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Messi vs Ronaldo: He’s insane – Pepe picks better player
Former Arsenal star, Nicolas Pepe has picked inter Miami captain Lionel Messi as the better player over Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Pepe described Messi as insane as he compared Ronaldo to Santos star player Neymar.
Speaking on Just Riadh’s YouTube channel, the Ivorian said: “In the Messi-Ronaldo debates, I say Messi, but when you talk stats and what he offers, there are many who will say Ronaldo.
“But if you are fair, really watch football, the experts say forget stats. Just football, Messi is insane.
“I go further: prime Neymar looks Cristiano in the eyes. But look Messi in the eyes too? No, he doesn’t. Sorry, Messi slaps him twice.
“Not by fantasy. That fantasy dribble, Messi doesn’t do it. But Messi hooks 7 or 8 players. Neymar does too, but Messi does it better. Ronaldo too.”
Nigeria’s build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has suffered a major blow after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was all but ruled out of the tournament through injury.
The development has deepened concerns within a Super Eagles squad already shaken by fitness problems and a rapidly changing defensive set-up.
Stanley Nwabali, 29, emerged as one of Nigeria’s standout performers at the last AFCON, guiding the team to the final and earning widespread praise for his calm presence in goal.
He has not played since Nigeria’s dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in Rabat during the World Cup qualifying playoffs.
Doubts about his recovery intensified after his club coach at Chippa United, Vusimuzi Vilakazi, gave the strongest indication yet that the goalkeeper may miss the competition.
He said: “I don’t think he will make it, but when I was talking to him, he was confident that he would recover very soon, but obviously you will understand because he’s a player who wants to be there at the Cup of Nations finals. But the reality is that for now, he is still injured. I also hope for the best that he might find himself there.”
Vilakazi explained that Nwabali requires surgery and has been carrying multiple injuries. According to him, the keeper is dealing with “an ankle injury, but then also the hand needs an operation because he’s been playing with that (injured) hand for a while now and he aggravated the injury while he was in Morocco.”
Naija News reports that head coach Eric Chelle named Nwabali in a provisional squad, but has yet to finalise his list of 27 players. Nigeria open their Group C campaign against Tanzania in Fes, before meeting Tunisia and Uganda in what is expected to be a fiercely competitive group.
The squad has already lost important figures. Young defenders Benjamin Fredrick and Felix Agu are ruled out, while Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi remain serious doubts. Captain William Troost-Ekong, MVP of the last AFCON, has retired after 83 caps, removing an experienced organiser from the heart of the defence.
With two centre-backs sidelined and the first-choice goalkeeper injured, Chelle may be forced to rebuild the defensive spine just days before kick-off.
If Nwabali is unable to recover, the coach has five goalkeepers to consider: Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, Francis Uzoho and teenager Ebenezer Harcourt.
Okoye and Uzoho have international experience, although both have struggled for consistency, while Obasogie, Adeleye and Harcourt are yet to appear in a major tournament.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Chelsea have confirmed that they are travelling to Bergamo without the services of Ballon d’Or nominee Cole Palmer, whose minutes are being managed following his recent return from injury, Yahoo Sports reports.
Atalanta will host Chelsea at the New Balance Arena on Tuesday evening in the sixth round of Champions League fixtures. This is the final filling of UCL matches this calendar year.
Atalanta and Chelsea are level on points in the Champions League table ahead of Tuesday’s kick-off, both with three wins, one draw and one loss on their records for 10 points. Chelsea are seventh, with Sporting CP and Manchester City sitting between them and La Dea as things stand.
Also Read: Palmer Breaks Toe In Accident At Home, To Miss Next Three Chelsea Games
Making life slightly easier for Raffaele Palladino and Atalanta on Tuesday night is the fact that Palmer will be unavailable to Enzo Maresca.
The England international, who finished eighth in this year’s Ballon d’Or rankings, has recently returned from a groin injury that kept him out of action for practically two months between the end of September and end of November.
His minutes are being managed, and it has been confirmed by the club that he has not travelled and will therefore not play against Atalanta. He has featured in Chelsea’s last two Premier League matches, and it is understood that he is still in line to feature against Everton in the league over the weekend.
Nigeria’s friendly match against Egypt has been postponed to December 16, from its original date of December 14.
The adjustment follows FIFA’s new rule allowing clubs to keep their players until December 15, ensuring that Nigeria can field a near-full-strength squad.
NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire confirmed the change:
“The match will now take place at Cairo Stadium at 8 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Nigeria time) as a practice encounter. This adjustment allows both teams to make more than five substitutions, giving coaches greater flexibility ahead of AFCON in Morocco.”
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle. Photo | X
Coach Eric Chelle will use the friendly to assess his squad and experiment with tactical options ahead of the tournament.
Also read: Stanley Nwabali A Major Doubt for AFCON 2025
Nigeria opens its AFCON 2025 campaign against Tanzania on December 23, followed by matches against Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 30, with all Group C fixtures held in Fez.
Egypt, meanwhile, is in Group B alongside South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has revealed Lionel Messi’s long-term plan once his playing days come to an end.
Lionel Messi, who guided Inter Miami to the MLS Cup title on Sunday, December 7, has reportedly made it clear that life after football will take him back to Barcelona, the city where he became a global icon.
Messi’s current deal with Inter Miami runs until 2028, but Beckham suggested the 38-year-old already has a vision for his post-retirement life. Speaking to Marca, Beckham explained that he had hoped Messi would consider staying in the United States when he finally leaves the pitch behind.
“I would like Messi to live in Miami after he retires. But Leo told me that he only thinks about living near the Camp Nou,” Beckham said.
The former England captain added that the bond between Messi and Barcelona remains unmatched in modern football.
He said, “There is no player who loves Barcelona as much as he does. You can see the Barca logo on his leg and even on his water bottle.”
Messi, who is widely expected to retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has enjoyed a remarkable spell since arriving in Major League Soccer in 2023 following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. His arrival transformed Inter Miami’s fortunes on and off the pitch, drawing global attention to the MLS and boosting the club’s commercial value.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Rivers United technical adviser, Finidi George, has expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s draw against Abia Warriors.
The Pride of Rivers were held to a 1-1 draw by Abia Warriors in Umuahia on Sunday.
Maclyn Biokpo gave Rivers United the lead in the 87th minute before Suraj Lawal equalised for Abia Warriors in added time.
Finidi believes his team has much to do in the area of game management.
“It’s just concentration, we need to get the players stronger mentally to be able to manage games when the match is almost over,” Finidi told Rivers United’s media.
“It’s not a physical thing about managing games, it’s just unfortunate on how the goal was conceded.
“We came to Umuahia not to lose or maybe the players where not even sure if we can get a victory from this game but overall its a sad one.”
Former Cameroon coach Marc Brys has questioned Federation president Samuel Eto’o’s decision to leave out Andre Onana and Vincent Aboubakar from the Indomitable Lions’ final list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a chat with Afrik Foot, Brys stated that Cameroon will be going to the AFCON 2025 without their best players in the team.
“Eto’o left out important players, leaders, because he obviously made the list,” Brys told Afrik Foot.
“How can you face a tournament of this level without a world-class goalkeeper or without Aboubakar?
Read Also:Nwabali Doubtful For AFCON 2025 With Injury
“They are players with character, who don’t bow to the president.”
“It’s incredible, but it doesn’t surprise me because he’s a narcissist who thinks he’s the best looking player.”
Brys also clarified that he is still under contract with Fecafoot until September 30, 2026, and that he hasn’t received any official communication from the Ministry of Sport, which appointed him in April 2024.
Super Falcons striker, Uchenna Kanu has shared her deep disappointment over her exclusion from Nigeria’s squad to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, saying she never received any explanation from the coaching crew.
The striker unveiled her memoir titled Football, My Escape at a launch event in Lagos on last week.
Super Falcons Clinch 10th Title Without Uchenna Kanu
Led by coach Justine Madugu, Nigeria staged one of the greatest comebacks in WAFCON history, overturning a 2–0 deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3–2 in a dramatic final.
The victory handed the Super Falcons a record-extending 10th continental crown.
However, Kanu who was a member of Nigeria’s squads to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games, was a surprise omission, amongst others.
‘No Conversation With Me… I Just Got a Text’ – Uchenna Kanu
Speaking in a recent interview, the 28-year-old forward revealed that she had already begun visa processing for the tournament when she unexpectedly received a message informing her she had been dropped.
“I haven’t heard any feedback, especially from the coach. There hasn’t been any conversation with me from anyone.”
“I actually started my visa, and a few days to the travel date, I got a text message from the coach saying, for whatever reasons, I was no longer a part of the team.”
Kanu admitted the decision left her hurt and confused.
“I felt bad, I was sad. I thought I was going to be part of the team.”
Despite the disappointment, Kanu says she kept supporting the team throughout the tournament.
“My teammates did well and I supported them the entire time. I have reached out to congratulate them and the coach. Hopefully I’ll be back on the team.”
Return From Injury Played a Role
Uchenna Kanu was just returning from a long-term injury that sidelined her for about six months during the build-up to WAFCON.
Since resuming action in March, she has managed only seven appearances for Racing Louisville in the NWSL, scoring once.
She is also reportedly out of contract with the American club.
Read More: EXCLUSIVE: “I Still Have More to Give” – Uchenna Kanu Targets Super Falcons Return
Read More: Uchenna Kanu proud to give Super Falcons victory over bitter rivals Ghana
Read More: “I Planned to Win the World Cup” – Waldrum Opens Up on Turbulent Super Falcons Tenure
Eyes on 2026 WAFCON Return
Kanu, who has scored seven goals in 27 appearances for the Super Falcons since making her debut in 2019, hopes to earn a recall ahead of the 2026 WAFCON, also set to take place in Morocco.
France manager Didier Deschamps believes his team will be among the leading contenders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding that only a small group of nations have the quality and experience to challenge for the trophy.
The expanded World Cup kicks off in June next year across the United States, Canada and Mexico. France have been drawn in Group I, where they will face a strong Senegal side and a rising Norway team. It is a demanding group on paper, but Didier Deschamps is confident his squad will arrive ready to compete.
His side came within moments of winning the title in Qatar in 2022, only to lose dramatically to Argentina in the final. Asked whether he views the next World Cup as a chance to avenge that defeat, the France coach dismissed the idea of revenge and stressed that every tournament brings a fresh challenge.
“There is no rematch in soccer. Argentina won [the 2022 World Cup] and there is nothing we can do about it now,” Deschamps said in an interview with Olé. “This is a new competition and we are going to try to go as far as possible. France can be a contender.”
The former World Cup winner also pointed out that the level of competition remains fierce, even with a larger field of nations involved. “As in every World Cup, there are between six and seven teams that can win, but in the end, only one wins. To be the best, you have to beat all the teams,” he said.
Deschamps also shared his belief that global icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo should be part of the tournament. “They [Messi and Ronaldo] are two players who have marked international soccer for more than 15 years; without a doubt, it is something special for them,” he said.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
The Cranes of Uganda have arrived Casablanca, Morocco, for their final preparations ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
Seventeen players, technical crew members and officials departed the Entebbe International Airport, Kampala, aboard Qatar Airways on Sunday night.
The contingent arrived Casablanca on Monday morning.
The remaining 13 players are expected to join their colleagues in camp later this week.
The Cranes will undertake an 11-day preparatory camp in Morocco, which includes two friendly matches as part of the final build up to AFCON 2025.
The East Africans are drawn in Group C with Nigeria, Tunisia and Tanzania.
Put’s side will open their campaign against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the Complexe Sportif de Fes on Tuesday, 23 December.
The Cranes of Uganda on Monday arrived Casablanca, Morocco for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations preparatory camp, reports Completesports.com.
17 players, head coach Paul Put, assistant coach Fred Muhumuza, and the full technical and support team made the trip.
The remaining 13 players will connect directly to Morocco from their respective clubs.
Read Also:CAF Unveils Official Mascot For AFCON 2025
The squad will undertake an eleven day preparatory camp in Morocco.
Uganda will play will play two friendly matches before the final squad announcement.
Put’s side have been drawn in Group C of the AFCON 2025 finals alongside Nigeria, Tanzania and Tunisia.
Uganda open their AFCON campaign against Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on 23 December before facing Nigeria and Tanzania in what is considered one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.
By Adeboye Amosu