Sports

Bayer Leverkusen sacked Dutch manager Erik ten Hag on Monday after just two Bundesliga matches, where the team earned only one point from a loss to RB Leipzig and a draw with Werder Bremen.

The decision followed a major squad overhaul, with key players like Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah leaving, leading to reported dressing-room tensions and tactical failures.

This marks one of the fastest managerial dismissals in Bundesliga history, amid growing frustration over the club’s inability to maintain momentum from their previous title-winning season.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is set for a warm welcome when he returns to Old Trafford for the first time as a Fiorentina player on Saturday.

The Red Devils made this known in a statement posted on their official website on Tuesday, ahead of their final pre-season fixture of the 2025/26 campaign against the Italian club.

De Gea, who left Manchester United in 2023 after 12 years of service, joined Fiorentina earlier this summer.

Signed from Atlético Madrid in 2011 as a long-term successor to Edwin van der Sar, the Spaniard made over 500 appearances for United, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, and two Golden Glove awards during his time at the club.

His return is expected to evoke fond memories among supporters, who are preparing to give the veteran shot-stopper a rousing reception at the Theatre of Dreams.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped one place in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings released on Thursday, now occupying the 44th position globally.

The three-time African champions also fell to fifth place on the continent, behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria, who maintain the top four spots in Africa.

In the period under review, the Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw against Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

World champions Argentina remain at the top of the global rankings

Former England football captain David Beckham is set to be awarded a knighthood by King Charles III next week in recognition of his contributions to football and charity, according to reports on Friday.

Beckham, 50, is expected to be named in the King’s Birthday Honours List, the BBC and other outlets reported. The honour will see him take the title of “Sir David,” while his wife, Victoria Beckham, will become “Lady Beckham.”

The football icon joins a list of celebrated British sports figures who have received knighthoods, including former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and tennis star Sir Andy Murray.

Beckham earned 115 caps for England and enjoyed a distinguished club career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain. He currently serves as president and co-owner of Major League Soccer side Inter Miami and co-owns English League Two club Salford City.

Previously, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003, a lower-ranking honour in the UK honours system. Victoria Beckham later received the same title for her contributions to the fashion industry.

Last month, Beckham was named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential figures in philanthropy. He serves as an official ambassador for The King’s Foundation, focusing on youth education and environmental awareness, and has been a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 2005.

Beckham was previously considered for a knighthood after his role in London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. However, reports indicated his nomination was delayed due to concerns over his involvement in a tax avoidance scheme, from which he was later cleared.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half strike was enough to hand Portugal a narrow victory over Germany in the first UEFA Nations League semi-final at the Munich Football Arena on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old forward once again demonstrated his enduring class, showing no signs of slowing down as he continues to set remarkable records both for his country and club side, Al Nassr.

Below are some of the milestones the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has achieved in recent months:

All-Time Highest Scorer in a Saudi Pro League Season
Ronaldo set a new record in the 2023–24 Saudi Pro League season by scoring 35 goals, surpassing the previous record of 34 set by Abderrazak Hamdallah in the 2018–19 campaign. His tally was achieved in 31 matches, averaging a goal every 75.6 minutes.

First Player to Score Against 200 Different Opponents
In November 2024, Ronaldo became the first footballer in history to score against 200 different opponents—comprising 152 club sides and 48 national teams—after netting against Al Qadisiyah. The feat further underscores his consistent scoring record over a two-decade career across various leagues and international tournaments.

Most Hat-Tricks for Al Nassr
Since joining the Saudi Arabian side in 2023, Ronaldo has scored six hat-tricks in 111 appearances for Al Nassr, bringing his career total to 66—the most among active players.

First Player to Win Golden Boot in Four Top-Flight Leagues
Ronaldo capped off the 2023–24 season by emerging as the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League, becoming the first player to win the golden boot in four different top-tier leagues: England (Premier League), Spain (La Liga), Italy (Serie A), and Saudi Arabia (Saudi Pro League).

Ronaldo’s recent performances continue to defy age, reinforcing his legacy as one of football’s most prolific and enduring goal scorers.