At a football game on Monday night, Maya Jama and R. Ben Dias were pictured fleeing on the PDA.
The couple’s romance, which has been rumored for a while, is confirmed by the footage. According to sources, Maya, 30, and Manchester City’s R. Ben, 27, have recently become “more serious” players.
At KSI’s Baller League event on Monday, they were pictured kissing and cuddling. Rben is seen flying under the radar wearing casual attire and a cap as they are filmed with their arms around each other before he leans into her neck for a peck.
Maya and Ruben appeared to be very close, very romantic, and unmistakably at ease. They were conversing with one another around them, but they both veered away from one another. They appear to be having a great time together, according to a source.
Rben, who is seen in action for his club, was photographed cuddling Maya at a party on Monday (Offside via Getty Images).
Although Maya has frequently made hints about the romance by sharing photos of the flowers she has sent, it is the first time they have been seen in public since it was believed they had started dating.
After Match of the Day host Gary Lineker appeared to let the cat out of the bag in a Baller League advertisement earlier this year, speculation that the couple had started dating broke out. Maya, a presenter on BBC Radio 1, is alleged to have introduced the Portuguese football player to her mother last month despite the couple’s continued online absence from public confirmation of romance.
The Sun’s publication of the clip, however, marks the couple’s biggest step toward expressing their happiness to fans. After falling head over heels from rapper Stormzy, whom she had been dating intermittently for several years, Maya, a panelist on The Masked Singer, has a poignant moment.
Rben and Maya and her family also visited Wembley to watch him play in Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. After beating Aston Villa 3-0, the victory places City in the FA Cup final, where they will face Crystal Palace.
Maya, the host of Love Island, was seated next to her mother and brother in a video that she posted while heading to the stadium. The actress, who is a native of Bristol, then shared a video of the pitch while her family enjoyed the atmosphere.
Rben, a central defender who joined City from Benfica in 2020, has made more than 60 appearances for the entire Portugal side. From 2018 to 2021, the footballer dated Portuguese singer-songwriter April Ivy.
Despite widespread concern on the island that US President Donald Trump might use the East Asian democracy as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with China, a top Taiwanese official has stated that Taiwan has faith in the support of the US.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng stated that “Taiwan and the US have a very strong and solid relationship, and Taiwan has cross-party support from the US Congress.”
“The US and Taiwan have unprecedentedly close relations,” said Chiu, whose cabinet-level portfolio covers Taiwan’s relations with mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Chiu claimed that it was still too early to fully assess the effects of the second Trump administration.
Since it has been less than three months, the Taiwan government will continue to monitor the Trump administration, he said through an interpreter.
The government of Taiwan consistently adheres to the principles of preserving our freedom, democracy, and sovereignty.
Trump overturned a longstanding rule that US and Taiwanese presidents do not speak directly when he accepted a congratulatory phone call from then-Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016.
With numerous delegations of Democratic and Republican lawmakers visiting Taiwan in recent years, relations between the US and Taiwan have remained strong throughout Trump’s first term and under former US President Joe Biden.
Trump has launched a number of insults to Taiwan since returning to the White House, despite the US Secretary of State’s unwavering support for Taiwan.
The US president has repeatedly called Taiwan “a thief” and said Taipei should pay for its own defense, and threatened to impose a “100 percent tax” on Taiwan’s top chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) if it does not expand US-based manufacturing.
Trump also stepped up existing steel and aluminum tariffs on its exports, expanded existing ones, and hit Taiwan with a 32 percent “reciprocal” tariff, which has been halted until July, among other measures.
The US does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China views as belonging to its own territory, like most nations do.
However, despite the law’s prohibition against directly intervening in a conflict, Washington is determined to support the island’s defense.
Trump’s “America First” rhetoric and politics have sparked concern among many Taiwanese over his potential abandonment of Taiwan in exchange for concessions in trade negotiations with China, despite Taipei’s wait-and-see philosophy.
Only 39.2% of respondents in a March survey from the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation said they believed the US would send troops to defend Taiwan, compared to a record high of 65 percent in 2021.
Chiu said he thinks Washington would never accept an “unreasonable request” from Beijing to alter Taiwan’s relationship terms despite these concerns.
Although the ruling Communist Party has never held any direct control over Taiwan, China has pledged to “reunify” the island with the Chinese mainland, using force if necessary.
Taiwan, according to Chiu, has a lot to offer the US, from its strategic position in Washington’s first island chain defense plan to its position as the world’s top chip producer.
We believe we can demonstrate to Americans that Taiwan and the US are unchangeable and a very good partner, Chiu said.
Although Beijing and Taipei have been informally separated since the Democratic Progressive Party’s 2016 election, Chiu’s cabinet-level portfolio is in charge of the planning and implementation of Taiwan’s cross-strait policy.
Over the past nine years, Beijing has been putting more military, economic, and diplomatic pressure on the island. It views the DPP as “separatists.”
tactics used by the “United Front”
Chiu claimed that Taiwan’s government is still attempting to communicate with Beijing through official channels as well as through business-related, nonprofit, and academic intermediaries.
Chiu, however, criticized China’s communications with Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT), which he characterized as part of Beijing’s “divide and rule” strategy and “United Front” tactics.
Despite polls showing most Taiwanese favoring the status quo of de facto independence, the term “United Front” refers to both an official branch of the Chinese Communist Party and, conversely, activities carried out by party members to advance the CCP agenda.
“Taiwanese society constantly exhibits United Front tactics, infiltration, and division. They can be found everywhere, Chiu asserted.
In 2024, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau charged 64 people with espionage, primarily serving military personnel and veterans, compared to 48 in 2023 and ten in 2022.
Other threats, such as the recent increase in Chinese military exercises and maneuvers near Taiwan, are more immediately apparent, Chiu said.
China flew more than 5,000 military sorties in Taiwan’s direction in 2024, according to Chiu, including about 3, 000 that flew over the “median line” of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that divides China and Taiwan.
Beijing also sent more than 2,500 warships in Taiwan’s direction, some of whom entered its territorial waters, he claimed, referring to the area’s maximum 24 nautical miles (44 kilometers) from shore, which extends to the territorial sea.
Chiu expressed his concern for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s leadership style.
Xi, who has a record-breaking third term now, is sometimes regarded as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, the country’s first and foremost modern leader.
“This new kind of authoritarianism is the Xi regime.” He has been promoting fanatical nationalism, which is why we are witnessing wolf warrior diplomacy and military hegemony,” Chiu said.
“This nationalism poses a serious threat to its neighbouring countries,” Chiu said, adding that Mainland China is not a very rational decision-making party at the moment.
Leigh Sports Village is a BBC Sport women’s football news reporter.
33 Comments
Was there a question mark after former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes announced her departure?
Who could succeed the woman who had won five consecutive Women’s Super League titles and 14 significant titles in 12 years?
The end of a time, an invitation to Chelsea’s rivals, and a new set of difficulties.
However, those ideas still popped up when celebrations broke out at Leigh Sports Village a year later after Chelsea won the league again with a 1-0 win over Manchester United. They still sounded foolish.
Sonia Bompastor, Hayes’ successor, turned around, fist-pumped and roared toward her staff before unwrapping a flag to give her players to celebrate with.
The ruthless, serial winners
Chelsea’s performance in Manchester on Wednesday night lacked the air of inevitability.
It would be incorrect to say that they were hoping to capture their sixth straight WSL title. Bompastor acknowledged that they had not considered adding that Chelsea would gain from losing at Aston Villa.
Instead, this was a herd of wounded animals, all but recovered from their Champions League humiliation on Sunday.
Chelsea’s routine continued to be effective when word of the club’s 5-2 defeat to Aston Villa eventually spread to the Leigh Sports Village supporters.
As the players warmed up, Bompastor appeared to be assuming they had no idea what was going on elsewhere while standing with their arms crossed.
Chelsea were getting ready for the job, in their typical, ruthless state.
The outpouring of emotion that followed their re-entry as champions 90 minutes later was stark contrasted.
When Lucy Bronze scored the game’s only goal in the 74th minute, the crowd sang “Chelsea, champions” on repeat until the very end.
Chelsea did what needed to be done, even when they weren’t playing at their best, as they have done so frequently this season.
They have been criticized for being “Mentality monsters” lately, and they have done it frequently this season.
More than any other WSL team, 33% of their total goals were scored in the final 15 minutes of play.
Only Manchester City have ever won more from positions lost in games, despite also having eight points after coming from behind.
In essence, Chelsea always had the better chance of winning because they had won the previous five WSL titles, had the biggest league budget, and had made significant investment during the transfer window.
They are champions because of how much money they have spent. Chelsea ran as the chasing pack bouyed from their self-aggrandizement.
Bompastor was taken from French power Lyon by Chelsea after Hayes left and one of the best coaches in Europe.
Manchester City pressured them to the brink last season by signing Champions League winners Bronze and Keira Walsh from Barcelona, who won their fifth consecutive title on goal difference.
After falling to Manchester City in the Champions League, they bounced back and defeated them in the league a few days later, scoring a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool to advance to the Women’s FA Cup final.
With two trophies already in the bag, they have created a squad that can face challenges on all domestic fronts. They are also on track to win the Treble this year.
Is the gap between Chelsea and the rest of the WSL growing? Its unbeaten season and their points total suggest otherwise.
Building on the previous success, a new legacy is created.
Images courtesy of Getty
Bompastor said on Wednesday that Chelsea’s mentality has been a “massive part” in their success, but she also has a leadership role.
Bompastor has always remained calm and never appeared out of place despite being under the weight of expectation and wearing big boots.
Similarity could be seen in Bompastor and Hayes as Liverpool’s men celebrated winning the Premier League trophy just days before – Arne Slot triumphing in Jurgen Klopp’s well-laid foundations.
The Frenchwoman was aware of the depth, talent, and experience of her squad when she arrived in London. Her goal was to improve them even more.
Bompastor has consistently said “perfection” and “the ideal,” but she is aware that it will take practice.
She talked about wanting perfection and developing a true identity for the upcoming season and about always wanting more.
Even though the disappointment of their Champions League exit weighs heavily, she can have no complaints about their success in England in a short amount of time.
Bompastor has made tactical adjustments, including allowing for more ball possession, more aggressive press, and less direct ball-handling.
She has incorporated newcomers, elevated winger Sandy Baltimore to full-back, and tasked 19-year-old midfielder Wieke Kaptein with responsibility.
Bompastor’s personality is perhaps his biggest contrast to Hayes’ time.
Bompastor is occasionally understated, despite Hayes frequently playing mind games, keeping people on their toes, and using her platform to challenge conventions.
Although her celebrations for the title appeared subdued, she is a “simple person” and will cherish special time with her family in London, as she herself described them.
Bompastor already has her sights on the Treble, so “a little bit” of champage and some chocolate might be in order.
She thanked Hayes for her contributions in her post-match media conference despite being aware of her accomplishments but humble enough to acknowledge her involvement.
Bompastor began to reflect on both Chelsea’s successes from the past and what might be in store for the future.
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
Jess Anderson
journalist for BBC Sport
31 Comments
A match happens once every few minutes and will stick in the memory for a while long after the break.
A treat and a football feast. In the opening game of their Champions League semi-final, Barcelona and Inter Milan drew with a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock described the battle as “an amazing battle that almost seemed to take place in a boxing match.”
“Barca and Inter were set up very differently, and it turned out to be a really fun game.”
Ally McCoist, a former Rangers striker, described tonight as “just special, special to be here watching those two teams.”
This evening, some unbelievable football has been played.
stunning Inter Inter quickfire double
Barcelona was the subject of a lot of conversation during the build-up to this game.
Their risky high line, ability to score a lot of goals with a strong front three, and prospects for a future generation of elite players from their prestigious La Masia academy.
Everything changed after the first leg at the Nou Camp, which lasted 30 seconds.
The home crowd was stunned when Marcus Thuram’s deft backheel finish was the fastest goal ever scored in a Champions League semifinal.
However, Inter knew one goal would not suffice against a team capable of scoring numerous goals, so they did, and Denzel Dumfries’ remarkable overhead kick, which came on 21 minutes later, set the tone for the home team once more.
A Barcelona side’s first-ever Champions League title challenge was not in the script for the team’s attempt to reach it for the first time in ten years.
Everyone believed that once Inter won a 2-0 lead, they would shut down, and we wouldn’t see much more than another outstanding defensive effort, said Warnock.
The Serie A side were able to capitalize on Inter’s recent Champions League performance, which saw them concede just five goals. Barcelona’s high-line tactics exposed their own defensive weaknesses.
What data are gathered from this quiz?
Yamal inspires an “electric” comeback.
Barcelona needed an immediate resurgence after trailing by two after 21 minutes.
Enter Lamine Yamal.
It took the teenager, who was making his 100th club appearance, just three minutes to stand up for his team and create magic to re-engage them.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was left in his wake when Yamal slammed into the penalty box with a majestic left-footed finish that ricocheted off the post and into the net to start the comeback.
It was easy to overlook Yamal’s age when “Giving the Ball to Yamal” became a clear strategy for Barcelona. He quickly took control of the game, pinging balls into the area, and making himself available in forward positions all the time.
After Raphinha nodded on Pedri’s diagonal cross, Ferran Torres scored the equalizer at close range in the 38th minute.
After what had been a mesmerizing opening 45 minutes, the anticipation was high when parity was restored just in time for the break.
This video is not playable.
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
Inter take the lead over “vulnerable” Barca
Expectations were high for a similarly entertaining second half as both fans and neutrals were on the edge of their seats after this gripping encounter.
After scoring three stunning goals that would have guaranteed a Champions League title for any team, Inter’s goal, which was a straightforward corner routine, almost gave off a sense of disappointment.
Dumfries’ highest rise met Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner at the back post, highlighting Barca’s defensive struggles.
Inter aren’t the most dynamic team, and they lack the most dynamic pace, but there was still a way for them to hurt Barca, Warnock claimed.
They have a lot of experience in their team, which is why they are the oldest in the Champions League, and they showed that tonight by being clever enough to keep opening up Barca.
In a high-drama scenario, Inter chose the seventh-old starting XI for a Champions League semi-final match, which was 30 years and 56 days old.
The impression is that Barcelona should have been able to produce a better result, Barcelona forward Raphinha told Movistar Plus.
We can’t deny that many goals, especially at home. Yes, you must commend our opponents who are strong and played well tonight, but we are Barca, and winning at home is our responsibility.
Inter, who have lost three consecutive games to city rivals AC Milan and dropped second in Serie A, were determined to keep the lead.
“Barca were prepared to attack and take the game to Inter, but their high-line left them vulnerable at the back,” Warnock said.
What data are gathered from this quiz?
The “amazing battle” is concluded by an equalizer from Barcelona.
Sometimes all you need is someone to take a chance when you have three goals at home and have a chance to travel to the San Siro.
Raphinha tapped the ball 25 yards out, hamming it into the back of the net with a touch off the bar, and sending goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s back.
Before Raphinha’s equalizer brought Barcelona level for the second time in the match, Inter had led for all 114 seconds.
Raphinha has been the main focus for Barca throughout the campaign, despite the fact that Yamal may have been the star of the show on Wednesday. Although the Brazilian’s performance has not been given credit, his success has been largely attributed to him.
Hansi Flick, the Barcelona manager, said, “I really appreciate what we did today.
Mkhitaryan poked home in the 75th minute after realizing he had found a fourth goal, but the video assistant referee decided against it due to an agonizingly tight offside.
The first leg of a Champions League semi-final game was 3-3 draw between Dynamo Kyiv and Bayern Munich, which was the joint-highest score draw in the same match without that.
The visitors will feel confident that they were able to match Barca’s three goals on a thrilling night of football, with the result of a mouthwatering second leg in Milan the following week.
We saw the real Inter tonight, according to Inter goalscorer Dumfries, who had lost three in a row.
Watch highlights of every Champions League game on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport, and the BBC Sport website and app from 12:00 to eve of the match.
