Latest news with #KylianMbappé
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Real Madrid signs young left back Álvaro Carreras from Benfica on a 6-year deal
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid reached a deal to sign Álvaro Carreras from Benfica on Monday, bringing back the young left back who came through the Spanish club's youth squads. Madrid said the 22-year-old Carreras is arriving on a six-year contract. Financial details of the transfer were not immediately released. Carreras played in Madrid's youth academy from 2017-20. The Spaniard joined Benfica from Manchester United after being named the English club's best under-23 player of the 2021-22 season. He won this year's Portuguese League Cup with Benfica. Carreras will be officially introduced by Madrid on Tuesday. Madrid was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals of the Club World Cup. Madrid had a disappointing season by its standards, finishing runner-up to rival Barcelona in La Liga and being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Champions League despite having signed France star Kylian Mbappé last summer. ___ AP soccer:
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Insider
I went on board Qatar Airways' Boeing 777 that took Europe's best soccer team to the US in the 'world's best business class'
I might never have achieved my childhood dream of becoming a world-class soccer player, but at June's Paris Air Show, I had the chance to see how some of them travel. Qatar Airways exhibited a Boeing 777-300ER dressed in a unique blue livery, decorated with the logos of the Champions League and Paris Saint-Germain. The airline sponsors the French soccer team, which is also owned by the Qatari sovereign wealth fund. This particular plane was used to transport them to the US for this year's FIFA Club World Cup. PSG play in Sunday's final against Chelsea. While the interior was the same as a typical Qatar Airways 777, it was certainly an added highlight knowing that some of the world's best athletes had been flying on the same jet just a few days earlier. Regardless, it's also safe to say that the interior is best-in-class. The day before my tour, Skytrax named Qatar Airways the world's best airline. From the cockpit to the award-winning QSuite business class, here's what it was like on board the jumbo jet. Qatar Airways' Boeing 777 attracted a lot of attention at the Paris Air Show. Unlike most of the other planes on display at the Paris Air Show, anybody could line up to see on board without an appointment. However, only some of us were allowed to sit inside the cockpit. Just the week before, the plane took PSG to Los Angeles for the FIFA Club World Cup. In May, PSG won the Champions League, the highest honor in European club soccer, for the first time. They then also made it through to Sunday's FIFA Club World Cup final after beating Real Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday. Qatar's vast wealth has allowed PSG to buy the two most expensive players ever. Neymar moved from Barcelona for 222 million euros in 2017, and Kylian Mbappé joined from Monaco a year later for 180 million euros, although both players have since moved on. It was an imposing aircraft to walk around. The Boeing 777-300ER is over 240 feet long and has a wingspan of 212 feet 7 inches. Qatar Airways' layout can accommodate 354 passengers, with a maximum range of nearly 8,500 miles. That's enough to go nonstop from New York to Thailand. I boarded the plane in the business-class section, checking out the QSuites. It's won many plaudits thanks to the quad layout in the center of the cabin. The TVs can slide to the side, opening up the divider with two rear-facing seats. Privacy dividers also go all the way down, which can make passengers feel like they're sleeping in a double bed, a comfort usually reserved for only the very most expensive airplane seats. With all the dividers down, the quad seemed like its own enormous, unique suite. I took a moment to sit down and was impressed by the atmosphere it created, making the Quad a clear selling point for families compared to competitors' offerings. Even traveling solo, QSuites are a cut above much of the competition. The spacious suites and privacy doors make for a luxurious experience. The 10-abreast economy cabin looked pretty comfortable, too. Some rows offer huge amounts of legroom. The first two center rows are only three seats wide. This means seats 19D, 25D, and 37D can offer plenty of legroom — perhaps the best choice for economy travelers. The plane has just two classes, as Qatar Airways doesn't have premium economy, while first-class is uncommon. Rival Emirates was relatively late to the premium economy game, only introducing it in 2021, while Qatar Airways doesn't have any plans for it. Meanwhile, it maintains that its QSuites are better than some other carriers' first-class cabins. Some of its older planes, like the Airbus A380, don't have QSuites, but instead have a more traditional business and first-class setup. At the end of my tour, I also got the chance to check out the flight deck. It was a fun moment to take a breather and chat to the pilots. I was impressed with how friendly they were, pointing out the various bells and whistles of the intimidatingly large flight deck. One button, at the top left, controls the WiFi, provided by Elon Musk's Starlink. Qatar Airways announced Thursday that it has completed rolling out Starlink WiFi on 54 of its Boeing 777 jets, with its Airbus A350s up next. Business Insider previously tried it out on the airline's Starlink launch flight last October and found speeds of up to 215 Mbps — faster than most home internet connections.
Egypt Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Egypt Independent
Ahly's Emam Ashour makes IFFHS list of Men's World Best Goal Scorers for 2025
Al-Ahly's first-team star Emam Ashour appeared on Saturday evening, alongside several other international stars, on the list of the The International Federation of Football History and Statistics Men's (IFFHS) World Best Goal Scorer 2025. The IFFHS published the list of Men's World Best Goal Scorer 2025 up until June 30. French star Kylian Mbappé, striker for Real Madrid, topped the list with 31 goals. Nigerian player Victor Osimhen, striker for Galatasaray, came in second place with 28 goals. He was followed by Swedish striker Victor Gjokeres, who plays for Sporting Lisbon, Portugal, with 27 goals, followed by Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé with 26 goals, and then England's Harry Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, Germany, with 25 goals. Iraqi star Mohannad Ali, who plays for Al-Shorta, Iraq, came in eleventh place with 22 goals, while Salem Al-Dawsari, the winger for Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia, came in thirteenth place with 21 goals. Moroccan Youssef En-Nesyri, a Fenerbahçe player, came in 14th place with 21 goals, followed by Algerian Aymen Mahious (CR Belouizdad) with 20 goals. Playmaker Emam Ashour came in 34th place with 17 goals, ahead of Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah and Argentine veteran Lionel Messi. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Millions may rule football, but strategy still wins
Money talks in modern football - that's no secret. Clubs like Chelsea and PSG sit firmly at the top of the financial food chain, but as the last few years have proven, throwing cash at a problem doesn't always bring silverware. Despite their deep pockets, both clubs have had to go back to the drawing board in recent seasons. Now, with both sides set to clash in the Club World Cup final, there's a sense that their rebuilds are finally bearing fruit. Advertisement PSG: the relentless chase for European glory Back in 2011, PSG underwent a seismic shift when Nasser Al-Khelaïfi took over as president, backed by the might of Qatar Sports Investments. At that point, the Parisian club had 12 Ligue 1 titles to its name - fast-forward to today and they've added another 13, plus a string of domestic cups. Still, their obsession with conquering Europe remained unfulfilled. In pursuit of the elusive Champions League trophy, PSG splashed out in spectacular fashion. Neymar arrived from Barcelona in 2017 for a record-breaking €222 million, and a year later, they secured Kylian Mbappé from Monaco for €180 million. Other big-money signings followed: Hakimi, Di María, Gonçalo Ramos, and Randal Kolo Muani - all brought in to build a team capable of ruling the continent. But year after year, PSG came up short. Advertisement Their closest call came during the Covid-affected 2019/20 season, where they reached the final but lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich, thanks to a Kingsley Coman goal - a former PSG player, just to twist the knife. Enter Luis Enrique: A new era Change finally came in 2023, when Luis Enrique took over from Christophe Galtier. The Spanish coach was tasked with bringing a more balanced, cohesive approach to a club long defined by individual stars. Even after Kylian Mbappé's high-profile exit to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, PSG didn't crumble. Instead, they regrouped. New faces like João Neves, Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué were brought in to fit the team-first philosophy. Advertisement After a rocky group stage in the Champions League, PSG roared through the knockout rounds - brushing aside Brest, surviving a dramatic penalty shootout against Liverpool, and powering past Aston Villa and Arsenal to book a spot in the final. In that final, played at the Allianz Arena, they dominated Inter Milan from the first whistle. Goals from Hakimi, Doué (twice), Kvaratskhelia, and Mayulu secured a 5-0 thrashing and PSG's long-awaited European crown. The quadruple was theirs and they weren't finished yet. Chelsea: The Boehly revolution Over in West London, Chelsea were undergoing their own upheaval. Roman Abramovich's reign ended abruptly in 2022 amid sanctions linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In stepped Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, taking over a club already in flux. Advertisement What followed was a radical reset. Around 20 players were offloaded, while the club spent over €280 million on fresh, young talent - including Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka. But the plan to inject youth and potential didn't deliver instant results. Neither Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, nor Frank Lampard managed to steady the ship. Chelsea slumped to a 12th-place finish in the Premier League in 2022/23 - their worst in years - and crashed out early in other competitions. Maresca's new Blueprint: structure and simplicity The tide began to turn in June 2024, when Enzo Maresca was appointed as head coach, replacing Mauricio Pochettino. Fresh from his success with Leicester, Maresca introduced clarity and structure - trimming the squad and focusing on a more balanced approach. Advertisement Slowly but surely, things began to click. Big-money signings like Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, who had struggled to impress, started showing their true worth. But the real breakout star was Cole Palmer. Signed from Manchester City, the young attacker lit up the 2024/25 campaign with 25 goals and 15 assists - instantly becoming a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea finished the Premier League season in 5th place with 69 points, marking a major step forward. But the real highlight came in Europe. Conference League glory: a new start Chelsea's European journey saw them reach the final of the UEFA Conference League, dispatching FC Copenhagen, Legia Warsaw, and Djurgarden along the way. Advertisement In the final against Real Betis, the Blues went behind early to a goal from Abde Ezzalzouli, but they responded brilliantly. Goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moisés Caicedo turned the game on its head, and Chelsea lifted the trophy in Poland. It was a much-needed piece of silverware, signalling a shift in mindset: fewer impulsive signings, more focus on building a team and not just a squad of expensive individuals. Club World Cup Final: another title within reach With European glory now under their belts, both PSG and Chelsea turn their attention to the Club World Cup. The final will be played at MetLife Stadium this Sunday - a fitting stage for two teams who've redefined themselves over the past year. Advertisement PSG topped their group with ease, brushing past Inter Miami, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid in the knockout rounds. Chelsea, meanwhile, recovered from a group-stage slip-up against Flamengo and went on to beat Benfica, Palmeiras, and Fluminense in convincing fashion. Whatever the result in New York, both clubs have proven a vital point this season: success isn't just about spending big - it's about smart planning, a clear identity, and trusting in the project. The final awaits. One more chapter to write.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
PSG vs Real Madrid Live Stream – A Guide About Paris Saint-Germain's Next Club World Cup Match
Paris Saint-Germain takes on Real Madrid with a place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup up for grabs. There's one more semi-final match of the FIFA Club World Cup yet to be played, and it features two of Europe's biggest clubs, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Advertisement PSG defeated FC Bayern Munich 2-0 in the quarter-final to reach this stage. Real Madrid overcame a late rally from Borussia Dortmund to escape with a 3-2 victory, setting up the first matchup between Kylian Mbappé and his former club. Watch PSG vs Real Madrid for FREE with DAZN on any device! The last time PSG and Real Madrid faced off, Mbappé suited up for Les Parisiens. It was a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match, which Real Madrid won 3-1 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, advancing to the quarter-finals. The teams look a lot different now, and it's PSG who are the reigning Champions League winners. How to Watch PSG vs Real Madrid Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Advertisement Football fans around the world will want to watch PSG vs. Real Madrid from MetLife Stadium on Wednesday, July 9. The match kicks off at 3 P.M. Eastern Time and will feature a number of superstars, including Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, and Désiré Doué. It's also an exciting coaching matchup between Xabi Alonso for Real Madrid and Luis Enrique for PSG. For those who can't be in New Jersey for the match, DAZN is the best watch to watch the action. You can also tune in early and stay after the game for all the insights and analysis. See if Mbappé scores against his former club, if Dembélé can boost his Ballon d'Or chances, and if PSG can head to another final. Once you're streaming with DAZN, you can not only watch PSG vs. Real Madrid, but also other great content, including the Club World Cup final. PSG's Starting Lineup Against Real Madrid Luis Enrique will likely field a strong lineup against Real Madrid, knowing what's at stake. Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal, and Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will fill in at full-back. Marquinhos will start at center-back alongside Lucas Beraldo, who will fill in for the suspended Willian Pacho. Advertisement In the midfield, João Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz will get the start, and up front will be Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Doué, and Dembélé. The key to the match will be maintaining possession and preventing Real Madrid from using their speed to hit on the counter. If PSG can frustrate Mbappé and Vinicius Junior, they should win the match and reach the final, where they will play Chelsea FC.
