Lionel Messi buys Spanish fifth-tier club Cornella
Lionel Messi has bought Catalan club Cornella and become the team’s new owner, the Spanish fifth-tier side announced on Thursday. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is still playing in the United States for Inter Miami and is expected to play a key role in Argentina’s World Cup title defence this year. “This move reinforces Messi’s […]
World Athletics Blocks Favour Ofili’s Allegiance Switch
World Athletics has rejected an application by Turkey to switch the allegiance of Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, dealing a significant blow to the athlete’s proposed nationality change ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. The decision was contained in a document obtained by PUNCH Online on Thursday. According to the document, the World Athletics Nationality Review […]
Messi’s friend Hoyos named new Inter Miami coach
Guillermo Hoyos said his long friendship with Lionel Messi will not stop him from working the Argentine superstar hard in training, as he was unveiled as the new coach of MLS side Inter Miami on Wednesday. Hoyos, previously Miami’s sporting director, replaces Javier Mascherano, who departed the club for “personal reasons” on Tuesday, just four […]
10 Longest-Serving Managers in Europe’s Top Leagues
A look at the current managerial landscape across Europe’s top five leagues shows that long-term coaching tenures are becoming increasingly rare, with only a handful of managers maintaining extended spells at their clubs. At the top of the list is Frank Schmidt, who has been in charge of Heidenheim for 18 years and six months. […]
Jamie Murray announces retirement from tennis at 40
Former world number one doubles player and seven-time Grand Slam champion, Jamie Murray, has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 40. As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, the British star confirmed the news in a post on Instagram, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than two decades […]
Hugo Ekitike injury rules him out of the 2026 World Cup
Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious injury in his club’s Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain, his national team coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday. The 23-year-old crumpled in a heap holding his lower right leg with a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon during the first half […]
Fighters Shine in Pretoria, Lagos Event Next
Nigerian fighters, David Samuel and Juliet Ukah, recorded victories at the Professional Fighters League event in Pretoria, South Africa. Samuel secured a first-round submission win over Abdelrahman Mohammad in a welterweight bout, dominating the contest before finishing the fight on the ground. This was contained in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Wednesday. […]
US Lawmaker Demands FIFA Pay World Cup Transport Bill
A top US lawmaker called on FIFA to pay for World Cup public transportation costs on Tuesday following a report that local authorities in New Jersey are planning massive price hikes during the tournament. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said on X that football’s world governing body — which stands to earn $11 […]
Real Madrid legend Jose Emilio Santamaria dies at 96
Former Real Madrid player and Spain’s 1982 World Cup coach Jose Emilio Santamaria has died at the age of 96, Los Blancos said on Wednesday. Real Madrid mourned “one of the greatest legends of our club and of world football”. Centre-back Santamaria, who joined Real Madrid in 1957 from Uruguayan side Nacional, played in one […]
Maduka Okoye relishes Super Eagles return and targets top sp
Maduka Okoye has expressed his delight at returning to the Super Eagles team, stressing his desire to become a regular fixture in the squad after his recent recall, The PUNCH reports. The Udinese goalkeeper highlighted the personal significance of representing Nigeria, describing his call-up as both an honour and motivation to maintain consistency at the […]