Former Nigerian international footballer Henry Nwosu has died after battling a serious illness.

The sad news was announced on Saturday by ex-Green Eagles captain Segun Odegbami, who revealed that Nwosu passed away at about 4:00 a.m. at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit since Wednesday.

In an emotional message, Odegbami said Nwosu had spent five days in the hospital fighting for his life before he eventually passed away.

“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON,” Odegbami wrote, adding that the football icon had been battling for his life in the hospital.

Nwosu was widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s finest midfielders during his playing days. He was the youngest member of Nigeria’s squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, a historic victory that marked the country’s first continental title.

Nicknamed the “Youngest Millionaire” by teammates and fans, Nwosu built a reputation for his creativity and brilliance in midfield, becoming a key figure in Nigerian football during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Beyond his international career, he also contributed to football development in Nigeria after retirement, serving as a coach and mentor to younger players.

Tributes have begun pouring in from across the Nigerian football community, with many describing his death as a major loss to the country’s sporting history.

He is survived by family members and loved ones.

Spanish giants Real Madrid produced a dominant display to defeat Manchester City 3–0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash, while Paris Saint‑Germain thrashed Chelsea 5–2 and Arsenal secured a 1–1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.

At the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid delivered one of the standout performances of the night, with midfielder Federico Valverde scoring a stunning hat-trick to seal a convincing victory over the English champions. The result gives the Spanish side a strong advantage ahead of the second leg.

In Paris, defending champions, PSG overwhelmed Chelsea 5–2 in a high-scoring encounter. Goals from Vitinha, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé helped the French side take control, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added two late goals to secure a comfortable first-leg lead. Chelsea responded through Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernández but defensive errors proved costly for the English club.

Meanwhile, Arsenal salvaged a 1–1 draw away to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. Kai Havertz converted a late penalty to rescue a point for the Premier League side, keeping their hopes alive ahead of the return leg.

The mixed results marked a challenging night for English clubs in Europe, with Manchester City and Chelsea suffering heavy defeats while Arsenal managed to keep their tie finely balanced. The second-leg fixtures will determine which teams advance to the quarter-final stage of Europe’s elite club competition.

A member of the Iranian women’s national football team who was granted asylum in Australia has reportedly reversed her decision and requested to return to Iran, creating a new twist in the ongoing diplomatic and humanitarian situation surrounding the team.

The incident occurred after several members of the Iranian squad sought refuge in Australia following their participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The players had reportedly faced backlash at home after refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match, an act widely interpreted as a political protest.

Australian authorities had granted humanitarian visas to multiple members of the delegation, allowing them to remain in the country due to fears they could face persecution if they returned to Iran. At one point, up to seven members of the team had accepted asylum offers.

However, officials confirmed that one of the individuals who initially accepted the offer later changed her mind and contacted the Iranian embassy to arrange her return home. The decision prompted security concerns for the remaining players who had chosen to stay in Australia, forcing authorities to move them to another secure location.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government respected the player’s right to change her decision, emphasizing that asylum offers were made without pressure and that individuals were free to choose their preferred course of action.

Meanwhile, the situation has drawn international attention, with Iranian state media reportedly criticizing the players who sought asylum and describing them as “traitors,” further raising fears about possible repercussions if they return home.

Several other players remain in Australia under humanitarian visas and could eventually apply for permanent residency.