Sports
Messi Breaks Silence After Father’s Death, Casts Doubt on Football Future
Lionel Messi has broken his silence following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, saying he is unsure whether he will continue playing football for much longer without him.The Argentina captain shared an emotional tribute to his late father on Wednesday via his Instagram page, alongside a photograph of them together.“Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. It hasn’t sunk in—or rather, I don’t want it to sink in. It’s so hard to imagine that I won’t see you anymore, that we won’t talk anymore. I know you were suffering and that it’s for the best, but you left too soon. We still had so much left to enjoy together,” Messi wrote.The Inter Miami forward recalled how much his father wanted him to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, revealing that Jorge’s condition deteriorated shortly before the tournament began.“You wanted me to play in the last World Cup so much, and a few days before it started was when you took a turn for the worse. It was the first time you weren’t going to be at a tournament, but Mom kept telling me you’d get better and that you’d be fine enough to travel. I kept telling you we were going to make it to the final so you could make the trip,” he wrote.Messi said he was reminded of his father’s deteriorating condition whenever he expected a message from him after Argentina’s matches.“Every time a match ended, I waited for and missed your message. That was when I realized how truly bad the situation was. Even so, I couldn’t stop thinking about going as far as possible, just to give you time so you could watch a match,” he said.He recalled Argentina’s run to the final and said he had hoped to win the trophy so he could show it to his father.“We made it to the final and you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it so I could bring it to you and show you a new trophy. I couldn’t do it—my legs just couldn’t give any more. This time I tried to push past my body, but I couldn’t. I was never able to feel right physically,” Messi wrote.The footballer also revealed that his father initially believed Argentina had lost the final on penalties.“When I arrived home, you thought we had lost the final on penalties. We couldn’t talk about anything that had happened. You didn’t get to enjoy any of it. We didn’t end up as champions, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play it,” he said.Messi said the loss of his father had left him uncertain about his future in football.“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to move forward. Football was all I did, and now I have serious doubts about whether I’ll keep playing for much longer.
“You were by my side from the very beginning, and there was so little left until the end. Why couldn’t you hang on just a little longer so we could finish together?” he wrote.
The 38-year-old said his father was not only his parent but also his friend and agent, adding that he would carry his influence into the way he raises his own children.“You were a dad, a friend, and an agent. You were always the person you needed to be at every moment, and you were never wrong about anything. Beyond the occasional disagreements or fights, you were always right. In the end, things always turned out just as you said they would,” Messi wrote.“I’m going to miss you so much, but you will always be present—especially in how I raise my children, because I teach and raise them just like you two did with me.”Messi concluded the tribute by thanking his father for his support throughout his career.“Rest in peace and watch over us from above, just as you did here. Thank you for everything.“I love you, Dad.”
Jorge Messi, the footballer’s father and long-time representative, died at the age of 68 following a prolonged illness.
Jorge played a major role in his son’s development, including helping him secure medical treatment for growth hormone deficiency before facilitating his move from Argentina to Barcelona at the age of 13.Messi had previously spoken about his father’s declining health after scoring in Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria. The forward became emotional after scoring and later explained that his tears were “completely unrelated to sport” and that he had gone through “some difficult, complicated days.”He subsequently said the situation was “more than anything, because of the family.”Jorge’s death came after he had been under medical supervision for an illness, with the Messi family previously saying he was recovering and progressing favourably within his condition.The elder Messi remained a key figure in his son’s career, managing his affairs and supporting him throughout his rise from a young player at Newell’s Old Boys to one of football’s most decorated players.
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Hope has returned for Katsina United defender Chinedu Ozor after the footballer, who was earlier reported dead, was reportedly taken back to hospital after showing signs of movement at a mortuary.
Ozor collapsed during a pre-season friendly between Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Tuesday.
The newly signed defender was rushed to hospital following the incident but was later reported to have died, prompting an outpouring of grief from his club and the wider Nigerian football community.
However, hours later, reports emerged that Ozor had shown signs of movement while at the mortuary.
Grassroots sports journalist Prince CJ reported the development in a video shared on Facebook, saying Ozor’s hand reportedly moved while he was at the facility.
He said those around him immediately rushed him back to hospital, raising fresh hopes that the footballer could survive.
Ozor’s former club, Heartland FC, also confirmed the development in an update, stating that the defender had been taken from the mortuary to hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement.
According to the club, Ozor was placed on oxygen as medical personnel worked to revive him.
“Reliable sources say Chinedu Ozor has been moved from the mortuary to the hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement. He is currently on oxygen as medics work to revive him,” Heartland said.
The club urged fans and members of the football community to pray for the defender’s recovery.
The development came only hours after Katsina United announced Ozor’s death.
The club had described the incident as tragic, offering condolences to his family and loved ones.
“We mourn the tragic passing of our newly signed player, Ozoh Chinedu, following a medical emergency during today’s friendly match against Niger Tornadoes FC,” the club said.
“Our thoughts, prayers, and strength are with his family and loved ones. Rest on Warrior.”
Katsina United did not disclose the nature of the medical emergency or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding Ozor’s condition after he collapsed during the match.
Rivers United also joined other clubs in mourning the defender.
In a statement signed by its General Manager, Okey Kpalukwu, the club expressed condolences to Ozor’s family and the Katsina United community, saying its thoughts and prayers were with the Nigerian football family.
Ozor recently joined Katsina United as the club strengthened its squad ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
He previously played for Heartland and Kano Pillars. Transfer records indicate that he moved from Heartland to Kano Pillars in July 2025 before joining Katsina United.
He featured for Kano Pillars during the 2025/26 NPFL season, including a league match against Niger Tornadoes in March.
As of Tuesday night, however, there was no detailed official medical statement confirming Ozor’s current condition.
The conflicting reports have left fans, teammates and members of the Nigerian football community anxiously awaiting an official update on the defender’s health.
Bonfrere Jo, who guided Nigeria’s Dream Team to a 3-2 victory over Argentina in the men’s football final on August 3, 1996, recently lamented that the Nigerian government had yet to fully recognise or reward his contribution. He also claimed that the Olympic gold medal presented to him was stolen while in the custody of a team official.
Responding to the claims, Nwobodo, who served as Sports Minister under the late General Sani Abacha, insisted that the military government fulfilled all promises made to the victorious team, including the allocation of land to players and the coach.
“After beating Argentina in that historic final, Abacha fulfilled the promise. If there was any delay, it must have been from the civil service,” Nwobodo said.
He added that Abacha directed that members of the team, including Bonfrere Jo, should receive land in locations of their choice.
However, the Dutch coach disputed the claim, insisting that he never received the promised reward and that his Olympic gold medal also disappeared.
Nwobodo said he was unaware of any complaints from Bonfrere during his tenure.
“Not when I was there. Nobody would have done that if I knew. I couldn’t have allowed somebody who made such a huge contribution to be cheated,” he said.
“He never complained to me. If he had informed me that he was denied what was promised, I would have acted immediately. I also knew nothing about his missing medal.”
Bonfrere, however, maintained that he made several unsuccessful attempts to seek redress.
“I phoned and wrote to government officials. I also visited the Government House two or three times, but I was never granted an audience,” he said.
“He knows. He was one of the officials who stopped me from going upstairs with my players.”
Adding weight to Bonfrere’s claims, former Nigeria defender and member of the Atlanta ’96 squad, Taribo West, said in a 2023 interview that the land allocated to the Dutch coach in Lekki Phase 3 was allegedly hijacked.
“The land promised to Bonfrere was taken over, and we are still trying to ensure it is returned to him,” Taribo said.
“It is only in Nigeria that people work hard and are denied the rewards of their labour. We have little to show for our achievements despite bringing honour to the country.”
A US-based Nigerian basketball player, Daniel Adegboyega, has been arrested and charged with first-degree rape by forcible compulsion in Alabama.
According to reports by 1819 News and WVTM 13 sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday, the 21-year-old was arrested in July by the Jacksonville Police Department at his apartment in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Adegboyega, who recently joined Jacksonville State University’s men’s basketball team ahead of the new season, is being held at the Calhoun County Jail without bond. Court records also show that the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed an immigration hold on him.
Investigators told the court that the alleged victim visited Adegboyega’s apartment on July 28 to watch a movie.
Police investigator Andrew Swain said the woman alleged that about 20 minutes into the movie, Adegboyega began making unwanted sexual advances despite her repeatedly asking him to stop.
According to investigators, the woman secretly texted her roommate about the situation. When the roommate’s repeated calls went unanswered, Adegboyega allegedly answered one of the calls using the woman’s phone and told the roommate that she was in the bathroom.
Concerned for her safety, the roommate contacted police and requested a welfare check.
Officers who arrived at the apartment at about 2 a.m. reportedly found the woman visibly distressed.
Investigators said the woman alleged that Adegboyega forcibly raped her twice that night. Police also recovered clothing reportedly stained with blood as part of the investigation.
Adegboyega denied using force and has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
During a bond hearing, ICE agent Ty Unruh testified that Adegboyega entered the United States on an F-1 student visa that expired in 2023.
The agent said that if Adegboyega is granted bond in the criminal case, he would be transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana to begin immigration proceedings that could ultimately lead to his deportation to Nigeria.
However, Adegboyega’s host father, Ryan Parlee, disputed the immigration testimony, claiming that the player’s visa complications were caused by administrative errors following his transfers between universities.
Parlee said Adegboyega graduated from Grand View Christian High School in Iowa in 2022 before playing college basketball at the University of South Florida and the University of California, Riverside. He alleged that UC Riverside failed to process Adegboyega’s immigration documents before his transfer to Jacksonville State.
Following Adegboyega’s arrest, Jacksonville State University removed his profile from the men’s basketball team website.
A preliminary hearing in the criminal case has been scheduled for August 31.
Adegboyega remains presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
Thirty years after guiding Nigeria’s Dream Team to its first and only Olympic football gold medal, former coach Johannes “Bonfrère” Jo has expressed disappointment over what he described as the government’s failure to recognise or reward his contribution to one of the nation’s greatest sporting achievements.
Bonfrère led a talented generation featuring Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West, Celestine Babayaro, Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Amuneke to a historic triumph at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, United States.
Nigeria produced one of the tournament’s greatest comebacks, defeating Brazil 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling semi-final before recovering from a goal down to beat Argentina 3-2 in the final at the Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.
The victory made Nigeria the first African nation to win Olympic football gold.
While several members of the victorious squad received national honours, cash rewards and other benefits in the years that followed, Bonfrère says his contribution has largely been overlooked.
The 80-year-old Dutchman also revealed that the gold medal he received after Nigeria’s historic triumph was stolen, alleging that it disappeared while in the custody of a team official.
Bonfrère described the incident as one of the most painful memories of his association with Nigerian football, saying that despite leading the Dream Team to Africa’s first Olympic football gold, he was not only denied government recognition but also lost the medal that symbolised the greatest achievement of his coaching career.
“They were claiming that everyone has received their rewards, but I have not received anything; they have never given me the reward for winning the gold medal,” he lamented.
“Even my gold medal was stolen from me, and I still didn’t get a reward from the government, which all the players have received, including players who were not on the list.”
Bonfrère recounts how medal disappeared
The former coach said he was unable to establish exactly how the medal was taken from him, but recalled that an official prevented him from joining the players upstairs after the final.
“I don’t know how the medal was collected from me; I only know that when the players went upstairs, an official stopped me from going with them and the medal was gone,” Bonfrère said.
Bonfrère said his repeated attempts to seek recognition from the relevant authorities had yielded little or no response.
According to him, he had made several calls and sent messages to government officials and other authorities but had received no meaningful assistance.
“I will be happy if something can be done because I have made several calls and sent messages but nobody was interested in helping me,” he said.
Three decades later, the Atlanta ’96 triumph remains one of the most celebrated moments in Nigerian sporting history and Team Nigeria’s greatest Olympic football achievement.
For Bonfrère, however, the anniversary carries mixed emotions. While he remains proud of leading the Dream Team to an historic victory, he says the occasion also reminds him of three decades without the recognition and reward he believes he deserves.
As Nigeria continues to celebrate the players and officials who made history in Atlanta, Bonfrère hopes the anniversary will also draw attention to the contributions of those whose roles, he says, have gone largely unacknowledged.
Sports
Beyond the Trophy: Lessons in Success, Discipline and Integrity from Spain’s World Cup Triumph
By SP Daniel Ndukwe, Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO)
Forty-eight nations entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup with one dream—to become champions. By the final whistle, only Spain remained standing.
From the opening match, Spain played with purpose, discipline and confidence, displaying the qualities of a team determined to conquer the world. Their triumph was not built on luck, but on preparation, resilience and unwavering belief.
Spain’s journey to glory was far from easy.
They began the knockout stage with an emphatic 3–0 victory over Austria before edging Portugal 1–0 in a fiercely contested Round of 16 clash. The quarter-finals demanded even greater resolve as they battled past Belgium 2–1, while a composed and disciplined 2–0 victory over France in the semi-finals secured their place in the final.
Every step of the way tested their character, proving that champions are made by overcoming challenges, not avoiding them.
The final against Argentina was the ultimate examination. Facing one of the tournament’s finest teams, Spain remained calm under pressure, trusted their tactical approach and displayed remarkable teamwork.
Their hard-fought 1–0 victory crowned them deserving world champions and demonstrated that sustained success is the product of consistency, discipline and character.
Beyond the trophy lies a lesson for us all. Whether in sports, education, business or any other endeavour, lasting success is built on discipline, perseverance, integrity and honest effort.
Quick gains through crime or wrongdoing may seem tempting, but they inevitably lead to loss, regret and consequences. True victory belongs to those who choose the right path, remain steadfast through life’s challenges and earn their success honourably.
Shun crime. Reject criminality. Embrace hard work and integrity. The surest path to lasting success is the path of honesty.
About the Author
Daniel Ndukwe is a public relations and strategic communication practitioner, as well as a governance, social change and development specialist.
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