MADRID: Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez will leave the Catalan club he has served since boyhood for Qatari side Al Sadd at the end of this season, his father said on Tuesday.
“The moment has come for Xavi to say goodbye,” the 35-year-old midfielder’s father Joaquin Hernandez told radio Cope.
He said the contract with Al Sadd would allow Xavi, presently the team captain, to train as a coach as well as playing.
“He is lucky to have received a really impressive offer that allows him to continue playing football, train as a future coach and also rest a little.”
Xavi is Barcelona’s most decorated player of all time and one of the heroes of Spain’s Euro and World Cup-winning squads.
In March he met with managers of Al Sadd, which announced on social media that he had signed with the club but the Qatari side then said the deal had not yet been sealed.
Xavi will personally announce the move during a press conference on Thursday, Spanish media reported.
His contract with the Spanish league champions runs until next year but the club had already made it clear that it would not stand in the way of his departure.
“Xavi has earned the right to decide his future,” Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said in March when asked about the reports that the iconic playmaker had agreed to a move to Qatar.
The player will be following in the footsteps of Real Madrid legend Raul who played 39 games for Al Sadd, one of Qatar’s top clubs, between 2012 and 2014, before joining the New York Cosmos in October 2014.
Barcelona sealed the league title on Sunday with a 1-0 win away over 2014 champions Atletico Madrid.
Xavi was filmed weeping with joy after that win. It is his eighth title in the league and his 23rd overall with Barcelona, making him the player with most medals in the club’s history.
He still has the chance to end his last season at Barcelona with a treble, as his side will play in the finals of the Spanish cup and Champions League.
Xavi joined Barcelona in 1991 at the age of 11. He has played more than 760 matches for the side — more than any other player.
The transfer will bring the curtain down on a 17-year first-team playing career with Barcelona, during which time Xavi has so far won three Champions League titles and two FIFA Club World Cups in addition to the eight La Liga championships.
He was also an integral part of Spain’s World Cup-winning side in 2010 and their two European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012.
Beyond mere figures, he will also be remembered as being a central figure of Barcelona’s revolutionary ‘tiki-taka’ style of football, which relies on possession and passing, and helped the Catalan side to become arguably the dominant team in Europe in the first decade of the century.
His departure follows that of other club heavyweights in recent years such as defender Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Xavi almost left Barcelona at the end of last season after the Catalan side failed to win any silverware but was reportedly convinced by coach Luis Enrique to stay on.
He has spent much of this season relegated to the bench although Enrique has relied on him during decisive matches.
“Xavi at this moment is exhausted, he has been playing for many years, it has been many matches, he also needs peace of mind,” the player´s father told radio Cope.
Xavi’s signing is one of the biggest coups for Qatari domestic football in a country set to host the 2022 World Cup.
Al Sadd competed in the Club World Cup in 2011, finishing third after being knocked out by Barcelona in the semifinals.
Reports suggest that Xavi will sign a three-year contract, with his role to combine coaching as well.
Xavi heading to Qatar after lifetime at Barcelona
Xavi heading to Qatar after lifetime at Barcelona
Neymar parts ways with Saudi club Al-Hilal
- The star arrived in Riyadh in August 2023 after signing from PSG, but has only played 7 games due to injuries
- Recent reports have linked Neymar with Santos, the Brazilian club where his professional career took off
RIYADH: Brazilian forward Neymar has parted ways with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal after an injury-plagued stint with the Riyadh club, the team said early Tuesday, and is set to return to Santos, where he played as a teenager.
“The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career at Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career,” Hilal said in an announcement on X.
The star arrived in Riyadh in August 2023 after signing from PSG, but has only played 7 games due to injuries.
A short while after joining the Blues, he underwent surgery in his native Brazil in November 2023 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus damage suffered during a national team match the month before.
Neymar also suffered a hamstring injury late last year and missed another five weeks.
Recent reports have linked Neymar with Santos, the Brazilian club where his professional career took off.
Fabrizio Romano, an Italian sports journalist, wrote on X “Neymar’s return to Santos now imminent as verbal agreement has been reached,” he added that formal steps are due to happen next week.
Saudi Pro League top 2 Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad stunned
- Al-Qadsiah defeat table-toppers Al-Hilal 2-1 to remain in the title race
- Mid-table Damac triumph over second-place Al-Ittihad by the same margin
On a day of upsets in the Saudi Pro League, table toppers Al-Hilal and second-place Al-Ittihad both fell to 2-1 away defeats, at the hands of Al-Qadsiah and Damac respectively.
The losses were only the second in 17 games this season for each of the title rivals. The results keep Al-Qadsiah very much in the title race, in third place on 37 points just six behind the top two.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did the damage for Al-Qadsiah very early and very late in the game. With less than two minutes on the clock, the former Barcelona and Arsenal ace volleyed home from close range after Cameron Puertas swung the ball over from the left corner.
The visitors were shell-shocked and had to wait until early in the second half before they managed to get back on level terms. Just moments after Julian Quinones had a chance to put his side two goals ahead, only to head over from a great position, Al-Qadsiah were punished when in-form Marcos Leonardo pounced on a loose ball just outside the area and drilled a perfect low shot just inside the right-hand post. It was his seventh league goal this month.
Al-Hilal then hit the woodwork and had a goal disallowed before Aubameyang struck again, in the 94th minute. Allowed too much time inside the area, he slotted the ball home.
Al-Hilal could at least take some comfort from the fact that Al-Ittihad, equal in points but 10 adrift on goal difference, also lost, falling 2-1 to Damac, also deep into added time.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou put the hosts ahead after 17 minutes with his ninth goal of the season. But the Tigers canceled it out deep into first-half injury time, when French striker Karim Benzema got on the end of a curling cross from Abdulrahman Al-Oboud that had evaded three defenders, and headed high into the net at the far post for his 13th goal of the season.
Al-Ittihad pushed for the winner throughout the second half and thought they had it six minutes from time, but Danilo Pereira’s strike was ruled out for offside.
There was still time for a winner but in the event it went to the home side, once again provided by N’Koudou. Four minutes into added time, his shot from outside the area took a slight deflection that was enough to give goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic no chance. The result leaves Damac in 10th place on 21 points.
Fighting for Morocco: Ilias Ennahachi aims for bantamweight glory
RIYADH: Morocco’s former ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi is preparing to face former bantamweight champ Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE 171: Qatar, presented by Visit Qatar.
The fight is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha and victory could secure Ennahachi the coveted No. 1 contender spot for the bantamweight title.
“Winning this fight means everything to me: It’s for the fans, my country, and my future,” he said.
Having already made his mark as a flyweight champion, Ennahachi is determined to dominate a second division and establish himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in ONE Championship history. “I’m ranked No. 2 now, so if I win this fight, I believe I’ll get the title shot next,” he said.
Beyond the fight itself, Ennahachi acknowledges the significance of being an Arab competing in Qatar. “Fighting in an Arab country feels special,” he said. “It’s like fighting at home. Events like this inspire young fighters in the region to dream big and show them that they can reach the highest levels of martial arts.”
Despite the competitive nature of the bout, Ennahachi and Petchtanong respect each other.
“We’ve talked a lot on Instagram,” the Moroccan said of his Thai opponent. “He’s a great guy and very respectful, but inside the ring, it’s business. I’ve studied his strengths and weaknesses, and I’m ready to capitalize on them.”
Facing an experienced southpaw has required a focused and tailored approach from Ennahachi.
“I’ve been sparring a lot with southpaw partners to familiarize myself with his angles and movements. His boxing isn’t his strongest asset, and I’ve been working to exploit that. Cardio is everything in a fight like this, and I’ve been pushing myself to the limit to ensure I can maintain pressure for the entire fight.”
Speaking from the Netherlands before his trip to Qatar, Ennahachi is taking added inspiration from Morocco’s historic World Cup run in the country three years ago. “Watching Morocco make history brought so much pride to the country,” he said. “Moments like that push you to perform at your best and show the world what you’re capable of.”
That same determination fuels Ennahachi as he balances his career with his responsibilities as a father and mentor to troubled young people in the Netherlands. “Everything I do is for my family and my community,” he said. “It motivates me to push harder every day.”
With martial arts growing in popularity in the Middle East, Ennahachi sees this as a chance to inspire others. “ONE Championship is one of the biggest martial arts organizations in the world, and having events in Qatar shows the potential for the sport to grow in the region. This is about creating role models and showing aspiring fighters that they can achieve their dreams.”
When he steps into the Lusail Sports Arena, Ilias Ennahachi will be ready to prove why he belongs at the top, driven by a desire to create a legacy that will inspire Arab fighters and fans worldwide.
5th Saudi Esports Federation Awards will celebrate milestone this weekend
- The awards take place on Friday at SEF Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City
- 19 categories will highlight individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the esports scene
RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Federation will host the organization’s fifth awards this weekend in a celebration of the past year’s exceptional achievements in the Kingdom’s esports sector.
Taking place at SEF Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City, the 2024 awards aim to inspire and recognize both amateurs and professionals, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position in the global esports industry.
This year’s event will feature 19 award categories, highlighting the individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on the esports scene.
They include Best Rising Player of the Year; Best Rising Talent of the Year; Best Female Player of the Year, presented by Hilton; Best Club of the Year, presented by Richy; Best Content Creator, presented by SAIB; and Best Roster of the Year, presented by Golden Scent.
The awards reflect the federation’s commitment to celebrating excellence in esports while inspiring the next generation to aim higher and dream bigger, said SEF CEO Turki Al-Fawzan: “As we mark the fifth edition, we are proud to see how far the Kingdom has come in establishing itself as a leader in this dynamic industry.
“This has been a monumental year for esports in Saudi Arabia, with Team Falcons’ historic victory at the Esports World Cup and Team Saudi’s triumph in the FIFAe World Cup™ Rocket League competition particularly worthy of note.!
He added: “These achievements further highlight the exceptional talent we have in the Kingdom and demonstrate our potential to lead the global esports stage. We look forward to building on the ecosystem in Saudi esports that leads to this success and developing even greater achievements in the future.”
The SEF Awards also recognize the efforts of key contributors to the industry, such as content creators, streamers, coaches and esports professionals. Their efforts are critical to building an inclusive and dynamic esports ecosystem.
Pakistan’s Shahzaib Rind successfully defends lightweight title at Karate event in Florida
- Rind, 26, defeats three-time world champion Edgars Skivers 7-0
- Rind boasts a combined Wushu and Kickboxing record of 75-4
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Karate fighter Shahzaib Rind successfully defended his lightweight title against former three-time world champion Edgars Skrivers, defeating him 7-0 at the Karate Combat (KC) 52 event in Miami, the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF) announced on Sunday.
The KC52, a professional full-contact karate league, is part of a global karate MMA series featuring skilled fighters in action-packed competitions.
Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
During the two and half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.
“In a stunning display of skill and determination, Rind has claimed his second championship title after a hard-fought victory against Edgars Skrivers,” the PMMAF said.
“The intense showdown unfolded on Friday in Miami, captivating audiences with its electrifying energy and showcasing the best of competitive spirit.”
The statement said Rind delivered an “extraordinary” performance that kept his fans excited throughout the match, adding that his “dedication, relentless training, and remarkable skill” had solidified his position as one of the top contenders.
“Rind’s triumph is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work,” the sports body said. “As fans celebrate this incredible achievement, they eagerly await what the future holds for this rising star.”
The Pakistan Embassy in New York congratulated Rind on defending his title.
“Heartfelt congratulations to MMA fighter Shahzaib Rind, the brave son of Pakistan who hails from Balochistan, on defending his lightweight title in Miami, Florida, USA and becoming the world champion for the second time,” the embassy said on X. “Shahzaib Rind dedicated his victory to the people of Pakistan.”
Rind boasts a combined Wushu and Kickboxing record of 75-4, the majority of which was attained while training himself by watching YouTube videos. He is currently training under Asim Zaidi at the renowned Goat Shed gym in Miami.
Zaidi is the president of Karate Combat, a brand that promotes the first professional full-contact karate league, hosting worldwide events since April 2018.
