TEHRAN: Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun has announced his retirement from international football aged just 23, saying criticism from fans of his performance at the World Cup had harmed his mother’s health.
Azmoun, a rising star, who with 11 goals had been Iran’s top scorer in qualification for the finals in Russia, drew brickbats from fans after he failed to deliver in last week’s Group B game against Spain.
Expectations had been raised by Iran’s opening victory over Morocco, which sparked exuberant celebrations in the streets of Tehran.
Defeat in the following game, even at the hands of one of the tournament favorites, drew an avalanche of calls on social media for Azmoun to be benched for the final group game against Portugal.
The striker said the “insults” had caused his mother’s fragile health to deteriorate and he had decided to retire from the national squad to spare her the upset.
“I had to make a choice and I chose my mother,” he wrote on Instagram. “It was the most painful decision of my life.”
The loss of Azmoun is a blow to Iran, who had given a good account of themselves in Russia, almost snatching a last-gasp victory against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal that would have seen them progress to the last 16 for the first time.
Several Iranian sports writers expressed hope on Friday that the young striker, who plays his club football in Russia for Rubin Kazan, could yet go back on an emotional decision taken in the heat of the moment.
Iran striker retires at 23 over World Cup criticism
Iran striker retires at 23 over World Cup criticism
- Sardar Azmoun has quit after insults upset his sick mother
- 'It was the most painful decision of my life'
Pact with Mercedes-AMG will make Qiddiya a top world racing destination
- Abdulaziz Alaqel, senior executive director of development at Qiddiya, spoke to Arab News about delivering the globe’s most dynamic and immersive motorsports entertainment location
RIYADH: With its fifth edition in 2025, the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is no longer the new kid on the block.
While the Jeddah Corniche Circuit has established the Saudi event on the racing calendar over the last five years, the future of motorsports is in Riyadh’s new city of Qiddiya.
Abdulaziz Alaqel, senior executive director of development at Qiddiya, says the vision for motorsports at the entertainment and tourism megaproject is based on three key pillars.
Firstly, to become the new home of global motorsports, setting the highest standards across the board including the track, facilities and fan experience.
Secondly, delivering offerings which will create the most dynamic and immersive motorsports entertainment destination in the world.
And finally to host national, regional and international events and championships, providing a sustainable platform for the future of Saudi motorsport.
“These three elements create a combined vision which is achieved across the large range of entertainment, sports, cultural and hospitality assets within the motorsport development at Qiddiya,” Alaqel said.
“It is also critical that the development allows for a multimodal motorsport offering, which supports the vast range of races which are to be hosted at Qiddiya.”
Several components will feature within the project, including the Qiddiya City Speed Park Track and the Mercedes-AMG World of Performance.
“Qiddiya City’s Speed Park Track is designed to take race day to the next level, delivering a high-octane, supercharged experience to those who love the sport and identify with the thrill of power and speed,” said Alaqel.
“The Speed Park Track redefines and elevates the motorsports experience, ensuring that it’s extraordinary and accessible to not only professionals and their fans but also to enthusiasts of all kinds.”
Some of the most unique features of the Speed Park Track is the combination of a permanent open section and street configuration, with 21 corners constituting a lap.
The 80 garages will have the capacity to host multiples racing series and championships, Alaqel said.
“On top of hosting high-visibility racing events, the Speed Park Track will also regularly host open track days for enthusiasts during the quieter off-season,” he added.
“Speed Park Track is capable to host the world’s largest and biggest motorsport events, including Formula 1, MotoGP, Formula E, and many more.
“The Speed Park Track will also serve as a home base for many of the country’s various motorsport clubs, where enthusiasts get to showcase their machines, network with people of similar interests, attend trade shows, and compete in tournaments.”
Meanwhile, the Mercedes-AMG World of Performance will be a combination of immersive rides, interactive experiences and exhibits. It will bring the world of Mercedes-AMG and its famed Petronas F1 team closer to its international army of fans.
Consisting of nine floors of Mercedes-AMG branded space, spanning 45,000 sq. meters, the center will be positioned adjacent to the Qiddiya City Speed Park Track.
“The Mercedes-AMG Driving experience will utilize this direct track access, placing guests behind the wheel of AMG’s latest models and alongside dedicated professional drivers, there to coach motorsport fans on how to achieve fast lap times and advanced driving techniques,” said Alaqel.
For fans of the modern history of the sport, the Mercedes-AMG World of Performance will showcase a collection of Mercedes-AMG’s finest, rarest, and boldest designs, from classic road cars to performance cars.
During a Mercedes-AMG World of Performance Play Panel ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Abdullah Aldawood, MD of Qiddiya Investment Co., spoke about the pact.
“I think the spirit of the partnership between Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes F1 and Qiddiya City is to take it beyond just a one-weekend Grand Prix through the Mercedes World of Performance, to take the next leap.”
Reema Juffali, the Saudi Arabia founder and racing driver of Theeba Motorsport, speaking on the same panel, said she was excited about the partnership.
“For me, hearing something like Qiddiya and Mercedes in Saudi investing in our people, investing in the future of sport, of motorsport in Saudi is extremely exciting.
“It’s something that I want to be part of, helping the next generation of Saudis, and I can’t wait to see it and be a part of it.”
Meanwhile Toto Wolf, team principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, called the development “the most spectacular Mercedes AMG presence in the world.”
“You haven’t seen anything like this on the racetracks that exist,” added the man who has led his team to eight consecutive Formula One Constructors’ Championships (2014-2021) and seven consecutive Drivers’ Championships (2014-2020).
“We are talking about this vision, but what this track is going to look like, the layout of the corners, up in the air, I mean it’s going to be truly fascinating.”
Alaqel added: “The spectator facilities being developed are not typical to a racing circuit … whereby there are no permanent grandstands, and guests can move between a relaxed style of landscape terracing.
“The motorsport development is fully integrated with the adjacent entertainment, cultural and hospitality assets, whether this is through the Speed Park Track which cuts through the adjacent locations or the entertainment assets which border the Aquarabia park and East Village.”
Alaqel said Qiddiya would be “the world’s first city built for play, where thrilling entertainment and sports meet culture experiences,” enhanced by other developments.
Motorsport would add to the “world class sporting venues and events, immersive and authentic entertainment offerings as well as cultural assets, combining in a succinct development putting play and the customer first.
“The motorsport development within Qiddiya will help put Saudi Arabia motorsport on the map, bringing guests in from all around the world to experience and enjoy all that is on offer.”
He said the construction of the shell and core for the Mercedes-AMG World of Performance began last year. It was “progressing very well” with the completion of the soil investigation and substructure, and work was starting on the superstructure and facade.
Alaqel believes the partnership between Qiddiya and Mercedes-AMG will cement the city’s status as one of the world’s leading motorsport destinations, contributing to Saudi Vision 2030.
“The Mercedes-AMG World of Performance will contribute to the ambitions of Qiddiya city to become the capital of entertainment, sports, and culture, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s global position in sports, culture and entrainment,” he said.
It would further “positively contribute to the quality of life for Qiddiya City visitors and residents.”
Defending champion Korda chases first win of season at Chevron Championship
- Unlike last season, no one has emerged as a dominant force so far in 2025 with the first eight LPGA events producing eight different winners
- World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand finished runner-up to Ko at HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore
LOS ANGELES: Nelly Korda heads into her title defense in the Chevron Championship seeking her first victory of 2025, a stark contrast to the blistering early pace of her 2024 campaign but one that doesn’t bother the world No. 1 at all.
“I would say last year is last year,” Korda said Tuesday as she prepared for the first women’s major of the year to tee off on Thursday at Carlton Woods in suburban Houston.
“This is a brand new year. What I achieved last year, no one can take that from me. That’s always going to be such a great memory, but it’s a fresh week and a fresh mindset.”
Last year Korda withstood a tension-packed back nine to beat Maja Stark by two strokes and claim her fifth victory in five starts — matching an LPGA Tour record set by Nancy Lopez in 1978 and equalled by Annika Sorenstam from 2004-05.
Korda would go on to win seven titles in a spectacular 2024 campaign.
But she has just two top-10 finishes in five starts this season, having opted to skip the LPGA’s Asian swing after a runner-up finish in the Tournament of Champions in January and a tie for seventh in the Founders Cup in February.
Korda said she needed the rest, and while she faded from contention at the LA Championship last week to finish tied for 16th, the 26-year-old American says that aspects of her game are coming around.
“I think I saw some improvements in my game last week with my irons,” Korda said. “Definitely felt a little bit more comfortable with that.
“Then just need my putter to click a little bit more to make those putts. I think that’s where it’s been lacking, is the putts that I was making last year I’m just not making as many this year.
“But that’s just golf. I’ve gone through waves like this before, and if I just continue working at it, hopefully it does click.”
Unlike last season, no one has emerged as a dominant force so far in 2025 with the first eight LPGA events producing eight different winners.
All eight are in a Chevron field that features 24 of the top 25 in the world rankings.
They include world No. 3 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, the winner of the 2016 edition of the Chevron — when it was still held in California.
Ko claimed her 23rd career title at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore.
World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand finished runner-up to Ko there and while she is seeking her first title of the year she has five top-10 finishes in six starts.
Fourth-ranked Lilia Vu, the 2023 Chevron champion, returns after missing her title defense last year because of a back injury that caused her so much pain she wondered if she would be able to play tournament golf.
“I would say I’m in a much better place than I was last year,” said Vu, who made a triumphant return to competition last June at the Meijer LPGA Classic.
Busy period ahead for Saudi Arabian cricket
- National men’s team contests T20I tournament in Malaysia from April 24 to May 2
Thailand: The Saudi Arabian senior men’s cricket team is in Malaysia to play in a Quadrangular T20I series against Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
The tournament gets underway on Thursday, April 24 at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur. Saudi Arabia will face Thailand at 10 a.m. followed by Malaysia against Singapore at 2 p.m. Each team will play the others twice to determine the final and third place play-off contestants. These matches will be on May 2.
Saudi Arabia last played in a T20 international tournament in December 2024. That was the Gulf Cricket T20I Championship in Dubai, involving the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar, where the Saudi team produced an outstanding result against the UAE, the strongest team in the tournament.
Saudi Arabia made 182 for 8 in their 20 overs, Usman Khalid made 57 from 40 balls and the lower order all hit out strongly. The UAE compiled a third-wicket partnership of 144 and seemed to be cruising to victory, but Usman Najeeb claimed 4 for 25 as Saudi Arabia won by 11 runs. This was their third victory in five matches, but Kuwait beat Oman, causing the Saudi team to miss out on a place in the final.
Usman Khalid impressed throughout the tournament, scoring 185 runs. Faisal Khan hit 166 runs, including 13 sixes, at the best strike rate of 182. Usman Najeeb took 10 wickets and Ishtiaq Ahmed had the best match figures in the tournament of 4 for 12.
Saudi Arabia’s T20 credentials were displayed in early 2024 in Bangkok where the team won the second edition of the ACC Men’s Challenger Cup, part of the qualification pathway for the 2025 Asia Cup. In the final, Saudi Arabia beat Cambodia by five wickets, both teams qualifying for the ACC Premier Cup.
In the Challenger Cup third place play-off in 2024, Singapore beat Japan by eight wickets. Singapore’s most recent T20I series was a 3-0 home defeat by Bahrain. In February 2025, the team played 50-over cricket in the Cricket World Cup Challenge League Group B, part of the qualification process for the 2027 World Cup but lost nine of ten matches and were eliminated.
Malaysia won the ICC T20 World Cup Asia A Qualifier on home soil in September 2024 but failed to win a single match when hosting a T20I tri-series against Bahrain and Hong Kong in March 2025. Bahrain beat Hong Kong by six wickets in the final, having become the first team in T20I history to fail to score a run in a super over play-off against the same opponents earlier in the tournament.
Thailand is the fourth team in the competition and has been a regular opponent for Saudi Arabia, who proved their superiority in the Challenger Cup and then in a series in Bangkok which followed.
Saudi Arabia’s most recent contest against Thailand came in the Asia Qualifier B for the ICC T20 World Cup played in November 2024 in Doha when the Saudis defeated Thailand by five wickets. Neither team progressed from the tournament, both recording three wins and three defeats in six matches. Faisal Khan again showed his power with 18 sixes, while he and Abdul Waheed both hit centuries.
Thailand have an improving side, which includes three Indians who are involved in the coaching set-up as well as playing for the national team. Austin Lazarus is the captain and Akshaykumar Yadav opens the batting. All-rounder Nilesh Salekar was head coach of the Thailand women’s team for a World Cup qualifier in Lahore.
Malaysia are currently ranked 26th in the ICC world rankings. Saudi Arabia are ranked 32nd, so could move into the world top 30 with a series of victories. Singapore are 38th and Thailand 55th, so it should be a closely contested tournament with all four teams offered the opportunity to move significantly in the world rankings. If recent form is a guide, then Saudi Arabia has reason to be optimistic.
Concurrently with the senior tournament, Saudi Arabia’s young cricketers are getting the chance to compete in a high-quality under-16 cricket tournament arranged by the Asian Cricket Council. It is being held in Doha, Qatar, with matches played between April 23 and May 5.
The ACC U-16 West Zone Cup will feature the six best teams in the region playing in a five-match league. Saudi Arabia will play 50-over matches against Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain, with a final in which the top two teams face each other to decide the eventual winners.
This will be a tough test for the Saudi Arabian youngsters as they lost all five matches when the tournament was last held in Dubai in March 2023, when hosts the UAE, finished as champions after winning all five of their matches.
Lakers level NBA playoff series, Pacers and Thunder win again
- Slovenian star Doncic, acquired in a blockbuster February trade, scored 31 points to go with 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers
- Thunder showed no sign of a letdown after delivering the most lopsided game-one victory in NBA playoffs history
LOS ANGELES: Luka Doncic scored 31 points and LeBron James added 21 as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 to level their NBA Western Conference playoff series at one game apiece on Tuesday.
Slovenian star Doncic, acquired in a blockbuster February trade, also had 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who led by as many as 22 and held on late in a bruising clash at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers bounced back from a blowout loss on their home floor, while elsewhere the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder seized 2-0 leads in their best-of-seven first-round series.
The Pacers withstood another big performance from Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo and the return of Damian Lillard, beating the Bucks 123-115 in the East.
The Thunder followed up their crushing 51-point game-one victory over Memphis with another dominant win, beating the Grizzlies 118-99 in their Western Conference clash.
After a disjointed effort in their game-one loss, the Lakers rocketed out of the gate, taking a 10-point lead with 5:07 left in the first quarter and maintaining a double-digit advantage until midway through the fourth quarter.
James, chasing a fifth NBA title in his 22nd season, added 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers, who persevered in a physical game that saw the teams combine for 46 personal fouls.
Caught out early by the Lakers’ increased defensive intensity, the Timberwolves managed to apply some pressure in the final period, when the Lakers suddenly couldn’t get a basket to fall.
The Lakers scored just 13 points in the final period, but Minnesota — led by 27 points from Julius Randle and 25 from Anthony Edwards — couldn’t muster enough offense to capitalize.
“We played hard for 48 minutes,” Doncic said. “We played physical, that’s how we’ve got to play over the whole 48 minutes.”
In Indianapolis, Pascal Siakam scored 24 points and pulled down 11 rebounds and Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and 12 assists for the Pacers, who saw a 15-point fourth-quarter lead slashed to two thanks to a 13-0 scoring run from the Bucks.
Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 34 points, adding 18 rebounds and seven assists.
Nine-time All-Star Lillard, playing his first game in five weeks after undergoing treatment for a blood clot in his right calf, scored 14 points and handed out seven assists for Milwaukee.
Lillard’s three-pointer with 2:33 to play pulled the Bucks within 115-113. But Siakam responded with a three-pointer.
Andrew Nembhard drilled another trey and the Pacers held on to win a game that was testy throughout.
A brief scuffle in the first quarter resulted in technical fouls for Milwaukee’s Gary Trent Jr. and Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin. Siakam and Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis received technicals with less than two minutes to play, and there was plenty of jawing in between.
“It’s fun,” Haliburton said. “This is what everybody lives for. We’re all competitors, so having a lot of fun competing right now.”
In Oklahoma City, the Thunder showed no sign of a letdown after delivering the most lopsided game-one victory in NBA playoffs history.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points, Jalen Williams added 24 and Chet Holmgren delivered 20 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Thunder, who opened the game on a 9-0 run and led by as many as 23.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 26 points and Ja Morant added 23 for the Grizzlies, who showed signs of life in the third quarter only for Oklahoma City to open the fourth on a 9-0 run.
The Grizzlies wouldn’t get within 15 points the rest of the way.
Ronaldo is rested and returning his attention to an Asian Champions League title
- The Riyadh club, still yet to win a continental championship, is expected to progress to the last four
- Nassr’s Riyadh rival Al-Hilal have won a record four Asian titles and play Friday against Gwangju FC
Cristiano Ronaldo has rested and now is returning his attention to winning his first major trophy in Saudi Arabia.
Despite breaking the Saudi Pro League’s scoring record last season with 35 goals and leading the standings in this campaign, the 40-year-old Ronaldo is yet to collect any silverware since signing for Al-Nassr in December 2022.
On Saturday, he’ll be leading Al-Nassr against Japan-based Yokohama F.Marinos in the Asian Champions League Elite quarterfinals.
The Riyadh club, still yet to win a continental championship, is expected to progress to the last four, particularly after Ronaldo was rested this week for Al-Nassr’s domestic league win over Damac.
Even without the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, coach Stefano Pioli has a star-studded roster at his disposal. It includes Jhon Duran, signed from Aston Villa in January for over $100 million, former Liverpool star Sadio Mane and Spanish international defender Aymeric Laporte.
Al-Nassr also have home advantage, as all playoff games are taking place in Jeddah along the Red Sea coast.
“We’re now fully focused on Asia,” Pioli said Tuesday. “We have been working hard to prepare for it and I’m satisfied with the performance of the players.”
Yokohama were beaten finalists last season but are struggling in last place in Japan’s domestic league after collecting just two points from the last seven games. The club last week fired Steve Holland, a former England national team assistant to Gareth Southgate, after just four months as coach.
“To fill the void,” the club said in a statement, Australian “Patrick Kisnorbo will serve as an interim manager for the time being.”
Nassr’s Riyadh rival Al-Hilal have won a record four Asian titles and play Friday against Gwangju FC, a South Korean club making its first appearance in the tournament.
Hilal were the best performers in the ACL group stage and, as it is unlikely to catch Al-Ittihad at the top of the Saudi Pro League, are focused on their bid for a fifth continental championship.
“The Asian Champions League is a personal dream for me, as I have not yet achieved it with the team,” Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said. “It is also a dream for the fans and the club president, and we will continue to play to win every match.”
Al-Ahli are the third contenders from Saudi Arabia, and the two-time finalists are determined to lift the trophy in their home stadium in Jeddah on May 3. First, though, they must win a quarterfinal against Thai powerhouse Buriram United.
The only one of the four ties not to feature a Saudi club takes place on Sunday when two-time champions Al-Sadd of Qatar take on Kawasaki Frontale, a Japanese club looking for a first title.
