Tributes have poured in from across the football world following the death of former Leeds United and Wales midfielder Terry Yorath, who has passed away at the age of 75 after a short illness, leaving behind a legacy defined by leadership, resilience and deep personal strength.

Yorath, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Leeds United’s modern history, scored 11 goals in 199 appearances for the club during a distinguished nine-year spell that began in 1967. His time at Elland Road coincided with one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, highlighted by winning the First Division title in 1974. He also collected runners-up medals in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup, underlining Leeds’ consistent presence at the top of English and European football during that era.

On the international stage, Yorath was equally respected. He earned 59 caps for Wales, captaining his country on 42 occasions, a testament to the trust placed in him by teammates and coaches alike. After retiring from international football, he went on to manage Wales, guiding the national side to the brink of qualification for the 1994 World Cup finals. Although Wales narrowly missed out after a dramatic 2–1 defeat to Romania in their final qualifier, Yorath’s tenure is remembered for restoring belief and competitiveness to the team.

Beyond Leeds, Yorath enjoyed a varied and accomplished club career, with spells at Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City. He brought his playing days to a close with a single appearance for Swansea City, a fitting end in Welsh football for a man who gave so much to the national game.

Yorath’s life also intersected with one of English football’s darkest moments. As player-coach of Bradford City, he was present on the day of the Valley Parade fire in 1985, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 56 supporters and injured 270 others. His experiences from that day further shaped his reputation as a figure of compassion and dignity within the sport.

In a statement, his children paid a moving tribute to the man behind the footballing achievements. “To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel,” they said.

Neymar has extended his stay with Santos as he intensifies his push for a return to the Brazil national team and a place at this summer’s World Cup, underlining his determination to finish his international career on a high.

The 33-year-old forward, who rejoined his boyhood club in January 2025, has not featured for five-time world champions Brazil since 2023, largely due to a prolonged battle with injuries. However, his renewed commitment to Santos signals a clear focus on fitness, form and one final run on the global stage.

Despite managing persistent pain for much of last season, Neymar played a decisive role in keeping Santos in Brazil’s top flight. His influence peaked when it mattered most, scoring five goals in the club’s final five matches to steer them away from relegation and reaffirm his enduring quality.

Following the season, the former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain star underwent surgery on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus. The procedure was aimed at restoring full fitness and strengthening his case for inclusion in the plans of Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the World Cup.

Confirming his contract extension in a video shared on Santos’ social media platforms, Neymar spoke emotionally about his bond with the club. “Santos is my place, I’m at home,” he said, addressing supporters directly. “It’s with you that I want to achieve the dreams that are still missing.”

Ancelotti has previously made it clear that Neymar’s return to the Seleção will depend on his physical condition. Speaking in October, the Italian coach stressed that Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, who has netted 79 times for his country, must be fully fit to earn a recall.

Neymar’s road back has been challenging. He spent a full year sidelined after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October 2023 and later saw a potential international comeback delayed again by a muscle injury, forcing him to withdraw from the squad after a 17-month absence.

Nevertheless, his resilience and recent progress have kept hope alive. With Brazil set to face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C at the World Cup, which kicks off on 11 June across Canada, Mexico and the United States, Neymar’s extended stay at Santos represents both a personal statement and a calculated step towards one last World Cup appearance.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles continued their impressive AFCON 2025 campaign by sealing a convincing 4–0 victory over Mozambique to secure a place in the quarter-finals, delivering a dominant Round of 16 performance in Fès.

Building on a flawless group-stage run that saw them win all three matches to finish top of Group C, the Super Eagles approached the knockout tie with confidence and intensity. From the opening exchanges, Nigeria asserted control, dictating the tempo and pinning Mozambique back with quick transitions and relentless attacking movement. Mozambique, appearing in the Round of 16 for the first time after qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams from Group F, found it difficult to match Nigeria’s speed, organisation and technical quality.

The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Ademola Lookman capitalised on Nigeria’s early pressure, calmly finishing after a well-weighted assist from Akor Adams. The goal further lifted the Eagles, who continued to push forward with purpose. Just five minutes later, Victor Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s advantage, reacting sharply in the box to underline his importance to the team’s attacking threat.

Nigeria carried their momentum into the second half, and within two minutes of the restart, Lookman turned provider again. His incisive pass found Osimhen, who made no mistake in converting to give the Super Eagles a commanding 3–0 lead by the 47th minute. With the match firmly under control, Nigeria maintained their structure while still posing a constant danger going forward.

Akor Adams capped off an excellent all-round display by completing the scoring in the 75th minute, finishing clinically to register Nigeria’s fourth goal and put the result beyond any doubt. By that stage, the Super Eagles had effectively turned the contest into a showcase of their attacking depth and tactical discipline.

Wilfred Ndidi led by example in midfield, anchoring the side alongside Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, while Stanley Nwabali returned between the posts and was rarely troubled. The defensive unit of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi remained composed throughout, limiting Mozambique to speculative efforts and ensuring Nwabali was largely untested.

Head coach Éric Chelle used the second half to manage the game and rotate his squad, introducing Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze for Akor Adams and Lookman. Further changes saw Tom Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika replace Onyeka and Ndidi, while Moses Simon came on for Osimhen as Nigeria preserved energy for the challenges ahead.

By the 80th minute, Nigeria had recorded eight shots on target, underlining their attacking dominance, while Mozambique had yet to register a meaningful attempt on goal.

The emphatic victory keeps Nigeria’s momentum firmly intact as they continue their pursuit of a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title. The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, where they are set to face the winners of the clash between Algeria and Congo DR, with confidence high and performances steadily peaking at the right time.