Galatasaray, the reigning champions of Turkey’s Super Lig, are reportedly eyeing Lyon forward Gift Orban as a potential replacement for injured striker Mauro Icardi, according to Fanatik.

Icardi, who joined Galatasaray from Paris Saint-Germain, has been a key figure for the team this season.

However, his campaign has been cut short after suffering a serious ACL injury just before the international break, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

With Icardi’s absence creating a gap in their attacking lineup, Galatasaray is actively pursuing a new forward to strengthen their squad.

Gift Orban, the 22-year-old Nigerian forward, has emerged as a top target for the Turkish club.

Orban, who made a move to Lyon from Belgian side KAA Gent in January, has been impressing since his arrival in France.

Although his time at Lyon has been brief, Orban has already shown his goal-scoring prowess, netting two goals in just five appearances for the club.

His performance has caught the attention of Galatasaray’s management, who see him as a potential long-term solution to fill Icardi’s shoes.

Galatasaray’s interest in Orban highlights the club’s ambition to maintain their competitive edge both domestically and in European competitions.

The Turkish giants are looking for a striker with the ability to make an immediate impact, and Orban fits the bill with his strong physicality, speed, and finishing ability.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has named Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time, expressing his admiration for the Argentine star’s unmatched skill and dominance on the field.

Rodri, who recently clinched the 2024 Ballon d’Or award for his exceptional performances, spoke candidly about his respect for Messi during an interview with El Hormiguero.

While acknowledging his own prestigious accolade, Rodri highlighted the incredible achievement of Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or an unprecedented eight times—three more than his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, now with Al Nassr.

The Spanish midfielder described the sense of inevitability Messi brings to a game, sharing his own experiences of trying to stop the legendary player on the pitch.

“Zero doubts. For me, Leo Messi is the best player ever,” Rodri said.

“When he received the ball, you knew something dangerous was coming.

I’d try to take the ball away from him, but he’d glide past me like I wasn’t even there.”

Messi’s eight Ballon d’Or wins solidify his legacy as one of football’s all-time greats.

From his years dominating at Barcelona to leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and now continuing to shine at Inter Miami, Messi has redefined what it means to be a football icon.

His rivalry with Ronaldo has fueled endless debates, but his consistency, versatility, and sheer brilliance have left even his opponents, like Rodri, in awe.

Rodri’s recognition of Messi’s greatness reflects the respect Messi commands within the football community.

Despite earning his first Ballon d’Or after a stellar season, including guiding Manchester City to a historic treble, Rodri still points to Messi’s long-standing brilliance as the pinnacle of football excellence.

Football manager, Pep Guardiola’s new contact with Manchester City does not have a break clause. This means that Guardiola cannot leave the Premier leagues champion even if the team position drops.

However Guardiola is determined to fight despite the challenges and decided to extend his stay for another year in the club, keeping him till 2026.

His decisions is being made at a crucial time for the club, the club is experiencing a rough patch with injured players and the charges they are being faced. Guardiola still insists on his stay and shows his commitment to the team and their efforts.