Sports

Hazard wants to be a ‘Galactico’ at Real

Published

7 years ago

June 15, 2019

Eric

Eden Hazard said on Thursday he wants to become a ‘Galactico’ at Real Madrid and believes he is joining the club at the perfect moment in his career.

Hazard was unveiled in front of around 50,000 fans at the Santiagio Bernabeu after the Belgian’s long-awaited move from Chelsea was confirmed last week.

“I’m not a galactico, not yet, but I hope I will be one day,” Hazard said in a press conference afterwards.

“Despite everything I’ve done in the past, it will be like starting again from zero. I’m not a galactico, I’m Eden Hazard, just a very good player.” Madrid will pay Chelsea an initial 100 million euros for Hazard, with another 45 million due in potential add-ons for the 28-year-old, who has signed a five-year contract with his new club.

Hazard admitted Madrid made a move for him after the World Cup last year but insisted this was the right time to leave Chelsea.

“I don’t think it is too late, I am 28 years old, the best moment for a player,” Hazard said.

“I have had various phases of my career, at Lille and Chelsea, and now I felt the time was right to join the best club in the world.” Madrid struggled without Cristiano Ronaldo last season and Hazard will be tasked with helping to fill the void.

Despite the arrivals of Eder Militao, Luka Jovic and Ferland Mendy this summer, he is the first statement signing since Zinedine Zidane was reappointed in March.

“When you play for a team like Real Madrid there is not one single star, the team is the star,” Hazard said.

“I have been at Chelsea for seven years, but now I am the new guy in the team and I will try to contribute as much as possible.”

Asked if he wanted to become the best player in the world at Real Madrid, Hazard said: “I will try but first I will try to be in the best team in the world.

“It is a different level. I had a lot of success with Chelsea and I want to win a lot with Madrid as well.”

Hazard admitted Zidane was also a key factor in his decision.

“Everyone knows Zidane was my idol growing up,” he said. “That he is the coach has been an important factor but not the only one. I already wanted to play here.

“I was a kid playing football in the garden with my brothers when I began to be a Real Madrid fan.

“Then I went to France, then to England, but being a Real Madrid player, wearing this shirt, it is an honour. I can’t wait for the season to start.”

The shirt Hazard wore in front of the fans came without a number and he admitted he had told Mateo Kovacic at Chelsea to ask his fellow Croatian, Luka Modric, about the number 10.

“I have been able to talk to Modric through Kovacic and I was joking when I asked him to lend me the number 10,” Hazard said.

“He said no, so I’ll have to find another number.”

Sports

FIFA Strikes Out Nigeria’s Petition, Okays DR Congo for 2026 World Cup Play-Off

Published

16 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have effectively ended after FIFA confirmed the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative in the upcoming inter-confederation play-off tournament.

In an official accreditation notice circulated to media covering the event, FIFA outlined the competition format and confirmed the six nations set to compete for the final two spots at the expanded global tournament.

The announcement excludes Nigeria, whose football authorities had lodged a formal protest following their defeat by DR Congo in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) challenged the result, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie, which ended 1-1 before the Leopards prevailed on penalties.

The NFF sought to overturn the outcome and secure reinstatement into the inter-confederation play-offs.

However, FIFA’s latest communication makes no reference to any amendment to the qualified teams, strongly indicating that the original result stands.

In its statement, FIFA said: “The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament will see six teams fight it out for the final two places at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 host cities.”

The governing body confirmed the participating nations as Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.

Tournament format and fixtures

The play-off tournament will take place from March 26 to March 31, 2026, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico.

According to FIFA, the four lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking — Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname — will contest bracket semi-finals.

The two highest-ranked sides — DR Congo and Iraq — will advance directly to the final stage.

This format places DR Congo one match away from qualification, with the African side set to face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia for a place at the 2026 finals.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition expanded to 48 teams.

For Nigeria, FIFA’s confirmation brings months of uncertainty to a close. Although no separate public ruling was issued specifically addressing the NFF’s petition, the unchanged list of qualified teams suggests the appeal was unsuccessful.

Sports

Barcelona Moves: Galatasaray Place €80m Price Tag on Osimhen

Published

3 weeks ago

February 12, 2026

Eric

Turkish Super Lig club, Galatasaray, have slapped an €80 million release clause on Victor Osimhen amid interest from Spanish giants Barcelona, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen has been one of the most prolific strikers in the world over the last four years. In fact, he only recently scored his 200th career goal.

Since his permanent move to Galatasaray, he has been the club’s poster boy due to his impressive performances. This season, he has contributed 15 goals and one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions for the Cimbom.

The Nigerian international has been particularly vital in the UEFA Champions League, where he has already netted six goals.

His performances have not gone unnoticed, however, as several top clubs continue to keep tabs on him.

The 27-year-old only joined Galatasaray last summer for a Turkish transfer record fee of €75 million, but many clubs in Europe’s top five leagues would fancy having him as their leading man.

Now, according to a report by Turkish outlet Haberlisin, Spanish giants Barcelona are plotting a move for Osimhen.

Why Barcelona want Osimhen

Barcelona’s current top striker is Robert Lewandowski, and the club is looking to move on from the veteran, who will turn 38 in August.

With second-choice striker Ferran Torres not considered a reliable long-term option, the Catalans are searching for a proper talisman to lead their line.

According to Haberlisin, Barcelona have made Osimhen a major target and are willing to go all out for him in the summer.

However, Galatasaray won’t let him leave for cheap. Having paid €75 million for his services just seven months ago, they will want to maximize their return on the transfer. Consequently, they have slapped a hefty €80 million price tag on the Super Eagles star.

Although they are one of the biggest clubs in the world, Barcelona might struggle to meet this valuation due to their ongoing financial troubles. However, over the last three years, they have managed to pull off several big-money deals.

For Osimhen, even though he loves life at Galatasaray and earns a Turkish-record salary, he likely still has eyes on playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

It remains to be seen how hard the Spanish giants will push to get this transfer over the line and whether Osimhen will be willing to go.