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Tag: Saudi Arabia National Soccer Team

  • Can Ronaldo keep the eyes of the world on him in Saudi?

    Can Ronaldo keep the eyes of the world on him in Saudi?

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    RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest coach spoke of his surprise as he looked out at a room filled with reporters on Tuesday.

    “Normally after the game there is three or four journalists. Today, I don’t know why…” Al Nassr head coach Rudi Garcia said at a news conference to present the Saudi Arabian club’s superstar signing.

    He was joking and it prompted laughter from the room.

    “It’s a new era!” said host and newsreader Weam Al Dakheel, who posed all of the questions to Ronaldo, Garcia and Al Nassr president Musalli Almuammar, despite around 100 journalists being present.

    Ronaldo’s arrival on a two-and-a-half-year contract, reportedly earning him up to $200 million-a-year, is expected to heap unprecedented attention on Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League.

    However, at his first news conference, no questions were permitted from the floor – and the only prompted interaction from those present was to applaud on cue.

    There were also shouts of “I love you Ronaldo” and mimics of his trademark “Siuuu” celebration.

    This was a very stage-managed introduction with a team of public relations officers ensuring it went off without a glitch.

    Not that they could prevent his slip of the tongue when he mistakenly declared: “For me it is not the end of my career to come to South Africa.”

    It will be fascinating to see if Ronaldo’s fame will see interest in Saudi soccer sustain beyond his first weeks in the country.

    He has 528 million followers on Instagram, which is more than any other individual in the world.

    And that has already had an effect on Al Nassr’s account, which has risen from 1.2 million followers to 8.9 million since announcing his signing last week. That number is likely to grow even higher.

    Almuammar is convinced the deal will be worthwhile.

    “So many people spoke about financing and funding. Once we have this greatest star as Ronaldo in Al Nassr we don’t need such finance and such funding,” he said. “We have so many sponsors who will work with us closely in the upcoming years and they are sponsors of this great agreement and we will have more revenues and proceeds commercially and economically and this is important for the Saudi league and Saudi football clubs.”

    Almuammar would not confirm the value of Ronaldo’s contract, but, tellingly, added that “it is normal he will be the highest in terms of cost or salary.”

    One of the most surprising moves in soccer history has raised questions about Ronaldo’s motives as well as those of Saudi Arabia, amid accusations of so-called “ sportswashing ” to improve its reputation globally.

    Saudi’s Public Investment Fund led the takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United in 2021 and on Tuesday the club’s manager Eddie Howe said there was “no truth” in reports it had an option to sign Ronaldo on loan if it qualified for the Champions League next season.

    There is also speculation Saudi Arabia could bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

    Now the signing of a player widely considered to be one of the greatest of all time is another significant step to increase the country’s influence on soccer.

    Ronaldo said he was driven by the challenge of a new league, but also changing the impression of Saudi soccer around the world.

    “I know the league is very competitive. People don’t know that, but I know because I saw many games,” he said.

    It is, however, a significant step down for a man who has won five Champions Leagues and five Ballon d’Or awards for the best player in the world.

    He will hope to add to his trophy count with Al Nassr currently top of the league.

    Ronaldo’s 701 club goals should also be boosted greatly during his time in Saudi, even if he has struggled for form so far this season.

    For the thousands that turned up at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium on Tuesday, they just wanted to get a first sight of their hero.

    Even on a rainy and chilly night in Riyadh the roads around the stadium were backed up with traffic. Supporters queued at gates, waiting patiently to make their way inside as if this was a match day.

    Ronaldo, meanwhile, was greeted as if turning up for a movie premier, stepping out of a white Range Rover with blacked out windows while cameras flashed all around.

    His image was projected on the outside of the stadium, while strobe lights added to the effect.

    Wearing a grey three-piece suit and a blue tie, he strode confidently into the news conference to applause before taking his seat.

    “I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life. In Europe my work is done. I won everything and played for the most important clubs in Europe. This is a new challenge,” he said.

    Later he changed into the yellow and blue kit of his new club and met his teammates before stepping out onto the field to chants of his name, fireworks and smoke machines.

    A player who has lived in the spotlight for the majority of his career was center stage with the eyes of the world on him again.

    How long that will last, remains to be seen.

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    More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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    James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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  • Messi, Argentina try to avoid World Cup upset vs. Australia

    Messi, Argentina try to avoid World Cup upset vs. Australia

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    DOHA, Qatar — Australia’s players speak in glowing, almost reverential terms about Lionel Messi.

    “He just does things that, you know, no one else can do,” forward Mathew Leckie said.

    Milos Degenek went even further. “Probably,” the Socceroos defender said, “the best footballer ever to grace the game.”

    Imagine, then, how they’ll be feeling on Saturday when they share the same field as Messi and his Argentina team in the last 16 of the World Cup.

    These are pinch-yourself times for a group of unheralded players who were expected to be on their way home by this stage of the tournament. Yet here they are in Doha, looking to cause the latest upset in a World Cup that has been full of them — right from the moment Saudi Arabia shocked Argentina in perhaps the most unlikely win in the tournament’s 92-year history.

    That set the tone for the past two weeks, during which Japan has beaten both Germany and Spain, Morocco has defeated Belgium, Tunisia has beaten France and, let’s not forget, Australia has stunned Denmark.

    The Australians want to add to that list.

    “No one expects us to win,” Leckie said. “So let’s shock the world.”

    Don’t expect any complacency among the Argentina squad, though. Not after what transpired against Saudi Arabia during the group stage.

    “We know, at the moment, everything is very difficult,” said Messi, who is bidding to win the World Cup in his fifth and likely last attempt. “All the opponents are complicated. We know it as well as anyone.”

    There is a growing feeling, though, that Argentina might have come through the worst of the storm. It is only a week ago that Argentine soccer was going through a period of introspection, digesting one of its most embarrassing results ever.

    Then, after an hour of its second group match against Mexico, the Albiceleste were being held 0-0 to raise the genuine prospect of a group-stage exit with a game to spare.

    Now, Argentina has qualified as the winner of its group and is facing the world’s 38th-ranked nation, which is playing at this stage of the World Cup for only the second time, after 2006. Netherlands or the United States will be the opponent in the quarterfinals.

    None of Argentina’s players will dare get ahead of themselves but it’s undeniable that the draw has opened up for them.

    “We went back to being what we were for a long time,” Messi said after Argentina’s 2-0 win over Poland that secured a place in the last 16, “and how we were looking to be at the beginning of the World Cup, which for different reasons we could not manage.

    “It gives confidence for what is coming.”

    Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni looks to have finally found a winning formula in Qatar. The center of midfield now appears to be set, with Alexis Mac Allister and 21-year-old Enzo Fernandez having forced their way into the starting team alongside Rodrigo De Paul.

    Up front, Julian Alvarez has dislodged Lautaro Martinez and should keep his place against Australia, fresh from finishing off a 27-pass sequence for an exquisite second goal against Poland.

    The only place that looks up for grabs is at center back, with Lisandro Martinez having dropped out against Poland perhaps so Argentina had a taller player to deal with the aerial threat of Robert Lewandowski.

    Given only one player in Australia’s 26-man group plays in Europe’s top five leagues, it appears to be a mismatch at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. For spells of its win over Poland, Argentina played like a team that arrived in Qatar riding a 36-match unbeaten record and as one of the tournament favorites.

    And then there’s the Messi factor, a subplot which is hanging over the World Cup as he looks to win the only major title to elude him in his career.

    “I think they’re obviously driven by the motivation that it could be Messi’s last World Cup,” Degenek said, “and he wants to win the World Cup and end it on a high.

    “For us, it’s about stopping that. Unfortunately, I’m a big fan of his, but I’d love to win the World Cup probably more than him.”

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    Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Saudi Arabia exits World Cup with newfound confidence

    Saudi Arabia exits World Cup with newfound confidence

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    LUSAIL, Qatar — From a generational-defining win over Lionel Messi and Argentina to the recent reports that Cristiano Ronaldo could soon be on his way to play soccer in the kingdom, Saudi Arabia has caused a sensation at the World Cup.

    The Green Falcons have nothing to be ashamed about after being eliminated following a 2-1 loss to Mexico on Wednesday.

    The second-lowest ranked team in the tournament at No. 51 — one spot behind host Qatar — and ahead of only 61st-ranked Ghana, Saudi Arabia was competitive from start to finish at the first World Cup in the Middle East.

    “We did our best. Today it was more difficult for us,” said Hervé Renard, Saudi Arabia’s French coach. “But we don’t have to forget what we did together.”

    The Saudis opened with a surprising 2-1 victory over Argentina and also played solidly in a 2-0 loss to Poland before conceding two second-half goals to Mexico to finish last in Group C.

    Salem Al-Dawsari, the team’s star No. 10, pulled a goal back in added time, before the Saudi players bent over on the field at the final whistle in prayer and then stood up to applaud their fans.

    Strong goalkeeping from Mohammed Al-Owais prevented Mexico from scoring another goal — which could have sent the South Americans through to the round of 16. Instead, it was Argentina and Poland who advanced in the most wide-open group of the tournament.

    With Renard motivating the team in his emblematic white shirt on the sidelines, Saudi Arabia proved tough to beat with a team featuring all 26 players based at home.

    The fact that none of the Saudis play abroad may have been a surprise factor but the reality is that the country’s best players don’t need to go to Europe for rich contracts when they are paid handsomely in the lucrative Saudi league.

    A high-paying contract is exactly what could lure Ronaldo to join six members of the Saudi national team at Al Nassr, one of the country’s leading clubs.

    The reports linking Ronaldo with Al Nassr come after the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had his contract terminated by Manchester United.

    Saudi-controlled Newcastle is also reportedly in the market for Ronaldo.

    But whether Ronaldo goes to a Saudi or Saudi-owned club or not, the country’s national team leaves Qatar with plenty of newfound confidence.

    The performance could also help promote a possible joint bid by Saudi Arabia with Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 World Cup.

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    Andrew Dampf is at https://twitter.com/AndrewDampf

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • World Cup stunner: Saudi Arabia beats Messi’s Argentina 2-1

    World Cup stunner: Saudi Arabia beats Messi’s Argentina 2-1

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    LUSAIL, Qatar — Lionel Messi stood with his hands on his hips near the center circle, looking stone-faced as Saudi Arabia’s jubilant players ran in all directions around him after pulling off one of the biggest World Cup upsets ever against Argentina.

    The South American champions and one of the tournament favorites slumped to a 2-1 loss Tuesday against the second lowest-ranked team at the World Cup in a deflating start to Messi’s quest to win the one major title that has eluded him.

    Asked how he felt after a painful start to his record fifth World Cup for Argentina, Messi said: “The truth? Dead. It’s a very hard blow because we did not expect to start in this way.”

    Saudi Arabia’s comeback joins the list of other major World Cup upsets: Cameroon’s 1-0 win over an Argentina team led by Diego Maradona in the opening game of the 1990 World Cup; Senegal’s 1-0 victory over defending champion France 1-0 in the 2002 tournament opener; or the United States beating England by the same score in 1950.

    “We know the World Cup is this way,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “Sometimes you can steamroll the opponents and, in a couple of plays, you are losing.”

    That summed up the pattern of a match that started with Messi giving Argentina the lead, calmly converting a penalty in the 10th minute for his 92nd international goal. It had all the makings of a routine win for the defending Copa America champions, who were on a 36-match unbeaten run — one short of the record in international soccer.

    Didn’t turn out that way.

    Goals by Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawsari in a five-minute span early in the second half gave the Saudis a landmark result in the first World Cup staged in the Middle East. Their previous biggest win was 1-0 over Belgium at the 1994 World Cup, secured by a storied individual goal by Saeed Al-Owairan.

    “All the stars aligned for us,” Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said. “We made history for Saudi football.”

    The 35-year-old Messi, playing in his fifth — and likely his final — World Cup for Argentina, scratched the side of his head and shook hands with a Saudi coaching staff member after the final whistle.

    He walked toward the tunnel with a group of other Argentina players and looked despondent, an all-too-familiar scene for the seven-time world player of the year who has yet to win soccer’s ultimate prize.

    “We are facing two finals now,” said Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez, looking ahead of remaining group matches against Mexico and Poland. “We screwed it up in the second half.”

    The unlikely victory by a team made up entirely of Saudi-based players was sealed by a somersault by Aldawsari, who brought down a high ball just inside the penalty area, spun his way past Nahuel Molina with the help of a ricochet, dribbled past Leandro Paredes and drove a powerful shot to the far corner in the 53rd.

    A stunned Messi watched as Saudi Arabia’s green-clad fans, who had come over the Qatari border in their thousands, celebrated in disbelief in the stands. Saudi Arabia’s substitutes swarmed onto the field to congratulate Aldawsari, who sank to his knees after his post-goal acrobatics.

    “It’s one for the history books,” Renard said.

    Such was Argentina’s initial dominance that Saudi Arabia didn’t have a shot on goal in the first half, during which the Alibiceleste had three goals ruled out for offside as they repeatedly got behind the Saudis’ high defensive line.

    “Some of those decisions were by inches,” Scaloni said, “but that’s technology for you.”

    The 48th-minute equalizer came from Saudi Arabia’s first attempt on target, with Alshehri finding the far corner with an angled finish that went through the legs of defender Cristian Romero and beyond the dive of goalkeeper Emi Martinez.

    Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais made two diving saves during 14 minutes of stoppage time to preserve a win that shakes up the group.

    “This group always stood out for its evenness, its strength, and it is time to be more united than ever,” Messi said. “We have to go back to our training base and try to win the next game.”

    TURNAROUND

    Argentina hadn’t previously lost a World Cup game when leading at halftime since 1930, when the team conceded three goals in the second half to lose to Uruguay 4-2.

    LAST-16 HOPES

    Saudi Arabia strengthened its chances of reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 1994. “There will just be 20 minutes of celebration for us,” Renard said. “We still have two games — or more.”

    UP NEXT

    Argentina returns to the Lusail Stadium to play Mexico on Saturday. Saudi Arabia takes on Poland on the same day.

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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    Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

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  • Messi scores as Argentina routs UAE 5-0 in World Cup warmup

    Messi scores as Argentina routs UAE 5-0 in World Cup warmup

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    ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Lionel Messi played the entire game in Argentina’s final World Cup warmup and scored in a 5-0 rout of the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday as the pre-tournament favorites stretched their unbeaten run to 36 games.

    Messi scored his team’s fourth goal right before the break, having also set up Julián Álvarez to open the scoring in the 17th minute. Angel di Maria scored twice in between.

    Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made four changes at halftime but opted against resting his star player, leaving Messi on for the full 90 minutes.

    Inter Milan forward Joaquín Correa scored the visitors’ fifth goal on the hour mark.

    Argentina starts its World Cup tournament against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 22. It also faces Mexico and Poland in Group C.

    “We’re confident,” midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said. “But for many it will their first World Cup so the first game will be very important.”

    Earlier, Andrej Kramarić’s late goal was enough for Croatia to beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Riyadh.

    Croatia star Luka Modrić played only the last 25 minutes, enough to set up Kramarić for the winner in the 82nd. Kramarić still had to elude five Saudi defenders before scoring his 20th international goal inside the far post.

    Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić began with an unfamiliar lineup and gradually brought on his established players. Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovačić, Hoffenheim forward Kramarić, Tottenham midfielder Ivan Perišić and Real Madrid’s Modrić all came on in the second half.

    Saudi Arabia’s French coach Hervé Renard also made numerous second-half changes. His team has a tough task in Group C against Argentina, Mexico and Poland.

    Croatia is in Group F along with Belgium, Canada and Morocco.

    Germany was playing in Oman later, while Poland faced Chile for its last World Cup warmup. Mexico and Sweden were to play in Girona, Spain after that.

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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