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We’ll be back – Valverde apologises to Real Madrid fan after Cup final defeat

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Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has penned a heartfelt letter to fans following their 3-2 defeat against FC Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey.

For a club of Real Madrid’s stature, the 2024/25 season has been deeply disappointing. Entering the campaign as the reigning European and La Liga champions, Los Blancos were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League after a heavy 5-1 quarter-final loss to Arsenal. Now, their Copa del Rey defeat leaves them staring at the possibility of ending the season without a major trophy.

Valverde, often regarded as one of the emotional leaders within the Madrid dressing room, took to Instagram to express his feelings, admitting that he felt he had let the fans down.

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“It happened again. And it will surely happen again many more times, because it is the road we are building and it is normal that one falls after so many miles. It makes me sad, it makes me angry, impotent. I feel like I failed you.

“It’s been a difficult year, physically and mentally very tough, but one day I was clear: ‘until my legs don’t give up anymore’. This club doesn’t deserve less.

“We’ll be back, we’ll continue and there I’ll be leaving everything for the respect Madrid deserves, its people and everything that involves playing in the most winning team in history. Thank you,” Valverde wrote.

Unlike the previous two El Clásicos this season—where Barcelona cruised to dominant victories of 4-0 and 5-2 in La Liga and the Supercopa de España respectively—Madrid put up a spirited fight this time. After falling behind to a superb strike by Pedri, Kylian Mbappé responded with a brilliant free-kick to level the game.

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Aurelien Tchouameni then headed Madrid into the lead, but Ferran Torres found a way past Thibaut Courtois to send the final into extra time.

There, Jules Koundé sealed Barcelona’s triumph with a crisp shot from outside the box, finding the bottom corner to secure a memorable 3-2 win for the Catalans.

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Osimhen’s brace fires Galatasaray to Turkish cup glory

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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen delivered a sensational performance, scoring twice to lead Galatasaray to a commanding 3-0 victory over Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup final at Gaziantep Stadium.

The win secured Galatasaray’s 19th Turkish Cup title and their first since 2019.

Osimhen has been instrumental throughout Galatasaray’s cup run, bagging a brace in their 2-1 quarter-final win over Fenerbahçe and adding a goal and assist in the 5-1 semi-final rout of Konyaspor.

Facing a determined Trabzonspor side, last year’s runners-up, Galatasaray struck early through Baris Alper Yilmaz, who finished off a precise cutback from Yunus Akgün in the 5th minute.

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Osimhen took center stage in the second half. He powered through a defender to double the lead, then capped a swift counter-attack with his second goal, his 35th of the season, putting the result beyond doubt.

The match also saw Osimhen face off against compatriot Anthony Nwakaeme, who was hoping to inspire Trabzonspor to glory on his return.

This triumph marks Osimhen’s first trophy with Galatasaray and the fourth of his career, adding to his U-17 World Cup, U-23 AFCON (both in 2015), and Serie A (2023) titles.

His 35-goal haul also sets a new record, surpassing Mario Jardel’s 24-year milestone to become the highest-scoring foreign player in a single season for Galatasaray.

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Flying Eagles beat Senegal, advance to U-20 AFCON semifinals

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Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have secured a place in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations U-20 tournament and qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Senegal.

The tightly contested knockout stage encounter ended goalless after regular and extra time, with both teams unable to find the back of the net.

Ultimately, it was Nigeria who triumphed 3–1 in the penalty shootout.

The match, held in the knockout stage of the continental youth championship, saw the two sides locked in a stalemate throughout regulation and extra time.

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Despite numerous attempts from both sides, neither team could break the deadlock, leading to a penalty decider.

Nigeria converted three of their spot-kicks, while Senegal managed only one, allowing the Flying Eagles to clinch the win and progress to the last four of the competition.

The result not only sends Nigeria into the semifinals of the U-20 AFCON but also confirms their place in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup.

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Brazil appoints Carlo Ancelotti as national team coach

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Veteran Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti has been officially appointed as the new head coach of Brazil’s national football team, according to reports by sports journalist David Ornstein. The 65-year-old will take over the role on May 26, immediately after overseeing his final match with Real Madrid against Real Sociedad in La Liga.

Ancelotti’s appointment marks a historic moment as he becomes the first foreigner to manage Brazil’s senior men’s team. Ornstein confirmed that all agreements have been finalized and contracts signed, with the transition negotiated amicably between Ancelotti, Real Madrid, and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The deal was led by Diego Fernandes on behalf of the CBF.

One of the most decorated coaches in football history, Ancelotti will be tasked with leading Brazil through their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, aiming for a record-extending sixth World Cup title when the tournament kicks off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Athletic previously reported that Ancelotti had agreed to take charge through the 2026 World Cup. He will succeed Dorival Júnior, who was dismissed in March after 14 months at the helm.

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Ancelotti’s debut on the Brazil touchline is expected on June 6, in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.

Since returning to Real Madrid in 2021, Ancelotti has added two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy to his illustrious resume, which includes eight major European finals. However, recent performances by Madrid have been underwhelming, including a Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal, a Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona, and trailing Hansi Flick’s side by seven points in La Liga with three games to go.

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