Latest news with #Al-Nassar
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
MLS, Saudi showing they are worth the switch
Mumbai: When David Beckham moved to the United States to play for Los Angeles Galaxy, he still held ambitions to play for the England national team. But he got a clear message from then England manager Fabio Capello about what he would need to do to be considered for the national squad. Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassar in the Saudi Pro League in 2023. (REUTERS) 'He said, 'you have to play for a European club at the highest level,'' Beckham revealed in his 2023 documentary, Beckham. At the time, a big-money move to a club playing in a less competitive league effectively marked the end of a player's international career. It was an option pursued more by players well past their prime, who were looking for a relatively easier stage to play on in the last stage of their career. But that is not the case today. A move to the US, or more prominently, the cash-rich Saudi Pro League is far from being the dead end it was once considered. Consider the two latest high profile players to make the switch from major Premier League clubs to non-European leagues. South Korean Heung-min Son has moved to Major League Soccer's (MLS) Los Angeles FC and former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez of Uruguay will now ply his trade for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Both players though remain important for their respective national teams and are bound to feature at next year's FIFA World Cup. And they are far from being the only big-name players in non-European leagues who remain essential figures in international football. Messrs Lionel Messi, who has been playing at Inter Miami in the MLS since 2023, and 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved to Al-Nassar in the Saudi Pro League the same year, are vital players for Argentina and Portugal respectively. 'Being a coach isn't about picking or not picking Cristiano Ronaldo, it's about using the best players to have the best team and win titles. It's important to make decisions based on facts, and Cristiano has scored 20 goals (for Portugal) in (the last) 25 games. There are no records like this.' Portugal manager Roberto Martinez was quoted as saying by ESPN. In June, Ronaldo led Portugal to a second UEFA Nations League title, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner scoring in the final against Spain. In that same Portuguese team though, was 28-year-old Al-Hilal (in the Saudi Pro League) midfielder Ruben Neves, and Ronaldo's new Al-Nassr teammate 25-year-old Joao Felix. Countries where football leagues were once considered as final chapters now have players in their prime competing in them. In fact, an array of star players have now started to make their way to Saudi. Champions League and Premier League winner with Liverpool Georginio Wijnaldum is there with Al-Ettifaq. France's left-back at the 2022 World Cup, 27-year-old Theo Hernandez plays for Al-Hilal, two-time Premier League winner with Manchester United Chris Smalling plays for Al-Fayha, Al-Ittihad boasts 2018 World Cup winners Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante... the list goes on. And in the US, Inter Miami alone has Messi, Luis Suarez, and Spain's World Cup winners Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. What the influx of big-name players - not all on their last legs - is doing is making these leagues more competitive. 'I believe that at this moment that we are in the top five (leagues) already,' Ronaldo said in a video posted on X by Al-Nassr. 'I still believe that we will continue to improve, and we have time and we have shown in the last two years that the league is going up all the time.' The Saudi Pro League, in particular, has been the most prominent destination for top-name players because of the high salaries on offer, ever since Ronaldo made the move to Riyadh in 2023, for a reported yearly salary of $250 million. A spate of big-name transfers to the Gulf followed, and Al-Hilal reportedly offered Paris Saint-Germain a record $332 million for Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman opted not to make the switch. But Saudi Arabia has become a footballing destination that can no longer be ignored. In Beckham's documentary, Capello talked about his conversation with the former England star. 'I told him that, in my opinion, he needed to return back to reality.' That was the reality back then. Today, despite players competing in non-European leagues, their careers are still very much alive.
New York Post
27-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Cristiano Ronaldo's new contract includes staggering $670,000 per day and private jet
Cristiano Ronaldo has signed one of the most lucrative contracts in sports history. The 40-year-old Portuguese striker has signed a two-year contract extension with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassar worth $675 million along the will pay him approximately $670,000 per day, according to The Sun. On top of that, he netted a signing bonus worth over $33 million, which jumps to $52 million if he triggers the second year of his contract. Advertisement Ronaldo was also given a 15 percent ownership stake in the club Al-Nassar, which is estimated to be worth over $45 million. When all of the bonuses and incentives are added up, Ronaldo will be able to earn over $685 million. There's more than money to the deal: the superstar forward will have 16 employees working for him and his family, all paid by Al Nassar. He will also have private jet access during the entirety of his contract. Many believed that Ronaldo was on the way out at the end of the season after he posted a cryptic message on X on May 26: 'This Chapter is over, the story? Still being written. Grateful to all.' Advertisement He nodded to that post in an update on Thursday announcing the extension. 'A new chapter begins,' he wrote on social media. 'Same passion, same dream. Let's make history together.' Many thought Ronaldo would try to join a team competing in the Club World Cup. Advertisement Ronaldo playing for Al-Nassr. AFP via Getty Images Ronaldo hoisting the trophy after winning the UEFA Nations League final AFP via Getty Images However, those sentiments seemed to have shifted after Portugal won the UEFA Nations League final against Spain on penalties. 'The ambition I feel has no finish line. It is consistency, commitment and collective work that will make us better. And that is the task I am working towards. We are starting a new chapter!' he said, according to Portuguese outlet Record. Advertisement The only championship Ronaldo helped Al-Nassar win was the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. But the lack of results on the pitch for Al-Nassar has not been Ronaldo's fault. He has scored 93 goals in 105 matches with the club, which would be enough to win the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot twice. With Ronaldo locked into a contract for two more years, it's a question whether Al-Nassar can make a push for its first SPL title since signing the star in 2022.
Arab Times
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Acting PM Commends Officers for Exposing Ya Hala Raffle Scam
KUWAIT CITY, March 25: His Excellency the Acting Prime Minister, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, honored Deputy Chief of Staff Nawaf Al-Nassar from the Private Security Sector in recognition of his pivotal role in uncovering a fraudulent network involved in manipulating Ya Hala raffle draw results. The ceremony, held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, was attended by the Assistant Undersecretary for the Private Security Sector, Major General Abdullah Safah Al-Mulla. Deputy Chief Al-Nassar played a crucial role in exposing the fraud by recording video evidence during a live broadcast of the draw process, which revealed irregularities in the proceedings. His Excellency commended Al-Nassar's vigilance, emphasizing that the honor reflects his dedication to upholding integrity and safeguarding societal rights. He also highlighted the vital role security personnel play in ensuring justice and transparency. In response, Warrant Officer Nawaf Al-Nassar expressed his pride in the recognition, reaffirming his commitment to serving the nation with sincerity and responsibility.
Arab Times
15-02-2025
- Arab Times
Jail inmate acquitted of having drug pills in bed
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 15: The Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Nayef Al-Dahoum and joined by Judge Sabri Ramadan Jaafar and Judge Abdulaziz Saad Al-Saqabi, acquitted an individual who was accused of possessing the psychotropic substance 'methamphetamine' with intent of using it and smuggling it into Central Prison. However, the court ordered the confiscation of the seized items. According to the incident officer's report, on the day of the incident, the control and support squad searched the public prison. While searching the accused's bed, they found two round pills and a third pill broken in half, all beige in color, which were suspected to be psychotropic substances. When questioned by the Public Prosecution, the accused denied the charges, claiming that he was sleeping when police officers woke him and the other inmates and asked them to leave the ward. The authorities later informed them that the seized items had been found outside the area near his bed and denied any connection to them. The defendant's legal counsel Lawyer Bashar Al-Nassar insisted that the incident officer had overstepped his legal authority and violated both the Code of Procedure and Prisons Law in handling the case. Lawyer Al-Nassar explained that the arrest and search were unlawful. The officer claimed to have found the two pills under his client's pillow. The bed and pillow were personal items, which could only be searched with a warrant or in the case of a red-handed offense. Therefore, the search of his client's belongings was invalid, and its results should be deemed invalid as well. He also denied any connection between his client and the seized items, highlighting that the police officer had testified before the prosecution that the cell, where his client was held, contained about 40 inmates, with doubledecker beds. This arrangement made it easy for any inmate to access another's bed and place items there. Lawyer Al-Nassar indicated that, when the officer entered the area, another prisoner might have disposed of the pills and placed them under his client's pillow. As a result, the court concluded that the arrest and search were unlawful due to a violation of the Code of Procedure and Prisons Law, as the search was conducted without a warrant and the occurrence of a flagrant crime.
