Ronwen Williams, the captain of Bafana Bafana and the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, has become the first South African to be nominated for the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards. Despite an injury sidelining him, his exceptional form has earned him prestigious accolades, making a significant impact in African and global football.
Ademola Lookman, Atalanta's star, has made it to the 2024 Ballon d'Or shortlist, standing alongside Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. The shortlist embodies the top performances from the 2023-24 season and summer tournaments, highlighting Lookman's stellar form. The final winner will be revealed at the annual ceremony later in the year.
The 2024/25 Champions League draw is set for Thursday, 29 August 2024, at 5:00 PM BST. Stream it live on the Champions League website or UEFA's YouTube channel. The new format introduces a single league phase with 36 teams playing eight matches each. The top eight teams advance to the last 16, while others face knockout playoffs or elimination.
English midfielder Conor Gallagher is on the verge of a significant transfer from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid. The deal, valued at £40 million, aims to provide Gallagher with more playing time and help Atletico reinforce their midfield. Both clubs are optimistic about finalizing the move soon, which could be a pivotal moment in Gallagher's career.
Atletico Madrid kicked off their La Liga season with an electrifying 2-2 draw against Villarreal. The match featured goals from Arnaut Danjuma and a Koke own goal for Villarreal, with Atletico responding through Marcos Llorente and Alexander Sorloth. Antoine Griezmann orchestrated the comeback efforts, and newcomer Julian Alvarez made his debut.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing 550 points in his managerial career with the club. His consistent success and exceptional leadership have earned him a place among Italy's top coaches. Gasperini's strategic knowledge and dedication continue to drive his team towards notable victories.
Kisped Queen's head coach, Daniel Minjis, urges the Football Kenya Federation to provide equal support and resources for men's and women's football. Highlighting the benefits of investing in women's football, Minjis calls for balanced development opportunities to enhance the overall quality and competitiveness of the sport in Kenya.
Manchester United's interest in Manuel Ugarte from PSG has been a hot topic this summer. Former players highlight Ugarte's defensive prowess and potential impact, but negotiations are stalled due to financial disagreements. With the club's midfield needs and other targets slipping away, Ugarte appears a key candidate for strengthening United's squad.
Jordan Chiles, an American gymnast, faced controversy at the 2024 Olympics when her medal-winning placement was revoked after a re-scoring of her routines. This sparked debates about the fairness and transparency of gymnastics judging, bringing attention to scoring biases and the emotional impact on athletes.
Manchester United has officially signed defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, strengthening their defense for the upcoming season. The players have agreed to long-term contracts, with de Ligt signing for five years and Mazraoui for four. This strategic move aims to enhance United's defensive lineup ahead of the new season.
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk urges the club to make new signings before the transfer window closes. With his contract nearing its end, the Dutch defender provides an update on his future, highlighting the need for a stronger squad to face the challenges of the season.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to join West Ham United from Manchester United, undergoing a medical on Sunday. The 26-year-old right-back will sign a five-year deal until 2029, with a transfer fee of £15 million. This move is part of West Ham's summer defensive overhaul, including recent signings and targets like Max Kilman and Trevoh Chalobah.