SportsNews
FA Cup final: Ronaldo, Messi wouldn’t have done that – Rooney blasts Haaland over penalty
Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has hit out at Manchester City’s Erling Haaland after he gave up a penalty in the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.
Ebere Eze had already given Palace the lead following a swift counter-attack.
City were then given the chance to level from the spot, after Tyrick Mitchell fouled Bernardo Silva inside the area.
Haaland, who always takes penalties for City, opted to hand over the ball to Omar Marmoush.
Marmoush’s effort was palmed away by Dean Henderson to maintain Palace’s lead into the break.
Henderson also produced more excellent saves as Palace won their first ever silverware.
“Erling Haaland is a world class forward, but when we’re talking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s no way they’re giving that ball away,” Rooney told BBC One.
“That’s what separates them two players from Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe and these players.
“Maybe the thought of taking a penalty at Wembley might have been too much for him. You never know, he’s a human being.”
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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