By Abigail David

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that he hopes to return to school and earn a university degree, saying he is preparing for life after football.

Speaking in an interview that recently resurfaced online, the Galatasaray forward said formal education remains a personal goal despite the success he has achieved in professional football.

“As an adult, not everything I learned in school. There are some kinds of life lessons you encounter through life’s journey,” Osimhen said.

The 2023 African Footballer of the Year noted that a football career is relatively short, making it important to plan for the future.

“It will be an amazing thing to get a degree because football is not something you will play for so long. After 20 or 25 years, you’re done,” he said.

Osimhen added that he hopes his decision will inspire young people who left school because of financial or personal challenges to pursue their education.

“For me, it’s to set a standard and an example to the younger generation that even if you dropped out due to challenges, you can always go back to school because the school is always there,” he said.

Osimhen has previously encouraged young footballers to balance their sporting ambitions with education, stressing that academic qualifications can provide opportunities after retirement from the game.

By Abigail David

Resale ticket prices for Friday’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final in Los Angeles have fallen sharply following the elimination of tournament co-hosts the United States and Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a report by Forbes.

The report said the cheapest resale tickets for the match dropped by nearly 60 per cent, falling from about $2,950 to around $1,200 on the secondary marketplace TickPick after the Round of 16 concluded on Monday.

The decline followed the United States’ 4-1 defeat to Belgium in Seattle and Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Spain in Arlington, Texas. Forbes said the absence of both the host nation and Ronaldo, one of football’s biggest global stars, significantly reduced demand for the Los Angeles fixture.

Data cited from ticket marketplace SeatPick showed average resale prices for all World Cup quarter-final matches declined by 31.5 per cent over the past day and by 50.4 per cent over the previous three days. The number of tickets listed on secondary markets also increased from 28,285 at the start of the tournament to 49,415.

Despite the drop in quarter-final prices, demand for the World Cup final remains strong. According to Forbes, the cheapest resale ticket for the final in New Jersey on July 19 was listed at $9,346 as of Tuesday, although prices are expected to change depending on the teams that qualify.

By Abigail David

The race for the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has intensified, with Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland all tied on seven goals as the tournament heads into the quarter-finals.

Mbappé moved to the top of the scoring chart after converting a penalty in France’s 1-0 Round of 16 victory over Paraguay. Messi had reached the same tally a day earlier with a goal in Argentina’s extra-time win over Cape Verde, while Haaland joined the leading duo after scoring twice in Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil.

The three forwards have emerged as the tournament’s leading scorers, setting up a closely contested battle for the Golden Boot with the knockout stages still to come.

If two or more players finish level on goals, FIFA’s tiebreaking criteria will consider assists first, followed by the fewest minutes played. Based on the current standings, Mbappé holds the advantage.

England captain Harry Kane remains within striking distance after scoring six goals, matching the tally that earned him the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup.

Several players are also in contention with four goals, including England midfielder Jude Bellingham, France winger Ousmane Dembélé and Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal.

Meanwhile, the race for the Golden Glove award remains wide open. France goalkeeper Mike Maignan has strengthened his credentials after conceding just two goals in five matches.

Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez, who won the award at the 2022 World Cup, is also among the leading contenders, while Spain’s Unai Simón has impressed with a series of composed performances as his side advanced to the quarter-finals.