Sports
Join Manchester United Or Stay Away From Premier League


Justice-godfrey Okamgba
FC Barcelona demigod, Leo Messi, has generated over 10 million tweets in 12 hours without any tweet. The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) doesn’t even have an official account on Twitter.
On Tuesday, he had a closed-door meeting with Ronald Koeman, the new Barcelona coach, and revealed his intentions to leave the club. But here is the problem – Messi’s Contract Release Clause amounts to €700 million. This simply means, any club that wants to sign Messi will have to pay €700 million.
Obviously, no club in Europe would want to spend such a huge amount of money on a thirty-three years old player. The highest transfer fee in the history of football is £200 million. Yes, PSG – Paris Saint-Germain paid that amount to sign Neymar Jr. in 2017.
The contract binding Messi and FC Barcelona is quite understandable. However, both parties may likely end up in court should Messi insists on leaving the club. Unless he changes his mind, at least, now that the situation has gathered massive attention.
Since yesterday, many clubs such as Juventus, PSG, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City were reported to have in the race to sign Messi. Those reports are mere speculations and unfounded. The circumstances look dicey, no club has made any bid. Absolutely, none!
Interesting, Messi’s current valuation is around £150 million. Now, let’s look at possible destinations should Barcelona shuns that release clause which seems to be the stumbling block ahead of Messi’s possible move.
Rio Ferdinand confirmed in a tweet on Tuesday that Chelsea’s boss, Frank Lampard was also interested in having him at the Stamford Bridge. Lampard has already spent over £200 million on 5 players. He is still rebuilding and the team will have years ahead to become competitive again.
You look at Manchester United, there is a zero chance for similar reasons. It just goes beyond the financial muscle of United. They can afford his wages, however, Ole Gunnar Solskjær would prefer to have a team of young stars like Kylian Mbappé, Jadon Sancho.
How about PSG? The manager already said last week that it would be nice to have Messi. However, doesn’t see him leaving the club. PSG can afford his wages as well. Messi has a good relationship and admires Neymar. In fact, the Barcelona demigod had wanted the club to buy-back the Brazilian superstar. Now, are these reasons enough for him to join PSG despite the French League been described as a farmers league?
The club that comes so close is City. Manchester City appears to be the most certain destination if Messi eventually leaves. Joseph Pep Guardiola has been a great admirer of Messi, even as a Manchester City Manager. In February 2020, during a press conference, he was asked if he would like him to play for him. Guardiola’s reaction as he responded was crystal clear.
Will Pep Guardiola’s Man City dominate England if Messi joins? Maybe, yes. Aside from that massive deals for the club. But would they dominate Europe? No. FC Bayern München just won the treble, they don’t have Messi. Real Madrid C.F. C.F. dominated Europe, they didn’t have him. Liverpool FC also did without him.
Honestly, no United fan would want Messi to move to Manchester City.


John C. Nwosu, governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has hailed the Super Falcons for lifting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s African Cup of Nations (WACON) held in Morocco for the 10th time, after a dramatic outing in Rabat, capital of the North African nation.
The Nigerian female team came from behind after a 2:0 lead they were handed down by the Atlas Lionesses at half time to turn the tide in a dramatic fashion, marked by energy, resilience, determination and skill, slotting in three goals in less than 30 minutes.
A totally enthralled Nwosu declared that feat clearly showed how with determination and focus, the most difficult tasks could be achieved and toughest challenges could be surmounted, adding that the feat embodied a lot of life’s lessons.
“What we saw today is the can-do spirit of that Nigerians are known for. It is a spirit that has broken many barriers and achieved great things. I particularly noticed the teamwork and synergy among the girls and their determination not to give up. It shows the reward of unity of purpose.
“As I watched our girls lift this beautiful trophy up, my spirit was also lifted. I am sure I am not alone. This spectacular achievement today shows how much we can achieve in Nigeria when we de-emphasise those things that divide the nation and emphasise the things that unite us.
“This is the focus of the ADC. We take it as a task to unite Nigeria by promoting unity, equity, justice and fair play in all facets of the society, knowing that together, working individually and collectively, we wake the sleeping giant.
“It is particularly so as we make deliberate moves to recreate a new Anambra where the government and the people will form an environment of common vision and move in the same direction, achieve a common goal. That vision has gained a strong fillip by this wonderful feat in Morocco.”
Well done girls. Once again, you have put smiles on millions of Nigerians, both home and abroad. May this joy continue to resonate everywhere in the life of our dear nation, now and in future.


Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has congratulated the Super Falcons of Nigeria on their 10th Women African Cup of Nations, WAFCON, title, saying that they demonstrated the resilience of the Nigerian spirit.
The Super Falcons, who fell behind by two goals in the first half, staged a memorable comeback in Rabat in the second half, beating their Moroccan counterparts before their huge crowd of home fans to lift the WAFCON 2025 trophy courtesy of goals delivered by Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini.
Mbah, who took to his verified social media handle, @PNMbah, to celebrate the impressive Nigerian side wrote, “Congratulations, Super Falcons, on your well-deserved WAFCON 2025 triumph.
“Coming from two goals down to beat the Moroccans to the trophy underscores the resilience and invincibility of the Nigerian spirit and what we can achieve as a people by working together in oneness of mind.
“We are super proud of you.
“Again, congratulations, girls, and keep flying higher.”
Sports
Mbah Receives EPL Trophy, Seeks Guinness’ Partnership to Grow Sports in Enugu
…Why we choose Enugu- Guinness, reports SANDRA ANI


The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has expressed his eagerness to partner with Guinness Nigeria PLC to accelerate his administration’s sports development effort, describing the state as the home of sporting legends, who have ruled the world of sports as well as home of abundant talents for the future.
Mbah spoke when a team of Guinness Nigeria’s management showcased the English Premier League, EPL, trophy, to him at Government House, Enugu, on Friday.
It is recalled that Guinness Nigeria and the Premier League partnered to bring the iconic silverware for display in Enugu on Friday, May 16 and in Lagos on Saturday May 17 and Sunday, 18 to give EPL’s teeming fans in Nigeria the rare opportunity to experience the trophy.
Speaking during the presentation of the trophy at the Lion Building, Enugu State Government House, Mbah noted that beside putting in place legislative frameworks for sports development, his administration was also embarking on a massive reconstruction of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village preparatory to hosting the 2026 edition of the National Sports Festival.
“Like Guinness, we regard sports as a positive force in Enugu. We are not surprised that the Guinness flagship event is being held here in Enugu. Just like Guinness, we also see sports as a platform to foster social cohesion. We are not just paying lip service to sports; we actually have our skin in the game.
“We believe that the EPL is quite a spectacle with audiences across the world and you couldn’t have chosen a better city for the flagship event than Enugu.
“Again, since here is the home of Rangers and since we have also recognised that this is where it all happens, let us begin to think about more collaboration with Guinness to see how we can secure endorsement with the Guinness corporate brand. This should be on the table because Rangers also won the 2023/2024 Nigerian Premier League title.
“We are just about giving the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village a new lease of life, making sure they meet FIFA and World Athletics standards ahead of the National Sports Festival. So, we look forward to more strategic collaboration with Guinness. We are quite a business-friendly state,” he stated.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and the Corporate Relations Director at Guinness Nigeria PLC, Rotimi Odusola, described Enugu State as the spiritual home of sports in Nigeria, noting the exploits of Rangers.
He said it was only natural to choose Enugu for the display of the EPL silverware, given its history and the great job Governor Mbah had done in repositioning the state.
“Some may wonder why Enugu. There is a reason for us to choose Enugu as the first place in Nigeria since this trophy arrived yesterday. It is because we know that Enugu State is the spiritual home of football in Nigeria. As a young football lover, I can’t forget all of the stories around Enugu Rangers football team.
“I want to also appreciate you for the work you are doing. The last time I was in Enugu was in 2022 and I have seen remarkable improvements in Enugu State since my last visit.
“This presentation of the EPL trophy is an opportunity for us to reinforce Guinness Nigeria being a business that has been intricate in the fabric of Nigeria for 75 years. We also want to use this opportunity to create magical moments for our consumers and members of the public through the collaboration between Guinness globally and the English Premier League,” he added.
The event was witnessed by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Enugu State, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke; Director, Marketing and Innovations, Guinness Nigeria, Yinka Bakare; Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria, Rotimi Odusola; Head of Marketing, Guinness Nigeria, Ramanathan Sollayepan; Head of Division, South-East Region, Guinness Nigeria, Adesoji Opeyemi; General Manager, Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku; and the Chairman, Enugu State Football Association, Barr. Tony Ugwu, among others.
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