News
03 July 2025
Chelsea closing in on signing of Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens
Englishman Gittens, 20, looks set to join the Blues on a long-term contract after a reported £55million deal was reached. Chelsea are closing in on the signing of winger Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga club have confirmed. Englishman Gittens, 20, looks set to join the Blues on a long-term contract after a reported £55million deal was reached between the two teams, who are at the Club World Cup in the United States. A statement from the German side read: "Borussia Dortmund's offensive player Jamie Gittens (20) is on the verge of a transfer to the English Premier League club Chelsea FC. "All parties involved agreed in principle on this today, Thursday, in Fort Lauderdale (USA). The contractual details are still being finalised." Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl admitted it had not been a straightforward deal to make, which will see the Reading-born winger - who spent time in the Manchester City youth academy before heading to the Bundesliga in 2020 - return to England. "The negotiations with Chelsea were challenging, but in the end, we are glad that we can most likely realise our expectations and gain planning security," Kehl said. "Jamie is an excellent player who has brought us great joy. It was his wish to take the next step in his career at Chelsea, and we wish him all the very best and much success." Gittens made 76 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund, scoring 12 goals, and also played in their Champions League campaigns. Chelsea have already spent heavily in the summer window, with Joao Pedro coming in from Brighton on a reported £60m transfer after England under-21 international Liam Delap had been signed from Ipswich.
03 July 2025
Ronaldo defies age with 1,000-goal ambition
If global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo (40, Portugal) invited you over for a meal with a casual, "Wanna eat at my place?", you'd probably picture a lavish feast laid out before you, leaving you wondering which delicacy to try first. Given the reputation of some star athletes, those who've made front pages with their flushed party faces, you might expect a full-blown celebration. But former teammate Patrice Evra (44, France), who played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United in the English Premier League, would advise you not to get your hopes up. "Ronaldo invited me to his house once. All he served was chicken breast and salad. Not even juice, just water," Evra once revealed. After filling up on dry chicken breast, Evra said Ronaldo turned to him and said, "Now let's go outside and kick the ball." Rather than complaining about the underwhelming hospitality, Evra recounted this story on British TV with admiration, saying, "This is the lifestyle that made Ronaldo who he is." In other words, Ronaldo's discipline, his ability to suppress the urge to indulge and party, is his identity. According to Portuguese media, Ronaldo's "biological age" this year, measured through metrics like heart rate and physical performance, stands at 28.9. It is the product of a strict high-protein, high-nutrition diet and an unwavering fitness routine, with over four hours of intense individual training five times a week. Most professional footballers retire around the age of 35, but Ronaldo's feet are still on fire well into his 40s. Last season, he scored 35 goals in 41 matches for Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia). Still a regular on the Portuguese national team, he netted eight goals in the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League, spearheading his country to win the championship. His forward-looking mindset, "The most important goal is the next one," is what keeps him going. Last year, Ronaldo declared his new dream of reaching 1,000 career goals. He currently stands at 938, just 62 short. LeBron James (41, LA Lakers), the NBA superstar dubbed "the King," has a similar formula for longevity. Each offseason, he reportedly invests over 2 billion KRW into body maintenance, including personal trainers and recovery equipment. Once a fan of burgers and pizza in his rookie days, James gave up junk food in his mid-20s. A four-time NBA champion and the league's all-time leading scorer with 42,184 points, James has long said one of his motivations was to one day share the court with his son. That dream came true last year when his eldest, Bronny (21), joined the Lakers, making them the first father-son duo to play together in NBA history. Now, as James prepares for his record-breaking 23rd season, he is eyeing yet another championship ring. So, is biological age really the ultimate signal of when to call it quits? If you ask Ronaldo and James, their answer would be a firm "no." While many of their peers have dropped out of the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) race, these two are still sprinting ahead, almost as if they are running against time.
03 July 2025
Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain - Daily Times
Evidence at the scene of the crash near the city of Zamora suggests Jota's car suffered a burst tyre while overtaking, Spanish police said in a statement. Jota, 28, had in late June just married his partner of ten years with whom he had three children. "We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day," the Portuguese Football Federation said of Jota and his brother Andre Silva, a footballer who played for Penafiel in the Portuguese second division. Police said their bodies have been taken to a forensics unit in Zamora where autopsies will be performed. "The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured the name of Portugal, and his brother, is unexpected and tragic," Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said on X. "I offer my most sincere condolences to his family." Jota helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season and also won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Merseyside outfit. Born in Porto, he began his career with local team Pacos de Ferreira before switching to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017. Jota arrived at Anfield in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club in all competitions. "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota," the club said on X. He also made 49 appearances for Portugal, twice winning the UEFA Nations League. "It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream," Jota said on Liverpool's website of winning the Premier League. "It's a moment I will cherish forever."
03 July 2025
Super Falcons Kick Off WAFCON Against Tunisia on Sunday
As the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday, 6 July, all eyes are on the Super Falcons of Nigeria as they take on Tunisia in the tournament's opening match. The Group B encounter is set for the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, and will be streamed live on Showmax Premier League Mobile by 5 pm. Hosted by Morocco for the second time in a row, this year's WAFCON brings together 12 teams across three groups, with the top two from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stage. Nigeria shares Group B with Tunisia, Cape Verde, and Togo, setting up a competitive path to the quarterfinals. Cape Verde will face Togo later on Sunday in the group's second fixture. Nigeria, 11-time WAFCON champions, are no strangers to the spotlight, but the pressure is high. Their clash with Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca could set the tone for the entire tournament. A win puts the Falcons in strong contention to top the group, boosting morale and easing the pressure ahead of more challenging fixtures. A draw may complicate qualification, leaving little room for error. A loss would be a major upset and could destabilise the campaign from the onset. Historically, Nigeria has had the upper hand over Tunisia in women's football. In their last competitive encounter during the 2022 WAFCON, the Falcons edged Tunisia 1-0 in a thrilling quarterfinal battle. But with women's football evolving rapidly across the continent, underdogs are no longer easily dismissed - Tunisia will be looking to rewrite the script. In an interview with CAF online, Tunisia women's national team head coach Kamel Saada admitted that they are in a tough group, but they intend to play their best football. "It's a tough group. Everyone knows the quality of Nigeria. Algeria is improving fast. Botswana too. We're not underestimating anyone. We'll need to be disciplined, focused, and play our best football," she said. Led by head coach Justine Madugu, the Super Falcons head into WAFCON 2025 with a strong blend of experience and emerging talent. Key players include captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Toni Payne, and defensive anchors like Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie. The 24-woman squad also features promising newcomers such as Folashade Ijamilusi, Sikiratu Isah, and Chioma Okafor, all poised to make their mark. But they'll need more than star power to conquer a Tunisian side hungry for respect. The Falcons' dominance in African football is not just about talent; it's about rising to the moment, and Sunday is that moment. This highly anticipated match is just the beginning of Showmax's women's football fiesta, with comprehensive live coverage of WAFCON alongside the Women's EUROs, bringing you every moment of the action, drama, and triumph directly to your devices.