Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema has hinted at a desire to return to the club once he has brought down the curtain on an illustrious playing career.

Benzema is second on Madrid’s list of all-time goal-scorers, ahead of icons Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano, having netted 354 times across 14 years. He is also fifth on the club’s all-time appearance list, playing 648 games between 2009 and 2023.

Madrid have welcomed former players back in a variety of off-field roles in the past, with 1980s stars Jorge Valdano and Emilio Butragueno among those to have had prominent executive positions. Raul has been in charge of Real Madrid Castilla since 2019, with Alvaro Arbeloa currently a youth coach. Santiago Solari had spells in charge of various sides up to first-team level, with Zinedine Zidane famously serving as an adviser before two spells as head coach.

Benzema admitted in a Mega interview that he doesn’t know if coaching is the path he wants to take, only that he wants to be “close” to president Florentino Perez.

“The other day, I was with Florentino in Madrid. When he signed me [in 2009], I told my father that as long as he was at Real Madrid, I would be there,” the Frenchman explained.

“He was the first person I called when I decided I was leaving. He didn’t quite understand…I told him that the youngsters, Vinicius and Rodrygo, were ready. When I retire, I want to be close to football. Coach? I don’t know, it seems more complicated than being a player. I want to be close to Florentino.”

Benzema, now 37, is currently in his second season with Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad.

“I feel good here,” he said. “My life is like in Madrid. I get up, train at home in the gym and in the afternoon I train with the team. In the evening, I sometimes go out to dinner or to the beach. Here you can’t walk down the street either, people are crazy about football.”

Fulham have condemned the “abhorrent” racist and homophobic online abuse directed at Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey following Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shootout win at Manchester United.

Nigeria defender Bassey, who scored the opening goal at Old Trafford, shared some examples of the unsavoury abuse he had received on social media.

“We strongly condemn this abhorrent behaviour, which has no place in football or society,” Fulham said in a statement.

“Such actions are entirely unacceptable, and we stand in full support of Calvin Bassey, who will continue to receive our full backing.

“We will do everything in our power to work with the relevant authorities in identifying the perpetrators of these vile messages and taking the strongest form of action against them.”

Bassey’s online abuse follows recent cases involving Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, England defender Kyle Walker, Newcastle United’s Joe Willock and Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw.

In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Samuel Okafor, chief executive of anti-discrimination body Kick It Out (KIO), said the level of abuse in English football had “reached crisis point”.

Bassey’s goal was cancelled out in the second half by Bruno Fernandes, with the game staying level at 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and extra time.

Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee missed for United in the shootout to send the Cottagers into the quarter-finals, where they will host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.

BBC

Matches were played at Lekki playground and Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute Metta as teams jostle for the ultimate trophy of this year’s U-13 JOF Kids Cup in Lagos.

Reports from the centres revealed a total of 44 goals were recorded from the matches played at the weekend as the kids showcased their God-given talent in a tournament sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited.

In some of the results, First Class Boys from Lagos Island beat Zamalek Babes 2-1, Warriors FC of Agege succumbed to the superior power of Ikosi Boys of Kentucky in a match that ended 3-0 at Lekki playground on Friday.

The same Friday at the Ojo Oniyun pitch, Camara Boys from Bariga were beaten by the Ajiran Boys 1-2. HB Utility of Ilupeju defeated Okota Academy 3-1, while Ola’s Babes from Somolu beat Oron Academy of Oyinbo 1-0.

On Saturday at Lekki playground, it was penalty shootouts that decided the winners between Edet Academy and Nice Babes after they 1-1 draw in the regulation time. Edet later won the match 4-3.
Oloto Babes beat Damilade Boys 2-1.

At Ojo Oniyun playground, ADC Academy from Ogba were too much for Adamu Academy of Idi Araba, Mushin in a cracker that ended 2-1 while Versity Boys of Lagos Island beat Glory Boys from Ikotun 2-0.

On Sunday, Idimu Bombers defeated Made Academy from Ijegun 2-1, while Tom Tom Boys of Orile went down for Botife Academy from Abule Egba in a match that ended 2-1 at Ojo Oniyun playground.

At Lekki playground, Solution Boys beat Oworo United 2-0, while Dopemu United triumphed over Tobi Boys from Oshodi in a 4-1 game.

Mr Adeyinka Adetunji, JOF Nigeria Limited’s Director, Strategic Support Services, commended the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by all the teams, even as he praised the organisation of the tournament since it kicked off two weekends ago.

Adetunji assured of JOF Nigeria Limited’s continued support for initiative to develop the talents in Nigerian youths.