Rio Olympics table as it stands

Predictably, the US is running away with this one having garnered a total of 75 medals to top the table. While first place is not in dispute, the battle for second place rages on between Britain and China with 41 and 46 medals respectively. Britain tops China by virtue of having one more gold medal than the Asian country's 15.


Kenya is the highest ranked African country on the list with five medals, South Africa has seven medal but only one gold compared to Kenya's two.

Estonia, Krygystan, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia and the UAE all bring up the rear with one bronze medal each. Nigeria is yet to win a medal at the tournament and as such, doesn't make the list.

Photo Credit: Guardian.co.UK

Samuel Eto'o cancels charity match following coup attempt in Turkey + photos of the players there

A lot of playing and retired footballers are currently in Antalya, Turkey. Most arrived yesterday and were scheduled to leave tomorrow after playing in Eto'o's charity match scheduled to take place today July 16th in celebration of the 10th anniversary of his foundation. Unfortunately, you all know what happened in the country last night; a coup attempt that resulted in the death of over 90 people... 

The dinner night held last night, but the charity football match scheduled for today has been cancelled. Some guests are even stranded in Turkey following the lockdown of their major airports.

Hazard Eden, Puyol, Michael Essien, Kolo Toure, Kanu Nwankwo, JJ Okocha, AY Comedian, Paw Paw and many others are currently in Turkey. Eto'o spent millions on first class tickets and five star hotels for his guests...unfortunately all wasted. See more photos after the cut...

Eto'o pictured earlier this week with Mayor of Antalya Mr Menderes Türel, the President of Antalyaspor Mr Ali Şafak Öztürk, with the president of Turkey, who supported him...

Cristiano Ronaldo and his mother ...see what his mum did for him ...lol (photos)

Cristiano Ronaldo who's currently on vacation in Ibiza with his family laid on the deck of his yacht while his mum put some sunscreen on his back and leg. She made sure to avoid his left leg which is injured. More photos after the cut...

Cristiano Ronaldo is the special footballer of his generation- Sir Alex Ferguson says

Legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed any comparison between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, labeling the Real Madrid striker as the special footballer of his generation and also said he's been at the top for over 10years .

According to Sir Alex, Cristiano Ronaldo's desire for football separates him from the rest as the best current player in the world. Ferguson, who was at the Stade de France to see Ronaldo lift the Euro 2016 Trophy, is adamant that the forward's dedication to the sport is a part of the reason for his success.

'He has an incredible desire for football, Cristiano is looking forward to each workout. He always wants to be better, to win. He especially loves these big games,' Ferguson told Bild. 'During my time at Manchester United, Cristiano was the player who developed the most. Through much hard work. He constantly worked on his shooting technique, with the right, left, his heading ability, his bounce. His performance improvement is incredible. And what is remarkable, today's football is so athletic, so fast. Usually top players can only play for about five or six years at the highest level, then it's over. Cristiano has been doing this for over 10 years. That makes him so exceptional. 'Every generation has its special footballer, Cristiano is currently.' he said

Cristiano Ronaldo's mum blasts France player Payet on Twitter for injuring her son

Cristiano Ronaldo's mum, Dolores Aveiro took to Twitter during the game to condemn Payet’s tackle, insinuating he’d intentionally hurt her son. After seeing her heartbroken son forced off the pitch in the early stages, Dolores Aveiro tweeted a photo of her son in tears along with message that seemed to be a fairly thinly veiled dig at Payet. "I cannot see my son in this way," she said. "The game is about kicking the ball, not hurting the opponent."
 

The Portuguese captain and three time Ballon D'or limped off in tears after crumpling under a challenge from France's Dimitri Payet. Despite the best efforts of Portugal's medical team, Ronaldo's night was over before it had truly begun.

Cristiano Ronaldo won't play football for 4-5 months after suffering torn anterior Cruciate ligament

Portugal and Real Madrid Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will be out injured for 4-5 months according to reports coming out from Spain and Madrid.

The striker had to be stretchered off the field after colliding with France player Dimitri Payet and had to watch his teammates win EURO 2016 in extra-time without him.

 

According to top Spanish media, Managing Madrid, the Real Madrid forward has suffered a partly torn ACL. The initial medical reports by doctors in France estimate that he could be sidelined for four or five months.

 

If this report turns out to be true then he’ll miss the UEFA Super Cup clash with Sevilla on August 9th. He’ll miss a large chunk of the La Liga season as well as the group matches of Madrid’s Champions League defence.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino pictured with Amaju Pinnick, confirms he'll visit Nigeria in 2 weeks

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed he will arrive Nigeria in two weekstime for a 2-day working visit. Infantino, who was elected FIFA President at an extraordinary general assembly in Zurich on 26th February 2016, confirmed the trip following a meeting with NFF President Amaju Pinnick in Paris, France on Sunday.

“The FIFA President and Secretary General will arrive in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Sunday, 24th July on a two –day working visit to Nigeria,” Pinnick toldthenff.com.

During the two –day visit, Infantino and Samoura will pay a courtesy call on President Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, hold meeting with a legion of African FA presidents who are expected in Nigeria to join the NFF to receive the FIFA topshots and attend an evening session with Corporate Nigeria in Lagos.

The duo will also meet with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State before watching the finals of the NFF/ZENITH Bank Future Eagles Championship. A welcome dinner put together by the League Management Company and also attended by members of the diplomatic corps is on the cards. At the one –hour meeting involving Infantino, Samoura and Pinnick on Sunday, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung spoke with the FIFA boss and expressed Nigeria’s readiness to welcome the FIFA team.

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura, 54, was appointed FIFA Secretary General at the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City on 12thMay. The Senegalese, who has wide experience working with the United Nations in several countries, is the first –ever woman to hold the position in FIFA’s 112 –year history. A few days after her appointment, Samoura welcomed Pinnick and NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC chairman, Shehu Dikko, to a breakfast meeting at her UN office in Abuja.

France defender Patrice Evra compares final Euro match to 'Game of Thrones' with this photo

The 35-year-old Juventus and France defender on Instagram published a photo of himself kitted out in a full suit of armour, accompanying his snap with the line; 'working on the shooting of the last Game of Thrones ahahahahahah I love this game'. Patrice Evra is the oldest player in the French team and is set to lead France against Portugal in Sunday's final.

See how this Pitch invader got into Portugal's team photos...Lol

A young man yesterday invaded the pitch to join Portugal's team photo and it seemed like the team or the stadium security didn't mind. The very keen fan managed to get himself into the official Portuguese team shot before grabbing a quick selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo. Very determined boy.. lol! More photos after the cut.

See the ticket prices for the 2018 FIFA World Cup...the lowest goes for £80

FIFA today revealed the ticket prices for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with the cost of the cheapest tickets for foreign fans up more than 16 percent since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The cheapest tickets for foreign fans are £80 ($105) whilst the face value of the most expensive final tickets will be $1100 per match.

 

For Russians, their tickets are far more cheaper, with the lowest price at 1,280 rubles ($20).

Multiply £80 by 70,000 people in a stadium and you can only imagine how much FIFA rakes in per match excluding adverts and merchandise sales.

Cristiano Ronaldo shares selfies with fans in France (photos)

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo took some time out to take selfies with fans in France and even addressed them after the Portuguese football team took part in training at the French national rugby team’s camp in Marcoussis, near Paris. Portugal is set to play Wales in the semi-final of Euro 2016 on Wednesday. More photos after the cut.