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☆ Lee must stay humble, says coach Klinsmann of PSG playmaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 15 (Reuters) - South Korea coach Juergen Klinsmann has called on Lee Kang-in to keep his feet on the ground as the Paris Saint-Germain playmaker continues his emergence as the country's next great hope. "It's just a joy to work with him because he's always in a good mood, he's always smiling, but he's also hungry," Klinsmann said. It's not easy for Kang-in to stay hungry because here, he's getting treated like a pop star, which is not good because a pop star doesn't score goals. "Every time he will come back to Korea, there will be I don't know how many people screaming for him," Klinsmann said. "When a club like Paris Saint-Germain takes a player from Korea, it means that it's a very special player.

Persons: Juergen Klinsmann, Lee Kang, Germain, Lee, he's, Klinsmann, Kang, Paris Saint, Michael Church, Muralikumar Organizations: Paris Saint, Asian Games, La Liga, Real Mallorca, Champions League, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Paris, Tunisia, Seoul, China, Spain, Korea, South, Europe

☆ 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

☆ PSG and Kylian Mbappé humbled by Newcastle United in Champions League
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( John Sinnott | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappé suffered a chastening defeat in the Champions League group stages, losing 4-1 at the hands of Newcastle United on Wednesday. The win put Newcastle top of Group F with four points, a point ahead of PSG. If you make mistakes you pay for that.”Mbappé is challenged for the ball by Jamaal Lascelles and Bruno Guimarães of Newcastle United. Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) acquired PSG in 2011 and lavished money on bringing some of the world’s most talented players to Paris, and a Champions League title seemed inevitable. Mbappé had little effect on the game at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, with the Premier League side completely physically overpowering their French opposition.

Persons: Germain, Kylian Mbappé, Miguel Almirón, Dan Burn, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sean, Lucas Hernández, Fabian Schär, ”, Luis Enrique, Mbappé, Jamaal Lascelles, Bruno Guimarães, Richard Sellers, Enrique, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, –, Wednesday’s, James ’ Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, Champions League, Newcastle United, Newcastle, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, “, ” PSG, TNT Sports, Real Madrid, Mbappé, La Liga, Monaco, Qatar Sports Investment, Paris, League, St, Premier League Locations: Newcastle, Paris

☆ 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

CNN —FC Barcelona and several of the soccer club’s current and former executives are officially being investigated as suspects for “the sustained crime of active bribery,” according to a court document obtained by CNN – the latest twist in an alleged improper payment scandal overshadowing Spanish soccer. The investigation relates to alleged improper payments made by Barcelona to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former leading refereeing official in Spain. The spokesperson declined to share more details about the search but said that no arrests are expected to be made. He added that in his opinion the payments “produced the desired effects on referees,” resulting in “consequent systemic corruption in … Spanish refereeing” affecting soccer in the country. CNN has reached out to Negreira via his company for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Persons: “, –, Javier Soriano, invoiced, Negreira, ” Judge Joaquín Aguirre López, Aguirre López, ”, Barça, Caso, Xavi, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Javier Tebas, Los Blancos, CNN’s Matt Foster Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, CNN, Spain’s Civil Guard, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Guardia Civil, An FC Barcelona, Caso, Spanish, AFP, Getty, Prosecutors, CTA, 1st, La Liga, Barcelona, Osasuna, Civil Guard, Real, Real Madrid, UEFA Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Guardia, Spanish, Real Madrid

☆ Barcelona salvages 2-2 comeback draw against Mallorca
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Barcelona continued its unbeaten start to the season but dropped points at the top of La Liga with an eventful 2-2 draw against Mallorca. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen gifted Mallorca the game’s opening goal inside 10 minutes as he failed to clear the ball from Barça’s box, enabling Vedat Muriqi to find the back of the net. But it was Mallorca which got the game’s next goal in added time when Muriqi’s header allowed Abdón Prats to squeeze a shot past ter Stegen. “We gifted too much,” Barcelona coach Xavi said after the game. “We made uncharacteristic mistakes … We did have chances, but it was a tough struggle back into the game.

Persons: Marc, André ter Stegen, Vedat Muriqi, João Félix, Abdón Prats, ter, Félix, Lamine Yamal, Fermin López, Raphinha’s, Robert Lewandowski, Barça, Barcelona's Jules Koundé dribbles, Cristian Trujillo, “, Xavi, ” Barça Organizations: CNN — Barcelona, La Liga, Mallorca, Real Madrid, ”, Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano Locations: Mallorca, Spanish, Girona, Real, ” Barcelona

☆ Real Madrid dominated by local rival Atlético Madrid in 3-1 derby loss
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —It was derby day delight for Atlético Madrid, which shocked arch-rival Real Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in a comprehensive 3-1 victory. “I could have done better, maybe, that’s quite clear,” Ancelotti said after the match, according to Real Madrid. Half-time’s frustration quickly led way to second half blues as Atlético started the second 45 minutes even quicker than the first. Another ball in from the left, another header and another goal – Madrid had been rocked by the Colchoneros’ aerial threat. “The team wasn’t compact, especially in the first half and Atlético capitalized on that.

Persons: Atlético, Álvaro Morata, Antoine Griezmann, Toni Kroos, Morata, Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti, Luka Modrić, Rodrygo, “, ” Ancelotti, I’ve, it’s, Ancelotti, Oscar del Pozo, Samuel Lino, Federico Valverde, David Alaba, Chelsea loanee Kepa, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez, Ñíguez, Frenchman, Diego Simeone’s, Kroos, Jan Oblak, Kepa, Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Antonio Rüdiger, cynically, José María, – Madrid, Jose Breton, ” Organizations: CNN, Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, Metropolitano, Los, La Liga, –, Bellingham, “, Getty, Chelsea, Madrid, Spanish national, Girona, Barcelona Locations: Madrid, Real Madrid, AFP, ” Madrid

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

☆ Spanish court throws out Rubiales' pre-kiss defamation lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales is pictured after leaving the high court in Madrid, Spain - September 15, 2023 REUTERS/Isabel Infantes/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Sept 18 (Reuters) - A Spanish court has dismissed a lawsuit by disgraced ex-soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales against coach Javier Clemente who had called Rubiales a "dangerous and ambitious guy" seeking "to get rich", qualifying his comments as free speech. Rubiales declined to comment, and Clemente, who was Spain national men's team coach during the 1990s, was not available for comment. Rubiales sued Clemente in 2022 after the outspoken coach said in an interview that Rubiales' "goal was to make a fortune" at the helm of the RFEF. At the Aug. 20 medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup victory in Sydney, Rubiales grabbed player Jenni Hermoso's head and kissed her on the lips, triggering a furore over sexism in Spanish sport and society. Reporting by Emma Pinedo; additional reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Andrei Khalip and Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Isabel Infantes, Luis Rubiales, Javier Clemente, Rubiales, Clemente, Jenni Hermoso's, Hermoso, Emma Pinedo, Fernando Kallas, Andrei Khalip, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Spain national men's, UEFA, Athletic Bilbao, La Liga, Libya national, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Sydney, Serbia, Cameroon

☆ Bellingham workload is only cloud on his horizon
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bellingham is only 20 and already has very high-mileage at the top end of the game. Barring injuries Bellingham will face a huge workload this season and world players union FIFPRO has warned that he could be vulnerable to burnout if not managed properly. Only Rooney came anywhere close to Bellingham's total with 10,989 minutes while Lampard's total was 3,477 and David Beckham had not even managed 1,000 senior minutes before turning 20. "It is important for clubs and national teams to take a balanced approach when it comes to managing young players' workloads." Southgate will hope that Bellingham is given sufficient time to re-charge between now and the start of Euro 2024.

Persons: Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti, Gareth Southgate, Blancos, Bellingham, FIFPRO, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Rooney, David Beckham, Southgate, I'm, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Real Madrid, Liga, Scotland, Birmingham City, Borussia Dortmund, Southgate, Thomson Locations: England, Bellingham

CNN —Players competing in the top-tier of women’s football in Spain – Liga F – have called their strike off after reaching a minimum pay agreement, players’ union FUTPRO announced on Thursday. We cannot compare men’s football dimension with women’s football dimension,” Malabia told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies. Spain won the Women's World Cup earlier this year. I believe the value of women’s football is so high,” he added. The 2023/24 Liga F season gets underway on Friday with Valencia hosting Real Madrid.

Persons: FUTPRO, ” FUTPRO, ”, Pedro Malabia Sanchis, ” Malabia, Amanda Davies, Catherine Ivill, Keka Vega, Malabia, Luis Rubiales, La Roja, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales Organizations: CNN — Players, Spain – Liga, –, Liga F, CNN, La Liga, Spanish Footballers ’ Association, Reuters, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Liga, Valencia, Real Madrid Locations: Spain, Jennifer Hermoso .

☆ Lamine Yamal enjoys historic debut, becoming Spain’s youngest goalscorer and player
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal came off the substitutes’ bench against Georgia on Friday to make history twice. The forward was introduced in the 44th minute to become, aged 16 years and 57 days, Spain’s youngest men’s player, breaking the record previously held by Gavi who had made his international debut in 2021, aged 17 years and 62 days. In August, Yamal made his full debut for Barcelona to become the youngest player to start a La Liga match in the 21st century, and he was named the league’s U23 player for that month. When he made his debut for Barcelona in April aged 15, he became the club’s youngest player in more than a century. Spain is second in Group A, nine points behind Scotland with the Scots having played two games more.

Persons: Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Yamal, Álvaro Morata, Solomon Kverkveila, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams Organizations: CNN, Georgia, Spain, Barcelona, Gavi, Liga, U23, Scotland Locations: Barcelona, Spain

☆ Luis Rubiales: Complaints stack up against Spanish football chief -- and not just over his forcible kiss of a World Cup star
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Atika Shubert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A chauvinist act, by a president who is already plagued by corruption scandals and sexism,” he told CNN on Thursday. But when that didn’t assuage public anger, he doubled down in a widely-broadcast Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) meeting and defiantly refused to resign, to the applause of the mostly male audience. The uproar over the kiss, he told CNN, is just the beginning of a longer fight. “I was not surprised by that at all,” Juan Rubiales told El Mundo of the kiss. The person some of us knew privately but now the whole world can actually see him,” she told CNN.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Miguel Angel Galan, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, ”, Spain’s, Hermoso, “, Manaure Quintero, Galan, – Angel Maria Villar, ” Galan, Juan Rubiales, ” Juan Rubiales, El Mundo, Beatriz Alvarez, Alvarez, ” Alvarez Organizations: CNN, Spain’s Football Federation, Spain, Galan, National Training Center of Football, Spanish, of Sport, Federation, Rubiales, Spanish Football Federation, Bloomberg, Getty, El Mundo, ” CNN, FIFA, La Liga, Football Federation Locations: Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Saudi Arabia

☆ Jude Bellingham: Why Real Madrid has fallen in love with a 20-year-old Englishman
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Real Madrid’s return to the Santiago Bernabéu after vacating its home stadium due to building works was supposed to be a celebration for Madridistas but, as time ticked away, the Spanish giant was being pegged to a 1-1 draw by Getafe. Enter Jude Bellingham who, deep into added time, was fastest to a rebound off goalkeeper David Soria, prodded the ball into the net, and secured Madrid’s fourth consecutive victory – and his second late match-winner in a row. Already, Jude Bellingham’s goalscoring celebration in Real Madrid’s famous white shirt is omnipresent – after just four La Liga games, he has scored five goals, the most in the league. Bellingham is the second Real Madrid player in history – after club legend Cristiano Ronaldo – to score in his first four La Liga games. Bellingham has scored five goals and given one assist in his first four La Liga games for Real Madrid.

Persons: Santiago Bernabéu, Jude Bellingham, David Soria, –, tugged, “, Jude, Bellingham, ‘ Hey Jude ’, ”, Jude Bellingham’s, Cristiano Ronaldo –, Carlo Ancelotti, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, ” Bellingham, Alberto Gardin, Zinedine Zidane, Ancelotti, …, ” Ancelotti Organizations: CNN, Getafe, Real Madrid TV, La Liga, Bellingham, Real Madrid, €, Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund Locations: Spanish, Bellingham, Real, Madrid’s

☆ Lamine Yamal becomes youngest La Liga starter in 21st century in Barcelona’s 2-0 win against Cádiz
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lamine Yamal, the youngest player to ever feature for FC Barcelona in La Liga, has now made his full debut for the club at just 16 years and 38 days old. In making his full debut in Sunday’s game against Cádiz CF, Yamal also became the youngest player to start in La Liga in the 21st century. Yamal made his La Liga debut for Barça in April during a 4-0 over Real Betis. Bruna Casas/ReutersGetting a win was vital for Barça after the La Liga champion struggled in its opening game of the season against Getafe CF. Real Mallorca forward Luka Romero, who is now at AC Milan, is the youngest player to make his La Liga debut, according to Reuters.

Persons: Lamine Yamal, Yamal, ”, Xavi, Barça, Cádiz, Joan Valls, Pedri, Ferran Torres, ” Xavi, Bruna Casas, Raphinha, Luka Romero, Romero, Francisco Bao Rodríguez, Sansón – Organizations: CNN, FC Barcelona, La Liga, Cádiz CF, Liga, Barça, Real Betis, Movistar, ” Barcelona, Cádiz, Reuters, Getafe CF, Gavi, Real Mallorca, Luka, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Celta Vigo Locations: La

☆ UEFA Super Cup: Manchester City wins title for first time in its history after penalty shootout victory over Sevilla
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Manchester City struggled but ultimately won the UEFA Super Cup for first time in its history on Wednesday night after a penalty shootout victory over Spanish club Sevilla. The win continues the club’s remarkable success over the past 18 months, having won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League last season. Manchester City players celebrate on the podium after winning the UEFA Super League. However, City was made to work for the Super Cup victory, struggling to break down a stout Sevilla defense. The manager made it so clear to us before the game how much he wants this trophy,” City midfielder Grealish said.

Persons: –, Youssef En, Nesyri, Cole Palmer, Sevilla’s Nemanja Gudelj, I’ve, Pep Guardiola, Palmer, Claudio Villa, Erling Haaland, Julian Álvarez, Mateo Kovačić, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Grealish, “, They’ve, We’ve, ” City’s Organizations: CNN, Manchester City, UEFA, Spanish, Sevilla, The Premier League, League, Europa League, City, Premier League, FA, Arsenal, FIFA Club, UEFA Super League, Aris Messinis, Getty, Croatia, ”, Premier Leagues, Newcastle United, La Liga, Alavés Locations: Athens, Greece, Saudi Arabia, AFP, City, Sevilla, Rodri, ” City

☆ 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

☆ Joan Laporta: Barcelona president says there are ‘no sporting reasons’ for soccer stars to join Saudi Pro League
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“Fortunately, most of the players like Football Club Barcelona,” Laporta told CNN Sport’s Don Riddell from Los Angeles during the Spanish team’s pre-season tour of the U.S., which wrapped up on Tuesday against AC Milan in Las Vegas. “And when a player, and with all respect, prefers to go to Saudi Arabia, basically there are no sporting reasons. Last week, Al-Hilal, which is one of four Saudi clubs owned by the PIF, made a world-record bid of over $332 million (300 million euros) for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Kylian Mbappé. “My view is that it’s more important to have the assistance of the clubs, the traditional clubs, specifically the European clubs,” added Laporta. “The priority of last season was the Spanish league and this new season, for us, the league is the priority as well,” said Laporta.

Persons: Joan Laporta, “, ” Laporta, CNN Sport’s Don Riddell, Germain, Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Hussein Malla, ”, Laporta, Xavi, – Pep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff, Pep, Lionel Messi’s, Jorge Messi, Messi, Cruz Azul, Sam Navarro Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Football Club Barcelona, AC Milan, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Saudi, Paris Saint, PSG, Saudi Arabian football, SPL, Al, Gulf state’s, ”, Barcelona, La Liga, Champions League, Spanish League, Liga, Barca, MLS, Inter Miami, Cruz, USA, Sports, Reuters, Camp, Good Locations: Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Gulf, Los Angeles, Spanish, U.S, Las Vegas, Al, Hilal, Paris, Fabinho, Saudi, Xavi

☆ ScorePlay, a sports media platform using AI, just raised $5 million in a round led by Alexis Ohanian's Seven Seven Six
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Lisbon and New York-based ScorePlay has secured a $5 million seed round from Seven Seven Six. A startup that has built a media operating system for sports has just raised $5 million in seed funding from Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian's Seven Seven Six. As a business-to-business software startup, ScorePlay makes its money by charging a monthly fee to organizations, depending on the range of services they use. The round was led by Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian's VC firm Seven Seven Six, which has previously backed climate tech Vaayu, and creator marketing platform PearPop. With the fresh funding, ScorePlay will grow its tech team so it can hone in on its enterprise offerings.

Persons: ScorePlay, Alexis Ohanian's Seven, Xavier Green, Lionel Messi, Declan Rice, Victorien Tixier, Alexis Ohanian's, Kevin Durant, Renaud Visage, Michael Philippe, Robin Sabban Organizations: Seven Seven, Premier League football, West Ham United, La Liga, Atlético de, Athletes, Seven, NBA, Tech Locations: Lisbon, New York, Atlético de Madrid, Manchester

☆ Saudi soccer dominance could still take 'decades' despite reported $332 million Mbappé bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty ImagesSaudi Arabian soccer club Al-Hilal reportedly tabled a world record 300 million euro ($331.9 million) bid for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé, a further signal of the kingdom's efforts to shake up the sport's global order. Al-Ahli snapped up Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, and have just agreed a £30 million ($38.54 million) deal to bring in forward Riyad Mahrez from reigning English Premier League and European champions Manchester City. A medium-term threat Soccer isn't the first sport to be rocked by a sudden wave of Saudi investment. This is more like a couple of decades before I think we could see some significant impact." Cristiano Ronaldo stands prior to the Saudi Pro League week 28 soccer match between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab at Alawwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 23, 2023.

Persons: Kylian, Paris Saint, Germain, Le, Aurelien Meunier, Hilal, Mbappé, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Anmar Al, Khalid Alhaj, Al, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, LIV, Michael Goldberg, DBRS Morningstar, Goldberg, Jude Bellingham, Mohammed Saad Organizations: Paris Saint, Campus PSG, PSG, Getty Images, Al, French, country's Public Investment Fund, Real, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Saudi, — Al, Saudi Pro League, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, King Abdullah Sports City, Premier League's Wolverhampton Wanderers, Senegalese, Lazio, UEFA, Champions League, England's Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Italian Serie, isn't, DBRS, CNBC, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Alawwal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: POISSY, France, Paris, Le Havre, Getty Images Saudi Arabian, Qatar, Real Madrid, Spanish, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli, JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Italian, Barcelona, Liverpool, Shabab, Riyadh

☆ Lionel Messi signs for MLS club Inter Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Ben Morse | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Soccer great Lionel Messi signed for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami on Saturday, the club announced. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community. According to multiple reports, Messi’s new deal includes an option for part-ownership of the club and a cut of revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass streaming service. Fans of Argentine football player Lionel Messi wait for his arrival at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 11, 2023. In December last year, Messi played a vital part in Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar, becoming the first man to win the tournament’s Golden Ball, awarded to the best player at the World Cup, twice.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon, David Beckham, ” Messi, I’m, Beckham, Leo, Jorge Mas, Chandan Khanna, Messi, Germain Organizations: CNN — Soccer, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Argentina, LIGA MX, Leagues, “, LA Galaxy, Real Madrid, Manchester United, our Inter Miami, Inter, El Pais, Apple TV’s, Argentine, Getty, French, Paris Saint, Spanish, Barcelona, La Liga, Champions League Locations: Cruz Azul, Miami, USA, Real, Spanish, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Qatar

☆ Luis Suárez Miramontes, one of Spain’s greatest footballers, has died aged 88
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Luis Suárez Miramontes, considered one of the greatest Spanish football players in history, has died at the age of 88. In a statement on Sunday, Barcelona confirmed that Suárez had died in Milan, Italy. Putellas recalled meeting Suárez and how he inspired her on Twitter, saying: “[You’re] part of history in football. In 1961, he left for Inter Milan where he continued picking up trophies – winning three Serie A titles and two European Cups. Following his playing career, Suárez managed a number of clubs including Inter Milan and Deportivo.

Persons: CNN — Luis Suárez Miramontes, Alexia Putellas, Féminin, Suárez, “, ”, Putellas, Don Luis Suarez, ” Suárez, –, Javier Zanetti Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Inter Milan, Twitter, Ballon, Barcelona, Deportivo La Coruña, La Liga, Inter, Inter Milan’s, Deportivo, Spanish national Locations: Barcelona, Spanish, Milan, Italy, Barça

☆ As companies bring more jobs to Mexico, US wants labor rights safeguards
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Daina Beth Solomon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MEXICO CITY, July 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. wants Mexico's government to build strong institutions to protect worker rights as companies aiming to avoid supply chain disruptions in far-off production spots bring more jobs to the country, a top U.S. labor official told Reuters. Mexico has begun to benefit from "nearshoring" in which companies seek to move production closer to the U.S. market while maintaining competitive costs. "Hopefully that will ensure that Mexico doesn't become a dumping ground for companies looking for cheap labor and lax regulations," said Thea Lee, U.S. Deputy Undersecretary for International Labor Affairs who polices USMCA compliance. Mexico has made progress improving labor courts, resolving worker complaints faster and easing union organization, but needs to do more, Lee said. Since 2020, several U.S. labor complaints in Mexico have paved the way for independent unions to land pay raises and even expand.

Persons: Thea Lee, Lee, Cristina Ramirez, Ramirez, Daina Beth Solomon, David Gregorio Our Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Reuters, International Labor Affairs, Goodyear, Grupo Mexico, VU Manufacturing, La Liga, VU, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, U.S, Mexico, Canada, Piedras Negras

☆ A North Korean stunned world soccer when he scored in Serie A. Then Han Kwang Song went missing
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Gawon Bae | Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

But the Covid-19 pandemic led to North Korea fully sealing its borders, making it impossible for Han and fellow repatriated North Korean nationals to return home. PyongyangHan was born in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang in 1998. The opening of North Korea through sport seemed like a door that would not be closed any time soon. They followed the Olympics and soccer,” former North Korean men’s soccer national team head coach Jørn Andersen told CNN Sport, adding that he had limited contact with the North Korean public during his time in Pyongyang between 2016 and 2018. Holding a North Korean passport, Han was no exception to these sanctions, despite his preternatural soccer talent.

Persons: Han Kwang, Qatar’s, Han, –, Hahn, hea, Kim Jong, Pyongyang Han, Kim Jong Un’s, Kim, Alberto Mier, Jørn Andersen, ” Andersen, Han Kwang Song, Enrico Locci, YuMi, Rome –, Choe, “, Mario Berreta, ” Cagliari’s, Max Canzi, ” Canzi, ‘ Tell Mario, ”, Canzi, Nicholas Pennington, Tullio M, Pennington, ” Han, Juventus –, Duhail, Sandro Stemperini, Qatar Han’s, Andersen, hasn’t, he’s, ” Anderson, regretfully Organizations: CNN, Juventus, Little North, South, CNN Sport, United Nations Security Council, North, Pyongyang International Football School, CNN North Korea, Korean, soccer, team, North Korean, Bundesliga, Liga, KCTV, FIFA, Cagliari's Serie, Chievo Verona, Academy, ISM Academy, AC Perugia Calcio, Cagliari, Canzi, Serie A, Perugia, Getty, AC Perugia, Juventus ’, Serie, ISM International Scouting Center, UNSC, North Korea, DPRK, Democratic People’s, Al, Qatar’s, Qatar Stars, Qatar, UN, Fiorentina, Sport, Qatar Stars League, “, Qatar Airways, – Locations: Korean, Italian, Pyongyang, South Korean, North Korea, Qatar, London, South Korea, Germany, Italy, England, Spain, Perugia –, Italy’s, Umbria, Rome, Europe, “, Cagliari, Puglia, Seoul, North Korean, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Qatari, Korea, North, Ahli, ”, Doha, China, Russia

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

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

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

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