Sports
Messi In Argentina Squad For Farewell Friendly
Argentina have named Lionel Messi in their squad for a friendly against Benin in October in a match which is set to be the forward’s farewell to international football.
Messi announced his retirement from Argentina duty in August in the wake of his country’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and after saying he was considering his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge.
The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina when they won the 2022 World Cup, said the decision to stop playing for La Albiceleste hurt him “deeply” but that he had “given it my all” and had “nothing left to give”.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who currently plays for Inter Miami, is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.
“We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on 6 October here in Argentina,” said Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia.
River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, which has an 85,000 capacity, will host the game against Benin.
Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winners have also been invited to the match, which Tapia said would be an “unforgettable” occasion.
Argentina were ordered to play their next two home matches with 50% capacity, although one match of that sanction was suspended, for breaches of the Fifa disciplinary code during the World Cup.
The punishment related to using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters.
After defeating England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final, several Argentina players held up a banner claiming Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.
As they play friendlies against Bolivia on 30 September in Cordoba and Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on 3 October, it should mean the punishment will have been served before the Benin game.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes and team-mate Nahuel Molina are not expected to be available as they were given respective 10-game and seven-match suspensions for their part in on-field clashes following their country’s defeat by Spain in the World Cup final.
Sports
Forget it, I Won’t Apologise To Ronaldo — Jorge Jesus
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has made it clear he will not apologise to Cristiano Ronaldo amid their ongoing rift.
Speaking after Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway, Jesus was asked whether he owed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner an apology following the events that led to Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from the national team camp.
Jesus remained adamant that he did not owe anyone an apology, despite calls from the likes of Rio Ferdinand and others in the Ronaldo camp, to do so.
“I take responsibility for the decision and for what happened,” Jesus said.
“But apologise for what? To whom? That is a lie. Apologise for what? What was there to apologise for?”
The 72-year-old was even more direct in another exchange, declaring: “I don’t apologise to anyone.”
The dispute erupted after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute against Norway despite being sent out to warm up for a significant period.
The Al-Nassr striker later left the camp and has not featured since.
Jesus insisted his decisions as coach are non-negotiable and that the priority was the team’s results.
He did, however, leave the door open for Ronaldo’s return, stating the veteran would be called up for the next international window if he is playing regularly for Al-Nassr and wishes to come back.
“It’s his decision,” Jesus added.
“You can’t break up a year-long friendship over a situation that is difficult to understand.”
The firm stance from the Portugal coach suggests any reconciliation will depend more on Ronaldo’s willingness to move past the episode than any public apology.
Portugal return to Nations League action in November with games against Denmark and Wales.
Sports
Former Aston Villa Striker Agbonlahor Claims Rooney Is Better Than Kane
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has said Wayne Rooney was better than Harry Kane.
Discussing the comparison between the two, Agbonlahor said: “I really like Wayne Rooney. It’s a different era, isn’t it? But for me, Rooney still edges Kane.”
Agbonlahor continued: “Everyone has different opinions, the new generation will pick Kane, but I would pick Rooney. It’s easy for people to forget how good he was. I love everything about Rooney, he was fearless. We used to play against him, and he would absolutely go for you.
“I remember once, the referee dropped the ball for a 50-50 challenge. It was against Dawson of Hull City, and Rooney went into him so hard.
“Rooney could do everything, he was faster than you’d think. He could run from deep, and he could play as a number 10. Look at some of the goals he scored, like the one from near the halfway line when he returned to Everton.”
Sports
2028 OlympicsQ: Omenazu Earns First Super Falcons Call-Up For Comoros Clash
MK Dons Women captain Favour Omenazu has received a late invitation to join the Super Falcons squad for Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic Games qualifying double-header against Comoros.
Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen called up the versatile midfielder following the withdrawal of some of the players initially invited for the second-round qualifying fixture.
The call-up marks the first time the 24-year-old has been selected to represent the Super Falcons.
Omenazu was eligible to play for both England and Nigeria but has opted to represent the 10-time African champions at international level.
MK Dons have congratulated their women’s captain on earning her maiden international call-up.
“We are all incredibly proud of #MKDonsWomen’s captain, Favour Omenazu, who has received her first international call-up to represent Nigeria’s Super Falcons,” the club said in a post on X.
“Favour has been selected for Nigeria’s upcoming 2028 Olympic qualifying double-header against Comoros on Friday 9th and Tuesday 13th October.
“Go and smash it, Favour we know you will “
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