Category: Sports

UEFA on Thursday named the Europa League Team of the Season following the conclusion of the competition on Wednesday.

Recall that Aston Villa won the Europa League after beating Freiburg 3-0 in the final in Turkey.

However, UEFA’s Technical Observer Group has now selected its 2025/26 Europa League Team of the Season.

Aston Villa have four players in the official Europa League Team of the Season.

Here is the team in full:

Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)

Defenders
Victor Gómez (Braga)
Matthias Ginter (Freiburg)
Morato (Nottingham Forest)
Oscar Mingueza (Celta)

Midfielders
Maximilian Eggestein (Freiburg)
John McGinn (Aston Villa)
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards
Antony (Real Betis)
Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest)
Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa)

Europa League: UEFA names Team of the Season [Full list]

Al Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has finally won the Saudi Pro League title.

They were confirmed champions on Thursday, thanks to a 4-2 win over relegation battlers Damac.

The title race had gone down to the final day after Al-Nassr dramatically dropped points against Al-Hilal the previous week.

Jorge Jesus’ side knew there could be no mistakes against a Damac side fighting for survival at the other end of the table.

Ronaldo was on the scoresheet, as his brace helped Al Nassr secure the title ahead of rivals Al Hilal.

Sadio Mane opened the scoring in the first half, before second half goals by Kingsley Coman and Ronaldo’s double sealed the victory.

BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo finally wins Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr

Rivers United technical adviser, Finidi George has shifted focus to his team’s final game of the campaign against Katsina United.

The Pride of Rivers beat non-league side G12 FC 2-0 in the Round of 64 in Benin City on Tuesday.

Rivers United will now look to consolidate on the win when they take on Katsina United in Port-Harcourt on Sunday.

“I’m quite happy with the performance of my players against academy side G12,” Finidi told the club’s media.

“The game is gone and my focus is on the league match against Katsina United.”

Rivers United must beat Katsina United, and hope that Rangers drop points in their away fixture against Ikorodu City in Lagos to be crowned champions for the second time in their history.

The Pride of Rivers trail the Rangers by one point on the league table.

NPFL: Rivers United ready for final battle against Katsina United 

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Suleiman, has expressed his team’s determination to secure a positive result in their last game of the season against Bayelsa United.

The Harmony Boys will be guests of Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa this weekend.

Kwara United need a point from the game to secure their top-flight status.

Suleiman said that his players are aware of their target in the game.

“We have a crucial game this weekend against Bayelsa United which was the reason we rested some of our best legs in the President Federation Cup,” Suleiman said in a chat with Radio One.

“We expect a tough battle against the already relegated Bayelsa United because they will want to give their fans something to cheer up with after their drop from the league.

“We are fully motivated toward achieving our goal in the game.”

NPFL: Kwara United ready for relegation battle against Bayelsa United – Suleiman 

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has ranked Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as the best manager in the history of the Premier League.

Merson believes Guardiola is ahead of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson because the Spaniard has truly revolutionised the game of football.

In his column for Sportskeeda, Merson said ahead of Man City’s Premier League tie with Aston Villa on Sunday, “Sir Alex Ferguson was more about longevity, but Guardiola has truly revolutionised the game.

“I’d rank him as number one if I were to pick the top 5 managers in Premier League history. I would go with – Guardiola, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp.

“This would be the top five off the top of my head. All of them have dominated the Premier League in the last 20 years,” he said.

Guardiola who will leave City after their final Premier League clash with Aston Villa, won six Premier League titles during his time at the club.

EPL: Guardiola ranked best manager in history ahead of Alex Ferguson [Top 5]

Arsenal’s squad are set to receive significant financial rewards after winning the Premier League title for the first time in over 20 years.

According to The Times, players will earn around £6,000 per appearance, along with additional payments from a bonus pool built up across the season through league and cup success.

Some players could take home close to £250,000 in total bonuses, depending on appearances, with regular starters set to earn the most.

David Raya and Martin Zubimendi are expected to be among the highest earners, while Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhães, and William Saliba could also receive around £192,000 based on their appearances.

Even Champions League success could bring further rewards, with reports suggesting players could earn about £125,000 each if they win the final in Budapest.

EPL: Bonuses Arsenal players will get for winning title revealed

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has revealed why he was absent as the players and staff gathered to watch Manchester City’s game at Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

City’s 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium saw the Gunners confirmed as Premier League champions.

After that match, video clips of Arsenal players rejoicing at the Sobha Realty training centre surfaced online.

However, Arteta was not seen in any of them. He has now explained what happened.

Arteta told reporters on Thursday: “It’s incredible to hear them, especially understanding the journey and manner in which we’ve done it, how many people have been involved and how long it took to accomplish that goal.

“It’s one of the best feelings I ever had. I was supposed to be here with the players and certain staff, because that’s what they wanted. But I couldn’t. Twenty minutes before the game, I had to leave. I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted.

“It was their moment to be together, watch it themselves and just see what the outcome would be.

“I went home, went outside to the garden, started to build some fire and started to do some barbecue. I didn’t watch any of it. I was just hearing noises in the background and the living room, then the magic happened.

“My oldest son opened the garden door, ran towards me, started to cry, gave me a hug and said, ‘We’re champions, Daddy.’ My other two boys and my wife came over and it was beautiful to see the joy on them, they are always with me.

“It was magical. A minute later, Martin Odegaard was with the video: ‘Where are you? Come over.’

“I said: ‘Enjoy it. See you in a few hours, somewhere in London.’”

EPL: Why I didn’t watch Bournemouth vs Man City with Arsenal players – Arteta

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has given injury updates on his squad ahead of their final two fixtures of this season.

The Gunners travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday, having been confirmed Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years.

After that, they face Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Champions League next weekend.

Arteta has confirmed that Mikel Merino is back in full training, but Jurrien Timber is further behind in his recovery.

He told reporters: “Mikel is going to start to train with the group tomorrow. Today was a light session.

“Jurrien, let’s hope he can do the same in the next few days. He’s a bit further behind than Mikel.”

EPL: Arteta gives Arsenal injury updates ahead of Crystal Palace, PSG games

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, hailed his players as “champions of England” during a Premier League title party.

Arteta became the first Gunners boss to win the title in 22 years this week, after Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth.

The Spaniard was absent at the Sobha Realty training ground to watch the game along with the squad and backroom staff.

It is understood that Arteta was at home watching City drop points with his family.

But he later showed up at the Tape nightclub in Soho as the celebrations continued into the early hours.

The two 16-year-olds in the squad, Marli Salmon and Max Dowman, were also present as Arsenal took to the microphone to deliver a typically passionate speech.

EPL: Champions of England – Arteta addresses Arsenal players after title win

Former England striker, Gary Lineker, has shared his verdict on the Champions League final following Arsenal’s Premier League title triumph.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker claimed the Gunners will be “second favourites” against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30.

“I still think they’re second favourites because PSG, as we know, are an incredibly good side,” he said.

“But Arsenal, if anyone can beat them, it’s probably Arsenal. And what a double that would be.”

Lineker is not alone in backing PSG as favourites, with Jamie Carragher also tipping the Parisians.

However, he has also claimed Arsenal is the team most capable of stopping the defending champions.

UCL: They are second favourites – Lineker predicts Arsenal vs PSG final