Barcelona Manager Xavi ‘Very Happy’ with Rejuvenated Dembele

Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the second half of a preseason friendly against Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the second half of a preseason friendly against Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Barcelona Manager Xavi ‘Very Happy’ with Rejuvenated Dembele

Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the second half of a preseason friendly against Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the second half of a preseason friendly against Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said forward Ousmane Dembele is a player reborn after the France international scored twice in the LaLiga club's 2-2 pre-season draw with Serie A side Juventus on Tuesday at the Cotton Bowl stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Dembele opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a fine solo effort, dribbling past Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro before drilling a fierce shot past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, but his goal was cancelled out by Moise Kean's equaliser in the 39th minute.

Dembele immediately restored Barcelona's lead, scoring his second just a minute later, only for Kean to once again draw Juventus level with a second-half strike.

Speaking after the match, Xavi lavished praise on the 25-year-old Dembele, who has struggled to make an impact since joining Barcelona in 2017, saying he has shown a marked improvement in the eight months since Xavi took charge in November last year.

"He has shown what he is capable of. He is different, special. There are not many of this type," Xavi told reporters on Tuesday. "He gives us a lot with the way we play.

"Not everyone has the ability to make a difference in the world of soccer and he does. He is involved and he shows it. I don't know the Dembele from before November, I don't know him. I am very happy with this one."

Barcelona, who finished second in LaLiga last season, kick off their league campaign at home to Rayo Vallecano on Aug. 13.



1st Phase of the Sports Boulevard Project in Riyadh Opens with Five Key Destinations

 The opening of the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project marks a major milestone for Riyadh - SPA
 The opening of the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project marks a major milestone for Riyadh - SPA
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1st Phase of the Sports Boulevard Project in Riyadh Opens with Five Key Destinations

 The opening of the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project marks a major milestone for Riyadh - SPA
 The opening of the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project marks a major milestone for Riyadh - SPA

The Board of Directors of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has announced the opening of the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project in Riyadh. This milestone includes five key destinations: Wadi Hanifah, the Promenade, the section at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road, the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University internal loop and the first phase of Sands Sports Park. With this, the total completed length of the project now stands at 83 km, with an overall progress reaching 40%, SPA reported.
The opening of the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project marks a major milestone for Riyadh, as part of the city’s transformative developments. Launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on March 19, 2019, the project continues to receive the dedicated attention and support of the Crown Prince.
Designed to enhance Riyadh’s global ranking, the Sports Boulevard aims to position the city among the world’s most livable destinations. It plays a key role in advancing Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting physical, mental, and social well-being, and fostering a vibrant community where residents and visitors can enjoy a high quality of life, a healthy lifestyle, and an inviting environment.
This opening is part of the foundation’s mission to establish an innovative and sustainable urban renaissance along the environmental artery that connects Riyadh from the west to the east. This transformative initiative empowers residents and visitors to actively engage in a wide range of sports while enhancing their quality of life by encouraging a more active and dynamic lifestyle.
The first completed destination of the project is Wadi Hanifah, situated in western Riyadh. Spanning 13.4 km, it extends from Al-Olab Dam in the north to Jeddah Road in the south, passing through the Diriyah Gate project. It features pedestrian pathways, cycling and equestrian trails, green spaces, and designated rest areas. Seamlessly connecting Wadi Hanifah to the Promenade is the Cycling Bridge, one of the project’s most iconic landmarks, located at the intersection of King Khalid Road and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road. The bridge is designed with two independent pathways: a 1 km pedestrian path and a 771-meter cycling path. Designed to enhance safe and sustainable mobility, it allows visitors to move effortlessly between Diriyah and the Promenade along Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road.
The Promenade stretches 4 km and adheres to the Sports Boulevard’s urban design code, inspired by the principles of Salmani architecture. It offers dedicated cycling paths for both professionals and amateurs, complemented by rest stops for cyclists, lush green spaces, water features, walking trails, children’s playgrounds, and a selection of retail outlets and specialized centers for bicycle rentals and accessories.
Spanning 300 meters, the area at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road features the Arts Tower—a striking installation inspired by the high-voltage electricity towers that once lined Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road. With its colorful geometric panels, the tower interacts with sunlight to create mesmerizing reflections, making it a distinctive landmark and a key focal point for visitors.
The project also features a 20 km internal loop track at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, designed with dedicated cycling and pedestrian pathways that seamlessly connect the university’s facilities, enhancing accessibility for students, staff, and members of the public.
The Sands Sports Park, the fifth completed destination in the first phase of the project, is located southeast of King Khalid International Airport. Designed for both professionals and amateurs, it features dedicated cycling paths, mountain bike trails, and BMX tracks, alongside scenic hiking and equestrian trails. At the heart of the park lies the Najdi Flower, a signature cycling route for professionals, stretching over 45 km. As part of its development, more than 350,000 square meters of sand dunes have been rehabilitated to enhance the natural landscape. The park also offers retail outlets and specialized centers for bicycle rentals and accessories. Future phases will introduce additional sports facilities and buildings, further elevating the visitor experience.
The five destinations of the Sports Boulevard project will be open to visitors starting tomorrow, February 27, 2025. For more details about these destinations and how to access them, please visit the Sports Boulevard website at www.SportsBoulevard.sa.
The Sports Boulevard Foundation previously opened the Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road Underpass to improve traffic flow and enhance mobility in Riyadh. Construction is ongoing across the remaining project destinations, including the destinations located after the Promenade, the Urban Wadi Destination, the King Abdulaziz Road Underpass and the Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq Road Underpass. These developments are progressing in line with the approved project schedule.