Paul Pogba determined to come back stronger after his reduced ban.
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has spoken out following the reduction of his football ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which cut his suspension from four years to 18 months, allowing him to return in March 2025. The French midfielder expressed his strong desire to rejoin Juventus, even if it means taking a pay cut. In an interview with ESPN, Pogba stated, “I’m prepared to give up money to play for Juve. I want to come back to this team.” Despite his current contract with Juventus, which runs until 2026 and is worth €8 million annually, he is currently earning just over €2,000 per month due to his suspension. However, Juventus may still consider terminating his contract. While other clubs, such as Marseille and Inter Miami, have shown interest, Pogba remains focused on returning stronger, saying, “It will be a new Pogba—hungrier, wiser, and stronger.”
🚨🇫🇷 Paul Pogba announces to ESPN: "For sure it's gonna be a new Pogba. For sure. Even better than before".
"More hungry and with more determination. I feel like a kid who wants to be a professional again. This is what drives me". pic.twitter.com/PUHXrVooyY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 16, 2024
In-form Nigeria annihilates New Zealand in under-17 World Cup opener.
Nigeria secured a commanding 4-1 victory over New Zealand in their opening group match at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The African team got off to a blistering start, taking the lead just two minutes into the game at CFC Stadium, Santiago De Los Caballeros. By the half-hour mark, Nigeria had extended their advantage to 3-0. Dominating possession and creating 32 attempts compared to New Zealand’s three, Nigeria set the tone early when Shakirat Moshood scored the opener. Khadijat Adegoke doubled the lead in the 13th minute, and Faridat Abdulwahab added a third with a long-range strike in the 28th. Adegoke then assisted Taiwo Afolabi for Nigeria’s fourth goal early in the second half. New Zealand pulled one back at the hour mark with Hannah Saxon’s header. Afolabi was named Player of the Match. New Zealand will face Ecuador and the Dominican Republic in their next games.
Nigeria defeated New Zealand 4-1 in their opening match at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 🇳🇬
— 49th. (@the49thstreet) October 17, 2024
Kobbie Mainoo set to be out for about four weeks depending on rehabilitation.
Manchester United face a crucial week as pressure mounts on manager Erik ten Hag following the international break. The team will host Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Ten Hag in need of a win to ease concerns and boost United from their current 14th place in the Premier League, having only secured eight points from seven matches. However, injury issues continue to plague the squad. Garnacho and Noussair Mazraoui are sidelined, and Kobbie Mainoo is expected to be out for about four weeks due to his injury. Mainoo recently withdrew from the England squad as a precaution after sustaining a knock against Aston Villa, and his availability for the Brentford clash remains uncertain. Ten Hag will be hoping for a positive result to alleviate the pressure and improve their standing in the league.
🚨 BREAKING:
Kobbie Mainoo looks set to be out with injury for around 4 weeks depending on recovery and rehabilitation. #MUFC [@UtdMenace] pic.twitter.com/YIW3ve7eGi
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) October 16, 2024
Sabrina Ionescu hits the game winner to help the Liberty take Game 3.
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu hit the biggest shot of her career in the team’s 80-77 victory over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, giving the Liberty a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. The Liberty are now just one win away from their first WNBA championship. Despite trailing by as many as 15 points, New York leaned on forward Breanna Stewart, who posted 30 points and 11 rebounds, to stay in the game. A furious rally brought the Liberty within one by the end of the third quarter. Although Ionescu struggled most of the night, she came through when it mattered. With the game tied at 77 and only five seconds left, Ionescu hit a clutch 28-foot three-pointer to seal the win. Minnesota couldn’t respond, and the Liberty moved one step closer to making history.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHOTS IN LIBERTY FINALS HISTORY FROM SABRINA IONESCU 😱🔥
The Liberty takes Game 3! #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/Whv0AMnNl9
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 17, 2024
Romelu Lukaku opens up on the criticisms he faced in England.
Belgium striker, Romelu Lukaku has made a strong start at Napoli, scoring three goals and providing five assists in his first six games after his permanent move from Chelsea. However, the 31-year-old endured a difficult few years prior to this transfer. While at Chelsea, he was sent out on multiple loans, and his form suffered, particularly on the international stage. He was loaned to Inter Milan and then Roma. Now at Napoli, Lukaku recently voiced frustration on a podcast, Friend of Sports, about being unfairly compared to Didier Drogba in England and criticized for playing a style that wasn’t his own. He said, “In England, they wanted to put me in a box. They see someone built like me and think: new Drogba. I’m not like that. Didier was more back to goal, he could hold up the ball no matter where you play it from. That wasn’t my style.”
🔵 Romelu Lukaku: “In England, they wanted to put me in a box. They see someone built like me and think: new Drogba”.
“I'm not like that. Didier was more back to goal, he could hold up the ball no matter where you play it in from. That wasn't my style”, told @friendsofsports. pic.twitter.com/UuMxY6BmJs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 17, 2024