In a milestone moment in football, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe found themselves in a rare tie as they both claimed the prestigious Gerd Muller Trophy, awarded for being the best goalscorer. Apexnewsgh reports Each remarkable player netted an impressive 52 goals across all competitions in the previous season, showcasing their extraordinary talents on the pitch. Kane, who had a stellar first season with Bayern Munich, accepted the award solo due to Mbappe’s absence from the ceremony. “I’m honored to receive this award,” he expressed with gratitude. “Thank you to Bayern Munich, my staff, and teammates for their incredible support.” Despite finishing 10th in the Ballon d’Or men’s award standings, Kane’s prolific scoring earned him well-deserved recognition alongside one of football’s biggest stars. Meanwhile, Real Madrid had their own achievements to celebrate, even amidst a notable absence from the awards ceremony. The club and its coach, Carlo Ancelotti, were absent but still took home significant honors. Ancelotti was awarded the inaugural Johan Cruyff Trophy for Best Coach, a testament to his exceptional leadership as Real Madrid triumphed in La Liga by a commanding 10 points, in addition to winning the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League title. The lack of representation at the event was a striking aspect of the evening, as Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony, which overshadowed their accolades. Despite this, seven of their players were shortlisted for the men’s Ballon d’Or, highlighting the club’s strong performance over the season. However, the night was marked by Kane and Mbappe’s shared glory in goalscoring, while Real Madrid’s notable achievements were framed within the context of their controversial absence, leaving a significant impact on the evening’s proceedings. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Contact: +233248250270/+233256336062 for your publications

In a stunning night filled with celebration and emotion, Rodri, the talented midfielder for Manchester City and the Spanish national team, made history by winning the prestigious men’s Ballon d’Or award. Apexnewsgh reports Aged 28, Rodri’s exceptional contributions were key in securing both Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and Manchester City’s remarkable treble-winning season. Accepting the accolade in Paris, Rodri couldn’t help but reflect on the significance of the moment. He triumphed over formidable competitors such as Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and rising star Jude Bellingham, becoming the first player from Manchester City to earn this honor. Bellingham’s impressive third-place finish marked a notable achievement for English football, being the highest for an English player since Frank Lampard’s close second in 2005. Despite facing a challenging situation on crutches due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Rodri radiated gratitude and humility as he accepted the award. “This award is not just for me, but for Spanish football and all the midfielders who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes,” he remarked, embodying the spirit of teamwork and dedication. Rodri’s illustrious achievements over the year are commendable: he led Spain to victory at Euro 2024, celebrated triumphs in the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup with Manchester City, was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024, and scored a career-best nine goals for his club last season. While Real Madrid chose to boycott the ceremony, they still secured the Club of the Year award, and Carlo Ancelotti was celebrated as the Men’s Coach of the Year. Rodri’s victory signifies a new chapter in football, breaking the longstanding dominance of icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have shared the Ballon d’Or honors since 2008. The night not only celebrated individual brilliance but also heralded a promising future for football. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Contact: +233248250270/+233256336062 for your publications

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched an investigation into the incident involving Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who were left stranded at Al Abraq Airport in Libya for more than 12 hours. Apexnewsgh reports The Super Eagles were scheduled to face Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Tuesday. However, following the airport ordeal, Nigeria has stated that they will not honor the match. According to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the team was diverted to Al Abraq Airport—located approximately two hours from Benghazi—without any prior notice. They discovered upon their arrival that no transport or reception was awaiting them, and the players were forced to spend the night at the airport. They were left without basic amenities such as food, water, and Wi-Fi access. CAF confirmed that they are in contact with both the Libyan and Nigerian authorities regarding the matter. “The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘Super Eagles’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities,” the statement read. “The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.” The Nigerian team has since secured a flight back home, and with players returning to their respective clubs, it appears likely that the AFCON qualifier will not take place as scheduled. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen

In a candid interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua in New York, Aliko Dangote, president and CEO of Dangote Group, revealed his lingering regret over not purchasing Arsenal Football Club when he had the chance. The Nigerian billionaire, valued at over $20 billion, had considered buying the prestigious club when its value was approximately $2 billion. However, Dangote’s commitment to completing his refinery project took priority, forcing him to put his football ambitions on hold. “I think that time has passed,” he said, reflecting on his past discussions about owning a football club. Dangote had previously expressed interest in buying Arsenal in 2020, after completing his refinery project. Now, with the club’s value skyrocketing to around $4 billion, he considers the purchase price prohibitive. “I don’t have the kind of surplus funds to purchase a club for $4 billion as a promotional venture,” he admitted. Despite abandoning his ambition to take over at the Emirates Stadium, Dangote remains a devoted Arsenal fan. “I make it a point to watch their games whenever they play, and I will continue to support them,” he assured. When asked if he regretted not buying Arsenal earlier, Dangote confessed, “I do wish I had purchased it earlier, but at the time, my funds were better allocated to completing my refinery project.” He rationalized his decision, saying, “It was a choice between finishing my project and acquiring Arsenal. I couldn’t have done both.” Dangote’s focus on his business empire has paid off, with the Dangote Group, founded in 1981, becoming the largest conglomerate in West Africa. Though his football dreams may be on hold, his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to his business continue to drive his success. The billionaire’s honest reflection serves as a reminder that even the wealthiest individuals must make tough choices between passion and priority. For now, Dangote will remain a loyal Arsenal supporter, cheering from the sidelines rather than from the owner’s box. Source: Apexnewsgh/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062