20m Agreement for Inter Milan Star Denzel Dumfries

Real Madrid have moved a step closer to strengthening their squad for the new season after reportedly reaching an agreement to sign Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries in a deal worth €20 million.

The Spanish giants are expected to activate the Dutch international’s release clause, paving the way for one of the most notable transfers of the summer window. Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reported that an agreement has been reached, with the player keen on making the move to the Santiago Bernabéu.

The signing comes as Real Madrid continue to reshape their squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with club officials viewing Dumfries as an experienced and versatile option capable of strengthening the right side of the team’s defence.

Since joining Inter Milan from PSV Eindhoven in 2021, Dumfries has established himself as one of the most effective attacking full-backs in European football. The 30-year-old has made 207 appearances for the Nerazzurri, scoring 27 goals and contributing numerous assists despite operating primarily in defensive roles.

His ability to play as a traditional right-back, wing-back and right-sided midfielder has made him a highly sought-after player in the transfer market. Real Madrid believe his pace, physical strength, attacking instincts and experience in top-level competitions will add significant value to the squad.

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Dumfries was a key figure for Inter Milan during a successful spell that saw the Italian side challenge for domestic honours and compete regularly in the UEFA Champions League. His performances for both club and country have enhanced his reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable players in his position.

Reports suggest several European clubs monitored the Netherlands international, but Real Madrid emerged as his preferred destination. The opportunity to play at the Santiago Bernabéu and compete for major trophies reportedly played a significant role in his decision.

The €20 million transfer fee is also being viewed as excellent business for Madrid, given Dumfries’ experience and proven track record at the highest level. With transfer fees continuing to rise across Europe, securing an established international defender at that price represents a relatively low-risk investment.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan are expected to begin the search for a replacement once the deal is finalized. Italian media reports indicate that Atalanta defender Marco Palacios is among the players being considered as the club prepares for life after Dumfries.

For Madrid, the move reflects the club’s continued strategy of blending experienced internationals with emerging talent as they seek to maintain their dominance in Spanish football and challenge for European honours.

If completed as expected, Dumfries would become one of Real Madrid’s first major acquisitions of the summer and could play an important role in the club’s plans for the upcoming season.

Real Madrid Reach €20m Agreement for Inter Milan Star Denzel Dumfries

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Arsenal Paint London Red as Thousands Celebrate Historic Premier League Triumph

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Arsenal Paint London Red as Thousands Celebrate Historic Premier League Triumph

Arsenal Paint London Red as Thousands Celebrate Historic Premier League Triumph

Thousands of Arsenal supporters flooded the streets of north London on Sunday as the club celebrated its long-awaited Premier League triumph with a jubilant open-top bus parade.

The festivities offered fans a chance to savour domestic glory despite the disappointment of falling short in their quest for European success.

Wearing the club’s iconic red-and-white colours, supporters lined major routes to catch a glimpse of manager Mikel Arteta and his players proudly displaying the Premier League trophy. Chants, waving flags and bursts of red smoke filled the air as fans revelled in Arsenal’s first league title since 2004.

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The celebrations drew huge crowds, with some supporters climbing rooftops, trees and traffic lights to secure a better view of the champions.

Arsenal sealed the title on May 19 after nearest challengers Manchester City were held to a draw by Bournemouth, ending a 22-year wait for the English top-flight crown and sparking scenes of celebration among the club’s global fan base.

Sunday’s parade marked the culmination of a remarkable season that restored Arsenal to the summit of English football and cemented Arteta’s place in the club’s modern history.

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Atletico Open to Selling Lookman Months After €35m Signing

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Atletico Open to Selling Lookman Months After €35m Signing

Atletico Open to Selling Lookman Months After €35m Signing

La Liga side Atletico Madrid are prepared to listen to offers for Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman just months after signing him from Atalanta in one of the winter window’s most significant deals. According to Fotospor, reports from Spain and Turkey indicate that the club may sanction his exit for roughly €60 million this summer. The development comes as a surprise given that Lookman only joined Diego Simeone’s side in February 2026 in a transfer worth approximately €35 million plus add-ons, signing a contract that runs until 2030.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a bright start to life in Madrid. He scored on his debut for Atletico in a 5-0 rout of Real Betis on February 5, 2026, finding the net in the 37th minute after just a couple of training sessions with his new teammates. “I’m very, very happy, very proud to make my debut tonight, especial performance from the team,” Lookman said after the match. “Obviously the team and the staff and everybody has welcomed me very nicely. It has made it easy for me to settle in.” His impact continued throughout the campaign, with Lookman playing a crucial role in securing Champions League qualification for Atletico. On May 12, 2026, he scored the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over Osasuna, converting a first-half penalty that mathematically guaranteed Atletico’s top-four finish in La Liga. However, despite contributing four La Liga goals alongside strikes in the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League, Lookman has reportedly struggled to adapt to Atletico’s demanding defensive structure, and Simeone is claimed to have backed the club’s decision to pursue offers as part of a larger team overhaul. Since joining Atletico, Lookman has played 24 official matches for the club, scoring nine goals and providing four assists, contributing directly to 13 goals in 1,381 minutes of play.

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Several Premier League clubs are expected to take note of the development right away. Arsenal is among those keeping an eye on developments, with manager Mikel Arteta said to admire Lookman’s mobility across the front line. Liverpool, who tracked the Nigerian during his time at Atalanta, is also interested, with his pressing tenacity and pace seen as a perfect fit for their style. Manchester United, another English team, is monitoring the situation, expressing a desire for more consistent output from their wide areas.

Outside England, Fenerbahçe are anticipated to renew their interest in Lookman, having previously been close to signing him before Atletico completed the deal in January. The Turkish giants had reached an agreement with both Lookman and Atalanta during the winter window, but the deal collapsed over bank guarantee issues. Galatasaray have also entered the race. According to Turkish media reports, the club’s star striker Victor Osimhen is providing positive references about his Nigerian international teammate to facilitate a potential move. Osimhen, who has reportedly been giving favorable recommendations about Lookman, is said to be ready to help convince the winger to join the Istanbul giants. Galatasaray’s biggest selling point is the opportunity to play in the Champions League, which could be a decisive factor in the Nigerian’s decision. Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to remain interested. In Italy, both Inter Milan and Juventus are admirers, although matching Atletico’s valuation of around €60 million and the player’s reported net salary of roughly €6 million per season may prove difficult for Serie A clubs.

Lookman’s move to Atletico Madrid was finalized after intense negotiations where the Spanish club outmaneuvered competition from Fenerbahce. The Nigerian international had endured a stormy relationship with Atalanta prior to his departure, requesting to leave the club citing broken promises and poor treatment. Lookman, who famously scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final for Atalanta in 2024 to end Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten run, registered 55 goals during his time in Bergamo. That performance made him the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a major European final and the first since 1975. He has previously played in England for Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City. His exceptional form earned him the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award in 2024, cementing his status as one of Africa’s top talents.

Despite reports of Atletico’s willingness to sell, some sources suggest the Spanish club now sees Lookman as an indispensable part of their sporting project following his standout performances, with any potential transfer requiring a fee closer to €70 million. As of the time of this report, no official decision has been made regarding Lookman’s future. The summer transfer window will determine whether the Nigerian international remains at the Wanda Metropolitano or seeks a new challenge elsewhere.

Atletico Open to Selling Lookman Months After €35m Signing

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