Netflix has been killing it already this year with a collection of celebrated sports shows that take you behind-the-scenes to a degree that few other projects have ever been able to. Much of that stems from the success of Formula 1: Drive to Survive, which has given birth to an entire generation of American F1 fans as the docuseries releases its fifth season.
RIYADH - Anderson Talisca earned Al Nassr a 1-0 home win over Al Ettifaq on Sunday, but the fans that turned up to Mrsool Park in droves to see Cristiano Ronaldo in action were left disappointed after he was unable to mark his Saudi Pro league debut with a goal.
Ronaldo signed a 2-1/2 year deal with Al Nassr last month, reported to be worth over $216.28 million, but has had to wait to play because of a two-match ban by England's FA for knocking a phone out of a fan's hand in April.
The lasting feeling from Thursday's 5-4 friendly between PSG and a Riyadh All-Star XI in Saudi Arabia is that Cristiano Ronaldo, on the verge of his 38th birthday, and Lionel Messi, 35, could play forever. Neymar, 30, looks like he's got a year or two left in him.
It was Ronaldo who scored Riyadh's first two goals while Messi opened the scoring for PSG in the third-minute. Both provided moments of dazzling skill, much to the delight of the businessman who paid $2.66 million for a single ticket.
Messi opens the scoring off Neymar's pass
LISBON - Portugal named former Belgium coach Roberto Martínez as their new manager on Monday and the Spaniard said he would sit down with Cristiano Ronaldo to talk about his future in the team.
Martínez, 49, replaces Fernando Santos, who left his job after Portugal suffered a shock defeat by Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm and ambition with which he (Martínez) received the invitation," Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) President Fernando Gomes told a news conference as Martínez stood next to him.
When Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two and a half year deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on Friday, the Portuguese legend put pen to paper on a contract worth $75 million annually, meaning he'll almost certainly still be the world's highest paid footballer when he turns 40 on Feb. 5, 2025.
With this year's World Cup being held in the middle of the European soccer season, many questioned the impact it would have on the players’ clubs. While there have been some high-profile injuries, there've also been some players who've written their names among the stars.
For their clubs, this break has helped star players gain global recognition and grow their values ahead of the January transfer window. Whether they cash in and sell high or keep their players, the World Cup has absolutely helped some clubs more than others.
European teams have a high chance of winning the World Cup. And that likelihood is a reflection of how the Old Continent has established its dominion in the soccer world, spiriting away talent from other regions through money. And look, I get it; the strategy is valid in the market society we live in today.
What pisses me off, though, is how European soccer, having all the power in its hands, has the indecency to complain and play the victim in the way some of the national teams – and their surroundings – have done during the tournament.
Con el dolor aún en las venas, Cristiano Ronaldo dejó el refugio del silencio y habló por primera vez desde la eliminación que sufrió Portugal a manos de Marruecos, en los cuartos de final del Mundial de Catar 2022.
El Bicho está triste y en un mensaje en Instagram vació todo lo que siente en el alma, dejando además un críptico mensaje sobre su futuro en la selección lusa.
With the pain of the elimination still burning inside, the veteran Portuguese defender Pepe made a bold claim, saying that the World Cup has been set to give Argentina the title.
Minutes after the 0-1 defeat against Morocco, Pepe elaborated his conspiracy theory talking with Portuguese broadcaster RTP3. And a lot had to do with the referee selection for the game against the Atlas Lions, Facundo Tello, who is Argentine.
Needing just three wins to lift the 2022 FIFA World Cup and beginning the journey against unfavored Morocco on Saturday, Portugal slipped to a historic 1-0 defeat against the Atlas Lions, meaning Morocco's the first African side to ever reach the semifinals while Cristiano Ronaldo's record-setting international career is at a crossroads.