CELEBRITY

Mikel Obi excited at meeting Dangote

Published

3 years ago

June 23, 2021

Former Super Eagles captain and and Stoke City star, John Obi Mikel, was delighted with his meeting with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday evening.

The midfielder is the Super Eagles’ fourth-highest capped player ever behind Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa.

Few days after he was announced as Youth Ambassador by the federal government of Nigeria, the 2012 Champions League winner was received by the business magnate at his private residence.

According to the 34-year-old, he shared with Dangote a joint plan as it concerns advancing lives and supporting dreams of the Nigerian youth through sports.

“Exceptional gratitude to Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON! it was a remarkable outreach and a unique honour that you hosted my team and I,” Mikel wrote on Instagram.

“We had the opportunity to share our joint commitment to bettering lives and supporting dreams of the Nigerian Youth through sports. Nagode Alhaji.”

On Sunday, the veteran midfielder had visited the governor of Kogi state Yahaya Bello and promised to support him in his future political activities as well as help foster youth development.

“It is an honour for me to finally meet his Excellency personally after all the good things I have heard and read about him from not just the people of Kogi State but from Nigerians,” The Guardian quoted Mikel as saying.

“My main aim is to come here to show my appreciation and to thank him for all the things he has been doing for the people and also to support him in whatever future political positions he wants to go into.

“I will like to be there to support him, to be there by his side through this journey for him to achieve whatever he wants which is for the betterment of Nigeria.

“What better person to lead the youth than him, because he has been doing all these good works and that is why I am here to see whatever way I can come in.

“To get the youth together to know and see how we can make things better for our country and how we can align to achieve all that.”

After delivering convincing performances during his debut season with the Potters – featuring with 41 appearances across all competitions – the English Championship side extended his stay until 2022.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, he won the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League titles and English FA Cup diadem with the Blues.

CELEBRITY

Ronaldo reaches one billion followers on social media

Published

6 days ago

September 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo crossed one billion followers across his social media accounts, aided by his newly-launched YouTube channel that has attracted more than 60 million subscribers in just over three weeks.

Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal last week to help Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League, is the first human being to reach a billion followers on social media, global media reports said.

“We’ve made history, one billion followers! This is more than just a number, it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo posted on X.

“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey… thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life.”

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player reached the milestone with over 639 million followers on Instagram, 170 million on Facebook and 113 million on X.

The 39-year-old topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes this year, with off-field earnings of $60 million, boosted by his large social media following.

Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr will host Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

-Reuters

CELEBRITY

Over a million subscribe as Ronaldo launches YouTube channel

Published

4 weeks ago

August 21, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Euro 2024 - Quarter Final - Portugal v France - Hamburg Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany - July 5, 2024 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo after taking a penalty during the penalty shootout REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File photo

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday and hundreds of thousands of subscribers signed up within a couple of hours.

The 39-year-old five-times Ballon D’Or winner plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

“The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on his social media accounts.

A couple of hours after posting his first video, 1.69M subscribers had joined he channel.

Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million on Facebook and 636 million on Instagram.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player is preparing for his team’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Raed on Thursday.

-Reuters

CELEBRITY

Lionel Messi set to hang boots

Published

3 months ago

June 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Messi Sets Record Straight Over Hong Kong Absence -

Inter Miami will be the last club Argentina captain Lionel Messi plays for, the 36-year-old forward said on Wednesday, adding he feels “a little bit scared” at the thought of the day he decides to retire.

Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, has a contract with the Major League Soccer side until 2025 following his arrival last summer after a spell with French champions Paris St Germain.

“Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything even more because I am aware that there is less and less left,” Messi told ESPN.

“I’m not ready to leave football. I’ve done this all my life, I love playing football, I enjoy training, the day-to-day, the matches… And yes, there’s always a little bit of fear that it’s all over.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is preparing with his national team to defend their Copa America title, with the tournament kicking off on June 20 in the United States.

Argentina will take on Canada in the opening match before facing Group A rivals Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.

-Reuters