It’s the summer all over again for Cristiano Ronaldo, who could be replaced at Manchester United by a forward who’s already flopped in the No.7 shirt…
SAUDIS ONLY TAKERS SO FAR FOR RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo starts his World Cup campaign with Portugal later today as a free agent. The 37-year-old needs to put himself in the shop window, it would seem…
After it was announced by Manchester United on Tuesday evening that the megastar had been cut loose, Ronaldo might have expected a clamour at his door. Instead, clubs are only queueing up to register their non-interest.
Newcastle, tempted as though their Saudi owners perhaps were, won’t be making Ronaldo an offer, with Football Insider saying he does not fit the Magpies’ transfer policy. It’s hard to think of a club where he would.
Nor are Chelsea keen. Todd Boehly wanted to bring the former Real Madrid star to Stamford Bridge last summer but Thomas Tuchel said no. Even with the German gone, though, The Sun says the Boehly won’t be tempted again.
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Once again, it seems the only firm interest is from Saudi Arabia. In the summer, Ronaldo turned down silly money to move to Saudi’s Pro League, with the forward keen to play again in the Champions League. The Telegraph says the Saudis will try again now Ronaldo has no ties.
UNITED MOVING FOR MEMPHIS
United are considering how they go about replacing Ronaldo, with Erik ten Hag shorn of a problem but short of strikers.
The Daily Mail says the Red Devils are contemplating whether to take the Odion Ighalo approach once more by signing a forward on loan for the rest of the season.
Sport suggests United have already set in motion a move for Memphis Depay. The Holland striker could be available on a free in January, with Barcelona willing to tear up the remainder of his contract if it saves them half a season’s worth of wages. Of course, Depay has already had one stint at Old Trafford and, let’s be honest, he was bloody awful.
PREM TRIO EYE FRANCE STAR
Ten Hag was keen to sign Adrien Rabiot last summer but no deal could be agreed with the Juventus midfielder. As Rabiot approaches free agency, three other Premier League big hitters are planning on trying their luck with the France international.
According to Calciomercato, Arsenal and Chelsea are both willing to give Ma Rabiot the deal she’s seeking for her son. Since United walked away from negotiations, the former PSG star has been in outstanding form for Juve, strengthening his representative’s bargaining position.
Tottenham too are also looking to elbow their way towards the front of the line. Juve are keen to agree a renewal with Rabiot, but the Old Lady fears being blown out of the water by Premier League offers.
Super Eagles seal AFCON 2025 spot, draw 1-1 against Benin
Victor Osimhen’s late header helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan, clinching their qualification for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Benin, playing their matches in Côte d’Ivoire, took an early lead in the 16th minute when Mohammed Tijani headed in a short corner.
The goal followed a period of sustained pressure from the Beninoise side on the Nigerian defence.
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Benin nearly doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save to keep Nigeria in the game.
Osimhen threatened as the first half progressed, with a powerful header that narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Benin came close again, but a shot veered inches wide of the right post, sparing the Eagles further trouble.
With nine minutes remaining, Osimhen rose to the occasion, connecting with a precise cross from Moses Simon to level the score at 1-1.
With this result, the Super Eagles top Group D with 11 points from five matches, while Benin hold second place with seven points.
BREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.
This result leaves Rwanda with five points from five matches, rendering them unable to surpass Nigeria in the standings, even if they win their upcoming match against the Super Eagles in Uyo.
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Currently, Nigeria leads Group D with 10 points, followed by Benin with six points, Rwanda with five, and Libya at the bottom with four points.
Benin remains in contention for the second qualification spot and will face Nigeria in a crucial match tonight.
Libya is set to host Benin in the final Group D game on Monday.
Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut, and 19 years after being battered into retirement, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson will climb back into the ring on Friday for a Netflix-backed bout that has drawn widespread condemnation across the boxing world.
Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division during an imperious reign in the late 1980s, is lacing up the gloves once more to take on Youtuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
The fight, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds, was initially due to take place in July but was postponed in May after Tyson required medical treatment on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles after vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer.
That gory mid-air emergency has provided another piece of ammunition for the numerous critics who have condemned Friday’s contest as a macabre circus act that poses an unacceptable level of risk for Tyson, who last graced a professional ring in 2005, when he was beaten via a technical knockout after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.
“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” the prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.
“If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”
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Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren echoed those sentiments.
“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said after the bout was announced. “It’s as simple as that.
“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”
Tyson, who US reports say is being paid around $20 million for Friday’s contest, has brushed off the concerns for his wellbeing, insisting when critics from the boxing world are motivated by jealousy.
“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he said earlier this year. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No-one else can do this.”
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