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An Era Ends, As Lionel Messi Leaves FC Barcelona

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Barcelona have announced that Lionel Messi is set to depart the club this summer after failing to come to an agreement over a contract extension.

The Argentine superstar’s previous deal at the Camp Nou expired last summer, with the club confirming his departure on Thursday night with a short statement.

It read: “Despite having reached an agreement between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi and with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, it cannot be formalised due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations) .

“Given this situation, Lionel Messi will not continue linked to FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of both the player and the Club cannot finally be fulfilled.

“Barca would like to thank with all its heart the player’s contribution to the enhancement of the institution and wishes him the best in his personal and professional life.”

The confirmation of his departure brings to an end an utterly glittering career for Messi since his arrival in Spain.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has gone on to make 778 appearances for the club, scoring an astounding 672 goals.

He has been crucial to the Catalan giants lifting a huge collection of silverware in that time, lifting four Champions Leagues, 10 league titles and the Copa del Rey seven times.

Of course, the attention will now turn to Messi’s next destination following his Barcelona exit. Despite being 34 years of age, he has been strongly linked with moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

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Mohamed Salah: Liverpool forward commits future to club by signing new deal to stay at Anfield

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Mohamed Salah has committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract at Anfield; Salah was set to be out of contract in the summer, amid speculation linking him with a move away from the Reds; New deal keeps him with club until 2027

Mohamed Salah has ended speculation regarding his future by signing a new deal with Liverpool.

The 32-year-old has now put pen to paper on a new deal which Sky Sports News understands will keep him at Anfield until 2027.

It’s a major boost for Liverpool with Salah in scintillating form this season, helping power the club to the cusp of their 20th league title.

The Egypt international has helped fire Liverpool to the top of the Premier League with 27 goals and 17 assists.

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For the 4th Time, NFF appoints German Coach for Super Eagles

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The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that it has reached an agreement with German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, to become the Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said in the early hours of Tuesday: “The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Mr. Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The appointment is with immediate effect.”

Born in Darmstadt, Germany on 8th February 1966, Labbadia, who won two caps for Die Mannschaft in his playing career that took him through clubs such as home-town team Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Armenia Bielefeld and Karlsruher SC, triumphed in the German Bundesliga with Bayern Munich as a player in 1994.

He coached famous names Hertha Berlin and VfB Stuttgart this decade, and previously, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, among others, and holds a UEFA Pro License.

He is only the sixth German, after Karl-Heinz Marotzke (who had two stints between 1970 and 1974), Gottlieb Göller (1981), Manfred Höner (1988-1989), Berti Vogts (2007-2008) and Gernot Rohr (2016-2021) to lead the Super Eagles.

Höner led the Eagles to runner-up position at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified and led Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.

Labbadi’s immediate challenge is to take charge of the three-time African champions for two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic (Saturday 7th Septemberin Uyo) and Rwanda (Tuesday, 10th Septemberin Kigali), with four other matches to conclude the qualifying race following in the months of October and November.

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UFC: Dricus de Plessis Defeats Adesanya in Title Defence

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* Victory came in fourth round of highly-anticipated clash

* du Plessis has defended his middleweight world title

Dricus du Plessis on Sunday submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round at UFC 305 to defend his middleweight title and add a decisive new chapter to their intense rivalry.

The South African executed a rear naked choke to take the win after rocking the ‘Style Bender’ with a left hook and a series of rights before taking him down.

The victory in Perth, Western Australia on Sunday (local time) came after du Plessis played a part in driving Adesanya to break down in tears and storm off the stage when he was asked about his family during their pre-fight press conference on Friday.

Du Plessis’s long rivalry with Nigerian-born Adesanya has seen them take shots at each other for years.

Both fighters have been battling each other for the ‘real African’ title for some time, after du Plessis claimed to be the first champion from the continent.

The statement infuriated Adesanya – who now represents New Zealand in the octagon – as well as Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion.

However, the rivals were full of praise for each other after the fight was decided.

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