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☆ 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

☆ PSG sign Portugal striker Ramos on loan from Benfica
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Primeira Liga - Portimonense v Benfica - Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Portimao, Portugal - May 13, 2023 Benfica's Goncalo Ramos celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Rodrigo Antunes/File PhotoPARIS, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain have signed Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos from Benfica on a season-long loan with an option to buy, the Ligue 1 club announced on Monday. PSG is one of the biggest clubs in the world with one of the best squads," the 22-year-old said in a statement. Ramos made his debut for Benfica in 2020 after joining the club's academy aged 12 and scored 41 goals with 16 assists in 106 appearances for the Portuguese champions. The Ligue 1 champions are also close to completing a deal to sign France forward Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona. ($1 = 0.9088 euros)Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Benfica's Goncalo Ramos, Rodrigo Antunes, Paris St Germain, Goncalo Ramos, Germain, Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marco Asensio, Milan Skriniar, Lee Kang, Hugo Ekitike, Lucas Hernandez, Manuel Ugarte, Christophe Galtier, Luis Enrique, Ousmane Dembele, Janina Nuno Rios, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Primeira Liga, Benfica, Estadio Municipal de, Portugal, Ligue, Paris Saint, PSG, Thomson Locations: Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Portimao, Portugal, Paris, Portuguese, Barcelona, Spain, France, Mexico City

☆ Ten Hag primed to end false dawns at Man United
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Aadi Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Since United last won the Premier League title under Alex Ferguson in 2013, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all failed to revive former glories - but Ten Hag appears to be making progress. Last year, he took charge of a United side that had collected their lowest-ever Premier League points tally (58) in the 2021-22 season and were in a five-year trophy drought. The turnaround has been remarkable, with a top-four finish in the Premier League, the League Cup trophy and a place in the FA Cup final to show for last season. "I think the difference is, with reference to last year, now we have the foundation with this squad," Ten Hag told reporters. If Ten Hag can stop the uncertainty over the club's ownership from spilling over into his dressing room, United have reason to believe they can challenge seriously to win the Premier League and end the recent dominance of Manchester City.

Persons: Erik, Hag, Tony Obrien, Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, England's Mason, Andre Onana, David de Gea, Dane Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Cristiano, Harry Maguire, Aadi Nair, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Wembley, Carabao, United, Premier League, Ajax, League, FA, Liverpool, Brentford, Manchester City, Sevilla, Atalanta, United's U.S, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Casemiro, Bengaluru

☆ 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

☆ Joan Laporta: Barcelona president says there are ‘no sporting reasons’ for soccer stars to join Saudi Pro League
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“Fortunately, most of the players like Football Club Barcelona,” Laporta told CNN Sport’s Don Riddell from Los Angeles during the Spanish team’s pre-season tour of the U.S., which wrapped up on Tuesday against AC Milan in Las Vegas. “And when a player, and with all respect, prefers to go to Saudi Arabia, basically there are no sporting reasons. Last week, Al-Hilal, which is one of four Saudi clubs owned by the PIF, made a world-record bid of over $332 million (300 million euros) for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Kylian Mbappé. “My view is that it’s more important to have the assistance of the clubs, the traditional clubs, specifically the European clubs,” added Laporta. “The priority of last season was the Spanish league and this new season, for us, the league is the priority as well,” said Laporta.

Persons: Joan Laporta, “, ” Laporta, CNN Sport’s Don Riddell, Germain, Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Hussein Malla, ”, Laporta, Xavi, – Pep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff, Pep, Lionel Messi’s, Jorge Messi, Messi, Cruz Azul, Sam Navarro Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Football Club Barcelona, AC Milan, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Saudi, Paris Saint, PSG, Saudi Arabian football, SPL, Al, Gulf state’s, ”, Barcelona, La Liga, Champions League, Spanish League, Liga, Barca, MLS, Inter Miami, Cruz, USA, Sports, Reuters, Camp, Good Locations: Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Gulf, Los Angeles, Spanish, U.S, Las Vegas, Al, Hilal, Paris, Fabinho, Saudi, Xavi

CNN —After the thrill of winning successive Women’s World Cup titles, the 2023 tournament – so far – has brought the US team very much down to earth with a bump. For a team that has been so historically dominant at the Women’s World Cup, performances throughout the 2023 edition so far have been underwhelming for women’s soccer’s most dynastic team. Fans of the US team get ready for the Women's World Cup group game against Portugal. 3 ranked in the world by FIFA, has plenty of World Cup history. Sweden drew with the US in 2015 and also beat them in 2011 – the last time any team defeated the USWNT inside regulation at a World Cup.

Persons: Ana Capeta’s, Vlatko Andonovski, “, Julie Foudy, Buda Mendes, Alex Morgan, ” Morgan, Thailand’s, –, Megan Rapinoe, Morgan, Andonovski, Mallory Swanson, Tobin Heath, Sam Mewis, Catarina Macario, Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper, Andrew Cornaga, Trinity Rodman, Carli Lloyd, ” Lloyd, Crystal Dunn, Lloyd, ” Andonovksi, ”, Rebecca Welch, Rose Lavelle, Lavelle, Saeed Khan, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sophia Smith, we’ll, Lindsey Horan, ” Andonovski, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, TNT, US, National, Getty, Portugal, New Zealand, Canada, Tokyo, Christen Press, Vietnam, Professional, Chicago Bulls, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Montreal Canadiens, UEFA, Leagues, ”, Sweden, FIFA Locations: Portugal, Buda, Thailand, Netherlands, Vietnam, England, New, New Zealand, Sweden, Spain, Auckland, Wellington, AFP, Real Madrid

☆ Senegal's Mane joins Saudi side Al-Nassr from Bayern
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 1 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich's Senegal forward Sadio Mane has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr after one season with the Bundesliga champions, both clubs said on Tuesday. Mane has signed a four-year contract, Al-Nassr added on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Mane moved to Bayern last year with high hopes after netting 120 goals in 269 games for Liverpool where he won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup. "We want to thank Sadio Mane for the past season," Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen told the club website. Mane joins an Al Nassr outfit who have strengthened their squad since the marquee signing of Cristiano Ronaldo last term.

Persons: Sadio Mane, Mane, Nassr, Leroy Sane, Jan, Christian Dreesen, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Seko, Alex Telles, Ahmed Musa, Rohith Nair, Anita Kobylinska, Osama Khairy, Ken Ferris Organizations: Bayern Munich's, Saudi Pro League, Al, Bundesliga, Twitter, Bayern, Liverpool, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Africa, Nations, FC Bayern, Inter Milan, Manchester United, FIFA, Leicester City, Thomson Locations: Bayern Munich's Senegal, Merseyside, Senegal, Lens, Leicester, Bengaluru, Gdansk, Cairo

☆ How to watch Australia, Canada and Nigeria battle for Wwomen's World Cup knockout phase spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images Norway celebrates scoring in its 6-0 victory against the Philippines on Sunday. Aisha Schulz/AP Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt, center, heads the ball to score the opening goal against Italy on July 29. John Cowpland/AP Italy's fans cheer before their team's match against Sweden at Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand. John Cowpland/AP China's Wang Shuang celebrates after scoring against Haiti during a Women's World Cup match on Friday, July 28. John Cowpland/AP US forward Alex Morgan is surrounded by Vietnam defenders during their opening match on July 22.

Persons: Colombia's Manuela Vanegas, Franck Fife, Alexandra Popp, Ulrik Pedersen, Manuela Vanegas, Sajad, Jaimi Joy, Reuters Linda Caicedo, Phil Walter, Getty, Dominique Randle, Hannah Peters, Hali, Rafaela Pontes, Olivia McDaniel, Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen, Abbie Parr, Sophie Roman Haug of, Jessika Cowart, Buda Mendes, Ali Riley, Katie Bowen, Molly Darlington, Julia Stierli, Alessandra Tarantino, Ramona Bachmann, Sanka Vidanagama, James Elsby, Benzina, Edina Alves Batista, Hannah Mckay, Brenton Edwards, Panama's Aldrith Quintero, Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood, Kameron Simmonds, Luisa Gonzalez, Allyson Swaby, Herve Renard, Wendie Renard, Debinha, Katie Tucker, Aisha Schulz, Amanda Ilestedt, John Cowpland, Rebecka Blomqvist, Wang Shuang, Maddie Meyer, Dumornay, China's Dou Jiaxing, Alex Pantling, Chloe Kelly, Carl Recine, Mary Earps, Andy Cheung, Janni Thomsen, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, Justin Setterfield, Keira Walsh, Walsh, Argentina's Mariana Larroquette, Yamila Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Matthew Lewis, Linda Motlhalo, Lars Baron, Osinachi Ohale, Bradley Kanaris, Dan Peled, Anthony Albanese, Matt Roberts, Jéssica Silva, Vietnam's, Saeed Khan, Fiona Goodall, Daphne van Domselaar, Julie Ertz, Brad Smith, Andrew Cornaga, Lindsey Horan, Joe Prior, Catherine Ivill, Amanda Perobelli, Canada's Vanessa Gilles, Ireland's Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Murty, Katie McCabe applauds, Paul Kane, Kailen Sheridan, McCabe, Stephen McCarthy, Adriana Leon, Colin Murty, Jennifer Hermoso, David Rowland, Reuters Hermoso, Spain's Alexia Putellas, Mary Wilombe, Naomoto, Japan's Mina Tanaka, Daniela Solera, Sarina Bolden, Bolden's, Hannah Wilkinson, Bolden, Victoria Esson, Katelyn Mulcahy, Hagen Hopkins, Catalina Usme, Korea's Cho, Colombia's Jorelyn, Carolina Arias, Cameron Spencer, Reuters Usme, Kim Hye, Rebecca Welch, David Gray, Brazil's Marta, Matt Turner, Borges, Khadija Er, Victoria Adkins, Germany's Alexandra Popp, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Morocco's Fatima Tagnaout, Hamish Blair, Cristiana Girelli, Kim Price, Francesca Durante, German Portanova, Reuters Italy's Giulia Dragoni, Estefania Banini, Dragoni, Grace Geyoro, Mark Baker, Rebecca Spencer, Robert Cianflone, Bunny, Shaw, Estelle Cascarino, Portugal's Ines Pereira, Stefanie van der, Van der Gragt, Portugal's Jessica Silva, Silva, Joe Allison, Magaia, Sweden's Elin Rubensson, Amalie Vangsgaard's, Zhang Linyan, Denmark's Pernille Harder, Gary Day, Shui, Reuters England's Alessia Russo, Haiti's Tabita Joseph, England's Lionesses, Reuters Nicolas Delépine, Kerly Theus, Zac Goodwin, Jun Endo, Zambia's Agnes Musase, Reuters Aoba, Catherine Musonda, Alex Morgan, Carmen Mandato, Megan Rapinoe, Horan, Trần Thị Kim Thanh, Sophia Smith dribbles, Ane, Esther González, Costa, Costa Rica's Mariana Benavides, Katrina Guillou, Switzerland's Gaëlle Thalmann, William West, Uchenna Kanu, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Canada's Christine Sinclair, Steph Catley, Heather Payne, Australia's Kyra Cooney, Mackenzie Arnold, Ria Percival, Ada Hegerberg, Jan Kruger, Zealand's CJ Bott, Norway's Mathilde Harviken vie, Jose Breton, Benee, Ireland's, Niamh Fahey, Vanessa Gilles, Coliin Murty, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Tony Gustavsson, Christine Sinclair, Ireland, Spain –, Japan's Hikaru Naomoto Organizations: CNN, Germany, Getty, Colombia, Reuters, Norway, Sunday, FIFA, AP, New Zealand, South, Jamaica, Brazil, France, Italy, Sweden, Wellington Regional, Haiti, China, Denmark, England, Argentina, Nigeria, Australia, Canada, Reuters Australian, Vietnam, Portugal, USSF, Ireland, Spain, Eden, Costa, Forsyth, AP Costa, Japan, New, Victoria, Panama, Morocco, Cristiana, Atlanta Primus, Zambia, Zambian, Costa Rica's, Getty Images, Zealand, AP Norway, Nations, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, Republic of Ireland, Super Falcons, coy Locations: Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, AFP, Colombia, Philippines, AP Philippines, Sophie Roman Haug of Norway, New, Reuters, Morocco, South Korea, Perth, Reuters Jamaica, Brisbane, New Zealand, Reuters England, Reuters Argentina, Argentina, South Africa, Ireland, Portugal, Vietnam, United States, Netherlands, Wellington , New Zealand, Auckland , New Zealand, Costa Rican, Dunedin , New Zealand, AP Costa Rican, Reuters Switzerland, Norway, Switzerland, Sydney, Reuters Colombia, Panama, Adelaide, Germany, AP Argentina, German, Italy, Atlanta, Africa, China, European, Reuters England's Georgia, Ane Frosaker, Eurasia, Melbourne, Reuters Norway, Zealand, Eden, United Kingdom, Republic of, Republic of Ireland, Wellington

☆ Christine Sinclair: the making of soccer’s most lethal striker
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

And the 40-year-old has a chance to add further records to her name as she leads Canada at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. From becoming Canada’s young-ever player when she made her debut aged 16 to arguably soccer’s greatest ever goal scorer, Sinclair has led quite the life. With this likely her last World Cup, she has one final opportunity to add ‘world champion’ to her long list of achievements. Sinclair dribbles against Sweden's Karolina Westberg during the semifinals of the 2003 Women's World Cup. The Canadians finished fourth at the 2003 World Cup – Sinclair scoring three goals along the way – as well as back-to-back bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics Games.

Persons: Diana Matheson, Matheson, Christine Sinclair, ” Matheson –, Canada –, Abby Wambach, Mia Hamm, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marta, Ronaldo, Sinclair, ’, Naomi Baker, ’ Matheson, ‘, Sinc, ”, – Sinclair, Sweden's Karolina Westberg, Ben Radford, isn’t, Kenneth Heiner, Møller, ” Heiner, Møller –, –, “, ” Sinclair, Scott Heavey, Heiner, Christine, Atsushi Tomura, ” Møller, they’re Organizations: CNN, St, Canadian, Canada Soccer, soccer, Getty, University of Portland, Portland Pilots, Canadian women’s, FIFA, Canadians, Brazil, Australia Locations: Edinburg , Texas, Kitts, Nevis, Canada, Sinclair’s, Australia, New Zealand, Tokyo, Sinc, Portland –, Nigeria, Sweden

☆ Kim Kardashian and ‘soccer obsessed’ son Saint are having time of their lives watching beautiful game on globetrotting tour
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

On that occasion, Kardashian and West witnessed Arsenal crash out of the Europa League on penalties, but they were able to meet Gunners striker Eddie Nketiah, as well as enjoying a video call with Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka. Next stop was France to watch Paris Saint-Germain lose 2-0 to Rennes, though Saint was pictured alongside French soccer icon Kylian Mbappé. Kardashian was spotted at the Emirates Stadium in March to watch Arsenal. He is obsessed with soccer, and I will do anything for my babies, so I travel the world. Kardashian’s soccer trip looks set to continue, so don’t be surprised if you see the star at another match this summer.

Persons: you’re Kim Kardashian, Saint, –, Kardashian, Eddie Nketiah, Germain, Mbappé, Charlotte Wilson, Lionel Messi’s, Cruz Azul, “, Messi, He’s, ” Kardashian, Lionel Messi, Mike Ehrmann, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, Ronaldo, Neymar, don’t Organizations: CNN, Arsenal’s Europa League, Sporting Clube de Portugal, West, Arsenal, Europa League, Gunners, England, Paris Saint, Emirates, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, Apple, Inter Miami, PSG, Saint Locations: Saint West, London, France, Rennes, Florida, Osaka, Japan

☆ Argentina’s Yamila Rodriguez defends Cristiano Ronaldo tattoo as not ‘anti-Messi’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Argentina forward Yamila Rodríguez has defended herself for having a tattoo of Cristiano Ronaldo inked on her left shin, saying that favoring the Portugal star is not a sign she does not appreciate their World Cup-winning talisman Lionel Messi. The 25-year-old, who also has a tattoo of Argentina great Diego Maradona on her left thigh, said she had been receiving criticism on social media for the tattoo of Ronaldo, Messi’s great rival. “I’m not having a bad time because of you (fans) but for the atrocities that are said, without mercy. Yamila Rodriguez's Ronaldo tattoo on her left shin. Enough, it tires me, it hurts me.”Rodríguez was a late substitute in Argentina’s 1-0 defeat by Italy in their Women’s World Cup group opener.

Persons: Yamila Rodríguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Messi’s, I’m, Messi, ”, “ I’m, “ Messi, ” Rodríguez, Yamila, Carmen Mandato Organizations: CNN Locations: Argentina, Portugal, Italy, Africa

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Alphabet soars as Microsoft sinks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Alphabet soars on cloud growthAlphabet shares rose around 6% in extended trading after the company reported better-than-expected revenue and profit. Second-quarter revenue rose 7% year over year to $74.6 billion, boosted by a 28% jump in revenue in Google's cloud unit. Soft guidance from MicrosoftInvestors were disappointed by Microsoft's revenue guidance for its upcoming fiscal quarter, pushing shares down 7% in extended trading.

Persons: dispelling, Satya Nadella, Australia's, Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint, Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Goldman Sachs Organizations: CNBC, Microsoft Investors, Microsoft, Fed U.S, Dow Jones Industrial, Saudi, Al, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Locations: Asia, Pacific, Saudi Arabian, Paris, Al

☆ Frenchman Dembele signs for Al-Ettifaq
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 26(Reuters) - French striker Moussa Dembele has joined Al-Ettifaq as a free agent following the expiry of his contract at Olympique Lyonnais, the Saudi Pro League club said on Wednesday. "Moussa Dembele, welcome to Al-Ettifaq," the club posted on messaging platform X, previously known as Twitter. Dembele proved to be a sensation in the Scottish league after signing for Celtic in 2016, helping them to back-to-back treble titles. Following Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in December, several big names have been linked with the Saudi Arabian Pro League. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City and Tommy Lund in GdanskOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Moussa Dembele, Dembele, Jack Hendry, Cristiano Ronaldo's, Nassr, Angelica Medina, Tommy Lund Organizations: Olympique Lyonnais, Saudi Pro League, Scottish, Celtic, Lyon, Atletico Madrid, Ligue, Scotland, Belgian, Club Brugge, Saudi Arabian Pro League, Thomson Locations: Mexico City, Gdansk

☆ Not anti-Messi: Argentina's Rodriguez defends Ronaldo tattoo
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 25-year-old, who also has a tattoo of Argentina great Diego Maradona on her left thigh, said she had been receiving criticism on social media for the tattoo of Ronaldo, Messi's great rival. "Messi is our great captain in the national team but the fact that I say that my inspiration and my idol is CR7 (Ronaldo) does not mean that I hate Messi." Rodriguez said she saw no problem in having a Ronaldo tattoo as the Portugal forward, who has scored over 800 goals in his career, inspired her. "Please understand that this is football and everyone has appreciation, their preferences and highlighting one does not mean burying the other. Rodriguez was a late substitute in Argentina's 1-0 defeat by Italy in their Women's World Cup group opener.

Persons: Yamila Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Messi's, I'm, Messi, Rodriguez, Rohith Nair, Sonali Paul Organizations: Thomson Locations: Argentina, Portugal, Italy, Africa, Bengaluru

☆ Saudi soccer dominance could still take 'decades' despite reported $332 million Mbappé bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty ImagesSaudi Arabian soccer club Al-Hilal reportedly tabled a world record 300 million euro ($331.9 million) bid for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé, a further signal of the kingdom's efforts to shake up the sport's global order. Al-Ahli snapped up Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, and have just agreed a £30 million ($38.54 million) deal to bring in forward Riyad Mahrez from reigning English Premier League and European champions Manchester City. A medium-term threat Soccer isn't the first sport to be rocked by a sudden wave of Saudi investment. This is more like a couple of decades before I think we could see some significant impact." Cristiano Ronaldo stands prior to the Saudi Pro League week 28 soccer match between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab at Alawwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 23, 2023.

Persons: Kylian, Paris Saint, Germain, Le, Aurelien Meunier, Hilal, Mbappé, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Anmar Al, Khalid Alhaj, Al, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, LIV, Michael Goldberg, DBRS Morningstar, Goldberg, Jude Bellingham, Mohammed Saad Organizations: Paris Saint, Campus PSG, PSG, Getty Images, Al, French, country's Public Investment Fund, Real, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Saudi, — Al, Saudi Pro League, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, King Abdullah Sports City, Premier League's Wolverhampton Wanderers, Senegalese, Lazio, UEFA, Champions League, England's Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Italian Serie, isn't, DBRS, CNBC, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Alawwal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: POISSY, France, Paris, Le Havre, Getty Images Saudi Arabian, Qatar, Real Madrid, Spanish, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli, JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Italian, Barcelona, Liverpool, Shabab, Riyadh

☆ Kylian Mbappé: NBA stars joke about superstar’s reported salary offer from Saudi club Al Hilal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It’s a proposed deal which reportedly includes a staggering $775 million salary packet for the 24-year-old Mbappé. News of the offer spread through social media on Monday and caught the attention of the NBA’s biggest stars. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a picture of himself to Twitter, with the caption: “Al Hilal you can take me. It’s a figure dwarfed by the earnings that Mbappé would reportedly receive for one season at Al Hilal. CNN has reached out to PSG, Al Hilal and Mbappé’s representatives for comment.

Persons: Saint Germain, Al Hilal, It’s, Giannis Antetokounmpo, “ Al Hilal, ” Al Hilal, e nch ca, “ Organizations: CNN, PSG, Saudi, Milwaukee Bucks, Twitter Locations: Paris, Saudi Arabian, Al

Those deals, though, pale into comparison with its most ambitious target yet: Kylian Mbappé. Over the weekend, one of the Saudi Professional League’s more prominent teams, Al Hilal, submitted an offer worth $332 million for the France striker to his current team, Paris St.-Germain. Should the deal go through, it would make Mbappé the most expensive player in the sport’s history by some distance, dwarfing the $263 million P.S.G. On Tuesday, it was reported by some news outlets that P.S.G. for a team in what was most recently ranked as soccer’s 58th strongest domestic league.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Al Hilal, Germain, ’, Nasser Al, Al Hilal’s, Fayza Lamari, Mbappé, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi Organizations: Saudi, France, Mbappé Locations: Saudi, Paris St

☆ Women's World Cup: How to watch as Brazil great Marta is set to make tournament bow
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —As the Women’s World Cup reaches day five, fans are set to finally get a chance to see the great Marta feature for Brazil in what will be her sixth World Cup. Only former Brazil legend Formiga, who has played in seven, has starred in more Women’s World Cups than Brazil’s talismanic No. Sebastian Widmann/Getty ImagesItaly vs. ArgentinaArgentina will be hoping for a first Women’s World Cup win. In nine previous World Cup games, Argentina has lost seven and drawn two. Like Argentina, Italy has qualified for a fourth World Cup but has fared better than its opponents in previous editions.

Persons: Marta, Alexandra Popp, Maja Hitij, Formiga, Cristiano Ronaldo, Christine Sinclair, – Sinclair, ” Brazil’s Kerolin, “, Christopher Hanewinckel, agonizingly, Popp, Lena Oberdorf, Sebastian Widmann Organizations: CNN, Morocco, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, FIFA, Argentina, Getty, USA, Sports, Reuters, England, Panama, Wolfsburg Locations: Brazil, Panama, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Australia, United Kingdom, Morocco, France, Jamaica, Reuters Germany, Morocco Germany, Qatar, Argentina Argentina

☆ Opinion: Messi mania meets USWNT three-peat fever
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Opinion Amy Bass | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

On the other side of the world in Auckland, the USWNT took down World Cup newcomer Vietnam 3-0. It was nonsense to worry about what to watch or whether Messi would upstage the women. MLS chief Don Garber, for one, says he’s not worried about the impact Saudi money could have on the ability of the MLS to expand into markets outside the US, especially as it failed to win Messi. Friday may have been the first time in his life that Messi was someone else’s opening act. The USWNT did what was expected, beating a lesser team in Vietnam, but they also have a lot of work in front of them.

Persons: Amy Bass, Read, Lionel Messi, Amy Bass Rodney Bedsole, Cruz Azul, Messi, Pelé, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, LIV, Don Garber, he’s, Messi subbed, ” Garber, “, ”, Inter Miami’s, King ” LeBron James, Sophia Smith, —, Trinity Rodman, Rodman, Tran Thi, Alex Morgan, Tran Thị Kim Thanh, Captain Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, David, anyone’s, Brenda Elsey, England, Sam Kerr Organizations: Manhattanville College, CNN, Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, US, National, Cruz, Leagues, Vietnam, National American Soccer League’s New York Cosmos, Inter Miami, Messi, LA Galaxy, MLS, Saudi Pro, Major League Soccer, Inter, Trinity, Colombian, Twitter, Facebook, Canada, Haiti Locations: Florida, New Zealand, Fort Lauderdale, Auckland, American, Miami, Inter Miami, Vietnam, Haiti, Philippines, Zambia, Germany, Morocco, Qatar, Nigeria

☆ Mbappe excluded from PSG's Asian tour squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 21 (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe has not been included in Paris St Germain's squad for their Asian pre-season tour amid reports that he has been put up for sale by the Ligue 1 side. PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said they will not let him go for free after the club spent 180 million euros ($200 million) to sign him. Mbappe was injured for the first leg and said they were "helpless" in the second. PSG will also face Japan league's Cerezo Osaka and Serie A side Inter Milan before travelling to South Korea to take on Jeonbuk Motors. ($1 = 0.8990 euros)Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico CityOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mbappe, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Luis Enrique's, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, Japan league's, Janina Nuno Rios Organizations: Paris St, Ligue, Mbappe, PSG, Real Madrid, Reuters, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Japan, Osaka, Serie A, Inter Milan, Jeonbuk Motors, Thomson Locations: Paris, Japan, South Korea, Mexico City

CNN —Soccer players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup will on average earn just 25 cents for every dollar earned by men at their World Cup last year, a new CNN analysis found. In addition to prize money, FIFA committed to paying $42 million to the federations and players’ clubs for Women’s World Cup preparations. Havana Solaun (R) and Jamaica are appearing at their second ever Women's World Cup. But for the players, equal pay encompasses more than simply closing this gap to the salaries enjoyed by male footballers. June 2023 A record $110 million prize pot negotiated for the Women’s World Cup, at least $30,000 guaranteed for every player.

Persons: Gianni Infantino, Sam Kerr, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Bob Marley’s, Cedella, Havana Solaun, Brendon Thorne, hadn’t, Jamaica’s Chinyelu Asher, ”, ” Asher, Asher, Saeed Khan, Morgan, Rapinoe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Brad Smith, ” Jonas Baer, Hoffmann, FIFPRO’s, It’s, that’s, –, Infantino, Baer, “, ringfenced, Ali Riley, CNN’s Amanda Davies, Riley, “ It’s, ” Ali Riley, Catherine Ivill, Women’s Soccer Australia Heather Reid, ” Riley, England’s Lionesses, ” FIFPRO’s Baer, – Carli Lloyd, Hope, Becky Sauerbrunn –, ” Lloyd, — Jan, USWNT, Lloyd, ” Reid, ’ Organizations: CNN — Soccer, CNN, FIFA, New Zealand, Women’s, US, National, Australia, Havana, Getty, Jamaica Football Federation, ’, CNN Sport, Forbes, USSF, CONCACAF, Africa, of Nations, Olympic, –, Canada Soccer, teams, Women’s Soccer Australia, English Football Association, French Football Federation, Royal Belgium Football Association, FIFA’s, US Soccer, States Women’s National, Football Federation, USWNT, Soccer, Court, Central, Central District of, The New York Times, LA Times, Guardian, Reuters, “ Locations: Australia, New, New Zealand, Jamaica, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Havana, AFP, France, Infantino, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, United States, Qatar, country’s, Sweden, Spanish, England, Central District, Central District of California, Canadian, El, China

☆ 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

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