Beckham Links Up With The New Generation

Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.

The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.

How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon

In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.

Thanks to players like:

• David Beckham

• Zinedine Zidane

• Steven Gerrard

…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.

Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.

And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.

A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns

The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.

Adidas describes it as:

• “Metallic, polished and aggressive”

• Featuring crisp white Three Stripes

• And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold

Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”

Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.

Engineered For Today’s Game

While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.

The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.

Key enhancements include:

• Upgraded comfort

• Subtle structural refinement

• Increased responsiveness

• Modern fit for today’s style of play

In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.

Back On The Bernabéu Grass

The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.

From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.

Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.

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Former Super Eagles star Ben Iroha believes Nigeria has the depth, quality, and experience needed to compete for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title — as long as the right decisions are made.

Speaking from his base in Texas, the 1994 AFCON champion reacted to the 54-man provisional squad released by Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle, describing it as a strong foundation for a title-winning team.

“The Talent And Quality Are There” — Iroha

Although he emphasized that the real test comes when the list is trimmed to 23 players, Iroha said the current roster reflects Nigeria’s impressive global football presence.

“Nigeria is very rich in talent production. Apart from one or two NPFL players, the rest are in top leagues across Europe. The talent, quality and experience are there,”
Iroha told Completesports.com.

He noted that the squad’s strength lies not just in big names, but in the blend of competition, versatility, and international exposure among the players.

Hard Work And Proper Planning Will Decide Everything

According to Iroha, Nigeria’s path to a fourth AFCON crown depends on more than raw ability.

He stressed the importance of:

• Hard work

• Organisation

• Tactical discipline

• Proper preparation

“With proper preparation and the right selection, this team has what it takes to deliver the AFCON title in Morocco.”

Iroha also acknowledged that Nigerian fans will accept nothing less than the trophy, especially after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He believes the renewed energy shown late in the qualifiers is a sign of what the team can achieve if they maintain — or surpass — that level at AFCON.

Nigeria Chasing A Fourth AFCON Title

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on 21 December 2025 in Morocco, with the final set for 18 January 2026.

Nigeria’s three previous AFCON triumphs came in:

• 1980

• 1994

• 2013

With expectations sky-high and a hungry squad available, Coach Eric Chelle will be aiming to write his name in history by guiding the Super Eagles to AFCON glory once again.

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Gary Lineker is headed to Netflix — and he’s taking The Rest Is Football with him.

The former England striker has signed a huge multimillion-pound deal to host a daily 2026 World Cup podcast for the streaming giant. The show, filmed in New York, will reunite Lineker with his popular co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, while also featuring updates from England’s camp and fan zones across North America.

A Big Move After BBC Exit

Lineker was originally expected to cover the 2026 World Cup for the BBC, but his departure earlier this year created uncertainty around his role in the tournament.
Now, that question has been answered in the biggest way possible.

The podcast, produced by Goalhanger Podcasts, will deliver daily match analysis, interviews, special guests, and plenty of entertainment — essentially the same energy fans love, but now on a global Netflix stage.

Lineker Promises Fun, Insight, And Global Reach

Speaking about the new venture, Lineker said:

“We can’t wait to bring The Rest Is Football to Netflix for the 2026 World Cup… Expect all the usual analysis, honesty and plenty of laughs — just with a few more cameras pointed at us, all from the Big Apple.”

Fans can expect the show to blend expert insight with humour — the trademark chemistry of Lineker, Shearer, and Richards.

A Salary Upgrade Of Epic Proportions

The Times reports that Lineker’s new deal will dwarf his previous £1.35m BBC salary, marking one of the biggest broadcast-package upgrades in football media.

Netflix reportedly approached Lineker’s production company months ago, and the deal will even include his son, Harry, who joins as part of the U.S. production team — making it a “real family affair.”

What’s Next For The England Icon?

In addition to his Netflix role, Lineker is set to host a new ITV game show titled The Box, where celebrities will take on a series of challenges in giant yellow cubes. Clearly, 2025 and 2026 are shaping up to be blockbuster years for the England legend.

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