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Deco Shuts Down Gyökeres Rumours: “Barça Not Looking for a New No. 9”

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Barcelona sporting director Deco has put to rest recent transfer speculation linking Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres with a move to Camp Nou, stating unequivocally that the club is not in the market for a new centre-forward.

Speaking on May 31, Deco acknowledged the impressive form of the Swedish international but reaffirmed the club’s commitment to its current attacking structure.

“Gyökeres is a great striker who did excellent things at Sporting,” Deco said. “But we’re currently not looking for that position. We have Lewandowski at number 9.”

The comments come amid swirling rumours suggesting Barcelona might be eyeing Gyökeres as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, who, despite being 36, remains the focal point of Barça’s attack. Gyökeres enjoyed a stellar season in Portugal, scoring consistently and attracting interest from top European clubs, including several in the Premier League.

However, Deco’s remarks make it clear that Barcelona, at least for now, are backing their experienced Polish forward to lead the line next season. The club’s priority appears to be reinforcing other areas of the squad as they navigate ongoing financial constraints and seek to remain competitive both domestically and in Europe.

Barcelona fans can likely expect Lewandowski to continue as the club’s main striker heading into the 2025–26 season, with no immediate plans for a high-profile reinforcement in that role.

Stay tuned as Barcelona’s summer transfer activity unfolds.

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Football

OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo Extends Al-Nassr Contract Until 2027

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Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new two-year contract extension with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, keeping him at the club until June 2027.

The 40-year-old forward joined Al-Nassr in late 2022 and has since scored over 90 goals in just over 100 matches. He recently won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot with 35 goals and remains in top form.

Ronaldo’s deal is reportedly worth around €200 million per year, reaffirming his status as the highest-paid footballer in the world.

Since his arrival, he has played a key role in raising the profile of Saudi football, attracting global stars and boosting international viewership. While Al-Nassr has yet to secure a league title during his time, the club did win the Arab Club Champions Cup.

The extension means Ronaldo will continue playing into his 40s, with more records in sight—and a potential sixth World Cup appearance in 2026.

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Juventus 4-1 Wydad Casablanca: Yıldız Brace Fires Bianconeri Into Club World Cup Knockouts

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Philadelphia, USA – June 22, 2025

Juventus delivered a commanding statement in the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday night, dismantling Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca 4–1 in their second Group G match.

A dazzling performance from 20-year-old forward Kenan Yıldız, who scored twice, ensured the Italian giants maintained their perfect start to the tournament and all but booked a place in the Round of 16.

The match burst into life in the opening minutes when Khephren Thuram’s sharp move ended with a low shot that deflected off Wydad defender Soufiane Boutouil and into his own net, gifting Juventus a 1–0 lead just six minutes in.

Only ten minutes later, Yıldız stunned fans and pundits alike with a thunderbolt from distance that soared into the top-right corner — a strike already being tipped as one of the tournament’s best goals.

To their credit, Wydad responded with a moment of brilliance in the 25th minute. South African forward Thembinkosi Lorch, played in by Ayoub El Amloud, chipped Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio with composure to make it 2–1, briefly raising hopes of a comeback.

But Juventus never lost control. The second half saw them dominate possession and dictate tempo. In the 69th minute, Randal Kolo Muani threaded a perfect pass through the Wydad backline, and Yıldız made no mistake — calmly slotting home for his second of the night and third of the tournament.

The match was capped in stoppage time when Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović converted a penalty after being brought down inside the box, making it 4–1 and sealing a comprehensive win for the Bianconeri.

Yıldız Steals the Show

All eyes were on Kenan Yıldız, whose brace and all-round performance earned him Man of the Match honours. Head coach Igor Tudor was full of praise post-match, calling him “a golden boy” and emphasizing his growing importance to the team.

“Kenan plays with the maturity of a veteran. He’s special — and he’s showing the world exactly why we believe in him,” Tudor said.

Group G Outlook

The win puts Juventus at the top of Group G with six points, ahead of their final group game against Manchester City on June 26 in Orlando. Wydad, meanwhile, remain bottom with zero points and must beat Al Ain and hope results elsewhere go in their favour to stand any chance of progressing.

Match Summary:

Juventus Goals: Boutouil (OG, 6’) Yıldız (16’, 69’) Vlahović (90+4’, pen)

Wydad Goal: Lorch (25’)

Possession: Juventus 63% – Wydad 37%

Shots on Target: Juventus 8 – Wydad 3

Man of the Match: Kenan Yıldız

Next Fixtures – June 26:

Juventus vs Manchester City (Orlando) Wydad Casablanca vs Al Ain

With Yıldız firing on all cylinders and confidence soaring, Juventus now look ahead to a heavyweight showdown with City — and possibly a deep run in the tournament.

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Samuel Eto’o bans former teammate Geremi Njitap for five years

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Cameroon football legend Geremi Njitap has been banned from all football-related activities for five years by the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), following a disciplinary dispute with the federation’s president, Samuel Eto’o.

He has also been fined $16,500.

The decision, announced this week, marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between two of the country’s most iconic former players, and has drawn widespread attention from football communities across Africa and beyond.

Geremi, 46, a former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder, is among Cameroon’s most celebrated footballers, having earned 118 caps — the joint-second highest in national history.

He was part of Cameroon’s 2008 AFCON team that reached the final in Ghana.

Njitap was also a member of Chelsea’s Premier League-winning squads in 2005 and 2006.

In 2017, Geremi said in an interview with Muftawu Nabila Abdulai that, “…I am a bit fed up with football so I don’t follow football anymore.”

He, however, transitioned into football administration, serving as the president of the National Union of Footballers of Cameroon (Synafoc), an organisation representing players’ rights.

His relationship with Eto’o, now head of FECAFOOT, deteriorated sharply which led to an altercation between the two per local media reports.

The fallout dates back to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, during a tense group-stage match between Cameroon and The Gambia.

Geremi was reportedly involved in a heated altercation with a member of Eto’o’s inner circle. Security had to intervene, with reports from Yaoundé claiming he was forcibly removed from the stadium at the instruction of federation officials.

In a formal statement released by FECAFOOT’s ethics committee, Geremi was declared guilty of “violating the behavioural code outlined in the federation’s ethics regulations.” As a result, he has been banned from all football activities for five years and fined 10 million Central African CFA francs (approx. $16,500).

He has been given 10 days to lodge an official appeal. Sources close to the former midfielder indicate he is considering taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.

Daniel Blaise Ngos, Geremi’s assistant at Synafoc, was also penalised, receiving a two-year ban and a fine of $8,250.

Critics claim it’s move to end Njitap’s presidential ambitions as he’s believed to be nursing his way to ascending the throne of football leadership in the country.

myjoyonline.com

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