The diamond ring soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo used to propose to his longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez could be as large as 50 carats, appraisers told Forbes, making it larger than the famous sparklers given to Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian and Lauren Sánchez.

It drew instant headlines and attention—the sparking center stone reaches to Rodriguez’s knuckle—and appraisers told Forbes it’s among the “rarest and most exquisite diamonds in the world.”

Kristian Spofforth, a jewelry specialist with Heritage Auctions, said the diamond seems to be an oval-cut stone of approximately 50 carats with a D colour grade—the highest on the scale—and likely a clarity of VVS1 or better.

Traditional diamonds are valued in part by how closely they approach colorlessness on a scale from D to Z and based on their clarity, or flawlessness (a VVS1 is the second-highest clarity rating and means a stone has only minute flaws that are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification).

The metal used for Rodriguez’s ring isn’t immediately clear from images posted online, but Spodforth said “the setting is elegant, minimal and perfectly tailored to showcase the stone’s natural beauty.”

Gemologist appraiser Deborah Villepigue said she estimates the center stone to be a little bigger, between 55 and 60 carats, and the ring to be worth roughly $3 million.

How Does Georgina Rodriguez’s Ring Compare To Other Famous Engagement Rings?
Few stars have flaunted diamonds bigger than Rodriguez’s, but two stand out.

Advertisement

Rapper Gucci Mane famously gave his wife Keyshia Ka’oir a 60-carat, oval cut diamond ring in 2019 as an upgrade to the 25-carat ring he proposed with two years earlier, and Richard Burton gave Elizabeth Taylor a 69.42-carat, pear-shaped stone he purchased for her in 1969.

Burton reportedly bought the diamond from Cartier for $1 million, the equivalent of about $8.6 million today.

Rodriguez’s ring is larger than the initial Harry Winston ring Burton used to propose to Taylor in 1968, which featured a 33.19-carat Asscher-cut diamond.

Burton reportedly outbid Winston himself for that ring for $305,000, the highest price ever paid at auction for a diamond ring at the time.

Rodriguez’s ring also out-sizes some of the most-talked-about celebrity rings in recent memory, including Mariah Carey’s 35-carat emerald-cut ring from billionaire James Packer, which was designed by Wilfredo Rosado and valued at $10 million.

Other famous rings include the $8 million, 15-carat cushion-cut diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz that Kim Kardashian received from Kanye West, and the $5 million, 30-carat pink diamond billionaire Jeff Bezos used to propose to Lauren Sánchez. Sanchez was also spotted wearing another 30-to-40 carat oval diamond ring, estimated to be worth around $4 million, at her Venice wedding earlier this summer. Both of her rings were designed by Schwartz.

Ronaldo and Rodriguez appeared publicly together for the first time in 2017 alongside his son from a previous relationship, Cristiano Jr.

Advertisement

Six months later, in June, Ronaldo welcomed twins Eva and Mateo via surrogate. He has never shared the identity of the mother of his first three children.

Rodriguez gave birth to her first child with Ronaldo in November 2017 and announced she was pregnant with twins in October of 2021. One of the children died in childbirth.

The pair first sparked engagement rumors in November of 2018 and fans have speculated about their relationship status since.

In July 2024, Ronaldo hinted that he and Rodriguez might have married after the soccer star referred to her as his “wife,” but his publicist told People, “At this time, I have no knowledge of whether or not Cristiano is married to Georgina.” Netflix chronicled the daily life of Rodriguez in a reality series called “I Am Georgina” that aired for three seasons.

Ronaldo, 40, was ranked by Forbes as the world’s highest paid athlete this year. He is estimated to have made $275 million in the last year and, in 2020, became the first active team-sport athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings. In addition to a lifetime deal with Nike and other endorsements, Ronaldo earns money off the pitch from his CR7-branded clothing, accessories, hotels and gyms.

The Ballon d’Or, on Thursday, officially unveiled the 30-player shortlist for the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, spotlighting the world’s finest footballers who have delivered exceptional performances over the past year, as reported by The Punch.

Among the top contenders are Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr., and Harry Kane, all of whom had standout seasons for club and country.

The list also features experienced names such as Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski, and Virgil van Dijk, alongside emerging stars like Lamine Yamal, Joao Neves, and Cole Palmer.

Other notable nominees include Alexis Mac Allister, Désiré Doué, Scott McTominay, Raphinha, Florian Wirtz, Declan Rice, Achraf Hakimi, and Pedri.

The Ballon d’Or remains the most prestigious individual award in world football, recognising extraordinary talent, consistency, and influence on the global game. The winner will be crowned at the annual Ballon d’Or ceremony later this year.

Full list
Jude Bellingham
Ousmane Dembélé
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Désiré Doué
Denzel Dumfries
Serhou Guirassy
Viktor Gyökeres
Erling Haaland
Achraf Hakimi
Harry Kane
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Robert Lewandowski
Alexis Mac Allister
Lautaro Martinez
Kylian Mbappé
Scott McTominay
Nuno Mendes
Joao Neves
Michael Olise
Cole Palmer
Pedri
Raphinha
Declan Rice
Fabian Ruiz
Mohamed Salah
Virgil van Dijk
Vinicius Jr.
Vitinha
Florian Wirtz
Lamine Yamal

Advertisement

Zenith Bank Plc, a long-standing sponsor of the Women’s National Basketball League, hosted a distinguished reception yesterday at its Abuja headquarters in Maitama to honor Nigeria’s D’Tigress for securing a historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title.

The bank presented the triumphant team with a generous cash reward of N200 million.

D’Tigress achieved victory over Mali with a score of 78-64 in the final match held in Abidjan on Sunday, subsequently returning to Nigeria on Monday, where they were warmly received by President Bola Tinubu.

During the Presidential reception, the team was awarded national honors in the form of the Order of the Niger (OON) and received additional cash incentives.

Zenith Bank has demonstrated an enduring commitment to women’s basketball for 18 years, and its league has produced several notable players, including Murjanatu Musa, the Most Valuable Player of the Air Warriors’ title win in 2022, and Ifunanya Okoro.

Current head coach Rena Wakama also played in the Zenith League for the First Bank Women’s Basketball team.

In attendance at the elegant reception were Zenith Bank Executive Directors Adobi Nwapa, Akin Ogunranti, Henry Oroh, and Louis Odom, who all expressed their pride in the team’s accomplishments. Additionally, notable attendees included National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, NBBF President Musa Kida, and several board members.

Advertisement

GMD/CEO of Zenith Bank, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji OON, praised the team and reaffirmed the bank’s continued support:

“Your victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket is not just a win for Nigeria, it is a win for African sports,” she said.

“At Zenith Bank, we celebrate your victory – not just as supporters, but as longstanding partners in the development of women’s basketball in Nigeria.

“I hereby reaffirm Zenith Bank’s steadfast commitment to advancing women’s basketball and promoting sports development across Nigeria.”

Team captain and MVP of the tournament, Amy Okonkwo, responded on behalf of her teammates:

“We appreciate the financial institution for doing a lot for women basketball in the country.”

Advertisement

Football enthusiasts are expressing considerable excitement following Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in Lagos with his Al Nassr teammates, including Sadio Mane and Joao Felix.

The prominent Saudi Pro League club is advancing its pre-season preparations after completing a training camp in Lisbon, Portugal.

Since joining Al Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or recipient, has become the face of the organization and is leading the team through an intensive pre-season as they prepare for the forthcoming 2025/26 season.

Al Nassr has transitioned its training base from Lisbon to Lagos as part of a strategic pre-season tour aimed at enhancing fitness levels and tactical readiness for the new Saudi Pro League season.

The club recently shared an update on social media, stating, “Lisbon chapter closed, Lagos chapter loading,” indicating the initiation of this next phase of their preparations.

The team concluded a successful training camp in Lisbon, where they focused on improving match fitness and experimenting with new tactical strategies. The pre-season commenced positively with a 2-1 victory over the French club Toulouse, in which Ronaldo scored, reaffirming his enduring quality.

Preparations for the Super Cup

Advertisement

Ronaldo and his teammates are utilizing the Lagos segment of their pre-season tour to enhance preparations for the impending Saudi Super Cup, where they will face rivals Al Ittihad.

This match is anticipated to be a key indicator of the team’s readiness as they aspire to commence the season with strength and contend for all domestic and continental titles.

Sadio Mane and Joao Felix, two of Al Nassr’s key players, will also play essential roles in facilitating team cohesion ahead of the season.

The Lagos camp will concentrate on fostering team chemistry, improving match sharpness, and ensuring that the squad reaches its optimal form in preparation for the competitive fixtures that lie ahead.

Advertisement

As the football community buzzed with excitement over Victor Osimhen’s recent departure from Serie A giants Napoli—marked by a controversial transfer saga. Amid the celebrations, a Nigerian prophet emerged with a disquieting prediction regarding Osimhen’s future at Galatasaray, raising eyebrows and fueling speculation.

The prophecy, which quickly gained traction on various social media platforms, caught the attention of Osimhen’s camp, prompting a strong and defiant response.

Representatives for the striker did not hold back, issuing a sharp rebuttal directed at the prophet’s unsettling claims. Emotions ran high as they sought to defend Osimhen’s reputation and dismiss any ill intentions behind the prediction, highlighting their determination to protect the player during this pivotal moment in his career.

CONTINUE READING

CONTINUE READING

Primate Elijah Ayodele, a Nigerian cleric, stirred controversy with a scary prophecy about Victor Osimhen’s recent transfer to Galatasaray.

Speaking during a sermon at his INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church located in Lagos, Ayodele stated that the 26-year-old striker would not enjoy the new transfer. Osimhen sealed a permanent move from Napoli to the Turkish giants in July 2025 for €75 million ($87.7 million).

Inside Osimhen’s deal with Galatasaray

The transfer includes €40 million upfront and €35 million in installments by 2026, plus a 10% sell-on clause, which is a record-breaking transfer for Turkish football.

Advertisement

The Super Eagles forward signed a four-year contract with a €15 million annual salary and a €1 million loyalty bonus.

This comes after a prolific 2024/25 loan spell, where he scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances, helping the club secure the Turkish Super Lig and Turkish Cup.

Several elite clubs had shown interest in signing the star including Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain, but all negotiations collapsed due to Napoli’s high demands and the player’s high wage expectations.

London club Chelsea explored multiple deal structures but couldn’t meet his financial terms, while French giants PSG’s €220 million joint offer for Osimhen and teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fell through.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal also pursued the striker aggressively, offering €75 million and a €30 million annual salary, but he rejected the move, prioritising European football, per Yahoo Sports.

A previous $170 million bid from Al-Ahli in 2024 was similarly declined, as Osimhen’s agent emphasized his desire to stay in Europe.

These rejections, coupled with Napoli’s fractured relationship with the former Lille of France striker paved the way for Galatasaray.

Advertisement

However, there are concerns over Primate Ayodele’s prophecy on the player who has emotional connection to Galatasaray, partly driven by his daughter’s affection for the fans.

The prophecy suggests potential challenges, possibly related to the high expectations or the pressure of a record transfer.

Ayodele said in a viral Instagram footage: “The four-year deal is failed. You will not enjoy it. You better have a rethink. Who gave you that advice Osimhen? Oshi lo dey yen o.”

Osimhen’s camp said: ‘I think this man should just focus on his usual politicians, he wants attention but he can’t one, he should focus on Liverpool prediction”, the source sounded off.

CONTINUE READING

Advertisement