Sports

Ronaldo in tears as Al Nassr lose King’s Cup final

Published

4 weeks ago

June 1, 2024

Ronaldo in tears as Al Nassr lose King’s Cup final

Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears after his Al Nassr side lost the Saudi King’s Cup final to Al Hilal in a penalty shootout on Friday to end the season without a trophy.

Following Al Nassr’s defeat, Ronaldo sunk to the turf and was inconsolable as teammates and coaching staff tried to comfort him.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was eventually led off the field but continued to be overcome with emotion as he sat on the sideline before collecting his runners-up medal.

The loss completes a frustrating season for Ronaldo. Al Nassr finished a distant second to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and were beaten in the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League.

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Ronaldo was also suspended for an obscene gesture in February at Al Shabab fans who had been chanting the name of Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s longstanding rival.

However, the 39-year-old did achieve plenty of personal accolades. In his first full Saudi Pro League season, the Portugal forward scored a record-breaking 35 goals.

But he could do nothing to prevent his side’s loss on Friday, despite finding the net in the shootout.

Aleksandar Mitrovic put Al Hilal ahead in the seventh minute before Aiman Yahya sent the game to extra time with an 88th-minute equaliser. An eventful contest saw the referee produce three red cards, with David Ospina sent off for Al Nassr in the 57th minute before Ali Al-Bulayhi and Kalidou Koulibaly followed late on for Al Hilal.

Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was eventually the hero as he saved Al Nassr’s final two penalties to secure the trophy

Al Hilal’s success has come despite star Brazilian forward Neymar missing almost the entire season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee in October, shortly after joining from Paris Saint-Germain. While not on the field, Neymar was again in attendance on Friday to cheer on his team from the stands.

Ronaldo in tears as Al Nassr lose King’s Cup final

Sports

Osimhen’s attitude, character scaring European clubs, says ex-striker Peter Ijeh

Published

2 days ago

June 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Victor Osimhen

Osimhen’s attitude, character scaring European clubs, says ex-striker Peter Ijeh

Former Nigeria striker Peter Ijeh reckons suitors are avoiding Victor Osimhen like plague because of the attitude and character of the Napoli striker.

Commenting on a Facebook post on Tuesday, Ijeh, who spent a major part of his career in Scandinavia, said Europe is a small community that takes attitude and character as keys, which he thinks the Nigeria striker doesn’t understand.

“How I wish he understood that Europe is a small community that takes attitude and character as keys because it is directly influenced by children, and at the same time, they are notorious for double standards. Even Lagos is bigger than six countries, so it is more or less a community where everybody knows everybody,” said Ijeh, ostensibly reflecting on Osimhen’s verbal onslaught on former Super Eagles coach Finidi George.

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Osimhen has played his last match for Napoli, having made clear his decision to leave Diego Maradona Stadium at the end of last season. Napoli are willing to sell the player, but his £100 million release clause has been a major stumbling block to his transfer.

The club recently lowered the sum to £85 million, with Manchester United reportedly leaping onto the fray, but the Red Devils have also backed down like Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal and are currently in negotiations with Alvaro Moratta.

Napoli offered him to Manchester United and were willing to take Mason Greenwood plus some cash.

Meanwhile, new Napoli coach Antonio Conte has reportedly told Osimhen he will not be his main striker next season.

Osimhen’s attitude, character scaring European clubs, says ex-striker Peter Ijeh

Sports

Aston Villa opens offers for Fiorentina’s Kayode

Published

3 days ago

June 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Michael Kayode

Aston Villa opens offers for Fiorentina’s Kayode

Aston Villa have tabled an opening bid for Fiorentina full-back Michael Kayode, the 19-year-old Nigerian descent who exploded onto the scene last season in Serie A.

Transfer expert Alfredo Pedulla was quoted as saying that the Premier League club will use the funds collected in the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus, to help finance the deal.

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Villa sporting Director, Monchi, is thought to be a huge fan of the player and Pedulla claimed that the Birmingham club has made an initial offer of €15M plus bonuses. Fiorentina are understood to be ready to sell for a fee in the region of €20M with the two parties now close to an agreement.

Sports

Napoli plans to slash asking price for Victor Osimhen

Published

4 days ago

June 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Victor Osimhen

Napoli plans to slash asking price for Victor Osimhen

Italian club, Napoli is reportedly set to reduce their asking price for Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen.The Nigerian international currently has a €150 million release clause in his contract, which has put off some of his potential buyers.

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Italian reports have claimed that Napoli will lessen their release clause stance on the Nigerian, with Calciomercato stating the Partenopei may lower their initial valuation to €100 million.Napoli’s new coach, Antonio Conte is said to be aiming to bring in Romelu Lukaku as his replacement, with the pair interested in being reunited after working together at Inter for two seasons before the manager’s resignation after claiming the 2020-21 Scudetto.