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☆ Kylian Mbappé, P.S.G. and the Dangers of a Loveless Marriage
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

This time, Kylian Mbappé means it. The reports on Thursday of his decision to leave Paris St.-Germain, his hometown team, might have carried with them an unmistakable sense of déjà vu. They might have been copied and pasted, almost verbatim, from the last time this happened, and the time before that. It is less than two years since he and P.S.G. last came to the brink, his boxes packed, his desk emptied, his goodbye card signed.

Persons: Kylian, Germain, He’s, P.S.G Locations: Paris St

Kylian Mbappe has told Paris Saint-Germain he will leave the club at the end of the season, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. Mbappe, who has consistently been linked with a move to Real Madrid, will be a free agent at the end of the campaign after seven years with PSG. Mbappe has been at PSG since 2017 after signing from Monaco in a transfer worth a reported $190 million. Mbappe will be the latest superstar player to leave the French club in recent times following the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar last year. Mbappe won five French league titles with PSG, but has so far failed to lead it to success in the Champions League.

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Germain, Mbappe hasn’t, PSG President Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar Organizations: Paris Saint, Associated Press, PSG President, PSG, France, Monaco, Real, Champions League, ___ Locations: Real Madrid, Madrid, Mbappe

The Champions League narrative is so often about Manchester City and Real Madrid. The past two champions of Europe were the only teams to sweep through the group stage with six wins. BONUS ENTRIESEvery result in the Champions League, plus the Europa League and Europa Conference League, also counts toward UEFA’s longstanding ranking table of each country’s collective performance. Each Champions League win for Inter, Napoli and Lazio is good for all Italian clubs doing well in Serie A. And so, the 29 games left in the Champions League through the June 1 final in London have great value beyond the 16 clubs directly involved.

Persons: Erling Haaland, Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Abu, Harry Kane’s, Kylian Mbappé, —, Madrid, ___ Organizations: Manchester City, Copenhagen, Everton, Champions League, Premier League, Liga, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern, Bundesliga, Lazio, Paris Saint, Germain, Real Sociedad, Inter Milan, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Inter, Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Dortmund, Napoli, Barcelona, Porto, Arsenal, UEFA, FIFA, League, Chelsea, Benfica, Atletico, Spanish, Juventus, Europa League, Europa Conference League, Serie, —, Liverpool Locations: Real Madrid, Europe, Man, Madrid, Leipzig, Girona, Abu Dhabi, Bellingham, Paris, United States, Barcelona, Italy, Germany, Spain, Manchester, London

☆ French superstar Kylian Mbappé decides to join Real Madrid after PSG contract expires, per reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

According to ESPN, Mbappé has not informed PSG or Real Madrid of his decision but is expected to make an announcement next week. CNN has reached out to PSG, Real Madrid and Mbappé’s representation for comment. Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappé in action with Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon on November 28, 2023. Sarah Meyssonnier/ReutersMbappé, for his part, has flirted with Real Madrid year after year. “My father received a call from someone at Real Madrid, inviting me to come to Spain for a training session over the holiday break,” Mbappé told The Players’ Tribune.

Persons: Kylian, he’s, Germain, Le, Mbappé, –, de Cordée, “, ” Mbappé, David Beckham, Ronaldo Nazário, Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Germain's Kylian, Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon, Sarah Meyssonnier, Zinedine Zidane, ‘ Zidane, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Real Madrid, Paris Saint, PSG, Le Parisien, ESPN, Real, AS Monaco, peerless, Madrid swirled, The New York Times, ”, Blancos, Newcastle, Reuters, Players ’ Tribune Locations: French, Paris, Real Madrid, ” Real Madrid, Spain

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan says too many people are “complicit” in allowing racism to continue blighting soccer, and urged authorities to take stronger action after he suffered racist abuse on Saturday night. It's not the first time it's happened to me and I'm not the first person it's happened to,” Maignan wrote in French on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The fans in the stands, who saw everything, who heard everything but decided to stay quiet, you are complicit,” Maignan continued on X. Enough is enough.”Maignan, whose brilliant performances helped Milan win the Serie A title in 2022, praised those who helped him to cope. "We reaffirm our aversion to any form of discrimination and express our profound solidarity with the AC Milan player Mike Maignan in light of Saturday’s deplorable incident at our stadium.

Persons: Mike Maignan, Maignan, DAZN, “ It's, It's, I'm, ” Maignan, “ We've, ”, Prince Boateng, Mario Balotelli, Lukaku, Gianni Infantino, Kylian Mbappé, ” Mbappé, “ Organizations: MILAN, — AC Milan, Udinese, Serie, FIFA, Maignan, Milan, AC Milan, ” Udinese, “ Udinese Locations: Italy

☆ FIFA Best Awards: Lionel Messi, Aitana Bonmatí, a green carpet and a mini tuxedo. Step inside the surreal world
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Matias Grez | Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Spaniard went on to be crowned the Best Men’s Coach after guiding City to the treble last season. That is not normal – for anything in history.”Manchester City Pep Guardiola poses with the trophy after being named the best men's coach in 2023. Later, shortlists were determined by two separate panels of experts in men’s and women’s football. Players past and present were in attendance, including the likes of Brazilian great Ronaldo and the newly crowned Women’s Best Player, Aitana Bonmatí. I’m very happy about how women’s football has evolved in Brazil and in the world.

Persons: CNN —, Pep Guardiola, Romina Polenta, Polenta, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, “, Messi, ” Polenta, Manchester City Pep Guardiola, Michael Regan, Johanne Perraud, “ Kiki, ”, Perraud didn’t, murmurs, shortlists, Ronaldo, Aitana Bonmatí, Oussama Nacer, I’ve, Nacer, Thierry Henry, ” Johanne Perraud, Romina, Matias Grez, Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Hermoso, Sarina Wiegman, Marta, “ There’ll, I’m, It’s, Hugo Íñiguez, Íñiguez’s, Íñiguez Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Manchester City, Spaniard, CNN Sport, Qatar, Inter Miami, MLS, Nacer, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Argentine, Colón, Salta Rodríguez Locations: London, Argentina, Qatar, Buenos Aires, France, men’s, Spain, Brazil, Salta

The women’s award finalists are 2023 World Cup winners Aitana Bonmatí and Jenni Hermoso of Spain, plus Linda Caicedo of Colombia. “The Best” awards represent FIFA’s version of the older and more prestigious Ballon d’Or prize. The awards ceremony at the Hammersmith Apollo theater in west London includes men's and women's awards for best coach, best goalkeeper and the Puskas Award for best goal. Messi, Mbappé and Haaland also comprised the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or award, which Messi won for an eighth time in October. The women’s eligibility period covered performances from Aug. 1, 2022 through the World Cup final last August.

Persons: —, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Aitana Bonmatí, Jenni Hermoso, Linda Caicedo, “, Puskas, Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Spain’s, Bonmatí, Ballon d’Or, Spain's Alexia Putellas, ___ Organizations: Ballon, Hammersmith Apollo, Messi’s, Mbappe’s, England, Barcelona, Spanish, Champions League, FIFA Locations: Spain, Colombia, London, Messi’s Argentina, Mbappe’s France, Qatar, Sydney, Australia

☆ Newcastle vs. PSG: Magpies denied famous win after controversial VAR penalty decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Newcastle United was denied a famous away win over Paris Saint-Germain after the French side was awarded a late penalty following yet another controversial VAR decision. Trailing 1-0 to Alexander Isak’s 24th-minute goal, PSG swarmed the Newcastle goal throughout the second half but without any success. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty after being recommended by the VAR to view the pitchside monitor. If he’s the best ref in the business – and he probably is – how can he give that?”How on earth is that a penalty for PSG. After the match, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said he was “still coming to terms” with the decision to award PSG a spot kick.

Persons: Germain, Alexander Isak’s, Ousmane Dembélé, Tino Livramento, Szymon Marciniak –, –, Dembélé, Szymon Marciniak, Alain Jocard, Darren Fletcher, Ally McCoist, it’s, Gary Lineker, Mbappé, Eddie Howe, “, ” Howe, Franck Fife, Marciniak didn’t, Lewis, @ChampionsLeague — Michael Owen, @themichaelowen Organizations: CNN, Newcastle United, Paris Saint, PSG, Magpies, Newcastle, Getty, TNT, TNT Sports, International Football Association Board, UEFA, Borussia Dortmund’s, AC Milan, Milan, Dortmund Locations: Newcastle, AFP, @GaryLineker, Paris

☆ France held to 2-2 draw as Greece spoil flawless qualifying campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ATHENS, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Greece came from a goal down to hold France to a 2-2 draw in their final Euro 2024 qualifier in Group B on Tuesday, denying Didier Deschamps' side a perfect record in their qualifying campaign. Randal Kolo Muani scored just before halftime before Greece levelled in the 56th minute through Anastasios Bakasetas and Fotis Ioannidis gave the hosts the lead five minutes later. Deschamps made eight changes to his starting lineup with Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann the only players who started on Saturday when they demolished 10-man Gibraltar 14-0 in a record Euro qualifying win. Greece, Euro 2004 champions, levelled in the 56th minute through midfielder Anastasios Bakasetas, who struck with a volley from outside the box, and Fotis Ioannidis gave Greece the lead five minutes later. France substitute Kylian Mbappe, who ended the qualifying campaign with nine goals, had a last-gasp chance to seal the win but hit the bar deep into stoppage time.

Persons: Didier Deschamps, Randal Kolo Muani, Fotis Ioannidis, Youssouf Fofana, Les Bleus, Deschamps, Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann, Griezmann, Olivier Giroud teed, Kolo Muani, Anastasios Bakasetas, Fofana, Kingsley Coman, Kylian Mbappe, Anita Kobylinska, Toby Davis Organizations: France, Thomson Locations: ATHENS, Greece, France, Netherlands, Gibraltar, Gdansk

☆ France beats Gibraltar a record 14-0 in Euro 2024 qualifier
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

2-ranked team playing against a country ranked 198 in the world and the gulf between the two was evident on the pitch. Marcus Thuram, Jonathan Clauss, Youssouf Fofana, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé all scored for France, while Olivier Giroud and Kingsley Coman got two goals apiece. “Being down to 10, already with 11 it’s complicated for them, but it doesn’t take away the credit for us even if we could have been more efficient, it’s as much about respecting the opponent as scoring goals,” France manager Didier Deschamps said, per Reuters. “Fourteen is not bad.”France had 39 attempts on goal, 19 of which were on target, while Gibraltar failed to muster a chance. France, already qualified for Euro 2024 in Germany, is top of Group B while a winless Gibraltar is bottom on zero points without having yet scored a goal during qualification.

Persons: Les Bleus, Kylian Mbappé, Warren Zaïre, Emery, Philippe Lecoeur, Ethan Santos, Santos, Marcus Thuram, Jonathan Clauss, Youssouf Fofana, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé, Olivier Giroud, Kingsley Coman, Didier Deschamps, ” Organizations: CNN, France, European Championship, Reuters, Allianz, “, ” Locations: Gibraltar, San Marino, Nice, ” France, France, Germany

☆ Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí win men’s and women’s awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday, while Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin – the annual soccer awards celebrating the best players in the men’s and women’s game. This [award] is also for you, I share it with you and with all of Argentina.”Barça and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony on October 30. “I’m very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. In both places, I have the best teammates next to me that make me better every day.”Aitana Bonmatí has won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the first time. Barcelona Femení won Women’s Club of the Year for its standout year, which included three titles – Liga F, the Spanish Super Cup and the Women’s Champions League – and having a roster which included six Ballon d’Or Féminin nominees, including the winner, Bonmatí.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Aitana Bonmatí, Féminin, Messi, Ballon, Erling Haaland, Germain, Kylian, “, I’ve, ”, David Beckham, Aitana, ” Messi, Odd Andersen, Diego Maradona, Diego, Maradona, ” Barça, Aitana Bonmati, Franck Fife, ” Bonmatí, Novak Djokovic, haven’t, ” Aitana Bonmatí, Javier Borrego, Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr, Bonmatí’s, Salma Paralluelo, Jude Bellingham, Gerd Müller, Stefan Wermuth, Pep Guardiola’s, Barcelona Femení, d’Or Féminin, Bonmatí, Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, Argentina Ballon, Spain Gerd Müller, Striker, Emiliano Martínez, Socrates, Vinícius Jr Organizations: CNN, Argentina’s, Inter Miami star’s, Manchester City, Paris Saint, Inter Miami, Argentina –, Copa América, Getty, Argentina national, …, Copa, France Football, Barcelona, Liga, League, Wolfsburg, world’s, FC Barcelona, Europa Press, Chelsea, Roja, Bellingham, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, German, FA, Men’s Club, pipping Inter Milan, Women’s Club, Spanish, Women’s, League –, Norway Yashin, Aston Villa, Argentina Kopa, Real, Brazil Men’s Club, Year Manchester City Women’s Club Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Paris, Argentina, Qatar, Argentine, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, Barça, Spanish, Bellingham, Los, Madrid, El Clásico, Manchester, Istanbul, Bonmatí, Manchester City, Norway, Real Madrid, Brazil

☆ Haaland brace lifts Man City to 3-1 win over Young Boys
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

City can clinch their spot in the knockout stage when they play Young Boys again, this time at home, on Nov. 7. Haaland scored for the first time in six Champions League games with a penalty in the 67th minute after Mohamed Camara's tackle on Rodri in the box. Haaland, who rewrote several scoring records last season, added another one on Wednesday, breaking Kylian Mbappe's mark as the youngest player to score 37 Champions League goals. But Young Boys caught City keeper Ederson in no man's land to level four minutes later, sending in Meschack Elia with a superb pass which he scooped high over Ederson into the net. Young Boys are third in the group on one point after three matches.

Persons: Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji, Pep, Guardiola, I'm, Haaland, Mohamed Camara's, Akanji, Ruben Dias's, Anthony Racioppi, Meschack Elia, Jack Grealish's, Racioppi, Matheus Nunes, Loris Benito, Rico Lewis, City's Julian Alvarez, Grealish, Lori Ewing, Clare Fallon Organizations: Manchester City, Champions League, Swiss, Young Boys, Wednesday, TNT Sports, League, Boys, Ederson, Thomson Locations: Norwegian, Swiss

☆ French connection strikes as PSG beat AC Milan to go top
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Another Kylian Mbappe moment of magic and a Randal Kolo Muani goal helped Paris St Germain beat a toothless AC Milan 3-0 at the Parc des Princes to go top of their Champions League Group F on Wednesday. "We play as a team, we make the efforts for our team mates, that's how we do it." Kolo Muani said: "We wanted to control the match and go for the win. PSG got off to an aggressive start but were outnumbered in the midfield and struggled to free themselves from Milan's pressing play. PSG next travel on Nov. 7 to Milan, who will need what would be their first win in the group stage to maintain their hopes of reaching the knockout phase.

Persons: Randal Kolo Muani, Paris St Germain, Mbappe, Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele, Lee Kang, Warren Zaire, Emery, Luis Enrique's, Milan's Olivier Giroud, Manuel Ugarte, Dembele, Kolo, Mike Maignan, Christian Pulisic, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rafael Leao's, Maignan, Lee, Julien Pretot, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Paris St, Milan, Princes, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, AC Milan, League, PSG, Borussia, Newcastle, Thomson Locations: Parc, France, Zaire, Milan

☆ Hakimi shines as PSG win 3-1 at Rennes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RENNES, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win at Rennes after Achraf Hakimi scored one goal and created another on Sunday to help the capital club move up to third in Ligue 1 two points off the pace set by AS Monaco. Before Rennes could recover, the Roazhon Park crowd was silenced once again four minutes later when PSG right back Hakimi ghosted past an unsuspecting defence and headed in 17-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery's cross from close range. Rennes improved after the break and hit back in the 56th minute when they pounced on a loose pass and Amine Gouiri headed home Ludovic Blas's cross to halve the deficit. PSG's Luis Enrique brought on Randal Kolo Muani a minute later and the forward got on the scoresheet almost immediately with a first-time finish from Hakimi's pass, leaving Rennes shell-shocked and their coach Bruno Genesio fuming on the bench. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Paris St Germain, Achraf Hakimi, Clermont Foot, Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, Warren, Ludovic Blas's, PSG's Luis Enrique, Randal Kolo Muani, Bruno Genesio fuming, PSG's Kylian Mbappe, Steve Mandanda, Frenchman, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: RENNES, Paris St, Rennes, Ligue, AS Monaco, PSG, Clermont, Newcastle United, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Paris, Rennes, Warren Zaire, Hakimi's, Bengaluru

☆ 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

☆ Kolo Muani and Ramos score maiden PSG goals in win over Marseille
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos scored their first goals for Paris St Germain as the French champions crushed bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille 4-0 in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Kolo Muani and Ramos, with a brace, added to Achraf Hakimi's early opener to lift PSG up to third in the standings with 11 points from six games, two behind surprise leaders Stade Brestois. Marseille, who have had a rough week off the field amid a feud with their fans, are seventh on nine points. The night ended with PSG fans in the Boulogne kop celebrating with homophobic chants, and a big part of the crowd clapping along. The chants briefly stopped when Ramos scored the fourth goal after being set up by Kolo Muani at the end of a sharp counter-attack.

Persons: Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Paris St Germain, Kolo Muani, Ramos, Achraf, Kylian Mbappe, We're, Luis Enrique, Marcelino, Pablo Longoria, Frank McCourt, Jacques Abardonado, Enrique, Hakimi, Mbappe, Marcelo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, Pau Lopez's, Muani, Azzedine, Ilian, Ousmane Dembele's, Morgan Guilavogui, Julien Pretot, Clare Fallon Organizations: Paris St, Olympique de Marseille, Ligue, PSG, Stade Brestois, Parc des Princes, Marseille, OM, Vitinha, RC Lens, Toulouse, Sevilla, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Parc des, Provence, France, Marseille, Boulogne

LONDON, Sept 21 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Barely a day goes by without an eye-catching story involving Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. A third of the fund consists of significant stakes in domestic companies like the $51 billion Saudi Telecom Company (7010.SE) and $53 billion Saudi National Bank (1180.SE). Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe PIF’s investment strategy is also racier than its more conservative peers. But the episode reinforces the impression that the PIF is a mix of venture capital, hedge fund and startup money. The most spectacular was probably handing $45 billion to SoftBank Group (9984.T) boss Masayoshi Son for his $100 billion first Vision Fund.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, It’s, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Yasir Al, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, Rumayyan, Salman bin Abdulaziz, Masayoshi Son, SWFs, Taiwan’s Foxconn, Peter Thal Larsen, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Standard Chartered, Spanish telco Telefonica, Fund, Abu, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Global, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Saudi, Saudi Telecom Company, Saudi National Bank, Saudi Aramco, giga, Qatar Investment Authority, Singapore’s Temasek, Al, MbS, SoftBank Group, Vision, Credit Suisse, UBS, Saudi giga, Aramco, Investment, Thomson Locations: Spanish, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Saudi

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

☆ Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid: Soccer’s never-ending transfer saga
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

This, of course, is Kylian Mbappé’s much discussed, potential move from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Real Madrid. The first time Real Madrid came calling for the boy from Bondy was when the forward was just 13 years old. Zinedine Zidane watches on as Mbappé plays against his Real Madrid team in 2019. I mean, that tells you the story through that.”Jude Bellingham (C) and Vinícius Júnior (R) are leading the next generation of Real Madrid stars. “The biggest failure for me would be that Real Madrid didn’t have a plan B if the Mbappé signing didn’t happen,” he adds.

Persons: Germain, Mbappé, Zinedine Zidane, ” Mbappé, ‘ Zidane, ’ ”, Anthony Dibon, Blancos, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, France’s, “, ”, ” France's, Francois Mori, Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff, it’s, Krasnoff, Bleus, –, de Cordée, Anne, Christine Poujoulat, ” Nabil Larbi, Billie Jean King’s, undesirables ’, PSG President Nasser Al, Kirill Kudryavtsev, David Beckham, Ronaldo Nazário, Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Florentino Pérez, Álvaro Romeo, Vinícius Jr, Jude Bellingham –, Dani Carvajal, I’m, ” Carvajal, ” Romeo, Romeo, he’s, ” Jude Bellingham, Vinícius, Jorge Guerrero, Merengues, Real, they’ve, Karim Benzema, Joselu Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, PSG, AS Monaco, Real Madrid, Real, Players ’ Tribune, French national, League, The New York Times, Getty, CNN Sport, peerless, Fifth, Stade de France, Stade France, French, PSG President, City, Spain Real Madrid, Madrid Locations: Paris, Real Madrid, Madrid, Bondy, Spain, France, Fifth Republic, Republic, AFP, Greater Paris, Mbappé, Cameroon, Algeria, Bondy’s, Japan, City of, Spanish, Real, Saudi Arabian, Ittihad

☆ Nice shock PSG 3-2 with Moffi double
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

They are one point behind second-placed Nice, still unbeaten in the 2023-24 campaign, and two points off leaders AS Monaco, who travel to Lorient on Sunday. But the game saw a quick turnaround when Moffi put Nice in front in the 21st minute, netting low inside the near post. "It was a great Nice team in front of us," substitute Randal Kolo Muani said. PSG did not lose any of their previous 13 home matches against Nice in all competitions. Nice, meanwhile, are one of four teams still unbeaten in the top-flight along with Rennes, Olympique de Marseille and Monaco this season.

Persons: Terem Moffi, Luis Enrique, Ousmane Dembele, Marcin Bulka, Kylian Mbappe, Moffi, Bulka, Mbappe, Dembele, Gaetan Laborde, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sofiane Diop, Randal Kolo Muani, Anita Kobylinska, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Paris St, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, AS Monaco, Nice, Olympique de Marseille, Thomson Locations: Ligue, Nice, Lorient, Rennes, Monaco, Gdansk

☆ Messi, Mbappe and Haaland among FIFA Best award nominees, Bonmati on women's list
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUDAPEST, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are on the short-list for The Best FIFA Men's Player Award, while Spain's Aitana Bonmati is among the nominees for the Best Women's Player on the back of winning the Golden Ball at the World Cup. Half of the dozen nominees in the men's category were part of Manchester City's 2022-23 treble-winning squad, while City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola is nominated for Best Men's Coach. Spain's World Cup win sees four of their players among the 16 nominees for the women's award. World Cup runners-up England have four players on the list, with Sarina Wiegman up for the women's coaching award, while Australia have three players. World Cup winners Messi of Argentina and Spain's Alexia Putellas are the current holders of the top player awards.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Spain's, Pep Guardiola, Sarina, Spain's Alexia Putellas, Mia Hamm, Didier Drogba, Lori Ewing, Ken Ferris Organizations: FIFA, Messi, Argentina, FIFA.com, National, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Manchester, Spanish, Australia

☆ Mbappe to be available against Nice, says Luis Enrique
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain striker Kylian Mbappe should be available against Nice in Ligue 1 on Friday after sitting out a friendly against Germany earlier this week, coach Luis Enrique said on Thursday. "We will analyse him tomorrow to find out what is going on," Luis Enrique told a press conference on Thursday. We will discuss tomorrow to find out if he will be ready (for Nice). However, we've been working together for two months, so they already know the instructions," Luis Enrique said. "Nice are a very hard-working team with a young coach, but with experience.

Persons: Kylian, Luis Enrique, Mbappe, Didier Deschamps, Manuel, Ugarte, we've, Marco Verratti, Anita Kobylinska, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Paris St Germain, Nice, Germany, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, Olympique de Marseille, Parc des Princes, Qatari, Al, Ligue, AS Monaco, Thomson Locations: Paris, Ligue, Nice, France, Germany, Spanish, Parc des, Arabi, Marseille, Gdansk

☆ Voeller's Germany snap losing run with 2-1 win over France
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DORTMUND, Germany, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Euro 2024 hosts Germany beat France 2-1 in their international friendly on Tuesday to snap a three-game losing streak and regain some confidence following a bad run which led to the sacking of coach Hansi Flick on Sunday. We should not read too much into this win but for us it was a small emotional release." "It is important for the players, the federation to play like that, especially in the first half it was a top performance," Voeller said. It just feels good especially after the recent defeats," added Voeller, a 1990 World Cup winner who coached Germany from 2000-2004. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Ken Ferris and Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hansi Flick, Thomas Mueller, Leroy Sane, Rudi Voeller, Kylian Mbappe, Mueller, Rudi, Randal Kolo Muani, Marc Andre ter Stegen, Antoine Griezmann, Sane, Marcus Thuram, Voeller, Karolos Grohmann, Ken Ferris, Clare Fallon Organizations: France, Germany, Thomson Locations: DORTMUND, Germany, France, Japan

☆ Champions League draw: Paris Saint-Germain in ‘group of death’ and Harry Kane to return to England
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —It’s time for Europe’s biggest soccer clubs to go head-to-head again and the draw for this season’s Champions League group stages didn’t disappoint in producing some mouthwatering fixtures. Jurij Kodrun/Getty ImagesIndividual awardsFollowing the Champions League draw, individual awards were handed out for the 2022-23 season. The Spaniard led Manchester City to a historic treble as the club picked up silverware in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. Bonmatí also had a brilliant season for club team Barcelona, where she was influential as it won a league and Champions League double. Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland were awarded for their part in helping Manchester City to a historic treble of trophies.

Persons: CNN —, Germain, Mbappé, Charly Triballeau, Harry Kane, Jurij Kodrun, Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland, Haaland, Sarina Wiegman, Wiegman, Aitana Bonmatí, Bonmatí, Franck Fife Organizations: CNN, Europe’s, Champions League, Paris Saint, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle, PSG, Getty, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Galatasaray, League, Manchester City, G, Arsenal, Gunners, Real, Napoli, Braga, Union Berlin, UEFA, Spaniard, Premier League, FA, Manchester, England, Barcelona, Galatasaray Group B – Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven, Lens, Real Madrid, Union Berlin Group, Benfica, Inter Milan, RB Salzburg, Real Sociedad Group E – Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Celtic, Saint, RB Leipzig, Crvena zvezda, Star, Young Boys, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Locations: Paris, Newcastle, AFP, England, Copenhagen, Europe, Real Madrid, Spain, Manchester, Braga, Lazio, Barcelona, Porto, Royal Antwerp

☆ 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

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