By Francesca Hangeior

Brazilian winger Raphinha has revealed that he was on the verge of accepting a call-up to play for the Italian national team before ultimately representing Brazil.

Speaking to journalist Isabela Pagliari and posted on Monday, Raphinha admitted he was close to joining Italy’s Euro 2020-winning squad.

“I was close to accepting the Italian national team call!” he said. “I was supposed to go to the Euro they won in 2020. I was basically set to go. So luckily, since the passport didn’t come through.”

The Barcelona forward explained that he was being actively pursued by the Italian setup at the time.

“At that point, the people from the Italian national team were calling me. Jorginho used to call me all the time. The Italian staff had this amazing project for me, something that really caught my eye,” he added.

Despite the strong interest and the prospect of joining a major European tournament, Raphinha said he held onto a small hope of playing for his country of birth.

“But at the same time, deep down, I still had that one per cent of hope that I could wear the Brazil shirt. And luckily, my Italian passport didn’t get ready in time!” he said.

Raphinha has since gone on to feature for Brazil at the international level, fulfilling the dream he nearly missed out on.

Kane, who had never previously won silverware, was among a group of Bayern players who gathered to watch the Leverkusen game in Munich on Sunday.

Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane celebrates scoring the 2-1 goal with his team-mates during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Munich on February 3, 2024.

Bayern Munich were crowned German champions for the 34th time on Sunday, giving striker Harry Kane his first major trophy, after second-placed Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 at Freiburg.

Bayern’s 3-3 draw at RB Leipzig on Saturday, when the Bavarians came from two goals down to take the lead before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser, meant defending Bundesliga champions Leverkusen needed to win at Freiburg to delay the title party.

Leverkusen were two goals down before scoring twice in the last 10 minutes.

But Xabi Alonso’s side could not find a third, as Bayern reclaimed the title at the first attempt after Leverkusen ended their 11-year reign last season.

Alonso, who won three Bundesliga titles as a player with Bayern, congratulated his former club.

“Congratulations to Bayern. It’s a deserved championship. They were more consistent team over the season and they deserve the shield,” Alonso said to DAZN.

We are the Champions!! pic.twitter.com/YYHC7k6ldU

— Harry Kane (@HKane) May 4, 2025

Kane, who had never previously won silverware, was among a group of Bayern players who gathered to watch the Leverkusen game in Munich on Sunday.

The England captain was suspended for the match at Leipzig but will return this Saturday against Borussia Mönchengladbach at home, where Bayern will be presented with the Bundesliga shield at full-time.

Given Bayern’s far superior goal difference, Leverkusen’s chances of defending their title were already all but impossible.

Freiburg’s Maximilian Eggestein hit a stunning goal from outside the box before half-time and Piero Hincapie was pressured into scoring an own goal just after the break.

Florian Wirtz netted a spectacular solo goal with eight minutes remaining, carving through the middle of the field before firing the ball in off the post.

Jonathan Tah headed Leverkusen level in stoppage time, but the visitors were unable to find the third goal which would have extended their spell as champions.

The result left Leverkusen, who became the first team in history to win the title unbeaten last season, eight points behind Bayern with two games remaining .

Brought it home. For the club, for the fans, for the city.

With the faint title hopes gone, Leverkusen’s focus will turn to keeping hold of Alonso and Wirtz, who could both be headed for the exit in summer.

Alonso has a contract at Leverkusen until 2026 but has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, where he spent five seasons as a player.

Wirtz’s deal expires in 2027 but the Germany midfielder is reportedly considering a big-money move to Bayern.

Tah, who has already confirmed he will leave the club on a free transfer after a decade in Leverkusen, said his side had “too little intensity, we had too few runs in behind. It didn’t work today.”

The Germany centre-back has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Bayern, but said “we’ll see” where he plays next season.

The late goal meant Leverkusen extended their unbeaten streak away from home to 33 games, equalling a Bundesliga record set by Bayern.

The draw keeps Freiburg in fourth, one point clear of Borussia Dortmund, in the final Champions League spot. Freiburg have never played in Europe’s top competition.

Earlier on Sunday, Holstein Kiel won 3-1 at Augsburg, keeping their hopes of beating the drop alive.

Kiel won thanks to a double from Alexander Bernhardsson and a Shuto Machino penalty and are now one point behind Heidenheim in the relegation play-off spot.

In Sunday’s late game, Eintracht Frankfurt can take a major step towards a top-four spot and Champions League qualification with a win at local rivals Mainz.

AFP

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen netted twice as Galatasaray cruised to a 4-1 victory over Sivasspor in the Turkish Süper Lig on Saturday.

This marks a historic milestone in his career.

The 26-year-old’s first goal of the game, a clinical finish in the 32nd minute, pushed his season tally to 32 goals across all competitions, surpassing his previous record of 31 goals during his standout 2022/23 campaign with Napoli.

Osimhen added his second in the 31st minute, taking his total to 33 goals for the season, reinforcing his status as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.

Speaking after the game, Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk praised the striker’s impact.

“Victor is a rare talent. He not only scores goals but also inspires the team with his work ethic and determination.

“We are fortunate to have him,” Buruk said during the post-match conference.

Since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, Osimhen has been pivotal to the team’s success.

His 24 league goals have powered the Istanbul-based club to the top of the league standings, as they aim for a third consecutive Süper Lig title.

Reflecting on his record-breaking season, Osimhen expressed gratitude and ambition.

“Breaking my own record is special, but I’m more focused on helping the team win trophies. The support from my teammates and fans has been incredible,” he told NTV Spor.

PUNCH Online reports that the five goals thriller all happened in the first half with Osimhen netting in the 15th and 31st minutes.

Lucas Torreira and B.A Yilmaz are also on the score sheet for the home team, who are eight points ahead of Jose Mourinho’s 75 points with Fenerbahce with a game at hand.

According to multiple reports, this cements Osimhen’s place in Galatasaray’s history books as they continue their campaign for domestic and European glory.

As Galatasaray sets sights on their next fixtures, all eyes will be on Osimhen to see how far he can stretch his remarkable goal-scoring run.

The match was played at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park with Ozan Ergün as the referee.