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FULL LIST: Messi, Haaland And Bonmati Lead Ballon d’Or Nominees

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Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland are among the leading contenders to win this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or, while Spain World Cup star Aitana Bonmati leads the nominees announced on Wednesday for the women’s prize.

Messi, who recently left Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami, is in with a chance of succeeding Karim Benzema and winning the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his remarkable career after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year.

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Haaland may be his main rival for the prize after scoring 52 goals in 53 games to help Manchester City win the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup last season.

READ ALSO: Tribunal Strikes Out LP’s Case Against Tinubu, Reads Atiku’s Petitions

The Norway striker last week won the UEFA player of the year award for last season.

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PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Haaland’s City teammate Kevin De Bruyne also feature among the 30 nominees for the prize, the winner of which will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 30.

Benzema, who ended a 14-year spell at Real Madrid in June when he moved to Saudi club Al-Ittihad, is also nominated.

Bonmati, winner of the UEFA women’s player award, appears the favourite to claim the Ballon d’Or after being the outstanding player as Spain lifted the World Cup in Sydney last month.

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She also starred as Barcelona won the Champions League and will hope to succeed her club and international colleague Alexia Putellas, winner in the last two years.

READ ALSO: Ballon d’Or 2023: When Nominees Will Be Announced, Ceremony Date, Favourites To Win

Putellas is not nominated this time having hardly played for Barcelona last season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament in July 2022 which kept her out for nine months.

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Bonmati is one of four members of Spain’s World Cup-winning team nominated, along with Olga Carmona, Salma Paralluelo and Alba Redondo.

Their compatriots Patricia Guijarro and Mapi Leon are also named.

Both of Barcelona, they did not go to the World Cup after being among a group of 15 players who said last year they no longer wanted to play for Spain in a protest against the Spanish federation and coach Jorge Vilda.

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Others included in the 30 nominees are Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr and England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

AFP

 

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Super Falcons Players Haven’t Received Promised $100,000, Captain Ajibade Reveals

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Super Falcons captain and forward, Rasheedat Ajibade, has expressed frustration over the delay in the payment of promised allowances and bonuses to the team.

She made this known during an appearance on the forthcoming episode of ‘With Chude’ hosted by popular on-air personality, Chude Jideonwo.

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Ajibade said the players had yet to receive the pledged $100,000 and other entitlements, despite repeated assurances from the relevant authorities.

We have not received our money oo. Please, they have not paid. All the promises you heard back and forth, we have not received anything,” she said.

READ ALSO:Super Falcons Coach Madugu Nominated For 2025 Ballon d’Or Award

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Ajibade added that the players had been informed the money had already been allocated but insisted nothing had reached them.

People are begging. We have not received it. When they pay it, you will see. Even our match bonuses and everything… everything is still a work in progress,” she lamented.

The 24-year-old urged the authorities to fulfill their promises, stressing that the delay was taking a toll on the players.

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Following the Super Falcons’ historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Morocco, President Bola Tinubu had in July 2025 announced a cash reward of $100,000 for each player, along with other bonuses, as a token of appreciation for their achievement.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tinubu Confers National Honours On Super Falcons

Ajibade also stated that she played for FC Robo Queens in the Nigeria Women’s Football League for 10 years without receiving a salary.

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The Super Falcons captain described her spell playing football in the NWFL as “a tough moment”.

Ajibade added that she grew up in  compound of almost 100 people” in the Mushin area of Lagos and had to “wash people’s toilets and bathrooms for money”.

READ ALSO:WAFCON Final: Super Falcons Produce Stunning Comeback To Defeat Morocco, Win 10th Title

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The forward added that she grew up in “a compound of almost 100 people” in the Mushin area of Lagos and had to “wash people’s toilets and bathrooms for money”.

Ajibade came through the ranks of FC Robo Queens in Lagos and played for the team until she moved to Avaldsnes IL in Norway at the age of 17.

She then joined Atletico Madrid Feminino in 2021.

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Enabulele Celebrates Edo Deputy Governor on Birthday

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The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has congratulated the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Monday through his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele described Idahosa as a true democrat, a results-driven leader, and a high-flyer.

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You have continued to distinguish yourself in all your endeavours. Even as a young legislator, your impactful representation and laudable stewardship exemplify the true definition of a performer, earning you the admiration of many,” he said.

Enabulele further noted that Idahosa’s life is a testament to the importance of loyalty and respect, particularly in his current role as a supportive Deputy Governor. “You have stood firmly behind your boss, and that epitomizes true leadership,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Cristiano Ronaldo Officially Engaged, Set To Get Married

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As you celebrate another milestone, I join family, friends, and well-wishers across the globe in acknowledging your humility, commitment, and determination to ensure Edo State continues to rise under Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda,” Enabulele added.

He commended the Deputy Governor’s unwavering dedication to nation-building, his vision for a better Edo, and his commitment to advancing and safeguarding the interests of all Edo people, regardless of status or circumstance, describing these qualities as “worthy of emulation.”

We pray that Almighty God continues to grant you wisdom, good health, sound mind, happiness, and joy as you celebrate another year,” the statement concluded.

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Edo SWAN Felicitates Deputy Governor On Birth Anniversary

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‎The Leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Edo State chapter, has felicitated with deputy governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on his birth anniversary.

A felicitation message jointly signed by Comrade Kehind Osagiede and Comrade Idahosa Moses, Edo SWAN Chairman and Secretary, on behalf of all sports writers in the state said, ‎”all of us at SWAN in Edo state are delighted over this milestone and wish that many more celebrations come your way now and always.”

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The duo, in the message, while describing the deputy governor as a man of “honour, candour and commitment to public good as you have aptly demonstrated in the task of sports and youths development in Edo state,” acknowledged his support and encouragement to the body since he assumed office.

READ ALSO: Use Edo By-election As Template For APC’s Victory In 2027, Idahosa Urges Residents

The message reads: “Your dedication to serving the people of Edo State and your insightful contributions to good governance is highly commendable

“‎Today, we celebrate a visionary leader who is propelling the sports sector to unprecedented heights.

“‎As you celebrate this special day, we wish Your Excellency good health and fulfillment in all your aspirations.”

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