Chukwueze Aims for Milan Comeback Under Amorim

AC Milan Wing player Samuel Chukwueze is expected to stay with the Italian team and compete for his position under new coach Ruben Amorim, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Chukwueze found himself at the center of discussions between Milan and Trabzonspor, yet the Nigerian player showed no interest in relocating, with the Rossoneri also turning down a €15 million offer from the Turkish team.

The forward has come back to Milan following a temporary stint at Fulham, as the Premier League club decided not to exercise the €26 million buy-out clause outlined in the contract.

While playing for Fulham, Chukwueze netted three goals and delivered four assists across 23 league matches, establishing a solid connection with Nigerian teammates Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.

Even though he preferred staying in England, Fulham chose not to finalize the transfer, forcing the 26-year-old back to Milan, where he still has two more years left on his five-year deal signed when he moved from Villarreal in 2023 for €20 million.

As per Sempre Milan, Trabzonspor continue to show interest in acquiring the Super Eagles' winger even after their initial offer was turned down.

"Although there is a deadlock, the Turkish team continues to pursue Chukwueze, viewing him as one of their key targets for the upcoming season," the report stated.

Amorim needs to determine if he believes the player has a role going forward this season. It appears the Portuguese manager wants to put him through his paces on the field and monitor his performance closely during the pre-season training in July.

From the athlete's point of view, the core concept remains identical: Chukwueze aims to compete for a position, possibly playing a supporting role behind the forward.

Prior to his temporary transfer, Chukwueze found it difficult to secure a consistent starting position at Milan, even though he occasionally displayed his talent.

Although Amorim's intentions regarding the winger are still uncertain, a positive preseason might reignite his career at Milan, whereas a transfer elsewhere could offer him a new beginning as Nigeria prepares for its next set of international fixtures.

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Diomande Joins Oliseh in World Cup Lore

Ivory Coast Young star Yan Diomande has made his mark on African soccer history during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, entering an elite group once led by Nigerian icon Sunday Oliseh, as he became just the second African male player to feature in four World Cup games before reaching adulthood.

A 19-year-old winger for RB Leipzig reached this achievement even as Ivory Coast faced a disappointing end to the competition, after Erling Haaland scored an incredible last-minute goal to secure Norway a 2-1 win in the Round of 32—marking the conclusion of the Elephants' most successful World Cup run in the elimination phase.

Another African player to achieve this milestone was Oliseh, who featured in all four games for the Super Eagles during the 1994 World Cup held in the U.S. At just 19 years old, he emerged as one of the standout youthful midfielders of the competition, as Nigeria marked their significant entry onto the international football scene.

Oliseh was an essential part of that legendary Super Eagles team, playing as a defensive midfielder and almost never skipping a single minute during the four games.

He recorded more than five tackles and nine ball possessions each match, passed with an accuracy exceeding 80 percent, and was instrumental in setting Nigeria's pace during a tournament that concluded with a penalty shootout loss against Italy in the Round of 16.

His appearances during the competition, which took place prior to his 20th year, introduced him to the global stage and set the groundwork for an accomplished professional journey throughout Europe.

After more than three decades, Diomande has become part of this elite group — although his departure was just as difficult for the African champions.

Côte d'Ivoire, entering the elimination rounds with high confidence following a strong performance in the group phase, held their own against Norway for much of their Round of 32 clash, ending the game with 14 shots compared to Norway's nine and earning 14 set pieces. Diomande, who impressed during the group stage with his bold ball control and composure well beyond his age, showed moments of brilliance throughout the match—such as a promising pass that led to one of Côte d'Ivoire's best chances in the first half—but Norway's solid defense restricted his influence.

Norway took the lead when Antonio Nusa scored, but Manchester United forward Amad Diallo shifted the momentum shortly afterward. Coming on as a substitute, he maneuvered past multiple defenders and netted an extraordinary equalizer that quickly became a contender for the best goal of the competition. This goal also placed Diallo among an elite group, becoming just the third African player to score twice as a sub in a single World Cup, following Cameroon's Roger Milla and Senegal's Pape Gueye.

Nevertheless, the festivities didn't last long. Just moments after Ivory Coast equalized, Haaland once more proved why he is considered among the most lethal strikers globally, reaching the far post to score from Patrick Berg's low pass and secure a 2-1 triumph. This outcome secured Norway's first World Cup knockout stage win since 1998 and set up a Round of 16 clash with Brazil.

Although the loss ended Ivory Coast's journey, Diomande's reputation has greatly improved through this experience. The young player scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 33 Bundesliga matches with RB Leipzig during the previous season, aiding their qualification for the UEFA Champions League, and has drawn interest from some of Europe's top teams.

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Algeria Coach Confident Ahead of Swiss Challenge

Algeria Coach Vladimir Petkovic feels his team is building a victorious mindset just when it matters most as the Desert Foxes get ready to play against Switzerland in their Round of 32 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

North African teams advanced to the elimination rounds following a victory and a draw in their last two group games, coming off an underwhelming 3-0 loss to reigning champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi.

Following that defeat, Algeria has made an impression through their offensive efforts and determination, though Petkovic acknowledged his team needs to enhance their defense after enduring tense situations during their thrilling win against Austria.

The trainer believes his team is steadily improving as they strive to advance to the round of sixteen.

"We're developing a victorious mindset, bit by bit," Petkovic stated through CAF Online.

In big competitions, it's crucial to focus on progressing with each match, and that's exactly our approach.

Algeria will be appearing in their fifth FIFA World Cup, with their highest achievement occurring during the 2014 event held in Brazil, when they advanced to the Round of 16 but were defeated by champion Germany following a match decided through extra time.

The team known as the Desert Foxes did not manage to qualify for the 2018 World Cup held in Russia and the 2022 edition hosted in Qatar. They now aim to achieve better success during the upcoming tournament taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Top Scorers of 2026 So Far: Kane Leads the Pack

Big names from Real Madrid , Barcelona , Arsenal and Bayern Munich appear along with some unexpected names among the top scorers of this calendar year.

Several well-known players are notably missing from the list of top scorers in 2026 so far.

Based on players from Europe's five main leagues, these are the leading scorers in 2026, both at the club level and internationally.

10. Donyell Malen – 15 goals scored

Following an average period at Aston Villa, the Dutch striker showed remarkable performance during his half-season loan spell at Roma.

He has netted 15 goals in only 20 games with the Giallorossi and has subsequently made a lasting transfer to the Stadio Olimpico.

Unfortunately, he hasn’t quite carried that form onto the international stage. He’s failed to score in his last seven appearances for the Netherlands and wasn’t even brought off the bench for their last game of the World Cup before their early exit.

9. Lamine Yamal - 16 goals scored

Yamal has consistently been mentioned as a strong candidate for the Ballon d'Or, and gradually, he is producing the statistics to support this claim.

The young athlete's ability to score goals has improved each year, with the 2025-26 campaign being another example. A hat-trick in February versus Villarreal showed a player poised for extraordinary success.

Regrettably, the last stretch of the campaign was affected by a hamstring injury, otherwise we believe he might have climbed several positions in this ranking. He only required 10 minutes in his debut World Cup appearance to score. Exceptional talent.

READ: Seven top actors who could leverage the 2026 World Cup to claim this year's Ballon d'Or

8. Erling Haaland – 18 goals scored

Hello Erling. We had anticipated your arrival.

Haaland scored four times against Iraq and Senegal, which helped him move into the top 10, and later increased his World Cup total with a performance against the Ivory Coast.

We anticipate witnessing him move higher up into the top five over the next few weeks and months, yet following a comparatively subdued — according to his usual pace — latter part of the season with Manchester City, his name had not been mentioned until now.

7. Mikel Oyarzabal – 19 goals scored

Among the top-scoring players at present, he remains relatively low-key.

The forward notoriously didn't manage to touch the ball during his first 30 minutes of World Cup play this summer, but he has moved past that sluggish beginning.

The player who provided La Roja's winning goal against England in the Euro 2024 championship game is currently at the peak of his performance. He found the net during Real Sociedad's triumph in the Copa del Rey final against Atletico Madrid, and his season has the potential to become even more successful.

He has scored four goals in the World Cup so far and remains a strong contender for the Golden Boot award, despite competing against several top stars.

6. Kylian Mbappé – 20 goals

Similar to his competitor Haaland, it somehow took Mbappé until mid-June to reach the top 10.

Messi began the year in impressive fashion, finding the net in six consecutive matches for Barcelona (a total of nine goals) before experiencing a significant drop, managing only one goal in his following seven games.

Due to his six goals scored against Senegal, Iraq, and Sweden, we don't anticipate seeing the Real Madrid star retreating from the front line.

5. Ousmane Dembélé – 20 goals

Dembele has netted 16 goals in his first 26 matches with PSG this season, scoring once every 100 minutes. Among these were key performances in European competitions—none more significant than the penalty he calmly converted to level the score against Arsenal in the Champions League final.

His objective during France's victory against Iraq was, remarkably, his initial goal in international competition football. This was quickly succeeded by a rapid hat-trick against Norway.

4. Viktor Gyokeres – 20 goals scored

The verdict is still pending on Gyokeres, who continues to be an enigmatic striker.

This fiscal year has witnessed his appearance borderline anonymous while he has failed to score against Wolves, Brighton, Bayer Leverkusen, and Brentford.

He proved notably ineffective during the League Cup final loss against Manchester City, with Mikel Arteta choosing not to start him in the crucial return match. He was finally brought on as the third substitute in the last eight minutes when the team desperately needed a goal at the Etihad Stadium.

Nevertheless, Gyokeres helped lead Sweden to the World Cup with a hat-trick versus Ukraine and an injury-time goal against Poland. He also netted crucial strikes against Leeds, Sunderland, Tottenham, Everton, and Fulham during Arsenal's championship campaign, including one on the road at Atletico Madrid. Such is life.

The forward scored his most recent goal during Sweden's impressive 5-1 win against Tunisia in their opening match of the World Cup, yet he failed to find the net when they suffered a similar defeat of 5-1 at the hands of the Netherlands. His participation in the World Cup came to an end earlier this week.

3. Deniz Undav – 21 goals

A former Brighton forward who achieved little during his time in the southeast, Undav has transformed into one of the Bundesliga's most reliable scorers after joining Stuttgart.

He has netted 57 goals across 116 games with the Swabians and showed exceptional performance during the second half of the previous season.

He used that role during the World Cup prior to Germany's premature elimination. Julian Nagelsmann continued to favor Kai Havertz as a starter, yet Undav managed to score three goals and provide two assists in two substitute appearances, which added up to only 56 minutes of playtime.

A remarkable scoring record, along with his crucial two-goal performance against Ivory Coast, moved him higher on this ranking.

2. Vinicius Junior – 22 scores

Real Madrid’s striker performed disappointingly for more than a year after he stated, "I'll do it 10 times if needed. They're not prepared," following his omission from the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards.

He has been slow to act, but he is now beginning to fulfill that pledge — five of his 22 goals this year came in crucial moments during the Champions League, plus two more in an impressive come-from-behind win against Atlético Madrid.

So far, his performance with Brazil hasn't been impressive. Neymar, however, isn't like that. His goals against Haiti, Morocco, and Scotland suggest he could soon emerge as The Player for his nation. Keep an eye out.

1. Harry Kane – 39 strikes

Undoubtedly one of the best players in global soccer at this moment How frequently have you been able to make that statement regarding an Englishman?

Kane did not represent the Three Lions during the March international window due to a small problem encountered in training. His lack of presence was clearly noticeable in the loss at Wembley against Japan.

Only one player in Europe's top five leagues has managed to score more than a goal per game this calendar year, with the English captain netting 31 goals across 26 matches for Bayern Munich in every competition during 2026 — featuring both home and away fixtures against Real Madrid and PSG.

He concluded his outstanding season with a hat-trick in the DFB Pokal final. Two scores against Croatia demonstrated that Kane has maintained his performance at the World Cup, where he recently delivered a match-defining double in the round of 32 versus DR Congo.

READ NEXT: 2026 Ballon d’Or Strength Chart: Kane Remains Ahead of French Trio

TRY A QUIZ: Could you list the leading 30 scorers in Europe's top five leagues for the year 2025?

Mbappé Leads France to World Cup Last 16

July 2, Pakistan -- On Wednesday, France won decisively against Sweden with a score of 3-0, advancing to the Round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kylian Mbappe netted two goals to guide the reigning champions into the elimination rounds. This win also enabled the French striker to hit yet another World Cup scoring record.

Mbabbe found the net during added time in the first half following a coordinated play involving Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise from an effectively executed corner kick. He maneuvered past Viktor Gyokeres and then coolly placed the ball past goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom. This strike marked Mbabbe's ninth goal in World Cup elimination rounds, placing him above Leonidas and Ronaldo, both of whom had previously scored eight goals.

In the 53rd minute, France extended their advantage via Bradley Barcola following yet another outstanding pass from Michael Olise. Under Didier Deschamps' leadership, the French team maintained control of the ball and continually posed threats against Sweden's defensive line with swift passes and dynamic attacks. Olise further showcased his remarkable performance during the competition by steering France's offensive efforts throughout the game.

Mbape scored his second goal in the 74th minute by accurately timing his movement following another clever pass from Olise that split the defense. This assist marked Olise's fifth of the competition, earning him the distinction of being the first player since Thomas Häßler in 1994 to record five assists in one World Cup. Mbape’s two strikes also put him tied with Lionel Messi at six goals in the race for the Golden Boot.

Sweden was eliminated from the competition after losing, whereas France moved forward with confidence to the Round of 16. Under Didier Deschamps' leadership, the team will now play against Paraguay in their quest for yet another World Cup victory. France aims to maintain their impressive offensive performance throughout the elimination stage.

Harry Kane Secures England's Spot in World Cup Round of 16

July 2, Pakistan – Harry Kane netted two goals after halftime as England made a comeback to win against Congo with a score of 2-1, securing their place in the Round of 16 at the World Cup on Wednesday.

The highest goalscorer in England's history equalized with a header following Brian Cipenga's unexpected half-time advantage for Congo. Kane later netted the winning goal in the 86th minute, scoring into the upper corner at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Throughout most of the match, England appeared set for one of the greatest surprises in World Cup lore.

The winners of the 1966 World Cup will face joint host Mexico in the Round of 16 match taking place in Mexico City this Sunday.

Unstoppable Rhythm: FC Barcelona Femení Looks Back on a Remarkable Season

FC Barcelona Femení concluded an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with victory along with three national titles. The team achieved its second Quadruple, seventh consecutive championship in the league, and twelfth win in the Copa de la Reina. The Copa de la Reina match versus Atlético Madrid attracted over 26,000 fans at Gran Canaria, establishing a new participation benchmark for the competition. Pina, Brugts, and Paralluelo each scored during the first half, with Pina scoring again in her fourth successive Copa de la Reina final.

Sixth record final and win in Oslo

Every success throughout this season came with its own narrative. In November, Aitana Bonmatí, who has won the Ballon d'Or three times, faced an injury that kept her out for five months. Despite her absence, the team maintained their winning streak. When Bonmatí made her return during the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, she received a reception at Spotify Camp Nou befitting a true icon. Barcelona secured a 5-3 overall victory: Paralluelo scored the opening goal, Putellas found the back of the net twice, and Pajor wrapped up the match in the last moments. FC Barcelona Femení achieved its sixth successive Champions League final appearance — making them the first club in women's football history to accomplish this feat.

On May 23 in Oslo, Barcelona defeated Lyon 4-0 in the championship match. Pajor scored first in the 55th minute and then again in the 69th, while Paralluelo netted two additional goals during injury time. Ewa Pajor was awarded as the Most Valuable Player of the final and also recognized as the leading scorer of the tournament, having found the back of the net 11 times across 10 games. This marks their fourth European title within six years. Following previous victories in Gothenburg, Eindhoven, and Bilbao, they have now claimed another trophy in Oslo. Five members from Barcelona were selected for the Team of the Season in the UWCL: Cata Coll, Mapi León, Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas, and Ewa Pajor.

Top of the world once more

In the last five years, the Ballon d'Or Féminin has always been awarded to Barcelona—Alexia Putellas received it two times, while Aitana Bonmatí won it three times. This trend might continue at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, as four players from the club remain strong favorites. Putellas had one of her most impressive seasons yet, netting 7 goals and providing 7 assists in the Champions League. Ewa Pajor found the back of the net in each match during the knockout stages, including the championship game. Caroline Graham Hansen ended the Liga F campaign with 10 assists, and Claudia Pina tops the league's scoring chart with 20 goals. The awarding event is scheduled for October 26, 2026, in Paris, offering Barcelona another reason to rejoice!

Having been the official sponsor of FC Barcelona, we have supported the club through each stage of this adventure — from the Supercopa final in January to the Champions League victory in Oslo. Collaborating with one of the top teams globally goes beyond having a logo on a shirt. It represents a relationship formed side-by-side with a squad that competes with strength, elegance, and genuine love for football. A fresh phase lies ahead, and it looks set to be equally remarkable!

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Bayern Munich Targets Manchester City's Gvardiol

Bayern Munich was previously connected with Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol, but the German club has now withdrawn from the competition for the Croat. In contrast, Real Madrid has joined the contest in an attempt to lure him away from Manchester City:

Josko Gvardiol faces a decision between two possibilities: extending his contract with ManCity past 2028 — an official proposal has been made — or moving to Real Madrid during the upcoming summer transfer window. Real’s interest is genuine. Nevertheless, #MCFC are striving to retain his services.

FC Bayern have completely withdrawn from contention. The 24-year-old leading center-back has received significant admiration, yet he is seen as overly costly, and there is presently no requirement for another player in that role, according to reports.

It would be intriguing to find out precisely what price Manchester City was seeking for Gvardiol, who would have made an excellent addition for Bayern Munich. The most likely outcome is that Gvardiol will extend his deal with Manchester City, although Real Madrid might become increasingly eager to secure a high-profile acquisition.

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