Christopher Nkunku Extends Contract at Leipzig to 2026

France's Christopher Nkunku controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Croatia and France at the Poljud stadium, in Split, Croatia, Monday, June 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
France's Christopher Nkunku controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Croatia and France at the Poljud stadium, in Split, Croatia, Monday, June 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
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Christopher Nkunku Extends Contract at Leipzig to 2026

France's Christopher Nkunku controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Croatia and France at the Poljud stadium, in Split, Croatia, Monday, June 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
France's Christopher Nkunku controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Croatia and France at the Poljud stadium, in Split, Croatia, Monday, June 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

France forward Christopher Nkunku extended his contract with Leipzig through 2026 on Thursday after a breakout season that attracted the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell called Nkunku “one of the best players in the world” after the extension of his contract, which had two more years to go, The Associated Press said.

The 24-year-old Nkunku won the German Cup with Leipzig last season and scored 20 league goals as he was named Bundesliga player of the season. He also made his debut for France in March and has played all of his country's six games since then.

“RB Leipzig have made a name for themselves on the international stage in recent years and have shown time and again that we can compete for titles," Nkunku said in a statement. "We want to build on that going forward and go one step further.”

Nkunku's performances for Leipzig and France had led to speculation he could move to the Premier League or return to Paris Saint-Germain, where he came through the academy and played until his 2019 move to Leipzig.



Carlo Ancelotti’s Son Davide Joins Brazil as an Assistant Coach

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, right, waits besides his son, assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, second left, for a training session in Munich, April 29, 2024. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, right, waits besides his son, assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, second left, for a training session in Munich, April 29, 2024. (AP)
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Carlo Ancelotti’s Son Davide Joins Brazil as an Assistant Coach

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, right, waits besides his son, assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, second left, for a training session in Munich, April 29, 2024. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, right, waits besides his son, assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, second left, for a training session in Munich, April 29, 2024. (AP)

Brazil's soccer confederation announced on Friday that Davide Ancelotti had joined his father, Carlo Ancelotti, as an assistant coach for the five-time World Cup champions.

Davide Ancelotti started his career as an assistant coach in 2015, following his father at Napoli, Everton, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Brazil's soccer body said in a statement that the 35-year-old Davide Ancelotti's arrival “represents another step in our search for innovation and technical improvements.”

“His international experience and training methodologies will be fundamental for the players' development and for the construction of an even more competitive team,” it said.

Carlo Ancelotti's debut with Brazil at Ecuador on Thursday ended in a 0-0 draw, which kept the team in the fourth place in the South American World Cup qualifying standings. Davide Ancelotti is expected to be on the bench on Tuesday, when Brazil hosts third-place Paraguay.

Davide Ancelotti initially followed in his father’s footsteps as a professional footballer at AC Milan’s youth team and then at Borgomanero, but he retired at the age of 20 to work in management. He holds a degree in sports science.

Davide Ancelotti's coaching career started in 2012 as a fitness coach at Paris Saint-Germain. He had a similar role at Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015. His first assistant manager position came at Bayern Munich in 2016 and then at the other clubs his father managed.