Sports

Real Madrid confirms signing Mbappe on a 5-year contract

Spanish giants, Real Madrid has confirmed the signing of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

The France international penned a five-year contract with Real Madrid after several years of speculation suggesting a move was imminent during the previous two summers.

Mbappe ultimately committed his future to PSG following the departure of fellow superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar to stay for one more seaosn.

However, the 25-year-old decided that he would not be extending his contract in Paris for another year, meaning he could agree a free transfer to a club outside France from January.

His move to Los Blancos has now been confirmed, days after the Spanish giants lifted their 15th Champions League trophy, beating Borussia Dortmund 2- 0 at Wembley on Saturday evening.

Mbappe agreed to take a major pay cut after signing a five-year contract, with the 25-year-old due to receive 15m euros net (£12.8m) a season at Madrid, down from the 25m euros net (£21.4m) he earned in Paris.

In a statement, the club announced: “Real Madrid CF and Kylian Mbappe have reached an agreement whereby he will be a Real Madrid player for the next five seasons.”

Mbappe posted on Instagram on Monday evening just minutes after the move was confirmed, writing: ‘A dream come true.

Mbappe scored 44 goals for PSG last season, his highest tally. He has 256 goals in 308 matches after joining the club in 2017 from Monaco, initially on loan before completing a €180 million (£153m) permanent deal the following summer.

In his time at Parc des Princes, Mbappe became the club’s record goalscorer, claimed six Ligue 1 titles, won the Coupe de France four times and the Coupe de la Ligue twice.

In 2020, PSG finished as runners-up in the Champions League, the closest they have got to winning the competition.

Sports

CAF Awards 2024: Super Eagles, Super Falcons nominated for National Team Of the Year

The Super Eagles and Super Falcons have been nominated for the Men’s and Women’s National Team of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards.

The two teams made the final shortlist in each of the category.

The Super Eagles made it to the final at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the year.

African champions Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire and Bafana Bafana of South Africa are also nominated for the award.

Meanwhile, the Super Falcons featured at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France but failed to make it beyond the group stage in the women’s football event.

Banyana Banyana of South Africa and Atlas Lionesses of Morocco are the other teams in contention for the Women’s National Team of the Year.

The award ceremony will hold in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, December 16.

Sports

Manchester City stutter again, draw 2-2 at Crystal Palace

Premier League Fixtures Postponed Following Queen’s Death

Manchester City’s Premier League title defence stuttered again with a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

City twice came from behind to pick a point at Selhurst Park, but the champions have now won only once in six league games – four of which have been lost.

Palace led through full back Daniel Munoz’s fourth-minute goal before Erling Haaland headed City level.

Maxence Lacroix restored Palace’s lead after the break and Rico Lewis fired a fine 68th-minute leveller for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Lewis was later sent off six minutes from time for two bookings.

City are now eight points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game more than Arne Slot’s side.

Liverpool’s derby at Everton was postponed due to a storm.

Sports

CAF President conveys condolences to the victims of Guinea stadium tragedy

The Confédération of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe has conveyed condolences to the victims of the Guinea stadium tragedy.

According to a press release by CAF, Dr. Motsepe is deeply saddened by the stadium stampede that claimed the lives of over 50 football fans and left others injured during a football match at the Stade du 3 Avril in N’Zérékoré.

The tragedy occurred during a friendly football tournament between the city of N’Zérékoré and the city of Labe.

CAF President Dr Motsepe conveys his and CAF’s deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the Fédération Guinéenne de Football (FGF) Leadership and the people of Guinea.

Dr Motsepe also wished a speedy recovery to the injured football fans.
(Sports village square)