LaLiga has revealed the shortlist for their upcoming end-of-season awards ceremony, which includes four categories and the team of the season.

The winners will be announced on May 28 at the KAFD Globe Soccer European Awards in Sardinia.

Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are among the favourites for the Player of the Year award, but Girona also has two nominees, with Artem Dovbyk and Aleix Garcia in the running.

Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid are also shortlisted for the prestigious award, with Takefusa Kubo, Kirian Rodriguez, Isco, and Alexander Sorloth in the mix.

The Young Player of the Year award has nominees under the age of 23 and is dominated by Girona and Barcelona. Among the candidates are newcomers Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, along with Miguel Gutierrez, Savio, and Yan Couto from Barcelona. Kubo and Rodrygo from Real Madrid, Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis, Javi Guerra from Valencia, and Nico Williams from Athletic Club are also named.

For Goal of the Season, there are eight nominees, including Vinicius, Joao Cancelo, Saul Coco, Aitor Ruibal, Jesus Areso, Lamine Yamal, Joao Felix, and Memphis Depay.

The Coach of the Year award is the final category, with Carlo Ancelotti, Michel Sanchez, Diego Simeone, Ernesto Valverde, and Marcelino Garcia Toral all nominated.

Raphael Varane has announced that his time at Manchester united will come to an end at the end of the current season after a three-year spell at the theatre of dreams. The former France international had the season disrupted by injuries and has not featured for his side since the 4-3 loss to Chelsea on April 4.

Varane arrived at Old Trafford amidst jubilation from the fans from Real Madrid in 2021 for an initial fee of about £34 million ($43 million) but did not live up to expectation. Although it was not entirely his fault as the club have been out of depth for a long time.

He was part of the team that won the 2023 league cup after newly appointed Dutch manager; Ten Hag led them to his first trophy with the club, which is the only cup that the club has lifted since Mourinho led them to silverware in the 2016-2017 season.

The experienced defender took to social media to announce his impending exit and to thank the club, teammates and fans for the love he was shown, in his post, he said “To you guys, supporters of Manchester United it’s been an amazing few years to play for this special club and wear that shirt.

“The first time I went to Old Trafford as a Man United player was insane, the atmosphere was amazing.

“I fell in love with the club, with the fans. You have to play for Man United to understand what that represents.”

The club hierarchy also appreciated Varane for his service to the club and wished him success in the next step of his career. According to their post, Varane added a “great deal of class and experience to the team”.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has granted clemency to four officials of the State Sports Council who were suspended due to the inadequate kitting of state athletes at the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta, in September 2023.

Dr. Olusola Osetoba, Technical Advisor to the Governor on Sports Development, made this announcement while addressing members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ekiti chapter, in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

She disclosed that the four officials, including the General Manager Mr. Adekunle Adeyemi, Mr. Isaac Elegbeleye, Mr. Isiaka Oluyemi, and Mr. Olusola Ibitoye, have been reassigned to positions within the ministry.

Osetoba further stated that new officials would soon be appointed to fill the vacant positions within the sports council.

In addition, she mentioned that the government has imposed a ban on training and other unauthorized activities on the pitch of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, emphasizing that plans for the stadium’s refurbishment are underway.

The advisor also revealed that arrangements have been finalized for the construction of a sports hall at the Ekiti Kete Pavilion, which will host various sporting events.

Furthermore, Osetoba announced the government’s intentions to carry out a comprehensive restructuring of the two state-owned football clubs, Ekiti United and Ekiti Queens, citing administrative deficiencies as the reason. She assured that a new board would be constituted to rejuvenate the clubs’ performance.

Expressing gratitude to SWAN members for their past support during her tenure as Chairman of the Sports Council, she appealed for continued support in her new role.

Lastly, she urged sports writers to fully endorse Governor Oyebanji’s efforts to elevate sports to greater heights in the state.

It’s worth noting that the officials were suspended for alleged mismanagement of funds and inadequate kitting of Ekiti athletes at the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba in 2023.