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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

☆ Neymar makes debut as Al-Hilal hand Al-Riyadh 6-1 thrashing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 16 (Reuters) - Brazil's all-time leading goal scorer Neymar made his Saudi Pro League debut for Al-Hilal on Friday, coming off the bench to feature for the final 26 minutes of his new club's 6-1 demolition of Al-Riyadh. Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Al-Hilal in front with a 30th minute penalty before goals from Yassir Al-Shahrani and Nasser Al-Dawsari gave the league leaders a comfortable advantage. Neymar, who surpassed Pele's record as Brazil's leading scorer when he netted twice in last Friday's 5-1 win over Bolivia, had not played for Al-Hilal since moving to Saudi Arabia due to an ankle injury. Fans jeered as Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari opted to take an 87th minute penalty as Neymar watched on, the Saudi Arabia winger converting before adding his side's sixth goal in injury time. ($1 = 0.9385 euros)Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Neymar, Germain, Michael, Malcom, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Shahrani, Nasser Al, Dawsari, Salem, Michael Church, Kim Coghill Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Al, Paris Saint, Yassir, Salem Al, Thomson Locations: Hilal, Al, Riyadh, Paris, Bolivia, Saudi Arabia

Santos, the club where Pelé and Neymar started, also doesn't accept that the Al-Hilal striker broke the record of the man the club and Brazilians call their king. Pelé scored twice in Brazil's 2-2 draw with Inter Milan in 1960. In 1960, he claimed a hat-trick in a 3-1 triumph over against a combination of Egyptian and Syrian national team players. “I want to say this (record) doesn’t mean I am better than him (Pelé) or any national team player,” he said in a short statement. “I always wanted to write my story in the national team and today I did that.”___

Persons: Neymar, Pelé, Neymar Jr, Ednaldo Rodrigues, ” Neymar, Rodrigues, “, Santos, Al, ”, Mauro Cézar Pereira, Renato Mauricio Prado, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo Organizations: SAO PAULO, —, Brazil's, FIFA, “ FIFA, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Sweden's, Pelé, Syrian national, Neymar, Brazil —, Argentina, Copa Locations: — Brazil, American, Bolivia, Hilal, Brazil, Sweden's Malmo, Northeastern, Pernambuco, London, Rio de Janeiro, Portugal, Copa America

☆ Neymar Jr. breaks Pelé’s all-time scoring record for Brazil
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Neymar Jr. scored twice in Brazil’s 5-1 victory over Bolivia on Friday to surpass the great Pelé as the country’s top male all-time scorer. “I never imagined reaching this record,” said Neymar – who has represented Brazil 125 times – afterwards, per Reuters. And today I did that.”Pelé is widely regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats, scoring 77 goals for Brazil and is the only player to win three World Cups. Neymar recently joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal from French Ligue 1 champion Paris Saint-German. He became the world’s most expensive footballer when he joined the Parisian club from Barcelona in 2017.

Persons: CNN — Neymar Jr, “, ”, Neymar –, Pelé, Neymar Organizations: CNN, Bolivia, Reuters, Saudi Pro League, Al, French Ligue, Paris Saint Locations: Brazil, Hilal, French, Barcelona

☆ Brazil thrash Bolivia 5-1 in Neymar's record-breaking appearance
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BELEM, Brazil, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Brazil lived up to expectations by smashing Bolivia 5-1 at home in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers opener on Friday, with Neymar surpassing the late great Pele as the country's top scorer. "Congratulations Neymar for surpassing the King in goals for Brazil. Bolivia got their consolation goal through Victor Abrego's powerful shot in the 78th minute. Brazil will look to continue their good form when they visit Peru on Tuesday in the second round of CONMEBOL qualifiers. Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Stephen Coates and Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pele, Rodrygo, Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, Antony, Victor Abrego's, Marcelo Bielsa, Janina Nuno Rios, Stephen Coates, Michael Perry Organizations: Neymar, Saudi, Brazil, Twitter, Newcastle, TV Globo, CONMEBOL, Chile, Leeds United, Thomson Locations: BELEM, Brazil, Bolivia, Al, Hilal, Brazilian, Peru, Uruguay, Mexico City

☆ Saudi Arabia soccer spending ranks second in the world as it bids to become global powerhouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Matthew Ward-Perkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowThe Saudi Arabian soccer transfer window has slammed shut, marking the end of a historic summer of spending from clubs based in the Gulf state. Saudi clubs outspent four of the "big five" soccer leagues, the first time another league has outspent any members of the dominant European grouping since 2016. However, human rights groups and activists have criticized the high levels of soccer investment from Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East, with accusations of "sportswashing" leveled at the country. The European Club Association, which represents 220 soccer clubs from across Europe, discussed the impact of Saudi Arabia's investment in the sport at its General Assembly this month. "We believe in ourselves … we have the best competition in the world, the biggest clubs in the world, the best players in the world.

Persons: Mohamed Salah, Hilal, spender, CNBC's David Faber, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Glazer, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Karim Benzema Organizations: Saudi Arabia's Pro League, English Premier League, Liverpool, country's Public Investment Fund, Chelsea FC outspent, Public Investment, Manchester United Saudi, Manchester United, Saudi, European Club Association, Assembly, Champions League, Afp, Getty Locations: Saudi, Gulf, Al, Ittihad, Ahli, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Europe

SAO PAULO (AP) — Neymar became the top goal scorer for Brazil’s national team after surpassing the total of three-time World Cup winner Pelé on Friday. Neymar's record-breaking goal came after a low cross into the penalty box, which the striker finished with accuracy from close range. FIFA does not count goals the three-time World Cup winner had at national team friendlies against clubs. Neymar’s most-recent match for Brazil before the victory over Bolivia was the World Cup quarterfinal loss to Croatia. He left Qatar with doubts about his future in the national team and did not play the Selecao’s first three games this year.

Persons: — Neymar, Pelé, Al, Billy Viscarra, “, ___ Organizations: SAO PAULO, Brazil’s, Bolivia, Neymar, FIFA, Twitter, Croatia Locations: Amazon, Belém, Hilal, Neymar’s, Brazil, Bolivia, Qatar

☆ Why Saudi Arabia is spending hundreds of millions on soccer stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Anuz Thapa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Soccer in Saudi Arabia has entered a new era — the era of having global superstars play on Saudi turf. "This is what we're doing by bringing household names like that to the Saudi league. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, is the financial vehicle driving these high-priced transactions. "Saudi Pro League is the top men's professional soccer league in Saudi Arabia." Watch the video above to find out why Saudi Arabia is doubling down its investment in professional soccer and more.

Persons: Neymar, Ballon, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fahad Nazer, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Stefan Szymanski, Simon Chadwick Organizations: Soccer, Pro League, Saudi, CNBC, Public Investment Fund, Saudi Pro League, University of Michigan, Newcastle United, Critics, Skema Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Saudi Embassy, U.S, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli

☆ 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

☆ Transfer deadline day deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Asked if Palmer was Chelsea's last signing of the window, he told reporters: "I think so. 0930 CITY SIGN NUNESManchester City have signed Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a five-year contract. 0830 CHELSEA SIGN MIDFIELDER PALMER FROM MAN CITYChelsea said they have signed midfielder Palmer from Premier League champions Manchester City on a contract running until 2027, with the option of a further year. The transfer fee was reported to be worth around 40 million pounds ($50 million). 0800 MAN UTD SIGN GOALKEEPER BAYINDIR FROM FENERBAHCEManchester United signed Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Super Lig side Fenerbahce on a four-year deal, with the option of a further year, a day after Dean Henderson joined Crystal Palace.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Sam Navarro, POCHETTINO, Mauricio Pochettino, Cole Palmer, Palmer, Chelsea's, St, Moises Caicedo, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Josko, Karim Benzema, Paris St Germain, Rasmus Hojlund, Atalanta, Dominik Szoboszlai, Matheus Nunes, VILLA, Clement Lenglet, Tyrone Mings, BONUCCI, Leonardo Bonucci, Nuno Tavares, Dean Henderson, Hritika Sharma, Aadi Nair, Peter Rutherford, Toby Davis Organizations: Inter Miami, Nashville SC, USA, CHELSEA, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, St Germain, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Leipzig, Manchester City, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, LENGLET, Barcelona, Aston Villa, France, CITY, NUNES Manchester City, Wolves, JUVENTUS, Serie, Juventus, Union Berlin, TAVARES FROM ARSENAL Portuguese, Ligue, Olympique de Marseille, PALMER, CITY Chelsea, Premier League, BAYINDIR, FENERBAHCE Manchester United, Turkish, Altay Bayindir, Super Lig, Fenerbahce, Crystal Palace, Thomson Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida, USA, Brighton, Chelsea, West, Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Paris, Liverpool, England, Portugal, Germany

☆ Saudi Arabia name Mancini as new national team coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 27 (Reuters) - Former Italy boss Roberto Mancini said he aims to make history after being named the new head coach of the Saudi Arabia national team by the country's football federation (SAFF) on Sunday. "I made history in Europe, now is time to make history with Saudi," Mancini said in a video posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti replaced Mancini as Italy boss after he resigned on Aug. 13, ending a five-year spell in charge of the national team in which they won the European Championship but missed out on qualification for the World Cup. Frenchman Herve Renard stepped down as Saudi Arabia's coach in March. The team will attempt to win their fourth Asian Cup title at the continental championship to be held in Qatar early next year.

Persons: Roberto Mancini, Mancini, " Mancini, Luciano Spalletti, Frenchman Herve Renard, Angelica Medina, Toby Davis Organizations: Saudi Arabia national, Saudi, Twitter, Napoli, Argentina, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Clubs Investment, Al, Thomson Locations: Italy, Saudi, Riyadh, Costa Rica, Europe, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ittihad, Al, Ahli, Hilal, Mexico

☆ 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

☆ Champions Urawa advance to Asian Champions League group phase
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - AFC Champions League - Final - Second Leg - Urawa Red Diamonds v Al-Hilal - Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan - May 6, 2023 Urawa Red Diamonds' Hiroki Sakai and Shusaku Nishikawa and teammates celebrate with trophy on the podium after winning the AFC Champions League REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Holders Urawa Red Diamonds booked their berth in the group stages of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday as Maciej Skorza's side defeated Hong Kong outfit Lee Man 3-0, but China's Shanghai Port were knocked out by BG Pathum United of Thailand. Yoshio Koizumi gave Urawa the perfect start at Saitama Stadium with a second minute strike and Shinzo Koroki doubled the lead when he headed in Hiroki Sakai's cross from the right four minutes later. Reds, who have won the title three times, will now feature in Thursday's group phase draw in Kuala Lumpur alongside BG Pathum United, Chinese Super League side Zhejiang FC and Incheon United of South Korea. BG Pathum United advanced after a hat-trick by Igor Sergeyev saw the Thai side hand 2018 Chinese champions Shanghai Port a Igor Sergeyev 3-2 defeat. The Uzbekistan international struck again in the 61st minute and, while Markus Pink netted with four minutes remaining to ensure a nervous finish for the visitors, BG Pathum United held on to advance.

Persons: Hiroki Sakai, Shusaku Nishikawa, Issei Kato, Maciej Skorza's, Lee, Yoshio Koizumi, Shinzo Koroki, Hiroki Sakai's, Takahiro Sekine, Igor Sergeyev, Sergeyev, Mirahmetjan Muzepper, Markus Pink, Cheon Seong, Gerso, Franko Andrijasevic's, Michael Church Organizations: Soccer Football, AFC, League, Diamonds, Urawa, AFC Champions League REUTERS, Rights, Urawa Red Diamonds, Asian Champions League, Shanghai Port, BG Pathum United, Saitama, Reds, Super League, Zhejiang FC, Incheon United, Port, Uzbekistan, Pathum United, Vietnam's, Port FC, Michael, Michael Church Our, Thomson Locations: Hilal, Saitama, Japan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Thailand, Urawa, Kuala Lumpur, South Korea, Thai, Vietnam's Haiphong, Zhejiang

☆ 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 injury delays Al-Hilal debut by a month
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Neymar arrives in Riyadh after signing for Al Hilal - King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - August 18, 2023 Al-Hilal's Neymar seen upon arrival REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri Acquire Licensing RightsAug 20 (Reuters) - Brazilian winger Neymar might have to wait until September to make his debut for Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal because of injury, coach Jorge Jesus said. Neymar joined Al-Hilal from Paris St Germain last Tuesday on a two-year contract that French newspaper L'Equipe said could earn the 31-year-old 160 million euros ($174 million). "Neymar is an innovative and creative player, he will help us to improve, but he has a slight injury now and I don’t know when he will return. Al-Hilal coach Jesus also expressed his surprise at Neymar's inclusion in the Brazil squad for two World Cup qualifiers next month. Neymar has not played for Brazil since last year's World Cup as he recovers from an ankle injury sustained in February, but he has been included in the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia on Sept. 8 and Peru four days later.

Persons: Neymar, Al Hilal, King, Hilal's Neymar, Ahmed Yosri, Saudi Arabia's Al, Jorge Jesus, ” Jesus, Jesus, Ahmed Mostafa, David Goodman Organizations: Soccer, Al, King Khalid International Airport, Saudi, Paris St Germain, French, L'Equipe, King Fahd International, Drones, Brazilian national, Brazil, Bolivia, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Paris, Barcelona, Al, Brazil, Peru

☆ Mbappe and Dembele ready to start for PSG, says Luis Enrique
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain forwards Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are both available and will be ready to start their Ligue 1 clash with Toulouse, manager Luis Enrique said on Friday. I am very happy to have a world-class player like Kylian," Luis Enrique told reporters ahead of Saturday's game. Luis Enrique added that Dembele would be ready to play "from the first minute" but also admitted the club need to strengthen their attack. Luis Enrique also said he had not chosen the team's captain yet, leaving that decision to his squad. "It's very simple, I don't choose the captain, the players choose.

Persons: Paris St Germain, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Luis Enrique, Mbappe, Dembele, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Marquinhos, Rohith Nair, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Paris St, Ligue, Toulouse, Lorient, Inter Miami, Saudi, Al, Thomson Locations: Paris, Barcelona, Hilal, Bengaluru

☆ Saudi binge is fiscal free kick for European clubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Streisand Neto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Saudi binge may help European teams raise funds and meet tough new financial rules. The Roshn Saudi League is a top scorer in the football transfer market. UEFA, the governing body for European football, has introduced new rules limiting clubs’ spending on wages, transfers and agent fees to 70% of revenue. European clubs should take the money before the referee's whistle blows. Saudi clubs have spent over 550 million euros buying players from European clubs in the 2023/2024 transfer season, according to Transfermarkt.

Persons: Al Hilal's, Neymar, Fahd bin Saad Al, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, Germain, Rúben Neves, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Len Blavatnik, China’s, Oscar, Marouane, Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neil Unmack, Thomas Shum, Pranav Kiran Organizations: Soccer, Al, Saudi Pro League, REUTERS Acquire, Reuters, Paris Saint, Saudi, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Britain’s Premier League, Premier League, Deloitte’s Sports Business, UEFA, Deloitte, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Bloomberg, BBC, Thomson Locations: Al Hilal, Paris, France, Saudi, Hilal, Saudi League, Al, Ittihad, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Kingdom, Saudi Arabian

☆ 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 credits Ronaldo for Saudi Pro League transformation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 16 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo is responsible for transforming the Saudi Pro League, according to Brazil forward Neymar who is looking forward to facing the Portuguese international when he starts playing for Al-Hilal. Today you see the league grow more and more," Neymar said in his first interview after the transfer on Wednesday. The Saudi Pro League has since invested over 600 million euros to lure a host of top players and coaches from European clubs. And it is a given when you face Ronaldo, Benzema, (Roberto) Firmino, that the excitement is even greater," Neymar said. Al-Hilal host Al-Feiha in the next round of the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Ronaldo, Ballon, Nassr, Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson, Riyad, Benzema, Roberto, Firmino, Hilal, Jorge Jesus, Ruben Neves, Serbia's Sergei Milinkovic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, –, Al, Tommy Lund, Ed Osmond Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Portuguese, Al, Paris St Germain, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Thomson Locations: Brazil, Hilal, Riyadh, Real Madrid, Manchester, Portuguese, Savic, Senegal, Gdansk

☆ Neymar joins Saudi club Al-Hilal from PSG in two-year deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Saudi Professional League (SPL) club Al-Hilal announced that Neymar had signed a contract until 2025, with the Brazilian saying, "I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali" in a video on the team's social media accounts. "I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al-Hilal." He scored 118 goals in 173 appearances for the Paris club and won numerous trophies, including five Ligue 1 titles. Neymar won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015 but had to settle for a runners-up medal in the 2020 final, which PSG lost to Bayern Munich. SAUDI TRANSFERSThe most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, Al-Hilal have won 66 trophies and hold the record for number of league and Asian Champions League titles with 18 and four respectively.

Persons: Al Hilal's, Neymar, Fahd bin Saad Al, Al, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Germain, We've, Pele, Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ittihad, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Angelica Medina, Aadi Nair, Anita Kobylinska, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, Al, Saudi Pro League, REUTERS Acquire, Saudi, Paris St Germain, Champions League, L'Equipe, Saudi Professional League, PSG, Paris, Ligue, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint, Confederations, SAUDI, Asian Champions League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Qatar, French, Real Madrid, UEFA Champions, France, Argentine, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Thomson Locations: Al Hilal, Paris, France, Hilal, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Al, Barcelona, Asia, Riyadh, Ittihad, Ahli, Portugal, Real

☆ Factbox: Brazil and Al-Hilal forward Neymar
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

* Made 33 appearances and scored 10 goals in his first league season. * Scored 42 goals in 60 appearances in all competitions in 2010 as Santos won the Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil. * Scored six goals in the 2011 Copa Libertadores as Santos won the competition for the first time since 1963. * The following season, Neymar became the fastest in the club's history to reach 50 league goals (58 games), but PSG finished second in Ligue 1. * Neymar scored 118 goals in 173 appearances in all competitions for PSG, winning 13 domestic trophies.

Persons: Neymar, Saudi Arabia's Al, Neymar da Silva Santos Jr, SANTOS, Santos, FIFA Puskas, Dunga, Pele's, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Saudi Arabia's, Paris St Germain, Portuguesa Santista, Santos, Real Madrid, Campeonato Paulista, Copa, Brasil, Libertadores, FIFA, Flamengo, South, Barcelona, Supercopa, Atletico Madrid, Barca, Champions League, Juventus, Brazilian, La Liga, Copa del Rey, PSG, UEFA, Manchester United, Rennes, Bayern Munich, Ligue, PSG's, Brazil, Confederations, Colombia, Croatia, Thomson Locations: Hilal, Spain, Barcelona, BARCELONA, Nou, BRAZIL, United States, Brazil, Germany, Belgium

☆ Asian confederation boosts prize fund in revamped club competition from 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kicking off in September 2024, the leading 24 club sides from across the continent will play in the new AFC Champions League Elite, with the winners earning US$12 million. The AFC Champions League Elite headlines a new three-tier set-up and replaces the existing format, in which clubs complete in either the AFC Champions League or the secondary AFC Cup. "Today the AFC is embarking on a new and historic era with these forward-looking initiatives in both men's and women's Asian club football," AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement. Details about the AFC Women's Champions League, including start date, prize fund and the number of clubs involved, have yet to revealed. The playoff rounds of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League, the last under the current model, are due to kick off on Tuesday.

Persons: Marius Hoibraten, Alexander Scholz, Issei Kato, HONG KONG, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Michael Church, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Soccer Football, AFC, League, Diamonds, Urawa, AFC Champions League REUTERS, Asian Football Confederation, Champions League, AFC Champions League Elite, US, League Elite, AFC Champions League, AFC Challenge League, AFC Women's Champions League, Thomson Locations: Hilal, Saitama, Japan, HONG, Asia

☆ Neymar set for Saudi's Al Hilal after PSG agree deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Summary Saudi state media report deal is doneTwo year deal would net Neymar $175 millionBrazilian joined PSG in 2017 for record 222 million eurosAug 14 (Reuters) - Brazil forward Neymar is headed for Saudi Arabia after Pro League side Al Hilal agreed a two-year deal with Paris St Germain, Saudi state media reported on Monday. Al Hilal, managed by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, play Al Fayha on Saturday with Neymar expected to wear the number 10 shirt. Al Hilal had tried to sign PSG's France international Kylian Mbappe, who was reinstated into the Paris club's first team on Sunday. Strengthening the squad is a priority for the Riyadh-based club, as the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced in June an investment and privatisation project for sports clubs involving league champions Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Hilal. 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, while Al Ittihad signed Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

Persons: Al Hilal, Neymar, Jorge Jesus, Al Fayha, Luis Enrique's, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Ittihad, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Alan Baldwin, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Angelica Medina, Toby Chopra, Pritha Sarkar, Hugh Lawson Organizations: PSG, Saudi Arabia, Pro League, Al, Paris St, Ligue, Qatar Sports Investments, French, L'Equipe, Reuters, King Fahd, Barcelona, Lorient, Spanish, France, Kylian, Paris club's, Saudi, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Asian Champions League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Al Ittihad, Saudi Pro League, Real Madrid, Champions, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Brazil, Paris St Germain, Paris, Riyadh, Portuguese, Spanish, Barcelona, Al, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Al Ahli, Real, London, Bengaluru, Mexico City

☆ 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

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