The 2018 season looks like it's shaping up to be an exciting one for football fans from around the world.
Football is one of the world's most followed sports. Football is the most popular sport in dozens of countries where sports bettors outspend gamers at the casinos online venues over two to one. The soccer stadiums fill to capacity for every game and the club revenues skyrocket from one year to the next.Football fans range from the hardcore enthusiasts who never miss a game to club supporters who check in on an infrequent basis to see how their team is faring. 2018 promises to be a banner year for world football with big upcoming championship games including new teams dominating old favorites, absorbing competitions, powerful new stars and, of course, the upcoming World Cup 2018.
Real Madrid Retains the World Title
Ronaldo's free kick, in which he curled the ball around the Gremio wall and hit it into the bottom corner of the net, clinched the game. However, throughout the match there were plenty of spectacular plays which kept spectators' eyes riveted to the field.
The Club World Cup is Real Madrid's third and most observers believe that Real Madrid deserves the prize which is generally seen to mark them as the best team in the world.
Abu Dhabi has campaigned for many years to host big tournaments and the success of this match will undoubtedly bring them more chances to host such matches.
Now the United Arab Emirates will next host the tournament's 2018 match in which the champions of the major continental trophies meet to compete among themselves for the world championship. The UAE is also trying to bring the 2022 World Cup to Abu Dhabi from its present projected site in Qatar. In addition to the prestige that this would bring to the UAE, the move is also connected to the Saudi-UAE blockade of Qatar which is accused of supporting extremist Islamic groups. Qatar was scheduled to host this year's Gulf Cup, but the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia led a boycott which resulted in the event being moved to Kuwait.
January Transfers in the UK
Jonny Evans, the West Bromwich Albion defender, is being considered by both Arsenal and Manchester City who want the centre-half to bolster their offensive power. Evans, however, might well stay at the Hawthorns where he feels comfortable and valued.
Arsenal made its first move to effect the transfer this summer but, as of today, Evans seems content in his role as a West Bromwich Albion star.
Manchester United is satisfied with its new center, Belgian Romelu Lukaku, who joined the Red Devils this summer and, to date, has netted them 10 goals. Now, Manchester United is considering bolstering its team with Argentinian international and Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi who has proved himself with the Serie as its leading goalscorer wth 17 goals in 17 games. The Old Trafford club is also considering the aquisiton of another centre-forward, 24-year-old Paul Pogba. Pogba, has been proving himself with the Nerazurrim where he boasts a season total of 24 goals and 7 assists over the course of 34 games.
Man United is also gunning for Bordeaux's Malcom. Malcom was being courted by Liverpool for much of this year but, at the present it seems likely that he'll sign with Manchester, even though Bordeaux doesn't seem fully inclined to let him go. The Brazilian star could potentially receive up to £30 million if he makes the move, giving Manchester a player who can fill a variety of attacking roles which would then free up Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford to move from the left to centre action.
The Chelsea Club, meanwhile, is eying Wilfried Zaha while Bristol City guns for Jordan Hugill.
Nigerian Dominance
The success of the Nigerian national team at the Olympics Games and the African Cup of Nations and over the past couple of decades is drawing the attention of football fans around the world. Many of these Nigerian players are making the move to the European League and astute observers are watching these players carefully as they navigate their careers.
Some of the Nigerian starters to watch include:
Danny Shittu
Danny Shittu has played in the Premier League and the Championship League with a career that spans across multiple clubs in both leagues. His most successful Premier League stint was in 2001 with Watford where he scored 2 major goals in 30 appearances. He has also represented Nigeria in the 2010 World Cup and in the African Cup of Nations games where he appeared 32 times.John Utaka
John Utaka is best-known for his time in Portsmith where he stayed for three seasons and made 10 goals in 90 appearances. Fans will remember him for providing the assist that led to the FA cup final's winning goal against Cardiff City. Utaka then moved to Montpellier where he has scored six goals in 43 appearances.Isaac Success
Isaac Success is one of the youngest and most talented Nigerian stars. At age 21 he's achieved a contract with Watford where, as a striker, he's brought them one goal thus far in 12 appearances. Success played seven times in Nigeria Under-17 competitions where he achieved seven goals and four appearances in the Nigeria Under-20 team where he scored twice.Ahmed Musa
Musa's talent is on display at Leicester City where, to date, he has made 18 appearances and scored two goals. In the Nigerian Under-20 games he appeared six times and once in the Nigerian Under-23’s. Musa won the 2013 African Cup of Nations as well as the 2011 African Youth Championship. Now, in senior level games, he has appeared 60 times with an impressive score of 11 goals.The 2018 season looks like it's shaping up to be an exciting one for football fans from around the world.
