Latest news with #Kanté
Saudi Gazette
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Kanté joins elite club of World Cup and Saudi league winners
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — French midfielder N'Golo Kanté played a pivotal role in Al Ittihad's title-winning Saudi Pro League campaign, helping the Jeddah club clinch their 14th league title and their second in three years. Kanté, a 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France, now joins a rare group of players to have won both the World Cup and the Saudi league title. His achievement draws comparisons to Brazilian legend Roberto Rivellino, who lifted the 1970 World Cup and later led Al Hilal to the Saudi league crown in 1979, followed by the King's Cup in 1980. Rivellino starred alongside local icons like Saleh Al-Nuaimi and Abdullah Foudeh. Kanté's impact has been immediate and profound since joining Al Ittihad on a free transfer in the summer of 2023. Signed on a three-year deal, he brought world-class pedigree to the midfield, returning even to France's national team last summer for the UEFA European Championship. Now in his second season with Al Ittihad, the 33-year-old is eyeing a domestic double. The club will face Al Qadsiah in the King's Cup final on May 30, giving Kanté the chance to add another title to his growing collection. The story of foreign World Cup winners in Saudi football includes another name: Brazilian striker Bebeto, who won the 1994 World Cup and had a brief stint with Al Ittihad in the 2002-2003 season. Bebeto scored once in five matches before his contract was terminated midseason. Ironically, Al Ittihad went on to win the league that year with a dramatic 3-2 win over Al Ahli. But unlike Bebeto's fleeting experience, Kanté has become a cornerstone of Ittihad's success — his consistency, leadership, and championship mindset proving invaluable in a historic campaign.
Express Tribune
15-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
French footballer N'Golo Kanté donates $5 million to build hospital in Mali
N'Golo Kanté is showing the world that his impact goes far beyond the football pitch. The beloved French international midfielder has funded a brand-new, state-of-the-art hospital in Mali, a $5 million project that reflects both his generosity and his deep-rooted connection to his family's homeland. Born in Paris to Malian parents, the 33-year-old footballer has always stayed close to his roots. In fact, Kanté was named after Mali's emperor, Ngolo Diarra, a sign of the pride his family takes in their heritage. Despite his rise to global football stardom from winning the Premier League with Leicester City and Chelsea, to lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy and the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, Kanté has remained humble and grounded. Now playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, Kanté reportedly earns around $25 million annually, according to Business Day. Yet, he's using that wealth not for excess, but to invest in change. The new hospital, located in Mali's capital, Bamako, is a continuation of his mission to uplift disadvantaged communities, particularly by improving healthcare for children. In previous interviews, Kanté has emphasized his desire to help families in need, and this project speaks directly to that commitment. It's also garnered wide praise across social media. One Facebook user commented under the announcement: 'Mali is so proud of you, N'golo Kante, as well as we Africans as a whole. Kudos to you, the true son of the soil, for your help.' Another added, 'He is good not only on the pitch but has got a golden heart. His genuine heart will make him remembered from generation to generation.' Known as a midfield maestro, Kanté's reputation as a tireless and selfless player is now matched by his off-the-field legacy. With this hospital initiative, he's shown that he's not just winning matches — he's winning hearts.
