Category: Sports

Arsenal icon Thierry Henry and PSG cult hero Presnel Kimpembe are poised to take the UEFA Champions League trophy to the pitch before Saturday’s Champions League final between Les Pariesiens and the Gunners, Le Parisien understands.

This follows the tradition of former players of the two finalists presenting the trophy before the match.

Last year, Javier Pastore and Javier Zanetti were given the responsibility, before PSG thrashed Inter Milan in Munich.

Kimpembe has already confirmed to Le Parisien that he has been chosen by the Ligue 1 side to deliver the trophy.

He said: “It’s a great honor to represent Paris Saint-Germain in this Champions League final.

“I hope it’ll bring luck to the team and to all Parisian supporters.”

UCL final: Thierry Henry to present trophy as Arsenal face PSG

Defending champions Rivers Angels will begin their push to retain the Women’s President Federation Cup against Abia Angels in the Round of 16.

The clash will hold at the Uyo Township Stadium, Eket, on Tuesday, June 2.

In other fixtures, FC Robo Queens will face Remo Stars Ladies in Akure, while Ahudiyannem Queens will take on Heartland Queens in Enugu.

Awka will host Ibom Angels’ clash against Bayelsa Queens, as well as Delta Queens’ fixture against Edo Queens.

Plateau United Queens will face Sunshine Queens in Abuja, while Confluence Queens will take on Esthington FC in Enugu.

Naija Ratels will complete the line-up against 2025 runners-up Nasarawa Amazons in Kaduna.

President Federation Cup: Rivers Angels vs Abia Angels headlines women’s Round 16 fixtures

Barcelona are closing in on a move to sign former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva.

Silva is currently a free agent after he left the Etihad at the end of this season.

The Portuguese playmaker is believed to be keen on a move to the Spanish champions.

Barca have previously explored a deal while Xavi Hernandez was manager at the Camp Nou.

But the 31-year-old opted to extend his stay with City at that time.

According to Sport, the landscape has shifted dramatically three years later and Silva now wants a final major challenge in Europe.

He is has tasked his agent Jorge Mendes, to finalize an agreement with Barcelona.

Transfer: Bernardo Silva’s next club revealed

Manchester United defender Dante Plunkett has been  a late invitation for Jamaica’s Unity Cup final against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, DAILY POST reports.

It’s the first time Plunkett’s has been invited to the Reggae Boyz.

The left-back, who joined Manchester United after leaving Aston Villa in 2024 made 15 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils U-18 side during the 2025/26 season.

The 18-year-old is expected to join up with Reggae Boyz in London on Friday.

Rudolph Speid’s side will face the Super Eagles in the final at the Valley on Saturday.

They lost 5-4 on penalities to Éric Chelle’s side in last year’s final.

Unity Cup: Jamaica invite Man United defender for final with Super Eagles 

Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr has shared his thoughts on the likelihood of Lionel Messi and Argentina being strong contenders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

La Albiceleste, the current world champions, will enter the tournament with significant expectations.

Lionel Scaloni has not yet revealed his 26-man squad for the World Cup, with the announcement anticipated within the next 48 hours. In discussing Argentina’s prospects, Vinicius expressed high regard for what Lionel Messi and his teammates can achieve during the tournament.

The Real Madrid player identified Argentina as one of the frontrunners to secure the World Cup title. Vinicius believes that being the defending champions will instill great confidence in Argentina.

He also praised the influence that Lionel Messi will have on the team. Vinicius acknowledged that the Inter Miami captain consistently brings a unique element to his teams and feels that some of Messi’s actions on the field are beyond imagination.

In an interview on CazeTV (as reported by All About Argentina on X), He said, “I will also choose Argentina [as one of the favorites for the World Cup], because they are the reigning champions, they possess immense confidence, and they have Messi.

“He always introduces something unique; we can never predict what he might do.”

Argentina is placed in Group J of the 2026 World Cup, competing against Algeria, Jordan, and Austria. Vinicius’ Brazil will encounter Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in Group C.

World Cup 2026: Vinicius Junior rates Argentina’s chances of winning trophy with Lionel Messi

Jamaica head coach Rudolph Speid is confident his team can beat the Super Eagles in the final of the Unity Cup, DAILY POST reports.

The Reggae Boys booked their spot in the final of the invitational tournament following a comfortable 2-0 victory over India on Wednesday night.

Courtney Clarke and Kaheim Dixon were on target for Jamaica in the game.

The North Americans have lost in the final of the last two editions of the Unity Cup to the Super Eagles.

They came close to beating Éric Chelle’s side last year rallying from 2-0 down before succumbing 5-4 on penalities.

Speid is upbeat they can overcome the three-time African champions this time around.

“Well, they (Super Eagles) are very, very good but every team is beatable, and we have to be aware of what they bring. We have some things to bring ourselves. Jamaica is still in a rebuilding stage, lots of young players. 

“As with the game these days, nobody is a winner before the game is played. That’s where we are right now,” Speid said after his team’s victory over India.

The final will hold at the Valley on Saturday night.

Unity Cup: Jamaica coach confident of victory against Super Eagles 

Chelsea star, Joao Pedro, has revealed he told teammate Cole Palmer to come and play the number 10 position for Brazil ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Pedro, who was dropped from the Brazilian squad for the World Cup, believes Palmer would start as a number 10 for the Seleção.

According to him, the current Brazil squad under head coach Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t have a number 10.

Coincidentally, just like Pedro, Palmer also failed to make the England squad for the World Cup.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Pedro said of Palmer, “He’s very intelligent. He’s magic.

“I said to him before, ‘I didn’t think you were that good.’ And he just looked at me! But now, because I play with him, yeah, he’s different.

“I said to him, ‘Why don’t you come to Brazil? Take the number 10 there, mate. No problem.’

“Because in Brazil, we don’t have this guy. If you watch us, we play 4-2-4. We don’t have a number 10.”

World Cup 2026: Come play number 10 for Brazil – Joao Pedro tells England star

The organizers of the Ballon d’Or have confirmed that the 2026 edition will be hosted in London, UK.

The 70th edition of award ceremony has been fixed for October 26, 2026.

As the European football season draws to a close, and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, fans and pundits will be watching to see who succeeds 2025 winner Ousmane Dembele.

Dembele is one of the top favourites for the prize, with Paris Saint-Germain set to play Arsenal in the Champions League final this weekend.

PSG have already clinched the Ligue 1 title.

Dembele’s team-mate, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, is another hot contender for the award.

Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane saw his odds drop after their elimination from the Champions League semi-final, while Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid is still in the running.

2026 Ballon d’Or: Details of awards confirmed as Dembele, Harry Kane, Mbappe battle

Barcelona are interested in signing Piero Hincapie from Arsenal this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The LaLiga champions are already bolstering their squad ahead of next season.

They have agreed a £70 million plus deal to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.

Barca are also keen to wrap up a deal for Atletico Madrid striker, Julian Alvarez.

Hincapie arrived at the Emirates from Bayer Leverkusen last summer on loan with an option to buy for £45 million and a 10 percent sell-on clause. Should they trigger the option, a five year contract is pre-agreed.

The 24-year-old has bedded in well at Arsenal proving a reliable member of the squad filling in at centre-back and left-back.

EPL: Barcelona eye £45m deal for Arsenal defender after Anthony Gordon transfer

Nigerian-born defender, Ime Okon has been included in South Africa’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Okon, who was born to a Nigerian father and South African mother, currently plays for Bundesliga club Hannover 96.

The 22-year-old has already represented Bafana Bafana five times.

Okon will be making his debut for South Africa at a major tournament after he was snubbed for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross are the new names that have been called up by head coach Hugo Broos.

A look at the 26 names shows that 19 of them play in the South African league.

South Africa Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)

Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)

2026 World Cup: Nigeria-born defender, Okon included in South Africa’s squad