Arsenal Women have made history, securing the largest financial prize in women’s club football after a thrilling 3-2 extra-time victory over Brazilian underdogs Corinthians in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup on Sunday.

The European champions, playing in front of over 25,000 fans at the Emirates Stadium, were pushed to their limits before Caitlin Foord’s winner sealed the £1.8 million payout (approximately $2.3 million USD). This sum dwarfs the €500,000 Arsenal received for winning last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Despite being firm favourites in the tournament, which pitted the champions of six continents against each other, Arsenal faced a resilient Corinthians side. The Brazilians had already caused an upset by defeating US champions Gotham FC in the semi-finals.

Olivia Smith’s early opener for Arsenal was quickly cancelled out by Gabi Zanotti. England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy restored Arsenal’s lead, but Corinthians snatched a dramatic injury-time equaliser through Vic Albuquerque’s penalty after Gisela Robledo was fouled. However, Arsenal’s superior squad depth told in extra time, with Foord’s near-post strike finally breaking Corinthians’ resolve.

-Leadership

Atalanta President Luca Percassi has played down Napoli’s interest in Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, clarifying he’s not for sale, soccernet.ng reports.
 
Antonio Conte’s side were keen on making a move for the former Fulham winger during the summer transfer window, but he turned them down as he wanted to join Inter Milan.

Atalanta, meanwhile, made it clear that Lookman wouldn’t be joining another Italian side. In an attempt to force a move, the 28-year-old chose not to train with the rest of the team.

The decision backfired as he lost his form, alongside his fitness, and he struggled for goals when he was finally reinstated into the first team.

The AFCON 2025 tournament was a good break from club football for Lookman. The 2024 CAF Player of the Year was the player with the most goal contributions in Morocco, and that has put him on the radar of several top clubs again.

Napoli have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League this season despite Antonio Conte’s plea for reinforcements in the transfer market.

With success in Europe out of the picture, the Napoli bosses are now prepared to back Conte with signings, so they can at least achieve something in the league.

The reigning Scudetto winners are currently nine points behind league leaders Inter Milan; hence, their pursuit of Lookman.

As per Fanta Calcio, the idea of the Nigerian has been floated in Naples again, and they’re prepared to launch a loan bid for the one-time UEFA Europa League winner.

However, should the attempt fail, they have other options on their list; Sporting Lisbon’s Alisson Santos and Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Martin Terrier are other targets for Napoli.

Prior to Atalanta’s loss to Union Saint-Gilloise in their final UEFA Champions League group phase game, the club president, Percassi, addressed transfer talks linking Lookman to Turkey and other clubs.

“Does Lookman stay until the end of the season? The arrival of Raspadori was a market opportunity that did not presuppose the disposal of another player,” the 45-year-old said in quotes revealed by FC Inter.

“We are happy that Giacomo (Raspadori) has chosen Atalanta, he is an important player like Ademola, who tonight returns to be the starter. We want to do well, in short,” Luca Percassi concluded.

Lookman has yet to start a game for Atalanta since he returned from the AFCON 2025 tournament, but the club’s head coach, Raffaele Palladino, clarified he’s only trying to manage the load on the Nigerian to prevent an injury.

-Guardian

Serbian tennis titan Novak Djokovic has declared he will “fight with his last drop of blood” in his highly anticipated Australian Open semi-final clash against Italy’s Jannik Sinner. The 38-year-old, aiming for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, faces a stern test against the formidable youngster.

This marks Djokovic’s fifth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearance, a testament to his enduring prowess. However, concerns linger over his physical conditioning, having reportedly struggled with the demands of lengthy matches in the latter stages of last year’s major tournaments.

Speaking to Tennis World, Djokovic articulated his unwavering ambition: “I’m creating my own history, and I think I’ve been very clear when I say that my intention is always to reach the championship match in every tournament, particularly in Grand Slams. These tournaments are among the primary reasons I continue to compete and play tennis.”

While acknowledging the exceptional talent of Sinner and fellow rising star Carlos Alcaraz – “Are they better than me and the other players right now? Yes, they are. The quality of their game is exceptional, it’s phenomenal” – Djokovic remained defiant. “But does that mean I will walk onto the court waving a white flag? Absolutely not. I will fight until the last shot, until the last point, giving my utmost to challenge them.”

The semi-final promises to be a thrilling encounter as Djokovic seeks to defy both age and the sport’s emerging generation.

-Leadership