https://www.scmp.com/rss/516503/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters Saudi Pro League (SPL) champions Al-Ittihad will look to push their domestic difficulties and the exodus of key players to one side to assert themselves in the Asian Champion League Elite when Sergio Conceicao’s team take on Qatar’s Al-Gharafa on Tuesday. The Jeddah-based outfit have been less than convincing since claiming the SPL title last season, sitting in seventh in the domestic standings and currently attempting to regroup after the departures of Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3342818/pressure-builds-saudi-champs-al-ittihad-hunt-asian-champions-league-spots-resumes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3342818/pressure-builds-saudi-champs-al-ittihad-hunt-asian-champions-league-spots-resumes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 01:00:35 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Japan’s J.League could one day compete with England’s Premier League if a calendar switch helped clubs bring in bigger transfer fees, its chairman has said ahead of the new season. Japanese teams have sold a steady stream of players to Europe, including Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, but the sums involved are only a fraction of the billions sloshing around the global transfer market. J.League chairman Yoshikazu Nonomura wants to change that and he believes he has taken the first step by ditching the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3342341/japan-eyes-parity-english-premier-league-aligning-calendar-europe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3342341/japan-eyes-parity-english-premier-league-aligning-calendar-europe?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:00:41 +0000 Reuters Reuters Real Madrid remained the biggest-earning club in world football ‍during the 2024-25 season while Liverpool for the first time generated the most revenues in the Premier League, according to an annual financial list published on Thursday. The Spanish club topped Deloitte’s Football Money League with €1.16 billion (US$1.36 billion) of revenue despite not winning either La Liga or the Champions League. The only club to make ⁠more than $1 billion in the past two seasons, Real Madrid benefited in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3340890/real-madrid-footballs-biggest-earners-liverpool-top-epl-despite-mediocre-seasons?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3340890/real-madrid-footballs-biggest-earners-liverpool-top-epl-despite-mediocre-seasons?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:15 +0000 Reuters Reuters Former Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad said Cristiano Ronaldo – who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 – was the only foreign player in the Saudi Pro League who truly deserved his multimillion-dollar salary. Abdullah, who was in the post from 2014 to 2017 – before the huge influx of foreign players that has transformed the league – also warned that the influx was sidelining local talent and threatening the national team’s future. In an interview with the Fi Al-Marama TV programme... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3334411/cristiano-ronaldo-only-foreign-player-worth-his-pay-says-saudi-ex-sports-chief?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3334411/cristiano-ronaldo-only-foreign-player-worth-his-pay-says-saudi-ex-sports-chief?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:00:11 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Cristiano Ronaldo has broken through another barrier, becoming the first active footballer in history to be a billionaire, with a net worth of a staggering £1.045 billion (US$1.35 billion). The Portuguese star reportedly joined the ‘three comma club’ after signing another lucrative two-year deal with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, which the Bloomberg Billionaire Index placed at a tax-free £492 million. And despite putting a mammoth gap between himself and Lionel Messi, whose net worth is a paltry... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328261/cristiano-ronaldo-makes-history-first-billionaire-footballer-after-hefty-saudi-payday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328261/cristiano-ronaldo-makes-history-first-billionaire-footballer-after-hefty-saudi-payday?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:27:43 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball If Ben Harburg has his way, Al-Kholood will become the Saudi Arabian version of Brighton and Brentford, a solid top-flight club that sustains its existence by developing and then selling players to the bigger teams. Not that sustainability is something you would necessarily associate with the Saudi Pro League, which in its current iteration is very much a sporting example of what happens when oil money and ambition collide. Splashy signings and ageing stars have largely characterised its most... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3327818/lessons-chinese-league-us-owner-wants-make-saudi-club-brighton-desert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3327818/lessons-chinese-league-us-owner-wants-make-saudi-club-brighton-desert?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 00:00:21 +0000 Reuters Reuters Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli will begin the defence of their Asian Champions League Elite title against Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in a buoyant mood on Monday, boosted by Matthias Jaissle’s recent decision to extend his contract with the club. The German coach will lead his team into their opening clash of the new campaign in Jeddah, with the ink having only recently dried on a deal that extends his stay by another two seasons after first arriving in the country in 2023. “It was an historical moment to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3325503/asian-champions-league-al-ahli-confident-mood-ahead-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3325503/asian-champions-league-al-ahli-confident-mood-ahead-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Sep 2025 02:00:12 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Former English Premier League stars could make the difference in the Asian Champions League, which begins on Monday, with Ivan Toney, Jesse Lingard, Riyad Mahrez and Darwin Nunez all having a chance of winning Asian football’s premier club tournament. Saudi clubs dominated last season, providing three of the semi-finalists before Al-Ahli won the final in front of 60,000 spectators in Jeddah in May. Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal are also back and expected to challenge again for the title. Since the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3325379/asian-champions-league-ex-english-premier-league-players-set-star-new-season-starts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3325379/asian-champions-league-ex-english-premier-league-players-set-star-new-season-starts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:00:20 +0000 Paul McNamara,Josh Ball Paul McNamara,Josh Ball The CEO of the Saudi Pro League has played down any suggestion of his competition following in the footsteps of Spain’s La Liga by taking a regular-season match overseas. Omar Mugharbel said this week’s Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong was his country’s means of exposing its Pro League (SPL) to global audiences, along with a long list of broadcast partnerships. La Liga chiefs are planning for Villarreal to play their home match against Barcelona in Miami in December. The idea has been met with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322930/hong-kong-event-part-saudi-footballs-push-rank-among-worlds-best-ceo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322930/hong-kong-event-part-saudi-footballs-push-rank-among-worlds-best-ceo?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 23:00:09 +0000 Tom Bell,Lars Hamer,Paul McNamara Tom Bell,Lars Hamer,Paul McNamara Football fans were granted most of their wishes at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday as the Saudi Super Cup concluded with a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo, even if the Portuguese was narrowly denied the silverware. Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr may have been beaten by Al-Ahli in a deciding penalty shoot-out, but the plaudits were largely for the man wearing No 7, the organisers’ star asset as they brought the tournament to East Asia for the first time. A crowd of about 30,000 cheered Ronaldo’s every... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3322945/ronaldo-wows-hong-kong-saudi-super-cup-given-very-satisfactory-verdict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3322945/ronaldo-wows-hong-kong-saudi-super-cup-given-very-satisfactory-verdict?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 16:13:55 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr trophy drought will enter a third year after Al-Ahli twice recovered from falling behind to draw 2-2, then beat the Portuguese’s side 5-3 on penalties in Saturday’s Saudi Super Cup final. A shoot-out saw Ronaldo convert his kick, having earlier netted his team’s opening goal of the match, also from the penalty spot. But Edouard Mendy saved Al-Nassr’s fourth kick, from Abdullah Al-Khaibari, before Wenderson Galeno completed a perfect set of Al-Ahli penalties to win... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322940/saudi-super-cup-hong-kong-ronaldos-al-nassr-lose-final-penalties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322940/saudi-super-cup-hong-kong-ronaldos-al-nassr-lose-final-penalties?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:29:11 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Thousands of fans descended on Hong Kong Stadium to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play in the final of the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday. Even if the supercharged atmosphere that followed the footballing superstar to the arena earlier this week was somewhat reduced for the final, hundreds of fans had already arrived at the stadium in Causeway Bay two hours before Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr kicked off against Al-Ahli. And while the black clouds that prompted the No 1 typhoon signal threatened to put a dampener... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3322932/saudi-super-cup-ronaldo-mania-more-subdued-fans-return-hong-kong-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3322932/saudi-super-cup-ronaldo-mania-more-subdued-fans-return-hong-kong-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:43:07 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer For football fans who travelled from the Middle East to watch this week’s Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong, it was about much more than star individuals such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Whereas most of the Chinese spectators the Post spoke to were attending purely to see Al-Nassr captain Ronaldo, and to a lesser extent Al-Ittihad skipper Benzema, the Saudi fans saw it as an opportunity to support their teams at a competitive tournament. All four clubs attracted fan groups to the city... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322927/riyadh-hong-kong-saudi-super-cup-fans-make-presence-felt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322927/riyadh-hong-kong-saudi-super-cup-fans-make-presence-felt?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:30:58 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Ivan Toney has blasted the “crazy treatment” of his Al-Ahli team at the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong. England striker Toney was on the scoresheet when Al-Ahli thumped Al-Qadsiah 5-1 on Wednesday to book a Saturday night final date with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. Late replacements for Al-Hilal, who withdrew from the competition following their involvement in the summer Club World Cup, Al-Ahli arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday. “To be honest, the preparation and how we’ve been treated has been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322868/ivan-toney-blasts-crazy-treatment-al-ahli-saudi-super-cup-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322868/ivan-toney-blasts-crazy-treatment-al-ahli-saudi-super-cup-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:30:21 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Jorge Jesus has tipped Al-Nassr to surf the wave of energy generated by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in their Saudi Super Cup final against Al-Ahli on Saturday. Ronaldo fever swept Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday, as head coach Jesus’s team overcame the first-half dismissal of Sadio Mane to beat Al-Ittihad 2-1 in their semi-final. And Jesus was anticipating another animated and one-sided crowd when his side tackle the reigning Asian champions back at the same venue this weekend. “I am expecting the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322844/al-nassr-boss-tips-cristiano-ronaldo-fever-return-hong-kong-stadium-saudi-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322844/al-nassr-boss-tips-cristiano-ronaldo-fever-return-hong-kong-stadium-saudi-final?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:31:51 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Al-Ahli stand in the way of Cristiano Ronaldo and Saudi Super Cup glory after they beat Al-Qadsiah 5-1 in a heavily VAR-influenced semi-final at Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday. On a night that felt very much like after the Lord Mayor’s show, 24 hours on from Cristiano Ronaldo mania sweeping the same venue, Al-Ahli were stung into action after Gaston Alvarez headed their opponents into an eighth-minute lead. Franck Kessie capitalised on some lax defending to equalise four minutes later, before... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322564/saudi-super-cup-al-ahli-sweep-aside-al-qadsiah-book-final-date-ronaldo-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322564/saudi-super-cup-al-ahli-sweep-aside-al-qadsiah-book-final-date-ronaldo-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:29:01 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Jorge Jesus acknowledged the pulling power of “global phenomenon” Cristiano Ronaldo lured more than 30,000 people to watch his Al-Nassr team beat Al-Ittihad in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Supporters turned the tired Hong Kong Stadium into a colourful corner of Riyadh, as they roared Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr into Saturday’s Saudi Super Cup final. The 2-1 victory over last season’s league and cup winners Al-Ittihad was all the more impressive for the fact Jesus’ team played with 10 men for more than an hour... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322469/al-nassr-boss-says-global-phenomenon-cristiano-ronaldo-biggest-show-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322469/al-nassr-boss-says-global-phenomenon-cristiano-ronaldo-biggest-show-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:30:09 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Michel, the decorated Al-Qadsiah head coach, has accused Saudi football’s detractors of ignorance ahead of his team’s Saudi Super Cup semi-final against Al-Ahli in Hong Kong on Wednesday. The Spaniard, who won six La Liga titles as an exceptional midfielder for Real Madrid, said people in his homeland “only discuss football in Saudi Arabia from a financial perspective”. Despite spending more than US$80 million following promotion to the top flight last season, and forking out around US$76... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322367/saudi-footballs-critics-accused-fixating-money-ahead-super-cup-semi-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322367/saudi-footballs-critics-accused-fixating-money-ahead-super-cup-semi-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Cristiano Ronaldo extended his Hong Kong adventure on Tuesday, creating the winning goal for 10-man Al-Nassr to beat Al-Ittihad 2-1 on a night of high drama at Hong Kong Stadium. With the teams level, and Al-Nassr reduced by the 25th-minute dismissal of Sadio Mane, Ronaldo galloped onto a ball from Nawaf Boushal in the 61st minute and unselfishly presented Joao Felix with the easiest of debut goals. When an original decision to disallow the strike for offside against Ronaldo was overturned, he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322419/saudi-super-cup-cristiano-ronaldo-creates-winner-al-nassr-beat-al-ittihad-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322419/saudi-super-cup-cristiano-ronaldo-creates-winner-al-nassr-beat-al-ittihad-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:26:18 +0000 Paul McNamara,Mike Chan Paul McNamara,Mike Chan As Cristiano Ronaldo prepared to play at Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday, the Post was granted an exclusive tour of his CR7 Life Museum by members of his inner circle. Joining a delegation from his Saudi club, Al-Nassr, for the short stroll from their Regent Hong Kong hotel to the K11 Musea shopping centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, we spent around 30 minutes circling a testimonial to an extraordinary career. Jorge Jesus, the new Al-Nassr head coach, was particularly drawn to memorabilia celebrating... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322332/inside-cristiano-ronaldos-cr7-life-museum-and-al-nassr-meet-bruce-lee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322332/inside-cristiano-ronaldos-cr7-life-museum-and-al-nassr-meet-bruce-lee?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:00:10 +0000 Lars Hamer,Paul McNamara Lars Hamer,Paul McNamara Football clubs in Hong Kong have called for better communication from the city’s governing body after it cancelled bookings of facilities to hand them over to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and their rival Saudi Super Cup teams. Recreational groups and Premier League clubs received messages at late notice stating that pitches were to be taken off them so that the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) could block-book them for the four visiting Saudi sides. Premier League club Eastern... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322323/hong-kong-footballers-say-pitch-bookings-were-cancelled-ronaldos-team-use?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322323/hong-kong-footballers-say-pitch-bookings-were-cancelled-ronaldos-team-use?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:58:09 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara New Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus has said on the eve of the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong that the opportunity to manage Cristiano Ronaldo was a “big incentive” to accept a new challenge at 71. Al-Nassr are the 16th club of Jesus’ cosmopolitan career, after he was tasked with masterminding overdue Saudi success for superstar Ronaldo. The forward, who has plundered 93 goals in 105 Al-Nassr appearances, is in Hong Kong chasing only his second piece of silverware in 2½ years with the Riyadh side,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3322272/ronaldo-hong-kong-new-al-nassr-boss-says-coaching-cr7-was-incentive-join?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3322272/ronaldo-hong-kong-new-al-nassr-boss-says-coaching-cr7-was-incentive-join?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:30:07 +0000 Paul McNamara,Tom Bell Paul McNamara,Tom Bell The excitement generated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence in Hong Kong this week can be attributed not only to his fame but to how long fans have waited to see him play in the city. Their first opportunity to do so may also be the last, with Ronaldo now 40 years old – even if he has shown little desire to slow down since his arrival at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr two years ago. His time in Riyadh has followed a familiar pattern of goals and yet more goals, a theme through his rise to fame at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322279/cristiano-ronaldo-hong-kong-making-icon-and-what-drives-him?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322279/cristiano-ronaldo-hong-kong-making-icon-and-what-drives-him?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2025 22:00:27 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to India to face FC Goa in an Asian Champions League Two match being hailed as “historic” in the country. Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia and their superstars were drawn on Friday against the Indian Super League (ISL) club in Group D of Asia’s second-tier club competition, along with Istiklol of Tajikistan and Iraq’s Al-Zawraa. The top two from each of the eight groups advance to the second round. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment for FC Goa,” club CEO Ravi Puskur... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322091/cristiano-ronaldo-match-goa-dubbed-biggest-indian-club-football-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322091/cristiano-ronaldo-match-goa-dubbed-biggest-indian-club-football-history?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Aug 2025 09:41:39 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Cristiano Ronaldo landed in Hong Kong on Thursday, sparking excitement as fans vied to catch a glimpse of the football superstar. A crowd gathered at the Regent Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui during the morning after word spread of the Portuguese’s rumoured arrival ahead of next week’s Saudi Super Cup, which is being staged in the city. They were rewarded shortly before 3pm local time when Ronaldo – who last month opened a museum in Hong Kong chronicling his career – arrived with his teammates... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3321812/cristiano-ronaldo-hong-kong-fans-gather-hotel-al-nassr-arrival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3321812/cristiano-ronaldo-hong-kong-fans-gather-hotel-al-nassr-arrival?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:22:59 +0000 Reuters Reuters Al-Hilal will be banned from next year’s Saudi Super Cup if they qualify, after their recent withdrawal from this month’s four-team competition in Hong Kong. The Saudi Arabia Football Federation’s (SAFF) disciplinary and ethics committee announced the decision on Tuesday. It came after holders Al-Hilal pulled out of the Super Cup, scheduled to be played in Hong Kong from August 19 to 23, citing player fatigue following their Club World Cup campaign. They lost 2-1 to Fluminense in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320897/al-hilal-sanctioned-skipping-hong-kong-hosted-saudi-super-cup-blaming-club-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320897/al-hilal-sanctioned-skipping-hong-kong-hosted-saudi-super-cup-blaming-club-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 03:46:48 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Al-Hilal have confirmed their “first football team” would not play in next month’s Saudi Super Cup, saying they were told only a month ago, when they were already in the US competing in the Club World Cup, that the event would be in Hong Kong. In a statement posted on the club’s website on Monday, Al-Hilal said they had written to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to explain their decision, and emphasised the “exceptional circumstances” behind the move. The Riyadh-based club, who have won... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3318977/al-hilal-say-first-team-will-not-play-hong-kongs-saudi-super-cup-because-fatigue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3318977/al-hilal-say-first-team-will-not-play-hong-kongs-saudi-super-cup-because-fatigue?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Jul 2025 06:24:45 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Al-Hilal have reportedly withdrawn from next month’s Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong, although that did not stop fans snapping up the first tranche of tickets on Tuesday. The defending champions, who reached the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup earlier this month, cited player exhaustion as their reason for pulling out in communications with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), according to several media reports. Riydah-based sports journalist Hamad Al-Suwailihi also posted on X that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3318263/saudi-super-cup-hong-kong-sells-out-hours-al-hilal-withdraw-over-tired-players?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3318263/saudi-super-cup-hong-kong-sells-out-hours-al-hilal-withdraw-over-tired-players?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:25:28 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Dozens waited in line for hours before the opening of the Hong Kong CR7 Life Museum, an exhibition celebrating football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s life, featuring prized items such as one of his five Ballon d’Or awards. Organisers announced on Monday that Ronaldo would be visiting Hong Kong “very soon” for the newly opened museum, but they remained tight-lipped about a specific date. About 50 people queued up at the K11 Musea sixth-floor venue at 11.30am, 90 minutes before the doors opened at... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3317218/football-fever-grips-hong-kong-cristiano-ronaldo-museum-officially-opens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3317218/football-fever-grips-hong-kong-cristiano-ronaldo-museum-officially-opens?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jul 2025 07:28:33 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal bowed out of the Club World Cup on Friday after a 2-1 defeat to Fluminense, but after an unexpected run to the last eight, they have left their mark on the global stage. Simone Inzaghi’s team – the last Asian team in the tournament – beat Manchester City 4-3 in the round of 16, delivering the biggest upset of the tournament and one of the competition’s most thrilling games. Al-Hilal began their campaign with a draw against Spanish giants Real Madrid, and they came through... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3317063/club-world-cup-al-hilal-show-saudi-league-not-just-about-money-fluminense-reach-semis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3317063/club-world-cup-al-hilal-show-saudi-league-not-just-about-money-fluminense-reach-semis?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Jul 2025 06:00:17 +0000 SCMP Sport,Agencies SCMP Sport,Agencies Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal knocked Premier League giants Manchester City out of the Fifa Club World Cup on Tuesday, winning their last-16 clash 4-3 after extra time. Simone Inzaghi’s side initially came from behind, then took the lead three times before eventually securing a famous and thrilling victory. The game finished 2-2 at full time, but at the end of an eventful extra 30 minutes, Marcos Leonardo’s 112th-minute winner had secured one of the biggest wins in Middle Eastern football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3316461/club-world-cup-al-hilal-knock-out-man-city-after-extra-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3316461/club-world-cup-al-hilal-knock-out-man-city-after-extra-time?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jul 2025 03:45:58 +0000 Reuters,Associated Press,dpa Reuters,Associated Press,dpa Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal became the only Asian side to reach the Club World Cup’s knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Pachuca on Thursday, finishing their Group H campaign unbeaten and setting up a round-of-16 meeting with Manchester City. Salem Aldawsari and Marcus Leonardo scored against the Mexican club as Al-Hilal became the only team outside Europe and the Americas to advance out of group play. Aldawsari, attacking from the left, scored in the 22nd minute with the ball bouncing off his right... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3316079/al-hilal-becomes-only-team-outside-europe-americas-club-world-cup-knockout-stage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3316079/al-hilal-becomes-only-team-outside-europe-americas-club-world-cup-knockout-stage?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Jun 2025 07:11:29 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Cristiano Ronaldo chose Hong Kong as the location for his latest CR7 Life Museum because of his huge fan base in China, his representatives said on Thursday. The Portuguese football star will also visit the city at some point when his museum is up and running in the K11 Musea shopping centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, they said. It is scheduled to open on July 7. According to Luis Parafita, one of the 40-year-old’s representatives, Hong Kong was a “natural” choice. “This is the door to Asia. We have a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3315964/cristiano-ronaldos-museum-came-hong-kong-because-it-door-asia-spokesman-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3315964/cristiano-ronaldos-museum-came-hong-kong-because-it-door-asia-spokesman-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:01:31 +0000 Mike Chan,Agencies Mike Chan,Agencies Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr, the Saudi Arabian Pro League side announced on Thursday, following months of speculation over which team he would sign for next season. “Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at @AlNassrFC until 2027,” the club wrote in a post on X. Minutes before the official confirmation, the team posted a teaser video, with the 40-year-old Ronaldo walking along a beachfront and saying: “Al Nassr forever.” The renewal will keep the Portuguese... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3315897/cristiano-ronaldo-may-decide-club-future-today-representative-says-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3315897/cristiano-ronaldo-may-decide-club-future-today-representative-says-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Jun 2025 06:15:57 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Cristiano Ronaldo could be among an array of big-name footballers descending on Hong Kong in August after it was confirmed the city would stage the Saudi Super Cup. The four-team tournament, involving Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah, will be staged at Hong Kong Stadium from August 19 to 23. Kai Tak Stadium is reportedly set to stage a series of concerts in August by Hong Kong singer G.E.M., which would make it unavailable for the Saudi fixtures. Superstar Ronaldo has spent the past... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3314447/cristiano-ronaldo-play-hong-kong-city-host-saudi-arabia-super-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3314447/cristiano-ronaldo-play-hong-kong-city-host-saudi-arabia-super-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Jun 2025 09:32:19 +0000 Andrew Cesare Richardson Andrew Cesare Richardson Al-Hilal finally got the manager they wanted … or did they? The Saudi Arabian giants announced Simone Inzaghi as their new manager on Thursday in what was considered quite a coup, after the Italian led Inter Milan to two Champions League finals in three years. However, eagle-eyed viewers spotted something a little off in the club’s announcement video, which left them wondering if he really had been their target all along. At around 25 seconds into the short clip, commentary of “Inzaghi” scoring... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313293/al-hilals-presentation-gaffer-gaffe-did-they-hire-wrong-inzaghi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313293/al-hilals-presentation-gaffer-gaffe-did-they-hire-wrong-inzaghi?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Jun 2025 05:00:16 +0000 Agencies Agencies Former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi was revealed as the new coach of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal on Thursday, days before they take part in the new-look Club World Cup. The Italian, who led Inter to a heavy defeat in Saturday’s Champions League final, had earlier played down rumours of a two-year deal worth €50 million (US$57 million). “I am Simone Inzaghi and today begins my story with Al-Hilal,” he said in a slickly produced video posted on X, in which he sips Arabian coffee and pins an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313186/italian-genius-simone-inzaghi-coach-saudi-arabias-al-hilal-first-task-real-madrid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313186/italian-genius-simone-inzaghi-coach-saudi-arabias-al-hilal-first-task-real-madrid?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:00:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Saudi Arabian officials are in “difficult” talks to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in the country, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said on Thursday, after the star footballer suggested he was leaving Al-Nassr. “There is an ongoing difficult negotiation to convince Ronaldo to stay and play” in the Saudi Pro League next season, said the source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a major investor in Saudi football. “First option is a transfer to Al-Hilal with an opportunity to feature in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312299/saudi-backers-difficult-talks-keep-cristiano-ronaldo-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312299/saudi-backers-difficult-talks-keep-cristiano-ronaldo-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 May 2025 08:55:53 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Roberto Firmino said he was proud of making history with his Saudi club and becoming an Asian Champions League winner, six years after lifting the prestigious European equivalent with Liverpool. The 33-year-old Brazilian forward was an important member of Jurgen Klopp’s side who won the Uefa Champions League in 2019. And Firmino was named the AFC Champions League’s MVP after inspiring Al-Ahli to beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 on Saturday as the Jeddah club became Asian champions for the first... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3309005/former-liverpool-star-proud-after-making-history-al-ahli-win-asian-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3309005/former-liverpool-star-proud-after-making-history-al-ahli-win-asian-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 May 2025 05:30:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe has dismissed the yawning financial chasm between his J-League club and big-spending Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli as the teams prepare to meet in Saturday’s Asian Champions League Elite final. Kawasaki qualified for the decider at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al-Ahli’s home ground, on Wednesday with an against-the-odds win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, and Hasebe now had his eye on claiming another big victim. His side face an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3308893/asian-champions-league-elite-final-players-dont-play-wallets-says-kawasaki-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3308893/asian-champions-league-elite-final-players-dont-play-wallets-says-kawasaki-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 May 2025 12:05:47 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Big-spending Saudi clubs including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are dominating the Asian Champions League Elite, accounting for all but one of the semi-finalists in action this week. In three quarter-finals played on the weekend, the three Saudi Pro League teams won with a combined scoreline of 14-1. At least one is guaranteed a place in the final on May 3 as four-time champion Al-Hilal meet two-time finalists Al-Ahli in the first of the two semis at Jeddah. With all play-off games taking place... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3308182/cristiano-ronaldo-track-asian-champions-league-title-saudi-clubs-dominate-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3308182/cristiano-ronaldo-track-asian-champions-league-title-saudi-clubs-dominate-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:00:08 +0000 Four-time winners Al-Hilal booked their place in the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals on Friday night with a thumping 7-0 win against South Korea’s Gwangju in Jeddah. The Saudi Arabian champions, who began the campaign with Brazil superstar Neymar in their ranks before his February return to Santos, romped to victory at King Abdullah Sports City, with 2022 Asian Footballer of the Year Salem Al-Dawsari the stand-out. The quarter-final encounter kicked off the inaugural AFC Champions League... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3308019/afc-champions-league-4-time-champions-al-hilal-hit-7-past-gwangju-reach-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3308019/afc-champions-league-4-time-champions-al-hilal-hit-7-past-gwangju-reach-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Apr 2025 05:10:31 +0000 Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are one of three big-spending Saudi Arabian clubs hunting AFC Champions League glory on home soil when the final knockout stages begin on Friday. The desert nation hosts the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final of Asia’s premier club competition – given a new look and format this year as the AFC Champions League Elite – from April 25 to May 3 in Jeddah. The cash-rich Saudi clubs have lured stars from Europe, meaning Jeddah’s Al-Ahli plus Riyadh clubs Al-Hilal... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3307567/cristiano-ronaldos-al-nassr-hunt-asian-champions-league-glory-saudi-arabia-hosts-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3307567/cristiano-ronaldos-al-nassr-hunt-asian-champions-league-glory-saudi-arabia-hosts-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:00:20 +0000 Cristiano Ronaldo turns 40 on Wednesday but is showing few signs of slowing down as he prepares to lead Saudi club Al-Nassr against Al-Wasl in the Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League Elite. The Portuguese star, who signed for the Riyadh club in December 2022, leads the Saudi Pro League scoring charts with 15 goals in 17 games. If Ronaldo can reproduce that form in the continental tournament – there are two games remaining in the group stage, from which his team have already qualified... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3297115/cristiano-ronaldo-ready-elite-asian-champions-league-action-milestone-birthday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3297115/cristiano-ronaldo-ready-elite-asian-champions-league-action-milestone-birthday?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Feb 2025 04:00:15 +0000 Steven Gerrard has left his post as Al Ettifaq manager by mutual consent, the Saudi Pro League club said on Thursday, after a run of two wins and eight losses in 14 league games left the club languishing in 12th place in the standings. The former Liverpool and England midfielder joined the Saudi side in July 2023 on a two-year deal, which was later extended by another two years. Al Ettifaq came sixth under Gerrard last season, having finished in seventh spot before his appointment. “Gerrard has... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3296836/steven-gerrard-leaves-al-ettifaq-after-saudi-pro-league-clubs-dismal-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3296836/steven-gerrard-leaves-al-ettifaq-after-saudi-pro-league-clubs-dismal-run?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jan 2025 13:01:36 +0000 A new Netflix series on Saudi football features packed stadiums and top-flight talent, but whether it can curb criticism of Riyadh’s bid to host World Cup 2034 is an open question. The six-episode Saudi Pro League: Kickoff debuted just three weeks before the Fifa Congress is set to formally approve Saudi Arabia – the sole candidate – as host of the quadrennial spectacle. The vote on Wednesday will be a crowning moment for de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s use of sport to amass... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290137/humanising-saudi-football-netflix-series-paves-way-country-hosting-2034-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3290137/humanising-saudi-football-netflix-series-paves-way-country-hosting-2034-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Dec 2024 12:00:08 +0000 Fifa moved on Wednesday towards ending decades of football tradition by reviewing the rules that currently block domestic league games being played in other countries. Fans are likely to object to their teams’ home matches potentially being moved thousands of kilometres away. The United States and Saudi Arabia are expected to be willing hosts to lure competitive games from top European countries, and Fifa recently agreed to withdraw from an ongoing court case in New York filed by promoter... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3262802/fifa-moves-towards-ending-decades-football-tradition-and-letting-league-games-be-staged-other?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3262802/fifa-moves-towards-ending-decades-football-tradition-and-letting-league-games-be-staged-other?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 May 2024 13:00:19 +0000 Anyone expecting immediate results from Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented splurge on football stars was probably disappointed as the billion-dollar spending created a lopsided season with no international silverware so far. Despite last year’s pyrotechnical unveilings for superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar, the new-look Saudi Pro League has provided few fireworks since. On Saturday, Al Hilal cantered to their fourth title in five years with three games to spare, even... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3262531/saudi-arabias-billion-dollar-pro-league-few-fireworks-and-no-international-silverware-still-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3262531/saudi-arabias-billion-dollar-pro-league-few-fireworks-and-no-international-silverware-still-work?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 May 2024 14:00:21 +0000 Cristiano Ronaldo faced a flurry of criticism after appearing to make an obscene gesture following the end of Al Nassr’s 3-2 win over Al Shabab in an exciting Saudi Pro League game on Sunday. The Portugal forward opened the scoring with a 21st-minute penalty but Al Nassr needed a late goal from Brazilian Talisca, who struck twice, to settle the game with four minutes left. After the final whistle, social media videos captured Ronaldo cupping his ear before repeatedly pumping his hand forward in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3253190/cristiano-ronaldo-under-fire-after-appearing-make-obscene-gesture-saudi-pro-league-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3253190/cristiano-ronaldo-under-fire-after-appearing-make-obscene-gesture-saudi-pro-league-match?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Feb 2024 04:49:05 +0000 Luis Suarez scored and Lionel Messi also hit the target in a losing cause, as Inter Miami kicked off their tour of Saudi Arabia with a 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal. The Major League Soccer team are playing two games in the oil-rich kingdom as part of their preseason preparations, but even Messi could not inspire them to victory in Riyadh. While the World Cup winner got on the score sheet with a second-half penalty, it was Brazilian forward Malcolm who had the last word of an entertaining contest,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3250230/suarez-scores-inter-miami-debut-messi-also-hits-target-us-team-lose-al-hilal-opening-game-saudi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3250230/suarez-scores-inter-miami-debut-messi-also-hits-target-us-team-lose-al-hilal-opening-game-saudi?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Jan 2024 02:16:32 +0000