Arsenal defender William Saliba admits he was "hurt" after not being given first-team opportunities following his move from Saint-Etienne.
The 19-year-old arrived at the Emirates Stadium in July 2019 for a reported £27million (€29.7m) fee and was loaned back to Saint-Etienne for the 2019-20 campaign.
He returned to the Gunners ahead of this season and was expected to become part of manager Mikel Arteta's plans after a possible second loan back to Saint-Etienne failed to materialise in October.
However, the France youth international did not make a senior appearance for the Premier League club and was loaned to Nice earlier this month.
Saliba made his fifth appearance for the Ligue 1 outfit in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to his former club Saint-Etienne.
Despite the result he had an impact at the heart of the backline, making more successful passes (58) and clearances (five) than any other Nice player.
He also gained possession seven times, the joint second-highest of any player on the pitch.
Saliba has opened up on his frustration with life at Arsenal and feels strongly he should have been given a chance to impress in the first team.
"I really, really, really didn't think that I would be transferred for almost €30m," he told TF1.
"To think that I would arrive, where people were expecting a lot from me, the fans were excited about me and you find yourself in the reserves, playing zero – nothing in the Europa League or the Premier League.
"I was in the squad once in the EFL Cup. It hurt me, it affected me. I don't think I left too early. When you feel ready you have to go. These things happen. I believe in myself."
While Saliba is enjoying playing first-team football again at Nice, he insists he is not thinking about where he will be next season.
"I have learned now that it is better not to look too far in the future," he added. "I am focused on just these six months to try to give absolutely everything and for the rest we will see.
"For me, the best decision was to join Nice because there is a good project, a good team, a good level of ambition and they like to play in a certain way.
"It feels good to play and to have consistent game time. I am young, I am 19, and it is by playing matches like this that you improve.
"You see what mistakes you make and you correct them for the next match."
Sunshine Snacks inks three-year sponsorship deal with Jamaica Premier League
Sunshine Snacks, a leading regional snack brand, has announced a landmark 3-year sponsorship agreement with the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).
As part of this partnership, Sunshine Snacks will also become the designated club sponsor for Montego Bay United, a team with a storied legacy and a strong presence in Jamaican football.
This collaboration underscores Sunshine Snacks’ commitment to fostering growth and success across the Jamaica Premier League while providing critical support to Montego Bay United as they focus on rebuilding and achieving sustained success.
Shantell Hill-Afonso, Marketing Manager, Jamaica for Sunshine Snacks, shared her enthusiasm.
"We at Sunshine Snacks are thrilled to partner with the Jamaica Premier League and Montego Bay United, currently performing well in the league. Montego Bay has always been a focus for us as a brand, which made this sponsorship a perfect fit. This partnership goes beyond branding; it is about nurturing talent, impacting lives, and building stronger communities through football. With our offices located in Montego Bay, this collaboration allows us to support the team on and off the field, creating meaningful connections in the community," Hill-Afonso said.
"We’re also excited to bring Sunshine Snacks products to all Jamaica Premier League matches, creating a fun and engaging experience for fans. Football and snacks go hand in hand, and products like our Sunshine Peanuts will refuel everyone. This partnership allows us to connect with communities across Jamaica in a way that is both meaningful and enjoyable," she added.
Neymar should have won five Ballons d'Or, claims Buffon
Neymar should have won the Ballon d'Or five times, so says Gianluigi Buffon.
Italy great Buffon played alongside Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain for a season in 2018-19.
Neymar joined PSG in a world-record transfer from Barcelona in 2017, but was unable to drive the French club to their maiden Champions League trophy.
He left in 2023 to join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, but has hardly featured for the Asian giants. He is back on the sidelines due to a hamstring issue, having only just returned from a year-long lay-off after sustaining an anterior crucial ligament (ACL) injury.
Neymar was tipped for greatness when he moved to Europe from Santos, but despite a glittering career, especially at Barcelona, he never has managed to win the Ballon d'Or.
And that is something that upsets his former club-mate Buffon.
"It's hard to pick a rival," Buffon told Corriere della Sera
"I've played against three generations: Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta… Choose one? Neymar.
"For the player he is and the person he is, he should have won five Ballons d'Or."
Even at PSG, Neymar was often overshadowed by Kylian Mbappe.
When Messi joined that deadly duo in 2021, meanwhile, the trio could not have the impact on the European stage that PSG's Qatari owners would have wished for.
Palestine hold South Korea as Japan down China in World Cup qualifying
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held to a 1-1 draw by Palestine in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
Tottenham forward Son netted in the 16th minute at Amman International Stadium in Jordan.
That came four minutes after Palestine had taken the lead through Zeid Qunbar.
Yet South Korea could not build on that momentum. Despite finishing with 15 shots, they accumulated only 0.84 expected goals (xG).
South Korea, who are six points clear in qualification Group B, had five shots on target, with Son having four of them, as Palestine held on for a memorable result.
In Group C, Japan consolidated their lead with a 3-1 defeat of China in Xiamen.
Koki Ogawa scored twice, opening the scoring and netting Japan's third.
Ko Itakura put Japan 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time, with Lin Liangming pulling one back for China early in the second half.
The match was briefly disrupted as some spectators ran onto the pitch.
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