SportsNews

He’s an artist – Rio Ferdinand rates Barcelona attacker ahead of Ronaldo, Messi

Published

9 months ago

May 3, 2025

Yamal

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is already better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at his age.

This comes after Yamal’s impressive display for Barcelona against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final first leg tie on Wednesday.

The Spain international stole the show with his jaw-dropping technique, dribbling and shooting as the encounter ended in a 3-3 draw at Camp Nou.

Speaking about Yamal, Ferdinand hailed the 17-year-old as an ‘artist’.

The former England defender said, as quoted by TNT Sports: “It was one of the best 45 minutes I have seen – definitely from a young player – but almost from any player I have seen live. It’s just ridiculous what he’s done.

“His ability to take people on. I think the thing that really caught my eye about him, other than the moments of brilliance, is that every part of his left foot was used in that game. He’s an artist.”

Ferdinand added, “At this age, he is ahead of Cristiano, he is ahead of Messi. His stats alone – he’s had 100 appearances at 17.

“These guys were nowhere near that and he is dominating games, he is defining games.”

Meanwhile, Ferdinand recently backed Yamal to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.

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SportsNews

2026 World Cup: Super Eagles waiting for FIFA’s decision – Iwobi

Published

23 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

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

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

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)