Latest news with #ProLeague
Gulf Today
11 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Shabab Al Ahli dominate UAE Pro League 2024-25 season awards
The UAE Pro League celebrated the stars of the 2024-2025 season in a dazzling evening at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The event was attended by Abdulla Naser Al Jneibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League, members of the Board of Directors, representatives of sponsor institutions, clubs, and a distinguished group of sports and media figures. The ceremony began with a speech by Al Jneibi, who welcomed the distinguished guests to a night that has become a highly anticipated annual tradition and a driving force for creativity in Emirati football, supported by the country's leadership. The UAE Pro League Chairman stated, 'I welcome you today to the annual awards ceremony. We move forward with one goal, working together in the service and elevation of our nation, with our motto being continuous progress, always supported by the wise leadership that has made the sons of this nation a priority in its national strategy.' Al Jneibi revealed during the ceremony that the market value of UAE Pro League competitions is estimated at 2.6 billion dirhams, with a total of 44 million television views and 730 million views on the league's social media platforms, reflecting the great efforts made by the UAE Pro League. He also praised the support of the Pro League's strategic partners, the broadcast right holders, various media outlets, and the dedication of professional clubs and their loyal fans throughout the season. The ceremony, presented by media personalities Mohamed Al Houti and Nada Al Shaibani, featured captivating stage performances that dazzled the attendees with their artistry, as well as a musical segment celebrating the cultural diversity and spirit of coexistence in the UAE. A special tribute was paid to veteran media figure Mohamed Najeeb in recognition of his long-standing service to the nation and Emirati sports journalism. The League also honored its partners for their active role in supporting Emirati football. The honored partners included Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Emaar Properties, MUBADARAT, The President Initiatives, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Emirates Airline, MBME Group, Etihad Rail, Salem Al Shueibi Jewellery, Rasasi Perfumes, McDonald's UAE, TikTok, Volkswagen Al Nabooda Automobiles, AvaTrade, Rixos Hotels, Nike, Abu Dhabi Sports Channels, Dubai Sports, and Sharjah Sports. The winners of the 2024-2025 season awards were announced, covering three categories: statistics-based awards, fan-voted awards, and criteria-based awards. Joining Al Jneibi in the awards presentations were board members Hassan Taleb Al Marri, Tariq Ali Al Shabibi, Saeed Obaid Al Kaabi, and Mohamed Said Abu Zinjal Al Ali. Sardar Azmoum of Shabab Al Ahli won the Golden Ball award for Best Player, beating Mehdi Ghayedi of Kalba and Caio Lucas of Sharjah. Hamad Almeqbaali of Shabab Al Ahli claimed the Golden Glove award for Best Goalkeeper ahead of Ali Khaseif of Al Jazira and Adel Alhosani of Sharjah. Paulo Sousa of Shabab Al Ahli received the Leader award for Best Coach, surpassing Milos Milojevic of Al Wasl and Cosmin Olaroiu of Sharjah. Guilherme Da Silva of Shabab Al Ahli won the Golden Boy award for Best Player U23, ahead of Siaka Sidibe of Al Wasl and Brahima Diarra of Al Wahda. Nabil Fekir of Al Jazira secured the Best Goal award, beating Soufian Rahimi of Al Ain and Omar Khribin of Al Wahda. Mohamed Elneny of Al Jazira won the Fans' Player of the Year award ahead of Lucas Pimenta of Al Wahda and Fabio De Lima of Al Wasl. In the statistics-based awards, Laba Kodjo of Al Ain received the Golden Shoe as top scorer of the ADNOC Pro League with 20 goals. Ramon Mierez of Al Jazira won the Golden Shoe for top scorer of the ADIB Cup with 5 goals, while Mansoor Saeed Al Menhali of Al Wahda took the Silver Shoe as top scorer of the Pro League U23. Al Ain won the Fans League award, surpassing Al Jazira and Al Wasl, while Al Jazira claimed the Professional Excellence in Club Licensing award ahead of Al Ain and Al Wahda. Omar Al Obeidi won the Fantasy Manager of the Season award.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Fleetwood defender Hunt makes UAE move
Fleetwood Town defender Mackenzie Hunt has joined United Arab Emirates Pro League club FC Baniyas for an undisclosed 23-year-old's family moved to Dubai when he was a child and he has won seven international caps for the UAE, having made his debut against Qatar in spent time at Everton's academy, playing eight games in the EFL Trophy, before signing for Fleetwood last made 40 appearances last season and scored his only goal for the club in a 4-1 win at Accrington Stanley in April.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Football: Al-Nassr signs Martinez after he leaves Barcelona
10 Aug 2025 10:02 (REUTERS)Spain defender Inigo Martinez has joined Al-Nassr after leaving Spain's champions Barcelona, the Saudi Pro League club announced on is the second big signing for Al-Nassr Jorge Jesus side this summer, after the Saudi club signed the Portuguese forward Joao Felix from Chelsea."Al-Nassr club company officially signed a contract with the Spanish star Inigo Martinez as a free agent," the club said in a statement."Inigo's contract will be valid until 2026" Al-Nassr 34-year-old defender, who won the domestic treble with Barcelona last season, started his career at Real Sociedad before moving to Athletic Bilbao in who joined Barca in 2023, has earned 21 caps. Al-Nassr, after extending Cristiano Ronaldo's contract for two more seasons, is preparing to face Al-Ittihad in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup on 19 August.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘It's probably the closest we've got to them in a long time' – Ireland hockey coach finds silver linings in Netherlands defeat
The Loretto stopper replaced the injured Ayeisha McFerran as No.1 in Monchengladbach and the 25-year-old's superb performance saw Ireland produce one of their best displays against a team unbeaten at these Championships since 2015. 'Lizzy's a really talented goalkeeper,' said Gurndy. 'She's played second to Ayeisha for a while, but we always knew once she had to step up she was more than capable and she showed that today.' The Dutch opener came in the ninth minute from an incisive three-way interchange from their own 23m. Murphy had brilliantly blocked the final shot before Joosje Burg touched home the rebound. Ireland were on the backfoot for the majority of their opening pool encounter, but squandered the precious few chances presented to them. Ireland's first penalty corner came in the third quarter but Christina Hamill scuffed her shot. Minutes later, dangerous corner flicker Yibbi Jansen struck low past Murphy's right boot. Ireland's best chance came late in the third quarter on a counter move which saw Katie Mullan's shot cleared off the line. 'They've scored seven and 11 against other teams in the Pro League this year, so we knew it was going to be a tough defensive performance,' Grundie added. 'But we were disciplined and really switched on throughout. 'We had a plan to keep ourselves in the game as long as we could. At 1-0 down in the third quarter we had an opportunity but it's probably the closest we've got to them in a competition in a long time.' Ireland play France on Monday in a must-win game to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Darwin Nunez's new Al-Hilal wages compared to Erling Haaland's as one earns loads more
Darwin Nunez is on his way out of Liverpool after agreeing a lucrative deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, although Erling Haaland will still be earning much more at Manchester City Darwin Nunez will earn a king's ransom in Saudi Arabia - but his wages will still be dwarfed by the Premier League's top earner, Erling Haaland. Liverpool forward Nunez, 26, is on the verge of joining Al-Hilal for an initial £46million, with around £10m in potential add-ons. His departure will take the Reds' income from sales this summer to almost £200m with more likely to follow, as £40m-plus-rated midfielder Harvey Elliott is talking to RB Leipzig. It also opens up a space on the forward line, which has already been strengthened with the arrival of Hugo Ekitike as part of a near-£300m spend, and the No.9 shirt. Liverpool remained interested in Alexander Isak despite having a £110m bid rejected last week. It comes as the Sweden international has been told to train away from the main squad, having asked to explore a move away from Newcastle United In keeping with the money-laden Saudi Pro League, Nunez will collect a colossal salary of £20million a year. However, it still leaves him well short of Manchester City's Haaland, who tops the Premier League money list by some way with an annual salary of around £27.3m, his weekly earnings equating to around £525,000. The Norwegian goal machine, 25, penned a huge long-term contract earlier this year, keeping him at the Etihad until the summer of 2034, by which time he will be in his mid-30s. Next on the list is Nunez's soon-to-be-ex-Liverpool team-mate, Mohamed Salah on £20.3m followed by Manchester United 's Carlos Casimiro and another Liverpool player, Virgil van Dijk, both on £18.2m. Nunez has scored 40 goals in 143 appearances for the Reds but has often frustrated fans with his inconsistency. Following the signing of Ekitike and potential arrival of Isak, Nunez's first-team opportunities would have been increasingly limited had he stayed at Anfield. He follows Luis Diaz out of the club following his £65m move to Bayern Munich. The Colombian had been pushing for a move since club chiefs decided not to offer him a new contract and refused to enter negotiations. Liverpool reluctantly accepted his departure was inevitable and sold up. In a farewell post to Liverpool fans on Instagram, Diaz reflected that it would have been the 'perfect goodbye' had it not been for the tragic death of team-mate Diogo Jota in a car crash in Spain last month. He wrote: 'It's good to be leaving with the feeling of a duty fulfilled, and, most of all, to be leaving a champion. It would have been the perfect goodbye if we hadn't lost one of ours in such a tragic way. 'As I said, and I repeat, I carry everyone with me in my heart, but one of them in particular: Diogo. I will never forget him. We will never forget him. Thank you for everything. YNWA.'
