Sports
Neymar Says 2026 World Cup Will Be His Last

Neymar said that the 2026 World Cup will be his last adding he was confident that Brazil would qualify for the finals in North America.
“I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it,” the 32-year-old attacker, who has not played for Brazil in more than a year, told CNN.
He also told the American news network in the interview published on Tuesday that he would not rule out reuniting with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at U.S. club Inter Miami.
“Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible,” Neymar said at an award ceremony in Dubai.
Brazil have struggled in South American World Cup qualifying.
After 12 of the 18 rounds, they are fifth in the 10-nation group. But the top six are guaranteed places in the World Cup and Brazil are five points ahead of Bolivia in seventh.
“I have a lot of faith in the team, in the players who are emerging, who are young,” he said. “We’re not in a position where we would like to be.”
“I think together we can achieve something very big. We have a year, a year-and-a-half to work, to do the right things to reach the World Cup,” Neymar said.
Neymar started Brazil’s first four qualifying games but went off injured at half time as they lost to Uruguay in October 2023. After knee surgery he was out for a year.
He returned for his Saudi club Al Hilal with two brief appearances in October and November but injured a hamstring and has not played since. He said he is targeting the World Cup.
“I want to be there, I’m going to try to do my best, to work very hard so that I can be with the Brazilian team.”
He will be 34 by the time the competition in the USA, Canada and Mexico, kicks off.
He could play in the United States before then. Al Hilal will appear in the expanded Club World Cup in the United States in June where Miami, with Messi and Suarez, will also be competing.
“They are my friends.” said Neymar, who also played with Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. “We still speak to each other. It would be interesting to revive this trio.”
“I’m happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows? Football is full of surprises.
“When the news came out that I was leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the transfer window was closed in the United States, so I didn’t have this option.”
AFP
Sports
Transfer: Chelsea, Man Utd, six others battle for Osimhen

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is in contact with up to eight teams about a possible summer transfer.
These clubs include Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Manchester United, Juventus, and Galatasaray.
Osimhen is now on holiday in Nigeria and will take his time deciding on his future club.
This was revealed by Goal’s transfer insider, Valentin Furlan.
Furlan wrote on X on Saturday: “Eight teams have contacted Victor Osimhen, per me and
@RudyGaletti, in the last few days: “Galatasaray, Juventus, PSG, Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, AC Milan, and Real Madrid.
“Osimhen in no rush to decide his future.”
Sports
Reinvented Olympic Balloon Makes Paris Comeback

The 2024 Summer Olympics might be over, but French authorities are hoping Parisians and tourists can “relive” last year’s magic when the iconic symbol of the Games returns next week.
During the Paris Games, the Olympic cauldron tethered to a balloon flew into the Parisian sky at sunset every day, with thousands flocking to see the seven-metre (23 feet) wide ring of environmentally friendly fire.
On Thursday evening, President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo visited the Tuileries Garden near the Louvre, where workers were installing the redesigned balloon and ring.
“We are going to relive this!” a beaming Macron said in a video posted on X.
The balloon, which will no longer carry the Olympic branding, will take to the skies on June 21 during France’s annual Fete de la Musique festival of street music.
It will be accessible to visitors every summer evening from June 21 to September 14 for the next three years, until the next edition of the Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
Its flame made up of clouds of mist lit by LED rays will remain the same.
The flame is still “100 percent electric”, according to Pierre Viriot, communications director at state-owned power utility EDF.
But unlike last year, it will be turned off at night.
The reconstruction of the balloon and the ring has been financed by the Olympic Organising Committee and EDF.
Sports
Manchester City Endorse AC Milan Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for £46.5m

Manchester City have completed the signing of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for an initial fee of £46.5 million, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Netherlands international joins the Premier League champions on a five-year contract, becoming Pep Guardiola’s fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, and Rayan Cherki.
Reijnders joins City in time to be eligible for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States later this month, with a potential debut lined up for June 18 against Wydad FC.
“I am ecstatic to be signing for Manchester City,” said Reijnders. “City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities. Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years.”
Capped 23 times by the Netherlands, Reijnders was an unused substitute in his country’s 8-0 win over Malta on Tuesday night. He enjoyed a standout season with Milan, scoring 15 goals in 54 appearances and earning the Serie A Midfielder of the Season award.
His arrival comes amid the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, with Guardiola looking to bolster City’s midfield options after finishing third in the Premier League last season.
See also Information minister congratulates Super Eagles
Reijnders is expected to play a key role in City’s domestic and international campaigns as they aim to reclaim the league title and secure more silverware under Guardiola’s leadership.
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