Al-Nassr’s Al-Awwal Park set for revamp or a replacement ‘similar to Kingdom Arena’

There are plans to revamp Al-Awwal Park, home to Saudi Pro League football team Al-Nassr, and the club could even get brand new stadium similar to Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal’s Kingdom Arena. (Social Media)
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Updated 03 February 2024
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Al-Nassr’s Al-Awwal Park set for revamp or a replacement ‘similar to Kingdom Arena’

  • General Entertainment Authority chief Turki Alalshikh says Riyadh Season will partner with Saudi Media Company to develop the football stadium
  • SMC CEO Mohammed Alkhereiji thanked him and said “we … confirm our pride in your trust and in implementing everything that will serve our generous nation’

RIYADH: There are plans to revamp Al-Awwal Park, home to Saudi Pro League football team Al-Nassr, and the club could even get brand new stadium similar to Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal’s Kingdom Arena.
Turki Alalshikh, chair of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, said in a live TV interview during Al-Nassr’s friendly match against American Major League Soccer side Inter Miami on Thursday night that Riyadh Season was set to partner with the Saudi Media Company to develop the stadium.
SMC CEO Mohammed Alkhereiji later posted on social media site X a short video of Alalshikh’s surprise announcement.

 


He wrote: “Many thanks to His Excellency Counselor Turki Alalshikh for this initiative, and we at SMC confirm our pride in your trust and in implementing everything that will serve our generous nation to continue development and prosperity in light of the support of our leadership … Details of the project implementation will be announced.”
The state-of-the-art Kingdom Arena hosted its first match on Monday, an exciting game in which Al-Hilal defeated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 4-3. It left fans of the most-decorated Saudi club looking forward to the action to come at their team’s new home, and many of them posted messages on social media expressing their pride in the new stadium.
Designed so that the stands are as close as possible to the pitch, it has a retractable roof, is fully air-conditioned, boasts 20 VIP hospitality boxes and has the capacity to hold between 30,000 and 40,000 people for certain events.
Al-Nassr play at King Saud University Stadium, known among fans as Al-Awwal Park. In September 2020, SMC obtained the management rights to operate the stadium and the following month the company signed an agreement with Al-Nassr for it to become their home ground.

 


Liverpool’s Salah voted Football Writers’ Player of the Year

Updated 09 May 2025
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Liverpool’s Salah voted Football Writers’ Player of the Year

  • Salah earned the prize after scoring 28 goals and producing 18 assists for Liverpool
  • The Egypt forward broke the record for the most goal involvements

LONDON: Mohamed Salah won the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award for the third time on Friday after inspiring Liverpool’s march to a record-equalling 20th English title.

Salah earned the prize after scoring 28 goals and producing 18 assists for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.

The Egypt forward broke the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League campaign as Arne Slot’s side romped to their first title since 2020.

Salah secured almost 90 percent of the football writers’ votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century.

Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk came second in the contest, with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak third and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fourth.

Salah, who was previously given the award in 2017-18 and 2021-22, is now level with former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry as the only players to win it three times.

The 32-year-old recently ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract to stay at Anfield until 2027.

Salah’s decision to commit to Liverpool will make them favorites to win a record 21st title next season as they look to move ahead of Manchester United as England’s most successful top-flight club.

Alessia Russo became the second Arsenal player to land the women’s award as the striker finished ahead of last year’s winner Khadija Shaw.


Lionel Messi, Inter Miami turn focus to Minnesota United

Updated 09 May 2025
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Lionel Messi, Inter Miami turn focus to Minnesota United

  • The Loons will play Miami for only the second time ever
  • Inter Miami enter the match in fourth place in the Eastern Conference

MIAMI: Inter Miami embark on the first of back-to-back road trips in five days when they take on host Minnesota United on Saturday afternoon in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

The Loons (5-2-4, 19 points) will play Miami for only the second time ever and enter the contest a distant second in the Western Conference.

Minnesota is balancing league play with its push to try to win the US Open Cup, as it advanced to the Round of 16 on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over USL Championship club Louisville City FC.

Inter Miami (6-1-3, 21 points) enter the match in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They were eliminated 3-1 by Vancouver in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup on April 30.

Miami can narrow its focus to league play over the next few weeks and try to continue making up ground in the standings coming off a 4-1 win over the New York Red Bulls last Saturday.

“We’re going to fight for the top spots in the Eastern Conference, and then we’ll see what comes (over the summer) with the Club World Cup and the Leagues Cup,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said this week. “But right now, the most important game is the next one.”

Lionel Messi scored in Miami’s victory Saturday as did Luis Suarez, breaking droughts of four games across all competitions without goals for the two soccer legends.

Darius Randell scored the lone goal in the 65th minute against Louisville on an assist from Sang Bin Jeong.

Saturday’s game will feature a reunion of sorts as recently acquired midfielder Julian Gressel will face his former club, which waived him last month. Gressel started 31 games for Inter Miami last season.

“I’ve been waiting for this ever since I knew what my situation was in Miami and that was pretty early on,” Gressel told Minnesota reporters recently.

“They laid a pretty clear picture out for me, and I appreciated that, so we could try and come up with a solution. It took longer than I thought, but ultimately, I’m happy to be here.”


Rhodes, Tamburlini lead new generation at Aramco Korea Championship, part of PIF Global Series

Updated 09 May 2025
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Rhodes, Tamburlini lead new generation at Aramco Korea Championship, part of PIF Global Series

  • Duo to serve as captains in innovative team format
  • ‘It’s amazing to be back with my team after a short break, and I’m really excited for this stage of the season,’ says Rhodes

SEOUL: Rising stars Chiara Tamburlini and Mimi Rhodes are set to lead the competition at this week’s Aramco Korea Championship, part of the newly launched PIF Global Series.

The duo are to serve as captains at the tournament which was scheduled to begin on Friday and features an innovative team format.

The Seoul event will feature the young talents taking on leadership roles — reflecting growing confidence in the new generation of women golfing stars.

England’s Rhodes has had a remarkable start to her 2025 season, claiming her first two titles on the Ladies European Tour with victories at the Joburg Ladies Open and the Ford Women’s Open in New South Wales.

Rhodes, who turned professional in 2024, said: “I feel like I’m in a great place after those two wins. It’s amazing to be back with my team after a short break, and I’m really excited for this stage of the season.

“I didn’t expect to be a captain, but just hearing the idea gave me a real boost and confidence that I’m now among the top players.”

Swiss golfer Tamburlini enters the tournament with confidence following a historic 2024 season that saw her win titles in South Africa, France, and Taiwan.

She was crowned Rookie of the Year and topped the overall ranking on the Ladies European Tour.

Tamburlini led her team to victory at the Shenzhen and Riyadh events last year, becoming the first captain to win back-to-back team titles in a single season.

She said: “I’m super excited for this week. Team events are always fun, and I love being surrounded by players I enjoy competing with.

“As a captain it’s important to maintain team spirit and keep everyone motivated throughout the round. I recently played my first major in the US, which was a great learning experience. I hope to bring some of that here.”

Rhodes was part of Tamburlini’s winning team at last year’s Riyadh Championship, which marked her debut in the Aramco Team Series, now rebranded as the PIF Global Series.

All eyes are on the Aramco Korea Championship as it blends competitive golf with team camaraderie, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to expand its international presence in the sport.


Alonso to leave Bayer Leverkusen at end of season

Updated 09 May 2025
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Alonso to leave Bayer Leverkusen at end of season

  • Alonso had a contract until 2026 but the club said they had granted his wish to terminate his deal at the end of the season.
  • "We can let you know that this week the club and I, we have agreed that these two games are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach," Alonso told reporters.

BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso will leave his role at the end of the season, with the Spaniard saying on Friday the time was right after a fruitful three-year spell, as media reports link him to the Real Madrid job for next term.

Alonso took charge of Leverkusen in October 2022 and guided them to the double last season as they lifted their first Bundesliga title, without losing a game, while they also won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final.

Alonso had a contract until 2026 but the club said they had granted his wish to terminate his deal at the end of the season.

"We can let you know that this week the club and I, we have agreed that these two games are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach," Alonso told reporters.
Leverkusen, who will finish the season as runners-up to Bayern Munich, host Borussia Dortmund on Sunday in what will be Alonso's final home game before ending the Bundesliga campaign at Mainz 05 on May 17.

"We've been talking during this week and now it's the right moment to announce it," Alonso added of his departure.

"Now that we have clarity it's the right moment to say that for sure it's a moment with mixed emotions, that it's the moment to announce it and to know it."

Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich reclaimed the Bundesliga title from Leverkusen with two games left to play, with Alonso's side currently eight points adrift of the Bavarians.

ALONSO'S LEGACY

Looking back at his time with Leverkusen, Alonso said the first season was the most difficult campaign as he came in with the club lying in the relegation zone before he propelled the side to a top-six finish to qualify for the Europa League.
"The second season was a historic season, it was a dream season with great nights, great games and we made history," he added.

"This season has been the most challenging one. When we had to fulfil expectations, when we were playing in the Champions League, where we were playing to try to give our best and when we don't make a final we are disappointed."

Leverkusen lost 5-0 on aggregate to Bayern in the Champions League last 16 and 2-1 to Arminia Bielefeld in the German Cup.

"There has been development in the club, in the players and in myself. I have learned so many things and I have improved as a coach, as someone that needs to have more resources for myself, for the future."

Alonso also said he was proud of what he is leaving behind - a squad capable of fighting for titles.

REAL MADRID?

Asked about what he will do next, Alonso said: "It's not the moment to talk too much about the future because now that we know, we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, for myself."

Alonso has been widely tipped to return to Real Madrid, the club where he won four major trophies as a player, including the 10th Champions League crown that the Spanish giants had waited 12 years to win.

Spanish media reports have said Real manager Carlo Ancelotti could leave the club at the end of the season after they were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Arsenal and lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona.

Holders Real are second in LaLiga, four points behind Barca with four games left and visit their rivals on Sunday.

Ancelotti has been linked with the Brazil job and has not confirmed if he will take charge of Real at the Club World Cup in the United States next month, saying that he would talk about his future on May 25 - the final day of the LaLiga season.

When Alonso was asked if he held a valid visa to travel to the U.S., the Spaniard smiled and said: "No idea!"


Luis Enrique resting key players in Ligue 1 as PSG chase treble

Updated 09 May 2025
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Luis Enrique resting key players in Ligue 1 as PSG chase treble

  • Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha have been given time off
  • “We have a set plan which depends on playing time and traveling throughout the season,” Enrique said

PARIS: Several key Paris St. Germain players will be rested as the French champions look to ensure they remain fresh for their two finals coming up, including the Champions League showpiece, as they chase a treble, manager Luis Enrique said on Friday.
PSG sealed the league title with six games to spare last month and will now target the Coupe de France final on May 24 against Stade de Reims before they chase a first Champions League crown versus Inter Milan a week later.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha have been given time off and will not return to training until Wednesday.
“We have a set plan which depends on playing time and traveling throughout the season. You have to balance all that out to arrive in the best possible condition for both finals,” Luis Enrique said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Montpellier.
“When the Champions League final is over, the vast majority will go to the national team. Every player needs a personalized plan. We’ve managed that, but there are still the final matches to achieve our objectives.
“The players need to arrive mentally fresh ... We’re playing against Montpellier and Auxerre (next weekend), which will help us stick to our plan. There are a lot of players and we’re managing it individually.”
Luis Enrique said Ousmane Dembele is fully fit after the club’s top scorer with 33 goals this season only came on as a second-half substitute in Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal victory over Arsenal.
“Ousmane Dembele is perfectly fine. He trained with the team today, he wanted to come,” the Spaniard said.
“He had permission from the staff not to come, it’s what we considered adequate rest time. But if he needs to come, he’s completely free to do so.”
PSG will be playing in their second Champions League final after losing to Bayern Munich in 2020 and Luis Enrique said the French club deserve to win the title after such a long wait.
“If a team deserves to win, after waiting so long, it’s PSG. I know the club was founded the year I was born (in 1970). Let’s hope this connection proves true and we can secure the Champions League,” he said.
“The problem is that there will definitely be one team that won’t succeed ... but I hope we win.”