Barcelona say Ter Stegen is back as captain after medical report is sent to Spanish league
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Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region
RIYADH: Football legend and former Barcelona player Gerard Pique is bringing Kings League, the game that revolutionized online football gaming, to the Middle East and North Africa region, with Saudi Arabia at its heart. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Spanish defender inaugurated Kings League MENA last night as part of the ongoing Esports World Cup, where the new team presidents from the region were also announced. Pique started Kings League in Spain in 2023, and after a successful first launch has since expanded to other leagues worldwide including Italy, Brazil, Japan, France, Germany, Hispanic America, and the US. On how he envisions the Kings League gaming community to look like in the MENA region, Pique told Arab News: 'Very young, very motivated, very committed to the product and the project. 'I'm sure that there will be a lot of intensity, a lot of clashes (between streamer fans), this is what we want. 'We want them to care and want to win, and that they dedicate everything they have to winning.' The unconventional seven-a-side football game was designed with younger audiences in mind, adding more creativity and free reign with secret weapons or 'golden cards,' unlimited substitutions, sin bins, and penalty shoot-outs after every draw. Kings League was also created in a way that brings together fans with their most beloved content creators and streamers taking the role of team presidents in each region. The MENA teams and their presidents were announced to be SXB FC, led by Ahmed Alqahtani from Saudi Arabia, Ultra Chmicha led by Morroccan Ilyas Elmaliki, Red Zone led by Jordanian Maher Sultaneh, 3BS led by Jordanian Hani AlQoublam, FWZ FC led by Kuwaiti Fawaz Hamad, Turbo led by Egyptian Saleh Tarboun, and DR7 led by Saudi streamer Mafrah Aseeri. Elmaliki, Morroco's top streamer, was appointed president of Morocco's national team in the Kings World Cup Nations held in Italy where his team made it all the way to the semifinals. Ultra Chmicha was later invited by Pique to join the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025 as the first wildcard team. Alqahtani's SXB FC was also picked as a wildcard for the Paris games, and their match against Jijantes FC drew a record breaking 950,000 live viewers, the tournament's highest. 'We have amazing streamers,' Pique said. 'They have huge communities that are very loyal to them.' 'They have to have good players because the level is very high in Kings League. But I know some of them, and I'm sure that that they will bring a lot of fun, a lot of entertainment and a good level of football.' Fans can now submit their application and try their chance at getting drafted to join one of the official Kings League MENA teams, potentially later qualifying for the Kings World Cup Clubs or represent their country in the Kings World Cup Nations Brazil 2026. Kings League MENA is a joint venture with SURJ Sports Investment as part of an ongoing effort to expand digital sports and entertainment in the region. Having visited the Kingdom a few times before with Barcelona for the Spanish Super Cup, Pique also told Arab News that he is always 'very happy when I come here. 'The food is amazing. And I think the people, you are very similar to Spanish people. 'When you arrive to the country, everything is very comfortable, so I'm enjoying it so much.'
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Team Liquid's Manuel Bachoore wins EA Sports FC 25 Tournament at Esports World Cup 2025
RIYADH: Manuel 'ManuBachoore' Bachoore has won the FC Pro World Championship at the Esports World Cup 2025 for Team Liquid in a 5-3 grand final win against Brice 'Brice' Masson of Team Vitality, picking up Team Liquid's third championship title at this year's event. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport ManuBachoore's victory sees him become a two-time champion, having won in 2023. He claimed a top eight finish at the Esports World Cup 2024. And ever since favorite and world No. 1 Anders 'Vejrgang' Vejrgang was eliminated this year, ManuBachoore has looked like the most likely winner. ManuBachoore made it to the World Championship stage via the play-ins, where he only dropped one match in the group stage, topping his group. His main event run proved more difficult, with multiple matches being won by just one goal, proving the intensity of the high-level competition. The Grand Final was a close match, with ManuBachoore's signature attacking style on display against his French rival, where goals were traded between the pair. The final moments proved a tense affair, with ManuBachoore leading by just one goal. However, he was able to score a late goal to make it 5-3, which ended up sealing the championship in his favor. 'I'm so thankful to God, for me to be two-time World Champion is more than I ever asked for in my career. Honestly, I did not think it was possible to win two times. 'But here we are, I can't believe it. It feels like a dream. It is my dream. I'm happy it's a reality,' said ManuBachoore. 'I said in an interview before we started, the first time I did not really realize what I did. Now I realize and enjoy it, I'm so happy. It's a dream. I started in the play-ins, so I came here, not even sure if I would qualify for the tournament. 'I'm here now with the trophy. I'm grateful for this dream.' ManuBachoore earned Team Liquid 1,000 Club Championship points for his victory, sending the side firmly to the top of the Club Championship standings. The victory in EA Sports FC 25 is Team Liquid's third title at the Esports World Cup 2025, marking the first time a club has won three titles at the same Esports World Cup. The result blows the Club Championship wide open, with Team Falcons having just one top-eight finish this weekend, as we head into the final two weeks. Team Liquid's victory in EA Sports FC 25 not only gained them 1,000 Club Championship points, but also denied third-place Team Vitality 250 more crucial points. Team Vitality remain in third place; however, the strong showing in EA Sports FC 25 has seen them bridge the gap to Team Falcons in second place to just 550 points. Week six at the Esports World Cup 2025 takes place until Aug. 17 with finals in Teamfight Tactics, Rocket League and Tekken 8.
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Arab News
Liverpool spend big to hold off Arsenal, City in Premier League title fight
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool have splashed out to defend their Premier League title as champions but face stiff competition from an Arsenal side desperate to shake off their tag as nearly men and a rejuvenated Manchester City. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
