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☆ Jude Bellingham: How a 20-year-old Englishman fueled Real Madrid’s record-extending La Liga title
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Jude Bellingham celebrated winning his first ever La Liga title with his mother, posting a picture on Instagram of the two hugging with the legendary Santiago Bernabéu Stadium stretching out behind them. We had a lot of continuity from the first to the last game.”When Bellingham joined Real Madrid, expectations were high for the young Englishman. Jude Bellingham celebrates with Real Madrid fans after winning the Champions League quarterfinal against Manchester City. He scored 10 goals in his first 10 games, won La Liga’s player of the month for August and quickly displayed his knack of finding late winners, rescuing Real late on against Getafe in September. It isn’t just his goalscoring that has proven so effective for Real Madrid.

Persons: CNN — Jude Bellingham, Santiago, Rodrygo, Ballon, Carlo Ancelotti, ”, Realmadrid, “, Jude Bellingham, Molly Darlington, Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappé, “ Jude Bellingham, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Zidane, Steve McManaman, “ There’s, I’ve, Cádiz, CNN’s Amanda Davies Organizations: CNN, Liga, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, La Liga, Bellingham, El, Barcelona, League, Manchester City, Reuters, Champions League, La, Real, Getafe, Spanish, Marca, TNT Sports, TNT, Warner Bros . Locations: Bellingham, La, Spanish, Madrid

CNN —Portuguese and Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for one match and fined for “provoking” fans in a Saudi Pro League match on Sunday. In footage from the game, Ronaldo can be seen cupping his hand to his ear, taking in the chanting from the opposing Al-Shabab fans. Ronaldo gestures towards the Al-Shabab fans. As a result, Ronaldo has been suspended for one match, ordered to pay around $2,666 (10,000 riyals) to the SAFF and an additional $5,333 (20,000 riyals) to Al-Shabab for complaint filing fees. Ronaldo, a five-time Balon d’Or winner, joined Al-Nassr following an acrimonious exit from English Premier League side Manchester United in late 2022.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr’s, Ronaldo, Al, Lionel Messi’s, Yasser Bakhsh, Waleed Al, Farraj, ” Ronaldo, Yannick Carrasco’s, Nassr, Anderson Talisca, Shabab, Carlos Júnior’s, Talisca, Hazm Organizations: CNN, Saudi Pro League, Riyadh, Al, Saudi Arabian Football Federation, English Premier League, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Reuters Al Locations: Shabab, Al, Saudi

☆ Celebrities are having full-blown golf complexes built in their gardens. Here’s how they’re doing it
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

From putting greens and par-three holes to full-blown course replicas, the sport is increasingly taking up residence in gardens and backyards as golf enthusiasts of all levels look to shorten their travel time to the tee. California in particular is especially prone to drought, with state officials encouraging its citizens to cut their water usage. Yet “the number one” factor that can hike prices for larger greens, Nappi explains, is — ironically — drainage. Though they don’t require watering, greens sculpted in areas susceptible to heavy rain — such as Florida or Georgia — invite the threat of standing water, which can lead to mold and ruin the playing experience. “You can make it look pretty and beautiful and they love it, but it better play right,” Nappi said.

Persons: Mark Wahlberg, Cindy Crawford, DJ Khaled, Josh Allen, ”, Dominic Nappi, Tim Venturi, Ken Venturi, Nappi, ” Nappi, “, Wahlberg, Los Angeles Times — Nappi, Tim Jackson —, Jackson Kahn, I’ve, “ There’s, Crawford, Rande Gerber, Allen, Jim Nantz’s, Courtney Richards, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Tony Romo —, Dave Pelz’s, SYNLawn, Augusta National’s, Gareth Bale’s, —, Tiger Woods, ‘ Organizations: CNN, Back Nine Greens, Business, Nine Greens, Greens, British, Nine Greens Star, Hollywood, Los Angeles Times, Malibu, Bills, Wall Street, NASA, Welsh, Real Madrid, Tiger Locations: Southern California, Palm, California, backyards, Florida, Georgia, Beverly, Scottsdale, Buffalo, Miami Beach, American, Austin , Texas, Glamorgan, South Wales, Island, South Dakota

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the field with the gleeful chants of “Messi, Messi, Messi!” ringing in his ears from delighted Al-Hilal fans who had just watched their Saudi Pro League team beat the Portugal superstar's Al-Nassr 3-0 in the Riyadh Derby on Friday. Saudi soccer has not been the same since the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward completed a move last December. Lots of people want to be like Cristiano Ronaldo but few want to work like Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo may have his work cut out to help his team win title No. 10 but, given his form so far this season, he may still have the last laugh with the Messi chants fading away.

Persons: — Cristiano Ronaldo, “ Messi, Messi, Al, Portugal superstar's, Ballon, — Aleksandar Mitrovic, Milinkovic, Savic, Hilal, Ronaldo, Cristiano, ”, Fahad, “ Al, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, “ Cristiano, ” Al, Luis Castro, Cristiano Ronaldo, ” Ronaldo, Mitrovic, Hilal’s, Germain, Neymar, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Salem, Saleh Al, Shehri, Lionel Messi's, ___ Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Riyadh Derby, Serbian, Al, King Fahd International, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Fahad Al, Associated Press, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Paris Saint, English Premier League, Saudi Arabian Locations: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Riyadh, Saudi Arabian, Saudi, Al, Hilal, Asia, Paris, Brazil, Lionel Messi's Argentina, cryptocurrency

☆ Endrick: 17-year-old Real Madrid-bound sensation earns milestone Brazil national team selection
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —17-year-old Real Madrid-bound sensation Endrick has earned a milestone call up to the senior Brazil men’s national team. Interim Canarinha head coach Fernando Diniz announced his squad on Monday for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifier later this month and revealed that the uncapped Endrick will feature in the national team for the first time. In doing so, the Palmeiras breakout star became the youngest player to get a senior Seleção call-up since iconic striker Ronaldo Nazario in 1994. Ronaldo – nicknamed O Fenômeno – is considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time and won the World Cup twice with Brazil. The top six teams automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup which is being hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico, while the seventh-placed nation must go through a play-off to reach international soccer’s showpiece competition.

Persons: Endrick, Fernando Diniz, Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldo –, “, ” Diniz, It’s, Ricardo Moreira, Ronaldo, Ballon d’Or, Pedro, Atlético Mineiro’s, Neymar, Éder Militão Organizations: CNN, Brazil men’s, Interim, Palmeiras, Real Madrid, Brazilian, Corinthians, Brazil, Brighton, Hove Albion’s, Argentina, South Locations: Real Madrid, Brazil, Real, Spain, Qatar, Hove, Porto, Pepê, Colombia, Baranquilla, Rio de Janeiro, Canada, Mexico

☆ Ramos gifts Barca win over Sevilla amid boardroom tensions between clubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BARCELONA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Barcelona moved provisionally top of LaLiga with a 1-0 home win over Sevilla on Friday after veteran defender Sergio Ramos accidentally bundled the ball into his own net in the second half. But a loud cheer rang out at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium, Barca's temporary home ground, after the 37-year-old's own goal. "When the opponent accumulates so many people in the box it's very difficult to defend for so long without making a mistake. Sergio (Ramos) was there to clear the ball, it was a whimsical goal," said Sevilla coach Jose Luis Mendilibar. The result moved Barca one point clear of Girona, who are second with a game in hand, while Sevilla are 12th.

Persons: Sergio Ramos, Ramos, Sergio, Jose Luis Mendilibar, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, Sevilla, Joao Felix, Gavi, Lucas Ocampos, Robert Lewandowski, Juanlu Sanchez, Barca, It's, Sergio's, Xavi Hernandez, Rohith Nair, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Sevilla, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Barca, Thomson Locations: BARCELONA, Barcelona, Girona, Sevilla, Bengaluru

☆ André Onana: Goalkeeper says he ‘let the team down’ during Manchester United’s 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Bayern Munich defeated Manchester United 4-3 in a chaotic Champions League game at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, after which Untied goalkeeper André Onana said that he was to blame for the loss. “It’s a difficult situation for us, for me especially because I’m the one who let the team down … We just have to move on,” Onana said on TNT Sports. “This is the life of a goalkeeper and, if we didn’t win today, it’s because of me.”He added: “The team went down because of that mistake. Thomas Müller hit the post with Bayern looking to increase its lead, before 18-year-old forward Mathys Tel scored his first Champions League goal moments later to make it 4-2. “It was a crazy finish,” Kane, who has now scored five goals from his first six appearances in Germany, told TNT Sports.

Persons: André Onana, Onana, Leroy Sané’s, Serge Gnabry’s, ” Onana, Erik ten Hag, Harry Kane, Sané, Gnabry, Jamal Musiala’s, Rasmus Højlund’s, United –, Kane, Matthias Hangst, Christian, Thomas Müller, Mathys Tel, Bruno Fernandes ’, ” Kane, it’s, “, they’ve, ”, Rio Ferdinand Organizations: CNN — Bayern Munich, Manchester United, League, Allianz Arena, United, Inter Milan, Bayern, TNT Sports, Champions League, Mathys, Brighton, ” United, Burnley, Premier League, VfL Bochum, Bundesliga Locations: Real Madrid, Germany, United

☆ Bale becomes playable character in golf video game
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Golf - European Tour - BMW PGA Championship - Wentworth, Virginia Water, Britain - September 14, 2023 Former footballer Gareth Bale is seen during the first round Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 16 (Reuters) - Gareth Bale's love for golf has been well-documented and the former Real Madrid and Wales forward has swapped the pitch for the green after becoming a playable character in the PGA Tour 2K23 video game. Bale, 34, made his PGA Tour debut at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February after calling time on his glittering soccer career at the start of the year. The former Wales captain, who featured on the cover of Electronic Arts' FIFA 14 video game alongside Lionel Messi, has now been added to PGA Tour 2K23, which includes a course custom-designed by him. I'm here getting scanned in PGA Tour 2K23," he said in a video shared on social media. Bale's tally of 111 caps and 41 international goals are both records for the Wales men's team.

Persons: Gareth Bale, Paul Childs, Gareth Bale's, Bale, Rory McIlroy, Lionel Messi, I'm Gareth Bale, I'm, Hritika Sharma, Kim Coghill Organizations: BMW, Wentworth, Real, PGA, Wales, Electronic Arts, FIFA, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Wales men's, Thomson Locations: Wentworth , Virginia Water, Britain, Real Madrid, Wales, Madrid, Qatar, Hyderabad

☆ Costa Rica beat Saudi Arabia after protest at St James' Park
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - International Friendly - Saudi Arabia v Costa Rica - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain, September 8, 2023 Saudi Arabia's Ali Abdullah Hazzazi in action with Costa Rica's Manfred Ugalde and Francisco Calvo Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith Acquire Licensing RightsNEWCASTLE, England, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Costa Rica earned a 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia at St James' Park in a friendly on Friday after a pre-match protest by Newcastle United fans over the use of the stadium by the Saudi team. However, they could not find the equaliser and Costa Rica wrapped up the win when Randall Leal fired home in the 89th. Costa Rica interim coach Claudio Vivas told ESPN: "Keylor Navas has a very distinguished career, playing for Real Madrid is important, it's not for just anyone. A group of Newcastle fans protested before the match against the use of St James' Park by Saudi Arabia, who will play again at the stadium on Tuesday versus South Korea. Saudi Arabia won the last of their thee Asian Cup titles in 1996.

Persons: Park, Saudi Arabia's Ali Abdullah Hazzazi, Costa Rica's Manfred Ugalde, Francisco Calvo, Lee Smith, Keylor Navas, Joel Campbell's, Manfred Ugalde, Jimmy Marin's, Roberto Mancini, Ali Al Bulayhi, Feras Al Brikan's, Randall Leal, it's, Navas, Claudio Vivas, He's, St, Angelica Medina, Janina Nuno, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, James, Saudi, St James, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Costa, CONCACAF, Central Americans, ESPN, United Arab, Newcastle, South, Public Investment Fund, AFC Asian, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, Newcastle, Britain, Saudi, NEWCASTLE, England, Qatar, Italy, Feras, United Arab Emirates, Croatia, South Korea, Mexico City

☆ Novak Djokovic, Gareth Bale and Carlos Sainz to feature in Ryder Cup All-Star match
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Novak Djokovic and Gareth Bale will tee it up at this month’s Ryder Cup – but not for Team Europe. Captains Pavin (L) and Montgomerie lead out their teams at the 2010 Ryder Cup. “The Ryder Cup is a special event,” the five-time Champions League winner said in a press release. “I can’t wait to tee it up in Rome and experience the incredible atmosphere of a Ryder Cup, which has become legendary,” Djokovic said. The Ryder Cup YouTube channel will also stream the match.

Persons: CNN — Novak Djokovic, Gareth Bale, Marco Simone Golf, Colin Montgomerie, Corey Pavin, Pavin, Montgomerie, Ross Kinnaird, Monty sees Bale, Djokovic, Leonardo Fioravanti, Garrett Hilbert, Popert, Carlos Sainz, Andriy Shevchenko, Kathryn Newton, Victor Cruz, Tomasso Perrino, Montgomerie –, Bale, Shevchenko, smartly, “, Alex Livesey, Sainz, ” Djokovic, Kipp Organizations: CNN, Team Europe, Welsh, Marco Simone Golf Club, Getty, Italian, Ferrari Formula, Celtic Manor, Former Real Madrid, Tottenham, AC Milan, Ryder, ”, Sky Sports, YouTube, Team USA Locations: Rome, Italy, USA, Wales, Ukrainian, Hollywood, Whistling Straits

☆ The Premier League is missing key players like Cristiano Ronaldo and N'Golo Kanté. They've left for the Saudi Pro League.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Will Gendron | Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The English Premier League kicked off this month without key players like Cristiano Ronaldo and N'Golo Kanté. They have opted to join the Saudi Pro League instead, which has been poaching the world's best players. They've joined the dozens of players flocking to the Saudi Pro League in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pro League clubs are also targeting high-profile managers in their push to develop the sport in the country. "Something new is obviously happening" in regards to the Saudi Pro League, Richard Masters, the CEO of the Premier League, told the BBC last month.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, N'Golo Kanté, Jordan Henderson, Riyad, Rúben Neves, They've, Neymar, Getty, Michael Reaves, Rumblings, Ronaldo, Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, phenom, Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, Steven Gerrard, Shaun Botterill, doesn't, Nuno Espírito Santo, LIV, Richard Masters Organizations: English Premier League, Saudi Pro League, Premier League, Eastern, BBC, Investment Fund, Guardian, Saudi, Al, He'll, Chelsea, France, ESPN, Forbes, Paris Saint Germain, Boeing, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Scottish, Rangers, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Saudi Public Investment Fund Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Hilal, Paris, Brazil, Barcelona, Real Madrid, France

☆ Saudi soccer dominance could still take 'decades' despite reported $332 million Mbappé bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty ImagesSaudi Arabian soccer club Al-Hilal reportedly tabled a world record 300 million euro ($331.9 million) bid for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé, a further signal of the kingdom's efforts to shake up the sport's global order. Al-Ahli snapped up Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, and have just agreed a £30 million ($38.54 million) deal to bring in forward Riyad Mahrez from reigning English Premier League and European champions Manchester City. A medium-term threat Soccer isn't the first sport to be rocked by a sudden wave of Saudi investment. This is more like a couple of decades before I think we could see some significant impact." Cristiano Ronaldo stands prior to the Saudi Pro League week 28 soccer match between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab at Alawwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 23, 2023.

Persons: Kylian, Paris Saint, Germain, Le, Aurelien Meunier, Hilal, Mbappé, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Anmar Al, Khalid Alhaj, Al, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, LIV, Michael Goldberg, DBRS Morningstar, Goldberg, Jude Bellingham, Mohammed Saad Organizations: Paris Saint, Campus PSG, PSG, Getty Images, Al, French, country's Public Investment Fund, Real, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Saudi, — Al, Saudi Pro League, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, King Abdullah Sports City, Premier League's Wolverhampton Wanderers, Senegalese, Lazio, UEFA, Champions League, England's Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Italian Serie, isn't, DBRS, CNBC, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Alawwal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: POISSY, France, Paris, Le Havre, Getty Images Saudi Arabian, Qatar, Real Madrid, Spanish, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli, JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Italian, Barcelona, Liverpool, Shabab, Riyadh

☆ Messi has come to Inter Miami to ‘win and inspire the next generation of soccer players’ in the US, says David Beckham
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Jill Martin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham talked to CNN about his latest star signing and revealed that he’s been working to get Lionel Messi on his Major League Soccer (MLS) team since 2019. Messi is presented with an Inter Miami jersey alongside club owners Jorge Mas, Jose R. Mas and David Beckham. You know, surprise, surprise, Leo goes (out) for dinner. Surprise, surprise, Leo does his own grocery shopping. He’s at the stage of his career where he has made a decision to come to the MLS, to come to America, to come to Miami, to come to Inter Miami to win.

Persons: David Beckham, he’s, Lionel Messi, Leo, ” Beckham, Jorge Mas, Ballon d’Or, Messi, Jose R, Mas, Marco Bello, Beckham, it’s, we’re, We’re, –, ”, we’ve, He’s, Cruz Azul Organizations: CNN — Inter Miami, CNN, Major League Soccer, TV, Inter Miami, Reuters, Former Real Madrid, Manchester United, MLS, LIGA MX, Cruz, Leagues Locations: Miami, Florida, America

☆ Lionel Messi signs for MLS club Inter Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Ben Morse | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Soccer great Lionel Messi signed for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami on Saturday, the club announced. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community. According to multiple reports, Messi’s new deal includes an option for part-ownership of the club and a cut of revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass streaming service. Fans of Argentine football player Lionel Messi wait for his arrival at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 11, 2023. In December last year, Messi played a vital part in Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar, becoming the first man to win the tournament’s Golden Ball, awarded to the best player at the World Cup, twice.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon, David Beckham, ” Messi, I’m, Beckham, Leo, Jorge Mas, Chandan Khanna, Messi, Germain Organizations: CNN — Soccer, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Argentina, LIGA MX, Leagues, “, LA Galaxy, Real Madrid, Manchester United, our Inter Miami, Inter, El Pais, Apple TV’s, Argentine, Getty, French, Paris Saint, Spanish, Barcelona, La Liga, Champions League Locations: Cruz Azul, Miami, USA, Real, Spanish, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Qatar

☆ Karim Benzema signs for Saudi team Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —French striker Karim Benzema has signed with Saudi Arabian team Al-Ittihad on an initial three-year deal, the club announced on Tuesday. Al-Ittihad won the Saudi Pro League (SPL) this season under the stewardship of one-time Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo and offered Benzema a deal reportedly worth more than $100 million. It now feels the time is right for a new challenge and project.”Reuniting with RonaldoBenzema also expressed joy at joining a league which already contains his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Karim is a global football icon, he’s box office and very much at the top of his powers.”Benzema joined Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009, aged 21. He won 25 trophies with the club, making 648 appearances and scoring 354 goals – the second most in its history.

Persons: Karim Benzema, Benzema, Nuno Espirito, ” Benzema, “, Ronaldo Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, “ Cristiano Ronaldo, ”, Anmar Bin Abdullah Alhailael, Ballon, Karim Organizations: CNN, Saudi Arabian, Real Madrid, Sunday, Ittihad, Saudi Pro League, Tottenham Hotspur, Nuno Espirito Santo, ”, SPL, Saudi, Ittihad Club Locations: Ittihad, Al, Asia, Spain, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Real, Lyon

French sports daily L'Equipe reported on Tuesday that Qatari-owned PSG had suspended Messi for two weeks and decided against exercising an option to renew his contract for a third season after he made an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi is a Saudi ambassador for tourism and his longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, signed for Saudi club Al-Nassr in December in a deal reported to be worth around $220 million per year. Messi's trip to Saudi Arabia resulted in him being suspended without pay and banned from training with his team mates by PSG, L'Equipe said. Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb confirmed Messi's trip to the Kingdom. "I am happy to welcome Saudi Tourism Ambassador Lionel Messi and his family on his second vacation in Saudi," Al Khateeb wrote on his Twitter account.

☆ Alpine set out season goals and bring on Zidane
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Alpine launch new A523 car in LondonSet goal of defending fourth place and closing gap to top threePresent soccer great Zidane as brand ambassadorLONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Renault-owned Alpine set out their goals for the Formula One season on Thursday before unveiling French soccer great Zinedine Zidane as a surprise signing. "I am very happy to be here today and happy to be part of the Alpine team," Zidane told the surprised audience in a former newspaper printing site in London's Docklands. "The gap to third was big and we've got to close that gap," said team principal Otmar Szafnauer. Ocon is in his fourth year at the team while Gasly has joined from Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri. The 23-race season starts at the Sakhir circuit on March 5, with pre-season testing there next week.

☆ Navas steals limelight on mixed weekend for January signings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

January signings can be hit and miss and it was a mixed weekend for new recruits. "But I loved his composure and game management and decision making, I really enjoyed that part of his performance. He came close to a debut goal too, but ultimately it was a frustrating debut as Chelsea's attack misfired yet again. Leicester's Souttar, signed from Stoke City, enjoyed a winning debut as his side overcame Aston Villa 4-2, although scoring an own goal was hardly ideal. But Souttar, along with fellow new signing Victor Kristiansen, impressed, although not as much as another new recruit Tete, who marked his debut with a goal.

☆ Messi, Ronaldo start in Riyadh friendly
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Friendly - Saudi Pro League XI v Paris St Germain - King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudia Arabia - January 19, 2023 Fans hold up shirts with Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo's and Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi's name on inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Ahmed YosriRIYADH, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will face off once again after the long-time rivals were named in the starting line-ups for the Riyadh Season Team and Paris St Germain respectively on Thursday, ahead of an exhibition match at the King Fahd Stadium. Al Nassr's Ronaldo will captain the Riyadh Season Team - a combined Saudi Pro League XI featuring players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal in Riyadh. The PSG starting line-up also includes France's Kylian Mbappe and Brazil's Neymar, as well as Ronaldo's former Real Madrid team mates Sergio Ramos and Keylor Navas. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ French football president apologises for 'awkward remarks' on Zidane after backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Le Graet added he would not even pick up the phone if Zidane called, prompting a backlash and his subsequent apology. 'LACK OF RESPECT'France forward Kylian Mbappe was one of the first to voice his disapproval after Le Graet's comments were aired. "The statements by the president of the French Football Federation are inappropriate for someone holding such representation and are in themselves unsuitable." France's Minister for Sports Amelie Oudea-Castera was one of many politicians who reacted to Le Graet's comments, saying the president of the country's "biggest sporting federation" had crossed a line. French politician Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade had also demanded an apology from Le Graet, saying on Twitter: "Zidane is a monument of French football and sport.

☆ Saudi Arabia's new love for soccer could cause ripple effects across the sports world
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo poses for a photo with the jersey after signing with Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr Football Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 30, 2022. Al Nassr Football Club / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesSoccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi club Al-Nassr, and the kingdom's growing investments in the sport, could have ripple effects across Europe and the U.S., experts have told CNBC. The former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus star earlier this week contended that the "unique contract" was befitting of his status as a "unique player." The Financial Times reported in October that the Saudi PIF had committed more than $2 billion to sponsorship deals over the first eight months of 2022, most of which was directed toward domestic soccer competitions. The Saudi PIF's takeover of Newcastle United was met with criticism across the soccer world — deemed an effort to launder the country's reputation against the backdrop of a poor human rights record.

☆ Classy Newcastle go second, Lopetegui off to ideal start with Wolves
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Richard Martin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui got off to a strong start in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers after his side came from behind to sink Everton 2-1 with a last-gasp goal and increase the pressure on Frank Lampard. Later on Monday, Aston Villa were in action against Liverpool, while leaders Arsenal host West Ham United. Eddie Howe's side have 33 points after 16 games, one more than third-placed Manchester City although the champions have two games in hand. The victory pulled Wolves off the bottom of the table and into 18th on 13 points, one point and one place below Everton. Southampton sunk to the bottom after their defeat at home to Brighton, who moved up to sixth.

☆ Could Cristiano Ronaldo be Portugal’s super sub for the rest of the World Cup?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo has found himself in unfamiliar territory this season – but no matter where he is in the stadium, the cameras follow. After it was announced he would start Portugal’s World Cup round of 16 match against Switzerland from the bench, huge swathes of photographers swarmed around the team’s substitutes prior to kick off. All eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, despite him starting on the bench. With his only real chance of the match, Ronaldo buried his shot past Yann Sommer but was denied a goal by the linesman’s offside flag. His star quality remains, too, with the Lusail Stadium filled with chants of “Ronaldo, Ronaldo” when he entered the field of play to arguably the biggest roar of the night – the game’s seven goals included.

☆ Neymar: Brazil looks to book place in knockout stage without injured star
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Fortunately for them, the player who has become this generation’s talisman will be fit in time to play in the 2022 World Cup knockout stage, should Brazil qualify, after being diagnosed with an ankle sprain. Now 30, this World Cup will likely be his best chance at lifting the trophy. Group H’s other match pits Ghana against South Korea, with both teams desperate for a win to kickstart their World Cup campaigns. In Ghana, Korea knows it faces a team with an abundance of quality in the final third, as the match against Portugal proved. ETSouth Korea vs. Ghana: 8 a.m.

☆ German pass masters will test Spain's possession game - Luis Enrique
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Spain could be given a taste of their own medicine when they take on Germany in a potentially decisive clash at the World Cup on Sunday because both European heavyweights seek to control games by dominating possession, Spain coach Luis Enrique said. "Without a doubt, they are the team that is most similar to Spain in terms of dominating the play and controlling it. That is a beautiful challenge for us," Luis Enrique told reporters on Saturday. "A big win like that creates confidence but we can't go into the game over-confident," Luis Enrique said. You never know in football," Luis Enrique said.

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