“Messi is not the greatest player of all time, Robben has done well in Brazil” – Mourinho

by Mark Bassey Jose Mourinho has insisted that Lionel Messi is not the best player of all time. A lot of pundits and fans have spoken ahead of the World Cup final between Argentina and Germany this weekend, that if Messi manages to lead his country to victory, he will be considered the greatest of... Read More

argentina, Arjen Robben, chelsea, epl, Jose Mourinho, lionel messi, Paul Pogba

June 25, 2014

‘Ifreke talks Sports: 5 things we learnt from Nigeria vs Argentina

by ‘Ifreke Inyang Payback for Messi When Nigeria faced Argentina at the last World Cup in South Africa, it was a personal duel between Lionel Messi and Vincent Enyeama. The Lille goalkeeper repelled the Barcelona forward time and time again, even though Gabriel Heinze eventually secured a 1-0 win for the South Americans. In 2014,... Read More

Angelo DiMaria, brazil, football, Gabriel Heinze, ifreke inyang, lionel messi, mikel obi, nigeria, sports, Vincent Enyeama, world cup

June 21, 2014

Opinion: 7 players who still have something to prove at the World Cup in Brazil

by Chinedu George Nnawetanma To prove that he truly deserves a place among the best of the best in world football, he must do the impossible by single-handedly spearheading his country’s quest for World Cup glory, just like Diego Maradona did with Argentina in 1986. The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is in... Read More

Bracelona, brazil, Chinedu George Nnawetanma, cristiano ronaldo, football, lionel messi, nigeria, spain, world cup

July 31, 2013

Doctored or not? Magazine publishes ‘the photo that puts Lionel Messi’s marriage at risk’ (PHOTO)

Lionel Messi, arguably the world’s best soccer player, may have to work on his off-the-field defense – at home – after two Argentine publications published photos showing the married soccer superstar gallivanting with an alleged stripper. The Barcelona striker was allegedly pictured on the cover of Argentina’s Pronto magazine with a blonde dancer in a Las Vegas... Read More

Barcelona star, Las Vegas, lionel messi, Marriage, pictured, Pronto magazine, stripper, tour

July 8, 2013

Lord have mercy: Footballers, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fàbregas spend time with their babies on a yacht (PHOTOS)

As Premier League footballers, they’ve got one of the most enviable jobs in the world. But Lionel Messi and Cesc Fàbregas were concentrating on their roles as doting dads on Monday as they looked after their little ones while on holiday in Ibiza. The friends spent the day on board a luxury yacht with their... Read More

babies, cesc fabregas, Footballers, Ibiza, lionel messi, yacht

June 5, 2013

‘Ifreke talks Sports: Mourinho’s second coming, Jesus is on his way and Neymar arrives

by ‘Ifreke Inyang The circus is back in England. Jose Mourinho has sealed his return as Chelsea boss and in depressingly familiar fashion, resumed with feeding the media with soundbites, we frankly now take with a pinch of salt. “I’m not happy – I am very happy,” he said. “When you return to a place... Read More

Alexis Sanchez, cesc fabregas, chelsea, David Moyes, ifreke inyang, Jose Mourinho, lionel messi, neymar, Pedro Rodriguez

January 31, 2013

Akintunde Oyebode: Fly Eagles, Fly (Y! FrontPage)

What we fail to realize is that football matches are rarely won on the match day, and the foundations for success lie in long term planning and the willingness to toil when no one is watching. There is an old residence in the La Corts District of Barcelona popularly called “The Farm House.” It was... Read More

AFCON, Bukola Saraki, Clemens Westerhof, Fanny Amun, football, Guillermo Amor, ivory coast, lionel messi, segun odegbami

December 17, 2012

Chelsea wins, Messi breaks record – The top 10 sporting moments of 2012

by ‘Ifreke Inyang It has been another great year in Sports. Whether it in Tennis, Basketball, Football or Athletics, the intensity, drama and suspense, held us helplessly captive. Great feats were achieved, records have been broken and new heroes have emerged. So, what achievements made the top 10 for 2012? 1. Chelsea winning the Champions... Read More

champions league, chelsea, lionel messi, olympics, Sporting Moments of 2012, us open

December 14, 2012

‘Ifreke Inyang: The unnecessary ‘beef’ against Lionel Messi

by ‘Ifreke Inyang Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi doesn’t need to prove doubters wrong. Truth is, he does it every in every other random game. It is practically a norm to the captive football world. Over the weekend, the diminutive Argentine broke Gerd Muller’s record of 40 years, with two clinical finishes. And just... Read More

barcelona, Cordoba, cristiano ronaldo, football, Gerd Muller, lionel messi, Maradona, Nani, Pele

November 18, 2012

Simon Kolawole: God loves a cheerful giver…

I know many Nigerian billionaires who cannot be bothered with putting a kobo into charity, yet they keep benefitting from the system. If you think I am about to mount the “pulpit” this morning to ask the “congregation” to “donate” generously, you are correct. But it is not to buy a private jet. Rather, it... Read More

aliko dangote, Goodluck Jonathan, lionel messi, mike adenuga, pat utomi, simon kolawole, zlatan ibrahimovic

November 15, 2012

Opinion: On a night when England was ‘Zlaughtered’ by Ibrahimovic

by ‘Ifreke Inyang Even his national team coach was in awe. Erik Hamren said: “Sometimes, when Ibrahimovic is doing these things, in training or in matches, you don’t think it’s possible.” There are a lot of footballers who divide opinions. But even at that, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is in a class of his own. Last... Read More

Abraham Ibrahimovic, Carl Jenkinson, cristiano ronaldo, danny welbeck, Erik Hamren, football, ifreke inyang, lionel messi, Raheem Sterling, soccer, zlatan ibrahimovic

November 3, 2012

Lionel Messi welcomes baby boy, Thiago

by Isi Esene Lionel Messi, the Barcelona FC forward, and partner, Antonella Roccuzzo yesterday announced the birth of their first child named, Thiago. Messi announced the good news on his Facebook page saying, “Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift! Thanks to... Read More

Antonella Roccuzzo, barcelona, Celta de Vigo, lionel messi, Thiago

May 7, 2012

Lionel Messi sets new World record with most goals scored in a season

by Seyi Lawal This might not come as a surprise to many; after all, Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is a known legend. However, recently he topped expectations when he obtained the world record for the most goals in a single season – scoring an astonishing 72 in all games. Bethlehem Steel, a player with the... Read More

barcelona, goals, lionel messi, striker, world record

March 22, 2012

Messi is not the greatest! “Calling Messi the best footballer ever is like referring to soap as the ultimate cleaner”

by Ifada Johnson If Messi is regarded as the best footballer, can he ever be a better defender that Baressi? His name may be Messi but he shows no mercy and leaves his opponents messy. 234 goals at only 24 years of age, and he still has a lot of years ahead to shatter all the... Read More

football, lionel messi

January 11, 2012

#InCaseYouMissedIt: A ‘three-mendous’ player! Messi is announced as World Best

by ‘Ifreke Inyang Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi, won the FIFA Ballon d’Or prize for the Best Player of 2011. In achieving this feat, the Barcelona forward becomes the fourth player in history to win the plaque three times. Messi beat perennial rival, Ronaldo and team-mate, Xavi to the top prize . He got 47.88% of votes in the survey... Read More

alex ferguson, barcelona, cristiano ronaldo, lionel messi, manchester united, real madrid, wayne rooney

November 1, 2011

Bests from the lot! FIFA announces shortlist for World Player of the Year

by Ifreke Inyang There are only four English Premiership players on the shortlist for the World Footballer of the Year released by FIFA today. The list of the best footballing talents that have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or is dominated by Barcelona who has eight players in the running. Wayne Rooney and his team... Read More

arsenal, barcelona, cesc fabregas, cristian ronaldo, david villa, lionel messi, luis nani, manchester united, sergio aguero, wayne rooney