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Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Striker Viktor Gyokeres and other new signings will help Arsenal end trophy drought: William Saliba
Arsenal's new signing Viktor Gyokeres being unveiled before a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United at the National Stadium on July 27. SINGAPORE – Arsenal fans are not the only ones over the moon about their newest signing Viktor Gyokeres – defender William Saliba is also positive that the Swedish striker will help the Gunners end their trophy drought. After weeks of relentless buzz, the English Premier League giants signed the 27-year-old goal machine from Sporting Lisbon for a reported £55 million (S$94.9 million) and unveiled him to rapturous applause before their 3-2 friendly win over Newcastle United at the National Stadium on July 27. Saliba is only too glad that Gyokeres – who plundered 54 goals in 52 matches last season and finished second in the 2024-25 European Golden Shoe standings behind Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe – will not be on the opposing side when they next share a pitch. 'We know how good he is and how it's scary to play against him, so of course, I'm happy to have him in my club and I'm sure that he will help us to win games and trophies,' said the 24-year-old French centre-back in an interview after Arsenal beat Newcastle to bring the 2025 Singapore Festival of Football to a close. 'When you face a striker who scores goals, you have to be focused. But now he's in our team, and he'll score for us, so that's good.' Gyokeres, who signed a five-year deal with the Gunners, netted 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting, helping them win the Portuguese league title in both of his seasons with the club. He watched from the sidelines as his new teammates put on a winning display at the National Stadium, erasing an early deficit from Anthony Elanga's opener with a quick-fire double from Mikel Merino and an own goal from Alex Murphy. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Thailand, Cambodia agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row Asia Gunman kills 5 near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: BCA to conduct independent probe, act against any non-compliance Singapore Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation Singapore COE quota up 2.6% to 18,701 for August-October period Business SIA's first-quarter profits fall by 59%; airline group sees volatile times ahead Singapore Ong Beng Seng set to plead guilty on Aug 4 in case linked to ex-transport minister Iswaran Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose The Magpies equalised in the second half through Jacob Murphy, but skipper Martin Odegaard converted a penalty earned after a surging run by 15-year-old substitute Max Dowman for the Gunners' second win in as many pre-season games. 'It's a good test before the Premier League, because we know when we play against (Newcastle), it's always tough,' said Saliba. The pressure is on the Gunners to deliver a trophy following three runner-up finishes in the Premier League, with their last piece of silverware being the FA Cup in 2020, but Saliba said that such expectations show that they are moving in the right direction. 'Pressure is good, it means we are in a good place, and we need to keep going like this. If we weren't good, we wouldn't have pressure (on us).' Arsenal have spent about £200 million in the summer transfer window with six new acquisitions, having also signed midfielders Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi, defender Cristhian Mosquera, winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Saliba is hopeful that the increased squad depth will translate into silverware, saying: 'We have a lot of new players, so that will help us to hopefully win the league... We are in a good mood and in good shape. 'Our mindset is to win the Premier League and we will give everything from the first game.' On his stay in the Republic, Saliba said: 'Singapore was good – the weather, the food and especially the fans. 'We enjoyed our time here, and I hope we will see you again soon.' Saliba, who joined Arsenal in 2019, has reportedly been a target of Real Madrid, but it seems that the Spanish giants might have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements. When asked if he was going to renew his Arsenal contract, which ends in 2027, Saliba said that while no concrete moves have been made, there is 'good conversation with the club' and he hopes to stay. The Gunners will next face Tottenham Hotspur in a friendly at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong on July 31 in the first north London derby to be played outside Britain, before wrapping up their pre-season preparations with home friendlies against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao at the Emirates in early August.
Business Upturn
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Upturn
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Will Kylian Mbappé start for Real Madrid against Juventus?
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is in full swing, and the football world is buzzing with anticipation for Real Madrid's blockbuster Round of 16 clash against Juventus. Scheduled for July 1, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, this match is shaping up to be a classic. But the question everyone's asking is whether Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid's electrifying forward, will finally take the field in this prestigious tournament. Let's break down his recovery, the stakes of this epic showdown, and what fans can expect. Mbappé's Comeback Journey Kylian Mbappé, the 26-year-old French superstar, has been the tournament's biggest talking point—not for his dazzling goals, but for his unexpected absence. The Real Madrid striker missed all three of Real Madrid's group stage matches against Al Hilal, Pachuca, and RB Salzburg due to a nasty bout of gastroenteritis that landed him in the hospital. Fans were gutted to miss out on seeing the European Golden Shoe winner, who bagged an astonishing 43 goals in his first season with Los Blancos, light up the pitch. Thankfully, there's good news. In a press conference on June 30, 2025, Real Madrid's head coach, Xabi Alonso, shared an optimistic update. 'Kylian's back in good spirits. We're chatting daily, and he's looking sharp in training. We'll make the final call tomorrow morning,' Alonso said with a grin, hinting that Mbappé has a 'strong chance' of playing against Juventus. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, though, remains a mystery. Mbappé's been putting in the work at training, showing the same fire that's made him a global icon. After a rocky start at Real Madrid, where he and Vinicius Jr. struggled to gel, the French captain is itching to make his Club World Cup debut—a stage he's never graced during his days at PSG or Monaco. Real Madrid vs. Juventus: A Clash of Titans This Round of 16 matchup is pure football magic. Real Madrid, who cruised through Group H with seven points, are riding high after a commanding 3-0 win over RB Salzburg. Juventus, despite a rough 5-2 defeat to Manchester City in the group stage, clinched their knockout spot and will bank on rising star Kenan Yıldız to deliver some flair. Xabi Alonso, in his debut season as Real Madrid's manager, has been tinkering with his attack to get Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. firing on all cylinders. 'It's not about one or the other—they complement each other. Vini's magic on the wing, Kylian's killer instinct inside. They'll click,' Alonso said, brushing off doubts about their chemistry. If Mbappé plays, this could be the moment fans see Real's dream attack come to life. Will Mbappé Start or Be a Substitute? While Alonso's comments have fans hopeful, the latest buzz suggests Mbappé might not start. Posts on X from accounts like @MadridUniversal and @RealBrasil_BR indicate that young striker Gonzalo García could keep his place after shining in the group stage. García found the net in Real's 1-1 draw with Al Hilal and created plenty of chances, earning high praise from Alonso. Still, Mbappé's impact, even as a substitute, could be seismic. His lightning speed and lethal finishing could tear apart Juventus' backline, which looked shaky against Manchester City. If he does start, expect a lineup featuring Courtois between the sticks, a defense of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, and Fran Garcia, a midfield trio of Tchouameni, Valverde, and Bellingham, and an attack led by Guler, Vinicius Jr., and Mbappé. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Business Upturn
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Upturn
Why Kylian Mbappé will miss Real Madrid's FIFA Club World Cup clash against Pachuca
By Aman Shukla Published on June 22, 2025, 11:44 IST The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is heating up, but Real Madrid fans are gutted to learn that their star forward, Kylian Mbappé, won't be taking the field against Pachuca on June 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina. This Group H showdown is a big one, and Mbappé's absence is a hot topic. So, what's keeping the French superstar out of this crucial match? Let's break it down. Reason for Mbappé's Absence Kylian's down with a rough case of acute gastroenteritis, a brutal stomach bug that had him in a Miami hospital earlier this week. Word from Marca and Real Madrid's camp is that he needed tests and some serious TLC. He's out of the hospital now, but he's not quite ready to run around in Charlotte's insane 35°C heat with humidity that feels like a sauna. The guy's human, not a machine, so the club's playing it safe. How Mbappé's Absence Affects Real Madrid Mbappé's no small loss. The guy's been a goal-scoring machine, racking up 43 goals this season and clinching both the European Golden Shoe and La Liga's Pichichi Trophy. Without him, Real Madrid's attack takes a hit, especially after their lackluster draw against Al Hilal. The team's also dealing with other injuries—Endrick's out with a hamstring issue, and defenders like Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão are sidelined. Thankfully, Antonio Rüdiger is back to bolster the defense. Stepping up in Mbappé's place is 21-year-old academy star Gonzalo García, who scored against Al Hilal and is set to lead the line against Pachuca. Fans are also looking to Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham to bring some magic. Alonso's been clear: 'Vini needs to be the difference-maker.' It's a tall order, but this squad's got depth. Real Madrid vs. Pachuca: What to Expect Pachuca, fresh off a 2-1 loss to Salzburg, will be no pushover. The Mexican side, led by Salomón Rondón and managed by interim boss Jaime Lozano, is hungry for an upset. Real Madrid beat Pachuca 3-0 in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final last December, but without Mbappé and with Pachuca's new energy, this match could be tighter. When Will Mbappé Return? The good news? Mbappé's recovery is on track. Alonso hinted he could be back for the Salzburg game, saying, 'We're hopeful he'll be ready soon.' Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
France 24
21-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Ill Mbappe out of second Real Madrid Club World Cup clash
The French superstar was taken to hospital on Thursday for tests and treatment after suffering gastroenteritis, before later being released. Mbappe is improving "bit by bit" said the club source, but he will not fly with his team-mates for Sunday's match against Mexican side Pachuca. The 26-year-old missed the opening game with the same illness as Madrid were held 1-1 by Al-Hilal in Xabi Alonso's debut as coach. Madrid B-team player Gonzalo Garcia, 21, started in Mbappe's stead and opened the scoring for Real Madrid against their Saudi Arabian opponents. Mbappe finished as the European Golden Shoe winner in his first season at Real Madrid with 31 goals in La Liga and 43 across all competitions, but Los Blancos finished the season without a major trophy. © 2025 AFP
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Club World Cup: Why did Kylian Mbappe miss Real Madird's game against Al-Hilal?
Kylian Mbappe missed Real Madrid's game vs Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup (Image via Getty Images) Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has been hospitalized in the United States due to an acute case of gastroenteritis, the club confirmed on Thursday. The French forward missed Real Madrid's Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal, which ended in a 1-1 draw, marking Xabi Alonso's first match as head coach. 'Our player Kylian Mbappe is suffering from an acute case of gastroenteritis and has been admitted to hospital in order to undergo a series of tests and follow the appropriate course of treatment,' Real Madrid said in an official statement. Mbappe, 26, had been feeling unwell in the days leading up to the match in Miami, with Alonso noting earlier that the striker was "feeling a little better" but still not fully fit. He also missed training on Tuesday with a fever and in his absence during the game on Wednesday, 21-year-old Madrid B-team player Gonzalo Garcia started and scored the opening goal against the Saudi Arabian side. Poll Do you think Real Madrid can perform well without Mbappe in the Club World Cup? Yes, they have a strong team No, they need Mbappe Real Madrid's next fixture in Group H is scheduled for Sunday, June 22, against Mexican club Pachuca in Charlotte. The recovery timeline for gastroenteritis varies, and it remains uncertain if Mbappe will be available for that match. Ground Zero: reporter Sahil Malhotra heads to Leeds for India vs England Test series Mbappe finished last season as the European Golden Shoe winner, netting 31 goals in La Liga during his debut campaign with Los Blancos, though the club ended the season trophyless. His health and availability will be closely monitored as Real Madrid aims to progress in the Club World Cup. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
