NEWS RELODED

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale headlined a 10-man shortlist announced on Monday for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. Ronaldo struck the winning spot-kick as Real claimed an 11th Champions League title, beating city rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in May, before leading his country to Euro 2016 glory. Fellow Portugal and Real team-mate Pepe also features on the shortlist along with Wales star Bale, who steered his country to the semi-finals of the European Championship in their first appearance at a major finals since 1958. Ronaldo is favourite to the win the award for a second time, after scooping the honours in 2013-14, which would see him draw level with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. Atletico striker Antoine Griezmann was also nominated after his six goals at Euro 2016 earned him the player of the tournament and the Golden Boot, only for France to fall short against Portugal in the final. Messi was one of two Barcelona players to make the l...

Barcelona star, Neymar, has tipped Ronaldo to lift the Balon D'or ahead of teammate, Lionel Messi. The Brazilian is of the opinion that Ronaldo's double continental success on the club and national stage puts him ahead of the pack. Speaking to Lance, Neymar said of the Portuguese forward:  'Conquering trophies counts for a lot. He won the Champions League and now the Euros. He’s very close [to the Ballon d’Or]. Cristiano is a great player, I’m not hesitant on this.' If Ronaldo lifts the prestigious award for the fourth time, he'll close the gap on Lionel Messi who has five to his name.

Antonio Conte will need time to make his mark on Chelsea and turn an underachieving squad into winners again, according to technical director Michael Emenalo. The Italian’s reign got off to an underwhelming start on Saturday as Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna at Allianz Stadion, with Emenalo and owner Roman Abramovich both in attendance. Chelsea flew from Vienna to the southern Austrian town of Velden on Sunday to begin a week-long training camp that will include another friendly against WAC RZ Pellets on July 20, before travelling to the United States to participate in the International Champions Cup at the end of the month. Many of the players granted extended leave after participating in Euro 2016 and the Copa America Centenario are expected to be available to Conte by the time he makes the trip across the Atlantic, and Emenalo has warned that patience will be required while Chelsea’s new coach communicates his ideas to his players. “The only thing that is ...

The Naira on Monday, stabilised against the dollar at the parallel market, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The Nigerian currency exchanged at N365 to the dollar, maintaining same value as at Friday. However, the naira weakened further against the Pound Sterling, but maintained same value with the Euro as it exchanged at N475 and N400 respectively, from N470 and N400 it traded on Friday. At the interbank window, the naira exchanged at N292.15 to a dollar. Currency traders blamed the poor performance of the naira to the scarcity of the greenback, adding that the demand for dollar far outstripped its supply. Meanwhile, Prof. Segun Ajibola, President, Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) urged the Federal Government to resolve unsettled transactions prior to the introduction of the new forex policy. Ajibola, at a recent event in Lagos, said that unsettled transactions by banks before the introduction of the flexible exchange rate was still a major factor...

Cristiano Ronaldo was pictured today wearing a knee brace while on holiday with his family in Ibiza and even dipped into the ocean, a sign his injury sustained in the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France isn't as serious as first feared. Real Madrid doctors are constantly working on him and giving him drug  prescriptions to prepare his knee in time for the new season. More pics after the cut...

Evangelista Santos Cyborg, a 38-year-old MMA fighter suffered a bad skull fracture after he took a crushing knee to the head in his bout with Michael Page. The 38-year-old Brazilian had collapsed in pain clutching his forehead before referee John McCarthy stepped in to stop the fight. McCarthy said the blow was the hardest knee he had ever witnessed in more than 20 years of combats sports officiating. A digital scan of Santos' head revealed the extent of his injuries which left his skull 'looking like a boiled egg'. His ex wife and famed female MMA star Chris Cyborg is helping to promote a crowd-funding site for surgery. 'Fight fans Please say a prayer for my ex-husband Cyborg Santos. Many of you watched him fight on Spike TV this weekend when he suffered this injury while fighting in London. 'Cyborg is still in the hospital in the UK, and they are not sure when he will be able to fly again. He has not had surgery yet and their is worry th...

Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba who is the top scorer in Chinese Super League with 14 goals in 18 appearances was playing for his team Shanghai Shenhua against bitter rivals Shanghai SIPG  on Sunday when he crumpled to the ground in agony after a fairly innocuous challenge from an opponent. The injury looks really bad and could possibly end his career if not treated well. More photos and the graphic video after the cut..

After Kim K's big reveal exposing Taylor Swift via Snapchat, fans have been slamming the singer for claiming Kanye didn't discuss about any lyrics with her. Taylor has since responded insisting she wasn't aware of the use of a derogatory word 'Bitch' in the song. For those who haven't watched the Snapchat videos, here's a full transcription from their recorded conversation. Read below. Kanye West on the phone with Taylor Swift:  "You still got the Nashville number?" Taylor Swift:  "I still have the Nashville umm area code, but I had to change it." Kanye West reads the "Famous" lyric:  "To all my southside n----s that know me best, I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex." Taylor Swift:  "I'm like this close to overexposure." Kanye West:  "Oh, well this I think this a really cool thing to have." Taylor Swift:  "I know, I mean it's like a compliment, kind of." Kanye West:  ...

Two weeks ago she confirmed using an animated video that she is married and has welcomed a son.

Well not as a player though! Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group of companies today joined the growing list (69 as at last count) of companies/partners associated with Man Utd. Richard Branson's Virgin money has signed a four-year deal to become 'Official Retail Financial Services Partner' at Britain's biggest club. Virgin is the 15th financial partner United have on their ever-growing books, with 69 businesses/brands from across the world linked to the club with multi million pounds commercial deals. These multimillion deals have helped profits soar, with United posting records results back in February. Man Utd hopes to become the first British club in history to earn more than £500million in a year. Branson, pictured signing a shirt, said to manure.com: 'Virgin and Manchester United have very similar philosophies – we both want to change the game, not just play it. 'The two coming together under this new partnership with Virgin Money will create som...