Sports
Messi Makes MLS History With Second Consecutive MVP Award
Lionel Messi has been named the Major League Soccer (MLS) Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive season, further cementing his legendary status after inspiring Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup triumph.
The Argentine superstar, who joined the Florida-based club in 2023, emerged as the standout performer of the 2025 season after leading the league in goals and playing a decisive role in Inter Miami’s title-winning campaign.
Messi’s latest honor makes him the first player in MLS history to win back-to-back MVP awards and only the second player overall to claim the accolade twice, following former Chicago Fire and Kansas City Wizards star Preki.
ALSO READS: Future In Doubt As Messi Hints At Retirement After Argentina Win
At 38, Messi enjoyed a sensational regular season, scoring 29 goals and providing 19 assists to clinch the MLS Golden Boot.
His all-round brilliance also saw him become just the second player to lead the league in both goals and assists in a single season, a feat previously achieved by Sebastian Giovinco in 2015.
Messi carried his fine form into the playoffs, contributing six goals and nine assists as Inter Miami surged to the MLS Cup final.
In the decisive match, Miami defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1, with Messi delivering two crucial assists to cap a memorable campaign and earn the MLS Cup MVP award.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward, who captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title, recently signed a three-year contract extension with Inter Miami in October, underlining his long-term commitment to the club.
Messi’s latest success adds to an already glittering career that includes a record eight Ballon d’Or titles, three FIFA Men’s Best Player awards, two World Cup Golden Balls and numerous domestic and international honors.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have unveiled a striking new 10-star jersey ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), celebrating the team’s unparalleled success on the African continent.
The newly designed kit features 10 stars encircling the team’s badge, with each star representing one of Nigeria’s 10 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles.
The symbolic design reflects the Super Falcons’ legacy as the most successful side in the history of the competition.
READ MORE: Germany Appoint Jurgen Klopp as New National Team Head Coach
The nine-time defending champions first wore the special jersey during Thursday’s 2-1 international friendly victory over Tanzania’s Twiga Stars, giving supporters a glimpse of the new look ahead of the continental showpiece.
Justin Madugu’s team will now turn its attention to Morocco, where it will be aiming to capture a record-extending 11th WAFCON title and further cement its dominance in African women’s football.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to begin on Saturday, with Nigeria opening its title defence against tournament debutants Malawi on Tuesday at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
See the jersey below
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially appointed former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp as the new head coach of the country’s men’s national football team.
Klopp, 59, replaces Julian Nagelsmann, who departed following Germany’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The announcement was made on Friday during a press conference in Frankfurt by DFB President Bernd Neuendorf.
SEE MORE: Ex-Liverpool Boss, Jurgen Klopp Named Global Head Of Soccer At Red Bull
Neuendorf confirmed that Klopp has signed a contract that will run until the summer of 2030, keeping him in charge through the next FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal. He added that Klopp will officially assume his new role on August 15.
Speaking during the unveiling, Neuendorf expressed confidence that Klopp is the right man to restore Germany’s status as one of world football’s elite nations.
Germany’s latest World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32.
The exit marked the country’s third consecutive poor World Cup performance since lifting the trophy for a fourth time in Brazil in 2014.
The four-time world champions also failed to progress beyond the group stage at the 2018 and 2022 editions, while their only knockout victory in the last five major tournaments came during Euro 2024, where they reached the quarter-finals on home soil.
Klopp had previously indicated his interest in leading the national team after Nagelsmann’s departure earlier this month.
Widely regarded as one of football’s most successful managers, Klopp built his reputation at Mainz before guiding Borussia Dortmund to domestic success.
He later transformed Liverpool into one of Europe’s dominant clubs, winning multiple major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and the English Premier League.
Germany will now look to Klopp to oversee a long-term rebuild and guide the national team back to competing for major international honours.
Spain’s celebrations after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup were overshadowed by tragedy after a 13-year-old boy died and several others were injured when a fountain collapsed during jubilant scenes in the western Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The heartbreaking incident occurred shortly after Spain secured a historic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, ending a 16-year wait for the country’s second global football title.
RELATED NEWS: BREAKING: Spain Dethrone Argentina to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup
According to local authorities, emergency services received multiple distress calls at around 12:30 a.m. local time after a fountain packed with celebrating fans suddenly collapsed.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ciudad Rodrigo City Hall confirmed the teenager’s death and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
“The city hall of Ciudad Rodrigo expresses its sadness and presents its condolences for the death of a boy of 13.”
The municipality described the incident as a devastating turn of events, saying: “What should have been a celebration of Spain’s team in the football World Cup turned into tragedy.”
Emergency services also confirmed that another youth was injured in the collapse, while several others sustained injuries as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Local media reported that the fountain gave way under the weight of dozens of fans who had climbed onto the structure to celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The fatal accident cast a somber mood over celebrations across the football-loving nation, with many expressing grief just hours after Spain’s memorable victory on the world stage.
Adeleke Commissions 3.5km Phase 1 of Ila Road Dualisation
Chevron Wins a Bid in Nigeria’s 2025 Licensing Round
Ex-Porn Star Makes History, Takes Oath as Colombian Senator
Super Falcons Unveil Iconic 10-Star Jersey Ahead of WAFCON 2026
Germany Appoint Jurgen Klopp as New National Team Head Coach
Court Halts Ramaphosa’s Impeachment Over $580,000 Farm Cash Scandal
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
