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☆ Lyon sign France forward Diani on four-year deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Diani, the leading scorer in the French top flight in the 2022-23 season with 17 goals, joined PSG in 2017 from Paris FC. She helped PSG to win the league title in 2021 and two French Cups, in 2018 and 2022, and has scored more than 90 goals in nearly 170 games in all competitions in the past six years. The 28-year-old, currently with the French national team at the Women's World Cup, netted a hat-trick, including two penalties, to lead France to a frenzied 6-3 victory over debutants Panama and into the last 16 on Wednesday. She scored on her France debut in November 2014 in a 2-1 friendly win over New Zealand and has earned nearly 90 caps and scored more than 30 goals since then. Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Carl Recine, Paris St Germain, Diani, Anita Kobylinska, Clare Fallon Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Sydney Football Stadium, Olympique Lyonnais, Paris St, PSG, Paris FC, French, debutants, France, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Panama, France, Sydney, Australia, debutants Panama, Gdansk

☆ Paris company listings raise 92% less in 2023, research says, but London holds up
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON — Funds raised by companies debuting on the Paris stock exchange fell by 92% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year, according to new research, underperforming other exchanges in the region. The report shows that funds raised on the Euronext Paris declined to 32.8 million euros from 402.6 million euros over the first six months of the year. Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange raised £586.2 million ($751.7 million) through initial public offerings over the first six months of the year, flat on the same period in 2022. However, there were still signs of a more subdued investment environment, with funds raised through "further issues" — additional share offerings to raise more cash — down 36% to £3.65 billion. The number of companies listing across the main and smaller alternative investment (AIM) markets in London fell to 17 from 29.

Persons: Rob Crowley Organizations: Research, KPMG UK, CNBC, Euronext, London Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Nordic, German Deutsche, IONOS, LSE, UK Capital, KPMG Locations: Paris, Europe, Euronext Paris, London, Euronext Amsterdam, Milan, German

☆ Women’s World Cup: New Zealand Takes Aim at Another First
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Claire Fahy | The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Hannah Wilkinson after New Zealand’s 1-0 win over Norway, its first-ever win at the Women’s World Cup. The South Koreans have made it to the knockout stages once in three previous World Cup appearances, in 2015. New Zealand vs. Philippines New Zealand’s players shocked many people — including themselves — by upsetting Norway, 1-0, in the opening match of the World Cup. #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/WGhond6p7h — Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) July 21, 2023 The Philippines lost, 2-0, to Switzerland in its World Cup debut. The Norwegians are led by Ada Hegerberg, the 28-year-old striker — and former world player of the year — who sat out the 2019 World Cup in protest of her federation’s treatment of women’s soccer.

Persons: Hannah Wilkinson, Andrew Cornaga, Norway —, —, “, WGhond6p7h, Jeff Carlisle, Alen Stajcic, Ada Hegerberg, Ramona Bachmann, Germain Organizations: Football Ferns, New, Associated Press New, New Zealand, Copa América, Ireland, ”, Ferns, FIFA, United, Switzerland, European, Paris St Locations: Philippines, Colombia, South Korea, Norway, Associated Press New Zealand, New Zealand, Wellington, Switzerland, Korea Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, ” Colombia, China, Sydney, Australia, United States, America, Australian, ” Switzerland, Norway Norway, Swiss

Those deals, though, pale into comparison with its most ambitious target yet: Kylian Mbappé. Over the weekend, one of the Saudi Professional League’s more prominent teams, Al Hilal, submitted an offer worth $332 million for the France striker to his current team, Paris St.-Germain. Should the deal go through, it would make Mbappé the most expensive player in the sport’s history by some distance, dwarfing the $263 million P.S.G. On Tuesday, it was reported by some news outlets that P.S.G. for a team in what was most recently ranked as soccer’s 58th strongest domestic league.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Al Hilal, Germain, ’, Nasser Al, Al Hilal’s, Fayza Lamari, Mbappé, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi Organizations: Saudi, France, Mbappé Locations: Saudi, Paris St

☆ Mbappe excluded from PSG's Asian tour squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 21 (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe has not been included in Paris St Germain's squad for their Asian pre-season tour amid reports that he has been put up for sale by the Ligue 1 side. PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said they will not let him go for free after the club spent 180 million euros ($200 million) to sign him. Mbappe was injured for the first leg and said they were "helpless" in the second. PSG will also face Japan league's Cerezo Osaka and Serie A side Inter Milan before travelling to South Korea to take on Jeonbuk Motors. ($1 = 0.8990 euros)Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico CityOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mbappe, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Luis Enrique's, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, Japan league's, Janina Nuno Rios Organizations: Paris St, Ligue, Mbappe, PSG, Real Madrid, Reuters, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Japan, Osaka, Serie A, Inter Milan, Jeonbuk Motors, Thomson Locations: Paris, Japan, South Korea, Mexico City

☆ Leipzig sign Dutch midfielder Simons on one-year loan from PSG
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 19 (Reuters) - Germany's RB Leipzig have signed Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons on a one-year loan from French champions Paris St Germain, both clubs said on Wednesday. The 20-year-old returned to PSG on Wednesday, signing a four-year contract following a year at Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven. In the Netherlands Simons was league's second-best scorer with 19 goals in 34 games, helping PSV to a second-place finish as well as to the 2022-23 KNVB Cup. "We have been able to sign an exceptional young talent in Xavi Simons," Leipzig's Board Member for Sport Max Eberl told the club website. "I was immediately impressed by RB Leipzig's style of play and I strongly believe that my qualities will be a good match for this team and we can achieve a lot together."

Persons: Xavi Simons, Netherlands Simons, Sport Max Eberl, Simons, Anita Kobylinska, Toby Davis Organizations: Leipzig, Paris St Germain, PSG, Wednesday, PSV Eindhoven, PSV, KNVB, Sport, Bundesliga, Champions League, RB, Thomson Locations: Netherlands, Europe, Barcelona, Leipzig, Qatar, United States, Gdansk

☆ Messi expects 'great things' at Inter Miami after glitzy unveiling
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Messi, seven months removed from leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, was presented to fans during a glitzy event called 'The Unveil' at Miami's home stadium. "We are going to have a good time and great things are going to happen. The event was being held a day after Inter Miami announced that Messi signed a contract that will keep him with the club through 2025. Messi had also been linked with a return to Barcelona, the Spanish club he helped claim 10 league titles, four Champions League crowns and three Club World Cups. But in early June Messi announced his decision to join Inter Miami in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspaper even though a contract had not yet been signed.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Jorge Mas, Jose R, Mas, David Beckham, Marco Bello, Lionel Messi's, Messi, Ballon, I've, Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, Mexico's Cruz, Leo, Beckham, Paris St Germain, Cristiano, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Frank Pingue, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, Inter Miami CF, New Inter Miami, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, NFL, NBA, Inter Miami, Leagues, Mexico's, Miami, MLS, Eastern Conference, Paris St, Reuters, Al, PSG, Cristiano Ronaldo, League, Mundo Deportivo, Sport, Thomson Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida, United States, Argentina, Qatar, Miami, Mexico's Cruz Azul, Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabian, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Barcelona, Spanish, Toronto

☆ Thousands of French Swifties have bad blood with Ticketmaster after it abruptly halted, then rescheduled the sale of the Eras Tour tickets
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Swifties in France are furious after Ticketmaster abruptly halted Eras Tour ticket sales for Taylor Swift's Paris shows. The company abruptly suspended ticket sales for the star's Eras Tour in Paris and Lyon shortly after presales started on Tuesday, leaving thousands of fans hanging. "The Taylor Swift sale | The 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Eras Tour for Paris La Défense Arena has been put on hold. The Eras Tour ticketing situation got so bad that it even prompted a group of Swifties to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. In March, the Ticketmaster platform also crashed during the ticket sales for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

Persons: Taylor, Taylor Swift, presales Organizations: Ticketmaster, Taylor Swift's, Lyon, Paris, Twitter, Paris La Défense, Federal Trade Commission, Eurovision, Coldplay Locations: France, Taylor Swift's Paris, Paris, Lyon, Mexico City, Singapore

☆ Fact Check-Night video of Zebra and Lions on streets predates 2023 France riots
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A video compilation claiming to show zoo animals roaming Paris streets is made up of clips that are not recent and is unrelated to the ongoing riots in France in June and July 2023. Social media users shared a compiled video of unrelated footage showing animals roaming city streets at night, with the caption: “It is being reported that in the French riots, numerous zoo animals have been released in France” on Facebook (here) and Twitter (here). However, the videos predate riots in France over the police shooting of a teenager of Algerian and Moroccan descent on June 27 (here). The clip of a sprinting zebra shot from the dashcam of a vehicle could be traced to a tweet published on April 11, 2020 (here). There is no evidence that animals have been released from Paris zoos amid riots in the city in 2023.

Persons: Le Parisien, Saint Denis, Mathieu Descombes, ”, Read Organizations: Paris Zoological, des, Social, Facebook, Twitter, Chennevières, Parc Zoologique de, ” Reuters, Reuters Locations: Paris, France, de, Algerian, Saint Denis, Parc Zoologique de Paris, Ile

☆ In Paris, a Dinner at a Former Taxidermy Workshop
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Julia Sherman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Though far smaller in scale, the debut of We Are Ona’s Paris studio, on a crisp evening in spring, felt just as significant. As the sun set, friends began to trickle in, accepting glasses of celebratory champagne. Kenny Duncan, 35, a sculptor, found common ground with the chef Zélikha Dinga, 34, whose old-world desserts are presented with an artist’s eye. Behind her was an oil painting of a young woman in tears, a self-portrait by her dinner partner, the artist Inès Longevial, 32. “Four hundred people sat on 400 one-of-a-kind chairs,” Pronzato said.

Persons: Pronzato, Ona, Rihanna, Sayaka Sawaguchi, Gil Nogueira, Garde, Louis, Géraud Castor, Castor, Sébastien Meyer, Arnaud Vaillant, Mory Sacko, Louis Vuitton, Tropez, Kenny Duncan, Zélikha Dinga, Celine Pham, Inès Longevial, ”, he’s, Gaetano Pesce, ” Pronzato, “, — Organizations: Perron, Cartier, Louis, Reform Locations: Los Angeles, Champagne, Coperni, St ., Inari, Arles, Italian

☆ P.S.G. Says Mbappé Must Sign a New Deal or Leave the Club
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Tariq Panja | More About Tariq Panja | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was at the unveiling of yet another new coach that Paris St.-Germain’s president made his first public statement on the future of his team’s best player. Kylian Mbappé, the marquee player for P.S.G. Such a scenario would leave the club in the unenviable situation of losing, without compensation, a player in whom it has invested more than $500 million in transfer fees, bonuses and wages. “We do not want him to leave for free in 2024,” al-Khelaifi said. But he needs to sign a new contract.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, Nasser al, Khelaifi, Luis Enrique, Mbappé, ”, Kylian Organizations: Paris Locations: France

☆ The Mystery That Ended Two Women’s World Cup Dreams
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Tariq Panja | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The scandal — a sudden and violent attack by a mystery man; accusations and denials; tabloid headlines — led to worldwide attention and, years later, a feature-length movie about Harding. But to Diallo, a 28-year-old French soccer player being led up a police station stairwell, the mention of her name — “Have you heard of Tonya Harding?” — produced only a blank stare. Now, in France, a generation later, the police suspected a similar motive in an attack on Kheira Hamraoui, Diallo’s teammate at the French club Paris St.-Germain. Prosecutors last September charged Diallo with aggravated assault in the attack on Hamraoui. Documents in the case and leaks to the French news media have accused Diallo of masterminding a premeditated attack.

Persons: Aminata Diallo, Tonya Harding, Harding, Diallo, ” —, Nancy Kerrigan, Germain, Hamraoui, Kerrigan, masterminding Organizations: Police, Paris St, French national Locations: Versailles, American, France, Diallo’s, women’s

☆ Netherlands aim to turn 'dream a reality' after 2019 runners-up finish
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Soccer Football - Women - Group F - Zambia v Netherlands - Miyagi Stadium, Miyagi, Japan - July 21, 2021. "Yes, you do dream about that (winning the World Cup)," Martens told FIFA in an interview. "And I think it is very good that you keep trying to make that dream a reality. The character in the team is back and maybe we can achieve something beautiful again at this World Cup." Andries Jonker's side will kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal on July 3 before taking on record-four-time winners the United States on July 27.

Persons: Lieke Martens, Margaret Belemu, Molly Darlington, Martens, Andries Jonker's, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer, Zambia REUTERS, Paris St Germain, Champions League, European, UEFA, FIFA, Portugal, United, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Zambia, Netherlands, Miyagi, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Paris, United States, Barcelona, —, Bengaluru

☆ Messi says he struggled to adapt after PSG move, some fans treated him differently
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"My stay in Paris started with a very difficult adaptation, much more than I expected, even though I had people I knew in the dressing room. "And then people started to treat me differently, a part of the Paris fans started to treat me differently." "There was a rift with a big part of the Paris fans, it was not my intention, far from it, it happened like that. It had happened before with Mbappe and Neymar and I know that's their way of doing things." Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City and Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lionel Messi, jeers, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Messi, BeIN, Cruz Azul, Janina Nuno Rios, Rohith Nair, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Paris St Germain, PSG, MLS, Inter Miami, League, BeIN Sports, Paris, Miami, Thomson Locations: Paris, Argentine, Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Cruz, Mexico City, Bengaluru

☆ Explainer: What is the 'Bridgetown Initiative' asking for at Paris summit?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] An aerial view shows the Seine River and the skyline of La Defense financial and business district near Paris, France, June 19, 2023. REUTERS/Stephanie LecocqPARIS, June 22 (Reuters) - President Macron hosts a summit in Paris starting Thursday to discuss reform of the world's multilateral finance institutions in the face of climate change and other development challenges. A key topic of discussion will be suggestions from a group of developing countries, led by Barbados, dubbed the 'Bridgetown Initiative'. They should simplify and harmonise the way countries can apply to access loans across the world. The international financial institutions should also finance development plans that help protect shared resources.

Persons: Stephanie Lecocq PARIS, Macron, Simon Jessop, Leigh Thomas, Christina Fincher Organizations: La Defense, REUTERS, Bridgetown Initiative, Monetary Fund, Rapid, IMF, World Bank, African Development Bank, Development Association, Growth Trust, Resilience, Sustainability Trust, World Trade Organisation, International Financial, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Barbados, Bridgetown

☆ Record-breaker Mbappe leads France to 1-0 win over Greece
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The result left France top with 12 points, six ahead of second-placed Greece, who had Konstantinos Mavropanos sent off in the 69th minute after Mbappe's 55th minute spot kick. "We wanted to follow up on our win against Gibraltar, in front of our crowd," said midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, referring to France's 3-0 win on Friday. It came after earlier opportunities for Mbappe and Kingsley Coman but the offensive trio hit a brick wall. Vlachodimos parried Mbappe's spot kick but it had to be taken again as the keeper had left his goal line too early. After Saturday's win over Gibraltar, France have now scored nine goals and kept clean sheets in all four qualifying games.

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Mbappe, Just Fontaine, Erling Haaland, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Didier Deschamps, Eduardo Camavinga, Randal Kolo Muani, Kingsley Coman, Les Bleus, Jules Kounde's, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Antoine Griezmann, Greece's, Mavropanos, Kolo Muani, Saturday's, Julien Pretot, Clare Fallon, Ken Ferris Organizations: Greece, St Germain, Manchester City, Gibraltar, Mbappe, Thomson Locations: France, Norway, Cyprus, Greece, Gibraltar, Ireland, Netherlands

☆ Real's history, not money, motivation for move, says Bellingham
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MADRID, June 15 (Reuters) - Jude Bellingham's decision to join Real Madrid was not driven by money but by a desire to contribute to the Spanish side's rich footballing history, the England international said on Thursday. I don't think about money at all when I make these kind of decisions. The respect that England has for Real Madrid is so high. The legacy within the club and this number," Bellingham said. Bellingham declined to comment on the reports, saying: "(Kane) is a world class player, he's my captain for the national team.

Persons: Jude Bellingham's, Bellingham, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Zinedine Zidane, Zinedene Zidane, Jude, Harry Kane, Mbappe, Kane, he's, Aadi Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Real Madrid, England, Real, Borussia Dortmund, Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris St, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Bellingham, Madrid, England, Europe, Paris, Paris St Germain's, Nashik, India

☆ 'In principle, I'm done', Messi unlikely to play at 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, June 14 (Reuters) - Argentina skipper Lionel Messi has said that "in principle" last year's World Cup would be his fifth and final appearance at global soccer's showpiece event. The 35-year-old forward led his country to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar last December, saying throughout the tournament that he would not be playing at another edition. This was my last World Cup," Messi told Titan Sports ahead of Argentina's friendly against Australia in Beijing. "I'll see how things go but in principle, I won't go to the next World Cup." I am very happy about his achievement, winning the recent UEFA Champions League," Messi told the Chinese sports paper in an interview.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Ballon, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, Pep, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Titan Sports, Australia, Paris St Germain, Inter Miami, Barcelona, League, football's, Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Socceroos, Workers, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Argentina, Qatar, United States, Canada, Mexico, Beijing, Paris, Sydney

☆ Mbappe tells PSG he will not renew contract when it ends in 2024, reports L'Equipe
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

June 12 (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe has told Paris St Germain he will leave the Ligue 1 champions when his contract ends next year, L'Equipe reported on Monday. The French international will not trigger a one-year extension option and could even be sold this summer as PSG will seek to prevent him from leaving for free, according to the local reports. Mbappe was in a similar situation last year when he was linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, only to sign a contract extension with PSG. The 24-year-old, who scored 41 goals in 43 games in all competitions for PSG this season, would be free to negotiate and sign a pre-contract agreement with a new club from January should he stay in Paris. Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mbappe, Paris St Germain, Janina Nuno Rios, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Paris St, Ligue, L'Equipe, French, PSG, Real Madrid, Thomson Locations: Spanish, Paris, Mexico City

☆ Messi will increase MLS popularity, says Neymar
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 12 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain striker Neymar Jr said he already knew Lionel Messi was going to join MLS side Inter Miami and predicted the U.S. top flight is set to change because of the popularity the Argentine will attract. Messi, 35, announced on Wednesday that he plans to take his talents to South Beach after his contract with French champions expires at the end of this month. "I told him he's going to be very happy for the city, for the lifestyle and for the opportunity to live and play here in Miami. "Now that he's here, I think all the football fans around the world are going to come and get a chance to see him compete. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi, Messi, it's, Neymar, he's, Leo, Jimmy Butler, Butler, Angelica Medina, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Paris St Germain, MLS, Inter Miami, U.S ., Argentine, Messi, French, ESPN Brazil, Brazil, PSG, NBA, U.S, Thomson Locations: Paris, Beach, Miami, United States, Barcelona, Florida, Mexico

☆ Messi in Beijing for friendly before move to Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, June 10 (Reuters) - Argentine superstar Lionel Messi arrived in Beijing on Saturday for a friendly match before leaving a storied European career to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent. Messi, who lifted the World Cup in Qatar in December and is widely considered to be one of the game's all-time greats, confirmed this week he will leave French champions Paris St Germain for the U.S. league. This is the Argentina captain's seventh visit to China and his first since 2017. Australia and Argentina last met at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in the round of 16, where Messi was among the scorers as his team won 2-1. Reporting by Reuters newsroom; Writing by Martin Pollard and Engen Tham; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Paris St Germain, Martin Pollard, Engen, William Mallard Organizations: Argentine, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Football, Weibo, Workers, Paris St, U.S ., men's, Reuters, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, Beijing, Thursday's Argentina, Australia, Qatar, Argentina, China

☆ Lionel Messi in Beijing for friendly before move to Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A man walks past a poster of a upcoming football invitational match between Argentina and Australia at a bus stop in Beijing on June 9, 2023. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi arrived in Beijing on Saturday for a friendly match before leaving a storied European career to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent. His arrival was announced in a post on the organizer International Football Invitation's official Weibo social media site with a video of players stepping off a plane, ahead of Thursday's Argentina-Australia match in the Chinese capital's recently rebuilt Workers' Stadium. Messi, who lifted the World Cup in Qatar in December and is widely considered to be one of the game's all-time greats, confirmed this week he will leave French champions Paris St Germain for the U.S. league.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Paris St Germain Organizations: Argentine, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Football, Weibo, Workers, Paris St, U.S . Locations: Argentina, Australia, Beijing, Thursday's Argentina, Qatar

☆ Heat forward Butler excited about Messi's impact in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Jun 7, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; A general view of the video board with a welcome message for soccer player Lionel Messi to Inter Miami CF during game three of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center. Butler, who has led the Heat to their second NBA Finals in four years, said his arrival will be a real boost for Miami. "He's one of the greatest players to play that beautiful game," Butler told reporters on Thursday. "I'm so excited for the city of Miami, to be able to have a player of that calibre here. Heat are trailing Denver Nuggets 2-1 in the Finals ahead of Game 4 in Miami on Friday.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Kyle Terada, Jimmy Butler, Lionel Messi's, Paris St Germain, Butler, Messi, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Inter Miami CF, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Kaseya Center, Inter Miami, Argentine, U.S, Messi, South, French, Paris St, NBA, Miami, Thomson Locations: Miami , Florida, USA, South Beach, Miami, Hyderabad

☆ Lionel Messi, Soccer’s Most Coveted Free Agent, Picks Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Andrew Das | Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Should the deal be finalized, Messi’s signing would be the biggest coup for M.L.S. That deal shifted perceptions of the league’s quality, and its ambitions, around the world; capturing Messi would, if anything, deliver even more attention to the league in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup. Messi admitted, in his interview, that Miami had — perhaps — not been his first choice of destination as his contract at his most recent team, Paris St.-Germain, ran down. He “obviously really wanted to return,” he said, and had discussed the idea with both Xavi Hernández, the club’s manager, and Joan Laporta, its president. Ultimately, though, Barcelona’s financial turmoil forced his hand.

Persons: Beckham, Messi, Germain, “, ”, Hernández, Joan Laporta Organizations: Barcelona Locations: Miami, Paris St, Barcelona, Catalonia, Europe, Argentina

☆ Former France captain Henry recalled for Women's World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 7 (Reuters) - Former France captain Amandine Henry was included in coach Herve Renard's provisional 26-player squad for the Women's World Cup, returning to the international set-up after a two-year absence. Henry, who captained France at the 2019 World Cup, and all-time leading goal scorer Eugenie Le Sommer were left out of the squad by Diacre for last year's European Championship in England. France sacked Diacre in March after a number of players, including captain Wendie Renard, said they would no longer represent the national side as long as Diacre was in charge. Defender Renard and her Lyon team mate Le Sommer have been included in the World Cup squad, which will be trimmed to 23 players for the July 20 to Aug. 20 tournament in Australia and New Zealand. France begin their World Cup campaign against Jamaica on July 23.

Persons: Amandine Henry, Herve Renard's, Corrine Diacre, Henry, Eugenie Le Sommer, France, Wendie Renard, Herve Renard, We've, Renard, Le Sommer, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie, Antoinette Katoto, Delphine Cascarino, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: France, Diacre, Lyon, World, St Germain, Jamaica, Thomson Locations: England, Australia, New Zealand, France, Hyderabad

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