Ronaldo to retire at Al-Nassr in ‘two or three years’

Ronaldo said that he will likely retire at Al-Nassr. (X/@AlNassrFC_EN)

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Updated 27 August 2024

Arab News

August 27, 2024 19:18

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Ronaldo to retire at Al-Nassr in ‘two or three years’

Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years but probably I will retire here at Al-Nassr’
Ronaldo: ‘I’m very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too’

Updated 27 August 2024

Arab News

August 27, 2024 19:18

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JEDDAH: Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he will likely retire at Al-Nassr in ‘two or three years.’

The 39-year-old turns 40 in February but he’s still going strong for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and is yet to retire from international duty.

Ronaldo will represent Portugal in the Nations League next month and he’s not given up hope of playing at the World Cup in 2026.

Nevertheless, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar knows he’s in the twilight of his career.

Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Europe in the form of former club Sporting Lisbon.

But the Portuguese says he will likely retire at his current club, Al-Nassr.

“I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr,” said Ronaldo.

“I’m very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too.

“I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue.

Ronaldo reamins coy on his plans for when he hangs up his boots.

However, the former Juventus man says it’s unlikely that he will go into management.

“At the moment, I’m not thinking about being a coach of the first team or any team. It doesn’t even cross my mind, I’ve never thought about it,” said Ronaldo.

“I don’t see my future going through that. I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds.”

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Topics: SPL Al-Nassr Cristiano Ronaldo

US Open runner-up Fritz back in another big final and faces Sinner again for ATP Finals crown

Updated 2 min 4 sec ago

AP

November 17, 2024 03:13

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US Open runner-up Fritz back in another big final and faces Sinner again for ATP Finals crown

In Sunday’s final, Fritz will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner — the player he lost to in the US Open final

Updated 2 min 4 sec ago

AP

November 17, 2024 03:13

TURIN, Italy: Taylor Fritz is starting to make reaching big finals a habit. He feels like he belongs among the very best players in tennis, too.
The American followed his runner-up finish at the US Open by beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3) on Saturday to play for the trophy at the ATP Finals.
“I have believed that I belong, that I’m one of the best players,” Fritz said. “It’s not results-based. It’s more I can feel how I’m playing. This week is huge.”
In Sunday’s final, Fritz will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner — the player he lost to in the US Open final. Sinner also beat Fritz in straight sets in the group stage this week.
Sinner advanced with a rapid 6-1, 6-2 win over Casper Ruud.
Fritz became the first American finalist since James Blake lost the 2006 final to Roger Federer. The last American to win the elite eight-man event was Pete Sampras, who beat Andre Agassi in 1999.
“I trust my game and I trust my level and I don’t feel nearly as uncomfortable in these situations anymore because I’ve been playing the top guys at big events a lot lately,” Fritz said. “I’m getting more comfortable in the moment. I’m really, really confident in my game.”
Fritz upbeat after loss to Sinner
Fritz came away encouraged from his 6-4, 6-4 loss to Sinner on Tuesday.
“I felt much more comfortable from the baseline. ... I had chances to break him in both sets,” Fritz said. “He had an equal amount of chances, and he took his. He played the big points better than I did. It didn’t feel anywhere near as one-sided as the Open.”
Sinner noted that Fritz “played a great match.”
“The difference was just a few points. Tomorrow will be very similar. ... But finals are always different than group matches.”
Fritz trying to match Gauff
If Fritz wins the trophy, it will mark an American sweep of the season-ending events after Coco Gauff won the WTA Finals last week.
Fritz’s run in New York made him the first American man to reach a Grand Slam singles final in 15 years. He’s playing at the ATP Finals for the second time. On debut two years ago, he beat Rafael Nadal in his opener and made it to the semifinals, losing to Novak Djokovic.
“It’s awesome to come back and already go a step further,” Fritz said. “I’m all about always trying to do better than the year before.”
At the start of the week, Fritz told The Associated Press his “career has always been a very steady progression and just improving a little bit each year.”
Fritz has Zverev’s number
It was Fritz’s fourth consecutive victory over Zverev, who replaced Carlos Alcaraz at No. 2 in the rankings this week.
“He’s an uncomfortable player for me.” Zverev said. “It’s no secret.”
Fritz also beat Zverev at Wimbledon and the US Open, plus the Laver Cup.
Fritz will finish year at career high
Fritz was already assured of finishing the year in the top five for the first time and he’ll rise to a career-high No. 4 on Monday.
Zverev has seen Fritz’s improvement up close — especially on one key stroke: “His forehand used to break down quite a lot. ... I feel like the ratio is a lot more toward winners now.”
It was a matchup of big servers between the 6-foot-5 (1.96-meter) Fritz and the 6-foot-6 (1.98-meter) Zverev, and when Fritz broke Zverev for 4-2 in the first set, it marked the first time that Zverev lost a service game in four matches in Turin.
Eventually, though, the match turned into a physical duel from the baseline. Fritz rallied from 0-40 and held his serve for 3-2 in the third after a nine-minute game full of long rallies – winning one such exchange that lasted 30 strokes.
Fritz was then under pressure one service game after another but somehow managed to keep holding.
Fritz got ahead early in the tiebreaker and finished Zverev off with an audacious inside-out forehand winner on his first match point.
Fritz finished with 15 aces to Zverev’s 10 in a match that last 2 hours, 20 minutes.
“I felt like statistically and shot-wise, my level maybe was even higher than his until the important moments. That’s where I kind of blew it,” Zverev said. “This one will hurt more than the other few.”
Doping case hangs over Sinner
Sinner is playing at home for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive in two separate drug tests this year.
A decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September and a final ruling in the case is expected next year.
Last year, Sinner lost the final to Djokovic, who withdrew injured this year.

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Topics: ATP Finals Taylor Fritz Jannik Sinner

Coaches share preparation insight ahead of NEOM Beach Soccer Cup finals

Updated 16 November 2024

SALEH FAREED

November 16, 2024 18:34

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Coaches share preparation insight ahead of NEOM Beach Soccer Cup finals

Head of NEOM sport Jan Paterson opened press conference by welcoming officials, coaches, and players, expressing her satisfaction with event's success

Updated 16 November 2024

SALEH FAREED

November 16, 2024 18:34

NEOM: Coaches, alongside Beach Soccer Worldwide President Joan Cusco and Jan Paterson, managing director of NEOM Sport, addressed the media on Saturday ahead of the final day of the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024.

Jan Paterson opened the conference by welcoming officials, coaches, and players, expressing her satisfaction with the event's success.

“This is the third edition of the NEOM Beach Soccer tournament, and each year we grow stronger. We are immensely proud to host such significant events here in NEOM, as they help attract international sports, inspire residents, and create platforms for athletes to compete at the highest levels,” she remarked.

Cusco also praised the tournament's development.

“It is an amazing event, without a doubt. Every year, we witness the growth in infrastructure, improvements in facilities, and the work of a highly professional team. NEOM’s top-tier amenities and stunning location enhance the experience for both participants and fans, making this event truly special,” he noted.

The men's final sees Brazil, aiming for their third consecutive title, facing the UAE.

Brazilian coach Marco Octavio Barbosa expressed confidence in his team’s readiness: “We are well prepared and understand that we are playing against a strong team ranked 7th in the world.”

Victor Vasques, head coach of the UAE, acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized his team’s determination. “There’s no doubt Brazil is the best, but we will fight until the end,” he said.

In the women’s final, Spain face Brazil, with both teams poised for a competitive clash.

Abderrahim Omar El-Gazzi, Spain’s head coach, spoke about his team’s ambitions, saying: “We are looking forward to a crucial match against Brazil and are motivated to win every tournament we enter.”

Brazil’s women’s coach, Fabrico Santos Da Silva, voiced his belief in his team’s capability.

“We have played excellent football so far and deserve to win the final against Spain. Spain is a strong side, but I have the best female football players in the world, and we can achieve this,” he said.

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Topics: Beach Soccer Saudi Arabia NEOM NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024

McIlroy tied for lead with Hojgaard and Rozner after 3rd round in Dubai as hot-headed Hatton fades

Updated 16 November 2024

AP

November 16, 2024 17:50

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McIlroy tied for lead with Hojgaard and Rozner after 3rd round in Dubai as hot-headed Hatton fades

McIlroy could have taken the lead outright but his birdie putt at the last horseshoed the cup
McIlroy looks sure of winning another Race to Dubai title for the most points gained throughout the year on the European tour

Updated 16 November 2024

AP

November 16, 2024 17:50

DUBAI: Rory McIlroy was tied for the lead with Rasmus Hojgaard and Antoine Rozner heading into the final round of the season-ending World Tour Championship as the Northern Irishman closed in on a sixth Race to Dubai title on Saturday.
McIlroy could have taken the lead outright but his birdie putt at the last horseshoed the cup, leaving him to make par for a 4-under 68 and 12-under par for the tournament alongside Hojgaard (66).
Rozner, who started the third round with a one-stroke lead, made it a three-way tie at the top by rolling in an eagle putt from 8 feet at No. 18 for a 69.
They were two strokes ahead of Jesper Svensson (68) and Joaquin Niemann (69), with Tyrrell Hatton (71) a further shot back after an expletive-filled round that included him snapping a club.
McIlroy looks sure of winning another Race to Dubai title for the most points gained throughout the year on the European tour. It would be No. 6, tying him with the late Seve Ballesteros and leaving him two behind the record of Colin Montgomerie.
But the No. 3-ranked McIlroy’s aim has been to hold two trophies on the 18th green on Sunday as he goes for his fourth tournament victory of the season worldwide.
Hojgaard, who birdied six of his first eight holes and made pars the rest of his round, is looking to emulate his twin brother, Nicolai, who won the season-closing event in Dubai last year.
Both Hojgaard and the No. 154-ranked Rozner are seeking to claim one of the 10 PGA Tour cards on offer for next season from the European tour.

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Topics: Rory McIlroy Rasmus Hojgaard Antoine Rozner World Tour Championship Race to Dubai

Kosovo FA say they warned UEFA about possible provocation by Romania fans

Updated 16 November 2024

Reuters

November 16, 2024 16:19

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Kosovo FA say they warned UEFA about possible provocation by Romania fans

The match was initially suspended before being abandoned when the Kosovo team refused to return to the pitch
UEFA had said it would communicate “further information in due course“

Updated 16 November 2024

Reuters

November 16, 2024 16:19

BUCHAREST: The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) said it had repeatedly warned European soccer’s governing body UEFA about potential provocation from Romania fans ahead of Friday’s Nations League match, which was abandoned when Kosovo’s players walked off.
The game in Bucharest was abandoned in stoppage time after the visiting players left the field with the score at 0-0 when they heard pro-Serbia chanting from the home fans.
The match was initially suspended before being abandoned when the Kosovo team refused to return to the pitch. UEFA had said it would communicate “further information in due course.”
“Cries such as ‘Kosovo is Serbia’ and ‘Serbia, Serbia’, whistling during the singing of the national anthem of Kosovo, throwing hard objects ... and other offensive and provocative actions were present throughout the match, creating an unacceptable atmosphere not safe for our players,” the FFK said in a statement.
“FFK had warned the relevant UEFA bodies more than twice in writing about the possibility of such actions, once a few days before the match and then a few minutes before it started.
“Despite these warnings, the Romanian fans continued with irresponsible and discriminatory behavior, forcing the Kosovo national team to leave the field due to the lack of safety and dignity.”
The FFK also alleged that a Romania official “threatened and assaulted” a Kosovo player in the corridors of the stadium.
“For all these serious violations, FFK has immediately reported the incidents to the match delegate and has started preparing a full complaint with facts and evidence that will be submitted to UEFA’s disciplinary bodies,” it added.
Reuters has contacted UEFA for comment.
The Romanian Football Federation was fined by UEFA last year over pro-Serbia chanting and the display of a banner reading “Kosovo is Serbia” by supporters during a Euro 2024 qualifier between the countries at the National Arena.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been recognized by more than 100 countries, but not Romania.

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Topics: UEFA Nations League Romania UEFA Serbia Kosovo #SND2024

Spencer Johnson takes five as Australia beat Pakistan to clinch T20 series

Updated 16 November 2024

AFP

November 16, 2024 16:00

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Spencer Johnson takes five as Australia beat Pakistan to clinch T20 series

Pakistan fell short by 13 runs despite Haris Rauf’s impressive 4-22, which restricted the hosts to 147-9
Australia, having won the rain-hit opener in Brisbane, will host the final game in Hobart on Monday

Updated 16 November 2024

AFP

November 16, 2024 16:00

SYDNEY: Speedster Spencer Johnson took 5-26 to propel Australia to a tense 13-run victory over Pakistan in Sydney on Saturday and seal their three-match T20 series with a game to go.
Set just 148 to win after Haris Rauf claimed 4-22 to keep the hosts in check, Pakistan were all out for 134 in the final over despite a lively 52 from Usman Khan.

Pakistan’s Usman Khan bats during the second T20 international cricket match against Australia in Sydney, Australia, on November 16, 2024. (AP)

Australia won a rain-hit first match in Brisbane by 29 runs with the final game at Hobart on Monday.
“We thought we were there or thereabouts and I thought the way the bowlers went about it was brilliant,” said Australian captain Josh Inglis.
“There’s so many options in this team I can go to. Every time I turned to Johnson tonight, he got a wicket. The way they played tonight was really good.”

Australia’s Marcus Stoinis shakes hands with Pakistan’s Haris Rauf after Australia won the T20 international cricket match against Pakistan in Sydney, on November 16, 2024. (AP)

Australia secured a vital breakthrough by removing Babar Azam (3) off Xavier Bartlett in the second over and Pakistan’s woes deepened when Johnson accounted for Sahibzada Farhan (5).
Runs were hard to come by and after facing 26 balls for 16, skipper Mohammad Rizwan knew he had to up the tempo.
But it cost him with Tim David taking a fine diving catch in the deep off Johnson, who then bagged Salman Agha next ball, caught behind by Inglis to leave Pakistan on 44-4 after 10 overs.
Khan played himself in and brought up his first T20 half-century.

Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan leaves the field after losing his wicket during the T20 international cricket match against Australia in Sydney, on November 16, 2024. (AP)

But Johnson struck again with Abbas Afridi (4) following soon after to earn the 28-year-old a maiden five-wicket haul in his seventh T20.
Two wickets in an over by spin king Adam Zampa piled the pressure on Pakistan who were unable to rise to the challenge.
Earlier, Australia was restricted to 147-9 after a rip-roaring start, but a slew of dropped catches cost Pakistan.
“If you take the positives, the boys bowled very well. We know Australia is not an easy team,” said Rizwan.
“But if you drop crucial catches, it will cost you the game.
“We all know the pitch wasn’t easy to bat,” he added.
Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short stitched together a highly entertaining 52-run opening stand off just 22 balls before Rauf struck twice in three deliveries.

Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem (left) is congratulated by teammate Salman Ali Agha after taking the wicket of Australia’s Marcus Stoinis during the T20 international cricket match between Australia and Pakistan in Sydney, on November 16, 2024. (AP)

After tempting Fraser-McGurk (20) into another slog that was taken in the deep by Agha, he enticed a leading edge from Inglis (0).
Pakistan had their tails up and Short quickly followed for 32, bowled by Afridi, with three wickets falling for four runs.
Marcus Stoinis survived two dropped catches but finally fell on 14, reverse-sweeping to Sufiyan Muqeem, who was brought into side for Haseebullah Khan.

Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk bats during the T20 international cricket match between Australia and Pakistan in Sydney, on November 16, 2024. (AP)

Muqeem’s wrist-spin then took care of dangerman Glenn Maxwell (21) as the runs dried up.
David was removed by Rauf for 18 and he collected his fourth by bowling Bartlett (5).
Aaron Hardie made a handy 28 before Afridi removed him and Johnson in successive balls in the final over.

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Topics: Pakistan Australia Cricket Pakistan vs Australia T20I match T20I series

Ronaldo to retire at Al-Nassr in ‘two or three years’

Ronaldo to retire at Al-Nassr in ‘two or three years’

Ronaldo on target but Al-Nassr kick off Saudi Pro League season with disappointing draw

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US Open runner-up Fritz back in another big final and faces Sinner again for ATP Finals crown

US Open runner-up Fritz back in another big final and faces Sinner again for ATP Finals crown

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Coaches share preparation insight ahead of NEOM Beach Soccer Cup finals

Coaches share preparation insight ahead of NEOM Beach Soccer Cup finals

UAE to face Brazil in NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024 final

Saudi Arabia fight back to stun Germany in NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024

McIlroy tied for lead with Hojgaard and Rozner after 3rd round in Dubai as hot-headed Hatton fades

McIlroy tied for lead with Hojgaard and Rozner after 3rd round in Dubai as hot-headed Hatton fades

McIlroy set to defend Race to Dubai crown at 2024 DP World Tour Championship

McIlroy wins Race to Dubai; Scott aims for revenge

Kosovo FA say they warned UEFA about possible provocation by Romania fans

Kosovo FA say they warned UEFA about possible provocation by Romania fans

Kosovo players walk off in Romania game after ‘Serbia’ chants

North Kosovo ethnic tensions remain risk for violence, NATO official says

Spencer Johnson takes five as Australia beat Pakistan to clinch T20 series

Spencer Johnson takes five as Australia beat Pakistan to clinch T20 series

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Ronaldo to retire at Al-Nassr in ‘two or three years’

Ronaldo to retire at Al-Nassr in ‘two or three years’

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