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☆ David Beckham: Filmmaker Fisher Stevens explains how ‘Succession’ and Leonardo DiCaprio helped land him Netflix documentary series
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Don Riddell | Glen Levy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —At first glance, the American actor and filmmaker Fisher Stevens wasn’t the obvious choice to helm the four-part Netflix documentary series about English soccer great David Beckham. “When they first called me, my response was …’why me for David Beckham?’” the 59-year-old said to CNN Sport’s Don Riddell. “I said, ‘Hey, I have a call with David Beckham, but I’m not sure,’” Fisher fondly recalled. I say what’s really strong, their relationship is really strong and if you can work with your wife and it works, God bless, man,” he said. But that’s why he’s also such a good guy, because he’s worried about you too.”A second series?

Persons: Fisher Stevens, David Beckham, Stevens, ’, CNN Sport’s Don Riddell, “, ”, Beckham, Alex Ferguson, Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi, ” Adams, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Becks ’, Jesse Armstrong, HBO’s, Tony Roche, Hugo, Oscar, Leonardo DiCaprio, DiCaprio, ‘, I’m, ’ ” Fisher, Logan Roy, ” Brand Beckham, David, he’s, “ Beckham, Ted, Ferguson, Scot, Megan Briggs, Victoria, ‘ David we’ll, ‘ David, that’s, Joseph West, ” Stevens Organizations: CNN, Netflix, Manchester United, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Argentina, Spice, HBO, Warner Bros, United, Real Madrid, Variety, Qatar, Jewish Locations: American, England, Spain, America, Italy, France, United States, “, Victoria

Even, as it turns out, his Inter Miami teammates. He was the captain for Inter Miami to start this season. He’s making somewhere between $50 million and $60 million per season with Inter Miami, and the revenue streams are making that possible. “And then I will come back again, preseason, start from scratch and prepare for the best possible outcomes as always.”Everything is different for Inter Miami now. It was a ride like none other for Inter Miami this season, and the club knows 2024 will be another whirlwind.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Messi, ” Yedlin, He’s, —, Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland, “, Ballon d’Or, ”, Guardiola, Germain, Jordi Alba, They’re, “ I’ll, ” Messi, — Messi, Alba, Sergio Busquets —, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, ” Martino, — Luis Suarez, “ I’ve, I’ve, Drake Callender Organizations: Inter Miami, Premier League, U.S, Major League Soccer, Manchester City, Messi, Barcelona, Paris Saint, MLS, Leagues, Inter, Apple, CONCACAF, ”, Argentina, ” Inter Miami Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Florida, Paris, Miami, China, Argentina, Uruguayan, North America

☆ Bobby Charlton: English soccer in mourning as tributes paid to country’s ‘greatest’ player
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Emotions ran high in England over the weekend after it was announced that Bobby Charlton, widely regarded as the country’s greatest soccer player, had died on Saturday at the age of 86. “A little bit of England has died,” said The Sunday Times of the man who played a starring role in England’s 1966 World Cup win. Flowers are placed in memory of Bobby Charlton beside the "United Trinity" statue at Old Trafford. On X, formerly known as Twitter, Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, said: “Sir Bobby Charlton. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesEngland won the 1966 World Cup final with a 4-2 win against West Germany at Wembley Stadium, where Geoff Hurst scored a hat trick.

Persons: Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, Prince William, ”, Sir Bobby, George Best, Denis Law, Beckham, Charlton, United, ” Beckham, Robert, Beckham’s, Ted, Barrington Coombs, Pelé, Bobby Moore, Garrincha, Franz Beckenbauer, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby, Jon Super, Gianni Infantino, Gary Lineker, Geoff Hurst, Hurst, ” Hurst, “, Jack Organizations: CNN, Manchester United, Sunday Times, Charlton, English Football Association, United Trinity, England, Trinity, Ballon, United, FA, European, Champions League, Football Association, First, Getty, FIFA, Benfica, Keystone, Hulton, West Germany, Wembley, Premier League, Observer, West Locations: England, Manchester, United Kingdom, Old Trafford, United, AFP, Barcelona, West Germany

☆ Lionel Messi’s final game of the season for Inter Miami ends in defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After a fairy tale start to his Inter Miami career, Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer (MLS) season ended in a 1-0 defeat on the road to Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday. “When we arrived, we had two competitions in which we had the potential to compete well: the Leagues Cup and the U.S. Open Cup. David Jensen/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images“Out of the three tournaments, one was won by Inter Miami. The Argentine captained Miami and played the entire match. Miami ends the season 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference, finishing with 34 points, while Messi concludes his campaign having scored 11 goals in 14 games in his debut season.

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Kerwin Vargas ’, ”, Gerardo Martino, Lionel Messi, David Jensen, Messi, Ballon, Kristijan Kahlina Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer, Charlotte FC, Bank of America, Miami, Charlotte, Leagues, Messi, U.S, MLS, Argentine, Eastern Conference Locations: Miami

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Lionel Messi is in the starting lineup for Inter Miami in its MLS season finale against FC Charlotte. He was in the Inter Miami bench area with his teammates for the match after returning from Peru earlier in the day. It’ll be the first time Inter Miami goes on a foreign tour. Messi has 11 goals in 13 matches with Inter Miami this season. He was able to play as a reserve on Oct. 7 against Cincinnati, but Inter Miami lost 1-0 in the outcome that sealed its playoff elimination.

Persons: CHARLOTTE, — Lionel Messi, Messi, Charlotte, Ballon, It’ll, ___ Organizations: Inter Miami, MLS, FC Charlotte, Miami, Eastern Conference, Argentina, Peru, Inter, Leagues, Cincinnati Locations: N.C, Charlotte, Inter Miami, Peru, China, Argentina

☆ Even Lionel Messi Couldn’t Save a Doomed American Season
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The first season of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi project was all going to plan. The greatest player of his generation ws banging in goals, driving subscriptions to Major League Soccer matches on Apple TV and selling out stadiums wherever he went. Messi seemed happy and engaged. He even looked good in Miami’s flamingo-pink kit. It turns out that adding a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner midway through the season wasn’t quite enough to turn around what had been one of the worst teams in MLS before Messi’s arrival.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Ballon Organizations: Inter, Major League Soccer, Apple, Miami, MLS

☆ Lionel Messi: ‘The Messi Experience’ offers fans interactive way of stepping into Argentine’s boots
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —If you’ve ever wanted to briefly step into Lionel Messi’s boots for a day, ‘The Messi Experience’ might be the closest you will get. Kicking off a world tour in Miami in April 2024, the “immersive adventure” will offer fans a brand-new perspective on the Argentine’s legendary career. Brad Penner/USA Today Network/ReutersMessi signed for MLS side Inter Miami in July after his contract expired at Paris Saint-Germain, reportedly turning down more lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia. Messi is currently the MLS’ highest-paid player with more than $20 million guaranteed, the MLS Players Association announced. In July, Inter Miami part-owner Jorge Mas told Spanish publication El Pais in an interview that Messi would earn between $50 and $60 million per year.

Persons: you’ve, Lionel Messi’s, ‘, Messi, ’, “, ” Messi, MLS Messi, Brad Penner, Reuters Messi, Germain, Ballon d’Or, Jorge Mas, Mas, El Organizations: CNN, Primo Entertainment, MLS, USA, Network, Reuters, Inter Miami, Paris Saint, League, La Liga, Barcelona, MLS Players Association, Argentine, Messi, El Pais, Apple TV, Adidas, Apple Locations: Miami, Paris, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Qatar, Spanish, El Pais

☆ Karim Benzema: French Interior Minister makes baseless claim about soccer star
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Ben Morse | Claudia Colliva | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Speaking to French outlet CNews on Monday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Benzema of having connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group which France considers a terrorist organization. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood is a religious and political group founded on the belief that Islam is not simply a religion, but a way of life. The Muslim Brotherhood officially rejects the use of violent means to secure its goals. There is no evidence that the Muslim Brotherhood has any connection to Hamas’ attack on Israel.

Persons: CNN —, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Gérald Darmanin, Benzema, Darmanin, I’ve, ’, Gilles Kepel, ”, Sarah Meyssonnier, ” Benzema, “, Benzema’s Organizations: CNN, French, Muslim, French Interior Ministry, UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid, Saudi Pro League, Al, France’s men’s, Palestinian Health Ministry, Reuters, Twitter, Muslim Brotherhood Locations: Israel, France, Ittihad, Gaza, Paris, Palestinian

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi says he will play in Inter Miami's season finale on Saturday, although the club hasn't confirmed that is the actual plan. Inter Miami says Messi's contract, a 2 1/2-year deal that runs through the 2025 season, is worth about $150 million. Messi is also expected to play in Inter Miami’s colors in early November, when the team plays two exhibition matches in China. But a leg injury derailed his season, and essentially ended Inter Miami’s chances of making the postseason. He was able to play as a reserve on Oct. 7 against Cincinnati, but Inter Miami lost 1-0 in the outcome that sealed its playoff elimination.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, hasn't, Messi —, Messi, ” Messi, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Charlotte, Ballon, It’ll, Ronald Blum, ___ Organizations: Inter, Argentina, Peru, Inter Miami's, Major League Soccer, Charlotte, Wednesday, Inter Miami, MLS, Charlotte Observer, Association, Orlando City, World, Leagues, U.S, Miami, Cincinnati, AP Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Inter Miami, Peru, Miami, Argentina, Paris, China, New York

☆ Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s teenage star is ‘touched by the wand of God’
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Now, after a record-breaking year, almost everyone in world soccer is aware of Lamine Yamal. In April, at 15 years and 290 days, he became the youngest player to appear in a competitive fixture for the Blaugrana. When his star started to shine, questions were asked about which national team he would choose to represent. Unhelpful comparisonsDealing with such praise and adulation could be tricky for Yamal as he navigates the world of professional soccer. Yamal joined the Barcelona youth ranks at the age of seven, according to FIFA.

Persons: It’s, Yamal, Felipe Mondino, Luis de la Fuente, “, De la Fuente, ”, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Barcelona’s, Fati, David Ramos, Pedri, Xavi, ” Xavi, Messi, Ballon Organizations: CNN, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa, Spanish national, Georgia, La Liga, Granada, Barcelona, Spanish, Premier League, Brighton, FIFA, ESPN Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Moroccan, Equatorial Guinea, Nou

☆ Liberia: Citizens vote in crucial polls amid flaring tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

‘Correcting a mistake’Boakai told CNN that his young supporters are now desperate for change. Weah’s campaign manager told CNN no Liberian law prevents them from running from office, adding that the government was awaiting evidence from US to enable prosecutions. A unique electionOscar Bloh, head of ECC, Liberia’s largest election observation group, told CNN this election is different from previous polls in the country. A spokesman for the electoral commission, Henry Flomo, told CNN, “Everything is in schedule,” as dictated by law. “It’s unlikely that any of the candidates will win outright during the first round,” he told CNN.

Persons: CNN —, George Weah, Weah, Joseph Boakai, Seif Magango, Ballon, Boakai, ’ Boakai, ’ ”, ” Boakai, Ahmed Jallanzo, Liberians, ”, Joel Cholo Brooks, Shutterstock, ” Weah, Samuel Tweah, –, they’ve, Eugene Nagbe, ” “, Nagbe, “, Brooks, Nathaniel McGill, ” McGill, Sayma Syrenius, Bill Twehway, Twehway, I’m, ” Nagbe, Oscar Bloh, Bloh, Henry Flomo, ” Flomo Organizations: CNN, UN, Bank, Coalition for Democratic, Unity Party, Facebook, UN Human Rights, Boakai, Soul Clinic, Global News Network Liberia, Coalition, Democratic, FIFA, Liberian, Liberia Anti, Corruption, Washington, Port Authority, US Treasury Department, McGill, Weah’s CDC, Transparency International, TI Locations: Liberia, Monrovia, Pipeline, “, Qatar, American, United States

The retiring star was honored by club team OL Reign on Friday night in front of a National Women's Soccer League record crowd of 34,130 fans, many of whom wore pink wigs in her honor. Rapinoe had already played her final match with the U.S. national team last month in Chicago, but Friday marked her final regular-season home game for the Reign. The 38-year-old Rapinoe has played in 114 regular-season games for the Reign and scored 49 goals. “And she's really embraced her role with her full authentic self.”Rapinoe is also known for her social justice activism. She led the national team's long fight for equal pay with the men’s national team, which started with an EEOC complaint in 2016.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, “, ”, Sue Bird, Rapinoe, Lumen, Lauren Barnes, Abby Wambach, Ken Griffey Jr, Magic Johnson, Billie Jean King, isn't, —, Ballon, Jessica Berman, ” Berman, Colin Kaepernick Organizations: SEATTLE, Women's Soccer League, Washington, U.S ., Chicago Red Stars, Orlando Pride, FIFA, men’s, U.S, Soccer, NFL Locations: Chicago, Australia, New Zealand, France, Netherlands, U.S

MADRID (AP) — Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and two of her teammates in Spain’s women’s national team appeared before a judge Monday as witnesses in the investigation of former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales for his kiss on a player. Putellas, Irene Paredes and Misa Rodríguez all answered questions from the judge in Madrid. Rubiales eventually resigned and the players ended their boycott of the national team after being given some guarantees of change within the federation. According to a sexual consent law passed last year, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty of sexual assault. The new law eliminated the difference between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” sanctioning any unconsented sexual act.

Persons: Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas, Luis Rubiales, Putellas, Irene Paredes, Misa Rodríguez, Rodríguez, Paredes, Jenni Hermoso, Jorge Vilda, Vilda, Hermoso, Rubiales, ___ Organizations: MADRID, Spain’s Locations: Madrid, Spanish, Putellas, Barcelona, Australia

☆ Megan Rapinoe to leave behind a remarkable legacy after final US game
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Rapinoe won the Women's World Cup twice, most recently in 2019. She continued to do so for the US national team, a symbol not appreciated by everyone in the country. But, despite all the success that went before, her World Cup dreams ended in a penalty shootout heartbreak. There was to be no perfect ending for Rapinoe as the US was dumped out of the 2023 Women's World Cup last-16. A smile of disbelief masked the pain as she trudged off the pitch, never to play in a World Cup again.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, she’s, ” Rapinoe, Féminin, Rapinoe, Richard Heathcote, Bill Simmons, Colin Kaepernick, Donald Trump, she’d, Joe Biden, “, Biden, Emma Lazarus, ‘, ’ ” Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, ”, “ We’ve, I’m, Alex Pantling, ’, Kelley O’Hara, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, US, National, South, London Olympics, Getty, France, Seattle, NFL, White House, Reuters, US Soccer, men’s, FIFA, Fox Sports Locations: California, South Africa, Chicago, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden

☆ US Women’s National Team victorious in Megan Rapinoe’s final match
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —International soccer star Megan Rapinoe will leave her national team career a winner. The United States Women’s National Team defeated South Africa 2-0 in a friendly at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday as Rapinoe played her final match with the team. Before kickoff, Rapinoe was recognized with a jersey bearing “203” for her number of appearances for the national team. US forward Megan Rapinoe played the final match of her international career on Sunday. While celebrating with teammates, Rapinoe did her iconic celebration, arms widely outstretched, to the crowd’s delight.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, Sue Bird, Trinity Rodman, Erin Hooley, Emily Sonnett, ” Rapinoe, ”, “ It’s, Féminin Organizations: CNN — International, United, United States Women’s National Team, South, Soldier, WNBA, Trinity, AP, US Soccer Federation, London Olympics Locations: United States, South Africa, Chicago, California

☆ Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes speak out on ‘systemic discrimination’ in Spanish soccer ahead of first match since Women’s World Cup win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Ahead of the Spanish national soccer team’s first match since winning the Women’s World Cup last month and the fallout from ex-soccer boss Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on La Roja player Jennifer Hermoso, star players Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes spoke out on “systemic discrimination” within the country’s federation. Earlier this week, a dispute between the Spanish women’s soccer team and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) appeared to have reached a breakthrough after the two parties, along with the government’s High Council of Sport (CSD), came to a series of agreements. Having previously refused to represent the national team, 21 of the 23 players selected in the squad for the upcoming matches agreed to play and traveled to Sweden. Paredes celebrates with her Women's World Cup winners' medal after Spain's victory against England. Rubiales himself testified on September 15 and, according to Spanish prosecutors, denied all charges.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, La, Jennifer Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, d’Or, Putellas, “, ”, Paredes, Marc Atkins, Jorge Vilda, Montse Tomé, Tomé, ” Tomé, hasn’t, ” RFEF, General Andreu Camps, Rubiales, Mapi León, Patricia Guijarro, Francisco de Jorge Organizations: CNN, Spanish, soccer team’s, Reuters, soccer, Royal Spanish Football Federation, government’s, of Sport, England, UEFA Women’s Nations League, RFEF, men’s, Spanish National Football Team, Barcelona Locations: Sweden, Barcelona, Spain, Gothenburg

Meanwhile, failed uprisings in Bahrain and eastern Saudi Arabia were followed by years-long crackdowns and a continuing civil war in Syria. “What we’re beginning to see in Saudi Arabia right now is the emergence of a new social contract. Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest exporter of crude oil, and nearly two-thirds of its income still comes from selling fossil fuels. If Saudi Arabia can become a hub for major sporting events, then that’s a way of attracting interest to the country,” said Maguire. In response to previous criticism about Saudi Arabia’s purported “sportswashing,” the kingdom’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said: “People that don’t know Saudi Arabia, have never been to Saudi Arabia, go out and talk about it as if they’ve lived there for 30 years, 40 years.

Persons: Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, Germain, Neymar Jr, Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Patricia de Melo Moreira, it’s, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman –, Leon Neal, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Al Hilal, spender, –, Carlo Nohra, Jordan Henderson, Henderson, “, ’ ” Simon Chadwick, “ We’ve, ” Chadwick, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Al Nassr, Stringer, you’re, Kieran Maguire, they’re, Everybody’s, ” Maguire, Chadwick, Ronaldo, Maguire, … Mohammed bin Salman, ” James Dorsey, ”, Chadwick –, Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al, Faisal, don’t, they’ve, LIV Golf, Jimmy Dunne, LIV, Dunne, Aleksander Ceferin, Erling, Haaland, Jurgen Klopp, Michael Emenalo, Steven Gerrard, Nohra, ” “ They’ve Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Al, Paris Saint, PSG, Saudi Pro League, Ligue, Liga, Serie, Bundesliga, English Premier League, Deloitte, Investment Fund, AFP, Getty, SPL, Saudi Crown, Spanish, Arsenal, CNN Sport, English, Newcastle United, Liverpool, The Athletic, SKEMA Business School, Argentina, Zamalek, King Fahd Sports City, Anadolu Agency, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Football, AFC Asian, FIFA, Greece, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish Super, ”, Amnesty International, Amnesty, Middle East Soccer, Saudi Ministry, Sport, PGA Tour, European, UEFA, Premier League, Ettifaq Media, Reuters New Saudi Pro League, Major League Soccer, La Liga, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Russian Direct Investment Fund, Investigations, PGA Locations: Saudi Arabian, Brazil, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Ahli, Real Madrid, England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Liverpool, China, Qatar, Taif, Egypt, Spanish, East, North Africa, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Bahrain, Syria, “, ”, Europe, ” Liverpool

☆ Lionel Messi to miss Saturday’s Inter Miami MLS game against Atlanta United
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Lionel Messi will miss a Major League Soccer match for the first time since joining Inter Miami as he will not feature against Atlanta United on Saturday. The turf field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta did not play a role, the source said. On Friday, Messi posted a picture on his Instagram stories account of a pizza order in Miami. Inter Miami, on a nine-game winless run prior to Messi’s debut, is unbeaten in 11 games and captured its first trophy last month. Messi has featured in three MLS games so far this season.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, it’s, I’ve, ”, Ballon d’Or Organizations: CNN, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Atlanta United, Mercedes, Benz, MLS, Miami, Barcelona, Bolivia, Saturday’s, phenom Locations: Atlanta, Europe, Miami

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain's World Cup-winning players are continuing their refusal to play for the women's national team, the country's soccer federation said Friday, just hours before new coach Montse Tomé was set to announce her first squad. Rubiales was first suspended by soccer governing body FIFA, then his interim replacement fired women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, who was unpopular with players. But it appears that the players want more changes, even though they have not made their specific demands public. The federation — led by Rubiales — firmly backed Vilda, and only three of those players relented and were eventually included in the World Cup squad. In Vilda’s place, the federation hired Tomé, his former assistant, as the first female coach of Spain’s women’s team.

Persons: Montse Tomé, Tomé, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, ”, Rubiales —, —, Spain’s, Alexia Putellas, Ballon, ” Alexia, ” Rubiales, Hermoso, ___ Organizations: women's, Nations League, Sweden, FIFA, Spain, Vilda, World Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, Switzerland, Sydney, Australia, New Zealand

“We wish to end this statement expressing that the players of the Spanish women’s national team are professional players, and what most fills us with pride is putting on the shirt of the national team and always taking our country to the highest places. World players’ union FIFPRO posted on X in support of the players’ decision saying, “FIFPRO fully supports the Spain Women’s National Team in their united call for change. The identical letters said that “the situation” within the Spanish national team – about which RFEF was “aware” – had been affecting the players’ “emotional state” and health. Of the 15 players who signed the letters, only three were in Spain’s World Cup squad: Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmatí and Ona Batlle. Despite their youth and relative inexperience, the Spanish players produced an impressive performance Down Under.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, RFEF, d’Or Féminin, Alexia Putellas, “, FIFPRO, Pau Gasol, –, Hermoso, Pedro Rocha, Jorge Vilda, Montse Tomé, Rocha, Víctor, Tomé, Thomas Coex, ” –, Mariona, Aitana, Ona Batlle, Amanda Perobelli, Spain’s Organizations: CNN, Women’s Nations League, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish women’s, “, Spain Women’s National Team, High Council of Sport, Sweden, Getty, Spanish, Reuters, Vilda Locations: Spanish, Spain, “, RFEF, Switzerland, Madrid, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Sweden, women’s

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — One day before Spain’s new women’s coach announces her first squad, the players who won the Women’s World Cup have yet to say if they are ready to come back to the team after rebelling against their disgraced former federation president. The federation firmly backed Vilda, and only three relented and were eventually included in this year's Women’s World Cup squad. In Vilda's place, the federation named his former assistant, Monste Tomé, to become the first female coach of Spain’s women’s team. Rafael del Amo, the head of women’s soccer at the federation, said this week that he is hopeful the players will come back. Spain, ranked second in the world, beat Sweden 2-1 in the Women's World Cup semifinals before edging England 1-0 in the final.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, ”, Alexia Putellas, Ballon, Rubiales —, —, Monste, Spain’s, Rafael del Amo, Amanda Gutiérrez, Gutiérrez, Hermoso, ___ Organizations: FIFA, Spain, Vilda, Cadena SER, Women’s Nations, England Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, Sydney, Australia, New Zealand, Rubiales, Madrid, Sweden

☆ 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

☆ Olga Carmona: Spain star ‘angry’ that Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss tarnished Women’s World Cup victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Olga Carmona, the Spanish soccer star who scored the winning goal in the Women’s World Cup final, said it made her “angry” that Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on teammate Jennifer Hermoso overshadowed the team’s historic victory. “Yes, it does make me angry and I think that hopefully from now they’ll talk about how we are world champions.”Spain's players celebrate defeating England to win the Women's World Cup. Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesWhen asked if she had spoken with Hermoso, Carmona confirmed she had not. TF-Images/DeFodi Images/Getty ImagesThe Spanish women’s national team is scheduled to play Sweden away on September 22 in the Women’s Nations League. The board for women’s soccer was meeting for the first time since being created earlier this year.

Persons: CNN — Olga Carmona, Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, Carmona, Hermoso, ” Carmona, “, ”, Catherine Ivill, Jorge Vilda, –, Montse Tomé, there’s, ” Luis Rubiales, Rubiales ’, d’Or Féminin, Alexia Putellas Organizations: CNN, England, Real Madrid, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish women’s, Sweden, Women’s Nations, UEFA, National Court Locations: Spanish, “

“Today, this subject obviously came up,” Boquete told The Associated Press when asked if the Rubiales controversy was on the agenda. Rubiales, who said the kiss was consensual, is suspended by world soccer body FIFA during its disciplinary case against him and also accused of sexual assault by Spanish prosecutors. UEFA was silent on Rubiales, one of its six vice presidents each paid 250,000 euros ($270,000) annually, for 10 days after the final in Australia. "We have the opportunity here,” said Boquete, whose 38 goals for Spain is second on its all-time women’s list behind Hermoso. She also has been educated with UEFA’s help on its Masters course to help players build careers in the industry.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, “, Rubiales, Ballon, Alexia Putellas, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Veró Boquete, ” Boquete, Aleksander Ceferin, Rubiales ’, Ceferin, Boquete, ”, Jorge Vilda, Vilda, ___ Organizations: Spanish, UEFA, “, Associated Press, Football Board, FIFA, “ UEFA, AP, Spain, Women’s Champions Locations: NYON, Switzerland, Spain, UEFA’s, Spanish, Portugal, Morocco, Ukraine, Australia, United States, Russia, China, Europe

☆ 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

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