Sports
Lionel Messi retires from int’l football

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.
Sports
Bwari edge Kuje to win FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Championship
Bwari Area Council have emerged champions of the second edition of the FCT Football Association, FCT FA, Women’s Inter-Area Council Tournament.
Bwari defeated Kuje 1-0 in Saturday’s final at the Area 3 Football Pitch, Abuja, to claim the six-team round-robin women’s championship which ran from August 21st to September 5, 2026 and replicate their success in the men’s competition.
The decisive moment came just one minute into the final when Patricia Habila struck to give Bwari an early lead.
Kuje responded with sustained pressure in search of an equaliser, but Bwari’s defence stood firm to preserve the advantage and secure the trophy.
The victory means Bwari are champions in both the men’s and women’s editions of the FCT FA Inter-Area Council competitions, underlining the Area Council’s impressive performance across grassroots football.
Defending champions Amac settled for third place after recovering from a 1-1 draw against Kwali in the third-place playoff. Amac subsequently prevailed 3-1 on penalties to secure the bronze medal.
FCT FA Chairman Adam Mouktar Mohammed congratulated Bwari for their triumph and praised the participating Area Councils for their commitment to the development of the women’s game.
“This is exactly what grassroots football development should be about, giving young players the opportunity to compete, gain experience and be identified. We are encouraged by what we have seen and will continue to support competitions that create opportunities for our girls,” Mohammed said.
Sports
NPFL: Rivers United reward players, officials for impressive start to new season
Rivers United players and officials have been rewarded with cash bonuses for their impressive start to the new season.
The Pride of Rivers earned ₦2 million for their 2-0 victory over Plateau United in their 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, opener.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Chris Green, rewarded the team with ₦1 million for each goal scored in the match.
Rivers United were also rewarded with $2,000 for their draw against FC San Pedro of Cote d’Ivoire in the CAF Champions League.
The Port Harcourt club held FC San Pedro to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their first preliminary round tie.
The club praised the players and officials for representing Rivers State and Nigeria well on both domestic and continental fronts.
The bonuses are part of efforts to motivate the squad as they balance commitments in the league and on the continent.
Rivers United will now turn their attention to the return leg against FC San Pedro in Ikenne as they seek to advance to the second preliminary round.
Sports
Edo Queens emerge 2026 WAFU B Women’s champions
Edo Queens Football Club, weekend defeated Ghana’s Women League champions, Ampem Darkoa Ladies FC 4-1 in a penalty shootout to win the WAFU-B tournament for the second time.
It was a breathtaking scene in Ouagadougou on Saturday night when the Nigerian champions produced a spirited comeback twice to frustrate the Ghana’s champions who were yet to suffer any defeat at the tournament before the thrilling shootouts ensued.
The fiercely contested final match had ended 2-2 at regulation period of 90 minutes as goals from Doosuur Anastasia Atume (4mns); Oluebube Umejiaku (90+4mns) canceled out Beline Nyarkoh 2nd and 74th minute brace.
Edo Queens lifted the WAFU-B cup for the first time in 2024 and progressed to a 4th place finish at the CAF Champions League proper in Morocco.
The Nigeria’s representatives redeemed their image with the 4-1 victory over their Ghanaian counterparts Ampem Darkoa Ladies who handed them the only defeat they suffered in the WAFU-B tournament.
The group B last game ended 2-1 in favour of Ampem , topping the group ahead of Edo Queens.
On the road to the finals, Edo Queens at the semi-finals stage, recorded an overwhelming 5-1 victory over the host country’s USFA just as Ampem Darkoa Ladies spanked Benin Republic’s FC Dynamique 4-1 to advance to the final in the championship.
The Benin girls trashed AS Garde Nationale of Niger 7-0 in their first group match and later triumphed over ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast 3-1 before their 2-1 loss to Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the third match.
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