DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ SPL director Emenalo hoping for quiet January window
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 17 (Reuters) - Saudi Pro League (SPL) clubs should only sign players of the "highest level" in the January transfer window after aggressively splashing out in the summer, the league's director of football, Michael Emenalo, said. The outlay of $957 million in the Saudi summer window, which closed on Sept. 7, saw several high-profile players including Neymar, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante move to the league. The league's spending exceeded that of four of Europe's "big five" leagues with only Britain's Premier League clubs splurging more on transfers than those in the Middle Eastern country. "I think we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish, which was to get our foot into the market and compete aggressively," Emenalo said in an interview on the SPL website. "But, also, we wanted to do that while giving every single club in the league an opportunity to improve.

Persons: Michael Emenalo, Karim Benzema, Emenalo, it's, Aadi Nair, Robert Birsel Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Neymar, Britain's Premier League, SPL, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Bengaluru

☆ Benzema tempted by Saudi Arabia's 'huge' football project
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO:Saudi Arabian soccer team Al Ittihad player Karim Benzema arrives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in this handout photo obtained by Reuters June 7, 2023. "When the football project started here, it seemed like a huge project in all respects, and I wanted to be a part of it and help advance the game in Saudi Arabia, and this is one of the reasons that made me come here," Benzema said in an interview with the Saudi Pro League, posted on messaging platform X. "Also, Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country and they welcomed me with open hands, and I felt loved immediately. I am really surprised by the level in Saudi Arabia because in Europe we don't watch a lot of football matches here," the 35-year-old added. "But now there are lots of people (in Europe) who are watching the Saudi league after many big names were brought in."

Persons: Karim Benzema, Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho, Jota, Ittihad, Al, Ahmed El Khashab, Hatem Maher, Ed Osmond Organizations: Saudi Arabian soccer, Al, Reuters, REUTERS, Real Madrid, Saudi Pro League, Real, Saudi, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Al Ittihad, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Handout, Al, Ittihad, Mecca, Europe, Hilal

☆ 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

☆ Factbox: Saudi transfers this summer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Saudi clubs have spent over 750 million euros ($813.45 million)in the close season signing players with the new Saudi Pro League season having kicked off on Aug. 11. Following are the main clubs' recent large purchases:Al-Ittihad (manager: Nuno Espirito Santo since 2022)N'Golo Kante from Chelsea. (40 million pounds)Al-Ahli (manager: Matthias Jaissle since 2023)Edouard Mendy from Chelsea. (40 million euros)Otavio from Porto. (40 million euros)Malcom from Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Persons: Nuno Espirito, N'Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Matthias Jaissle, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Allan Saint, Franck Kessie, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Luis Castro, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Seko, Sadio Mane, Jorge Jesus, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, Malcom, Yassine Bounou, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Steven Gerrard, Moussa Dembele, Jack Hendry, Jordan Henderson, Tommy Lund, Ken Ferris, Ed Osmond, Toby Davis Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Nuno Espirito Santo, Manchester City, AS Roma, Atalanta, Inter Milan, Manchester United, RC Lens, Bayern Munich, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Paris St Germain, Fulham, Olympique Lyonnais, Club Brugge, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Ittihad, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Celtic, Liverpool, Al, Ahli, Manchester, Newcastle, Barcelona, Porto, Hilal, Lazio, Paris, Sevilla, Gdynia

☆ Saudi soccer league lures Brazilian star Neymar as it seeks to attract 'exceptional players only'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Saudi Arabia also recruited soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema with contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and it's expected to bid to host the 2030 World Cup. 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. Sports analysts are doubtful that Saudi Arabia will see its ambitions to have a top soccer league realized, even with all the money it can offer to top-tier players. Charles Laberge | LIV Golf | Getty ImagesOther criticism comes from an attitude among many that a Saudi league could never be a serious arena for athletes. Emenalo, himself a former defender for Nigeria's national soccer team and former technical director at English club team Chelsea, called the criticisms "outrageous."

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr, Jean Catuffe, Neymar, Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kalidou, Lyon's Moussa Dembele, Michael Emenalo, Saudi Arabia's, Al, Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, LIV, shockwaves, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Captain Brooks Koepka, Ricky Elliott, Charles Laberge, LIV Golf, Emenalo, it's, Khalid Al, Falih, that's Organizations: PSG, UEFA Champions League, Celtic Glasgow, Paris Saint Germain, Celtic Park, Getty, Getty Images, Saudi, Al, Paris Saint, Brazil national, L'Equipe, Manchester, Saudi Pro League, Nassr Football Club, Al Nassr Football, Anadolu Agency, France national, Sports, American PGA Tour, Saudi Crown, CNBC, Royal Greens, & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic, Nigeria's, soccer team, Chelsea, Saudi League, Guardian, Saudi Investment, Public Investment Fund Locations: Getty Images Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Barcelona, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Europe, Jeddah, King Abdullah, King Abdullah Economic City

☆ Saudi league set to kick off after raiding Europe's top clubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Soccer Football - Opening of 2023-2024 Saudi Pro League - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - August 7, 2023 General view of the trophy at the opening of the Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media Office/Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoAug 10 (Reuters) - When the new Saudi Pro League season kicks off on Friday it will herald a new dawn for football in the Gulf kingdom which has spent close to half a billion dollars luring top players and coaches from traditional European powerhouses. Al-Ahli, in particular, are one of the few clubs that have benefited from the Saudi Public Investment Fund's (PIF) project to invest in and privatise clubs, which also include reigning champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Saudi clubs spent nearly 450 million euros in the close season signing players, most from elite teams in Europe as the PIF created a blueprint for what football fans can expect in transfer windows to come. The league turned heads when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr last season soon after the World Cup in a deal which made him the highest-paid athlete on the planet. The Portugal forward's move paved the way for more household names to sign up for a Saudi league that has increased its size from 16 teams to 18.

Persons: Hazm, Al, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ronaldo's, Nuno Espirito, Karim Benzema, N'Golo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Mane, Luis Castro, Hilal, Jorge Jesus, Ruben Neves, Serbia's Sergei Milinkovic, Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Ettifaq, Gerrard, Henderson's, Shady Amir, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media, REUTERS, Saudi Public Investment, Al, Champions, Saudi, Nuno Espirito Santo, Croatia, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barcelona, Liverpool, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Al, Ahli, Ittihad, Hilal, Saudi, Europe, Portugal, Ballon, Senegal, Portuguese, Riyadh, England

☆ Klopp complains about Saudi transfer deadline, dismisses Mbappe links
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Premier League's transfer window closes on Sept. 1, the deadline for most of Europe's top leagues, but Saudi Pro League clubs can sign players until Sept. 20. Liverpool have already seen three of their key players move to Saudi clubs, including skipper Jordan Henderson and fellow midfielder Fabinho while striker Roberto Firmino moved on a free transfer. "The influence of Saudi Arabia is massive at the moment," Klopp told reporters on Tuesday, a day before their pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich in Singapore. "Pretty much the worst thing I think is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open three weeks longer. Mbappe has also been linked with a world record move to Saudi Arabia, but media reports said he rejected the idea of playing in the Gulf kingdom as he eyes a transfer to Real Madrid.

Persons: Juergen Klopp, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino, Klopp, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frenchman, Mbappe, I've, Rohith Nair, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Christopher Cushing Organizations: FIFA, Liverpool, Saudi Pro League, Bayern Munich, UEFA, World, Al, Paris St Germain, Real Madrid, Sky Germany, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Europe, Qatar, Portugal, Bengaluru

☆ 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

☆ No going back, Ronaldo closes door on return to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"I'm 100% sure I won't return to any European club. Ronaldo's long-time rival Messi was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia before the Argentine World Cup winner completed a transfer to MLS side Inter Miami, signing a deal until 2025. "The Saudi league is better than MLS," Ronaldo said. Several high-profile players have followed Ronaldo to the Saudi league, including Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema from Real Madrid and N'Golo Kante from Chelsea, who both joined champions Al-Ittihad. ($1 = 0.8892 euros)Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Al Nassr's, Messi, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Rohith Nair, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Saudi, Major League Soccer, Manchester United, Celta Vigo, ESPN, Premier League, Argentine, MLS, Inter Miami, Real Madrid, Al, Thomson Locations: Europe, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Real, Chelsea, Ittihad, Bengaluru

☆ Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —European soccer’s summer transfer window is in full swing, with several household names already moving to pastures new. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Al-IttihadIn the first major coup of the summer for the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema has agreed to join Al-Ittihad once his contract expires with Real Madrid. After a disappointing season, Real Madrid will be hopeful that Bellingham will be a star midfielder for years to come once the ageing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos depart. The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around £86 million ($109.8 million) a year, according to UK media. Rice, who was in the youth ranks at Chelsea and then West Ham, was voted Conference League player of the season.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema –, Karim Benzema, Ittihad, Benzema, Frenchman, Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid Jude Bellingham, Florencia Tan Jun, Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, N’Golo Kanté, Ittihad N'Golo Kanté, Justin Tallis, Kanté, Christopher Nkunku –, Chelsea Christopher Nkunku, Annegret Hilse, Germain, Chrisopher Nkunku, Nkunku, Todd Boehly, Kai Havertz, Germany's, Maja Hitij, Kai Kavertz, Mikel Arteta, Havertz, Boehly, Declan Rice –, Declan Rice, Richard Heathcote, Rice, West Ham’s, Mateo Kovačić –, Mateo Kovačić, Pep Guardiola’s, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, Alexis Mac Allister, Alex Pantling, Lionel Messi, Mac Allister, Jurgen Klopp, Mac, Roberto Firmino’s, Rúben Neves, Al Hilal Rúben Neves, Naomi Baker, Al Hilal, Neves Organizations: CNN, Super League, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Al, Real Madrid, League, La Liga, Real, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City, English, Ittihad N'Golo, France, Getty, Benzema, Chelsea, Premier League, FA, Europa League, UEFA Super, Leicester, Leipzig, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, Reuters, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Ukraine, Gunners, Manchester City, football’s, Europa Conference League, Gent, Manchester United, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Manchester, Argentina, Brighton, Liverpool, Anfield, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves, Everton, Molineux, Portugal Locations: England, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Portuguese, Saudi Arabian, Karim Benzema – Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Bellingham, Dortmund, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Leicester, Paris, Leipzig, Bremen, Germany, Declan Rice – West Ham, West Ham, Mateo Kovačić – Chelsea, Madrid, Spain, Croatian, Brighton, Argentina, Qatar, Barcelona

☆ Kante leaves Chelsea to join Saudi champions Al-Ittihad
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 20 (Reuters) - N'Golo Kante will leave Chelsea after seven years at Stamford Bridge and join Al-Ittihad as a free agent on a three-year contract, the Saudi club said on Tuesday. Kante is an Ittihad player now," the club posted in a video message on Twitter. British media reported the 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around 86 million pounds ($109.78 million) a year. Benzema left Real Madrid after 14 trophy-laden years and signed a two-year contract with the Saudi Arabian champions in a deal reported to be worth more than 100 million euros ($109.17 million). Kante has been a mainstay at Chelsea, winning the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup during his time with the club.

Persons: Ballon, Karim Benzema, Benzema, Kante, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Toby Davis Organizations: Chelsea, Stamford, Al, France, Leicester City, Twitter, Real Madrid, Champions League, Premier League, Europa League, FA, Thomson Locations: Ittihad, Saudi, London, Al, Saudi Arabian, Kante's, Saudi Arabia, Bengaluru

☆ Rodrygo double eases Real Madrid into semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Real looked capable of killing the tie whenever they moved forward and Rodrygo, who scored a vital goal against Chelsea at the same stage last year, smashed a shot against the post. Home keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga then beat away a Vinicius Junior effort before Real's master craftsman Luka Modric forced another save from Arrizabalaga. "It was a second yellow card, which means a red, which means 30 minutes with us a man up," Lampard said. Real then switched gears and Rodrygo skipped past Chalobah's wild slide on the right and his cross was eventually played back to him by fellow Brazilian Vinicius Jr to calmly slot home. ($1 = 0.8048 pounds)Writing by Martyn Herman in London Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Chelsea earn scrappy 1-0 win over Palace to ease pressure
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Clare Lovell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It was only the second league win in 10 matches for the home side who remain in an unaccustomed 10th place half-way through the season. Today we had five young players in the starting 11, they are doing a really good job at the moment." "Today we are happy for the three points," said Potter, who took over from Thomas Tuchel in September. Palace are in 12th place, six points behind Chelsea. Before kickoff, former Chelsea players who had been coached by or appeared alongside Gianluca Vialli joined the teams to pay tribute to the former Italy international and Chelsea player-manager who died 10 days ago.

☆ Man City squad depth makes the difference at Chelsea
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Within three minutes, Grealish sent in a pinpoint cross for Mahrez to win the match for City. The victory at Stamford Bridge, against an injury-hit and out-of-form Chelsea, moved City to within five points of Arsenal who failed to pierce Newcastle United's defence on Tuesday in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium. Despite the array of top-name stars at his disposal, Guardiola heaped most praise on 18-year-old Rico Lewis who came off the bench at halftime to replace wing back Joao Cancelo and helped turn the game in City's favour. "This young boy has the ability and quality to not just play good, but to make his mates better. He said Mount might be available to face Manchester City on Sunday in the FA Cup and hoped Pulisic's injury was not too serious.

☆ France coach Deschamps decides not to replace Benzema
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - France coach Didier Deschamps has decided not to replace injured striker Karim Benzema in his World Cup squad, leaving the reigning champions with 25 players for their title defence. Asked on Sunday by TeleFoot whether he would replace the Ballon d'Or winner in his squad, Deschamps said "No". Benzema was the second French player to join the casualty list in less than a week after forward Christopher Nkunku was injured in a training session and replaced in the squad by Randal Kolo Muani. Influential midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante were ruled out of the tournament by injury before Deschamps named his squad. "Of course, it is bad news for France, and we feel like we're cursed, because it's just player after player out, and then it ends up with Karim Benzema being hurt during training," Parisian fan Samuel Pautrat said.

☆ France striker Benzema out of World Cup with injury
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 19 (Reuters) - France striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar after suffering an injury in training, the French football federation said on Saturday. The Ballon d'Or winner, who has been struggling with a muscle problem, was forced to leave defending champions France's training session earlier on Saturday. "I am extremely sad for Karim who had made this World Cup a major objective. France, already without influential midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante because of injury, open their campaign against Australia in Group D on Tuesday. Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Factbox: World Cup 2022: which major football players are missing FIFA tournament?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Following is a list of players who have been ruled out or are doubtful for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup through injury. The 29-year-old resumed training but on Oct. 31 his agent said the midfielder would not return to action for Juventus nor the world champions before the World Cup. PEDRO NETO (PORTUGAL)The 22-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers winger will undergo surgery on an ankle injury sustained against West Ham United in October. BOUBACAR KAMARA (FRANCE)The Aston Villa midfielder suffered a knee ligament injury in September that will keep him out until after the World Cup. SADIO MANE (SENEGAL)Sadio Mane has been named in Senegal's squad for the World Cup despite suffering an injury playing for Bayern Munich.

☆ Schedule ahead of World Cup is 'crazy,' says Chelsea's Azpilicueta
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 25 (Reuters) - Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta said the number of games being crammed into the schedule ahead of the World Cup next month is "crazy" and that player welfare is being jeopardised. Azpilicueta's team mate N'Golo Kante has been ruled out of the World Cup after undergoing an operation on a hamstring injury, while Reece James is in a race to be fit for the tournament after injuring his knee. Chelsea have three league fixtures, two Champions League games and a League Cup tie before the World Cup in Qatar begins on Nov. 20. "We are fighting a lot for player welfare because the schedule is crazy. Azpilicueta is expected to feature in Spain's squad for the World Cup, where they have been drawn into Group E alongside Germany, Costa Rica and Japan.

☆ Factbox: World Cup 2022: guide to groups in FIFA tournament
▼ + stars: | 2022-04-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] People take pictures with the international flags on Flag Plaza zone ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Doha, Qatar November 10, 2022. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshDec 3 (Reuters) - Following are the eight groups for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is being held in Qatar from Nov. 20-Dec. 18. WHAT IS THE FORMAT FOR THE GROUP AND KNOCKOUT STAGES AT WORLD CUP 2022? The Dutch, who are seeking their first World Cup title, failed to qualify for the last edition in Russia four years ago. GROUP F: BELGIUM, CANADA, MOROCCO, CROATIA* Morocco beat Belgium and Canada to finish group winners.

☆ Surpriză? Cine e acum favorit pentru câștigarea Balonului de Aur, după ce Mbappe și Kante au fost eliminați de la EURO 2020
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-05 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +2 min

Cine e acum favorit pentru câștigarea Balonului de Aur, după ce Mbappe și Kante au fost eliminați de la EURO 2020Balonul de Aur nu a fost acordat în 2020, din cauza pandemiei de coronavirus, iar acum microbiştii abia aşteaptă să afle cine va fi marele câştigător în 2021. Atacantul de 34 de ani are prestații excelente la Copa America, unde a reușit patru goluri și a contribuit decisiv la calificarea Argentinei în semifinalele Competiției. Bookmakerii îl văd cu prima șansă la câștigarea Balonului de Aur, cu o cotă de 3,25. Kylian Mbappe și N'Golo Kante, văzuți printre favoriții de la ediția din acest an, au cota în creștere, după ce Franța a părăsit EURO 2020. Cotele pentru câștigarea Balonului de Aur 2021:Lionel Messi - 3.25Harry Kane - 5Kylian Mbappe - 7Robert Lewandowski - 7N'Golo Kante - 7Cristiano Ronaldo - 7Raheem Sterling - 11Kevin De Bruyne - 13

Persons: Lionel Messi, Bookmakerii, Messi, Harry Kane, Tottenham, Englezului, Kylian, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, Kane, Robert, Kevin Organizations: America, Copa, EURO Locations: Barcelona, Argentinei, Spaniei, Argentina, Ucraina, Franța

☆ "N'Golo Kante merită Balonul de Aur!". Tot mai multe voci importante îl susțin pe starul francez
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-07 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +1 min

Sursa foto: Getty Images"N'Golo Kante merită Balonul de Aur!". Mijlocașul francez a obținut această distincție atât în cele două meciuri din semifinalele Champions League, contra lui Real Madrid (scor 1-1, respectiv 2-0), cât și în finala de la Porto, iar tot mai multe voci susțin că N'Golo Kante merită să câștige Balonul de Aur în acest an. Poate să marcheze câteva goluri, dar, pentru ceea ce reușește el să facă... cred că toată lumea a văzut ultimele lui meciuri, în special finala Champions League. Întrebat despre posibilitatea de a câștiga Balonul de Aur în acest an, după finala Champions League, Kante a rămas modest: "Nu, acum savurăm Liga Campionilor, apoi urmează Campionatul European. Voi merge la naționala Franței și sper să câștigăm și acolo"N'Golo Kante face parte din naționala Franței, care va evolua în grupa F la EURO 2020, alături de Ungaria, Portugalia și Germania.

Persons: Paul Pogba, Didier Deschamps, Chelsea, Kante Organizations: Liga Campionilor, Chelsea, Manchester City, Champions League, Real Madrid, EURO Locations: Porto, Franței, N'Golo, Ungaria, Portugalia, Germania

☆ Thomas Tuchel şi-a prelungit contractul cu Chelsea. Londonezii pregătesc alte două lovituri
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-04 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +2 min

Sursa foto: Getty ImagesThomas Tuchel şi-a prelungit contractul cu Chelsea. Londonezii pregătesc alte două lovituriThomas Tuchel (47 de ani) a semnat prelungirea contractului cu Chelsea, până în 2024, a anunţat clubul englez, pe site-ul oficial. "Chelsea se bucură să confirme că, după triumful din Champions LEague, contractul lui Thomas Tuchel a fost prelungit cu doi ani, aşa cum am stabilit în momentul în care el a ajuns la club. ", a afirmat Thomas Tuchel, care mai avea contract cu Chelsea până în vara viitoare. După anunţul oficial al prelungirii înţelegerii lui Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea pregăteşte alte două lovituri: Thiago Silva şi N'Golo Kante vor semna şi ei noi contracte, anunţă Fabrizio Romano.

Persons: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea . Londonezii, Chelsea, Fabrizio Romano, Kante Organizations: Chelsea, Champions LEague, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Cupei, Champions League, Manchester City, EURO Locations: inauarie, Tuchel, Cupei Angliei, Leicester, Porto

☆ Aşa arată acum lupta pentru Balonul de Aur 2021. Man. City are 4 jucători în TOP 10, dar nu şi liderul. Cine e favorit
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-12 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +2 min

Sursa foto: France FootballAşa arată acum lupta pentru Balonul de Aur 2021. Cine e favoritBalonul de Aur nu a fost acordat în 2020, din cauza pandemiei de coronavirus, iar acum microbiştii abia aşteaptă să afle cine va fi marele câştigător în 2021. Lider continuă să rămână Kylian Mbappe, chiar dacă PSG a fost eliminată din UCL. Dacă "Cetăţenii" vor câştiga finala UEFA Champions League cu Chelsea, Balonul de Aur va merge la unul dintre elevii lui Guardiola. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)Balonul de Aur nu a fost acordat în 2020.

Persons: Dias, Guardiola, Kevin, Bruye, Kylian, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, . Ruben Dias, Romelu, N'Golo, Ilkay, Phil Phoden, Karim, Messi, Ronaldo, Megan Rapinoe, Cristiano Ronaldo Organizations: France Football, City, Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, UCL, Chelsea, Bayern Munchen, Inter Milano, Karim Benzema, Real Madrid Locations: Man, Angliei, Barcelona, Chelsea

Search resuls for: "N'Golo"

23 mentions found