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Lionel Messi retires from int’l football

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By Our Reporter with agency report

Lionel Messi said on Monday he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi, 39, wrote on Instagram.

“I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt,” he added.

Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory by winning the 2022 final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha, but his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final.

Following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi had said he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”.

Messi’s contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.

His full statement reads, “After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team…

READ ALSO: Lionel Messi’s father dies at 68

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.

“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give.

“Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here.

“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones.

“Thank you to my family for always being there and for being with me throughout this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate and director I had the chance to share it with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

“I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of. It was crazy to experience all of this with you. I love you!

“Thank you God for making me Argentine.

“Vamos Argentina!

“I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before.

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FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos record 2-0 win over Puerto Rico

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Nigeria’s U-17 Women National Team, the Flamingos, kept their campaign at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on track with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico in their Group B encounter on Tuesday night in Rabat.

The 2022 World Cup bronze-medallists started the game with real intent, pressing high and creating early problems for the Puerto Rican defence. It was a lively opening from both sides, but the Flamingos soon took control with their quick movement and direct play going forward.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when in-form striker Oluwakemi Adegbuyi finished brilliantly from Queen Joseph’s assist to put Nigeria 1-0 up. That goal settled the Nigerian girls and gave them the confidence to dominate possession for most of the first half.

In the second period, the Flamingos continued to push for another goal. Queen Joseph, Tosin Rafiu and Favour Nkwocha all came close, while Puerto Rico also tried to find a way back into the game with a couple of changes. Coach Hakeem Busari responded by introducing Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku in the 67th minute to add more energy and bite in attack.

The pressure finally paid off in the 90th minute when Nigeria got the second goal as substitute Precious Oscar nodded home a cross from Kemi Adegbuyi to seal the contest at 2-0. The team showed great maturity to see out six minutes of added time and secure all three points. The victory is a big boost for the Flamingos as North Korea defeated Poland 6-1 in the other match of Group B. The high-score deficit against the Poles is an advantage to the Flamingos ahead of Friday’s Group B encounter against the Koreans.

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NPFL hammers Doma Utd with N5.25m fine, orders 3 home matches behind closed doors

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Gombe based Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Doma United has been fined N5.25 million and ordered to play its next three home matches behind closed doors following security breaches and supporters’ misconduct during its 1-1 draw with Kun Khalifat FC.

The sanctions followed the club’s supporters alleged attack on Kun Khalifat of Owerri during the Matchday 9 fixture played at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe on Saturday, October 17.

In a disciplinary notice issued on Monday, the NPFL said Doma United failed to provide adequate and effective security, allowing unauthorised persons to access restricted areas.

The club was also fined 1 million for hostile conduct towards match officials and another 1 million for gross misconduct involving an official of the visiting team.

The club was further tasked to pa additional N250,000 as compensation for the medical treatment of Kun Khalifat head coach, Obinna Uzoho, who sustained an injury during the incident.

The total financial penalty amounts to 5.25 million, alongside the restriction barring spectators from the club’s next three home fixtures.

The disciplinary action also affects the match commissioner, who has been recommended for demotion to a lower league over alleged dereliction of duty, inadequate supervision and insufficient reporting of the match.

The club has 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the decision.

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FIBA congratulates new NBBF president, recognizes election

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The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has congratulated Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha on his election as President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), acknowledging the successful conduct of the federation’s elective congress held on October 15, 2026.

A statement from the NBBF Media office said FIBA, in an official letter signed by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis congratulated Mustapha and all elected board members who will serve the federation for the 2026-2030 term.

FIBA’s letter acknowledged receipt of the NBBF’s communication confirming the outcome of the election and commended the federation’s commitment to good governance and compliance with its constitution and applicable FIBA regulations.

The recognition represents a significant endorsement of the electoral process and Mustapha’s emergence as NBBF president, reinforcing the international body’s acknowledgement of the new leadership.

FIBA also recognized the support provided by relevant Nigerian authorities and stakeholders throughout the electoral process, highlighting the importance of institutional cooperation in advancing basketball administration in the country.

The international federation also expressed appreciation to the outgoing NBBF board, led by Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, for its work and contributions to Nigerian basketball.

Zagklis further recalled his recent meeting with Mustapha in Berlin and expressed his expectation of meeting him again in person, wishing the new president and his colleagues success throughout their tenure.

The new leadership is expected to build on the recognition and institutional support to strengthen basketball development, improve governance and advance Nigeria’s competitiveness on the continental and international stages.

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