DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ This Is Soccer Superstar Lionel Messi's Last World Cup. Here's a Look Back at His Career.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Kate Bubacz | Jonathan Clegg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player seven times. His other records include the most goals scored by a player for a single club and the most hat-tricks and most assists in Spain’s La Liga. He also won Olympic gold in 2008 at age 21. Franck Fife/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

☆ World Cup quarterfinals: Morocco on the verge of history against Portugal as Kylian Mbappé’s France face England
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Moroccans have become the darlings of the World Cup. At the first “Arab” World Cup, they became the first Arab nation to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Cup and, as the first African side to qualify for the quarterfinals in over a decade, they represent so much more than just their own nation. Born in Madrid, Achraf Hakimi scored the goal to knock Spain out of the World Cup. No team has scored more than Portugal’s 12 at the World Cup, but will the unstoppable Portugal be able to beat the immovable Morocco? Mbappé has already surpassed Cristiano Ronalo's World Cup goal scoring record and is level with Lionel Messi on nine.

☆ Could Cristiano Ronaldo be Portugal’s super sub for the rest of the World Cup?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo has found himself in unfamiliar territory this season – but no matter where he is in the stadium, the cameras follow. After it was announced he would start Portugal’s World Cup round of 16 match against Switzerland from the bench, huge swathes of photographers swarmed around the team’s substitutes prior to kick off. All eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, despite him starting on the bench. With his only real chance of the match, Ronaldo buried his shot past Yann Sommer but was denied a goal by the linesman’s offside flag. His star quality remains, too, with the Lusail Stadium filled with chants of “Ronaldo, Ronaldo” when he entered the field of play to arguably the biggest roar of the night – the game’s seven goals included.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo dropped to bench as Portugal thrashes Switzerland to reach World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —No Cristiano Ronaldo, no problem for Portugal as it produced a dynamic display to thrash Switzerland 6-1 and reach the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022. The superstar striker was dropped from the starting lineup on Tuesday by Fernando Santos but the bold decision paid off for the Portugal manager. Either way, the news of his absence from the starting lineup was the major talking point ahead of the crunch game. The decision to drop him from the starting lineup was truly vindicated with Portugal looking far more threatening in attack. With all his experience, though, Ronaldo can still have a role to play in Portugal’s World Cup campaign but it’s yet to be seen whether that’s from the bench or in the starting lineup.

☆ France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 3-1 victory over Poland as Kylian Mbappé breaks Pelé’s record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +30 min

CNN —France was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming an improved Poland side 3-1 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. That is Mbappé’s fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and already his ninth World Cup goal overall, breaking Pelé’s record of seven World Cup goals scored before the age of 24. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Issei Kato/Reuters Kylian Mbappé scores his second goal on November 26, leading France to a 2-1 victory over Denmark. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo denies he swore at Portugal coach over substitution
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain, said the comments he made as he left the field in the 65th minute were in fact aimed at a South Korean player. “What happened was before my substitution, the South Korea player told me to get off quickly. The 37-year-old is seeking to equal the Portuguese record of most World Cup goals held by Eusebio, who racked up nine in 1966 in England, the only World Cup tournament he played in. Fu Tian/China News Service/Getty ImagesSantos, asked by reporters about the substitution incident, also said a South Korean player had been aggressive in his comments towards the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. We wanted to go through with a win, we wanted to go through playing good football to keep boosting our confidence,” Santos said.

☆ Belgium knocked out of World Cup after goalless draw with Croatia
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Belgium was knocked out of the 2022 World Cup on Thursday after a goalless draw with Croatia left it third in Group F.In what was a frustrating evening for the Red Devils, both Romelu Lukaku and Yannick Carrasco spurned good opportunities to score the goal which would have sent Belgium through. For Belgium, it is another disappointing end to an international tournament, but manager Roberto Martínez said afterward that Belgium can go home with its “heads held high.”“It’s not easy to win games in the World Cup. We’re out, but we can leave with our heads held high.”Belgium's Timothy Castagne looks dejected after being eliminated from the World Cup. After the break and following the introduction of Inter Milan striker Lukaku, Belgium increased the tempo as it pressed for a vital goal – Lukaku heading straight into the arms of Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković. In the previous World Cup, we won three games in the group stage, we wanted to go all the way.”

☆ Lionel Messi: Fans around the world flock to watch Argentina star play at Qatar 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Doha, Qatar CNN —Walk around Doha and it isn’t long before you hear people talking about Lionel Messi. “I get to see the man himself,” Belal Ahmed, who has traveled from the US to watch Messi play, told CNN Sport. The World Cup is the only trophy not yet in Messi’s cabinet, and the 35-year-old is in the last chance saloon at Qatar 2022. “I think to solidify his GOAT [Greatest Of All Time] status he needs the World Cup,” Ahmed added. Ravindran had not managed to get his hands on a ticket to watch Argentina play, but he still wanted to be in the city to support his hero.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo makes history as first man to score in five World Cups
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male player in history to score at five World Cups as he netted a penalty in Portugal’s 3-2 win against Ghana on Thursday. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored in the previous four tournaments and now has eight World Cup goals to his name after converting the 65th minute spot kick. It was some welcome news for Ronaldo in a week in which Manchester United announced that the two parties had mutually agreed to end the forward’s contract with immediate effect after he gave an explosive TV interview. Ronaldo won the penalty he went on to score, getting his body in front of Mohammed Salisu and hitting the floor when he felt contact from behind. João Félix reestablished the lead and Rafael Leão added a third before Osman Bukari’s header gave Ghana a small chance of a comeback late on.

☆ Lionel Messi fronts up to defeat after World Cup shock
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Doha, Qatar CNN —Argentina’s game against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday was supposed to serve as the perfect springboard for Lionel Messi’s last dance at the World Cup. But the Argentine captain was overshadowed by arguably the biggest upset in World Cup history and, as Saudi Arabia celebrated its win, Messi trudged down the tunnel with a face of thunder. The seven-time Ballon d’Or, who has yet to lift the World Cup trophy, didn’t hide from the embarrassment though. At the final whistle, the Argentine fans were slumped in their seats and it was the Saudi supporters chanting Messi’s name ironically. Saudi Arabia faces Poland in its next game before playing Mexico.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United with immediate effect
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Manchester United with immediate effect, the English Premier League club announced on Tuesday. In an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV released just before the start of the World Cup, Ronaldo explained how he felt United had betrayed him and that he has no respect for manager ten Hag. When he first joined United in 2003, Ronaldo transformed himself from a tricky, skilful winger into one of the best players in the world. “Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early,” said Ronaldo in a statement. “I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change.

☆ Luka Doncic: NBA superstar prefers chess to Twitter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“I just play chess on my phone,” said the Dallas Mavericks star. After his game-winning performance against the Boston Celtics in February 2021, Doncic was asked how he chooses how to dissect a defense. “It’s like playing chess: you’ve got to take your time and see the moves,” he told TNT after his 31-point performance. A quick scroll through Doncic’s blue tick verified Twitter account sees him celebrating the first basketball court built in Europe by an NBA team – his Mavericks team built a court in his homeland of Slovenia. The 26-year-old looks to be devoted sneakerhead, as he thanks on Twitter many of the shoemakers and sponsors he’s had in recent weeks.

☆ ‘I believe movement is life,’ says Didier Drogba, the winner of inaugural CNN ‘Off the Pitch’ prize at Dubai Globe Soccer Awards
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Eoin Mcsweeney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNNTo recognize the foundation’s achievements, Drogba has been awarded the inaugural CNN “Off the Pitch” prize, in partnership with Dubai Globe Soccer Awards. Now in its 13th edition, this year’s ceremony on November 17, comes just three days before the beginning of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “It means a lot to me and to the people working at the foundation,” Drogba told CNN’s Becky Anderson. So, the more you move, the more you are active, the more you are healthy,” Drogba told CNN. So that’s the impact, a message like this one from a football player can achieve [that],” Drogba told CNN.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo: Has Portuguese star ruined his legacy after TV interview slamming Manchester United?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

It is no secret that the Portuguese superstar has not enjoyed a fairytale reunion with Manchester United ever since he returned to Old Trafford last year. Since trying to force a move away from United over the summer, Ronaldo has featured sparingly, only making 16 appearances for the Red Devils. “He thinks he is [bigger than Ten Hag] and in the footballing world he is, but at Manchester United right now he’s not. Manchester United beat Fulham on Sunday, taking the club to fifth place in the Premier League table. In that statement, the club said: “Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo.

That’s what you work so hard for … That’s why you play,” Rooney reminisces. The club went into administration after debts spiraled and it failed to play players their wages. “He was great to play for, he’s the reason I signed for Manchester United to play for him. Then Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson congratulates Wayne Rooney after his final Premier League title win in 2013. While Rooney was in Dubai, goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes gave the Manchester club a dominant victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

☆ Rico Lewis earns rave reviews as 17-year-old breaks Karim Benzema's Champions League record
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The goal also made Lewis the youngest player to score on his first start in the Champions League, taking that crown from Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema. The young defender finished with the confidence of a veteran forward as he rifled his shot home to bring City level in their final group game of the Champions League. The goal also made Lewis the youngest player to score on his first start in the Champions League, taking that crown from Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema. After the game City manager Pep Guardiola said of Lewis: “We don’t give presents here, he had to earn it. Rafa Mir, who had threatened the city goal on a couple of occasions, scored the opener for Sevilla with a powerful header from a corner.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo snubs Gary Neville following criticism of the Manchester United forward’s behavior
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo has come under a lot of criticism this season and he’s clearly been listening. On Sunday, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner snubbed former teammate Gary Neville ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League match against West Ham following recent criticism from the television pundit. Neville had criticized Ronaldo’s “unacceptable” behavior in United’s recent league victory over Tottenham Hotspur where the 37-year-old appeared to refuse to come on as substitute before leaving the game early. Neville is not the first pundit to receive the cold shoulder from Ronaldo, who has found himself in and out of the United team this season. Ronaldo has not had a great season for United but could turn around his year with Portugal at the World Cup starting this month.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo: Will he ever play for Manchester United again?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —When Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United last summer, he was accompanied by so much fanfare that his iconic No.7 jersey became the fastest selling jersey of all time, outstripping those sold by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Tom Brady joined or the LA Lakers when they signed LeBron James. “It has to end,” former United defender Gary Neville told Sky Sports. “Cristiano Ronaldo is going to have to go somewhere else and play every week because he can’t accept being on the bench. Cristiano Ronaldo with manager Erik ten Hag after being substituted. At the same time, though, these accolades give Ronaldo an aura on and off the pitch, and made him a Manchester United icon during his first stint at the club.

☆ Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé combine for a sensational PSG goal in victory over Ajaccio
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

But, on Friday, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé combined for a sublime goal that seemed otherworldly in its precision and fluency. PSG took a 2-0 lead against Ajaccio with that goal in the 78th minute and eventually won 3-0, following a brace from Mbappé along with Messi’s outrageous goal. Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Lionel Messi. “Obviously, people come to the stadium to see Leo, the PSG team, Kylian,” PSG’s head coach Christophe Galtier told reporters afterwards. I say it often, but [Messi] is one of the best players in the history of football.

☆ Andriy Shevchenko: Ukraine soccer legend says 'please don't forget about us'
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-12 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Since the war started, Ukraine needs a lot of help,” Shevchenko, who won the Ballon D’Or in 2004, says, adding that he’s in communication with Zelensky. The UN watchdog has warned that fighting at the occupied complex risks a “nuclear disaster.”“We don’t have to forget what’s going on in Ukraine. “Ukrainian people, for us, we need incredible support from the world. “It was incredible to sit in the crowd of Scottish people and have incredible support for Ukraine. “I felt like we were playing at home because the people united around the terrible war in Ukraine and wanted Ukraine to do well.

Search resuls for: "Ballon d’Or"

20 mentions found