Celtic are close to completing a loan deal for Chelsea youngster Landon Emenalo, with the 18-year-old expected to move to the Scottish giants on loan for the remainder of the 2026-2027 season, according to Sky Sports UK.

Born in Arizona, United States, the versatile fullback is the son of former Super Eagles defender and Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo, who impressed at the 1994 World Cup as cover for the injured Benedict Iroha.

Celtic and Chelsea are finalising the details of a straight loan agreement that will see Emenalo provide cover for experienced left-back Kieran Tierney.

Landon was promoted to first-team training during pre-season preparations, where he showcased his versatility and composure despite his young age.

The England U19 international featured in the friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, playing 63 minutes in Chelsea’s 6-4 victory.

Emenalo is capable of operating both as a left-backCeltic To Wrap Up Loan Deal For Super Eagles Defender’s Son

Celtic are close to completing a loan deal for Chelsea youngster Landon Emenalo, with the 18-year-old expected to move to the Scottish giants on loan for the remainder of the 2026-2027 season, according to Sky Sports UK.

Born in Arizona, United States, the versatile fullback is the son of former Super Eagles defender and Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo, who impressed at the 1994 World Cup as cover for the injured Benedict Iroha.

Celtic and Chelsea are finalising the details of a straight loan agreement that will see Emenalo provide cover for experienced left-back Kieran Tierney.
Celtic To Wrap Up Loan Deal For Super Eagles Defender’s Son

Celtic are close to completing a loan deal for Chelsea youngster Landon Emenalo, with the 18-year-old expected to move to the Scottish giants on loan for the remainder of the 2026-2027 season, according to Sky Sports UK.

Born in Arizona, United States, the versatile fullback is the son of former Super Eagles defender and Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo, who impressed at the 1994 World Cup as cover for the injured Benedict Iroha.

Celtic and Chelsea are finalising the details of a straight loan agreement that will see Emenalo provide cover for experienced left-back Kieran Tierney.

Landon was promoted to first-team training during pre-season preparations, where he showcased his versatility and composure despite his young age.

The England U19 international featured in the friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, playing 63 minutes in Chelsea’s 6-4 victory.

Emenalo is capable of operating both as a left-back and in midfield, giving Celtic Celtic To Wrap Up Loan Deal For Super Eagles Defender’s Son

Celtic are close to completing a loan deal for Chelsea youngster Landon Emenalo, with the 18-year-old expected to move to the Scottish giants on loan for the remainder of the 2026-2027 season, according to Sky Sports UK.

Born in Arizona, United States, the versatile fullback is the son of former Super Eagles defender and Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo, who impressed at the 1994 World Cup as cover for the injured Benedict Iroha.

Celtic and Chelsea are finalising the details of a straight loan agreement that will see Emenalo provide cover for experienced left-back Kieran Tierney.

Landon was promoted to first-team training during pre-season preparations, where he showcased his versatility and composure despite his young age.

The England U19 international featured in the friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, playing 63 minutes in Chelsea’s 6-4 victory.

Emenalo is capable of operating both as a left-back and in midfield, giving Celtic manager Martin O’Neill another option across two positions.

The teenager is currently recovering from a knock suffered during Chelsea training earlier this summer but he’s expected to complete the move before the transfer window closes for business.

He has received three call-ups for competitive matches played by the Blues but has yet to make his senior debut for the Premier League giants. Martin O’Neill another option across two positions.

The teenager is currently recovering from a knock suffered during Chelsea training earlier this summer but he’s expected to complete the move before the transfer window closes for business.

He has received three call-ups for competitive matches played by the Blues but has yet to make his senior debut for the Premier League giants.
Landon was promoted to first-team training during pre-season preparations, where he showcased his versatility and composure despite his young age.

The England U19 international featured in the friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, playing 63 minutes in Chelsea’s 6-4 victory.

Emenalo is capable of operating both as a left-back and in midfield, giving Celtic manager Martin O’Neill another option across two positions.

The teenager is currently recovering from a knock suffered during Chelsea training earlier this summer but he’s expected to complete the move before the transfer window closes for business.

He has received three call-ups for competitive matches played by the Blues but has yet to make his senior debut for the Premier League giants. and in midfield, giving Celtic manager Martin O’Neill another option across two positions.

The teenager is currently recovering from a knock suffered during Chelsea training earlier this summer but he’s expected to complete the move before the transfer window closes for business.

He has received three call-ups for competitive matches played by the Blues but has yet to make his senior debut for the Premier League giants.

Cameroon football legend Samuel Eto’o has publicly defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino, insisting the Swiss administrator has “not done anything wrong” and deserves another term at the helm of world football.

The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker believes Infantino’s leadership has transformed global football, particularly by creating more opportunities for smaller nations and boosting football development across Africa.

Speaking to CNN Sports, Eto’o argued that the recent scrutiny surrounding Infantino should be viewed in the context of the upcoming election rather than as a reflection of his leadership.

“He has not done anything wrong”

Eto’o made his position unmistakably clear when asked about the criticism directed at the FIFA president.

“I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong,” Eto’o said.

The FECAFOOT president suggested that the timing of the criticism is closely linked to FIFA’s electoral cycle.

The four-time African Player of the Year credited Infantino with reshaping international football by expanding access to major tournaments.

Eto’o pointed to the FIFA World Cup’s expansion as one of the Swiss official’s most significant achievements.

He said, “President Gianni Infantino has changed football. He’s given opportunities to nations that didn’t have those opportunities to take part in the most beautiful tournament, the World Cup. He enabled smaller nations to get seats at these competitions.”

Beyond the expanded World Cup, Eto’o believes African football has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Infantino’s presidency.

The former Cameroon captain praised FIFA’s support for national associations across the continent.

He added, “He has helped our continent. He’s helped our federations to develop much more quickly. We need to acknowledge that. We need to accept and recognise what he’s done, and we should support him for everything he’s done up to now.”

Infantino’s presidency has faced criticism from several football organisations, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, particularly after a controversial proposal involving private investment in FIFA tournaments was eventually abandoned.

Despite that opposition, the FIFA president continues to enjoy strong backing from much of African football.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already declared its support for Infantino’s re-election campaign, giving him a significant bloc of votes ahead of the next presidential contest.

The football with which Diego Maradona scored his famous ‘hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup has sold at auction for £2.5m

The ‘Hand of God’ football was previously sold in 2022

Maradona famously punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton in Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final win over England.

After the game, he told reporters it had been scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”.

Maradona later scored what became known as the ‘goal of the century’ in the same game, dribbling past five England outfield players before slotting the ball past Shilton.

Though it sold for $3.3m (£2.5m) at Heritage Auctions in the United States on Saturday, the ball had been expected to fetch nearer $10m (£7.3m).

Speaking to Reuters before the auction, Mike Provenzale, a specialist auctioneer at Heritage, said: “It’s a true one-of-one item. Arguably the most significant soccer item that exists.”

Tunisian Ali Bin Nasser, who refereed the match in 1986, collected the Adidas Azteca ball at full-time and kept it for more than three decades.

In 2023, he signed a letter to confirm it was the only ball used during the match, which has also been confirmed by further independent authentication.

Bin Nasser sold the ball in 2022 for $2.37m (£1.74m). Its new owner again put it up for auction in 2023 though it did not sell as bids did not meet the minimum value set.

The shirt worn by Maradona during the same match sold for £7.1m at auction in 2022.