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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-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

☆ Africa Cup of Nations: After making disastrous start, host Ivory Coast is on a roll under interim coach and win over Senegal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“We had a difficult start, conceding an early goal, but I told the players at half-time to keep playing the same way, not get confused,” Ivory Coast interim coach Emerse Fae told reporters after the match. “There was a lot of pressure before the match, and match day was too long for me,” he said. Former Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset was remarkably sacked during the tournament after that 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, as the team stood on the brink of an early elimination on home soil. “We must not stop here; we must continue working, maintain this morale, and keep playing match by match,” the coach asserted. Ivory Coast will now play either Mali or Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals.

Persons: Charles Konan, “, Emerse Fae, Fae, ”, Habib Diallo, Pierre Atcho, Edouard Mendy, Kenzo Tribouillard, Atcho, Franck Kessié, Senegal’s Moussa Niakhaté, Kessié, Jean, Louis Gasset, Morocco’s Organizations: CNN, Africa, of Nations, Ivory, Elephants, Senegal, Arsenal, Pepe, AFCON, Former Ivory Coast Locations: Senegal, Ivory, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, AFP, Zambia, Mali, Burkina Faso

☆ Jürgen Klopp to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Ben Church | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has announced that he will step down from his position at the end of the current season. Since taking over in 2015, the German has overseen one of the most successful eras in the club’s history, notably winning a Champions League title and Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years. Video Ad Feedback Jurgen Klopp's influence on Liverpool FC 02:05 - Source: CNNUnder Klopp, Liverpool transformed back into a powerhouse of English and European soccer. Under his guidance, the team won the Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup, as well as the FA Community Shield. Chief among them is perhaps the stunning comeback against Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League in 2019.

Persons: Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool’s, “, ” Klopp, ”, Pepijn Lijnders, Peter Krawietz, Vitor Matos, Jurgen Klopp's, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio, Klopp Organizations: CNN, Liverpool, League, ” Liverpool, Liverpool FC, Klopp, Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA, FA, Tottenham, Reds, Barcelona, Chelsea Locations: Liverpool

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

Messi's Inter Miami will travel to Saudi Arabia in February to take part in the Riyadh Season Cup, which also includes Ronaldo's Al Nassr. Saudi Arabia has made a major push to be a big player in world soccer by signing some of the game's biggest players. Political Cartoons View All 1260 ImagesMessi took part in last season's Riyadh Season Cup with PSG and also came up against Ronaldo after the Portugal great's surprise move to Al Nassr. In May, Messi was fined and suspended by the French club for taking an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. The Riyadh Season Cup is scheduled to be held in the first week of February at Kingdom Arena.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Neymar's Al, ”, Turki Alalshikh, Messi, Germain, Ballon, David Beckham, Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, Chris Henderson, Henderson, “, ” Henderson, Tim Reynolds, ___ James Robson Organizations: Messi's Inter Miami, Brazil, Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Paris Saint, MLS, PSG, Ronaldo, Miami, Leagues, Real, Copa America, Inter Miami, U.S, Inter Miami didn’t Locations: MANCHESTER, England, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Hilal, Paris, Portugal, Argentina, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Saudi, Al, China, Miami

☆ Newcastle get green light to loan players from Saudi Pro League - media
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Newcastle United will be allowed to loan players from sides controlled by their Saudi owners in the January transfer window after a vote on a temporary ban on related-party loans did not get enough support from Premier League clubs, British media reported on Tuesday. Thirteen Premier League clubs voted in favour of the temporary ban on loan moves between teams under the same ownership at a shareholders' meeting on Tuesday, the BBC reported, falling one vote short of the number needed for it to be introduced. The vote means that Newcastle, who in October 2021 were acquired by a group led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), will be permitted to loan players from other clubs also owned by the fund. PIF owns majority stakes in the Pro League's "big four" clubs -- Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal -- who signed players including Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Ruben Neves and Neymar in the last transfer window. Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: PIF, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Ruben Neves, Neymar, Anita Kobylinska, Toby Davis Organizations: Newcastle United, Premier League, BBC, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Thomson Locations: Newcastle, Ittihad, Al, Ahli, Hilal, Gdansk

☆ Ronaldo double keeps Al-Nassr perfect in Asian Champions League
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ismaeel Mohammad and Almoez Ali pulled Al Duhail back into contention before Ronaldo's 81st-minute volley restored their two-goal cushion, only for Michael Olunga to hit Al Duhail's third with five minutes remaining to ensure a tense finish. The win moves Al-Nassr three points clear of Iran's Persepolis, who saw Alireza Beiranvand make a seventh-minute penalty save from Senin Sebai before winning 2-0 in Tehran against FC Istiklol of Tajikistan. Saeid Sadeghi scored twice to earn the home side their second win in three games and go five points clear of Al Duhail and Istiklol, who have a solitary point each. The win takes Al-Ain to nine points from three games, six points clear of Al-Fayha, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and Ahal. Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Anderson, Sadio Mane, Ronaldo, Ismaeel Mohammad, Almoez Ali, Al Duhail, Michael Olunga, Al Duhail's, Alireza, Senin, Saeid Sadeghi, Alfred Schreuder's, Soufiane Rahimi, Nawaf Al Harthi, Kouaido, Kaku, Erik, Al Harthi, Rahimi, Pakhtakor, Azizbek Turgunboyev, Hojimat Erkinov, Michael Church, Clare Fallon Organizations: Asian Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Senin Sebai, FC Istiklol, Saudi, United Arab, Al, Azizbek, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Al Duhail, Qatar, Persepolis, Tehran, Tajikistan, Ain, Paraguayan, United Arab Emirates, Al, Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tashkent

☆ Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into soccer, golf, and Formula 1. Its crown prince doesn't care if anyone calls it 'sportswashing.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into sports in a bid to transform its economy. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made the sector a key part of his Vision 2030 plan. But the reality is that the crown prince has a grander ambition: to level up Saudi Arabia's economic growth. "But Saudi Arabia is piling into other sports too, because they want to achieve a lot in a short period of time." AdvertisementAdvertisementAs Crown Prince Mohammed made clear last week, all this forms part of a broader strategy to supercharge Saudi Arabia's economy through investment.

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman, bankrolled, —, Cristiano Ronaldo, Phil Mickelson, Anthony Joshua, –, Jamal Khashoggi, they've, Steve Luciano, AP Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Neymar, Sadio, PIF, LIV Golf, Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, LIV, Joshua, that's, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Frank Warren, Prince Mohammed, Mohammed bin Salman, Leon Neal, Simon Chadwick, Chadwick, megastars, Ronaldo –, Salman, bin Salman, Saudi Arabia –, St Andrews, Nick Kyrgios, who've, Elsa, he'd, they'll Organizations: Newcastle United, Service, Washington Post, Saudi, Investment Fund, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle, AP, Saudi Pro League, Georgetown University Qatar, PGA, WWE, Fox News, SKEMA Business School, Indian Premier League, FIFA Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, England, Riyadh, Brazil, Liverpool, Kingdom, Jeddah, Lille, France, Reiche, Iran, Miami, Augusta, bankroll

☆ Saudi soccer league says big-money player purchases are only the first step in a long-term strategy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The big-spending Saudi Pro League is aiming to build its global broadcasting presence and become one of the top 10 soccer leagues in the world, its chief operating officer, Carlo Nohra, told CNBC on Thursday. The league dominated the sports headlines over the summer as Saudi clubs cumulatively spent more than $1 billion in transfer fees and attracted some of the biggest names from Europe's top leagues with mammoth contract offers. Speaking to CNBC at the APOS conference in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday, Nohra said that Saudi Arabia's strategy is "extremely long term," but that the acquisition of players was the first step. watch nowThe kingdom's massive investment in sport is part of a broader effort to diversify its economy away from oil by investing in commercial infrastructure to become a tourism, leisure and entertainment powerhouse. Nohra explained that the objectives handed down to the Saudi Pro League's bosses were to firstly improve on-pitch performance through the acquisition of world-class players, to fill the country's stadia and ultimately to drive the commercialization of the vastly improved overall product.

Persons: Carlo Nohra, cumulatively, Neymar, Sadio Mane, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nohra, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Organizations: Saudi Pro League, CNBC, English Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Serie, Ligue, Saudi, Fox News, Saudi Pro Locations: Saudi, Bali , Indonesia

☆ Ashleigh Plumptre signs for Saudi Arabian team Al-Ittihad Ladies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Nigeria international Ashleigh Plumptre is set to join the Saudi Women’s Premier League after signing for Al-Ittihad. The 25-year-old defender, who previously spent three years with English team Leicester City, joins the Saudi league in its second season having just represented Nigeria at the Women’s World Cup. Plumptre vies for the ball with England's Alessia Russo at the Women's World Cup. The eight-team Saudi Women’s Premier League is about to embark on its second season, just five years after women first attended games in the Kingdom. Plumptre previously represented England at youth international level before switching allegiances to Nigeria, for whom she has made 15 appearances, including four at the recent Women’s World Cup.

Persons: Ashleigh Plumptre, Al, ” Plumptre, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr, Sadio Mané, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, Plumptre vies, England's Alessia Russo, Mick O'Shea, Sportsfile, Plumptre, ”, it’s Organizations: CNN — Nigeria, Saudi Women’s Premier League, Al, Leicester City, Saudi, Saudi Pro League, “ Locations: Ittihad, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kingdom, England, Al

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo says his long-standing ‘rivalry’ with Lionel Messi is over
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | Vasco Cotovio | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? But according to Ronaldo himself, the “rivalry” between the pair has disappeared since they swapped European clubs for pastures new – Ronaldo moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Messi to Inter Miami in the US. Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi. Ronaldo and Messi spent the height of their careers playing in Spain for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, which helped to heighten the rivalry between the players – and their fans. Messi also added 10 LaLiga titles and Ronaldo won two.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo don’t, Messi, They’re, Blancos, Ballon, – Ronaldo, “, ” Ronaldo, I’ve, ” Messi, Tim Nwachukwu, ”, “ It’s, Ahmed Yosri, Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, Messi, Inter Miami, Portugal, Real Madrid, League, Spanish, MLS, Saudi Pro League, Reuters, “ Locations: Al, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Barcelona

☆ 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

☆ Portugal's Otavio moves to Saudi club Al-Nassr
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Portugal midfielder Otavio has joined Al-Nassr from Portuguese side Porto, the Saudi Pro League club said on Tuesday. Huge Welcome to The Best Player in Liga Portugal," Al-Nassr posted on messaging platform X, previously known as Twitter. Otavio joins an Al-Nassr squad that also includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles and Seko Fofana. Luis Castro's team have made a poor start to the Pro League season, losing both their opening matches. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has announced a Sports Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project involving league champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.

Persons: Otavio, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Fofana, Luis Castro's, PIF, Shady Amir, Toby Davis Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Porto, Portuguese, Liga Portugal, Pro League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Clubs Investment, Al, Shady, Thomson Locations: Portugal, Porto, Ittihad, Al, Ahli, Hilal

☆ 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 –

☆ Neymar: Paris Saint-Germain agrees deal with Al-Hilal to sell Brazil forward, according to reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain has agreed to a deal with Saudi club Al-Hilal to sell forward Neymar Jr. for a fee of around €90 million ($98.5M) plus add-ons, according to multiple reports. Ekhbariya, a state-owned television company in Saudi Arabia, posted on social media on Monday: “Al-Hilal club officially agrees with Brazilian star Neymar in a record transfer deal from Paris Saint-Germain. When contacted by CNN, a spokesperson for PSG said the club had “no information to give currently.” CNN has also reached out to Al-Hilal. In six years in the French capital, Neymar has helped PSG win 13 major trophies, including five league titles and three French Cups. Now, Neymar looks to set to join a fast-growing list of star names moving to the Saudi Pro League.

Persons: Germain, Neymar, “ Al, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Messi, Mbappé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, Saudi, Al, Sky Sports, PSG, Champions League, European, Bayern Munich, League, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Saudi Pro League, Portugal, Manchester United Locations: Hilal, €, Saudi Arabia, Paris, Brazilian, Al, Barcelona, Europe

☆ 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

☆ Ronaldo wins first title at Al-Nassr with brace in Arab Club Champions Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 12 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo guided 10-man Al-Nassr to their first ever Arab Club Champions Cup title after scoring twice in a 2-1 extra-time win over fellow Saudi side Al-Hilal on Saturday. The tournament is played by top Arab clubs in the region and included teams from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. The star-studded Al-Nassr side had many chances to score in the first half with close season signings Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic all denied by goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais. To rub salt into their wounds, the 27-year-old even produced the Ronaldo goal celebration as he ran to the corner flag and leapt into the air. Ronaldo then doubled the lead in the first half of extra time when he pounced on a rebound off the crossbar and headed home with the goalkeeper off his line.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozovic, Mohammed Alowais, Hilal's Malcom, Michael, Sultan, Ghannam, Abdulelah Al, Amri, Nawaf Boushal, Angelica Medina, Rohith Nair Organizations: Saudi, Saturday, Saudi Pro League, United Arab, King Fahd Sports City, Portugal, Al, Thomson Locations: Al, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Sultan Al, Mexico City, Bengaluru

☆ 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

☆ DAZN to stream Saudi Pro League matches in six countries including UK, Germany
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File PhotoAug 9 (Reuters) - DAZN has secured the rights to stream Saudi Pro League matches for a two-year period in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Canada, the sports video service said on Wednesday. As part of the deal, DAZN will stream three Saudi league matches per week. Since the capture of Portugal forward Ronaldo, the Saudi league has grown in stature by signing top players from Europe, including Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema who left Real Madrid to join champions Al-Ittihad. "The RSL (Roshn Saudi League) is rapidly developing into an international phenomenon, attracting some incredible talent that will only improve an already strong and vibrant competition," Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO, said in a statement. The new season kicks off on Friday with Al-Ahli -- who have signed Champions League winners like Riyad Mahrez, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino -- taking on Al-Hazm.

Persons: Kim Kyung, DAZN, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Shay Segev, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: REUTERS, Saudi Pro League, Saudi, Al, Bayern Munich, Real, DAZN, RSL, League, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Portugal, Europe, Real Madrid, Ittihad, Saudi League, Ahli, Bengaluru

☆ Senegal's Mane joins Saudi side Al-Nassr from Bayern
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 1 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich's Senegal forward Sadio Mane has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr after one season with the Bundesliga champions, both clubs said on Tuesday. Mane has signed a four-year contract, Al-Nassr added on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Mane moved to Bayern last year with high hopes after netting 120 goals in 269 games for Liverpool where he won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup. "We want to thank Sadio Mane for the past season," Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen told the club website. Mane joins an Al Nassr outfit who have strengthened their squad since the marquee signing of Cristiano Ronaldo last term.

Persons: Sadio Mane, Mane, Nassr, Leroy Sane, Jan, Christian Dreesen, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Seko, Alex Telles, Ahmed Musa, Rohith Nair, Anita Kobylinska, Osama Khairy, Ken Ferris Organizations: Bayern Munich's, Saudi Pro League, Al, Bundesliga, Twitter, Bayern, Liverpool, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Africa, Nations, FC Bayern, Inter Milan, Manchester United, FIFA, Leicester City, Thomson Locations: Bayern Munich's Senegal, Merseyside, Senegal, Lens, Leicester, Bengaluru, Gdansk, Cairo

☆ 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

☆ 'I will cry 100%': Firmino braces for emotional Anfield farewell
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 20 (Reuters) - Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino expects his final game at Anfield to be an emotional affair and the Brazilian said he is bracing for a flood of tears as he prepares to leave the Premier League club after eight trophy-laden years. Firmino, who has scored 109 goals since his move from Hoffenheim in 2015, has won every major trophy with Liverpool including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. "I am trying to focus on the game, but after it I will cry 100%," Firmino told reporters ahead of Saturday's game against Aston Villa, Liverpool's last home game of the season. "I will miss everything -- my teammates, the club, the fans, especially the fans. At his peak, Firmino was the fulcrum in Liverpool's three-pronged attack, forming a devastating partnership with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

☆ Bayern Munich suffer shock 3-1 loss at Mainz to leave title race open
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MAINZ, Germany, April 22 (Reuters) - League leaders Bayern Munich slumped to a 3-1 loss at Mainz 05 on Saturday, conceding all three goals in a span of 14 minutes in their latest slip-up which could prove costly in the race for the Bundesliga title with five games remaining. Bayern, chasing an 11th straight league crown, are on 59 points and second-placed Borussia Dortmund, on 57, can take over the lead with a win over Eintracht Frankfurt later on Saturday. "Too much has happened to this team and it struggles to bounce back when things don't go its way. We struggle to win matches. They now also risk missing out on the Bundesliga title after suffering a third defeat under Tuchel in seven matches.

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