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Napoli star Victor Osimhen, currently enjoying his vacation in Lagos, has again shown his unwavering connection to the Italian champion with a symbolic social media post that keeps his Italian fans engaged.
The Nigerian forward took to social media to share photos of himself donning the iconic Buitoni shirt Napoli wore during their first championship victory.
To add a touch of nostalgia, Osimhen proudly sported the revered number 10 on his back, paying homage to the legendary Diego Maradona.
Osimhen’s post has already generated thousands of reactions from fans.
While rumours swirl about his future, Osimhen remains focused on his affiliation with the blue club, seemingly undeterred by transfer speculation.
Last season, the talented striker played a pivotal role in Napoli’s triumphant campaign, netting an impressive 26 goals in the league and providing four assists. The club clinched
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has been urging Osimhen to stay in Naples and aim for another Scudetto, following in the footsteps of the late Argentine legend.
Osimhen’s fondness for Napoli further hints at the possibility of extending his stay in Serie A.
However, it is no secret that the Nigerian forward harbors dreams of playing in the Premier League, with Chelsea and Manchester United emerging as prominent contenders to secure his services.
As Osimhen’s future hangs in the balance, many eagerly await his decision, pondering whether he will embark on a new challenge in England or continue his journey in Italy, aiming to replicate the feats of his revered predecessor.
The Nigerian women’s football team, Super Falcons, will today fly to Australia to step up their preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the nine-time African champions will depart Abuja for a 15-day training camp in Australia, before the World Cup with their base at Brisbane, which is also the venue for two of their group matches.
The team were hosted to a farewell dinner last night at the Transcorp Hotel Abuja with the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in attendance.
The World Cup, featuring 32 teams, will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand between July 20 and August 20.
Nigeria’s opening match is against Olympic champions Canada at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium on July 21, before matches against co-hosts Australia and Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31 respectively at the Lang Park in Brisbane.
[Leadership]
Cesc Fabregas ex-Arsenal star has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.
The Spaniard will move into coaching with Italian side Como, which was the Serie B club he played for last season.
During his spell, he played for Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Monaco.
Fabregas said, “It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots.
“From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, I will treasure them all.
“From lifting the World Cup, and the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all the European trophies, it has been a journey that I’ll never forget.
“All those who have helped me, my team-mates, coaches, directors, presidents, owners, fans and my agent. To all my family, from my parents and my sister to my wife and kids, I cherish your advice, mentorship and guidance. To my opponents who tried to knock me, thank you for making me stronger.
“It has already been more than worth it with all the great memories and friends that I have made on the way. I’ve also learnt 3 languages and became more compassionate and wiser along my travels. I lived experiences that I never thought in a million years I would even come close to.”
Fabregas joined Barca’s La Masia Academy in 1997 when he was 10.
He played Premier League matches for Arsenal between 2004 and 2011 and won the FA Cup before leaving for Barcelona.
After three years in Barcelona, he moved to Chelsea in 2014.
He won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 and was part of the golden team that lifted Spain’s first World Cup in South Africa.
Katerina Siniakova captured her fourth career title and first of the season after defeating Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 7-6(5) in the final of the Bad Homburg Open. The victory capped off a stellar week for the reigning Doubles No.1, who was playing just her third tournament since recovering from a wrist injury that ruled her out of most of the clay season.
Siniakova entered the week ranked No.52 in singles and had not won a singles match since Indian Wells. At the Miami Open, she sustained a right wrist injury in her first-round match against Claire Liu and did not play again until Roland Garros.
Her first-round win in Bad Homburg over Elisabetta Cocciretto snapped a four-match losing streak, and she carried that momentum into her first Top 20 win of the season, defeating No.2 seed Liudmila Samsonova 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.
Playing her first singles final since winning 2022 Portoroz, Siniakova maintained complete control over the 65th-ranked Italian from the start. Not even a delayed start due to rain or a prolonged interruption after the first set could deter Siniakova, who came into the final having lost just one set all week.
Siniakova's only wobble came as she served for the win at 6-2, 5-3. Siniakova struck two double faults and two unforced errors in a disastrous service game to let the Rabat champion back in the set. In all, Siniakova lost 13 consecutive points before settling herself to hold to 6-5.
Having rediscovered her range, Siniakova sealed the victory in the tiebreak. After seeing Bronzetti save three match points, the Czech closed out her first grass-court title after 1 hour and 36 minutes. Siniakova finished the match with 16 winners to 27 unforced errors.
[wtatennis]
Daniil Medvedev feels World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will win up to five Wimbledon titles in his career.
The Russian No. 1 has had a terrific start to the 2023 season, winning five ATP singles titles before traveling to Paris for Roland Garros. However, since his first-round defeat at the Paris Major, Medvedev has struggled for form.
In a recent conversation with the ATP, Daniil Medvedev opined that Alcaraz could win up to five Wimbledon titles, given the way he operates on every surface. However, he also added that it is tough to say because grass is 'a tough surface'.
“In my opinion, the way Carlos plays on every surface, he can win maybe five Wimbledons, but you never know. It's a tough surface to play on," he said.
The Russian went on to recall playing against the Spaniard and said that this year the 20-year-old has improved on grass.
"When we played [in 2021], he was not the same player, so I managed to get the best of this match," Medvedev said. "Last year, I think he improved [on grass] already, played this four-setter against [Jannik] Sinner [in the fourth round]. I remember it was a great match."
The 2021 US Open winner mentioned that grass is really tough for the players, but he feels Carlos Alcaraz's potential is 'really high' on this surface.
“So I think his potential is really high on any surface, but grass is a tough surface for many players. Let's see how he handles this task," Daniil Medvedev added.
The two-time Australian Open finalist also expressed his admiration for Alcaraz for playing so well on grass despite the perception that his style of play does not suit the surface.
“Then there is going to be someone else [like Alcaraz], where you say in your mind that while his game is not really suited for grass — maybe he doesn't go to the net that often and stuff like this — and then he plays so well on grass, and he says it himself that it is his best and favorite surface. That's where it's surprising," he concluded.
Wimbledon 2023: Daniil Medvedev to play Arthur Fery in 1R; Carlos Alcaraz to lock horns with Jeremy Chardy
Daniil Medvedev will kickstart his 2023 Wimbledon campaign by taking on Britain's Arthur Fery in the first round. The Russian was barred from participating in 2022 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In his last appearance in 2021, Medvedev reached the fourth round of the tournament, where he lost to Hubert Hurkacz.
Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, will play against France's Jeremy Chardy in the opening round of Wimbledon. The top seed recently won his first grass-court title at the Queen's Club Championships. In 2022, at Wimbledon, he lost to Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of the tournament.
[sportskeeda]