Category: Sports

Austria midfielder, Konrad Laimer has named Argentina the best team at the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament.

The Bayern Munich star also named Argentina captain Lionel Messi as the best player in the world.

The 29-year-old spoke to FIFA’s official website ahead of Austria’s World Cup Group J clash with Argentina on Monday.

“Argentina are the reigning world champions, so they are the best, and Messi is the best player in the world,” Laimer said.

“It’s always great to play against players of that calibre and see how you measure up against them.

“In the end, you see just how good you really are. Argentina are a special team, with an incredible amount of quality.

“Of course, we want to show what we can do too, but the other matches will be just as important if we want to progress.”

World Cup 2026: Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer names best team, player

Tunisia head coach Hervé Renard has challenged his players to fight and win their last group game against the Netherlands at the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

The Carthage Eagles were eliminated from the competition following a 4-0 defeat to Japan on Sunday morning.

DAILY POST recalls the North Africans were thrashed 5-1 by Sweden in their first game.

Tunisia are the first African country to exit the tournament.

Renard insisted that it is important for his team to close their campaign on a high.

“You have to keep fighting in difficult moments like these. We will need to show pride and character to approach the third match in the best possible way,” the Frenchman said after the game.

World Cup 2026: Renard urges Tunisia to show character against Netherlands

At least three countries have been eliminated from the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament.

The three countries are Tunisia, Haiti and Turkey.

Tunisia became the latest country to be mathematically eliminated from the World Cup.

This follows a 4-0 defeat to Japan in Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, earlier today.

The result left Tunisia with zero points after two Group F matches, guaranteeing they cannot progress to the Round of 32 stage.

Before their defeat to Japan, the Carthage Eagles had lost 5-1 against Sweden.

The North Africans now joined Haiti and Turkey in crashing out of the World Cup.

Tunisia will face the Netherlands in its last Group F game in the coming days.

World Cup 2026: 3 countries eliminated from tournament

Cote d’Ivoire head coach, Emerse Fae can’t hide his disappointment following his team’s defeat to Germany in their FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter, DAILY POST reports.

The Elephants suffered a 2-1 defeat against Julian Nagelsmann’s side at the Toronto Stadium on Saturday night.

Franck Kessie gave Cote d’Ivoire’s the lead early in the game.

Substitute, Deniz Undav, however, scored twice for Germany in the second half to help his country secure a place in the Round of 32.

Fae was frustrated that they couldn’t hold on to their lead in the game.

“It’s more frustration that we’re feeling after this defeat, because we were able to open the score against this strong German side,” Fae told reporters.

World Cup 2026: Fae laments Cote d’Ivoire’s defeat to Germany 

Rivers Angels head coach, Tosan Blankson has taken full responsibility for his team’s underwhelming campaign.

The Port Harcourt-based club failed to lift the 2025-26 Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, title.

Rivers Angels also missed out on a chance to defend the President Federation Cup title.

They were eliminated from the competition by Robo Queens in the quarter-final.

Blankson admitted that his team failed to deliver in both competitions.

“Unfortunately I did not end the season well with Rivers Angels,” Blankson reacted in a chat with the media.

“I take full responsibility for not achieving the right result.”

Blankson, however, expressed optimism ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“A new Chapter is loading, Apologies to the fans and people of Rivers State,” he further stated.

NWFL: Rivers Angels coach, Blankson takes responsibility for poor season

Former France international, Emmanuel Petit, has identified the main difference between Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to Petit, Argentine players play for Messi, while Portuguese players don’t play for Ronaldo.

He also believes that it will be Portugal manager Roberto Martinez’s responsibility to address Ronaldo’s situation with his teammates.

Speaking during the latest episode of the How To Win The World Cup podcast on talkSPORT,  Petit said, “Argentina.. the players they play for Messi. I think the Portuguese players, they don’t play for Cristiano Ronaldo, and this is for me the main difference with Argentina and Messi.

“So, it’s up to Martinez, the manager, to manage that.”

Messi has three goals to his name at the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament, while Ronaldo is yet to score a goal.

World Cup 2026: Players play for him – Petit identifies main difference between Ronaldo, Messi

Real Madrid on Saturday released a statement on Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise amid the ongoing summer transfer window.

The Los Blancos denied any agreement on personal terms with the France international, pointing at relationship with Bayern Munich.

This comes after reports recently suggested that both Madrid and Olise had reached an agreement over the player’s switch to the LaLiga giants.

“In response to reports in various media outlets regarding an alleged interest from our club in Bayern Munich player Michael Olise, Real Madrid CF wishes to state that it has not had any direct or indirect contact with the aforementioned player, his representatives, or anyone in his entourage.

“Real Madrid also wishes to highlight the excellent institutional relationship it maintains with Bayern Munich, with whom it shares a long history of mutual respect.

“Both clubs have always maintained a relationship based on trust and mutual respect,” Real Madrid’s statement partly read.

Transfer: Real Madrid release statement on Olise

Former Kwara United captain Kabiru Muhammad is on the verge of sealing a move to Ranchers Bees ahead of the 2026-27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

Mohammed left Kwara United at the end of his three-and-a-half-year spell with the club.

Ranchers Bees are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

The Kaduna-based side see Muhammad as a key addition to shore up their defence.

Mohammed is expected to bring NPFL experience and leadership to the Bees. 

Talks between Muhammad’s representatives and Ranchers Bees is reported to be progressing well. Both parties are close to agreeing terms on a deal.

NPFL: Kabiru Muhammad nears Ranchers Bees move

Former England international, Jay Bothroyd, has insisted that Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is never going to be like Argentina captain Lionel Messi.

Bothroyd wants Ronaldo to step away from Portugal’s FIFA World Cup starting XI, as he cannot deliver like his eternal rival, Messi.

According to him, the 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward is always chasing the Barcelona legend but cannot get close to him.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Bothroyd said, “I have to be honest, I think if Ronaldo is a team player, I think he should step down and understand that he has to be a player that comes off the bench as an impact player. Is he ever going to do that? Nope, I don’t think he is. And that is my point.

“I look at Ronaldo and… the Ronaldo faithful are going to hate me today, but it looks like it’s all about him, yeah? You know, and he’s always chasing Messi all the time.

“He is never going to be Lionel Messi, but what he has throughout his career, he’s made the absolute most out of his career.”

World Cup 2026: You’re never going to be Messi – Ex-England striker Bothroyd tells Ronaldo

Inter Miami have completed a deal to sign Casemiro as a free agent.

Casemiro left Manchester United this summer at the end of his contract.

The Brazilian will now continue his career in the Major League Soccer, MLS.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X: “EXCLUSIVE: Inter Miami complete deal to sign Casemiro as new midfielder, here we go!

“Verbal agreement sealed with all parties involved and all formal steps resolved, now waiting to sign and announce the Brazilian.

“Casemiro wants to play with Messi. Future in MLS.”

Casemiro is currently with the Brazilian national team at the 2026 World Cup.

Transfer: Inter Miami confirm deal for ex-Man Utd midfielder Casemiro