Cristiano Ronaldo back in the global spotlight at Euro 2024 and out to show he’s still a force

Cristiano Ronaldo back in the global spotlight at Euro 2024 and out to show he’s still a force
Eighteen months later, Ronaldo is still scoring hat tricks, still breaking records, still owning that will to win and self-belief. (FILE/AFP)
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Updated 05 June 2024
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Cristiano Ronaldo back in the global spotlight at Euro 2024 and out to show he’s still a force

Cristiano Ronaldo back in the global spotlight at Euro 2024 and out to show he’s still a force
  • Ronaldo is still scoring hat tricks, still breaking records, still owning that will to win and self-belief
  • Still a key member of the Portugal team heading to the European Championship in Germany as one of the tournament favorites

Cristiano Ronaldo had tears in his eyes as he walked off the field and seemingly into international retirement.
It was the 2022 World Cup and Portugal had just lost to Morocco in the quarterfinals, a shocking result that left Ronaldo inconsolable.
He was nearly 38 years old. Unarguably past his best. No longer a guaranteed starter for his country.
Was this the last time the soccer world would see Ronaldo — one of the game’s greatest-ever players — in a Portugal jersey?
We really shouldn’t have underestimated him.
Eighteen months later, Ronaldo is still scoring hat tricks, still breaking records, still owning that will to win and self-belief — not to mention the toned physique — which has long set him apart from pretty much anyone else.
And still a key member of the Portugal team heading to the European Championship in Germany as one of the tournament favorites.
Indeed, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, who was hired weeks after the World Cup, has retained the 39-year-old Ronaldo as captain.
“For us, he brings that experience,” Martinez said, “but, more than anything, probably the biggest surprise is that he approaches every day as a new way to be the best, a new way to keep impressing.”
The Euros represent an opportunity for Ronaldo to remind soccer fans that he is still a force in the game.
Since the start of 2023, he has been playing in Saudi Arabia, pretty much out of the global spotlight and in a league that has thrown money at some high-profile — if maybe over-the-hill — superstars to generate attention and change the impression of soccer in the kingdom.
Ronaldo, earning a reported $200 million a year, is still pouring in the goals — he was the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 35, a record in that division — even if critics have been quick to point out the low standard of play in the country.
“We don’t make choices based on where the players play,” said Martinez, who could not be more impressed with what Ronaldo has been doing in Saudi.
“He has become a central figure of a new project and the important thing for us, as a national team coach, is that he has been able to carry on scoring goals,” Martinez said.
“His stats are better than anything, subjectively, that you can say. He’s been the top goal scorer in 2023 in world football and he makes a total new beginning in a league that in the next few years is going to be talked about a lot.”
Ronaldo committed himself to Portugal even though it looked like his time with the national team was up after being benched for its knockout-stage games at the World Cup.
However, Portugal changed coaches — Martinez came in for Fernando Santos — and Ronaldo felt he still had plenty more to offer, not least adding to his world record of goals scored in men’s internationals that now stands at 128.
In a qualifying group for the Euros that didn’t feature any of Portugal’s top rivals, Ronaldo started nine of the 10 games and scored 10 goals — only behind Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (14). He was captain whenever he started.
In short, Martinez fully believes in Ronaldo, a player he describes as “an iconic figure of the game,” heading into what will be the striker’s record-extending sixth European Championship and 11th major tournament.
“He keeps making the difference,” Martinez said, “and I think that, for us, this is a wonderful example for young players.”
Key is whether Ronaldo will be trusted — and he has the all-round fitness and sharpness — for the biggest games. He wasn’t in Qatar, after all.
Portugal has been drawn in a benign group on paper, also featuring Turkiye, the Czech Republic and tournament debutant Georgia. But, what if Portugal plays France or the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, as could happen according to the knockout bracket: Does Ronaldo start then?
A big difference to the World Cup is that his backup, Goncalo Ramos, hasn’t been a regular starter at Paris Saint-Germain since his move from Benfica. He isn’t pushing Ronaldo for a starting place as much as he was in Qatar, where he arrived in red-hot form.
Martinez seems willing to forgo some of Ronaldo’s limitations — his inability to press as well as others, for example — because he is still so dangerous in front of goal.
Ronaldo has a long list of exciting midfielders and wingers ready to feed him chances — Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix. With holding midfielder Joao Palhinha protecting so well a defense that conceded just two goals in the entire qualifying campaign, there’s so much to like about Portugal’s chances in Germany.
Ronaldo saw his longtime rival, Lionel Messi, grab all the limelight at the World Cup by leading Argentina to the title.
Maybe there’s one more big major tournament left in Ronaldo, too.


Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia

Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia
Updated 12 November 2024
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Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia

Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia
  • Team from the UAE lost 82-61 to ABA League leaders and EuroLeague powerhouse Partizan Mozzart

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball’s dominant four-game winning streak has ended in Serbia with an 82-61 defeat to ABA League leaders and EuroLeague powerhouse, Partizan Mozzart.

Jurica Golemac’s side went into Sunday night’s heavyweight clash looking to give Partizan their first loss of the season.

However, the home side, spurred on by their passionate fans, rose to the occasion to extend their perfect record to 8-0.

The charge was led by former Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks star, Carlik Jones, with 17 points on the night.

Dubai started the contest in a positive manner, with a three-point lead through the first quarter of play.

But it was not enough, as the home team rallied with a staggering defensive second quarter that saw Dubai score just eight points.

Despite being underdogs, Dubai fought hard, clawing their way to within six points with just four minutes left on the clock.

The final score left Dubai with their second loss of the season, a 6-2 record, and just two points behind Partizan with the highly anticipated rematch already marked on the calendar.

Speaking of his team’s performance, coach Golemac said: “The organization of the game suffered a lot, we did not manage to place the ball where we wanted to.

“Defensively, it wasn’t that bad with the defensive changes in the first half. The plan was to stay close especially as there were four minutes left, but we didn’t last.”

After three away games across Europe, Dubai Basketball will return home to the Coca-Cola Arena to take on Slovenia’s Krka on Nov. 17.

Fan favorite Isaiah Taylor had nothing but praise for the Dubai Basketball supporters. “Our fans are incredible, they get into it every game and really motivate us.

“We say it all the time, when our fans get loud, the arena comes alive — they’re what it’s all about.”


Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships

Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships
Updated 12 November 2024
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Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships

Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships
  • Kingdom’s star Hattan Alsaif back in action as part of showcase featuring former champions and No. 1 contenders

RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League, in partnership with the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation, announced today the full card for the 2024 PFL MENA Championships, which takes place on Nov. 29 at King Saud University in Riyadh.

The PFL MENA’s inaugural season has reached its conclusion and four champions will be crowned — in the welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight divisions.

This championship is creating a pathway for athletes from the region to compete in the PFL Global Season.

The main event in the featherweight division will have Jordan’s Abdalrahman Alhyasat (5-0) taking on Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-2).

In the co-main event, the welterweight title will be decided between Kuwait’s Mohammad Alaqraa (7-0) and Egypt’s Omar El-Dafrawy (12-6).

At bantamweight, Iraq’s Ali Taleb (11-1) meets Morocco’s Rachid El-Hazoume (15-3), and in the lightweight division the title fight will be between Iran’s Mohsen Mohammadseifi (6-2) and Lebanon’s Georges Eid (10-4).

All championship bouts at PFL MENA will be five, five-minute rounds, and for the first time in the history of the PFL Championships, striking with elbows will be allowed.

In addition to the championship fights, undefeated Saudi Arabia star Hattan Alsaif will be in action against Algeria’s Lilia Osmani.

There will also be five showcase bouts taking place including former Bellator World Grand Prix participant Mansour Barnaoui (21-6) facing England’s Alfie Davis (17-4-1).

Also, Tunisia’s Slim Trabelsi (7-0) battles England’s Abraham Bably (5-0), and 2023 PFL featherweight titlist Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) will face former Bellator featherweight contender Jeremy Kennedy (19-4).

In addition, France’s Asael Adjoudj (8-1) tangles with America’s Jose Perez (9-1).

Opening the card will be a middleweight battle between Costello van Steenis (15-3) and Brazil’s Joao Dantas (7-1).

Full PFL MENA Championships card:

Featherweight championship: Abdelrahman Alhyasat (5-0) vs. Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-2).

Welterweight championship: Mohammad Alaqraa (7-0) vs. Omar El-Dafrawy (12-6).

Amateur Women’s Atomweight Bout: Hattan Alsaif vs. Lilia Osmani.

Bantamweight championship: Ali Taleb (11-1) vs. Rachid El-Hazoume (15-3).

Lightweight championship: Mohsen Mohammadseifi (6-1) vs. Georges Eid (10-4).

Showcase Fights:

Lightweight: Mansour Barnaoui (21-6) vs. Alfie Davis (17-4-1).

Heavyweight: Slim Trabelsi (7-0) vs. Abraham Bably (5-0).

Featherweight: Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (19-4).

Featherweight: Asael Adjoudj (8-1) vs. Jose Perez (9-1).

Middleweight: Costello van Steenis (15-3) vs. Joao Dantas (7-1).


Commando Group dominates at Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Commando Group dominates at Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 12 November 2024
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Commando Group dominates at Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Commando Group dominates at Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Competition is part of the 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship taking place at Mubadala Arena

ABU DHABI: The UAE’s Commando Group have emerged victorious at the Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which is a part of the 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Athletes aged 30 and above competed in the blue- and white-belt divisions on Monday, with Commando Group building on their previous day’s success with an impressive performance.

Brazil’s Checkmat International ended second, with Kazakhstan National Academy in third.

This year’s amateur category competitions had a significant increase in participation.

Mubarak Saleh Al-Menhali, director of the technical department at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the high turnout demonstrates jiu-jitsu’s growing local and international popularity.

Al-Menhali added that the championship shows that jiu-jitsu “transcends age and experience, uniting everyone through shared passion.

“This aligns with the federation’s mission to promote … the incorporation of the sport into daily life, encouraging personal growth and fostering self-improvement for all practitioners.”

One of the guests of honor, Amal Abdul Qadir Al-Afifi, secretary general of the Khalifa Award for Education, said the championship “reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to elevating its sports landscape and showcases how the capital has emerged as a global sports hub.”

She commended the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for creating a sports platform that enables athletes of all ages to hone their skills.


Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad

Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad
Updated 12 November 2024
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Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad

Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad

LONDON: England interim manager Lee Carsley gave a first senior call-up to Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers as one of five additions to his last squad on Monday after eight players pulled out.
The team faces Greece in Athens on Thursday before hosting Ireland three days later. Both games are in the Nations League.
Seven of the players to drop out came from the top four clubs in the Premier League: Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer of Chelsea; Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka; Manchester City midfielders Phil Foden and Jack Grealish and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. The eighth withdrawal was Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Rogers was promoted from the Under-21 squad alongside Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. Of the quartet only center-back Branthwaite has a senior England cap.
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, who has 12 senior caps, was also added to the squad.
Carsley will return to his role as Under-21 manager after Nations League games, with Thomas Tuchel starting as the new boss in January.
Defeat in Athens would end England’s chances of automatic promotion from the second tier of the Nations League.
Tuchel has signed an 18-month deal that begins on January 1, so will only be an interested observer during this month’s games.
England squad
Goalkeepers
: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford
Defenders: Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ezri Konsa, Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, Jarrad Branthwaite, Tino Livramento
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, Curtis Jones, Morgan Rogers
Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Dominic Solanke, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen


Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid

Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid
Updated 11 November 2024
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Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid

Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid
  • Brazilian superstar tours bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, and describes it as ‘best project I’ve ever seen’
  • Exhibition showcases proposed host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM — and features interactive displays of the planned 15 stadiums

RIYADH: Brazilian footballer Neymar on Monday expressed his full support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and said that he believes it has the potential to be the best tournament yet.

After touring the Saudi 2034 bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, Neymar described it as “the best project I’ve ever seen” for players and fans alike.

The exhibition showcases the proposed host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM — and includes interactive displays of the 15 stadiums envisioned for the event.

Saudi Arabia is bidding to be the sole host of a 48-team World Cup tournament. It aims to leverage its geographic advantage, given that 60 percent of the world’s population live within an eight-hour flight of the Kingdom.

Neymar was particularly impressed by the focus of the Saudi bid on the needs of the players, saying: “They’re thinking about the players … making it easier to get from the game to the hotel and recover faster.”

The 32-year-old Brazilian, who has lived in Riyadh since signing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in August 2023, praised the passion for football in the Kingdom and the warm welcome he and his family received. Despite an injury that limited his playing time so far, he noted the enthusiastic support among local fans.

The rapid growth in the development of football in Saudi Arabia in recent years has included an expansion in the number of youth-training centers to 23, support for more than 300,000 boys and girls in school leagues, and an increase in the number of registered football coaches from 700 in 2019 to more than 4,000.

Neymar said he believes this investment in the future of Saudi football will pay off, adding: “They will definitely be more competitive in 2034.”

He also acknowledged the influence he and other international soccer superstars who have relocated to the Kingdom, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, are having on the nation’s football scene.

“We want to influence all the kids and the youth to do the right things, and to bring joy to everyone with our football,” he said.

Saudi Arabia submitted its official bid for the 2034 World Cup, which has the theme “Growing. Together,” in July. A decision on the host is due to be made on Dec. 11 during a FIFA Congress.