NEWS

‘Ronaldo is still the best ever!’, Agent Mendes backs Portuguese star following Messi’s Ballon d’Or triumph

Published

7 years ago

December 3, 2019

The Portuguese star’s representative backed his client as the greatest to ever play despite missing out on the Ballon d’Or

Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has insisted that the Juventus forward should still be recognized as “the best player in history”, despite his Ballon d’Or defeat.

Ronaldo came third in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting, finishing behind Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk for the award.

Messi claimed the honour on the heels of a La Liga-winning campaign, as the Argentine took home the prize for a record sixth time.

Van Dijk, meanwhile, finished ahead of Ronaldo due to his contributions to Liverpool’s Champions League-winning campaign, although the Juventus star was able to lead Portugal past the Liverpool star’s Netherlands team in the Nations League final.

The 34-year-old Ronaldo, who scored 21 goals and helped guide Juventus to the Scudetto last season, did not attend Monday’s ceremony in Paris.

And the Juventus star’s agent was quick to state that he disagrees with anyone that doesn’t give his client recognition as the best to ever play, despite Monday’s Messi triumph.

“Cristiano is the best player in history, and you know it!” he told reporters at the Gran Gala del Calcio, an event recognising the best players in Italian football from last season.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, unsurprisingly, has a different viewpoint as he backed his star Messi as the best he’s ever seen.

The Argentinian forward, who moved one clear of Ronaldo’s five Ballons d’Or mark, reclaimed the title he last won in 2015, with the Portuguese winning the award in 2016 and 2017 before Luka Modric surged to the award in 2018 off the back of a standout World Cup campaign.

This term, though, the award was all Messi’s, as he fired 40 goals and 15 assists for Barcelona.

“He is the greatest player of all time, in the history of football. It’s clear for us and Barca,” Bartomeu told L’Equipe following Messi’s win.

“I hope it will not be his last Ballon d’Or. He is still young. He can play many more years with us.”

He added on Twitter: “The Ballon d’Or once again goes to the greatest player of all time. Football and Barça celebrate another wonderful achievement. Congratulations Leo!”

Messi’s Barcelona will face Mallorca on Saturday, having topped Atletico Madrid this past Sunday behind a late Messi strike to stay atop the Liga table.

Ronaldo’s Juventus, meanwhile, are set to visit Lazio this weekend as the defending Serie A champions sit second in the league behind Inter.

Between the two stars, who is the GOAT?
Leave a comment….

Entertainment

Emersonnoni Unveils Bold Promo Shots as He Prepares Next Musical Chapter

Published

1 hour ago

September 30, 2026

Baba Blow

Rising Nigerian Afro-Pop artist Emmanuel Oghenekevwe, widely known as Emerson and now requesting to be addressed as Emersonnoni, has released a fresh set of promotional photographs ahead of his next musical project.

The visuals mark a confident step forward for the Ughelli South, Delta State native, who has been steadily building momentum since the February 2026 release of his single Ask Of Emerson (featuring Snazzygrin).

That track, produced by Gluck Beatz and written by Oghene Kevwe Emmanuel, showcased his blend of Afro-Pop energy, storytelling, and contemporary Nigerian sound.
With the new promo images, Emersonnoni appears to be setting the tone for a more defined personal brand.

Entertainment

MAIDEN MOEISHA CREATIVE EXPERIENCE HOLDS THIS FRIDAY

Published

5 days ago

September 25, 2026

Baba Blow

MAIDEN MOEISHA CREATIVE EXPERIENCE HOLDS THIS FRIDAY

Utibe Utuk

All is set to host a gathering of artists,innovators,creative entrepreneurs,young talents,students and industry professionals as the MOEISHA Creative Experience 2026 takes center stage.

The event, which brings together diverse voices and ideas around art,technology,culture and the future of the creative economy is scheduled for Friday,September 25th from 4pm,toprovide a platform for participants to connect,share ideas,showcase their creativity and explore emerging opportunities at the intersection of art,innovation and technology at Ibom LED Centre.

A major feature of the gathering will be the official launch of The Moeisha Foundation,an initiative focused on empowering young women and fresh school leavers with creative skills and opportunities in digital entrepreneurship.

The foundation is expected to provide opportunities for young people to develop practical skills,discover their creative potential and explore sustainable pathways within the growing digital economy.

Beyond the celebration of creative expression,the MOEISHA Creative Experience is designed to promote networking,collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants from different areas of the creative industry.

The event will take place at Ibom LED,Ibom E-Library,Ibb Way,Uyo,Akwa Ibom State,with free entry for participants. Artists,students,young entrepreneurs,industry professionals and lovers of culture are expected to attend the gathering.

Some of the speakers and panelists to grace the event are Mandu Akpekong (Public Speaker), Sukmama Akpanusong (Tech Entrepreneur),Utonne Ekefre (CEO Latonne Signature) and Emmanuel Udosen (CEO Coddatech Nigeria Ltd), with performances by Udo Mariam, Psc Ben, Ferric Wondaz, Carlos Umoh and Evelyn Praiz to spice up the evening.

The convener,Mekmfonabasi Essien,an artist,creative visionary and curator,said in a chat with this reporter penultimate week that the event was conceived as an avenue to bring people together and create opportunities for meaningful connections within the creative space.

According to her,for a creative community like Uyo,which continues to explore new ways of turning talent and ideas into opportunities,the MOEISHA Creative Experience 2026 provides an avenue for participants to connect,create and discover new possibilities.

She called on young people in Akwa Ibom and neighbouring cities to take advantage of the gathering,describing it as a networking hub capable of opening doors for greater collaboration and creative partnerships.

#Inexperienced

#MOEISHAexperience2026

NEWS

Jubet Brings His Pen and Perspective to emPawa Publishing as “Hardest Truth” Continues Its Global Run

Published

2 weeks ago

September 15, 2026

Baba Blow

Jubet Brings His Pen and Perspective to emPawa Publishing as “Hardest Truth” Continues Its Global Run

Following more than four months on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and major Shazam milestones, the Nigerian singer-songwriter enters a new chapter with emPawa Publishing.

Nigerian singer-songwriter Jubet is entering a significant new phase of his career after joining the emPawa Publishing roster, marking an important step in the development and global positioning of his songwriting catalogue.

The development was announced by emPawa Publishing and emPawa Africa, who publicly welcomed the rising Nigerian artist to the publishing family while highlighting the distinctive qualities that have come to define his music: vulnerability, melody and honest storytelling.

The partnership arrives at a defining moment for Jubet, whose breakthrough single, “Hardest Truth,” has evolved from an intensely personal record into an international Afrobeats success story.

The song has maintained a sustained presence on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for more than four months, while reaching No. 1 in five African countries and securing placements on the Global Shazam Chart and Global Afrobeats Top 100.

“Hardest Truth” has also demonstrated the depth of its international reach, connecting with audiences across multiple African markets and establishing Jubet as one of the emerging voices of a new generation of Afrobeats artists.

In its announcement welcoming Jubet, emPawa described the artist as a rising Nigerian recording artist whose sound is built around vulnerability, melody and honest storytelling, qualities that have become central to his artistic identity.

The publishing company also placed emphasis on the songwriter behind the music, noting that Jubet is bringing “that pen, that perspective and that unmissable emotionality” to the emPawa Publishing catalogue.

That distinction is significant.

For Jubet, the publishing partnership represents more than recognition for a successful record. It marks a move toward developing the songwriter and the catalogue behind his growing international profile, while creating a foundation for the next phase of his career.

“Hardest Truth” has demonstrated that emotional honesty can travel. What began as a deeply personal expression has resonated with listeners across borders, turning Jubet’s vulnerability into a shared experience for audiences around the world.

For Jubet’s management, the partnership is a natural progression in an increasingly international journey.

“Jubet’s journey has always been about more than creating a successful record. At the heart of his artistry is his ability to translate real emotion and personal experiences into songs that people can see themselves in. The response to ‘Hardest Truth’ has shown us just how far that honesty can travel. Partnering with emPawa Publishing is an important step in developing Jubet not only as an artist, but as a songwriter and a catalogue with long-term global potential. We are excited about what this next chapter will make possible.”

– Louiza Williams –

Jubet’s emergence comes at a time when Afrobeats continues to expand its global footprint, with artists possessing distinctive voices and emotionally resonant songwriting finding increasingly receptive audiences beyond Nigeria.

From his beginnings in Ilora, Oyo State, to international chart recognition, Jubet’s trajectory has been shaped by an increasingly intentional approach to artistry, audience building and long-term career development.

The emPawa Publishing partnership now adds another important layer to that trajectory.

With “Hardest Truth” continuing to demonstrate staying power and a growing catalogue ahead of him, Jubet enters this next chapter not simply as a breakout artist, but as a songwriter whose voice and perspective are beginning to command international attention.

The breakthrough may have started with “Hardest Truth.” The next chapter is about what comes after it.

About Jubet

Jubet, born Akanbi Oluwa Jubelo, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and recording artist whose music is defined by vulnerability, melody and emotionally honest storytelling. His breakthrough single, “Hardest Truth,” propelled him onto international charts and introduced his distinctive sound to audiences beyond Nigeria.

About emPawa Publishing

emPawa Publishing is part of the wider emPawa Africa ecosystem, supporting songwriters and artists while developing and expanding the value of African music catalogues and creative works.

Media Contact:

Info@louikempire.com

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