A Saudi Arabian businessman is leading bidding to watch the latest chapter in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s celebrated rivalry in global soccer with a 10 million riyals ($2.66 million) offer for a ticket to a showpiece game.
The Saudi government’s entertainment arm said on Twitter that Mushref Al-Ghamdi, general manager of real estate group AqarOne, was the leader so far in an auction ending on 17 January.
The “Beyond Imagination” ticket is for a match featuring a combined team from Saudi clubs Al Nassr – who recently signed Ronaldo – and Al Hilal versus Messi’s Paris St Germain.
The 19 January game in Riyadh will be the pair’s first on-pitch meeting since Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 in December 2020.
The buyer of the ticket has the right to attend the winner’s ceremony after the match, enter dressing rooms, and meet the two men who for years have vied to be the world’s greatest.
Though revenue from the auction is to go to charity, the event may fuel accusations of “sportswashing”: distracting attention from rights abuses by splashing money on sport.
As well as attracting Ronaldo, Saudi Arabia have signed up Messi as a tourism ambassador. Paris St Germain is owned by the Qatari government, which has just staged the World Cup.
Klich leaves Leeds for DC United
Wayne Rooney’s DC United have signed Polish international midfielder Mateusz Klich from Premier League club Leeds United, the MLS team said on Thursday.
Klich has signed a two-year contract with an additional option for 2025 and should strengthen a team which finished with the worst record in the league last season.
“Mateusz is a first-rate midfielder who will add top-level experience to our roster,” Rooney said.
“I’ve been watching him since he helped lead Leeds to promotion to the Premier League and his vision, range of passing, and scoring ability will be a huge asset for us this season,” he added.
The 32-year-old Klich played in Germany and the Netherlands before moving to Leeds where he was a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion-winning team in 2020.
Klich has made 41 appearances for Poland’s national team.
Messi and Mbappe among nominees for Fifa Best award
Fresh from their brilliant performances at the World Cup, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are among the nominees for Fifa’s The Best award for last year, world football’s governing body announced on Thursday.
Messi, who has won the prize once before, captained Argentina to victory in Qatar, a career-defining triumph that has boosted his chances of winning an eighth Ballon d’Or but may also make him favourite for this prize.
As well as Mbappe, who netted a hat-trick in the World Cup final, another two Paris Saint-Germain players are nominated in Neymar and Achraf Hakimi.
Karim Benzema, who won last year’s Ballon d’Or for his performances with Real Madrid, is also nominated, as is Robert Lewandowski, winner of the Fifa prize in the last two years.
The list of nominees is completed by Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland; the Real Madrid pair of Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Jude Bellingham.
Alexia Putellas is nominated for the women’s award despite being out for the last six months due to injury.
The Barcelona and Spain midfielder won the award last year and retained the Ballon d’Or in October.
Arsenal striker Beth Mead, runner-up to Putellas for the Ballon d’Or, is also nominated, as are two other members of the England team that won the European Championship on home soil in Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh.
There are also prizes for the best male and female coach, the best goalkeeper, and the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2022.
A public vote, open until February 3, will decide the three finalists in each category.
The winner is then voted for by a jury made up of national team coaches and captains as well as journalists and fans.
The list of nominees is completed by Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland; the Real Madrid pair of Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Jude Bellingham.
Alexia Putellas is nominated for the women’s award despite being out for the last six months due to injury.
The Barcelona and Spain midfielder won the award last year and retained the Ballon d’Or in October.
Arsenal striker Beth Mead, runner-up to Putellas for the Ballon d’Or, is also nominated, as are two other members of the England team that won the European Championship on home soil in Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh.
There are also prizes for the best male and female coach, the best goalkeeper, and the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2022.
A public vote, open until February 3, will decide the three finalists in each category.
The winner is then voted for by a jury made up of national team coaches and captains as well as journalists and fans.
Al Nassr say Ronaldo has no clause in contract to support Saudi World Cup bid
Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr have denied reports that Cristiano Ronaldo has a clause in his contract where the Portugal forward is to serve as an ambassador for the Gulf country’s 2030 World Cup bid.
Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr last month after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($210 million).
Media reports suggested Ronaldo, 37, would be paid another 200 million euros to support Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid.
“Al Nassr FC would like to clarify that contrary to news reports, Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr does not entail commitments to any World Cup bids,” the club said in a statement in the early hours of Wednesday.
“His main focus is on Al Nassr and to work with his teammates to help the club achieve success.”
The window to submit bids to host the 2030 World Cup was opened last year and the winner will be selected at the Fifa Congress in 2024.
The 2026 edition of the World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament will be shared by three different countries.
Wales boss wants Bale to stay involved in international set-up
Wales manager Rob Page wants Gareth Bale to stay involved in the international set-up after the star forward announced he was hanging up his boots.
Bale, a five-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid, ended a glittering career on Monday after winning 111 caps and scoring 41 goals for his country – both national records for the men’s team.
The 33-year-old’s decision to quit came after Wales’ disappointing performance at the World Cup in Qatar, when Page’s team failed to get out of their group and Bale struggled due to a lack of match fitness.
Page revealed Bale contacted him on Sunday to inform him of his decision to retire, and said he was in full agreement with his captain.
“I told him I think it’s the right time to bow out,” he told the BBC. “You’ve just scored in a World Cup and got everything on your CV, what you’ve done for this country is unbelievable.”
Wales start their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in March and Page confirmed that Bale, who was playing for Los Angeles FC in the MLS, would have been selected for that double-header against Croatia and Latvia, perhaps with a role as an impact player off the bench.
“There’s a mixture of emotions for me,” he said. “I’m excited now because it’s an opportunity to get some of the young ones through – players like Brennan Johnson to take the opportunity and step up to the plate – and get the next Gareth Bale.
“But there’s also a hint of sadness because it’s the last time we’ll see Gareth Bale putting a pair of boots on for Wales.”
Page said he had spoken with Bale about his staying within the Wales set-up, although the exact nature of any potential role remains unclear.
“I would love him still to be involved in some capacity, what that role is I don’t know yet,” he said. “It’s a big adjustment for him, going into a normalish life, but we’ll have another conversation with him in a few weeks.
“We’ll make a plan moving forward because he’s got so much to offer in a changing room and hotel environment.”
Gareth Bale announces retirement
Forward Gareth Bale, who made a name for himself in England’s Premier League and Spain’s LaLiga, announced his retirement at the age of 33 on Monday.
Bale made the announcement through a statement posted to social media.
“After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football,” Bale said in the statement. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life.
“The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.”
Bale began his club career with Southampton shortly after it had been relegated to Championship. After spending his first two seasons there (2005-07), he spent six seasons with Tottenham of the Premier League (2007-13) before heading over to LaLiga, where he was with Real Madrid for seven seasons (2013-20).
Following a return to Tottenham for one season (2020-21), Bale then went back to Real Madrid for the 2021-22 campaign before playing for Los Angeles FC of MLS in 2022.
In 394 career club matches (337 starts), Bale scored 142 goals and recorded 70 assists. He played 29 470 minutes on the pitch.
Bale had a decorated career, being named the Premier League Player of the Season in 2012-13. He also won five Champions League titles and was a three-time LaLiga champion.
Aside from his club career, Bale made 111 appearances for Wales’ national team, scoring 41 goals. He scored his squad’s lone goal on a penalty kick in the 82nd minute of Wales’ 1-1 draw against the United State in the Group Stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“My wife and my children, your love and support has carried me through. Right beside me for all the highs and lows, keeping me grounded all the way,” Bale said. “You inspire me to be better, and to make you proud.
“So, I move on with anticipation to the next stage of my life. A time of change and transition, an opportunity for a new adventure…”
NWSL bans four coaches, fines teams after inquiry
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has handed lifetime bans to four former coaches and fined the Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns $1.5 million and $1 million respectively, part of sweeping sanctions from a misconduct inquiry.
An independent investigator brought in by US Soccer found last year that abuse and misconduct “had become systemic” in the NWSL.
A joint investigation unit for the league and their players association (NWSLPA) also said in December it found widespread, ongoing misconduct, a saga that engulfed the top-flight women’s league and the sport’s national governing body.
“As part of our commitment to accountability and deterrence, the league has determined that further corrective action with respect to certain organisations and individuals identified in the Joint Investigative Report is appropriate and necessary,” Commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement on Monday.
Former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley, Racing Louisville coach Christy Holly, Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames and Washington Spirit coach Richie Burke will each be subject to “permanent exclusion” from the league.
More than a half dozen other individuals’ future employment with the NWSL is listed as “conditional”.
Arnim Whisler, who owns the Red Stars, and Thorns owner Merritt Paulson have agreed to sell their teams.
Other sanctions include a $200 000 fine for Racing Louisville and a $100 000 fine for the Courage. The NWSL is compelling the owners of both teams to hire sporting staff that is “completely distinct” from their respective men’s teams.
The NWSL said it determined how to assign penalties based on the severity of the misconduct and whether individuals in power were found to have known about the wrongdoing, among other factors.
“The league and its clubs have taken meaningful steps to begin this structural reform,” said Berman.
Ronaldo to earn €400 million in Saudi – club source
Footballer Christiano Ronaldo will earn €200 million to promote Saudi Arabia’s joint 2030 World Cup bid in addition to his club salary, a source close to his club told AFP on Monday.
The Portuguese superstar, 37, unveiled to thousands of Al Nassr fans in Riyadh last week, is by far the most famous player to sign for a club in Saudi or any other Gulf country.
The oil-rich kingdom, along with Egypt and Greece, is considering a bid to host world football’s 2030 showpiece tournament, and Ronaldo’s ambassadorial role will bring his reported earnings in the country to over €400 million.
“Ronaldo will be paid more than €200 million for the deal,” said the source, with knowledge of the deal but who requested anonymity.
“He will be an ambassador for the Saudi World Cup 2030 bid for another €200 million.”
The arrival of the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player came just weeks after neighbouring Qatar became the first Arab nation to host the World Cup.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has also won the Champions League five times and holds that tournament’s goal-scoring record, is expected to make his Al Nassr debut on January 22.
The deal was backed by senior royals who support Al Nassr, including Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – widely known as “MBS” – the source said.
‘INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT’
“MBS (and his brothers) Naif, Turki and Rakan, the sons of King Salman, are all honourary members of Al Nassr since before their father even become the crown prince,” the source said.
“They wanted to grant their beloved club supremacy and put it in the international spotlight. The best way was to bring the best player in the world.”
The deal has been financed by the conservative kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the source added.
“Al Nassr and the other Saudi clubs don’t have this huge fund for such a big deal. It’s PIF that secured the payment,” the source said.
Recently the PIF has undertaken other high-profile sporting ventures, including the purchase of a majority stake in English Premier League club Newcastle United.
It has also bankrolled the lucrative LIV Golf League, which has split the elite golf world by luring away top stars from the US PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
According to another source close to Al Nassr, it was the princes who put the surprise Ronaldo deal in motion.
“It’s MBS’s brothers who suggested and sought to seal the deal at any price,” he said.
“They are all Al Nassr fans and they wanted to prove their team really is the International,” the source added, referring to Al Nassr’s nickname.
Al Nassr has nine Saudi league titles but have never won the Asian Champions League, unlike four-time winners Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, who have lifted the trophy twice.
Roberto Martinez named new Portugal coach
Former Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has been named the new manager of Portugal’s national squad, the country’s football federation (FPF) said on Monday.
“I appreciate the enthusiasm and ambition with which he (Martinez) received the invitation,” FPF President Fernando Gomes told a news conference as Martinez stood next to him. “This is an important moment for the national team”
Martinez, from Spain, stepped down as Belgium’s coach following his side’s World Cup group stage exit, saying he had made the decision to end his six-year tenure some time ago and would have left even if they had been crowned champions.
It ended a long spell in charge of the side in which he took them to No 1 in the world rankings and third place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Martinez, 49, is replacing former Portugal coach Fernando Santos, who also left his job after the team suffered a shock defeat by Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Santos, who was widely criticised for his tactics, became Portugal coach in 2014 and led the country in 109 matches. They won the European Championship in 2016 and Uefa’s inaugural Nations League in 2018-19.
Messi and Ronaldo to meet in friendly between PSG and Saudi select
Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain will play a friendly against a select side made up of players from Cristiano Ronaldo’s new club Al Nassr and their Saudi rivals Al Hilal in Riyadh on January 19, the French champions announced on Monday.
Qatar-owned PSG will travel to Doha on January 17 before moving on to the Saudi capital for the match at the King Fahd Stadium which will see Messi and Ronaldo renew their rivalry.
Messi returned to training with PSG last week after being given a fortnight off following Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar in December.
Meanwhile Ronaldo, who will turn 38 in February, recently joined Al Nassr after agreeing a contract that runs until 2025 and is reportedly worth more than 200 million euros ($214m).
His arrival at Al Nassr, who are coached by Frenchman Rudi Garcia, comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to improve the profile of football in the country ahead of a possible joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup along with Greece and Egypt.
Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the sport over the last 15 years, winning the Ballon d’Or 12 times between them.
Their rivalry grew during nine years in which they came up against each other in Spain, when Messi was starring for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
Riyadh clubs Al Hilal and Al Nassr are Saudi Arabia’s two most successful sides.
PSG have made a habit of travelling to Qatar in winter since the Gulf state bought the club in 2011.
However, this trip comes despite the Ligue 1 leaders having a French Cup tie scheduled for the weekend of January 21 and 22 against lower-league opponents yet to be determined.
