SportsNews
Ballon d’Or: Too early for you to win award – Ex-Barça chief, Planes tells Yamal
Former Barcelona sporting director, Ramon Planes, has warned youngster, Lamine Yamal not to allow recent successes get into his head, especially as his name is being mentioned for Ballon d’Or this year.
He said fans must avoid putting too much pressure on the Spain international.
Planes also believes it was not yet time for the 17-year-old to win the prestigious award, saying he has to maintain his current level for a few more years.
The youngster’s impressive form for Barcelona and Spain has put him in front as one of the favourites to win the 2025 edition of the award
He became a member of La Masia senior team on April 29, 2023, under Xavi Hernandez at the age of 15 and has shown all the signs of a great footballer in the making.
He helped his country of birth, Spain, win the Euro 2024, and also won four trophies with Barcelona.
Yamal scored 18 goals and made 25 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions for Barça last season.
Many fans, pundits and football followers believes the 17-year-old should be recognised as the best footballer in the world.
But Planes told Mundo Deportivo, via Barca Universal, “The hardest part is staying at the top level. We must protect him and avoid putting too much pressure on him.
“If he keeps this up for years, he could become a Ballon d’Or winner. But it’s still early days, and we need to be patient.”
The youngster helped his club win the LaLiga title, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de Espana last season.
Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?
The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.
“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.
“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER
President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences
to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.
The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.
President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.
“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.
I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.
President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
Arsenal’s starting XI to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday evening has been unveiled.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to start Gabriel Jesus ahead of Viktor Gyokeres to lead the Gunners’ attack against the Red Devils.
This comes after Jesus scored a brace against Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek.
The Brazilian will be assisted by Bukayo Saka and Leandro on the wings.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard return to join Martin Zubimendi.
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