Ademola Lookman receives a nomination at the Globe Soccer Awards.
Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman has been shortlisted for the 2024 Best Men’s Player award at the annual Globe Soccer Awards, hosted by the Dubai Sports Council. Lookman, who had an outstanding year for Atalanta and Nigeria’s Super Eagles, joins a star-studded 30-man list featuring Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Bukayo Saka, Mohamed Salah, and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The awards ceremony will take place on December 27, 2024, in Dubai. Lookman’s stellar performances earned him 14th place at the recent Ballon d’Or and saw him lead Atalanta to their first Europa League title with a memorable hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen. On the international stage, his three goals helped Nigeria reach the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Currently excelling in Serie A, the 27-year-old is also a favorite for African Footballer of the Year at CAF’s December gala.
Ademola Lookman earns a nomination at the 2024 Globe Soccer Best Men’s Player Award.
Other nominees include Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland Vinicius, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Rodrigo. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/A2CuQdpN9T
— 49th. (@the49thstreet) November 14, 2024
Xabi Alonso will reportedly leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
According to new reports from Eurosport, Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso is set to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, despite being under contract until 2026. Reports suggest that Alonso is likely to join Real Madrid next season, with Carlo Ancelotti’s future uncertain as his current deal runs until 2025. However, Bayern Munich remains a potential destination if their current coach, Vincent Kompany, fails to meet expectations. Alonso has reportedly informed several Leverkusen players of his plans to depart. While his move to Madrid may hinge on whether Ancelotti stays, Alonso could need to wait for the opportunity to lead Los Blancos. The Spaniard had a successful 2023/24 campaign, securing a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double with Leverkusen, although they fell short in the Europa League final. This season, however, Leverkusen sits fourth in the league, trailing Bayern Munich by nine points after 10 games.
🚨🚨| JUST IN: Xabi Alonso will LEAVE Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season! 👋🇩🇪
All signs point to him joining Real Madrid next season.
[@Eurosport_ES] pic.twitter.com/rbht1NWvv4
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) November 14, 2024
Gabby Thomas clinches the USATF Jackie Joyner-Kersee athlete of the year award.
Triple Olympic champion Gabby Thomas has been named the USATF Jackie Joyner-Kersee Award winner, recognizing her as the American Female Athlete of the Year. Thomas triumphed over fellow nominees Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Tara Davis-Woodhall after an exceptional 2024 season. At the Paris Olympics, she clinched gold medals in the 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m events, cementing her dominance in track and field. Thomas is the fifth consecutive sprinter to win the prestigious award, following Dalilah Muhammad (2019), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (2021, 2022), and Sha’Carri Richardson (2023). She is also a nominee for the World Athletics Athlete of the Year. Finalists include Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia) and McLaughlin-Levrone for women’s track, alongside Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) and Letsile Tebogo (Botswana) for men’s track. Winners will be announced at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco on December 1.
Gabby Thomas wins USATF Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athlete of the Year award! 🏆
THREE Olympic gold medals 🎉
🥇200m
🥇4x100m
🥇4x400m pic.twitter.com/QdKi85ws8t— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) November 14, 2024
Osimhen salvages a draw to help Nigeria secure their 2025 AFCON qualification.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured their place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Benin on Thursday evening. Despite an early goal from the home side in the 16th minute, Nigeria remained resilient. Victor Osimhen delivered the crucial equalizer in the 81st minute, rising between Benin’s defenders to head in a precise cross from Moses Simon. Benin pressed aggressively after their opening goal, but Nigeria’s defense held firm. The second half saw increased intensity from both teams, yet neither could find the winner. The draw, combined with Libya’s 3-1 victory over Rwanda, confirmed Nigeria’s AFCON qualification. Elsewhere, Benin, Rwanda, and Libya remain in contention for qualification. Meanwhile, Sudan’s 4-0 loss to Niger jeopardized their chances, leaving Ghana needing a win against Angola in Luanda to stay in the hunt for a 2025 AFCON spot.
FT in Abidjan. Benin 1–1 Nigeria| See you in Morocco and thank you all for your support #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/kdm75RfX7X
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 14, 2024
Argentina suffers a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Paraguay in the WC Qualifiers.
Paraguay stunned Lionel Messi’s Argentina with a 2-1 victory in a dramatic World Cup qualifier on Thursday in Asuncion. Argentina started strongly, with Lautaro Martínez scoring in the 11th minute. However, Paraguay responded swiftly, leveling in the 19th minute with a spectacular overhead kick from Antonio Sanabria. The match was tied at halftime, but Argentina suffered a blow as defender Cristian Romero left due to injury, replaced by Leonardo Balerdi. A defensive lapse between Balerdi and Otamendi proved costly when Inter Miami’s star Diego Gómez delivered a perfect in-swinging cross, allowing Omar Alderete to head in the winner. This defeat marks Argentina’s third game in their last four qualifiers without a win. Despite their dip in form, they remain top of the South American standings with 22 points, while Paraguay’s victory strengthens their position in sixth place.
FT: Paraguay 2-1 Argentina.
DEFEAT FOR ARGENTINA! ❌🤯 pic.twitter.com/ApQsTRhEMS
— TheEuropeanLad (@TheEuropeanLad) November 15, 2024