Raissa's Blog - Best of Sports, Culture, and Entertainment

Spanish midflier Cesc Fabregas, who currently plays for Monaco in France believes we may never see another player of Messi's caliber again. He spent three seasons at Barcelona where he played alongside Messi. Messi won two Ballon d'Or awards during that time. He and Messi also played together at Barcelona's academy, La Masia, before Fabregas departed for Arsenal in 2003. When asked by AS' Aritz Gabilondo about whether football will ever see another player like Messi, he responded: "We've seen the likes of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, amazing players, but Messi has been the best for 15 years. He's in his 17th season and he's been the best since he was 18 years old.   "I've seen things you wouldn't believe. Every three days he scores goals, he heads off to play for  Argentina , he comes back jet-lagged and scores a hat-trick... that's not normal, believe me. "I would have liked to enjoy playing more with Leo. I had a bit of bad

Kevin Hart underwent back surgery on Sunday, which was a success as TMZ reports. He should be released from hospital by the end of the week but will however need extensive physical therapy in the coming weeks, alongside a steady schedule of follow-up doctor appointments. Hart's friend, Jared Black, who drove the Plymouth Barracuda at the time of the accident was airlifted to UCLA Medical Center where he's recovering and surrounded by family. Black's girlfriend, celebrity trainer Rebecca Broxterman, was pulled out of the wreckage without major injuries. California Highway Patrol are reportedly looking into the exact cause of the accident, but alcohol has been excluded as contributing factor. Speeding is being investigated as cause. 

Five people have already died from the recent outbreaks of violence in South Africa targeting foreigners. South Africa's Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu told the BBC the rioters fear losing their jobs to foreigners. Many Africans have responded through boycott, including Nigerian singers Burna Boy and Tiwa Sawage. Tiwa Savaged canceled an upcoming performance in South Africa in late September owing to the attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners. I refuse to watch the barbaric butchering of my people in SA. This is SICK. For this reason I will NOT be performing at the upcoming DSTV delicious Festival in Johannesburg on the 21st of September. My prayers are with all the victims and families affected by this. — Tiwa Savage (@TiwaSavage) September 4, 2019 Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy on the other hand vowed to never visit South Africa until their government "wakes up". Ok. I have been away from social media personally until today. Ordinarily

The Chipolopolo of Zambia were to face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a friendly match on Saturday, September 7, but the match has been called off by Zambia's football association. The Football Association of Zambia in a statement on Tuesday evening announced,  “The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) regrets to inform members of the public that the international friendly match between Zambia and South Africa that was scheduled for National Heroes Stadium on Saturday, 7 September 2019 has been called off in view of the prevailing security concerns in South Africa. "FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has relayed the message to the South African Football Association (SAFA) about the decision." FAZ General Secretary, Adrian Kashala, said Zambia would now play Namibia in a friendly on Monday. South African Football Association (SAFA) Communications Manager Dominic Chimhavi acknowledged receipt of the memo from FAZ, saying, “We have just received correspond

A  wave of destruction hit the Gauteng province of South Africa last week, followed by the looting and burning of several shops in Pretoria. According to reports, an alleged Nigerian drug dealer shot and killed a taxi driver, and South African taxi drivers and locals immediately retaliated, taking the law into their hands. Since then, a series of destructive events ensued, with Gauteng province coming into a state of despair. Foreign nationals were asked to leave the country, while their shops were looted and burnt. The violence spread to Johannesburg’s Central Business District on Monday and has since seen the destruction of more than 50 mainly foreign-owned shops and business premises, and torching of cars and buildings. At least 70 people have been arrested in relation to the "xenophobic attacks" since Monday.  South Africans unleashed xenophobic attacks on other nationals in 2008 as well. Violence has since then further spread to two eastern suburbs and to the

FIFA has unveiled a list of finalists for all eight categories of its awards. The final list of hopefuls was unveiled at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan. A new award was included - The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper. Virgil van Dijk who was named the UEFA Player of the Year last week, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, will go head-to-head with them again for the FIFA Best Men's Player award and probably the Ballon d'Or when it is announced later this year. Here's the list of finalists in all eight categories: The Best FIFA Men’s Player Cristiano Ronaldo  (POR) - Juventus Lionel Messi  (ARG) – FC Barcelona Virgil van Dijk  (NED) - Liverpool The Best FIFA Women’s Player Lucy Bronze  (ENG) – Olympique Lyonnais Alex Morgan  (USA) – Orlando Pride Megan Rapinoe  (USA) – Reign FC The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Pep Guardiola  (ESP) – Manchester City Jurgen Klopp  (GER) – Liverpool Mauricio Pochettino  (ARG) – Tottenham Hotspur