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Messi wins record eighth Ballon d’Or

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FRANCK FIFE/ AFP

Argentina captain Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world on Monday, beating Norway’s UEFA player of the year and treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the prestigious prize.

Inter Miami’s Messi, who last won the award in 2021, played a pivotal role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years when they beat defending champions France in the final last year.

The 36-year-old is now three Ballons d’Or clear of rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the last of his five trophies in 2017. Messi has now finished among the top three a record 14 times in total, finishing runner-up on five occasions.

“I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had. Everything that I’ve achieved. The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing,” Messi said.

Earlier, Messi’s World Cup-winning team mate Emiliano Martinez won the Lev Yashin award for the world’s best goalkeeper.

Spain’s Women’s World Cup winner and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon d’Or.

Manchester City won the men’s Club of the Year award while FC Barcelona Femeni won the women’s award.

Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player, while club team mate Vinicius Jr. was awarded the Socrates Award for his humanitarian work off the pitch.

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Indian cricket icons headline Super60 USA Legends Tournament this August

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Some of India’s biggest cricketing names are set to bring their star power to the United States as the much-anticipated Super60 USA Legends Tournament gets underway this August. Fans can look forward to seeing Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Robin Uthappa in action once again, this time on American soil.

The tournament, which will run from August 5 to 16, is part of a growing movement to promote cricket in non-traditional markets, with the US emerging as a major focus. The T10 format, a fast-paced, dynamic, and spectator-friendly game, promises to offer fans thrilling, bite-sized cricket entertainment.

All three Indian stars bring rich international experience to the tournament:

  • Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina were key members of India’s historic 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squad.
  • Robin Uthappa played a crucial role in India’s victorious 2007 T20 World Cup campaign.

Speaking about his involvement, Harbhajan Singh said:

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Super60 USA Legends Tournament. It’s a unique and distinguished format that promises to bring a fresh perspective to the game. With the involvement of international legends, this tournament is a big step toward popularising cricket in this part of the world.”

Suresh Raina echoed the sentiment:

“I’m excited to be part of the Super60 USA Legends Tournament, which brings together world-class talent. Tournaments like this will play a vital role in growing the cricketing community in the US, and I’m proud to play a role in that journey.”

Robin Uthappa also praised the format and vision:

“The Super60 USA Legends Tournament is an excellent platform, both in terms of competition and innovation. Its unique format brings a fresh appeal to the game and has great potential to attract new fans. It’s exciting to be part of something that contributes meaningfully to cricket’s development in the US.”

The T10 format, known for its high-energy matches and shorter game duration, is helping cricket appeal to newer audiences. With games lasting around 90 minutes, the format delivers the thrill of Twenty20 cricket in a more compact version,  perfect for the entertainment-driven American sports market.

The tournament is being organised with the support of Samp Group, which continues to play a major role in expanding the reach of T10 cricket. The group aims to create the ideal platform for cricketing legends to connect with fans and inspire new players.

With legendary cricketers, a dynamic format, and a rapidly growing US cricket scene, the Super60 USA Legends Tournament promises to be a landmark moment in global cricket’s expansion story.

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Ajman hosts Asian Fitness and Bodybuilding Championship for the first time

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Ajman is flexing its sporting muscles this week as it hosts the 58th Asian Fitness and Bodybuilding Championship for the very first time. The prestigious event marks a major milestone in the emirate’s growing sports scene.

The event, which kicked off yesterday, will run until June 17 at the Emirates Hospitality Centre. The championship features top athletes from 23 Asian countries, turning Ajman into a regional hub for elite bodybuilding and fitness talent.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Dr Rafael Santonja, President of the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB), praised Ajman’s efforts to support bodybuilding and encourage youth participation, noting the professional-level planning and warm hospitality extended by the organisers.

“I’m confident that this edition of the Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship will set a new standard,” said Dr Santonja. 

As Ajman makes its debut on the Asian bodybuilding stage, the event not only brings together top-tier competitors but also gives fans a chance to watch these world-class athletes closer to home.

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FIFA Club World Cup: Bayern Munich humiliate Auckland City 10-0 in record-breaking opener

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The FIFA Club World Cup got off to a jaw-dropping start in the US, and not for the right reasons. Bayern Munich, Germany’s footballing powerhouse, demolished New Zealand’s part-time club Auckland City FC 10-0 on Sunday night at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, setting a new record for the biggest win in a senior men’s FIFA competition.

The German champions were 6-0 up before the halftime whistle even blew. Then came the second-half carnage: Jamal Musiala netted a hat-trick off the bench, and departing legend Thomas Müller wrapped up the scoring to push Bayern into double digits.

With this emphatic win, Bayern sit comfortably at the top of Group C. They’re now waiting to see who they’ll face next, either Benfica of Portugal or Argentina’s Boca Juniors.

A mismatch that raised eyebrows

This year’s expanded Club World Cup, now with 32 teams, was already stirring debate before the first ball was kicked. From concerns over player fatigue and ticket sales to questions about security and scheduling, the revamped format has been under a microscope.

But all that faded temporarily, until the second match day delivered a lopsided scoreline that felt more like a training ground drill than a global tournament fixture.

Auckland City are the only amateur side in the tournament. In contrast, Bayern Munich’s squad is valued at over $1 billion, with stars like Harry Kane and Joshua Kimmich leading the charge. Auckland’s entire trip to the U.S. reportedly cost more than their annual revenue.

Michael Olise, who also grabbed a hat-trick, was asked after the game whether he felt any pity for the opposition. He laughed and simply said, “No.”

Why it matters for UAE fans

The 10-0 drubbing is now officially the biggest defeat in a men’s FIFA tournament — eclipsing the previous record of 6-1 from the 2002 Club World Cup.

It also highlights the gulf between top-tier football and the teams brought in from less prominent leagues. For UAE-based fans, used to seeing competitive fixtures at the FIFA Club World Cup when it was hosted in Abu Dhabi, Sunday’s match may feel like a step backward.

So, was this what FIFA had in mind when expanding the tournament?

Whether it’s a one-off result or a sign of things to come, Sunday’s match has reignited concerns about fairness and competitiveness in the Club World Cup. For now, though, Bayern Munich have made their point, in record-breaking style.

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