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☆ Lionel Messi’s last game for Paris Saint-Germain ends in defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lionel Messi’s final game for Paris Saint-Germain ended in defeat as the Ligue 1 champion lost 3-2 at home to Clermont on Saturday. Sergio Ramos, who was also playing his final match for the club, scored as did Kylian Mbappé to give PSG a 2-0 lead within 21 minutes, but mid-table Clermont fought back for an unlikely win. PSG announced in a statement ahead of the match that Messi’s “adventure” with the club would conclude at the end of the season. But the former Barcelona star has had a difficult final season in Paris. Some PSG fans have recently booed his name before and during matches, doing so again at his final match, according to Reuters.

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Germain, Sergio Ramos, Clermont, “, Leo Messi, Ballon, ”, Nasser al, Khelaifi, Leo, Messi, CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, Ligue, Clermont, PSG, Parc des Princes, ” PSG, Champions League, Reuters, Messi Locations: Paris, Parc des, Barcelona, Saudi Arabia

☆ Mbappe targets Ligue 1 scoring record with PSG next season
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mbappe scored his 29th league goal of the season in PSG's final game on Saturday, a 3-2 defeat by Clermont, to finish top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts yet again. The Frenchman was earlier named Ligue 1 player of the season for the fourth time in a row last week. "It's true that it was at the end of the season, when we'd won the title, that it was a personal goal and I've achieved it. After vowing to honour his PSG contract, Mbappe's words are another clear indication that he will stay amid rumours of interest from Real Madrid, a club that has courted him in the past but failed to land the French forward. Mbappe signed a contract extension with PSG until 2025 last year, but Sky Sports reported it was only a two-year deal with a player option for a third year - which means Mbappe will be entering the final year of his contract next season.

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Jean, Pierre Papin, Mbappe, Frenchman, AS Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder, We've, I'm, we'd, I've, Papin, Rohith Nair, Sonali Paul Organizations: Ligue, PSG's, Clermont, PSG, AS Monaco's, Olympique de Marseille, Sky Sports, Thomson Locations: Real Madrid, Bengaluru

Playing in a Champions League is the pinnacle for any player in club soccer and when asked what this moment would mean to his grandfather, Lukaku is almost unable to answer. He was my biggest fan.”As a child growing up in Belgium, Lukaku missed 10 years of watching the Champions League. “I couldn’t watch (the Champions League final), but now, by the grace of God, I can play one,” he adds. Manchester City has swept all before it in a light blue wave this season and sits on the cusp of a ‘treble,’ fresh from winning the Premier League title and the FA Cup. “Man City is a well-drilled team…Guardiola is such a good coach because every game is a different game plan,” Lukaku observes.

Persons: “, ” Lukaku, Darren Lewis, ”, Lukaku, …, Erling Haaland, Lexy Ilsley, Messi, Ronaldo, … Guardiola, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Belgian, Anderlecht, Chelsea, Serie, Inter Milan, Champions League, League, ’, FC Milan, Coppa Italia, ” Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Porto, Benfica, AC Milan, Manchester City, Premier League, FA Locations: Belgium, Barcelona, Manchester

☆ Lionel Messi: What next for arguably the greatest player in history?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —After helping Paris Saint-Germain win its 11th Ligue 1 title at the weekend, Lionel Messi has some thinking to do. While Messi struggled with injury during his first season in Paris, he still managed to show flashes of his brilliance. Earlier this year, Messi’s long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi club Al Nassr for an eye-watering sum of money, perhaps paving the way for other superstars to follow suit. “I think money is always a factor in human decision making,” Mora y Araujo said, amid reports Saudi club Al Hilal was targeting Messi’s signature. Despite an array of world class talent, PSG has failed to win the Champions League with Messi.

☆ Mauricio Pochettino named as next Chelsea head coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is set to join Chelsea ahead of next season, the club announced on Monday. Pochettino, who left PSG last year, has signed an initial two-year contract at Chelsea and begins the new role on July 1. Pochettino gives instructions to PSG forward Kylian Mbappé during last season's Champions League game against Real Madrid. David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe Argentine joins a Chelsea team short on form but with plenty of star power in its ranks after the club spent liberally on signings over the past year. “We are delighted that Mauricio will be joining Chelsea.

☆ Lionel Messi breaks a Cristiano Ronaldo record as PSG wins Ligue 1 title
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —There was another landmark in the long rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday. As Paris Saint-Germain sealed an 11th Ligue 1 title, Messi scored his 496th goal in Europe’s top five leagues, surpassing Ronaldo’s previous record of 495 goals. Kevin Gameiro equalized for Strasbourg twenty minutes later, but PSG still coasted to the league title despite the match ended in a draw. It was a record-breaking day for PSG as well as Messi, as the club overtook Saint-Etienne’s haul of 10 Ligue 1 trophies to claim the outright record. Messi scored PSG's only goal of the night.

☆ Spanish football admits it has racism problem after Vinicius incident
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MADRID, May 22 (Reuters) - Spanish soccer has a racism problem, football federation chief Luis Rubiales said on Monday, after Real Madrid lodged a complaint following alleged insults hurled at their Brazilian star Vinicius Jr. It is "a serious problem that also stains an entire team, an entire fan base, an entire club, an entire country." "Probably Vinicius is more right than we think and we all need to do more about racism," Rubiales said. Real Madrid said on Monday they have lodged a hate crime complaint following the incident in Valencia. It is the 10th episode of alleged racism against Vinicius that has been reported to prosecutors this season, according to LaLiga.

☆ Real Madrid dethroned as ‘Kings of Europe’ as the club looks to usher in new generation of stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Even before the full-time whistle blew in Manchester City’s 4-0 mauling in the Champions League semifinal Wednesday, Real Madrid players looked to have accepted their fate. To see a club like Real Madrid get put to the sword is always a surprise, but it’s even more shocking when you consider it was this team – in this competition. Luka Modrić has been one of the best players in the world during his time at Real Madrid. In truth, the chastening defeat against Manchester City has only amplified what madridistas already knew. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti looked on as his side lost 4-0 on Wednesday.

☆ Lionel Messi booed by some Paris Saint-Germain fans on his return from suspension
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Lionel Messi endured a difficult return to Paris Saint-Germain’s starting line-up as some of his own team’s fans booed the Argentine before and during PSG’s convincing victory over Ajaccio at the Parc des Princes. But some PSG fans made their feelings known during the 5-0 win on Saturday, which moved the club closer to a record 11th Ligue 1 title. It isn’t the first time Messi has been booed by some of PSG’s fans this season. In March both Messi and Neymar were booed by a significant section of PSG fans. Both teams ended the match with 10 men after Hakimi and Ajaccio’s Thomas Mangani were sent off late in the game.

☆ PSG close in on French title as AC Ajaccio go down
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, May 13 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain edged closer to a record 11th French title when they beat AC Ajaccio 5-0 at home on Saturday, sending the Corsican side into Ligue 2 as Lionel Messi faced the wrath of the Parc des Princes. Christophe Galtier's side lead second-placed RC Lens, who beat Stade de Reims on Friday 2-1 despite being down to 10 men, by six points. Ajaccio are 18th on 23 points, 11 points from 16th-placed AJ Auxerre. Messi apologised to PSG and his team mates last Friday and was left out of the squad for their 3-1 win at second-bottom Troyes two days later. He was below par on Saturday as PSG bulldozed past Ajaccio.

CNN —He may have won almost everything there is to win in the game, but Lionel Messi says he’ll keep playing as long as he’s still enjoying his career. “As long as that’s the case, I’ll keep doing it.”Messi also accepted the Team of the Year award on behalf of Argentina on Monday, following the side’s epic World Cup victory last year. Messi lifts the World Cup trophy in December 2022. “It’s a very special moment in my career, in my life, and there’s always a time to remember that moment of that World Cup which we enjoyed a lot for a month,” Messi said. But obviously, I am grateful that people think that way.”Since the World Cup, Messi has struggled to find the form that inspired his country to victory and has seemingly fallen out with current club Paris Saint-Germain.

☆ Paris Saint-Germain strongly condemns 'intolerable and insulting' chants from fans outside Neymar Jr.'s house calling for Brazilian to leave club
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain has built a squad of star-studded players – notably Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé – but amid recent discord at the Parisian club, two of that attacking triumvirate have found themselves being targeted by a section of fans. “Paris Saint-Germain most strongly condemns the intolerable and insulting actions of a small group of individuals that took place on Wednesday,” the Parisian club said in a statement after videos emerged on social media showing a group of fans gathered outside the Brazilian international’s house chanting: “Neymar, get out! Neymar, get out!”Videos on social media also showed fans gathered outside the PSG headquarters directing less than flattering chants towards World Cup winner Messi. On Wednesday, PSG suspended Messi for two weeks after the Argentinian’s unauthorized trip away from the team to conduct personal business, according to a club source. Meanwhile Messi, would go on and beat his other teammate, Mbappé, in the final as Argentina overcame France.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo: Soccer star tops Forbes' highest-paid athlete list for 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has become the highest paid athlete in the world, with a move to Al-Nassr nearly doubling his salary, according to Forbes. According to Forbes, Ronaldo has an estimated $75 million playing salary and has cashed in on a number of marketing opportunities. Both have lost sponsors since joining the controversial Saudi-backed breakaway group but have more than made up for it in prize money. Ronaldo was last named the world's highest-paid athlete in 2017. The American wasn’t even in the top 50 highest-paid athletes in 2022 but has now jumped up to sixth.

☆ Ronaldo tops Forbes' highest-paid athletes list in 2023 after Saudi move
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 2 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo became the world's highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr nearly doubled his annual playing salary while Paris St Germain duo Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe round off the top three, according to Forbes. Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi soccer club on a deal until 2025 after leaving Manchester United last year, earned $136 million with Forbes saying his annual playing salary went up to an estimated $75 million. Ronaldo's contract has been estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($219.98 million). Los Angeles Lakers player and NBA great LeBron James ($119.5 million) and Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez ($110 million) rounded out the top five. Four-times NBA champion Stephen Curry ($100.4 million) and Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant ($89.1 million) are the other two basketball players on the list.

☆ In a Superclub’s Shadow, Paris F.C. Tries to Raise Its Game
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Tariq Panja | James Hill | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On a frigid Saturday evening earlier this year inside the Stade Charléty, a World War II-era stadium tucked alongside a highway, the stands are barely a quarter full. Only about 3,000 fans have turned up to watch Paris F.C., a crowd so small that when the home team goes to salute its support after its victory, the players need only to go to one corner of the stadium. On Sunday, another Paris team takes the field, and fans around the world tune in to ‌watch. ‌That yawning gulf between the teams is something that the owners of Paris F.C. They argue that the Paris region, with its population of more than 12 million, deserves an elite league rivalry, the kind that courses through European cities like London and Lisbon, Madrid and Milan.

☆ Prescient bets by the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Serena Williams have triggered an explosion in tech investing among Europe's sports stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

European sports stars are following US counterparts, such as Shaquille O'Neal, in betting on tech. O'Neal, who also made early bets on Google and Lyft, has shown how sports stars can become successful venture capitalists once their playing careers end. He's not alone in the US, with the football star Tom Brady and the basketball stars LeBron James and Steph Curry all actively investing in tech. The tennis legend Serena Williams went a step further and set up her own fund, Serena Ventures. Shaquille O'Neal has proven to be a shrewd tech investor with early bets on Ring, Google, and Lyft.

☆ PSG close in on title as Mbappe double sinks Angers
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, April 21 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain moved a step closer to a record 11th Ligue 1 title when Kylian Mbappe's double earned them a 2-1 victory at bottom side Angers on Friday. Angers, on 14 points, will be relegated to Ligue 2 if Nantes and Stade Brestois win their games on Sunday and AJ Auxerre avoid defeat on Saturday. After fluffing a volley, he regained control of the ball before slotting it past Paul Bernardoni in the ninth minute. Mbappe then collected a through ball from Lionel Messi and doubled the advantage with a clinical finish on 26 minutes. Messi went close to adding another seven minutes from the interval, but Bernardoni parried the Argentine's attempt from just outside the box.

☆ Mbappe looking to reach new heights with ambitious France
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBLIN, March 26 (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe's rise continued as France started their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 4-0 win against the Netherlands and the forward will be looking to reach new heights as Les Bleus face Ireland away in Group B on Monday. Mbappe has scored 38 goals for France and sits in fifth place overall in the list of the country's top scorers, three shy of former great Michel Platini and 15 behind all-time leader Olivier Giroud. Mbappe netted a double at the Stade de France last Friday as France crushed the Netherlands in seemingly casual, yet brutal fashion. "We want to show we can be a great team, that's the identity of this generation - this desire for greatness, a lot of players have that," said the 24-year-old Mbappe. To do that, France will rely on their pair of centre backs after Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate proved unbreakable last Friday.

☆ France already firing on all cylinders as new chapter begins
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mbappe also set up Antoine Griezmann for the opening goal, soothing the Atletico Madrid player's disappointment after he was only named vice-captain. Eduardo Camavinga added: "His attitude hasn't changed, he's still the same, we're very happy that he scored that double. Deschamps wasted no time in installing Konate and Upamecano, 23 and 24 respectively, in central defence. France next face Ireland in Dublin on Monday. Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mbappe beats PSG all-time scoring record as French champions extend lead
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The 24-year-old Mbappe found the back of the net two minutes into stoppage time for his 201st goal in all competitions with PSG, improving the mark he shared with Edinson Cavani. The club organised a short ceremony after the final whistle, with a big portrait of Mbappe displayed at the Parc des Princes. "It's a privilege to be a PSG player, to play in this historic shirt, for the biggest club in France." PSG got off to a dream start as Messi opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a left-footed volley form Fabian Ruiz's cross. Earlier, RC Lens's Champions League hopes suffered another knock when they were held to a 1-1 home draw in the northern derby.

☆ Neymar ruled out of Champions League clash with Bayern due to injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 3 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain forward Neymar will miss the next two games due to an ankle injury, coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday, ruling him out of their Ligue 1 clash with Nantes and the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich. The reigning Ligue 1 champions, who will also be without defender Achraf Hakimi, look to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the Champions League away at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but Galtier's priority is Saturday's fixture against Nantes. "Our squad is weakened by suspensions and injuries, we have to work our way through the league," the French manager said. "I hope the players don't have the game against Bayern on Wednesday in the back of their minds. It's important to get the third league win in a row."

☆ Messi named FIFA player of 2022, England women rewarded for Euro campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/8] Soccer Football - The Best FIFA Football Awards - Salle Pleyel, Paris, France - February 27, 2023 Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi winner of The Best FIFA Player award 2022 REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierPARIS, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi was named FIFA player of the year 2022 on Monday as Argentina scooped all major men's awards after winning a vintage World Cup final last December. "I want to express my thanks to (coach Lionel) Scaloni and my team mates, without them I would not be here," Messi added. It's a dream for any player, very few people can achieve that and I was lucky enough to do so." Spain's Alexia Putellas, who won the Ballon d'Or last year, was named women's player of the year after inspiring Barcelona to a third consecutive national title in 2022. Polish amputee Marcin Oleksy won the Puskas prize for best goal of the year for a spectacular acrobatic volley with Warta Poznan against Stal Rzeszow.

☆ PSG romp to 3-0 win over Marseille thanks to Mbappe-Messi double act
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - World Cup foes Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe inspired Paris St Germain to a 3-0 win at bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille on Sunday to extend their Ligue 1 lead to eight points. Third-placed Monaco slumped to a 3-0 home defeat against Nice, who prevailed thanks to a Terem Moffi double and a superb half-volley by Khephren Thuram. The result left Monaco on 50 points, ahead of fourth-placed RC Lens on goals scored after the northerners drew 1-1 at Montpellier on Saturday. Messi beautifully lifted the ball into the path of Mbappe, who volleyed home with his left foot for his 16th goal of the season in Ligue 1. PSG next face Nantes at home before travelling to Bayern Munich for their Champions League last-16 return leg after losing the first encounter 1-0 at the Parc des Princes.

☆ Ben Yedder leads Monaco to 3-1 win over injury-hit PSG
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The result moved Monaco up to second place with 47 points, a point above Olympique de Marseille who visit mid-table Clermont later on Saturday. PSG suffered their third league defeat this season but remain top with 54 points from 23 games. Aleksandr Golovin opened the scoring in the fourth minute when PSG failed to clear, with the midfielder side-footing home after Ben Yedder got past three defenders to set up the shot. Monaco doubled the lead 14 minutes later after fine work by Krepin Diatta, who pressed inexperienced 17-year-old defender El El Chadaille Bitshiabu into an error that allowed Ben Yedder to fire the ball past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. But Ben Yedder restored Monaco's two-goal advantage going into the break when he was released through the centre by Eliesse Ben Seghir, scoring his 14th Ligue 1 goal to move level with Reims' Folarin Balogun at the top of the scoring charts.

☆ Messi shortlisted for FIFA's The Best Award with Mbappe and Benzema
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Argentina forward Lionel Messi is on the shortlist for the FIFA Best Male Player award, joined by Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, soccer's world governing body announced on Friday. Messi could win his second The Best trophy after leading Argentina to their third World Cup title by beating Mbappe's France in last year's final in Qatar, scoring seven goals during the tournament and earning his second Golden ball. World Cup Golden Boot winner Mbappe and France's 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema feature for the first time among the three finalists. Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas could claim the Best Women's Player award for the second year in a row despite being sidelined since July with a knee injury. Forward Beth Mead is also nominated after leading England to the Euro 2022 title as the tournament's leading scorer and best player of the tournament.

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