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☆ Saudi soccer league says big-money player purchases are only the first step in a long-term strategy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The big-spending Saudi Pro League is aiming to build its global broadcasting presence and become one of the top 10 soccer leagues in the world, its chief operating officer, Carlo Nohra, told CNBC on Thursday. The league dominated the sports headlines over the summer as Saudi clubs cumulatively spent more than $1 billion in transfer fees and attracted some of the biggest names from Europe's top leagues with mammoth contract offers. Speaking to CNBC at the APOS conference in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday, Nohra said that Saudi Arabia's strategy is "extremely long term," but that the acquisition of players was the first step. watch nowThe kingdom's massive investment in sport is part of a broader effort to diversify its economy away from oil by investing in commercial infrastructure to become a tourism, leisure and entertainment powerhouse. Nohra explained that the objectives handed down to the Saudi Pro League's bosses were to firstly improve on-pitch performance through the acquisition of world-class players, to fill the country's stadia and ultimately to drive the commercialization of the vastly improved overall product.

Persons: Carlo Nohra, cumulatively, Neymar, Sadio Mane, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nohra, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Organizations: Saudi Pro League, CNBC, English Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Serie, Ligue, Saudi, Fox News, Saudi Pro Locations: Saudi, Bali , Indonesia

But in an about turn, Macron announced on Sunday that the ambassador would return to Paris and French troops would leave. Two security sources in Niger said Itte had flown out of the country. Demonstrators hold placards and Niger's flags as they gather outside Niger's embassy in support of the President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum in Paris, France, August 5, 2023. Crowds of junta supporters have spent days camping outside a French military base to demand the troops' departure. Some analysts have expressed concern that the withdrawal of French troops from Niger could further hamper Western efforts to stem the violence, which has risen since the coups, and bolster Russian influence in the region.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Sylvain Itte, Mohamed Bazoum, Macron, Itte, Catherine Colonna, Yucouba Abdou, Abdou, Niger Mohamed Bazoum, Stephanie Lecocq, Paris, Abdel, Kader Mazou, Moussa Aksar, Michel Rose, John Irish, Sofia Christensen, Anait, Toby Chopra, Estelle Shirbon, Philippa Fletcher, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Niger, Quai, French, Nigerien, Reuters, REUTERS, France, Thomson Locations: Niger French, NIAMEY, Niger, Paris, France, Niamey, French, N'Djamena, Niger's, West Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Sahel

☆ Inter Miami to wait until 'last moment' to decide on Messi fitness for Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Sep 20, 2023; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) runs with the ball against the Toronto FC during the first half at DRV PNK Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 26 (Reuters) - Inter Miami will wait until the "last moment" to see if Lionel Messi is fit to play in Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo, coach Gerardo Martino said. The Argentina captain is a doubt for the U.S. Open Cup final when his team will aim to claim their second title after winning the Leagues Cup last month. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 12 games for Inter Miami since his arrival from Paris St Germain in July. The Miami side are yet to lose with Messi on the pitch and Martino said he would not consider playing the 36-year-old if it were not a cup final.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Sam Navarro, Gerardo Martino, Messi, Leo, Martino, We'll, Ballon, Janina Nuno Rios, Javier Leira, Toby Davis Organizations: Inter Miami CF, Toronto FC, USA, Inter Miami, Houston Dynamo, Orlando City, U.S, Paris St Germain, Thomson Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida, USA, Wednesday's U.S, Argentina, Paris, Miami, Argentine

☆ Rapinoe brings the curtain down on her fabled international career
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It has been such an honour to be able to wear this shirt, play with all these players and live out my childhood dream," Rapinoe said at the end of the game. With 203 caps and 63 goals for her national team, the veteran played in four World Cups, winning in 2015 and 2019, and helped the U.S. to claimed the Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games. Her activism and off-field personality brought her to achieve household fame after supporting causes such as LGBT+ rights, speaking out against racism and standing up for equal pay in women's soccer. Rapinoe is scheduled to play her last National Women's Soccer League regular-season game with OL Reign on Oct. 6 against Washington Spirit in Seattle. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Alex Morgan, Emily Sonnett, Ballon, Lindsey Horan, Rapinoe, Angelica Medina, Michael Perry Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, South Africa, Soldier, Trinity Rodman's, Ballon d'Or, Women's Soccer League, Washington Spirit, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, U.S, Chicago, soccer, Seattle, Mexico City

Whether she was advocating for equal pay and racial justice or just scoring a rare goal off a corner kick, Megan Rapinoe was always unabashedly authentic during her soccer career. Rapinoe sobbed following the U.S. loss to Sweden at this summer's Women's World Cup, knowing it would be her final tournament with the national team. "I’ve just loved every moment of my career,” she said through tears at the World Cup last month in Australia. At the 2019 World Cup in France, Rapinoe scored six goals, including a penalty in the final against the Netherlands. Rapinoe led her team's long fight for equal pay with their men's national team, which started with an EEOC complaint back in 2016.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, I’ve, ”, “ I’ll, Kelley O'Hara, There's, Christine Sinclair, “ I’ve, We’re, she’s, ” Sinclair, She’s, Ballon, Megan, Lynn Williams, Donald Trump’s, “ She’s, Jill Ellis, Colin Kaepernick, —, ” Rapinoe Organizations: Portland, Chicago's, Rapinoe, University of Portland, Pilots, Portland Pilots, FIFA, Ballon d'Or, national, U.S, Soccer, House, San Francisco 49ers, Sweden, soccer's Locations: Sweden, Australia, U.S, United States, South Africa, Seattle, Portland, Canada, France, Netherlands, New York City

☆ Spain players decry 'systematic discrimination' toward women's team
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Spain's women soccer players said on Thursday the fight they have waged with the country's football federation (RFEF) followed decades of "systematic discrimination" and they hoped that it would inspire others to stand up for their rights. Following negotiations that went on into the early hours of Wednesday, a majority of players agreed to end their boycott. "We had been demanding that they listen to us for quite some time because we already knew that there had been systematic discrimination with the women's (team) for many decades," Putellas said at a press conference ahead of a Nation's League match against Sweden on Friday. Jorge Vilda, the coach who guided Spain to glory in the Women's World Cup, was dismissed earlier this month. Putellas said the players had not asked for Tome to be sacked.

Persons: Ballon, Alexia Putellas, Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Putellas, Andreu Camps, Rubiales, Hermoso, Jorge Vilda, Irene Paredes, Paredes, Montse Tome, Tome, Charlie Devereux, David Latona, Toby Davis, Pritha Organizations: League, Sweden, Reuters, FIFA, UEFA, Switzerland, Thomson Locations: GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Spain, Madrid

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami's lineup on Wednesday night. Messi was subbed off in the 37th minute of Inter Miami's match against Toronto, after spending a few minutes laboring with what appeared to be a leg issue. But Messi's status overshadowed everything, and Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said after the game that the Argentine star will miss Sunday's game at Orlando. It was the second big injury blow for Inter Miami on Wednesday. Despite its place in the standings, Inter Miami now controls its postseason destiny.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, he's, Messi, subbed, Robert Taylor, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, “, ” Martino, Martino, Ballon, Jordi Alba —, —, ” Taylor, Facundo Farias, Benjamin Cremaschi, Drake Callender, Messi didn’t, Yedlin —, That’s, ”, Win, Cruz Azul, ___ Organizations: Inter, Toronto, Miami, Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, Messi, Inter Miami, Orlando, Bolivia, Atlanta United, Inter Miami's, U.S, Houston, MLS, New York City FC, Messi isn't, D.C, United, Atlanta, Leagues, Nashville, Miami club’s, Leagues Cup Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Argentine, Toronto, —, Chicago, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Miami

MADRID, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Some of the rebel players from Spain's World Cup-winning women's squad who had threatened to boycott the national team in a push to stamp out sexism at the football federation (RFEF) on Tuesday reported for training under the threat of being sanctioned. Two sources close to players said they were expecting the whole squad to report in view of the threat of sanctions. Asked as she arrived at the hotel whether she was happy to have been selected for the team, Misa Rodriguez replied: "No." Hermoso was not on the squad list announced by new coach Montse Tome on Monday, which included 15 of the 23 cup-winning players. Reporting by Fernando Kallas and Guillermo Martinez; Writing by Charlie Devereux; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Misa Rodriguez, Olga Carmona, Oihane Hernandez, Eva Navarro, Tere Abelleira, Montse Tome, Luis Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Ballon, Alexia Putellas, Hermoso, Vilda, Tome, Victor Francos, Francos, Isabel Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Fernando Kallas, Guillermo Martinez, Charlie Devereux, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Spanish, Women's Nations League, Sweden, Sports, Monday, SER, Switzerland, Nations League, Olympic Games, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Madrid's, Valencia, Spain, Gothenburg, Cordoba, Europe

MADRID (AP) — The new coach of Spain’s women’s team included 15 of the World Cup-winning players in her squad on Monday even though they have not publicly announced an end to their boycott of the national team. Spain coach Montse Tomé said she talked to Hermoso and decided not to include her as a way to protect her. “I'm believe this was the best way to protect her.”The new coach, who was an assistant at the Women's World Cup to former coach Jorge Vilda, did not say whether it was Hermoso who asked not to be called up. They called for deep reforms and new leadership after Rubiales refused to resign for kissing Hermoso at the World Cup awards ceremony in Sydney. Tomé said she talked to the World Cup-winning players that she selected and expected them to report to training camp on Tuesday.

Persons: Spain’s, Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Montse Tomé, Hermoso, Rubiales, Jenni, ” Tomé, “, Jorge Vilda, Ballon, Alexia Putellas, Tomé, Vilda, It's, Pedro Rocha, Rocha, ___ Organizations: MADRID, Spanish national, Nations League, Sweden Locations: Spain, Spanish, Sydney, Switzerland

☆ Spain's soccer president resigns 3 weeks after kissing player at Women's World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Once the most powerful man in Spanish soccer, Rubiales insisted the kiss was consensual and done in a "moment of jubilation." "The former president of the Spanish soccer federation has done what he had to do," Spain's Secretary of State for Sport Víctor Francos told Spain's Cadena SER radio. Rubiales said that he had told interim Spanish federation president Pedro Rocha — who replaced him when Rubiales was suspended on Aug. 26 — of his resignation late Sunday night. The uproar against Rubiales coincides with a strike by Spain's women's league as its players call for higher wages. Those included the coaches of Spain's women's and men's teams.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Reuters Luis Rubiales, Spain's, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Sport Víctor Francos, Spain's Cadena, Pedro Rocha —, Piers Morgan, Britain's, Luis, Morgan, Letizia, Princess Sofía, Spain —, –, — Rubiales, Alexia Putellas Organizations: Royal Spanish Football Federation, RFEF, Reuters, Spain, England, FIFA, Twitter, Rubiales, State, Sport Víctor, Spain's Cadena SER, UEFA, Women's Nations, Pachuca, Barcelona, League, Ballon, Saudi Locations: Spanish, Sydney, Australia, Portugal, Morocco, Ukraine, Spain, Sweden, Europe, Ballon d'Or, Africa, Madrid

☆ 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

☆ Why Saudi Arabia is pumping billions of dollars into pro soccer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Anuz Thapa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWhy Saudi Arabia is pumping billions of dollars into pro soccerCristiano Ronaldo received a thunderous welcome at his new club, Al Nassr, in Saudi Arabia on January 3rd. That day was not just an ordinary day for the Arab nation; the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's entry to the Saudi Pro League also marked the start of a new era in their domestic league—the era of bringing global superstars to play their league by spending billions of dollars. Watch the video above to find out why Saudi Arabia is doubling down their investment in professional soccer and more.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr Organizations: Saudi Pro League Locations: Saudi Arabia

☆ Spanish soccer president refuses to resign despite kissing a player on the lips at Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Facing his possible removal from office, the president of the Spanish soccer federation refused to resign Friday despite an uproar for kissing a player on the lips without her consent after the Women's World Cup final. The president of Spain's women's league, Beatriz Álvarez, told Spanish state broadcaster RTVE that she was not surprised because Rubiales' "ego is above his dignity." The only relevant institution to remain silent has been European soccer body UEFA, for which Rubiales is a vice president. Rubiales, who led the Spanish players' union for eight years before taking over as federation president in 2018, is currently heading the UEFA-backed bid to host the men's World Cup in 2030. "The speech by Mr. Rubiales before the general assembly of the Spanish soccer federation is absolutely incompatible with representing Spanish sports and with the values of an advanced society like Spain's," Spain's Higher Council for Sports said.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Luis de la, Hermoso, Relevo.com, Alexia Putellas, Ballon, Yolanda Díaz, Díaz, Spain's, Beatriz Álvarez, Álvarez, Pedro Sánchez, Queen Letizia, Sofía, Iker Casillas, Borja Iglesias Organizations: Spanish Royal Football Federation, Spain women's, football team's, La, —, Spanish, Spain, England, men's, Luis de la Fuente, Associated Press, RTVE, UEFA, FIFA, Higher, of Sports, Court, Sports, Council, Rubiales, Real Betis, Spain's Locations: Spain, Madrid, BARCELONA, Spanish, Sydney, Australia, Barcelona, Portugal, Morocco, Ukraine, Spain's, Netherlands, Vilda

☆ Australia to buy U.S. Tomahawk missiles to boost long-range strike capability
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles attends a joint news conference with France's Foreign and Defence ministers at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Australia will spend A$1.3 billion ($833 million) to boost its long-range strike capabilities as it finalised on Monday a deal to buy more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, part of a wide-ranging defence shake-up. Australia will be only one of three nations to have Tomahawks along with the U.S. and Britain, Defence Minister Richard Marles said. Earlier this year it agreed to work with the United States and Britain to develop a nuclear-powered submarine fleet. In addition to the Tomahawks, Australia would spend about A$431 million to purchase more than 60 advanced anti-radiation guided missiles from the United States, the defence minister said.

Persons: Richard Marles, Sarah Meyssonnier, Marles, ., Renju Jose, Stephen Coates Organizations: Australia's, France's Foreign, Quai d'Orsay, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Defence, Defence Force, U.S . State Department, RTX Corp, Royal Australian, High, Artillery Rocket Systems, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Australia, United States, Britain, Hobart, China, Sydney

☆ Wiegman names unchanged England side while teenager Paralluelo starts for Spain
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Christian Radnedge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - England coach Sarina Wiegman named an unchanged side for the Women's World Cup final at Stadium Australia on Sunday while Spain added 19-year-old forward Salma Paralluelo to the lineup. Lionesses forward Lauren James, who scored three goals in the group stage, is on the bench after returning from suspension after her red card against Nigeria in the last 16. Both sides are playing their first World Cup final in what is also the first meeting between the two teams in the tournament's history. England beat Spain in the quarter-finals of the Euros last year on their way to winning the title. Spain: Cata Coll, Olga Carmona, Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, Ona Batlle, Teresa Abelleira, Jennifer Hermoso, Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey, Alba Redondo, Salma Paralluelo.

Persons: Sarina Wiegman, Salma Paralluelo, Lauren James, Paralluelo, Jorge Vilda's, Ballon, Alexia Putellas, Mary Earps, Jess Carter, Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Rachel Daly, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Cata Coll, Olga Carmona, Irene Paredes, Laia, Ona Batlle, Teresa Abelleira, Jennifer Hermoso, Aitana, Mariona Caldentey, Alba Redondo, Christian Radnedge, Peter Rutherford Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia, Sunday, Nigeria, England, Spain, Thomson Locations: England, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Georgia, Alba

☆ Spain wins its first Women's World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Spain won its first Women's World Cup title less than a year after a player rebellion, holding off England 1-0 on Sunday after Olga Carmona's first-half goal. Spain is the fifth winner in nine editions of the Women's World Cup and joins Germany as the only two nations to win both the men's and women's tournaments. The Lionesses were trying to bring a World Cup back to England for the first time since 1966, but fell just short. Three of those players — Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey — reconciled with the federation and were at the World Cup. England coach Sarina Wiegman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup title matches.

Persons: Olga Carmona's, Millie Bright, Bright, Carmona's, Carmona, Carli Lloyd, Jenni Hermoso's, Mary Earps, — Ona Batlle, Aitana, Caldentey —, Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby, Beth Mead, Sarina Wiegman, She's, Lauren James, Michelle Alozie, James, Wiegman, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp's, Salma Paralluelo, couldn't, Earps, Alba Redondo's, Jorge Vilda, Bonmati, Paralluelo, Keira Walsh's, Vilda, Ballon, Alexia Putellas, Putellas, Billie Jean King Organizations: Spain, England, La Roja, World, Australia, Chelsea, Sweden Locations: Spain, Germany, Spanish, England, Sweden, Netherlands, United States, Codina, Georgia

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Ronaldo streets ahead of Instagram influencers in annual ranking
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The list, compiled by Instagram scheduling tool Hopper HQ, is based on internal and publicly available data on how much each user can charge for a post on Instagram and YouTube. The Portugal forward brings in a massive $3.23 million per Instagram post, according to Hopper HQ, as he nears 600 million followers on the social media platform. "It's still shocking to me that the annual money made on the platform increases every year," Mike Bandar, co-founder of Hopper HQ, said. The highest earning influencer on Instagram, TikTok star Khaby Lame, is number 40 on the list. Ronaldo earns almost 10 times the amount Lame brings in for his Instagram posts.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ballon, Ronaldo, Rich, Hopper, Ronaldo's, Lionel Messi, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, Dwayne, Johnson, Virat Kohli, Neymar, Paris, Paris St Germain, Kylian Mbappe, Mike Bandar, Messi, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Forbes, YouTube, Argentina, Paris St, Hopper, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Portugal

☆ 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

☆ Bellingham fever fuels Real Madrid hopes
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - Real Madrid present new signing Jude Bellingham - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - June 15, 2023 Real Madrid's new signing Jude Bellingham during the presentation REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura/File PhotoMADRID, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Real Madrid are banking on the arrival of England midfielder Jude Bellingham to regain the LaLiga title from Barcelona andchallenge seriously for a record-extending 15th European Cup. Bellingham has made an instant impact in the dressing room with his coach and team mates delighted by his performances in pre-season matches. For now, however, Real are lacking a top-level striker to replace Benzema and coach Carlo Ancelotti is relying on the versatile Bellingham, changing the system he used in his former spells at Real Madrid when they won the Champions League in 2014 and 2022. "Bellingham is a complete midfielder and different from the others we have," the Italian told reporters during Real's pre-season trip to the U.S."He is a fantastic player. Real Madrid start their bid for a record-extending 36th Spanish title on Saturday at Athletic Bilbao.

Persons: Jude Bellingham, Violeta Santos Moura, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Joselu, Kylian Mbappe, Paris St Germain, Carlo Ancelotti, Ancelotti, Vinicius Jr, Vinicius, Fernando Kallas, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, Borussia Dortmund, Spain, Espanyol, France, Paris St, Benzema, Champions League, Real's, Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Thomson Locations: Santiago, Madrid, Spain, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bellingham

☆ Megan Rapinoe's World Cup career comes to tearful end
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Renowned for her reliability as a penalty taker, Rapinoe said missing one in the final moment of her career felt like "a sick joke". 'THE PLATFORM'Rapinoe plans to finish her club season with National Women's Soccer League side OL Reign before retiring and shows no signs of retreating from public life after a career spent championing social causes. Looking back at the 2019 tournament, Rapinoe saw her on-field achievements as being inextricably entwined with her advocacy. Without the winning, you don't get the media, you don't get the eyes, you don't get the fans." In 2022, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest United States' civilian honour, alongside gymnastics Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Rapinoe, I've, It's, Abby Wambach, Donald Trump's, Colin Kaepernick, Simone Biles, Amy Tennery, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, Swedes, Fox Sports, d'Or, U.S, National Women's Soccer League, Republican, Soccer, NFL, United States, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, Auckland, Brazil

☆ Klopp complains about Saudi transfer deadline, dismisses Mbappe links
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Premier League's transfer window closes on Sept. 1, the deadline for most of Europe's top leagues, but Saudi Pro League clubs can sign players until Sept. 20. Liverpool have already seen three of their key players move to Saudi clubs, including skipper Jordan Henderson and fellow midfielder Fabinho while striker Roberto Firmino moved on a free transfer. "The influence of Saudi Arabia is massive at the moment," Klopp told reporters on Tuesday, a day before their pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich in Singapore. "Pretty much the worst thing I think is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open three weeks longer. Mbappe has also been linked with a world record move to Saudi Arabia, but media reports said he rejected the idea of playing in the Gulf kingdom as he eyes a transfer to Real Madrid.

Persons: Juergen Klopp, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino, Klopp, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frenchman, Mbappe, I've, Rohith Nair, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Christopher Cushing Organizations: FIFA, Liverpool, Saudi Pro League, Bayern Munich, UEFA, World, Al, Paris St Germain, Real Madrid, Sky Germany, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Europe, Qatar, Portugal, Bengaluru

☆ US thrive on pressure of do-or-die group stage match, says Rapinoe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Jul 22, 2023; Auckland, NZL; USA forward Megan Rapinoe (15) in action against Vietnam in the second half of a group stage match in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup at Eden Park. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY SportsAUCKLAND, July 30 (Reuters) - The United States are built to handle the pressure of their do-or-die final group stage match, veteran Megan Rapinoe said, with everything on the line against Portugal on Tuesday at the Women's World Cup. I mean, I think that that is something that just always gets passed down through the generations of this team," Rapinoe told reporters. "This is just the pressure in general being at the World Cup - this moment is going to come no matter what. Playing in her fourth World Cup, this year's tournament undeniably carries more meaning for the 38-year-old forward, as she previously announced she would retire at the end of her club season.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Jenna Watson, Rapinoe, Ballon, Lindsey Horan, it's, we've, Amy Tennery, Lincoln Organizations: Vietnam, FIFA, USA, Sports AUCKLAND, Portugal, U.S ., Australia, Sweden, Japan, women's, Thomson Locations: Auckland, NZL, USA, Eden, United States, Netherlands, U.S

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