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Belgium’s Hazard Retires from International Football

In this file photo taken on November 27, 2022 Belgium's forward #10 Eden Hazard blows kisses to supporters during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha. (AFP)
In this file photo taken on November 27, 2022 Belgium's forward #10 Eden Hazard blows kisses to supporters during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha. (AFP)
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Belgium’s Hazard Retires from International Football

In this file photo taken on November 27, 2022 Belgium's forward #10 Eden Hazard blows kisses to supporters during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha. (AFP)
In this file photo taken on November 27, 2022 Belgium's forward #10 Eden Hazard blows kisses to supporters during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha. (AFP)

Belgium captain Eden Hazard announced his retirement from international football aged 31 on Wednesday after his team's group-stage exit at the World Cup.

The forward played in all three Group F games but did not score as Belgium beat Canada, lost to Morocco and played out a goalless draw with Croatia to finish third.

Hazard made his international debut in 2008 and scored 33 times in 126 appearances. He helped Belgium reach the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions France, and beat England in the third-placed playoff.

"I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready," Hazard wrote on Instagram.

"A page turns today... Thank you for your love. Thank you for your unparalleled support. Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008... I will miss you."

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez stepped down from his role on Thursday following a disappointing tournament in Qatar for the team ranked second in the world.

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Sinner, Djokovic kept apart in French Open draw

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 17, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during his men's final match against Norway's Casper Rudd REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 17, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during his men's final match against Norway's Casper Rudd REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo
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Sinner, Djokovic kept apart in French Open draw

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 17, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during his men's final match against Norway's Casper Rudd REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 17, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during his men's final match against Norway's Casper Rudd REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic will not be able to meet until the French Open final after the pair were placed in opposite halves of the draw on Thursday.

Sinner, the red-hot title favourite in the absence of injured rival Carlos Alcaraz, will start his bid for a maiden Roland Garros crown against French wildcard Clement Tabur, the world number 165.

World number one Sinner is slated to meet big-hitting American fifth seed Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals.

Daniil Medvedev is a possible semi-final opponent for the Italian, AFP reported.

The Russian gave Sinner a rare scare in the Italian Open semis earlier this month before eventually succumbing in three sets.

Djokovic will kick off his latest tilt at a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title against home player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Second seed Alexander Zverev is a potential semi-final opponent for Djokovic.

The German has played Djokovic twice before at Roland Garros, suffering quarter-final defeats against the Serb in 2019 and last year.

The stand-out first-round tie sees in-form French number one Arthur Fils take on former champion Stan Wawrinka, featuring at the tournament for the last time before retirement.

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Saudi Arabia Tops AFC Club Rankings for Sixth Consecutive Year

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Tops AFC Club Rankings for Sixth Consecutive Year

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia has retained its top position in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) club rankings, according to the latest update for the 2025–2026 season.

The Kingdom leads the standings with 132.545 points, followed by Japan in second place with 120.410 points, and South Korea in third with 87.334 points.

This marks the sixth consecutive year Saudi Arabia has topped the AFC rankings, reflecting the strong performances of Saudi clubs in continental competitions and their consistent competitiveness in Asian tournaments.

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Djokovic Names Compatriot Troicki as Coach Ahead of French Open

20 May 2026, France, Paris: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic in action during a training session on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament (Roland Garros 2026), at Roland Garros Stadium. Photo: Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
20 May 2026, France, Paris: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic in action during a training session on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament (Roland Garros 2026), at Roland Garros Stadium. Photo: Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Djokovic Names Compatriot Troicki as Coach Ahead of French Open

20 May 2026, France, Paris: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic in action during a training session on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament (Roland Garros 2026), at Roland Garros Stadium. Photo: Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
20 May 2026, France, Paris: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic in action during a training session on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament (Roland Garros 2026), at Roland Garros Stadium. Photo: Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Novak Djokovic has confirmed long-time friend and compatriot Viktor Troicki as his head coach ahead of next week's French Open where the Serb will bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

"Welcome my friend, teammate and now coach... Viktor Troicki," former world ⁠number one Djokovic ⁠wrote on Instagram, according to Reuters.

The pair have previously combined. Troicki, Serbia's Davis Cup captain, joined Djokovic's coaching setup for his Paris Olympics ⁠gold medal triumph in 2024.

They previously teamed up as players to deliver Serbia its first Davis Cup title in 2010.

Troicki's immediate task will be to help Djokovic, who turns 39 on Friday, muster confidence after an injury-disrupted season ⁠following ⁠his defeat in the Australian Open final in January.

Djokovic has had limited clay-court preparation ahead of the year's second Grand Slam while managing his workload to cope with a niggling shoulder issue.

The French Open starts on Sunday.