Sport
Ola Aina May Miss Nottingham Match Against Arsenal After Injury With Nigeria
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina is in doubt for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Arsenal after picking up an injury on international duty.
The 28-year-old suffered what appears to be a hamstring problem during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday. He managed just ten minutes on the pitch before being replaced by Bright Osayi-Samuel of Birmingham City.
Aina, who has been a key figure for Forest so far this season, featuring in all three of their opening league matches against Brentford, Crystal Palace, and West Ham, will now need to prove his fitness ahead of the clash at the Emirates. Forest fans will be hoping he recovers in time, as his versatility and defensive stability have been vital for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side in the early part of the campaign.
José Mourinho has shared his thoughts on the 2026 Ballon d’Or award and what he believes makes a player deserving of the prestigious honour.
Mourinho was asked about the players in contention for the award and stated that, in his opinion, the best player in the world does not necessarily have to be the one who wins trophies.
He said: “For me, the best player in the world can also be one without trophies.”
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is currently dominated by several top contenders, with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Lionel Messi and other nominees are also in contention.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees have been revealed, showing the players who have the chance to win the Ballon d’Or award this year.
Here is the list of players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
- Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain)
- Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid, Spain)
- Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
- Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich, Colombia)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal)
- Gabriel (Arsenal, Brazil)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
- Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
- Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr, Senegal)
- Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil)
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France)
- Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
- João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)
- Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain, Ecuador)
- Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah, México)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
- Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
- Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)
- William Saliba (Arsenal, France)
- Ferran Torres (Barcelona, Spain)
- Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, France)
- Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid, Brazil)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal has spoken about the Ballon d’Or award and shared how he will not campaign for the award.
He said: “I don’t think I need to campaign for the Ballon d’Or. Everyone is entitled to think whatever they want.
“I’m not here to campaign, and I’m not going to beg for anything. That’s your job. It’s not on me.
“Winning the Ballon d’Or does not depend on me. The work we’ve done with Barça and the national team has been unbelievable.
“I’ll be grateful to my teammates at Barça and with the national team if I win it, of course.”
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