Sports

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.

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has announced the burial arrangements for his late parents, Chief Nwabali Godspower Onyekamu and Mrs. Grace Nwabali (née Mmai), describing their passing as a period of profound grief.

In a message shared on his Instagram page on Friday alongside the burial poster, Nwabali expressed his heartbreak over the loss.

“About time to put my dad and mom to rest. Something I never imagined doing so soon at this point of my life. Difficult to believe I will never set my eyes on you again,” he wrote. “It’s a different kind of pain I never wish for my enemy. Thank you for everything.”

According to the family’s announcement, the funeral rites will begin on Thursday, June 5, 2025, with a Service of Songs at 5:00 p.m. at the late Chief’s residence on Osafu Lane, Okwuzi Egbema, Rivers State.

On Friday, June 6, the body of Mrs. Grace Nwabali will be moved from Gbegbe Hospital Mortuary in Omoku to her father’s compound, and subsequently to her husband’s residence, where she will lie in state from 11:00 a.m.

The final burial rites are scheduled for Saturday, June 7.