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☆ Cristiano Ronaldo in tears after losing King’s Cup final in penalty shootout
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo was left sobbing on the pitch after Al-Nassr lost the Saudi King’s Cup final in a penalty shootout to rival Al-Hilal on Friday. The agonizing defeat, after the penalty shootout finished 5-4, meant that Al-Nassr finished the season without a trophy, while Al-Hilal triumphed in three competitions – the Roshn Saudi League, the Saudi Super Cup and the Saudi King’s Cup. Al-Hilal played most of extra time with another man down after Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off for accumulating two yellow cards, but refused to concede another goal and the final ended in a dramatic penalty shootout. There, Ronaldo converted his penalty but could only watch on as Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Al-Nassr’s last two penalties to give his team the victory. The defeat came after Ronaldo became the all-time top scorer in a single Saudi Pro League season earlier this week with 35 goals.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Hilal, Ronaldo, hasn’t, Al Hilal, Aleksandar Mitrović’s, David Ospina, Ronaldo's, Stringer, Ali Al, Ayman Yahya, Kalidou Koulibaly, Yassine Bounou, Nassr’s Organizations: CNN, Saudi King’s, Al, Saudi League, Saudi Super, Reuters, Saudi Pro League Locations: Hilal, Al, Saudi Arabia

☆ Al-Hilal: Saudi Arabia club sets record for most consecutive wins in men’s soccer
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal set the world record for the most consecutive victories in men’s soccer on Tuesday, defeating Al-Ittihad 2-0 in the AFC Champions League. Before that, Dutch giant Ajax had held the record for 44 years after a 26-game winning streak between 1971 and 1972. “Everyone at Al Hilal is delighted to achieve world football history by winning 28 consecutive matches,” said manager Jorge Jesus. “It is up to everyone at Al-Hilal to ensure that we close out the season as Roshn Saudi League champions and meet our targets in the cup competitions. According to Guinness World Records, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin has the most consecutive wins in soccer – men’s or women’s – with 41 across all competitions between 2012 and 2013.

Persons: Hilal, Al Hilal, ”, Jorge Jesus, Romarinho, Yasser Al, Shahrani, Hilal's, Yasser Bakhsh, Abderrazak, Ali Al, Malcom, Jesus, ” Al, Al Ain, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al, Nassr, Neymar Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Al, AFC Champions League, Welsh, New Saints, Ajax, ”, “, Saudi League, Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Guinness World Records, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin Locations: Saudi Arabian, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Jeddah

☆ Benzema tempted by Saudi Arabia's 'huge' football project
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO:Saudi Arabian soccer team Al Ittihad player Karim Benzema arrives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in this handout photo obtained by Reuters June 7, 2023. "When the football project started here, it seemed like a huge project in all respects, and I wanted to be a part of it and help advance the game in Saudi Arabia, and this is one of the reasons that made me come here," Benzema said in an interview with the Saudi Pro League, posted on messaging platform X. "Also, Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country and they welcomed me with open hands, and I felt loved immediately. I am really surprised by the level in Saudi Arabia because in Europe we don't watch a lot of football matches here," the 35-year-old added. "But now there are lots of people (in Europe) who are watching the Saudi league after many big names were brought in."

Persons: Karim Benzema, Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho, Jota, Ittihad, Al, Ahmed El Khashab, Hatem Maher, Ed Osmond Organizations: Saudi Arabian soccer, Al, Reuters, REUTERS, Real Madrid, Saudi Pro League, Real, Saudi, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Al Ittihad, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Handout, Al, Ittihad, Mecca, Europe, Hilal

☆ Ashleigh Plumptre signs for Saudi Arabian team Al-Ittihad Ladies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Nigeria international Ashleigh Plumptre is set to join the Saudi Women’s Premier League after signing for Al-Ittihad. The 25-year-old defender, who previously spent three years with English team Leicester City, joins the Saudi league in its second season having just represented Nigeria at the Women’s World Cup. Plumptre vies for the ball with England's Alessia Russo at the Women's World Cup. The eight-team Saudi Women’s Premier League is about to embark on its second season, just five years after women first attended games in the Kingdom. Plumptre previously represented England at youth international level before switching allegiances to Nigeria, for whom she has made 15 appearances, including four at the recent Women’s World Cup.

Persons: Ashleigh Plumptre, Al, ” Plumptre, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr, Sadio Mané, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, Plumptre vies, England's Alessia Russo, Mick O'Shea, Sportsfile, Plumptre, ”, it’s Organizations: CNN — Nigeria, Saudi Women’s Premier League, Al, Leicester City, Saudi, Saudi Pro League, “ Locations: Ittihad, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kingdom, England, Al

☆ Why Saudi Arabia is spending hundreds of millions on soccer stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Anuz Thapa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Soccer in Saudi Arabia has entered a new era — the era of having global superstars play on Saudi turf. "This is what we're doing by bringing household names like that to the Saudi league. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, is the financial vehicle driving these high-priced transactions. "Saudi Pro League is the top men's professional soccer league in Saudi Arabia." Watch the video above to find out why Saudi Arabia is doubling down its investment in professional soccer and more.

Persons: Neymar, Ballon, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fahad Nazer, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Stefan Szymanski, Simon Chadwick Organizations: Soccer, Pro League, Saudi, CNBC, Public Investment Fund, Saudi Pro League, University of Michigan, Newcastle United, Critics, Skema Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Saudi Embassy, U.S, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli

☆ Saudi Arabia soccer spending ranks second in the world as it bids to become global powerhouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Matthew Ward-Perkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowThe Saudi Arabian soccer transfer window has slammed shut, marking the end of a historic summer of spending from clubs based in the Gulf state. Saudi clubs outspent four of the "big five" soccer leagues, the first time another league has outspent any members of the dominant European grouping since 2016. However, human rights groups and activists have criticized the high levels of soccer investment from Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East, with accusations of "sportswashing" leveled at the country. The European Club Association, which represents 220 soccer clubs from across Europe, discussed the impact of Saudi Arabia's investment in the sport at its General Assembly this month. "We believe in ourselves … we have the best competition in the world, the biggest clubs in the world, the best players in the world.

Persons: Mohamed Salah, Hilal, spender, CNBC's David Faber, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Glazer, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Karim Benzema Organizations: Saudi Arabia's Pro League, English Premier League, Liverpool, country's Public Investment Fund, Chelsea FC outspent, Public Investment, Manchester United Saudi, Manchester United, Saudi, European Club Association, Assembly, Champions League, Afp, Getty Locations: Saudi, Gulf, Al, Ittihad, Ahli, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Europe

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Saudi league set to kick off after raiding Europe's top clubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Soccer Football - Opening of 2023-2024 Saudi Pro League - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - August 7, 2023 General view of the trophy at the opening of the Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media Office/Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoAug 10 (Reuters) - When the new Saudi Pro League season kicks off on Friday it will herald a new dawn for football in the Gulf kingdom which has spent close to half a billion dollars luring top players and coaches from traditional European powerhouses. Al-Ahli, in particular, are one of the few clubs that have benefited from the Saudi Public Investment Fund's (PIF) project to invest in and privatise clubs, which also include reigning champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Saudi clubs spent nearly 450 million euros in the close season signing players, most from elite teams in Europe as the PIF created a blueprint for what football fans can expect in transfer windows to come. The league turned heads when 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. The Portugal forward's move paved the way for more household names to sign up for a Saudi league that has increased its size from 16 teams to 18.

Persons: Hazm, Al, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ronaldo's, Nuno Espirito, Karim Benzema, N'Golo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Mane, Luis Castro, Hilal, Jorge Jesus, Ruben Neves, Serbia's Sergei Milinkovic, Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Ettifaq, Gerrard, Henderson's, Shady Amir, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media, REUTERS, Saudi Public Investment, Al, Champions, Saudi, Nuno Espirito Santo, Croatia, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barcelona, Liverpool, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Al, Ahli, Ittihad, Hilal, Saudi, Europe, Portugal, Ballon, Senegal, Portuguese, Riyadh, England

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

☆ DAZN to stream Saudi Pro League matches in six countries including UK, Germany
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File PhotoAug 9 (Reuters) - DAZN has secured the rights to stream Saudi Pro League matches for a two-year period in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Canada, the sports video service said on Wednesday. As part of the deal, DAZN will stream three Saudi league matches per week. Since the capture of Portugal forward Ronaldo, the Saudi league has grown in stature by signing top players from Europe, including Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema who left Real Madrid to join champions Al-Ittihad. "The RSL (Roshn Saudi League) is rapidly developing into an international phenomenon, attracting some incredible talent that will only improve an already strong and vibrant competition," Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO, said in a statement. The new season kicks off on Friday with Al-Ahli -- who have signed Champions League winners like Riyad Mahrez, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino -- taking on Al-Hazm.

Persons: Kim Kyung, DAZN, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Shay Segev, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: REUTERS, Saudi Pro League, Saudi, Al, Bayern Munich, Real, DAZN, RSL, League, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Portugal, Europe, Real Madrid, Ittihad, Saudi League, Ahli, Bengaluru

Soccer Football - Opening of 2023-2024 Saudi Pro League - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - August 7, 2023 General view of the trophy at the opening of the Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media Office/Handout via REUTERSAug 8 (Reuters) - The vast sums invested to entice some of the world's top players to Saudi Arabia this season is no one-off, but part of a long-term strategy to make the Saudi Pro League one of the best in the world, its chief operating officer has said. Soccer website Transfermarkt ranks the Saudi League as the fifth-biggest spender in the current transfer window, ahead of Spain's LaLiga. "One of the very first objectives that the Saudi Pro League was set was to improve the product. "We had to improve quality and in order to improve quality, you have to bring in the best. "What you're seeing is simply the Saudi Pro League doing what other leagues needed to do ... We have joined these ranks, and we're doing whatever it takes to improve quality on the pitch."

Persons: Carlo Nohra, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson, Riyad Mahrez, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, spender, Nohra, We've, we've, Al Ahmar, Shady Amir, Simon Jennings, Christian Organizations: Soccer, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media, REUTERS, Reuters, Saudi, Liverpool, Manchester City, Al, Saudi League, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid, Manchester, Spain's, Saudi

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo says Saudi league is better than MLS following Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the Saudi Arabian soccer league is better than Major League Soccer (MLS) just a day after long-time rival Lionel Messi completed his move to the US to play for Inter Miami. “The Saudi league is better than MLS,” Ronaldo said following Al Nassr’s 5-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Celta Vigo, Reuters reported. The 38-year-old said last month that any new signings for Saudi clubs would be “very welcome” to join him in the league. Since then, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino have been among the star names to move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL). Ronaldo also said he would never return to Europe to play soccer as the strength of the leagues are diminishing.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Messi, Germain, “, ” Ronaldo, Al Nassr’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Ronaldo, ”, Mike Ehrmann Organizations: CNN, Saudi Arabian, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Paris Saint, Saudi, MLS, Celta Vigo, Reuters, Manchester United, Saudi Pro League, ESPN, Premier League, SPL, Al Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Al Ittihad

☆ No going back, Ronaldo closes door on return to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"I'm 100% sure I won't return to any European club. Ronaldo's long-time rival Messi was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia before the Argentine World Cup winner completed a transfer to MLS side Inter Miami, signing a deal until 2025. "The Saudi league is better than MLS," Ronaldo said. Several high-profile players have followed Ronaldo to the Saudi league, including Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema from Real Madrid and N'Golo Kante from Chelsea, who both joined champions Al-Ittihad. ($1 = 0.8892 euros)Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Al Nassr's, Messi, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Rohith Nair, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Saudi, Major League Soccer, Manchester United, Celta Vigo, ESPN, Premier League, Argentine, MLS, Inter Miami, Real Madrid, Al, Thomson Locations: Europe, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Real, Chelsea, Ittihad, Bengaluru

☆ PGA official pledges golfers will be able to criticize Saudi Arabia if the tour merges with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A top PGA official said golfers would still be able to criticize Saudi Arabia if the tour merges with LIV Golf. Blumenthal also accused the PGA of selling out to the controversial Saudi league. Blumenthal pointed to the fact that initial agreement between the PGA and LIV Golf has a broad non-disparagement clause. Blumenthal cited this record in calling out the PGA for selling out for the LIV merger. He and PGA Tour member Jimmy Dunne, who helped broker an initial agreement with LIV Golf, also repeatedly stressed that the PGA felt it had little choice but to try to find as peace with LIV.

Persons: LIV Golf, Democratic Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Blumenthal, Ron Price, Price, Sen, LIV, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Khashoggi, Jimmy Dunne, Ron Johnson, Johnson Organizations: Democratic, Saudi, Service, PGA, Connecticut Democrat, Public Investment Fund, FIFA, Amnesty, MBS, Washington, Wilson, Republican Locations: Saudi Arabia, Wall, Silicon, of Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Qatar

☆ Saudi Arabia: What is the nation hoping to achieve amid transfer takeover and what happens next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Kaveh Solhekol | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol analyses this transfer market trend... Why are Saudi Arabia spending huge sums on foreign players all of a sudden? Saudi Arabia is looking to expand its economy through other industries in order to help guarantee its financial future. It wants to put Saudi Arabia on the map and raise its profile. What else is Saudi Arabia hoping to achieve? Has Saudi Arabia distorted the transfer market forever?

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohammed Saad, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Bernardo Silva, Heung, Min Son, Kaveh, Mason Mount Chelsea, Declan Rice, Saudi Arabia —, sportswashing, Jamal Khashoggi, Oscar, West Ham's Marko Arnautovic, Lionel Messi, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Mohammed Hamdi, It's, Son Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Al, Alawwal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Real, Chelsea, Premier League, Sky Sports News, Sky Sports, Manchester United, Arsenal, Soccer, Qatar, eventual, Argentina, Amnesty, Rights, Rights Watch, United, Super League, Brazil, Communist Party, Chinese Super League, MLS, Al Jazira FC, Saudi, Tottenham, Spurs Locations: Al, Shabab, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Getty Images Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid, Bournemouth, Saudi, United Nations, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Greece, Egypt, China, Europe, Al Hilal, Al Jazira, Abu Dhabi, Qatar

☆ Golf’s new Saudi deal presents questionable political, business and sporting realities
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

And the deal is also undeniably a great piece of business, assuming PGA Tour players accept it. And all pending litigation between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour was also mutually ended under the new agreement. He “co-opted the 9/11 community last year in the PGA’s unequivocal agreement that the Saudi LIV project was nothing more than sports washing of Saudi Arabia’s reputation,” the group said in a statement. Unresolved sporting conundrumsThere are as many sporting questions about the PGA Tour/LIV Golf partnership that remain unanswered. Then there is the question of how current PGA Tour members will respond.

Persons: LIV Golf, Arnold Palmer, Jamal Khashoggi, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, –, LIV –, Jay Monahan, Monahan, ”, “, Saudi LIV, ” Monahan, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Cam Smith, Donald Trump, LIV, Trump, Khashoggi, ” Trump, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Tuesday’s LIV, Qataris, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, ” Yasir Al, Rumayyan, of Famer Greg Norman, Collin Morikawa, Mickelson, Alan Shipnuck, Shipnuck Organizations: CNN, PGA, Saudi, Post, Premier League, Global, Families United, Saudi shills, Crown, Formula One, NBA, Tour, Qatar, Soccer, Manchester City, United, Newcastle, Indian Premier League, Al, Real, Saudi Public Investment, “, Saudi Public Investment Fund, CNBC, of Famer, Open, Twitter Locations: Washington, Saudi, Qaeda, Riyadh, China, Western Europe, East, India, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ittihad, Real Madrid, French

☆ PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger is a major win for the Saudis — and Americans are slamming it
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

It's lured some of the biggest golf stars away from the PGA Tour with huge paychecks, spurring antitrust lawsuits with the American organization. "This is Saudi Arabia buying the PGA tour," sports talk show host Rich Eisen said in his broadcast after hearing the news. USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan called the move "a total wimp-out by the PGA Tour. Glyn Kirk | AFP | Getty ImagesSocial media was rife with self-described golf fans vowing to never again watch the PGA Tour. Pro golfer Phil Mickelson, another member of the LIV Tour, tweeted "Awesome day today" in response to the news.

Persons: LIV Golf, that's, —, LIV, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, It's, Jay Monahan, Rich Eisen, Pat Welter, it's, Christine Brennan, Tiger Woods, Glyn Kirk, Ron Wyden, Chris Murphy, Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi LIV, Monahan, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jim Watson, Bryson DeChambeau, DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Jeffries, Yasir Al, Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi Arabia's, Al Organizations: PGA Tour, Saudi, LIV Players, PGA, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Saudi Crown, CNBC, Twitter, 150th, St, AFP, Getty, LIV, Washington Post, Amnesty, Saudi Arabian Crown, Saudi Embassy, Washington D.C, Saudi Foreign Ministry, CNN, Royal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images Investment, Rumayyan, Nassr Football Club, Al Nassr Football Locations: Saudi Arabia, North Carolina, Saudi, Scotland, Oregon, Connecticut, American, Washington ,, Washington, videoconference, Riyadh, PIF, Portuguese

Karim Benzema, one of soccer’s best players and a fixture at the Spanish giant Real Madrid for more than a decade, has agreed to join the Saudi champion Al-Ittihad on a three-year contract that will make him the latest prize acquisition for a kingdom rapidly expanding its ambitions and influence in sports. The decision by Benzema, a 35-year-old French striker, to move to Saudi Arabia was confirmed by Al-Ittihad on Tuesday after days of rumors. Benzema’s arrival will come only months after a different Saudi club lured another star, the Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, with one of the richest contracts in soccer history. Among the other marquee players said to have been targeted by the Saudi league is Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in December in Qatar. The salaries offered to the players are some of the largest in sports history, according to interviews with agents, Saudi sports officials and consultants hired to execute the project.

Persons: Karim Benzema, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi Organizations: Al, Saudi, Investment Fund Locations: Real Madrid, Saudi, Ittihad, Saudi Arabia, Portuguese, Argentina, Qatar

☆ Ronaldo 'happy' in Saudi Arabia, wants other top players to join him
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ronaldo signed a 2-1/2 year contract estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($220.16 million) with Al Nassr, making his debut in January. He scored 14 goals in 16 games but it was not enough to help his side win the Saudi Pro League (SPL) title, with Al Nassr finishing second behind Al Ittihad. "We have very good teams, very good Arab players, but the infrastructure - they need to improve a little bit more. Since Ronaldo's arrival, several other top players have been linked with a move to the Saudi league, with Lionel Messi receiving a formal offer to join Al-Hilal next season. "If they are coming, big players and big names, young players, 'old players', they are very welcome," said Ronaldo.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo's, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Rohith Nair, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Al, Manchester United, Juventus, Real Madrid, Saudi, Thomson Locations: Portuguese, Saudi Arabia, Al Ittihad, Europe, Hilal, Bengaluru

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo ‘happy’ in Saudi Arabia, wants other players to join him
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Cristiano Ronaldo concedes he did not expect to finish the season empty-handed at Al Nassr but the Portuguese forward says he is happy in Saudi Arabia and hopes other big-name players will follow him to the league for the next campaign. Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half year contract estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($220.16 million) with Al Nassr, making his debut in January. Ronaldo scored 14 goals during his first season with Al Nassr. AFP/Getty ImagesSince Ronaldo’s arrival, several other top players have been linked with a move to the Saudi league, with Lionel Messi receiving a formal offer to join Al-Hilal next season. “If they are coming, big players and big names, young players, ‘old players’, they are very welcome,” said Ronaldo.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Ahmed Yosri, ” Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, ”, “ Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Al, Manchester United, Juventus, Real, Getty, Saudi Locations: Portuguese, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Real Madrid, “, AFP, Hilal, Al Ittihad

☆ Saudi Soccer League Creates Huge Fund to Sign Global Stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Tariq Panja | Ahmed Al Omran | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deals involved were private. League officials also did not respond to requests for comment about the plans. The project comes on the heels of a surprisingly strong performance by Saudi Arabia at last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar. The team’s run included a stunning victory over the eventual champion, Argentina, which stoked pride on the Saudi streets and in the halls of power in Riyadh. The project’s goal is not so much to make the Saudi league an equal of century-old competitions like England’s Premier League or other top European competitions, but to increase Saudi influence in the sport, and perhaps boost its profile as it bids for the 2030 World Cup.

Persons: Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Garry Cook, Cook Organizations: Saudi, Real Madrid, British, Nike, Manchester City, United Arab Emirates, League, England’s Premier League Locations: Argentina, French, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Saudi, Riyadh

☆ Messi's father dismisses Saudi links
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 9 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi has not "signed or agreed" a deal to play in Saudi Arabia next season, the Argentine's father said after reports on Tuesday linked the Paris St Germain forward with a move to the Middle East. Messi's future at PSG has been the subject of much speculation in recent days after the Ligue 1 side suspended him for making a trip to Saudi Arabia and missing a training session as a result. On Tuesday, French media reported that Messi's move to Saudi Arabia was a "done deal", adding that the 35-year-old was in the process of finalising details before signing a contract. The decision will never be made before Lionel finishes the league (season) with PSG," Messi's father Jorge said in a statement on Instagram. He returned in January to play a friendly match with PSG against a team of Saudi League stars, when he faced his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

☆ Messi back in training with PSG
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 8 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi is training with Paris St Germain again, the Ligue 1 team said on Monday, after the forward was suspended for making a trip to Saudi Arabia and missing a training session as a result. Messi, who apologised to PSG and his team mates on Friday, was left out of the squad for their 3-1 win at second-bottom Troyes on Sunday. PSG posted a picture of Messi training on social media, along with the caption: "The Argentinian striker from Paris Saint-Germain was back in training on Monday 8 May." The oil-rich nation appointed Messi its tourism ambassador last year and he visited Jeddah in May 2022. He returned in January to play a friendly match with PSG against a team of Saudi League stars, when he faced great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

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