Latest news with #GoldenBall
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Durand Cup boosted with ₹3 Crore prize purse & SUVs for top performers
The 134th edition of the Durand Cup, Asia's oldest football tournament, unveiled an impressive threefold increase in its prize money, raising the total pot to ₹3 Crore during the trophy roll-out ceremony in Kolkata Alongside reward for winners and runners-up, both semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will also earn a share. In a unique twist, three individual award winners (Best Goalkeeper, Golden Boot, Golden Ball) will each receive a brand-new SUV Speaking on the occasion Aroop Biswas, said 'With increased media coverage planned for the Durand Cup and the Honourable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gracing the grand finale on August 23rd, the atmosphere promises to be electric. Ticket allocations for marquee clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan SC, and Diamond Harbour FC have also been finalised to ensure strong fan representation. A ticket quota of 5,000 each has been allocated to Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan SC, and Diamond Harbour FC to ensure a vibrant fan presence in the stands. We wish all the teams the very best as they compete in Asia's oldest and most prestigious football tournament. Also speaking on the occasion Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra said, 'I am delighted to announce that this year the tournament has significantly ramped up its prize structure, from under ₹1.2 Cr in the past to over ₹3 Cr now. In addition, three brand-new SUVs for the three individual award winners will also be presented. This reflects our growing commitment to both rewarding excellence and attracting the best talent from across the nation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo With its passionate fans, historic clubs, and unmatched footballing culture, Kolkata remains the spiritual home of the game in India.' Major General Arun Moghe shared his thoughts and added, 'This year, the tournament continues with the League-cum-Knockout format that has served us well. A total of 24 teams, divided into six pools, will compete across five states, with two pools playing their matches right here in Kolkata. Kolkata will be hosting 15 matches including one quarter final, semi-final and the grand finals. We are also proud to provide a platform for four promising grassroots teams in 1-Ladakh FC, South United FC, Bodoland FC, and Rangdajied United FC.' Tournament Overview & Structure Starts July 23, concluding in Kolkata on August 23 with the grand finale attended by CM Mamata Banerjee Matches will span five states (Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Jharkhand, plus a fifth state. Kolkata will host two full pools—15 matches in total—including one quarter-final, semi-final, and the final. Games will occur at Salt Lake Stadium (VYBK) and Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBKGroup A (matches at VYBK) features East Bengal, South United FC, Emami East Bengal FC, Indian Air Force FT, and debutants Namdhari FC. Group B (at KBK) includes Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mohammedan SC, BSF FT, and Diamond Harbour FC. A major Kolkata derby is scheduled for July 31 between Mohun Bagan SG and Mohammedan SC This landmark increase in prize money, combined with enhanced visibility, expanded geographic reach, and luxury awards for standout players, marks a pivotal moment for the Durand Cup—balancing tradition with modern ambition.
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
UAE Pro League announces 2024–2025 Season Award Nominees
Award Categories Listed The awards span several categories: Best Player (Golden Ball), Best U-23 Player (Golden Boy), Best Goalkeeper (Golden Glove), Best Coach (Leader), Best Goal, Fan's Player of the Year, alongside statistical and special awards presented by the league. Best Player Nominees Nominees for the Best Player award include: Kodjo Laba and Alejandro Romero (Al Ain), Cartabia and Sardar Azmoun (Shabab Al Ahli), Firas Ben Larbi and Caio Lucas (Sharjah), Mehdi Ghaedi (Ittihad Kalba), Omar Khribin (Al Wahda), Fabio Lima (Al Wasl), and Nabil Fekir (Al Jazira). U-23 Player Nominees Contenders for Best U-23 Player include: Renan Victor da Silva and Guilherme da Silva (Shabab Al Ahli), Marouane Azarkan (Al Nasr), Matías Palacios (Al Ain), Brahima Diarra and Ruben Canedo (Al Wahda), Lethyrie Silva (Ajman), Siaka Sidibé (Al Wasl), Guilherme Biro (Sharjah), and Mamadou Coulibaly (Al Jazira). Goalkeeper of the Year The nominees for Best Goalkeeper are: Sultan Al Manthari (Ittihad Kalba), Hamad Al Maqbali (Shabab Al Ahli), Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah), Ali Khaseif (Al Jazira), and Khalid Eisa (Al Ain). Best Coach Nominees Best Coach nominees include: Paulo Sousa (Shabab Al Ahli), Milos Milojevic (Al Wasl), Cosmin Olaroiu (Sharjah), and Abdelmajid Ibrahim (Khorfakkan). The Fan's Player of the Year award includes top names from various clubs. Voting Period Details Voting opens at 2 PM on Saturday, July 26, and closes at 2 PM on Thursday, July 31. Voting will be accessible via the official website and app, and will involve team captains, coaches, media representatives, and fans. Statistical and Special Awards Several statistical awards will be presented, including the Golden Boot for ADNOC Pro League top scorer (Kodjo Laba – Al Ain), Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup top scorer (Ramon Mieres – Al Jazira), and the Silver Boot for U-23 League top scorer (Saeed Mansour Al Menhali – Al Wahda). Additional honors include the Fantasy League Best Manager award, Fan League award, and the Dream Team award. Professionalism Recognition The ceremony will also feature the Professionalism and Licensing Excellence award, granted to the club that meets the criteria set by the UAE Pro League.
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Sport
- Business Upturn
Ballon d'Or 2025 Rankings: Top 5 contenders after the Club World Cup
The 2025 Ballon d'Or race is heating up as the football world gears up for the prestigious ceremony on September 22, 2025, at Paris' Théâtre du Châtelet. With the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup now in the books, the rankings for football's ultimate individual prize have seen some dramatic shifts. From dazzling youngsters to seasoned superstars, here are the top five contenders vying for the Golden Ball, based on their performances throughout the 2024-25 season. 1. Ousmane Dembélé Ousmane Dembélé has emerged as the leading candidate for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, and it's easy to see why. The Paris Saint-Germain star has been a force this season, leading his team to a Champions League triumph and a Club World Cup final appearance. With an impressive tally of 33 goals and 15 assists across all competitions, Dembélé's impact has been undeniable. His pivotal performances, including a goal against Bayern Munich and an assist in the Club World Cup semifinal thrashing of Real Madrid, have solidified his position at the top. Despite PSG's loss to Chelsea in the final, Dembélé's consistency and big-game mentality make him a strong favorite to claim the Golden Ball, potentially becoming only the fourth player in 17 years to break the Messi-Ronaldo dominance, joining Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, and Rodri. 2. Lamine Yamal At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal is making waves as one of football's brightest young stars. The FC Barcelona wonderkid has dazzled with 18 goals and 21 assists in the 2024-25 season, leading La Liga in successful dribbles with an average of 4.6 per match. His flair and maturity shone through in La Liga and the Champions League, though Barcelona's absence from the Club World Cup slightly dented his chances. Still, Yamal's individual brilliance and key contributions to Barça's domestic double keep him firmly in the top tier. If voters prioritize potential and impact, Yamal could make history as the youngest Ballon d'Or winner ever. 3. Raphinha Raphinha has been a key figure in Barcelona's La Liga and Copa del Rey triumphs, finishing the season with 18 goals and 11 assists in La Liga alone, plus a joint-top 13 goals in the Champions League. His standout moments include a hat-trick against Bayern Munich and decisive contributions in El Clásico and against Dortmund. While Barcelona's absence from the Club World Cup limited his global exposure, Raphinha's creativity and consistency make him a strong contender, often ranked in the top five. 4. Mohamed Salah Mohamed Salah's 2024-25 season was nothing short of historic, with 34 goals and 23 assists in the Premier League alone, leading Liverpool to the title under Arne Slot. His 47 goal involvements set a new Premier League record, and he claimed the Golden Boot. However, Liverpool's early Champions League exit and lack of international success in 2025 have slightly weakened his case. Despite a late-season dip in form, Salah's sheer output in Europe's most competitive league keeps him in the conversation, though his chances of topping the list are fading. 5. Kylian Mbappé Kylian Mbappé was expected to dominate the 2025 Ballon d'Or race after his blockbuster move to Real Madrid, where he scored 40 goals and 5 assists in his debut season. A hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League was a highlight, but Real Madrid's trophyless domestic campaign and early Champions League exit hurt his prospects. His struggles in the Club World Cup, particularly against his former club PSG, further derailed his bid for the Golden Ball. While still a world-class talent, Mbappé's lack of team silverware this season has pushed him down the rankings. 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
News18
17-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
With Uncertain Future, Legacy Tournament Durand Cup Shows Indian Football Light
Lt. Gen. Mohit Malhotra, AVSM SM, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, and Chairman of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, though, assured calm. 'Let me assure you that all the measures that are required are in place in Manipur for a safe conduct of the tournament for everybody," he said at the trophy unveiling ceremony in Kolkata on Friday. Lt Gen Malhotra also took the opportunity to announce that the total cash prize money pool of the Durand Cup this year will increase three times to ₹3 Crore. 'I am delighted to announce that this year the tournament has significantly ramped up its prize structure, from under ₹1.2 Cr in the past to over ₹3 Cr now. In addition, three brand-new SUVs for the three individual award winners (like the Best Goalkeeper, Golden Boot and Golden Ball winners) will also be presented," he announced. Which Teams Are Participating In Durand Cup? Defending champions Northeast United, along with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, Jamshedpur FC, and Punjab FC, will participate – six of 13 Indian Super League sides. Lt. Gen. Malhotra also weighed in on the ongoing issues at the All India Football Federation (AIFF), stating, 'It's all in front of you." 'It won't be appropriate for us to comment on this, but what we are certain of is that both parties are committed to the development of Indian football, and we hope the matter will be resolved soon. 'As far as the Durand Cup is concerned, we have received tremendous support from FSDL and the AIFF over the years, and we remain thankful to them," he added. The Malaysian Armed Forces and Nepal's Tribhuvan Army are the invited foreign sides. Maj. Gen. Rajesh Arun Moghe added, 'We are also proud to provide a platform for four promising grassroots teams in 1-Ladakh FC, South United FC, Bodoland FC, and Rangdajied United FC." From the I-League, Namari FC, Real Kashmir FC, Diamond Harbour FC and Shillong Lajong FC. Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC of Assam, along with Manipur's TRAU and NEROCA, are representing I-League 2. The group stage has six groups of four teams each, with each group playing six matches. Six group winners and two best second-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for August 16th and 17th. The semifinals are set for August 19th and 20th, leading up to the final on Saturday, August 23rd. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the tournament in Kolkata.
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Donald Trump weighs in on soccer's age-old GOAT debate: 'This player was tremendous'
GOAT according to Trump Chelsea's Cole Palmer is congratulated by US President Donald Trump after being awarded the Golden Ball trophy during the award ceremony for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Champions. Photo: Franck Fife/AFP US President Donald Trump has weighed in on the age-old debate over who is the greatest soccer player of all time. Trump, who attended Chelsea's FIFA Club World Cup final win over European champions Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey on Sunday, snubbed both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are seen by modern football fans as the greatest to ever play the game. While names like Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the conversation in recent years, the likes of Pelé, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Eusébio, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, and Zinedine Zidane have also been mentioned. But, due to being part of the Boomer generation, His Orangeness opted for a player who graced the pitch in the 1950s and 1960s when asked who he thought was the greatest footballer of all time.
