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Mbappe wins French player of the year award

Kylian Mbappe has been named as France’s player of the year. Mbappe won the award in a ceremony held in Paris, France on Monday.

This is even as he comes to the end of his seven-season stay with Paris Saint-Germain.

In a statement on the Football club’s site, Mbappe, is said to have won as Ligue 1 Player of the Season at the UNFP (French players union) trophies gala.

The club took home a total of 15 awards, it said.

“Paris Saint-Germain also pulled off another Player of the Season double, with Kylian Mbappe winning the award on the men’s side,” the club said.

“Having been named as the Ligue 1 Player of the Season in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the 25-year-old striker wins the award for a fifth time,” it said.

According to the statement by the Club, he becomes the first player to pick up the honour on five separate occasions.

“In a row after a season, he has scored 44 goals in all competitions for PSG,” it said.

Speaking after the awards on NDTV, Mbappe said he will leave PSG at the end of the campaign when his contract expires, with Real Madrid expected to be his next destination.

“It is a page that is turning, a chapter of my life that is going to close,” Mbappe said.

Mbappe said that Ligue 1 will always have an important place in his life and It is the only league he has known in his career up to date.

“I will miss it for sure. It is a part of my life that is coming to an end. What is coming next is very exciting but that is something else.” Mbappe told NDTV.

News

AFCON 2025: Yobo to serve as draw assistant

Former Super Eagles defender Joseph Yobo has been selected as one of the draw assistants for the final draw of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The draw ceremony is set to take place today at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, where the 24 qualified teams will discover their paths to the trophy.

Yobo will be joined by other African football icons, including Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, and Aliou Cisse.

The quartet will not only oversee the draw by selecting balls from the pots but will also share their insights on the tournament groups.

The 2025 AFCON finals will be hosted in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

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Super Eagles will succeed under Eric Chelle – Sadiq Umar

Super Eagles forward Umar Sadiq has expressed his support for the team’s new head coach, Eric Chelle, and is optimistic about his success in the role.

Chelle was appointed as the Super Eagles’ head coach earlier this month, a decision that has sparked criticism directed at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Despite the backlash, Sadiq is confident in the 47-year-old’s ability to lead the team effectively.

“You can see what he did in the last AFCON. Everyone thought Mali was one of the favorites,” Sadiq told Sporty TV.

“You can see how they played. They were so good, but they got knocked out in the quarterfinals because, sometimes, it’s not the best team that wins.

“But I can tell you, I watched a lot of Mali’s games because I have a teammate there. You can see how they play, and it’s clear the coach (Chelle) has a lot of great ideas.”

Chelle’s impressive work with Mali during the previous AFCON has given Sadiq confidence that the coach can bring similar success to the Super Eagles.

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‘I’m happy to be out there’ — Dessers opens up on Rangers exit

Cyriel Dessers has expressed his intention to remain at Rangers beyond the winter transfer window despite speculation about his future.

The Nigerian international began the season as Rangers’ first-choice striker but has since lost his spot to Hamza Igamane.

Dessers has been linked with a return to Italy, with reports suggesting interest from Cagliari and Empoli. Spanish club Leganes is also reportedly keen on signing the former Feyenoord forward.

In a recent interview, Dessers acknowledged plans to discuss his status at the club with senior officials. However, the 30-year-old revealed that no such talks have taken place yet.

“No talks at all. I don’t mind that. I try to focus on the football and the things that are happening on the pitch,” Dessers told the Daily Record.

“Those are the things that I can control. And like Sunday at Tannadice, I’m just happy to be out there with the guys, fighting for the points and being important.

“That’s what I want. There’s a lot of unfinished business at Rangers for me. That’s why I kept pushing in the last weeks—in the gym, in training, and in the minutes that you get.”

Despite his recent challenges, Dessers has had an impressive season, scoring 18 goals across all competitions under manager Philippe Clement.