SPORTS
Lionel Messi And His Lovely Wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, Are Expecting Their Third Child Together
Barcelona FC star player, Lionel Messi and his lovely wife, Antonella Roccuzzo are expecting their third child together, but the gender of the child is unbeknownst, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
The Argentine couple who got married in a star-struck wedding in their hometown of Rosario in June this year, are already proud parents of four-year old Thiago and one-year old Mateo.
Big changes are coming in for the Under-17 World Cup tournament. FIFA, the sport’s governing body, just announced some exciting new updates. First up, the Under-17 World Cup will be played every year! Instead of happening every two years, it will now be held every year, starting in 2025. This means fans will get to see these talented young players compete more often.
Not only will the tournament happen more often, but it will also get bigger! Just like the Senior Men’s World Cup, the Under-17 version will now include 48 teams, up from the previous 16. This gives more countries a shot at glory.
Girls’ soccer is also getting a boost! The Women’s Under-17 World Cup will follow suit, becoming an annual event from 2025 onwards. Morocco will be the proud host for the next five years, and the competition will feature 24 teams, up from 16 previously.
“This followed a global call for expressions of interest in hosting both competitions, with a focus on leveraging the use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability,” FIFA said.
Germany took home the trophy at the last Under-17 World Cup in 2023, marking their first-ever championship at that level. Spain’s women’s team also had something to celebrate, winning their edition in 2022.
The senior men’s World Cup took place back in 2022, with Qatar playing host. Looking ahead, Morocco gears up to co-host the prestigious tournament in 2030! This is an exciting time for international football.
FIFA has set aside $2.25 billion, to invest in growing the sport between 2023 and 2026. This is a big jump from their previous budget. FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, is confident they’ll exceed their financial target of $11 billion for this period.
Gianni Infantino also highlighted the fight against racism in football. FIFA plans to discuss and decide on these stricter anti-racism measures at their upcoming congress. They’ll work with member associations and regional groups to make sure the new rules are enforced worldwide.
In a surprising turn of events, Nigerian forwards Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface have secured spots on a prestigious list ranking the world’s top 10 strikers, according to a recent ranking by SPORTbible. This accolade places Osimhen and Boniface ahead of legendary footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski!
The list itself is led by the unstoppable Erling Haaland of Manchester City, followed closely by England’s captain Harry Kane. Kylian Mbappe snagged the third-place position.
Victor Osimhen, a star player for Napoli, secures a remarkable fourth place, while his compatriot, Victor Boniface, who is currently lighting up Bayer Leverkusen, claims a well-deserved seventh position, surpassing Ronaldo.
The ranking continues, with Lautaro Martinez, Heung-Min Son, and Julian Alvarez claiming the eighth position. While Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski secured the ninth and tenth spots, respectively, their absence from the top ranks highlights the emergence of a new generation of footballing heroes.
The full list, as presented by the ranking source, is as follows:
- Erling Haaland
- Harry Kane
- Kylian Mbappe
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
- Lautaro Martinez
- Heung-Min Son
- Victor Boniface (Nigeria)
- Julian Alvarez
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Robert Lewandowski
While some may be surprised by the inclusion of the two Nigerians above established names like Ronaldo and Lewandowski, it’s important to remember that rankings are always subjective and often take into account current form, potential, and the specific criteria used for evaluation.
This ranking undoubtedly sparks an interesting conversation about the ever-evolving landscape of football and the emergence of new talents who are challenging the established order. It also prompts the question: with such a vast continent brimming with talent, are there other exceptional African footballers who deserve recognition but may not have been included in this particular ranking?
Check out more sports updates here.
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