Sports

Atalanta Coach Reacts To Lookman Rift As Super Eagles Star Unfollows Club

Published

7 months ago

November 11, 2025

Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has reacted to his rift with Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old has had a poor start to the 2025/2026, largely due to poor fitness after he missed the club’s pre-season preparations in trying to force a move to Inter Milan.

Lookman was taken off for Yunus Musah in La Dea’s clash against Marseille, and didn’t take the situation kindly. This resorted to Ivan Juric pulling the Nigerian by arm, which escalated the situation further.

In response, Lookman deleted every of his Instagram posts related to Atalanta, and went on to unfollow the club, sparking rumours of a possible January exit from Bergamo.

After the Champions League victory in Marseille, Ivan Juric is chasing a league victory to begin his climb back up the Serie A ladder.

“We’re behind, we need to get points and do exceptional things,” the Atalanta coach said in quotes revealed by Gazzetta.IT.

We can’t slow down any longer, and we shouldn’t underestimate Sassuolo because they have quality players, a truly rapid attack, and a coach like Grosso, whom I respect.

“Wednesday’s prestigious victory helps, but we need to keep resetting to get going again.

“The team continues to give me a great feeling, and has done so since the start of the season. And I’ve only had to raise my voice a few times, with very few players.”

Quizzed about Lookman’s antics at the club, the former Southampton manager said:

“He always works well; that reaction is something that can happen every now and then.

“Ademola is unusual; you get over it. And sometimes these incidents help improve relationships: with Carnesecchi we’ve opened up, and I feel much closer to him now.

He struggled, but he played a great game in Marseille, and I hope he continues to rise,” Juric concluded.

Lookman has scored just one goal for club and country this season across all competitions

Sports

Ronaldo One Of Greatest Players Of All-Time, Yet He’s Not In First Place – Messi

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has hailed Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario as one of the greatest players of all-time in the FIFA World Cup scoring charts after scoring a hat-trick in his side’s 3-0 win over Algeria this week.

Messi also expressed surprise that the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker wasn’t in first place.

The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward surpassed Ronaldo’s 15 World Cup goals before equalling Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s 16 World Cup goals, thanks to his three goals against Algeria in their World Cup opener.

“It is a great honour to be able to compete with all these greats, including Ronaldo Nazario, among the players I have watched,” Messi said (as per Albiceleste Talk).

“He was one of the greatest players of all time, and yet he is not in first place. So in the end, it’s just a statistic.”

Messi will now hope to lead Argentina to victory when they face Austria in their next game.

Sports

2026 World Cup: ‘No plan to stop Ronaldo, he’s not the same’ – DR Congo’s Mukau

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

DR Congo midfielder, Ngal Ayel Mukau, has admitted there was no tactical plan to contain Cristiano Ronaldo in their 2026 World Cup opener. The Leopards held Portugal to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, after Yohan Wissa’s header cancelled out Joao Neves’ goal.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Mukau accepted Ronaldo is still one of the greatest players, but is not the same as before.

He said: “A special plan to contain Cristiano Ronaldo? To be honest, not really.

“We know that he isn’t the same as before. He’s a bit older now. But still, he’s one of the greatest… much respect to him.” Mukau’s comments come amid calls from fans and pundits for Ronaldo to be given limited playing time in the national team.

Sports

W’Cup: Ghana Beat Panama 1-0, Diaz Shine In Colombia 3-1 Win Over Uzbekistan

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Ghana won a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening World Cup Group L clash in Toronto on Wednesday.

Caleb Yirenkyi bundled in the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sending thousands of Ghanaians in Canada’s largest city into a frenzy and settling an otherwise attritional battle.

Both sides largely struggled to generate chances in the first half after Panama striker Cecilio Waterma’s second minute attempt was steered away by outstretched Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi.

The Black Stars didn’t attempt a shot on goal through the first half.

The second half played out under steady rain at the Toronto Stadium but saw more sustained attacking play.

Cristian Martinez triggered a massive roar from the loud Panamanian contingent when he lashed a shot into the side-netting in the 60th minute.

But the match looked headed for a scoreless draw until Yirenkyi put the Black Stars ahead.

Ghana’s veteran coach Carlos Queiroz turned to his side’s fans after the goal, urging them on in celebration.

Queiroz only took charge of the Black Stars a couple of months before the start of the tournament.

Wednesday’s fixture made him only the second coach to appear in five consecutive World Cups, after leading Portugal in 2010 and Iran in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Loud boos rang out across the crowd of nearly 43,000 during a second-half hydration break under pouring rain.

Ghana triumphed despite being without Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey, who is facing trial on rape charges in Britain. Canadian authorities denied him a World Cup visa, over the British case.

Colombia beat debutant Uzbekistan

Colombia beat World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opening Group K game on Wednesday thanks to an inspired performance from Luis Diaz at the Estadio Azteca.

The Bayern Munich forward provided an assist, a goal and also hit the post as the Colombians resisted a battling performance from the Uzbeks in front of 80,824 spectators in Mexico City.

Diaz’s superb lofted pass allowed Daniel Munoz to volley in after 40 minutes, but Abbosbek Fayzullaev equalized with his nation’s maiden World Cup goal as he reacted first to head in a rebound from Eldor Shomurodov’s saved volley.

Diaz put Colombia back into the lead as he fired a shot that Uzbek goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov should have stopped.

In the dying seconds Jaminton Campaz made it three for Colombia with a fine header.

The win put Colombia top of a group that also features Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who drew 1-1 earlier.

AFP