Football fans may have come to an end, but the sports world may not have been completely quiet during this week.  ,
Some of the discussions revolve around transfer rumors, but the Club World Cup, preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and a rekindled rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, also made headlines in the last seven days.  ,
This week’s edition of First Eleven will feature a recap of the most talked-about sports headlines of the week and other topics that have shaped discussions.
Ronaldo and I have no connection, Messi.
The long-running conflict between Ronaldo and Messi resurfaced in football this week.  ,
Ronaldo and Messi have drawn comparisons between themselves, stoking heated debates among the fans. Many people consider them to be the greatest footballers to have ever played the game.  ,
Messi claimed that despite having a close relationship with the Portuguese maestro, he is not friends with him.  ,
“The pitch was in the fight with him,” he said. Everything stayed on the field, of course, as always. We are two normal people, Messi told DSsport in an interview.
We are not friends, and we don’t get together, he says. But he claimed that we have always treated each other with respect.
Fans have been debating who is the best football player since his comment once more. No one else comes close to Messi and Ronaldo in terms of winning the Ballon d’Or, which Messi holds just three of.  ,
The Super Falcons are preparing for WAFCON with the addition of a 24-person team for the event scheduled for next month in Morocco, far from Ronaldo and Messi’s conflict.  ,
For WAFCON battle, Nigeria Names Plumptre, Oshoala.
After missing for months, flamboyant defender Ashleigh Plumptre is returning to the side.  ,
The team, which consists of a mix of experience and youth, was unveiled on Friday, roughly two weeks before Morocco’s participation in the World Cup of Africa. Asisat Oshoala, the record African Player of the Year winner, was as expected to be on the list, along with veteran Francisca Ordega, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, and Osinachi Ohale.
The Moroccan edition of the WAFCON will take place on July 5 through July 26.
Bayern scuttle Auckland City, PSG Stunned At Club World Cup
In a difficult fight between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, Paris Saint-Germain suffered a shocking defeat to Brazilian side Botafogo.
Igor Jesus’ first-half goal at the Pasadena Rose Bowl sealed Botafogo’s all-but-selection in front of a 53, 699-person crowd that was the difference.  ,
After a fantastic season that ended with a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last month, PSG, the reigning champion of France, is widely regarded as one of the favorites for FIFA’s 32-team competition. However, their hopes of winning would have been crushed by the resilient performances of their Rio de Janeiro opponents, who would have made them the first team to advance to the last 16.
In a Group C opener, one of the heaviest defeats in the competition, New Zealand part-timers Auckland City were down by 10-nil by German champions Bayern Munich. The Club World Cup also featured a successful opening for Palmeiras, Chelsea, and Manchester City.  ,
In a game in which Nicolas Jackson received a late red card on Friday, Chelsea were defeated 3-1 by Flamengo of Brazil.  ,
In the EPL opener weekend, Arsenal and Man United square off.
The Premier League’s future is shaping up for the US as the Club World Cup battlerages continue. The upcoming campaign’s fixtures were released earlier this week, and the opening weekend fixture featured a mouthwatering clash between Manchester United and Arsenal, setting the tone for what will be a fascinating season. Here are the full 2025/26 season fixtures.  ,
Osimhen Shines in Turkey
Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian forward, won the Goal of the Season award in Turkey. The Super Lig’s Goal of the Season award was made for the striker’s overhead kick in Galatasaray’s 3-0 victory over Antalyaspor in October 2024.  ,
Osimhen defeated his teammate Kaan Ayhan (34.2%) with a vote of 65.8% of the vote cast, which was a dismal majority.  ,
Why Are EPL Teams Concerned About Osimhen & Orstein?
Premier League clubs are said to be hesitant to sign the Nigerian despite his excellent form in Turkey and reports that point to him to a significant move.  ,
According to football journalist David Orstein, “The biggest sticking point for the Premier League club so far seems to be, one, the salary expectations, and two, maybe he’s not the right person for them… in terms of age, where he fits into the team, and the dressing room,”
Expect more about Osimhen, who is on loan from Napoli, with the transfer window still months away.  ,
Senegal’s women’s basketball team is denied visas by the US.
In the interim, Washington tightens border controls and reportedly considers extending the travel ban, according to Dakar officials, who claim the United States has rejected multiple visa applications for Senegal women’s basketball players who were scheduled to practice in America.
Some athletes and fans who intend to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States are confounded by the tense border situation. According to a memo from the internal administration, the United States is considering enegal as one of the 36 nations that are included in the travel ban that prohibits entry to its territory.
Sabalenka apologizes to Gauff
Aryna Sabalenka apologized for statements she made after losing to Coco Gauff earlier in June in the French Open final.  ,
Gauff won her first French Open title after coming back from a set down to defeat Sabalenka in three sets at Roland-Garros.  ,
The 27-year-old described the loss as “the worst final I’ve ever played” in a press interview following the loss. She played so well, but I don’t believe she won because I made those errors, not because she did.
The Belarusian, however, claimed on Tuesday that the remarks were “simply completely unprofessional of me.”  ,
I follow my feelings as I go. She continued, “I completely regret what I said back then.”
Oliseh sneers at Super Eagles’ foreign coaches.
Sunday Oliseh, a former Super Eagles coach and player, made headlines during the week for criticizing the senior male national team’s use of a foreign manager.  ,
Oliseh stated on Channels Television’s Sunday Sports that he opposed having foreigners manage the Super Eagles.  ,
The former team captain believes that some skilled local coaches can take the place of the team’s current leader.  ,
Because we have qualified Nigerians who can perform that job, he said, “I am totally opposed to that role not being handed over to a Nigerian.”  ,
Eric Chelle, a former Mali international of French descent, was appointed in January to succeed Augustine Eguavoen, who had been in an interim capacity.
Amusan wins the Diamond League season by clocks
Tobi Amusan, the world record holder, won the 2025 Diamond League in Paris, breaking the season’s best time of 12.24 seconds to finish in second place in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Amusan set a new record for the second-fastest time ever, surpassing her 2022 world record of 12.12 seconds.
Aruna Quadri Drops WTT Tourney
In the end, Japan’s Shunsuke Togami defeated Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna in the round of 32, giving him a premature exit from the 2025 WTT Star Contender in Ljubljana, Slovenia.  ,
Togami won the game 3–2 (8–11, 11–9, 11–7, 5–11, 11–5) to move into the next round of the tournament.  ,
In a further 32 game round, the Japanese star will face his fellow countryman and second-seed Tomokazu Harimoto, who defeated Spaniard Alvaro Robles 3-1 (93), 7-11, 11-7, 12-10).
