Indian Super League side FC Goa was drawn along with superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2.
The French and English sides, two of European football's most powerful and richest clubs, will compete for the honour of being the first champions of FIFA's expanded competition, created with the promise of revolutionising club football and as a glittering curtain-raiser for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored, but Al Nassr lost what could be his last-ever game for the club by 3-2 to Al Fateh on Monday in the Saudi Pro League. Following the match, the football icon hinted at an exit from the Saudi club, which he joined from Manchester United in 2023.
23-year-old Brazilian forward, signed from Brighton & Hove Albion for 60 million pounds ($81.5 million) last week, stars in victory over boyhood club Fluminense
Houssem Aouar scored a last-minute goal to help Al-Ittihad complete a comeback and secure a 3-2 win over Al-Nassr on Wednesday, taking them a step closer to clinching the Saudi Pro League title.
It will take FC Goa nothing short of a miracle to pull off a win against the Omanis, and a victory will be a the perfect Independence Day present for Indian football fans.
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano said on Thursday it was "impossible" to even consider bringing Neymar to the club
Xabi Alonso has signed a three-year contract until June 2028 and the 43-year-old replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who took charge of his last game on Saturday.
Saudi club Al-Hilal have furiously demanded a formal probe into the appointment of the referees for the Asian Champions League final, which they lost 1-0 on aggregate to Australia's Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend.
Manchester City's spending of more than 180 million pounds ($223.58 million) was the second-biggest outlay ever worldwide by a club in the January transfer window.
Al-Nassr's Ronaldo red-carded as Al-Hilal win Saudi Super Cup semi-final
In a disappointing turn of events for Cristiano Ronaldo during the Riyadh Season Cup final against Al-Hilal, the Portuguese superstar found himself at the centre of controversy.
Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli beat Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to win the Asian Champions League Elite title for the first time at a raucous King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday.
'RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family and friends during this incredibly sad time,' former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard posted.
Cristiano Ronaldo apologised after Al-Nassr's game with Al-Wehda was delayed due to traffic before the forward scored and won a penalty in a 2-0 victory in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday.
Neymar was introduced in the 64th minute for fellow Brazilian Michael and set up Malcom to score Al-Hilal's fourth in the 83rd minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo's nightmarish spell at Al-Nassr continued as the Portuguese superstar missed a crucial stoppage-time penalty, sending his side crashing out of the King's Cup on Tuesday night.
Brazil, who are fifth in the CONMEBOL table with 18 points from 12 games, host Colombia on March 21 and visit Argentina five days later in a match that could see Neymar come up against former Barcelona and Paris St Germain teammate Lionel Messi.
Brazil have sacked head coach Dorival Jr, the country's football confederation (CBF) said on Friday, after the five-times World champions were thrashed 4-1 away to fierce rivals Argentina in a humiliating qualifying loss in Buenos Aires.
Cristiano Ronaldo faced a flurry of criticism after appearing to make an obscene gesture following the end of Al Nassr's 3-2 win over Al Shabab in an exciting Saudi Pro League game on Sunday.
Al-Nassr last week cancelled their two-game China tour due to the absence of the 38-year-old Ronaldo.
Ivan Toney came off the bench to score twice and earn Al-Ahli a 2-1 win over Al-Ain on Monday that moves the Saudi side into the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League Elite and leaves the defending champions in danger of missing out on the last 16.
Mumbai City made their debut in the competition last year but were eliminated in the group phase, twice losing heavily to Saudi side Al-Shabab.
Brazil forward Neymar will be sidelined for several months as he requires surgery after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee.
Premier League champions Manchester City were drawn on Thursday with Juventus, Wydad AC and Al Ain in Group G for next year's FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Tracking the key moves this week in the European transfer market
Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one match after appearing to make an obscene gesture following Al Nassr's 3-2 win over Al Shabab, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) said on Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo guided nine-man Al-Nassr to their first ever Arab Club Champions Cup title after scoring twice in a 2-1 extra-time win.
Conflict forces Palestinian team Jabal Al Mukaber to withdraw from AFC Cup
Nine players from the Premier League have been called up including Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota. Goncalo Inacio is the only Sporting player in the squad.
Neymar joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in August but the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward played only five games as he struggled with muscle injuries.
Miami are set to take on Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on January 29 before facing Al-Nassr at the same venue on February 1.
Al-Nassr are one of 40 clubs from 20 leagues across the confederation drawn in 10 groups to face one another from Monday, with only the winners guaranteed to advance to the knockout rounds in the quest for the top prize of US$4 million.
Al-Nassr overturned a 1-0 first leg deficit to win 4-3 on Monday but with the contest ending 4-4 on aggregate, the players headed into a shootout from which Al-Ain prevailed.
Cristiano Ronaldo will serve his suspension before making his league debut for his new Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr but he could play against Paris St Germain in a friendly this month.
Messi played a key role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years when they beat defending champions France in the final in December last year.
'An evening in Riyadh... what an evening... Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mbappe, Neymar all playing together... and yours truly invited guest to inaugurate the game .. PSG vs Riyadh Seasons... Incredible!!!'
Ronaldo said the quality of the Saudi competition had improved even in his short time in it.
Lionel Messi intends to join Major Soccer League side Inter Miami as a free agent, the Argentina forward said on Wednesday.
Benzema was Al-Ittihad's first signing since winning the league title for the first time since 2009 with compatriot Kante expected to join him
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