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☆ Cristiano Ronaldo red carded for elbowing opponent during Saudi Super Cup defeat
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo was red carded for elbowing an opponent during Al-Nassr’s defeat against Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. Sadio Mané did score for Al-Nassr following Ronaldo’s departure, but earlier goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom gave Al-Hilal a 2-1 victory. There was no way back for Al-Nassr from there, despite Mané’s consolation goal after Ronaldo’s red card. The defeat on Monday means that Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are likely to end this season without a trophy. Al-Hilal will now face Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup final in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Hilal’s Ali Al, Bulayhi, Sadio Mané, Dawsari, Malcom, Hilal, Jorge Jesus, Otávio, Ronaldo remonstrates, Stringer, Ronaldo Organizations: CNN, Al, Saudi Super, Salem Al, men’s, Saudi Pro League, Asian Champions League, SPL Locations: Hilal, Abu Dhabi, Portuguese, Salem, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Ittihad

☆ Al-Hilal: Saudi Arabia club sets record for most consecutive wins in men’s soccer
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal set the world record for the most consecutive victories in men’s soccer on Tuesday, defeating Al-Ittihad 2-0 in the AFC Champions League. Before that, Dutch giant Ajax had held the record for 44 years after a 26-game winning streak between 1971 and 1972. “Everyone at Al Hilal is delighted to achieve world football history by winning 28 consecutive matches,” said manager Jorge Jesus. “It is up to everyone at Al-Hilal to ensure that we close out the season as Roshn Saudi League champions and meet our targets in the cup competitions. According to Guinness World Records, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin has the most consecutive wins in soccer – men’s or women’s – with 41 across all competitions between 2012 and 2013.

Persons: Hilal, Al Hilal, ”, Jorge Jesus, Romarinho, Yasser Al, Shahrani, Hilal's, Yasser Bakhsh, Abderrazak, Ali Al, Malcom, Jesus, ” Al, Al Ain, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al, Nassr, Neymar Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Al, AFC Champions League, Welsh, New Saints, Ajax, ”, “, Saudi League, Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Guinness World Records, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin Locations: Saudi Arabian, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Jeddah

☆ Al-Nassr knocked out of the AFC Champions League by Al Ain after Cristiano Ronaldo’s costly miss
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr crashed out of the AFC Champions League after a thrilling tie against Al Ain ended 4-4 on aggregate before the Emirati side triumphed on penalties. Monday’s end-to-end game could have gone either way, though Ronaldo will likely regret his staggering miss in the second half which could have seen Al-Nassr progress to the semifinals. Together, always!”After Al Ain won the first leg 1-0, the visiting team got off to a superb start in Riyadh thanks to two first-half goals from Soufiane Rahimi, whose neat finish had been the difference between the teams last week. Al Ain players celebrate their dramatic victory. Al Ain, chasing its first AFC Champions League title in 21 years, will next face another Saudi Arabian team – either Al-Hilal or Al-Ittihad – in the semifinals.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al, Nassr, Al Ain, Ronaldo, “, Soufiane Rahimi, Khalid, Sadio Mané, Abdulrahman, Fayez, Alex Telles ’, Ayman Yahya, Sultan Al, Shamsi, Raghed Al, Yasser Bakhsh, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, AFC Champions League, Al, Getty, AFC, League, Saudi Arabian Locations: Riyadh, Portuguese, Al Ain, Saudi, Al, Hilal, Ittihad

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

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo has come under scrutiny for a gesture he made towards fans following Al-Nassr’s 3-2 win against Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday. In footage from the match, fans can be heard taunting Ronaldo by chanting about Lionel Messi, a long-time rival of the 39-year-old forward. The gesture is now being investigated by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), according to Saudi-owned media outlet Asharq Al Awsat, which cited unnamed sources. CNN has contacted Ronaldo’s representatives, the SAFF, Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab for further comment. It was Al-Nassr, however, which would have the final say as Talisca’s second goal deep into the match completed a 3-2 victory in an exciting encounter.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Al Awsat, Nassr, –, Yannick Carrasco’s, Shabab, Carlos Júnior’s, “, Waleed Al, Farraj, Asharq Al Awsat, John Duerden, ” Organizations: CNN, Al, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Guardian Locations: Shabab, Saudi, Al, Riyadh, Hilal, Portuguese, Saudi Arabia

☆ Vinícius Jr. scores first-half hat-trick as Real Madrid dominates Barcelona to win Spanish Super Cup
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Real Madrid claimed its 13th Spanish Super Cup with a comprehensive 4-1 demolition of arch-rival Barcelona in El Clásico on Sunday. The result was sweet revenge for Madrid, which was defeated 3-1 by Barcelona in the 2023 edition of the tournament. “We wanted to win the final,” said Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti after the game. Real doubled its advantage three minutes later when Vinícius scored his second, sliding in to meet a low Rodrygo cross to leave Barcelona reeling. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty ImagesHowever, the moment of hope turned out to be fleeting as Vinícius completed his hat-trick only minutes later.

Persons: Vinícius Jr, Rodrygo, “, ”, Carlo Ancelotti, “ Vinícius, Atlético, Robert Lewandowski, Barça’s, Ronald Araújo, Xavi, We’ll, ” Madrid, Vinícius, phenom Jude Bellingham, Iñaki Peña, Yasser Bakhsh, Cristiano Ronaldo’s, siu, Nassr –, Cristiano, ” Vinícius, Ferran Torres, Andriy Lunin, Torres, Lunin, Lewandowski, Jules Koundé, Araújo, Giuseppe Cacace, João Félix Organizations: CNN — Real Madrid, Spanish, Los, Atlético Madrid, ”, Vinícius, King Saud University, Madrid, Lewandowski, Real, Barcelona, La Liga, Getty Locations: Barcelona, El Clásico, Madrid, ” Barcelona, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Pedri, AFP, Bellingham, Girona

☆ Alejandro Garnacho scores ‘beautiful’ bicycle kick for Manchester United
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The moment was over in a flash, but Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning bicycle kick goal against Everton on Sunday will be remembered for decades to come. The 19-year-old’s acrobatic effort set Manchester United on the path to a 3-0 victory, but all the talk after the full-time whistle was about that goal. The Manchester United youngster could barely believe what he had done as he, along with millions around the world, celebrated one of the best goals in the club’s history. After Sunday’s stunning effort, the Argentine international has also drawn comparisons with another Manchester United great, Wayne Rooney. That was the most beautiful overhead kick,” he said on the Gary Neville Podcast.

Persons: Alejandro Garnacho’s, Diogo Dalot, Jordan Pickford, ” Garnacho, I’ve, Garnacho, Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo, Siu, Wayne Rooney, Erik ten Hag, Wayne Rooney's, Martin Rickett, Hag, Ronaldo, Rooney, “, he’s, Manchester, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, “ I’ve, ” Organizations: CNN, Everton, Manchester United, Sky Sports, Real Madrid, Juventus, Argentine, Manchester City, Manchester United’s, Galatasaray, Champions League Locations: Manchester

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo scores impressive long-range lob on a night where he dazzled in front of goal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo has another spectacular strike to add to his collection of memorable goals after the soccer great scored a stunning 40-yard lob in the Saudi Pro League. Indeed, Ronaldo scored twice in three minutes to ease Al Nassr to a 3-0 victory over Al Okhdood on Friday. ages,” Al Nassr said on X, formerly known as Twitter, of the goal. It was Ronaldo’s 15th goal in 13 league appearances this season and the win moved Al Nassr to second in the league. The 38-year-old signed a two-and-a-half year contract estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($220.16 million) with Al Nassr and made his debut in January.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Al Okhdood, Paulo Vitor, ” Al Nassr Organizations: CNN, Saudi Pro League, Twitter, Al

“The district court clearly recognized the gravity of dismissing the case and accordingly provided a thorough analysis, amply supported by factual findings,” Judge Johnnie Rawlinson wrote in Tuesday's 6-page opinion. In dismissing the case in Nevada, Dorsey sanctioned Stovall for “bad faith,” saying he had improperly attempted to use documents that were leaked or stolen in a cyberattack to pursue Mayorga’s case. Mayorga's lawsuit claimed conspiracy, defamation, breach of contract, coercion and fraud. By the time Dorsey threw out the case, Stovall claimed Mayorga should receive for more than $25 million in damages. “The district court did not abuse its discretion when it found that a case-terminating sanction was appropriate,” the ruling said.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Kathryn Mayorga's, Jennifer Dorsey, Ronaldo, Mayorga, Leslie Mark Stovall, ”, Johnnie Rawlinson, Stovall, Al Nassr, Dorsey, Mayorga wasn’t, Der Spiegel, Cristiano, Steve Wolfson, Judge Dorsey “, Mayorga's counsel's Organizations: —, Associated Press, Spanish, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United, Saudi Arabian, Circuit, Ronaldo, Football Locations: RENO, Nev, Las Vegas, San Francisco, refiling, England, Nevada, Clark

☆ Prices for a set of Messi’s World Cup jerseys could exceed a record $10 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A set of six jerseys that he wore during last year’s World Cup, which his home country of Argentina won, are being put up for auction by Sotheby’s next week. That shirt currently holds the world record title of being the “most valuable item of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction,” according to the auction house. Bids were initially expected to range from $5 million to $7 million, perhaps signaling that Messi’s jersey prices could go higher. The online auction for Messi’s jerseys runs from November 30 to December 14 and will be displayed during that time in a free exhibition at Sotheby’s gallery in New York. His appearances sent MLS ticket prices skyrocketing and fans had trouble getting their hands on replica jerseys for several months.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Sotheby’s, Michael Jordan, Diego Maradona, ”, Brahm Wachter, Messi, Messi’s, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, Germain Organizations: New, New York CNN — Soccer, France, FC Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real, NFL, NBA, MLS, Inter Miami, Paris Saint, FIFA, Adidas Locations: New York, Argentina, Argentine, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Qatar

☆ Fact Check: Altered, miscaptioned images of Cristiano Ronaldo in pro-Palestinian video
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A video showing mostly altered photographs and miscaptioned videos of Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is being shared online alongside claims that the images reflect his support for Palestinians. A Facebook post published on Oct. 27, 2023, sharing the video compilation that lasts over one minute had more than 21,000 views at the time of publishing. The caption reads: “Cristiano Ronaldo Full support palestine.”Reuters ImageIn the first video clip of the circulating compilation, Ronaldo is framed by a poster and map overlaid on the video and he says: “We know that you have been suffering a lot. @SavetheChildren.”The compilation of the miscaptioned images then continues to show a variety of suggestive clips and images. The videos and images in the video compilation pre-date the 2023 Israel-Hamas war and many are altered or miscaptioned.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, “ Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Don’t, Jawad El Yamiq, “, Lorca, ”, Lionel Messi, Read Organizations: Ronaldo’s, Canada, Palestinian, Reuters, FIFA, TNT Sports, Lorca, Palestine, Observers, Palestinian Football Association, Thomson Locations: Portuguese, palestine, Syria, Moroccan, Madeira, Lyon, France, Budapest, Morocco, Gaza, ”, Lorca , Spain, Israel

☆ Novak Djokovic drives from tee to green in Ryder Cup All-Star match
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

1 Kipp Popert against Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and recent G4D winner Tomasso Perrino, it saw Djokovic swap racket for club – eventually. Sainz could not match the feat, the Spaniard wincing as his opening effort skewed towards the rough. That trend followed over the contest’s course, the highlight coming at the par four 16th when Djokovic boomed a laser-like drive 260 yards from tee to green. “I’m really happy they did because I wanted to go safe.”Djokovic reacts as spectators cheer his tee shot on the 16th hole during the All-Star Match on September 27. Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesAfter sailing to a 3-1 victory, Djokovic was full of praise for Poppert, who clinched his third consecutive G4D victory – and eighth overall – at the BMW PGA Championship earlier this month.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Colin Montgomerie’s, Corey Pavin’s, Marco Simone Golf, Carlos Sainz, Tomasso Perrino, Sainz, wincing, Cristiano, Siu, ” Djokovic, “ I’m, Jamie Squire, Djokovic, Poppert, –, It’s, ” Poppert, “, Novak, I’ve, ” Sainz, Brendan Moran, Sportsfile, Bale, Scotland’s Montgomerie, Gareth Bale, Andriy Shevchenko, Monty’s Garret Hilbert –, Leonardo Fioravanti, Kathryn Newton, Victor Cruz, Montgomerie, Team Monty, ” Organizations: CNN, Formula, Ryder, Marco Simone Golf Club, Ferrari, –, BMW PGA, Pavin, Europe, Tottenham Hotspur, Real, Ukrainian, Hollywood, Super Bowl, Team Locations: Rome, Serbian, Wales, Real Madrid

☆ Saudi soccer clubs to play in Iran for the first time in seven years
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Mostafa Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Iranian and Saudi soccer clubs will be facing off on a home-and-away basis for the first time since 2016, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said in a statement Monday. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is set to play Iranian giant Persepolis FC in Tehran on September 19. Riyadh severed ties with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in the Iranian capital following the execution of a Shi’ite cleric in Saudi Arabia. But both countries agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties in March after seven years of hostility, in a landmark deal mediated by China. Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sport in recent times, with teams in the Saudi Pro League – the professional men’s league in the country – signing a slew of global stars.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s, Benzema’s Al, Neymar’s Al, Hilal, It’s Organizations: CNN, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Asian Champions League, Persepolis FC, Sepahan SC, football, Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Football Federation Islamic, Saudi, Saudi Pro League Locations: Saudi, Iran, Tehran, Ittihad, Isfahan, Mazandaran, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Asia, Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Riyadh, China

☆ Neymar praises Cristiano Ronaldo for helping the Saudi Pro League grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Today, you see the league grow more and more,” the former PSG forward told Al Hilal’s social channels. Since then, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Marcelo Brozović have been among the star names to move to the Saudi Pro League. Yes, surely the league will be very competitive especially after the signings made in this summer transfer window.”Neymar joined Al Hilal from French giant PSG. Saudi Pro League/Handout/ReutersThe Brazilian forward spent six years with PSG, winning 13 major trophies along the way. Neymar will now star for Al Hilal alongside the likes of Sergej Milinković-Savić, Rúben Neves and Malcom who have also made summer moves to the club.

Persons: CNN — Neymar, Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al, Ronaldo, Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, Al Nassr, Yasser Bakhsh, Neymar, “, ”, ” Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Al Hilal, Sergej, Rúben Neves, Malcom Organizations: CNN, Saudi Pro League, Al Hilal, Paris Saint, PSG, Al, Manchester United, Reuters, League Locations: French, Paris, Al Hilal, City of, Paris –

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo scores two goals to lead Al-Nassr to first Arab Club Champions Cup title
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Al-Nassr secure the first Arab Club Champions Cup title in the club’s history. Al-Nassr had to come from a goal behind against fellow Saudi club Al-Hilal to lift the trophy, eventually winning 2-1 after a tense period of extra time. The Arab Club Champions Cup features the biggest clubs from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Iraq, and Ronaldo finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals in six games. Al-Nassr won the Arab Club Champions Cup for the first time. The 38-year-old said in June that any new signings for Saudi clubs would be “very welcome” to join him in the league.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Michael, Ronaldo’s, Nawaf Boushal, Ronaldo, Ettifaq, Yasser Bakhsh, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, Arab, Saudi, Al, United Arab, Saudi Pro League, Manchester United Locations: Hilal, Al, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Portuguese

☆ Kim Kardashian and ‘soccer obsessed’ son Saint are having time of their lives watching beautiful game on globetrotting tour
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

On that occasion, Kardashian and West witnessed Arsenal crash out of the Europa League on penalties, but they were able to meet Gunners striker Eddie Nketiah, as well as enjoying a video call with Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka. Next stop was France to watch Paris Saint-Germain lose 2-0 to Rennes, though Saint was pictured alongside French soccer icon Kylian Mbappé. Kardashian was spotted at the Emirates Stadium in March to watch Arsenal. He is obsessed with soccer, and I will do anything for my babies, so I travel the world. Kardashian’s soccer trip looks set to continue, so don’t be surprised if you see the star at another match this summer.

Persons: you’re Kim Kardashian, Saint, –, Kardashian, Eddie Nketiah, Germain, Mbappé, Charlotte Wilson, Lionel Messi’s, Cruz Azul, “, Messi, He’s, ” Kardashian, Lionel Messi, Mike Ehrmann, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, Ronaldo, Neymar, don’t Organizations: CNN, Arsenal’s Europa League, Sporting Clube de Portugal, West, Arsenal, Europa League, Gunners, England, Paris Saint, Emirates, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, Apple, Inter Miami, PSG, Saint Locations: Saint West, London, France, Rennes, Florida, Osaka, Japan

☆ Opinion: Messi mania meets USWNT three-peat fever
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Opinion Amy Bass | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

On the other side of the world in Auckland, the USWNT took down World Cup newcomer Vietnam 3-0. It was nonsense to worry about what to watch or whether Messi would upstage the women. MLS chief Don Garber, for one, says he’s not worried about the impact Saudi money could have on the ability of the MLS to expand into markets outside the US, especially as it failed to win Messi. Friday may have been the first time in his life that Messi was someone else’s opening act. The USWNT did what was expected, beating a lesser team in Vietnam, but they also have a lot of work in front of them.

Persons: Amy Bass, Read, Lionel Messi, Amy Bass Rodney Bedsole, Cruz Azul, Messi, Pelé, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, LIV, Don Garber, he’s, Messi subbed, ” Garber, “, ”, Inter Miami’s, King ” LeBron James, Sophia Smith, —, Trinity Rodman, Rodman, Tran Thi, Alex Morgan, Tran Thị Kim Thanh, Captain Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, David, anyone’s, Brenda Elsey, England, Sam Kerr Organizations: Manhattanville College, CNN, Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, US, National, Cruz, Leagues, Vietnam, National American Soccer League’s New York Cosmos, Inter Miami, Messi, LA Galaxy, MLS, Saudi Pro, Major League Soccer, Inter, Trinity, Colombian, Twitter, Facebook, Canada, Haiti Locations: Florida, New Zealand, Fort Lauderdale, Auckland, American, Miami, Inter Miami, Vietnam, Haiti, Philippines, Zambia, Germany, Morocco, Qatar, Nigeria

☆ 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

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo scores last-minute winner on record-breaking 200th appearance for Portugal
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo scored a last-gasp winner against Iceland on the night he became the first men’s player in history to reach 200 international appearances. The 38-year-old, who made his debut for Portugal in 2003, received a Guinness World Record certificate to mark the occasion prior to kick off. “Also to the Portugal national team, the federation. Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr after the World Cup. It was the first time Brazil had conceded four or more goals in a match since that fateful 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, ” Ronaldo, “, ”, Willumsson, Ronaldo, Gonçalo Inácio, Al Nassr, Yasser Bakhsh, Luis Diaz’s, Juan Cuadrado’s, Hansi Flick, ‘ Flick, Sadio Mané, Habib Diallo’s, Marquinhos, Lucas Paquetá, Germain Organizations: CNN, Portugal, Iceland, Records, Portugal national team, Manchester United, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Bayern, Senegal, Paris Saint Locations: Iceland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Colombia, Senegal, Poland, Bayern Munich, Senegal’s, Brazil, Lisbon, Paris

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo ‘happy’ in Saudi Arabia, wants other players to join him
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Cristiano Ronaldo concedes he did not expect to finish the season empty-handed at Al Nassr but the Portuguese forward says he is happy in Saudi Arabia and hopes other big-name players will follow him to the league for the next campaign. Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half year contract estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($220.16 million) with Al Nassr, making his debut in January. Ronaldo scored 14 goals during his first season with Al Nassr. AFP/Getty ImagesSince Ronaldo’s arrival, several other top players have been linked with a move to the Saudi league, with Lionel Messi receiving a formal offer to join Al-Hilal next season. “If they are coming, big players and big names, young players, ‘old players’, they are very welcome,” said Ronaldo.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Ahmed Yosri, ” Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, ”, “ Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Al, Manchester United, Juventus, Real, Getty, Saudi Locations: Portuguese, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Real Madrid, “, AFP, Hilal, Al Ittihad

☆ Saudi Soccer League Creates Huge Fund to Sign Global Stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Tariq Panja | Ahmed Al Omran | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deals involved were private. League officials also did not respond to requests for comment about the plans. The project comes on the heels of a surprisingly strong performance by Saudi Arabia at last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar. The team’s run included a stunning victory over the eventual champion, Argentina, which stoked pride on the Saudi streets and in the halls of power in Riyadh. The project’s goal is not so much to make the Saudi league an equal of century-old competitions like England’s Premier League or other top European competitions, but to increase Saudi influence in the sport, and perhaps boost its profile as it bids for the 2030 World Cup.

Persons: Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Garry Cook, Cook Organizations: Saudi, Real Madrid, British, Nike, Manchester City, United Arab Emirates, League, England’s Premier League Locations: Argentina, French, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Saudi, Riyadh

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Lionel Messi will play his last game for the club on Saturday, coach Christophe Galtier told reporters on Thursday. Messi’s current contract runs out in June and there has been much speculation about where he will be playing his football next season. It had been expected that Messi would leave the Parisian side and Galtier confirmed as much ahead of the team’s last game of the season against Clermont Foot. This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes,” Galtier confirmed. Messi, 35, led Argentina to a World Cup title in Qatar and won the Ligue 1 title with PSG this season for a second year running.

Persons: Germain, Lionel Messi, Christophe Galtier, Messi, Galtier, Clermont Foot, “, ” Galtier, Gaultier, “ He’s, It’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, PSG, Clermont, Parc des Princes, Ligue, Messi Locations: Parc des, Argentina, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Europe’s

☆ Lionel Messi: What next for arguably the greatest player in history?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —After helping Paris Saint-Germain win its 11th Ligue 1 title at the weekend, Lionel Messi has some thinking to do. While Messi struggled with injury during his first season in Paris, he still managed to show flashes of his brilliance. Earlier this year, Messi’s long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi club Al Nassr for an eye-watering sum of money, perhaps paving the way for other superstars to follow suit. “I think money is always a factor in human decision making,” Mora y Araujo said, amid reports Saudi club Al Hilal was targeting Messi’s signature. Despite an array of world class talent, PSG has failed to win the Champions League with Messi.

☆ Lionel Messi breaks a Cristiano Ronaldo record as PSG wins Ligue 1 title
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —There was another landmark in the long rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday. As Paris Saint-Germain sealed an 11th Ligue 1 title, Messi scored his 496th goal in Europe’s top five leagues, surpassing Ronaldo’s previous record of 495 goals. Kevin Gameiro equalized for Strasbourg twenty minutes later, but PSG still coasted to the league title despite the match ended in a draw. It was a record-breaking day for PSG as well as Messi, as the club overtook Saint-Etienne’s haul of 10 Ligue 1 trophies to claim the outright record. Messi scored PSG's only goal of the night.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Sajdah’ goal celebration goes viral
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

His gesture went viral on social media, spurring a whirlpool of comments from fans across the region. “Cristiano Ronaldo’s joy with the third goal and his prostration to God in thankfulness,” tweeted Ali Alabdallah, a Saudi sports correspondent, to his 411,000 followers. Portuguese star player Cristiano Ronaldo takes a low bow after scoring a goal during the match between Al Nassr and Al-Shabab on May 23. The movement, which includes a bow to the ground and touching the grass with one’s forehead, is a celebratory gesture performed mostly by Muslim footballers. Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr last year.

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