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☆ Women’s World Cup 2023: When, how to watch and everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup gets underway in Auckland on Thursday as co-host New Zealand takes on Norway. For the first time ever, the Women’s World Cup will be hosted across two countries: Australia and New Zealand. Sydney Football Stadium will host six Women's World Cup games. A record 32 teams will take part in the World Cup, eight more than the previous two editions. Brazilian superstar Marta, 37, is set to end her international career having scored a record 17 Women’s World Cup goals, while the USWNT’s Megan Rapinoe has also announced that she will retire after what will be her fourth and final World Cup.

Persons: Sydney –, Cameron Spencer, Jason McCawley, Alex Morgan, Brad Smith, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Michael Regan, Marta, Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Spain’s Alexia Putellas, d’Or, –, Keira Walsh, Asisat Oshoala, Ada Hegerberg, Ballon d’Or, Caroline Graham Hansen, Wendie Renard, Pernille, Alexandra Popp, James Williamson, Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Macario, Giulia Gwinn, Iman Beney, Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson, Gianni Infantino Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Zealand, US Women’s National, Southern Hemisphere, Australia –, Sydney, Sydney Football, Australia, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, Republic of Ireland, Stadium Australia, England, Gracenote, Wales, USSF, Getty, of Ireland Nigeria Canada Group, Spain Costa Rica Zambia, England Haiti Denmark China, France Jamaica Brazil Panama Group, Africa Italy Argentina, Germany Morocco Colombia South Korea Players, Chelsea, Manchester City, Ballon, Japan Locations: Auckland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Dunedin, Hamilton, Wellington, Sydney’s, France, United Kingdom, Republic of, Sydney, United States, Germany, Netherlands, Haiti, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, Zambia, Sweden, England, Spain, San Jose , California, New Zealand Norway Philippines Switzerland, Spain Costa Rica, Spain Costa Rica Zambia Japan, England Haiti, United States Vietnam Netherlands Portugal, France Jamaica, Africa, Germany Morocco Colombia, Brazilian, Barcelona, Norwegian, Denmark, Brazil, Swiss, Qatar

☆ Women’s World Cup: Hosts New Zealand and Australia kick off 2023’s summer of football
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The 2023 Women’s World Cup finally gets underway on Thursday with the two host nations kicking off the tournament and the summer of footballing festivities. “What this World Cup stands for, and these milestones are even more important and bigger than me and any of my goals on the soccer field. John Cowpland/APAda Hegerberg’s World Cup comebackNorway comes into the game against their hosts as heavy favorites and with star quality all over the pitch. McCabe has overcome a late injury scare to make the World Cup and embodies her national team’s courageous and battling style of play. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty ImagesHow to watchNew Zealand vs Norway kicks off at 03:00 AM ET with Australia vs Republic of Ireland starting at 08:00 AM ET.

Persons: Ada Hegerberg, Sam Kerr, “, Ali Riley, CNN’s Amanda Davies, ” Riley, John Cowpland, Ada, Ballon d’Or Féminin, Hegerberg, Harriet Lander, Kerr, Michael Regan, Katie McCabe, McCabe, Stephen McCarthy Organizations: CNN, Norway, New, New Zealand, Zealand, Football Ferns, football’s, Hegerberg, Norwegian Football Federation, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, Getty, Australia, Republic, Chelsea, Brazil, USA, Italy, Women's Super League, Republic of Ireland, Colombia, Football Association of Ireland, FAI, Arsenal Locations: New Zealand, Norway, Australia, Republic of Ireland, New, Zealand, Ireland, Republic of, The Republic, Swiss, Brisbane

☆ Women’s World Cup 2023: Some of the game’s top players are absent. And it’s because of the same injury issue
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Hannah Ryan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Fast-forward to the upcoming Women’s World Cup, which starts on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, and a host of the game’s best players will also be absent because of an injury which appears to be endemic in the women’s game. But why are so many female soccer players suffering from the same injury? “At elite clubs in the men’s game, players have access to exceptional academies and training facilities from a very young age. Beth Mead starred for England in its Euro 2022 victory but will be missing the Women's World Cup. According to the findings, 34% of women players reported discomfort specifically in their heel and the majority use specialized insoles.

Persons: Simone Magill, Magill, “, ” Magill, Leah Williamson, Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead, Macario, Giulia Gwinn, Iman Beney –, Leah Abucayan Sarah Milner, doesn’t, Féminin, Ballon, Katrine Okholm, Kryger, ” Kryger, that’s, aren’t ‘, they’ve, Rachel Williams, Williams, Jacques Feeney, Kyrger, England, Sarina Wiegman, Luna, Crystal Dunn, we’re, haven’t, –, Miedema, ”, ’ Milner, ” Milner, Catarina Macario, Jeffrey McWhorter, Milner Organizations: CNN, Northern Ireland, CNN Sport, England, US, National, Europe’s, of Sports Medicine, –, St Mary’s University, FIFA, Manchester United, Super, Sports Medicine, European Club Association, Nike, UEFA Locations: Norway, Northern, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Twickenham , London, England, plastering, Europe, Paris, Northern Ireland, France

☆ Lionel Messi's US debut tickets cost as much as $110,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —To witness Lionel Messi make his US debut might require a payday as big as his. Tickets for his expected first match on Friday for Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup are selling as much $110,000, according to a search on ticket reselling website Vivid Seats. The average price is $487, and some fans are traveling nearly 700 miles to see the match against Mexican team Cruz Azul, a Vivid Seats spokesperson said. Tickets to last year’s League Cup match between Inter Miami and FC Barcelona cost about half of that. Ticket prices overall for Inter Miami, currently dead last in the standings , have also jumped about 700% since then.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Cruz Azul, Messi, Ballon, he’s, “, ”, “ Messi Organizations: New, New York CNN, Inter Miami, Leagues, MLS, Major League Soccer, year’s, FC Barcelona, Charlotte, US, World, Argentinian, Apple TV’s Locations: New York, Miami

☆ Lionel Messi signs for MLS club Inter Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Ben Morse | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Soccer great Lionel Messi signed for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami on Saturday, the club announced. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community. According to multiple reports, Messi’s new deal includes an option for part-ownership of the club and a cut of revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass streaming service. Fans of Argentine football player Lionel Messi wait for his arrival at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 11, 2023. In December last year, Messi played a vital part in Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar, becoming the first man to win the tournament’s Golden Ball, awarded to the best player at the World Cup, twice.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon, David Beckham, ” Messi, I’m, Beckham, Leo, Jorge Mas, Chandan Khanna, Messi, Germain Organizations: CNN — Soccer, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Argentina, LIGA MX, Leagues, “, LA Galaxy, Real Madrid, Manchester United, our Inter Miami, Inter, El Pais, Apple TV’s, Argentine, Getty, French, Paris Saint, Spanish, Barcelona, La Liga, Champions League Locations: Cruz Azul, Miami, USA, Real, Spanish, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Qatar

☆ Luis Suárez Miramontes, one of Spain’s greatest footballers, has died aged 88
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Luis Suárez Miramontes, considered one of the greatest Spanish football players in history, has died at the age of 88. In a statement on Sunday, Barcelona confirmed that Suárez had died in Milan, Italy. Putellas recalled meeting Suárez and how he inspired her on Twitter, saying: “[You’re] part of history in football. In 1961, he left for Inter Milan where he continued picking up trophies – winning three Serie A titles and two European Cups. Following his playing career, Suárez managed a number of clubs including Inter Milan and Deportivo.

Persons: CNN — Luis Suárez Miramontes, Alexia Putellas, Féminin, Suárez, “, ”, Putellas, Don Luis Suarez, ” Suárez, –, Javier Zanetti Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Inter Milan, Twitter, Ballon, Barcelona, Deportivo La Coruña, La Liga, Inter, Inter Milan’s, Deportivo, Spanish national Locations: Barcelona, Spanish, Milan, Italy, Barça

After 17 years on the national team and nearly as many years speaking out to support various issues including L.G.B.T.Q. rights, equal pay, the Black Lives Matter movement and voter rights, Rapinoe will play in her fourth Women’s World Cup and her final season in the National Women’s Soccer League and will end her career at the top of her sport. Perhaps nothing exemplified her ability to perform under pressure more than when she scored twice in a quarterfinal against France at the 2019 World Cup. The Americans went on to win that world title, their second in a row. Her six goals at that World Cup helped her earn the Golden Boot as the top scorer and the Golden Ball as the top player.

Persons: Rapinoe, Donald J, Trump, Megan, ” Organizations: National Women’s Soccer League, France, Twitter, Trump White, WIN, Ballon, FIFA Locations: United States

CNN —US Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe, a two-time Women’s World Cup winner, has announced she will retire at the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. Rapinoe, an Olympic gold medalist from London 2012, will play in her fourth and final World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand, before returning to her NWSL team OL Reign. To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.”Megan Rapinoe has won two World Cup and Olympic gold with the USWNT. In her domestic career, Rapinoe won the French league title and French Cup with Lyon in the 2012-2013 season and has won three NWSL Shields with the Seattle Reign and OL Reign. “When you talk about players performing on the biggest stages, she’s right up there with the best to ever do it for the US Women’s National Team.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, “ I’ve, ” Rapinoe, “, we’ve, Brad Smith, ”, Cooper, Shields, “ Megan, Kate Markgraf, Vlatko Andonovski, Andonovski, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, US Women’s National, Women’s Soccer League, Wales, National Team, US Soccer, Ballon, Lyon, Seattle, US, National Locations: Australia, New Zealand, United States

☆ Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —European soccer’s summer transfer window is in full swing, with several household names already moving to pastures new. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Al-IttihadIn the first major coup of the summer for the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema has agreed to join Al-Ittihad once his contract expires with Real Madrid. After a disappointing season, Real Madrid will be hopeful that Bellingham will be a star midfielder for years to come once the ageing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos depart. The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around £86 million ($109.8 million) a year, according to UK media. Rice, who was in the youth ranks at Chelsea and then West Ham, was voted Conference League player of the season.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema –, Karim Benzema, Ittihad, Benzema, Frenchman, Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid Jude Bellingham, Florencia Tan Jun, Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, N’Golo Kanté, Ittihad N'Golo Kanté, Justin Tallis, Kanté, Christopher Nkunku –, Chelsea Christopher Nkunku, Annegret Hilse, Germain, Chrisopher Nkunku, Nkunku, Todd Boehly, Kai Havertz, Germany's, Maja Hitij, Kai Kavertz, Mikel Arteta, Havertz, Boehly, Declan Rice –, Declan Rice, Richard Heathcote, Rice, West Ham’s, Mateo Kovačić –, Mateo Kovačić, Pep Guardiola’s, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, Alexis Mac Allister, Alex Pantling, Lionel Messi, Mac Allister, Jurgen Klopp, Mac, Roberto Firmino’s, Rúben Neves, Al Hilal Rúben Neves, Naomi Baker, Al Hilal, Neves Organizations: CNN, Super League, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Al, Real Madrid, League, La Liga, Real, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City, English, Ittihad N'Golo, France, Getty, Benzema, Chelsea, Premier League, FA, Europa League, UEFA Super, Leicester, Leipzig, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, Reuters, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Ukraine, Gunners, Manchester City, football’s, Europa Conference League, Gent, Manchester United, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Manchester, Argentina, Brighton, Liverpool, Anfield, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves, Everton, Molineux, Portugal Locations: England, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Portuguese, Saudi Arabian, Karim Benzema – Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Bellingham, Dortmund, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Leicester, Paris, Leipzig, Bremen, Germany, Declan Rice – West Ham, West Ham, Mateo Kovačić – Chelsea, Madrid, Spain, Croatian, Brighton, Argentina, Qatar, Barcelona

It was by a young Chinese pitch invader, eager to meet his hero, the seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or. Videos that have gone viral on Chinese social media show the young fan leaping from the stands before sprinting toward the Argentine striker – who like him was wearing the number 10 jersey – and giving him a hug. A Chinese fan runs onto the pitch to hug soccer superstar Lionel Messi during a friendly match between Argentina and Australia at the Worker's Stadium in Beijing on June 15. Ng Han Guan/APWith the crowd cheering three security guards then give chase, the first of them falling over as the young fan evades his grasp. On Chinese social media, many users – football fans or otherwise – celebrated the young fan’s sprint across the grass pitch as a liberating moment.

Persons: Lionel Messi –, –, Messi, Lionel Messi, Ng Han Guan, Emiliano Martinez, ”, Thomas Peter, ” “ Messi, I’m, flailing, “ Organizations: Beijing CNN, Australia, Argentine, Workers, Global Times, Messi, Reuters, FIFA, De Football Association, Indonesia Locations: Beijing, Argentina, Australia, China, Jakarta

☆ Folarin Balogun: What to expect from the 21-year-old who outscored Lionel Messi last season ahead of his USMNT debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Folarin Balogun recently committed to representing the United States men’s national team (USMNT), ending years of speculation about whether the 21-year-old would choose to play for the US or England on the international stage. Here’s all you need to know about the prodigious striker ahead of his potential USMNT debut against Mexico. Stu Forster/Getty ImagesOn the pitch, Balogun has refined his game over the past two seasons. After the Arsenal man’s haul last season, Barker also believes this could be just the beginning for the striker. “I’m not sure he will be an elite, world class player,” Barker said, “but you certainly wouldn’t bet against him.”

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Folarin Balogun, Gregg Berhalter’s, Jesus Ferreira, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, “, James Williamson, Flo, unforthcoming, Balogun, Art de, Charles McQuillan, ” de Roché, it’s, Roché, de Roché, he’s, Stu Forster, “ He’s, ”, Alex Barker, ” Barker, Oliver Giroud, Roberto Firmino, Messi, Germain, Francois Nascimbeni, Balogun’s, Barker, John Dorton, who’s, that’ll, De Roché, Xavier Laine, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, France’s Ligue, United, United States men’s national, Mexico, Arsenal, Premier League club’s, Middlesbrough, Ligue, Reims, CNN Sport, Millwall, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, West Brom, EFL Championship, Twitter, ”, Paris Saint, “, Getty, USSF, US, USSF ‘ Locations: USA, Argentine, Brooklyn, United States, England, Qatar, Netherlands, New York, Millwall’s, Reims, Ligue, AFP, Canada, Mexico, France

☆ Saudi Arabia is now stealing sporting headlines as prince pursues global ambitions
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Nic Robertson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Saudi Arabia has been in the headlines a lot lately – this time for trying to find its place in the sporting world. The kingdom’s golfing coup is perhaps the crowning sporting achievement so far of heir apparent Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS). Regional outlierBy the time King Salman came along, the 21st century was passing Saudi Arabia by. Saudi Arabia has led efforts to bring Syria in from the cold and tried to mediate in conflicts such as those in Sudan and even Ukraine. On oil, he has made Saudi Arabia a bolder player.

Persons: LIV Golf, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, Jamal Khashoggi, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, King Salman’s, King Salman, LIV, Liberalizations, Al Hathloul, can’t, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Bashar al, Assad, Yemen’s, Putin, Xi Organizations: CNN, golf’s, Dubai, Saudi Pro League, France, Washington Post, Formula, MBS, Ritz, Saudi, Washington Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Portuguese, Istanbul, Riyadh, Mecca, Dubai, Moscow, Beijing, Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, Turkey, Syrian, Iran, Asia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Jeddah

☆ Karim Benzema signs for Saudi team Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —French striker Karim Benzema has signed with Saudi Arabian team Al-Ittihad on an initial three-year deal, the club announced on Tuesday. Al-Ittihad won the Saudi Pro League (SPL) this season under the stewardship of one-time Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo and offered Benzema a deal reportedly worth more than $100 million. It now feels the time is right for a new challenge and project.”Reuniting with RonaldoBenzema also expressed joy at joining a league which already contains his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Karim is a global football icon, he’s box office and very much at the top of his powers.”Benzema joined Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009, aged 21. He won 25 trophies with the club, making 648 appearances and scoring 354 goals – the second most in its history.

Persons: Karim Benzema, Benzema, Nuno Espirito, ” Benzema, “, Ronaldo Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, “ Cristiano Ronaldo, ”, Anmar Bin Abdullah Alhailael, Ballon, Karim Organizations: CNN, Saudi Arabian, Real Madrid, Sunday, Ittihad, Saudi Pro League, Tottenham Hotspur, Nuno Espirito Santo, ”, SPL, Saudi, Ittihad Club Locations: Ittihad, Al, Asia, Spain, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Real, Lyon

☆ Is Karim Benzema about to be the first of many soccer superstars to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —French soccer player Karim Benzema has played his last game for Real Madrid and may soon be joining the great Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. Saudi’s state-run Ekhbariya news on Sunday reported that Benzema and the Saudi Al Ittihad club had reached an agreement on a two-season contract. The Frenchman could be the first of many established star names to join Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League next season. In an interview with the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo last week said that he was happy in Saudi Arabia and encouraged other players to join him. According to Saudi state-owned media, Ronaldo will earn an estimated $200 million a year, making him the world’s highest-paid soccer player.

Persons: Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Fabrizio Romano, “, Al, ”, ” Romano, Ballon, Carlo Ancelotti, ” Benzema, Frenchman, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Lionel Messi –, –, Karim Djaziri Organizations: CNN, Real Madrid, Saudi Al, Sunday, Twitter, Saudi, Spanish, Ronaldo, Saudi Pro League Locations: French, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Saudi Al Ittihad, Italian, Al Ittihad, Spain, Al Hilal

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

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

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

☆ Messi to leave PSG at end of season after two years at the club
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, June 3 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi will leave Paris St Germain at the end of season after two years at the Ligue 1 club, Paris St Germain said on Saturday. PSG host Clermont in the final round of Ligue 1 later on Saturday. "After two seasons in the French capital, Leo Messi’s adventure with Paris St Germain will come to an end at the conclusion of the 2022–23 campaign," PSG said in a statement. "I would like to thank Leo Messi for his two seasons in Paris. While he has 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG in all competitions this season, Messi failed to have a big impact at PSG and in his two seasons at the club, could not help them go past the last 16 in the Champions League.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Paris St Germain, Leo Messi’s, Paris, Leo Messi, Ballon, Nasser al, Khelaifi, Germain, Leo, Messi, Julien Pretot, Angus MacSwan, Frances Kerry Organizations: Paris St, Ligue, Paris, Saturday, PSG, Clermont, Reuters, Al, Barcelona, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Parc des Princes, Paris Saint, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Paris, Argentina, Saudi Arabian, Hilal, United States, Parc des

☆ 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

☆ Women’s Champions League final: Pain of defeat ‘motivating’ Barcelona ahead of clash with Wolfsburg
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The pain of defeat from last season’s Women’s Champions League final has lingered at Barcelona. Even faced with a resurgent Lyon, Barcelona was expected to come out on top. Ingrid Engen has now lost two Champions League finals, one with Wolfsburg and one with Barcelona. Barcelona won the first Women's Champions League title in the club's history in 2021. Playing in a Champions League final will be a great moment in our careers.

Persons: Ingrid Engen, Lyon, Alejandro Rios, don’t, ” Engen, “ It’s, ”, Barça, Lucy Bronze, Clive Brunskill, FIFA’s, Jonatan Giráldez, “, Engen, you’ve, Lena Oberdorf, I’ve, Oberdorf, –, Tommy Stroot, ” Stroot, David Lidstrom Organizations: CNN, League, Champions League, Lyon, Wolfsburg, Engen, Barcelona, CNN Sport, Bayern Munich –, Chelsea, Women's Champions League, Barcelona ’, Norway, Young, Ballon, “, UEFA Locations: Barcelona, Turin, Lyon, Eindhoven, Netherlands, Wolfsburg

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

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

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

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

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

☆ Lionel Messi apologizes to Paris Saint-Germain and teammates following unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lionel Messi apologized to Paris Saint-Germain and his teammates on Friday after taking an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia and missing training earlier in the week. “I wanted to make this video after everything that’s been happening,” Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain said in an Instagram story. The 35-year-old’s trip to Saudi Arabia meant he missed the team’s Monday training. “We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”Messi himself posted a promotion for Saudi tourism on his Instagram six days ago: “Who thought Saudi has so much green? Messi’s contract with the French capital’s premier football club expires on June 30, and his trip to Saudi Arabia comes amid multiple reports that the 35-year-old won’t stay at the Parisian club.

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain has suspended Lionel Messi for two weeks after the Argentinian’s unauthorized trip away from the team to conduct personal business, according to a club source. Messi is in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple reports. Along with undated pictures of Messi relaxing with his family, Ahmed Al Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, tweeted Monday: “I am happy to welcome #Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences. “We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”Messi himself posted to Instagram four days ago a promotion for Saudi tourism: “Who thought Saudi has so much green? Messi’s contract with PSG expires on June 30, 2023, and his reported trip to Saudi Arabia comes amid multiple reports that the 35-year-old won’t stay at the Parisian club.

☆ Barcelona reaches third straight Women’s Champions League final with draw against Chelsea
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Barcelona reached its third straight Women’s Champions League final with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Thursday, ensuring the Spanish club advanced 2-1 on aggregate. “In the second half I knew that it was a tense situation but also a dangerous one because one slip from us could have let Chelsea level the tie. In what was a rematch of the 2021 Women’s Champions League final in which Barcelona comfortably beat Chelsea 4-0, Thursday’s game was a much tighter affair, with both sides having good chances. Felipe Mondino/LiveMedia/ShutterstockBut Reiten’s leveler ensured a nervy final 20 minutes, but Chelsea was unable to find that illusive goal. Especially second half, I thought we were the better team.

☆ Messi’s Argentina Beats France to Win the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Joshua Robinson | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

LUSAIL, Qatar—Over more than 15 years in professional soccer, Lionel Messi had become a champion of nearly everything. He won every major club competition available to him at least once. And he had taken soccer’s highest individual prize, the Ballon d’Or, a record seven times. Messi was so good for so long that even without a World Cup, he had a claim on being the sport’s greatest of all time. Now Messi has that World Cup, too.

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