17 stories in the last 48 hours · updated 15:02 WAT
Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, which was awarded in London for the first time. He becomes the fifth Englishman to win the trophy, 25 years after Michael Owen. Excerpt, France 24
Source France 24 also Daily Trust, ABC News (US), MyJoyOnline
FC Barcelona have congratulated Lionel Messi after the Argentine football legend received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, recognising his achievements and influence both on and off the pitch. The Spanish club congratulated their former captain in a post on X, praising his exceptional Excerpt, TVC News
Spanish football clubs were among those to hold a minute’s silence for the victims of Wednesday’s train collision. Excerpt, Al Jazeera English
Source Al Jazeera English
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe should be allowed to move on after apology to China, says French football federation chief. Excerpt, Al Jazeera English
Source Al Jazeera English
Spanish football club Real Madrid as well as Spanish league bosses were on Thursday waiting to see if their apologies had led to a thaw in relations with China following Kylian Mbappé's comments about the former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. Excerpt, RFI English
Source RFI English
The episode highlights the mounting risks for international brands operating in China, where an offhand remark can quickly ignite consumer backlash. Excerpt, The Japan Times
Source The Japan Times
Real Madrid has issued an apology to China over Kylian Mbappe’s controversial remarks about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, after the Spanish football club’s initial response failed to quell anger in China. In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, the club apologised to the Chinese Excerpt, South China Morning Post
Source South China Morning Post
