Sport

Ibrahimovic becomes highest paid footballer in France

Published

9 years ago

January 28, 2016

Paris Saint-Germain’s star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been handed a 700,000 euros ($760,000) monthly pay-rise making him by far the highest-paid footballer in France, Le Parisien newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old Swede, who joined the club in 2012 from AC Milan and has scored 127 goals in 156 games since then, now gets 1.5 million euros ($1.1 million) a month before tax under the performance-based hike agreed late last year.

On top, Ibrahimovic can pocket three big bonus payments for winning the Champions league, the French league title and and ending the season with the top combined total of goals scored and goal assists.

With Paris Saint-Germain currently 21 points clear of second-placed Monaco in the league, the first of those targets is all but certain. Paris go up against Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champion League next month.

Le Parisien added, however, that there was no word on whether Ibrahimovic would stay in Paris after his current contract expires at the end of the season.

He is on record as saying he has no intention of leaving, claiming he has “a beautiful relationship with PSG.”

Ibrahimovic will be playing in France during the summer as Sweden contest the Euro 2016 finals

Sport

NFF Denies Blacklisting Leon Balogun from Super Eagles

Published

4 months ago

February 18, 2025

lagoslately

Leon Balogun, whose sudden absence from the Super Eagles squad raised concerns, especially after his comments on players’ welfare, has been cleared by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). The NFF has denied that his exclusion is related to his outspoken interview.

In a statement, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire addressed the rumors, stating that the claims were incorrect.

“The interview in question was in June 2021. Since then, Balogun has participated in seven games for the Super Eagles. This is verifiable. He was included in the squad for AFCON but missed out due to injury. He returned in 2022, playing in both World Cup qualifier matches against Ghana and in the AFCON qualifiers under coach Jose Peseiro,” Olajire explained.

He continued, “Claims that Balogun’s absence is due to his interview are unfair to the NFF. We do not make player selections for coaches, and the concerns raised by Balogun in that interview were addressed by us. No directive has been given by the NFF to blacklist him from the Super Eagles.”

With Eric Chelle’s list on the horizon, fans are hopeful for a potential Balogun return. His wealth of experience and continued presence in top-tier football make him a valuable asset, and many, including this writer, believe his inclusion would still be beneficial for the national team. Fingers crossed!

Sport

Ghana Coach Relieved to Avoid Nigeria in Group Stages

Published

4 months ago

February 15, 2025

lagoslately

Ghana’s Black Satellites head coach, Desmond Ofei, has expressed his team’s relief at not being in the same group as Nigeria for the upcoming U-20 AFCON.

This follows their 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the final of the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Togo last year.

“We’re happy not to be in Group B because it’s a very competitive group,” Ofei shared with Joy Prime Sports. “I believe we’re in a position where we can control the flow of this tournament from our side.”

Ghana has been placed in Group A for the competition.