Honestly, at 41 Ronaldo should have let the team win for him, If Martinez had used him as an 80th-minute sub, they would’ve gone much further. His desire to be the main man cost Portugal. Most legends who played into their 40s didn’t demand these kinds of minutes.
Christ Oulaï is Ivory Coast’s version of the type of #8 Luis Enrique loves: a small technician who rarely loses tb, knows how to move in order to compensate for what others do, physically resistant to repeat efforts, consistently helps the defence, and an efficient dueler.
Teacher: “Why were you absent yesterday?”
Student: “I was at my grandfather’s funeral.”
Teacher: “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Student: “Thank you.”
The teacher nodded and moved on.
Then another student raised his hand.
Student #2: “That’s weird.”
Teacher: “What is?”
Student #2: “His grandfather died last month.”
The room went quiet.
The teacher slowly looked back at the first student.
Teacher: “Your grandfather died last month?”
Student: “Yes.”
Teacher: “And yesterday was his funeral?”
Student: “Also yes.”
Teacher: “How?”
The student shrugged.
Student: “It’s complicated.”
Now the entire class was listening.
The teacher sat on the edge of her desk.
Teacher: “Go ahead.”
Student: “My grandfather had three families.”
Silence.
Teacher: “Three… families?”
Student: “Yep.”
Teacher: “At the same time?”
Student: “Apparently.”
The class exploded with laughter.
The teacher raised a hand.
Teacher: “Wait. So there were multiple funerals?”
Student: “Three.”
Teacher: “Three funerals?”
Student: “One family organized one. Another family didn’t like that one and organized their own. Then the third family got offended and organized a different one.”
A student in the back nearly fell out of his chair.
Student #3: “Your grandfather had sequels?”
Student: “Basically.”
Teacher: “And you attended all of them?”
Student: “Mom said we had to.”
Teacher: “How many people showed up?”
Student: “Hundreds.”
Teacher: “At each funeral?”
Student: “Yep.”
The teacher stared at the ceiling.
Teacher: “I don’t even know how to process this.”
The student wasn’t finished.
Student: “The second funeral almost got canceled.”
Teacher: “Why?”
Student: “The first family accidentally booked the same venue.”
The class lost control.
The teacher was laughing now too.
Teacher: “You’re telling me your grandfather’s families double-booked funerals?”
Student: “Triple-booked, technically.”
Teacher: “Of course.”
A girl near the window raised her hand.
Girl: “Did the families know about each other?”
Student: “They do now.”
The room erupted.
Teacher: “How did they find out?”
Student: “At the first funeral.”
The teacher covered her face.
Teacher: “Your poor grandfather.”
Student: “Honestly, I think he’d have loved the drama.”
Teacher: “Why do you say that?”
Student: “Because he left a note.”
Teacher: “A note?”
Student: “Yep.”
Teacher: “What did it say?”
The student pulled out his phone.
Cleared his throat.
And read:
“To everyone attending: if you’re surprised to see unfamiliar relatives, imagine how I felt trying to remember all your birthdays.”
The classroom exploded.
Even the teacher had tears in her eyes.
After a full minute of laughter she finally managed to speak.
Teacher: “Your grandfather sounds impossible.”
Student: “That’s exactly what all three widows said.”
🚨 FIFA statement on Thomas Partey left out of Canada.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana's Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government.
"FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country."
The criticism of Fabrizio Romano is unnecessary. Manchester United is a global giant; expecting the same level of coverage as smaller clubs ignores the reality of the club's massive stature
A Somali referee who is due to officiate at the World Cup has been denied entry to the U.S. after “vetting concerns” emerged upon his arrival in Florida over the weekend.
Omar Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul on Saturday but was barred from entering the country following a “routine” inspection, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed in a statement to The Athletic.
Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football men’s referee of the year, is one of 52 referees handpicked by world governing body FIFA for the tournament.
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🔗 https://t.co/CehZdxwtBJ
FIFA confirm Omar Abdulkadir Artan can’t officiate at the World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.
The Somali referee is one of Africa’s most respected officials. Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports say Artan travelled with a valid US visa.
Yet Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by President Trump’s administration.
🗣️ “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”