Sports
FC Barcelona, Star Lager Beer Unveil Partnership Deal
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigeria’s foremost lager, Star, and top football club in Spain, FC Barcelona, on Friday, March 3, 2017, formally announced a partnership naming the beer brand as the club’s “Official Beer Partner” or “Official Supporter” in Nigeria.
The announcement took place at the club’s home ground, the Camp Nou, during a press briefing.
This comes on the heels of Star’s partnership with five other European clubs, Arsenal, Manchester City, Juventus, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) including a national partnership with the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) in 2016.
With the partnership, Star lager beer will now possess the right to promote its connection with FC Barcelona fans and keenly enhance visibility of the club in Nigeria.
Speaking on the new partnership, Marketing Director of the Nigerian Breweries Plc, Franco María Maggi, stated that, “As a brand, we would love to connect with as many football fans as possible.
“We see this partnership as a way to further consolidate our commitment to millions of fans and bring quality enjoyment of football with unrivalled consumer interaction experience.”
“Star is committed as a brand to nurture this partnership like others which will positively impact on the development of the football landscape in Nigeria.
“The brand is investing in order to tap, among other things also in the possibility of world-class knowledge transfer,” Franco Maria Maggi concluded.
The established partnership between both entities will have Star drive digital and outdoor amplification, viewership engagement and attendance at live matches that involve FC Barcelona.
Commenting further on the partnership, FC Barcelona legend, Mr Edgar Davids, confirmed FC Barcelona is exploring new regions especially in Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria.
“Playing for Barcelona gave me the opportunity to meet with, appreciate and respect the diversity of cultural background of players from diverse environment.
“This goes to show that football is truly universal and pulls down cultural barriers. It’s even more exciting to see a partnership between the club and Nigeria’s Number 1 beer brand, Star Lager,” Mr Davids said.
Confirming other benefits for the Star brand through its partnership with FC Barcelona, Portfolio Manager, National Premium, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Tokunbo Adodo stated that, “The partnership with FC Barcelona signifies Star’s continuous effort to strengthen and deepen the relationship with football fans.
“Going forward, a bottle of Star would symbolize more than just another lager, it would mean a communion between a fan and the pride, history and colours of their favourite club side.”
FC Barcelona, founded in 1899, is one of the oldest clubs in the world. It is the second most valuable sports team in the world worth $3.56 billion.
Notable Nigerian players such as Emmanuel Amunike, Samuel Okunowo and Haruna Babangida who was the second youngest player to feature for Barcelona have previously pitched side with FC Barcelona.
Over the years, the Star brand has consistently supported football initiatives with platforms such as its highly impactful campaign to rally Nigerian football fans during the World Cup in 2014.
The Star Super Fans Show also showcased and rewarded football fans for their passion and knowledge of the game.
Since the first STAR lager beer bottle rolled out of the bottling lines in the Lagos brewery in 1949, the brand has been a premium market leader and was listed by the African Business magazine in its 100 Most Admired African Brands in 2015.
Star has put its expansive platform to good use in promoting music and youth lifestyle through projects like STAR Music Trek, STAR Quest and STAR Mega Jam.
Sixty-seven years after it debuted in the Nigerian brewing sector, Star lager beer has continued to occupy the premium position by bringing a brighter shine to millions of fans.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Saturday, July 18, 2026, Team Drogba Global Africa claimed its first E1 victory in Monaco, moving to sixth on the table with 59 points.
It defeated Team Brady, which came second over the week, though it leads the championship with 119 points, nine points more than the second on the log, Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola.
Kiwi Micah Wilkinson and his Spanish teammate Tara Pacheco combined to put together a memorable performance and secure a long-awaited first visit to the top step.
Drogba’s best result of the season so far had been seventh in Lake Como, but something clicked in the Principality, and the victory has moved them up to sixth overall.
Home heroes Team Monaco had set the fastest time in qualifying and were leading the way, but they made a wrong turn on the course, which consigned them to join Westbrook in the Place Race. Will Smith’s team took a damage-limiting victory, leaving them in seventh at the end of the day.
But the Finals were both dominated by Drogba. In Final 1, with Tara Pacheco at the wheel, they finished just ahead of Emma Kimiläinen’s Brady E1 RaceBird. The battle resumed in Final 2 and, on this occasion, Micah held off Sam Coleman. Timmy Hansen came through to finish third for Miami to secure their first podium in 13 races.
Micah Wilkinson was also rewarded with PIF Pilot of the Day for his performance in Final 2.
Hosted at the world-renowned Yacht Club de Monaco, the Championship’s third visit to the Principality once again transformed Port Hercule into one of the world’s most spectacular sporting venues.
E1 now heads to its first foray in Southern Africa for the E1 Luanda GP 2026, Angola, on September 12 to 13.
“Huge congratulations to everyone at Team Drogba on securing a remarkably assured maiden victory here in Monaco. We leave with a new Championship leader in Team Brady, with Will Smith’s team in close contention.
“The Principality once again delivered an extraordinary weekend of thrilling on-water action to reinforce our belief that E1 is creating a new chapter in global motorsport. We now head to Angola, Africa, for the next round as the Championship battle intensifies,” the chief executive of E1, Mr Jamie Copas, said.
By Dipo Olowookere
Spain put one past Argentina to clinch their second FIFA World Cup trophy in New Jersey, USA, on Sunday night.
Ferran Torres put the only goal of the match in the back of the South American’s net in the 106th minute after both teams could not settle scores in normal time.
The Argentines, led by Lionel Scaloni, were reduced to 10 men in added time of the second half after Enzo Fernández got his second yellow card for a tackle on Spain’s Pau Cubarsí.
Lionel Messi could not inspire his team to victory in the final watched by the President of the United States, Mr Donald Trump, as the Europeans dominated the match, with Argentina not having a shot on or off target before the extra time.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup champions only managed to show signs of pressing after the winners of the 2010 edition in South Africa scored a minute after the resumption of the second half of the extra 30 minutes.
The win by Luis de la Fuente’s men left Lionel Messi teary after the match. This could be his last World Cup as he turned 39 this year.
The next FIFA World Cup in 2030 goes to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. This year’s edition was hosted by the trio of the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The Mundial kicked off on June 20, 2026, and ended on July 19, 2026, with 48 teams participating, more than the usual 32 teams of the previous editions.
On July 23, Nigeria’s main grassroots tournament kicks off: players from the top 100 teams across five divisions of Lagos will compete for the championship title, a generous prize pool, the prestige of their home communities, and their dream of signing their first contract with a professional club.
1xCup has helped many talented players make a name for themselves. Thanks to their standout performances at the tournament, more than 30 footballers have earned spots on professional teams in Nigeria, Bulgaria, Norway, Albania, North Macedonia, and many other countries.
1xCup top success stories
From their debuts in the NPFL and second-tier European leagues to call-ups to the Nigeria national team, the stories of 1xCup graduate players could easily serve as the script for a new Hollywood sports drama. Defensive midfielder Adeoye Aderemi Jacob was named one of the top breakout stars of the 1xCup 2025. His dedication and energy helped the Naths Boys reach the tournament’s final four and caught the attention of Ikorodu City scouts. Adeoye Aderemi Jacob quickly adapted to the professional level and even earned a call-up to the Nigeria national team for friendly matches against Zimbabwe and Jamaica as part of their preparations for the.
Several 1xCup graduates have built successful careers in Europe. Martins Idowu plays in Serbia, Peter Ahisu in Bulgaria, and Okere Ebube in North Macedonia. Lawani Clinton, Bada Moses, and Raheem Ibrahim Ogede have continued their football careers with professional clubs in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Nwana Okechukwu and Kayode Akinyemi are representing their homeland in the Egyptian and Beninese leagues.
The 1xCup 2026 will continue this mission. Starting with the knockout stage, scouts from professional clubs will be in attendance at the tournament’s matches. This means that every participant will have a chance to prove themselves, get noticed by experts, and perhaps write a new chapter in their football history.
1xCup 2026 is open to everyone
Nigeria’s most prestigious grassroots tournament has helped football talent shine and demonstrated that our country is capable of organizing large-scale sports events. The list of participants in the qualification was made publicly available, and every fan can follow the match results and the standings on the official 1xCup Instagram page.
The tournament’s matches are drawing huge interest from viewers, so the organizers have expanded their media coverage. The 1xCup Podcast is set to launch very soon, featuring well-known figures from Nigeria’s football community who will discuss the main storylines and standout players of the fourth season, as well as share exclusive insights with fans.
Watch from the front row as the next generation of football stars is born, and follow the action from the grassroots tournament on the official 1xcup.ng website or on the project’s Instagram page.
