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☆ Qualcomm CEO says AI may breathe new life into smartphones: 'It could create a new upgrade cycle'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Qualcomm Inc. President and CEO Cristiano Amon speaks during the company's press event for CES 2022 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on January 4, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The CEO of U.S. chip giant Qualcomm thinks artificial intelligence could give the smartphone market a fresh lease on life. "The [Snapdragon] Summit is going to be around incredible use cases that we're seeing from our OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] and phones and ... could create a new upgrade cycle for phones." Smartphone sales have depreciated this year as consumers have gotten a lot more cost-conscious. In 2022, global smartphone sales tumbled 11.3% year-over-year to 1.21 billion, the lowest level since 2013, according to data from market research firm IDC.

Persons: Cristiano Amon, CNBC's Arjun Kharpal, Amon Organizations: Qualcomm Inc, Mandalay Bay Convention, CES, Qualcomm, Summit, IDC Locations: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas , Nevada

☆ We're bringing AI to devices — unlike Nvidia, Qualcomm CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe're bringing AI to devices — unlike Nvidia, Qualcomm CEO saysQualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon explains how the U.S. semiconductor giant is taking a different path to Nvidia when it comes to artificial intelligence.

Persons: Cristiano Amon Organizations: Nvidia, Qualcomm Locations: U.S

☆ Qualcomm focuses on AI and auto as Nvidia takes over as world’s biggest fabless chip company
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Katie Tarasov | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Until last month, Qualcomm was also the world's biggest fabless chip company. But Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon is betting that one day, generative AI will be in high demand off the cloud, too. Qualcomm modems are inside all iPhone models currently being made, including the next model set to come out next week. Today, Qualcomm has more than 140,000 patents. The other lawsuit came from Apple, which sued Qualcomm for roughly $1 billion for charging royalties for technologies Apple said Qualcomm had "nothing to do with."

Persons: Cristiano Amon, Amon, Chris Patrick, Irwin Jacobs, Jacobs, Nobody, Jay Goldberg, Patrick, it's, Daniel Newman, Newman, It's, Donald Trump, Stacy Rasgon, Qualcomm's Amon, CNBC it's Organizations: Qualcomm, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services, CNBC, Apple, Quality Communications, D2D, Futurum, Federal Trade Commission, Broadcom, Bernstein Research, GM, BMW, Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Intel Locations: San Diego, China, Taiwan, Asia, That's, U.S, Arizona

☆ Saudi soccer clubs to play in Iran for the first time in seven years
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Mostafa Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Iranian and Saudi soccer clubs will be facing off on a home-and-away basis for the first time since 2016, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said in a statement Monday. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is set to play Iranian giant Persepolis FC in Tehran on September 19. Riyadh severed ties with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in the Iranian capital following the execution of a Shi’ite cleric in Saudi Arabia. But both countries agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties in March after seven years of hostility, in a landmark deal mediated by China. Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sport in recent times, with teams in the Saudi Pro League – the professional men’s league in the country – signing a slew of global stars.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s, Benzema’s Al, Neymar’s Al, Hilal, It’s Organizations: CNN, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Asian Champions League, Persepolis FC, Sepahan SC, football, Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Football Federation Islamic, Saudi, Saudi Pro League Locations: Saudi, Iran, Tehran, Ittihad, Isfahan, Mazandaran, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Asia, Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Riyadh, China

☆ Qualcomm to supply BMW and Mercedes with chips for displays, voice features
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Stephen Nellis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSAN FRANCISCO/MUNICH, Sept 5 (Reuters) - U.S. semiconductor company Qualcomm (QCOM.O) on Tuesday said it will supply chips to power in-car infotainment systems to luxury automakers Mercedes (MBGn.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE). Qualcomm is the leading supplier of the chips used in smartphones, a market that has slumped over the past year. Qualcomm said in a statement it will supply BMW with chips that will help power voice commands inside the car. It also said it will supply chips for the next version of the Mercedes E class models, which will be available in the U.S. in 2024. "One of the things we're very focused on the company is to find new areas for growth... automotive is one of those areas," Amon said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Cristiano Amon, Amon, Stephen Nellis, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Rashmi Aich, Kim Coghill Organizations: Qualcomm, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, BMW, Mercedes, Arm Holdings, SoftBank Group Corp, Thomson Locations: MUNICH, U.S, Munich, Britain, San Francisco

☆ Qualcomm CEO: Brightest spot of our diversification strategy is automotive
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailQualcomm CEO: Brightest spot of our diversification strategy is automotiveCristiano Amon said the silicon content in cars is increasing and that's leading to greater demand for autos-focused semiconductors.

Persons: Cristiano Amon Organizations: Qualcomm

☆ 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

☆ Why you might need to start booking your 2024 summer vacation now
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Blane Bachelor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

But according to some industry experts, it’s not too early to start thinking about – and perhaps even booking – next year’s trip. But Keyes generally advises travelers not to necessarily hit that purchase button as soon as an airline opens up a flight for booking. “While it’s relatively common knowledge that last-minute fares are expensive, what’s far less known is that it’s also possible to book flights too early,” he says. From the hospitality industry perspective, advance booking can help hoteliers and other businesses adjust staffing, pricing and other factors to offer a better experience. While Cabutti of JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa acknowledges that “the early booking trend results in higher room rates,” it also enables businesses to better meet guests’ needs.

Persons: it’s, they’ve, ” Dino Triantafillou, Triantafillou, ” Triantafillou, Cristiano Cabutti, “ We’re, ” Cabutti, “, Stephanie Bias, Camp Aramoni, ”, ‘, Scott Keyes, ” Keyes, Keyes, Sally French, you’re Organizations: CNN, Labor, CNN Travel, Global, JW Marriott, Marriott, SDI, US State Department, Centers for Disease Control Locations: Italy, Tonica , Illinois, United States, Madrid, Santorini, Europe, Asia, Hopper’s, Saharan Africa, JW, Venice

Brazilian indigenous peoples gather as the Supreme Court on weighing the constitutionality of laws to limit the ability of Indigenous peoples to win protected status for ancestral lands, in Brasilia, Brazil August 30, 2023. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRASILIA, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Brazil's Supreme Court is expected to rule next week against attempts by the country's powerful farm lobby to limit land claims by Indigenous peoples to areas they occupied before 1988. Lawyers and Indigenous rights advocates believe a majority of the nine-member court will vote by Wednesday to reject the date restriction on the grounds it is unconstitutional. Congress has pushed ahead with bills allowing Indigenous reservations only on land that was occupied by native communities when Brazil passed its Constitution in 1988. Indigenous leaders say the Supreme Court decision is vital for the resolution of some 300 pending land recognition claims that would protect their communities from land-grabbers and invasions by illegal loggers and wildcat gold miners.

Persons: Adriano Machado, Juliana de Paula, Cristiano Zanin, Zanin, Anthony Boadle, Cynthia Osterman, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Environmental, ISA, Thomson Locations: Brasilia, Brazil, Rights BRASILIA, Santa Catarina

☆ Andrés Iniesta: Soccer legend on Lionel Messi and his own new adventure in the UAE
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Ben Church | Becky Anderson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —In his prime, Andrés Iniesta was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in history. After leaving Spain, Iniesta signed for Japanese club Vissel Kobe and enjoyed reasonable success in following five years. Mohamed Farag/Getty ImagesAmid interest from around the world, including Major League Soccer (MLS), Iniesta eventually signed a one-year deal with UAE side Emirates Club. There were reports earlier this year that Iniesta may team up with Lionel Messi in the MLS, although it didn't materialize. “Football is a global sport, it’s a world sport where everybody would like to have different football players,” he said.

Persons: CNN —, Iniesta, – La Roja, Mohamed Farag, ” Iniesta, CNN’s Becky Anderson, “, I’m, he’s, Lionel Messi, Mike Hewitt, – Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Germain, Messi, ”, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema Organizations: CNN, Spain, Vissel Kobe, Barcelona, Major League Soccer, UAE, Emirates, Ajman Club, “, Emirates Club, Inter Miami, MLS, Messi, Argentine, Paris Saint, Europe’s Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Japan, UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, North America, Barça, Catalonia, Catalan, ., Saudi Arabian, Europe

☆ Roberto Mancini named as Saudi Arabia’s national team coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Roberto Mancini was announced as the new head coach of Saudi Arabia’s men’s team on Sunday, just two weeks after resigning as manager of his native Italy. John Sibley/Pool/Getty ImagesMancini was head coach of Italy for five years, winning the men’s European Championship with the team in 2021. At club level, Mancini has managed Inter Milan and Manchester City most notably, as well as a stint with Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia. Saudi Arabia’s men’s national team sprung one of the surprises of the 2022 World Cup, defeating eventual champion Argentina 2-1 in the group stage. Saudi Arabia’s next fixtures are against Costa Rica and South Korea in September.

Persons: CNN — Roberto Mancini, Saudi Arabia’s, Mancini, “, ” Both Mancini, ” Mancini, John Sibley, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, James ’, Mohammed bin Salman Organizations: CNN, Twitter, Saudi, Qatar, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Zenit St, Manchester City’s, English Premier League, men’s, eventual, Argentina, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia’s, St, Newcastle United, Newcastle, Saudi Public Investment Fund Locations: Saudi, Italy, Europe, England, Ukraine, Petersburg, Russia, Costa Rica, South Korea, Gulf

☆ 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

☆ Lionel Messi lifts MLS to new heights, but the league needs more than 'the GOAT' to grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Marco Bello | ReutersSince joining, Inter Miami rose to the highest-selling MLS team for tickets from the 13th spot on StubHub. The average ticket price for Inter Miami on StubHub is $161, nearly 64% higher than the league average. The overall average MLS ticket price is up to $98, while the average ticket price for the Leagues Cup overall was $152. Yes, what we're seeing in pricing for the MLS for Messi games is unprecedented. "Those average ticket prices were still three times what we're seeing for Messi games so far this year," Budelli said.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Logan Riely, Messi, it's, Camilo Durana, Lee Berke, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Germain, –, Leo Messi, Marco Bello, he's, Durana, Marc de Grandpré, that's, Adam Budelli, Tom Brady –, StubHub, Lebron James, Budelli, Berke, Tom Brady, Adam Glanzman Organizations: FC Dallas, Toyota, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF, MLS, NFL, NBA, Public Investment Fund, French, Paris Saint, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami, Reuters, Messi, Apple, North, Liga MX, U.S, Leagues, Saturday, Red Bulls, New York Red Bulls, NFL Sunday, Tampa Bay, Disney, ESPN, ABC, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Gillette, Getty Locations: Frisco , Texas, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Argentine, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Harrison , New Jersey, Manhattan, StubHub, Foxborough , Massachusetts

☆ Portugal's Otavio moves to Saudi club Al-Nassr
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Portugal midfielder Otavio has joined Al-Nassr from Portuguese side Porto, the Saudi Pro League club said on Tuesday. Huge Welcome to The Best Player in Liga Portugal," Al-Nassr posted on messaging platform X, previously known as Twitter. Otavio joins an Al-Nassr squad that also includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles and Seko Fofana. Luis Castro's team have made a poor start to the Pro League season, losing both their opening matches. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has announced a Sports Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project involving league champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.

Persons: Otavio, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Fofana, Luis Castro's, PIF, Shady Amir, Toby Davis Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Porto, Portuguese, Liga Portugal, Pro League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Clubs Investment, Al, Shady, Thomson Locations: Portugal, Porto, Ittihad, Al, Ahli, Hilal

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

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

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

☆ Neymar praises Cristiano Ronaldo for helping the Saudi Pro League grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Today, you see the league grow more and more,” the former PSG forward told Al Hilal’s social channels. Since then, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Marcelo Brozović have been among the star names to move to the Saudi Pro League. Yes, surely the league will be very competitive especially after the signings made in this summer transfer window.”Neymar joined Al Hilal from French giant PSG. Saudi Pro League/Handout/ReutersThe Brazilian forward spent six years with PSG, winning 13 major trophies along the way. Neymar will now star for Al Hilal alongside the likes of Sergej Milinković-Savić, Rúben Neves and Malcom who have also made summer moves to the club.

Persons: CNN — Neymar, Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al, Ronaldo, Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, Al Nassr, Yasser Bakhsh, Neymar, “, ”, ” Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Al Hilal, Sergej, Rúben Neves, Malcom Organizations: CNN, Saudi Pro League, Al Hilal, Paris Saint, PSG, Al, Manchester United, Reuters, League Locations: French, Paris, Al Hilal, City of, Paris –

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

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

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

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

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

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

☆ Shabab Al-Ahli set up Al-Nassr clash in Asian Champions League playoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates will face Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for a berth in the group phase of the Asian Champions League next week after the club from Dubai defeated Al-Wehdat 3-0 in a playoff on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr his team mates will host the 2015 Asian Champions League runners-up in Riyadh next Tuesday after second half goals from Azizjon Ganiev, Renan and Munas Dabbur earned Shabab Al-Ahli victory over the Jordanians. Khurshid Giyosov scored the game's only goal two minutes into the second half to set up a clash with Qatari side Al-Arabi. In the eastern side of the draw, Vietnam's Haiphong equalised in the 88th to take their game against Hong Kong Rangers into extra time and they went on to win 4-1 win. The draw for the group phase of the Asian Champions League will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 24 with matches kicking off on Sept. 18.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Azizjon Ganiev, Renan, Munas Dabbur, Luanzinho, Uzbekistan's AGMK, Martin Boakye's, Khurshid Giyosov, Yumemi Kanda, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Yuri Mamute's, Mamute, Martin Lo, Lee, Michael Church, Ken Ferris Organizations: United, Saudi Pro League, Al, Asian Champions League, Dubai, League, Shabab Al, India's, Qatari, Vietnam's, Hong Kong Rangers, Hong Kong Premier League, Incheon United, Urawa Red Diamonds, Bali, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Shabab Al Ahli, United Arab Emirates, Riyadh, Shabab, Sharjah, India's Bashundhara, Iran, Seeb, Oman, Arabi, Haiphong, South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur

☆ Saudi soccer league lures Brazilian star Neymar as it seeks to attract 'exceptional players only'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Saudi Arabia also recruited soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema with contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and it's expected to bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo poses for a photo with the jersey after signing with Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr Football Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 30, 2022. Sports analysts are doubtful that Saudi Arabia will see its ambitions to have a top soccer league realized, even with all the money it can offer to top-tier players. Charles Laberge | LIV Golf | Getty ImagesOther criticism comes from an attitude among many that a Saudi league could never be a serious arena for athletes. Emenalo, himself a former defender for Nigeria's national soccer team and former technical director at English club team Chelsea, called the criticisms "outrageous."

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr, Jean Catuffe, Neymar, Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kalidou, Lyon's Moussa Dembele, Michael Emenalo, Saudi Arabia's, Al, Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, LIV, shockwaves, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Captain Brooks Koepka, Ricky Elliott, Charles Laberge, LIV Golf, Emenalo, it's, Khalid Al, Falih, that's Organizations: PSG, UEFA Champions League, Celtic Glasgow, Paris Saint Germain, Celtic Park, Getty, Getty Images, Saudi, Al, Paris Saint, Brazil national, L'Equipe, Manchester, Saudi Pro League, Nassr Football Club, Al Nassr Football, Anadolu Agency, France national, Sports, American PGA Tour, Saudi Crown, CNBC, Royal Greens, & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic, Nigeria's, soccer team, Chelsea, Saudi League, Guardian, Saudi Investment, Public Investment Fund Locations: Getty Images Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Barcelona, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Europe, Jeddah, King Abdullah, King Abdullah Economic City

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

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

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

☆ Neymar: Paris Saint-Germain agrees deal with Al-Hilal to sell Brazil forward, according to reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain has agreed to a deal with Saudi club Al-Hilal to sell forward Neymar Jr. for a fee of around €90 million ($98.5M) plus add-ons, according to multiple reports. Ekhbariya, a state-owned television company in Saudi Arabia, posted on social media on Monday: “Al-Hilal club officially agrees with Brazilian star Neymar in a record transfer deal from Paris Saint-Germain. When contacted by CNN, a spokesperson for PSG said the club had “no information to give currently.” CNN has also reached out to Al-Hilal. In six years in the French capital, Neymar has helped PSG win 13 major trophies, including five league titles and three French Cups. Now, Neymar looks to set to join a fast-growing list of star names moving to the Saudi Pro League.

Persons: Germain, Neymar, “ Al, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Messi, Mbappé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, Saudi, Al, Sky Sports, PSG, Champions League, European, Bayern Munich, League, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Saudi Pro League, Portugal, Manchester United Locations: Hilal, €, Saudi Arabia, Paris, Brazilian, Al, Barcelona, Europe

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo scores two goals to lead Al-Nassr to first Arab Club Champions Cup title
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Al-Nassr secure the first Arab Club Champions Cup title in the club’s history. Al-Nassr had to come from a goal behind against fellow Saudi club Al-Hilal to lift the trophy, eventually winning 2-1 after a tense period of extra time. The Arab Club Champions Cup features the biggest clubs from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Iraq, and Ronaldo finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals in six games. Al-Nassr won the Arab Club Champions Cup for the first time. The 38-year-old said in June that any new signings for Saudi clubs would be “very welcome” to join him in the league.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Michael, Ronaldo’s, Nawaf Boushal, Ronaldo, Ettifaq, Yasser Bakhsh, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, Arab, Saudi, Al, United Arab, Saudi Pro League, Manchester United Locations: Hilal, Al, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Portuguese

☆ Ronaldo wins first title at Al-Nassr with brace in Arab Club Champions Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 12 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo guided 10-man Al-Nassr to their first ever Arab Club Champions Cup title after scoring twice in a 2-1 extra-time win over fellow Saudi side Al-Hilal on Saturday. The tournament is played by top Arab clubs in the region and included teams from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. The star-studded Al-Nassr side had many chances to score in the first half with close season signings Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic all denied by goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais. To rub salt into their wounds, the 27-year-old even produced the Ronaldo goal celebration as he ran to the corner flag and leapt into the air. Ronaldo then doubled the lead in the first half of extra time when he pounced on a rebound off the crossbar and headed home with the goalkeeper off his line.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozovic, Mohammed Alowais, Hilal's Malcom, Michael, Sultan, Ghannam, Abdulelah Al, Amri, Nawaf Boushal, Angelica Medina, Rohith Nair Organizations: Saudi, Saturday, Saudi Pro League, United Arab, King Fahd Sports City, Portugal, Al, Thomson Locations: Al, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Sultan Al, Mexico City, Bengaluru

CNN —With some of the world’s leading soccer players being tempted by the money on offer from Saudi Arabian soccer clubs, the Saudi Pro League’s (SPL) new Director of Football, Michael Emenalo, says the Gulf state is “disrupting the industry, but we are disrupting to enhance. We’re adding value to the industry.”The Saudi Pro League consists of 18 clubs, four of which are 75% owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) – one of the world’s top 10 sovereign wealth funds. Cristiano Ronaldo, N’golo Kanté, Riyad Mahrez and current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema are just a few of players who have joined a variety of SPL clubs over the last few months. That’s true, but there is also a sensible, logical, thoughtful process to making the league better,” said the SPL’s new Director of Football. The new 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season begins on Friday, August 11, with Al-Ahli hosting Al-Hazm.

Persons: Michael Emenalo, Cristiano Ronaldo, N’golo, Riyad Mahrez, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, Emenalo, Germain, Mbappé, Al Hilal’s, coy, ” Emenalo, Darren Lewis, “, that’s, he’s, Jurgen Klopp, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Al Ettifaq, Al Ittihad, ”, ” Michael Emenalo, Henderson, – it’s Organizations: CNN, Saudi Pro League’s, Football, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Saudi, Al Hilal, Paris Saint, PSG, SPL, Liverpool, Saudi FA, Al Locations: Saudi Arabian, Gulf, France, Paris, Al Hilal, Saudi, Al, Liverpool, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Mahrez, Ahli

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