Australia abandons 2034 World Cup bid in boost for Saudi Arabia
SYDNEY: Australia on Tuesday decided against bidding for the 2034 football World Cup, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as favorite to host the event.
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7,000 grapplers expected for 15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship
ABU DHABI: Some of the planet’s top grapplers will compete at the 15th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship from Nov. 1 to 10 at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.
Jokic posts 107th triple double as Nuggets stay perfect, Curry shines in Warriors win
LOS ANGELES: Nikola Jokic bagged the 107th triple double of his career as the Denver Nuggets extended their unbeaten start to the season with a 110-102 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday.
Arabian Knight early 3-1 favorite for $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic; Bob Baffert goes for 5th win
PASADENA, California: Arabian Knight is the early 3-1 favorite for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic this weekend at Santa Anita.
Mitrovic double helps book Al-Hilal a place in King’s Cup quarter-finals
RIYADH: Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ruben Neves eased Al-Hilal into the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup on Monday, providing the goals in a 3-0 home victory over Al-Hazm.
Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or for eighth time
PARIS: Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his career at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday. Messi, 36, succeeds Karim Benzema as winner of the prize, awarded for his performances last season, when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup in Qatar. It was his displays in the Gulf, when Messi dragged his country to a victory that crowned his remarkable career, that allowed Messi to see off stiff competition from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular. Haaland came second in the final voting, with Mbappe third and Kevin De Bruyne in fourth place. Former Barcelona superstar Messi scored seven times at the World Cup and was named the tournament’s best player after Argentina beat France on penalties in the final in Doha. Yet Messi, who won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, also had an underwhelming final season at Paris Saint-Germain, before leaving to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. His old PSG teammate Mbappe made his case with his remarkable performances at the World Cup, which he finished as the top scorer on eight goals after netting a hat-trick in the final for France. Norway striker Haaland scored an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side won the treble of English Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He and De Bruyne were among members of that City team who were nominated.
Euro round-up: Atalanta back in top four after win
Gianluca Scamacca hit a brace as Atalanta returned to the Serie A top four with a comfortable 3-0 win at Empoli.
Spain star Bonmati wins Ballon d'Or, McCabe ranked 22nd
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati has won the women's Ballon d'Or, France Football has announced.