Sports

Benteke Beats Messi, Suarez To MLS Golden Boot Award

Published

1 year ago

October 22, 2024

D.C. United forward and two-time Major League Soccer All-Star Christian Benteke has won the 2024 MLS Golden Boot Award after scoring 23 goals this season.

Benteke beat Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (20) and Luis Suárez (20) and also LAFC’s Dénis Bouanga (20 goals), and Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández (19 goals) to the award.

The former Liverpool striker became the first Belgian in league history and the third D.C. United player to win the award joining Dwayne De Rosario in 2011 (16 goals) and Luciano Emilio in 2007 (20 goals).

He finished the season with 23 goals in 30 matches and set a club record for most goals across all competitions in a single season.

This marked the Belgians 10th season with 10+ goals across all competitions. He scored 44% of D.C. United’s 52 goals this season including six multi-goal matches.

He would finish the MLS season with 99 shots, seven assists and led the league in aerial duels with 431and headed shots with 47.

This 23 goal season marks Benteke’s most productive season since scoring 19 goals for Aston Villa during the 2012-2013 Premier League season where he finished 4th in the Golden Boot race behind Robin Van Persie (Manchester United), Luis Suarez (Liverpool FC), and Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur).

In two-and-a-half seasons with D.C. United, Benteke has scored 38 goals, provided 11 assists, with 228 total shots, and 852 aerial duels in 68 MLS matches.

News

Foden Named UCL Player of the Week, Osimhen Second

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2025

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

Manchester City’s Phil Foden has been voted UEFA Champions League Player of the Week for Matchday 4, edging out Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray, who finished second.

UEFA announced the results on Thursday after a series of standout performances across Europe.

Foden earned the honour with two goals and an assist in City’s 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, completing 92% of his passes and creating four chances.

Osimhen, meanwhile, became the second Nigerian ever to score a Champions League hat-trick, inspiring Galatasaray’s 3-0 victory over Ajax.

Other nominees were Carlos Forbs of Club Brugge and Mikel Merino of Arsenal.

Sports

Lookman, Atalanta Coach in Heated Touchline Exchange

Published

14 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Admin

By Samuel Adeola

Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman clashed with his manager, Ivan Juric, during their 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Marseille on Wednesday night.

The incident occurred in the 75th minute when Lookman, visibly frustrated, reacted angrily after being substituted while the game was goalless.

Juric confronted him on the touchline before CEO Luca Percassi and captain Marten de Roon intervened.

Lazar Samardzic later scored the decisive goal for the Serie A side.

After the match, Juric was seen speaking with Lookman again, though reports say it remains unclear whether the matter was resolved.

Sports

Osimhen Hat-trick Sinks Ajax in Amsterdam

Published

14 hours ago

November 6, 2025

By Huldah Shado

Victor Osimhen fired Galatasaray to a 3-0 victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday, scoring a stunning hat-trick that included two penalties.

After a goalless first half, the Nigerian striker opened the scoring in the 59th minute with a powerful header from Leroy Sané’s cross.

He doubled the lead seven minutes later from the spot after Youri Baas handled in the box, before completing his hat-trick with another penalty in the 78th minute following a second handball by Gerald Alders.

Ajax showed flashes of intent through Oscar Gloukh and Mika Godts but failed to break Galatasaray’s solid defense.

Osimhen’s treble makes him only the second Nigerian ever to score a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League, sealing a memorable night for the Turkish champions in Amsterdam.