French forward, Antoine Griezmann has reminded football fans that Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are different footballers.

The Atletico Madrid man said both men have their career paths.

Griezmann and Mbappe helped France record a good start to their Euro 2024 campaign, beating Austria 1-0.

However, Mbappe left the pitch in the 90th minute after a lethal collision with Kevin Danso which broke his nose.

Speaking in an interview published by BFM RMC Sport, Griezmann aired his opinion on the comparisons drawn among Mbappe, Messi and Ronaldo.

“Kylian is making his career, his path. We have to separate the two, stop comparing one to the other. Even with Leo (Messi) or another player. Everyone writes their story,” explained Antoine Griezmann.

The Nigeria Football Federation has described as false reports in some online mediums that it banned Super Eagles’ forward Victor Osimhen from the team, for his recent social media outburst against the ex-Head Coach of the team. Finidi George.

NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, in a statement on Thursday, expressed amazement at the reports.

According to him, the federation has neither instructed a process nor has a process been concluded to ban the player from the national team.

He said, “The NFF hereby implores the media to join hands with the body to positively resolve issues and then focus on the big picture all the time, rather than needlessly escalate certain matters. There was no official communication from the NFF, yet some persons have gone to town to talk about a ban on Osimhen from the National Team. This is not good at all.’’

The general secretary said that the focus of the NFF was to get the Super Eagles on track in the 2025 AFCON and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Mr Sanusi stated, “Our focus is to resolve matters around the Super Eagles and be able to look ahead with confidence to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series. This is not the time to spread falsehood and foul the public space the more.”

Recall that Osimhen recently ranted on social media against Mr George a few hours after the latter resigned from the job.

Osimhen accused Mr George of allegedly questioning his commitment to the national team.

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed his teammates following their Euro 2024 victory over Czech Republic on Tuesday.

Ronaldo played all 90 minutes as Portugal came from a goal down to beat Czech Republic 3-1 in their Group F.

Lukáš Provod put Czech Republic in front before Portugal equalized via an own-goal from Robin Hranac.

However, Francisco Conceicao then scored a late goal to give Portugal all three points.

Reacting, Ronaldo praised his teammates for beating Czech.

The Al-Nassr forward wrote on Instagram, “All the way Portugal!”

Ronaldo will now hope to lead Portugal to victory when they face Turkey in their next game on Saturday.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, is set to prioritise the signing of a central midfielder after missing out on Benjamin Sesko.

After keeping their powder dry in January, the Gunners were keen to bring in a striker.

And 21-year-old Sesko quickly emerged as Arteta’s top target.

But the Slovenia international has now decided to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig.

According to The Athletic, this has forced Arsenal to change their transfer plans.

Strengthening in midfield is now a priority, with Arteta likely to target a No.6.

The club signed Declan Rice for a record £105million last year, but his marauding performances have convinced Arteta to give the England star a permanent license to roam.

France captain, Kylian Mbappe, has been diagnosed with a broken nose after an injury during Monday’s 1-o Euro 2024 win over Austria, the French Football Federation has confirmed.

In a statement on Tuesday, the FFF said, “Kylian Mbappé suffered a broken nose during the second part of the Austria-France held this Monday in Düsseldorf.”

It added, “The captain of France was treated first by the medical staff and Dr. Franck Le Gall, who diagnosed him with a nose fracture.”

However, in a boost for the 2018 World Cup winners, the federation revealed that the striker will not require surgery.

“Mbappé will receive treatment in the next few days, but he will not undergo surgery in the immediate future.

“A mask will be made for him so that the number 10 of the French national team can prepare for his return to the competition after a period dedicated to treatment,” the statement added.

The Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, is considering current Cameroon national team coach, Marc Brys, as a potential replacement for Finidi George, according to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.

Brys has constantly clashed with Cameroon’s FA chief, Samuel Eto’o.

The Belgian coach was dismissed by Eto’o last month, only to be reinstated a few days before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Angola and Cape Verde.

As per the report, the 62-year-old had not denied the rumours linking him with the vacant Nigeria job.

Brys insists he feels good with the Indomitable Lions despite the ongoing feud with the Fecafoot president.

Marc Brys had previously coached Germinal Beerschot, Mouscron, FC Eindhoven, Den Bosch, KV Mechelen, Al-Faisaly FC, Al-Raed, Sint-Truiden and OH Leuven.

The NFF are looking to bring in a foreign technical adviser for the three-time African champions, following a poor start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

After four rounds of matches in Group C, the Super Eagles find themselves in fifth place.

Finidi, who replaced Jose Peseiro as head coach of the national team, resigned following the NFF’s decision to appoint an expatriate Technical Adviser.

Jude Bellingham continued his impressive season as England beat Serbia 1-0 in their opening Euro 2024 fixture.

The Real Madrid midfielder ran onto Bukayo Saka’s cross to head the ball powerfully into the net.

The Three Lions failed to get a grip of the game in the second half and had to hold on for three points.

With Denmark drawing 1-1 with Slovenia earlier, England shoot straight to the top of Group C.

They have a two-point cushion before Thursday’s match with Denmark in Frankfurt.

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has lashed out at coach Finidi George, stating that he has lost respect for him, over some comments on his attitude towards the national team.

Finidi, who is said to have also resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles on Saturday, was quoted to have said he can’t beg Osimhen to play for the national team after the player withdrew from their last two 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to injury.

The striker was said to have been ruled out by a four-week injury and was replaced by Enugu Rangers defender, Kenneth Igboke.

But following the Super Eagles wobbling performances against South Africa and Benin Republic, the narrative of Osimhen’s absence changed as an online medium reported that Finidi used Osimhen’s absence as a poser for the players’ bad attitude towards the national team when he and the Nigeria Football Federation chiefs met with the Sports Minister, John Enoh, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Osimhen was apparently infuriated by the comments and, in a live Instagram video on Saturday opened up on the circumstances that led to his withdrawal from the Super Eagles last two World Cup qualifiers, adding that Finidi was adequately briefed by him and his doctor.

“I knew things like these would happen and that’s why I have the videos and screenshots of when I called Finidi while I was with the doctor in Germany,” Osimhen said.

“I got injured in our (Napoli’s) last game against Lecce and I went to the MRI scan. And I called Finidi there for him to listen to the doctor too.

“I called him (Finidi) and asked him to allow me to come to the camp to be with the boys and I spoke to some of my teammates too but he said I have to be with my family.

“I’m not addressing anything, everybody knows I play my heart out whenever I’m playing for the club or national team. I’ll share the screenshot and videos of my conversation with Finidi for the sake of those believing what Finidi said.

“I’ve lost respect for that man because before I disrespect anybody, I always respect them,” the player added

In Finidi’s first game in charge of the Super Eagles, Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last Friday and a 2-1 defeat against Benin Republic in Abidjan compounded the Super Eagles fate in Group C of the qualifying series, leaving them with just three points after four games.

The former Enyimba coach was said to have resigned from the national team as well, two days after the NFF said they were going to hire a foreign technical adviser.

Former Arsenal and Everton forward Kevin Campbell has died following a brief battle with an illness he was hospitalised for in May, both clubs confirmed in a statement on Saturday.

“We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness. Kevin was adored by everyone at the club. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time,” Arsenal said in a statement.

He was aged 54.

In addition to Arsenal and Everton, Campbell played for six other clubs, including Leyton Orient, Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, West Brom, and Cardiff, making 542 appearances and scoring 148 goals in total.

During his stint at the Emirates, he won four major honours, including the Football League First Division title, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. He also won another Football League First Division with Nottingham Forest.

Following his retirement from football in 2007, he ventured into broadcasting as a commentator for India-based Sony TEN’s Premier League and Champions League matches.

Everton said: “Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54. Not just a true Goodison Park hero and icon of the English game but an incredible person as well – as anyone who ever met him will know. RIP, Super Kev.”

Finidi George has resigned as the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles following the announcement to appoint a foreign technical adviser by the Nigeria Football Federation.

This decision to hire a foreign technical adviser came amidst dissatisfaction with the team’s recent performances, including a crucial defeat to Benin Republic that left the Super Eagles struggling in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers​.

Finidi, who was unveiled as the head coach earlier this year, had signed a one-year contract with the NFF, with the possibility of extension based on performance in the African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers​.

His tenure included leading Nigeria in two international friendlies and working as an assistant coach under the previous head coach, Jose Peseiro.

The NFF’s move to hire a foreign technical adviser was seen as a step to revitalise the team’s prospects after a series of disappointing results.

This reported exit might be inseparable from the move made by the NFF.

Meanwhile, an Official announcement has yet to be made by the NFF – website and social media handles.

Ex-Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye in a post on X.com on Saturday shared the same.

He wrote, “News just in Finidi George #FinidiGeorge_FG has resigned from his #NGSuperEagles manager position.”

Similarly, Sport photojournalist, #poojamedia on his X account said, “Finidi George RESIGNED after being stylishly demoted with the arrival of a foreign technical adviser.”

Finidi George, born in 1971 in Nigeria, is a former professional footballer renowned for his time at Ajax Amsterdam, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 1995.

A skillful winger, he also played a crucial role for the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, during the 1990s, participating in two FIFA World Cups and winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

After retiring in 2004, he has remained active in football, engaging in coaching and sports administration roles.

Former Roma coach Paulo Fonseca is to return to Italy as the new boss of AC Milan, the Serie A runners-up announced on Thursday.

“Milan’s new coach will be Paulo Fonseca,” said former Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, representing the owner, at a press conference.

Fonseca, 51, who has signed a three-year contract, has been with French club Lille since 2022.

He succeeds Stefano Pioli, who was sacked at the end of the 2023-24 season after five seasons in charge.

“We studied very carefully what he did, how he prepared his matches,” said Ibrahimovic, who had two spells as a player with the club, ending his on-field career with Milan in 2023.

“We want him to bring his identity of game, his offensive style to our team, to our players.

“After five years we wanted something new, with all respect to Stefano Pioli.”

Born in Nampula, Mozambique, in 1973, Fonseca began his coaching career in Portugal with stints at Pacos de Ferreira, Porto and Braga before spending three years at Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won seven trophies and finished with a record of 103 wins in 139 matches.

In 2019, he took over at Roma, whom he led to fifth and seventh in Serie A, before heading to Lille, taking them to fifth and fourth in Ligue 1 and guiding them into Europe in both seasons he had in France.

Milan are coming off a trophy-less season — their 19th league title came in 2022 — where they were second best by some distance to city rivals Inter who won the title.

They were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, finishing third behind Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain and lost to AS Roma in the quarter-finals of the Europa League

The announcement marks Fonseca the second big managerial change in Italy in two days.

On Wednesday, Juventus named Thiago Motta as their successor to Massimiliano Allegri who was sacked last month.

Graham Potter is set to join Leicester City as their new manager.

The Foxes are without a head coach after Enzo Maresca left for Chelsea this summer.

Ahead of their return to the Premier League, Leicester want to bring Potter, who was coincidentally sacked by Chelsea in April 2023.

Potter has been out of work since leaving Stamford Bridge.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, tweeted on Wednesday morning: “Leicester City have made contact with Graham Potter as serious candidate to replace Enzo Maresca.

“Talks ongoing to make decision on the favorite option but Potter’s appreciated, waiting for club to decide.”

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Monday in an ongoing clash against Benin Republic in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, recited the ‘Arise O Compatriot’ anthem as opposed to the newly signed ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’.

As observed by a PUNCH reporter, the players sang the now ‘old anthem’ at the beginning of the match.

President Bola Tinubu on May 29, signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law.

The bill reinstated the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

This was disclosed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the joint plenary that Tinubu attended.

The final assent to the passage of the bill will bring about a shift from the now-recognised, “Arise O Compatriots.” The bill was rapidly cleared by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Head coach Finidi George, ahead of the match named Terem Moffi and Ademola Lookman to spearhead the attack, while Victor Boniface has been placed on the bench.

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has claimed he will never coach Barcelona again.

According to Guardiola, “the door is closed”.

The Spaniard oversaw one of the most successful periods at the Nou Camp between 2008 and 2012.

Guardiola joined Barca’s famed La Masia academy as a child and became an integral part of Johan Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’ in the early 90s.

He then went on to coach the first team and won an unprecedented sextuple while getting the best out of mercurial talents such as Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta.

Guardiola was asked by COPE if the door is closed to coaching Barca in the future. He stated: “Yes, it is closed.”

Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, club, Doma United, were involved in a road accident on Monday.

According to reports, no live was lost but many players were injured in the incident.

The injured players are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

The accident occurred along Makurdi- Lafia road.

Doma United were on their way back from Owerri following Sunday’s encounter against Heartland.

The Savannah Tigers lost the matchday 35 encounter 3-1.

Abubakar Bala’s side are battling to escape relegation from the NPFL.

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has named five teams who could win this year’s Copa America.

According to Messi, apart from his country, the likes of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay are strong contenders.

The Inter Miami forward will captain the Albiceleste at the tournament, which will be held in the USA from June 20 until July 14.

“I think that Argentina is always the favourite,” Messi said.

“When a tournament starts, be it a World Cup, Copa América or whatever, Argentina is a candidate just like Brazil and more so in this Copa América.

“But I think that today the South American teams are very strong.

“Uruguay is very good, as is Colombia and Ecuador. Afterwards it becomes very difficult to play all the games, but I think it will be a very levelled Copa América.”

Argentina, who are the current world champions, are the defending champions.

Nigeria are in danger of not qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, following a 1-1 draw with South Africa on Friday night.

It is their third consecutive draw in the series.

The Super Eagles needed a win to go top of Group C, but conceded the first goal in the game.

Bafana Bafana attacker, Themba Zwane was allowed to dance into the box and fire past Stanley Nwabali.

Finidi George’s men were level early in the second half, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scoring his first goal for Nigeria.

The result leaves the Eagles in fifth place with three points, while South Africa are fourth with four points.

Up next for Nigeria is Benin Republic on Monday.

Juventus are progressing in their pursuit of Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, with the player expressing his eagerness to join the Serie A giants during the summer transfer window.

Greenwood, who will soon return to Man United after an impressive loan spell at Getafe, has sparked interest from several clubs including Juventus.

The 22-year-old netted eight goals and provided six assists in the La Liga, earning the club’s player-of-the-year award.

He has been absent from Man United’s lineup since his arrest in January 2022 for attempted rape, controlling behavior, and assault—charges that were later dropped.

Several top European clubs, including Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, and Napoli, have reportedly been keeping an eye on Greenwood’s situation.

Additionally, two Premier League teams have recently shown interest.

Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has expressed admiration for Greenwood.

Reports from Italy suggest that Juventus are intensifying their efforts to secure the England international’s transfer.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester United would be willing to finalize a deal with Juventus if their valuation of €35-40 million (£30-34m) is met this summer.

The report added that Greenwood has already agreed to the move, with Juventus aiming to negotiate a lower fee and explore advantageous terms.

It is suggested that Juventus might include Samuel Iling-Junior or Federico Chiesa as part of the deal to acquire Greenwood.

Nigeria will go into Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier sitting in fourth place in Group C.

This follows Benin Republic’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda on Thursday.

Douko Dodo scored the only goal of the game for Gernot Rohr’s men in the 37th minute.

It was the Beninoise’s first win in the qualifying campaign.

They went into the match following eight games without a win (four defeats, four draws).

The win takes Benin from bottom to second position on four points, while Rwanda, also on four points, remain in first position.

Up next for Benin Republic is a tough fixture against the Super Eagles on Monday, 10 June in Abidjan.