Sports

Portugal Changes How No. 7 Is Written to Honor Cristiano Ronaldo

Sports Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the 1-2 goal during the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, 09 September 2025. (EPA)

Portugal Changes How No. 7 Is Written to Honor Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portugal football team is making a change to how the No. 7 is written to honor the recently-retired Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, who wore the number and…

Sports Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho waves during Ravenna FC’s team presentation for the 2026-27 season in Marina di Ravenna, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. (AFP)

Ronaldinho Poised for Ravenna Start and, Perhaps, One Last Goal

Ronaldinho will roll back the years this weekend when the 46-year-old Brazilian starts his first competitive match in over a decade, and in the unlikely…

Sports Mirra Andreeva plays Diana Shnaider during day six of the FAGE WTA Finals at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on November 13, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Andreeva Says She Is Learning to Move on Faster from Defeats After WTA Finals Sweep

Mirra Andreeva said she has learned to recover more quickly from setbacks after the Russian teenager completed an unbeaten run through the WTA Finals round…

Sports  Uruguay's players celebrate after Argentina's Leonardo Balerdi scored an own goal during an international friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. (AP)

Uruguay Beats Argentina 2-1 in the First Match Since Messi’s Retirement

The post-Messi era began with an Argentina defeat on Friday. Argentina fell 2-1 to Uruguay on Friday in an international friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos…

Sports Elina Svitolina of Ukraine serves to Aryna Sabalenka during day six of the FAGE WTA Finals at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on November 13, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Svitolina Stuns Sabalenka to Reach WTA Finals Semis

Elina Svitolina overwhelmed Aryna Sabalenka in the deciding set to seal a 6-3 3-6 6-1 upset on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the season-ending WTA Finals…


Sports Trackhouse MotoGP Team MotoGP rider Raul Fernandez of Spain in action during the MotoGP qualifying at the Motorcycling Grand Prix of Indonesia at Mandalika Circuit in Mandalika, Indonesia, 10 October 2026.  EPA/MAST IRHAM

Trackhouse's Fernandez Takes First Pole at Indonesian GP

Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez grabbed a career-first pole at the Indonesian Grand Prix on Saturday, with title contenders Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez set…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands in action during the Sprint Qualifying at Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 09 October 2026. The 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on 11 October. (EPA)

Verstappen on Pole for F1’s Singapore Sprint After Cars Slowed by ‘Error’ in Race Control

Max Verstappen snatched pole position for the Formula 1 Singapore sprint race in a hectic qualifying session Friday, while George Russell seized a chance to…

Sports Ronaldo celebrates after scoring. (Abdulaziz Al-Numan)

Ronaldo Returns After Portugal Quarrel and Scores in Al-Nassr Win

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to club action on Friday after a controversial international break with Portugal and bagged the opening goal as Al-Nassr beat…

Sports Türkiye Sack Coach Montella After Nations League Woe

Türkiye Sack Coach Montella After Nations League Woe

Vincenzo Montella was sacked as head coach of Türkiye on Friday following a string of Nations League defeats. "It has been decided not to continue with our…

Sports A photo of the 2019 African Cup of Nations trophy ahead of the final football match between Senegal and Algeria at the Cairo Stadium, Cairo, Egypt, July 19, 2019. (Getty Images)

CAF President Says Keeping Africa Cup of Nations as a Biennial Competition Is Back on the Agenda

The Confederation of African Football is reappraising its decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years, CAF president Patrice Motsepe declared…

Sports Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho attends a press conference ahead of the team's training session at the Valdebebas Sports Complex in Madrid, Spain, 09 October 2026. EPA/JAVIER LIZON

Mourinho Lashes Out at 'Ridiculous' Criticism of Mbappe

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho slammed criticism of star striker Kylian Mbappe, on Friday labelling the attacks as "ridiculous". The French captain has…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports (FILES) Manchester City's Italian coach Enzo Maresca is pictured before the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between FC Porto and Manchester City at Dragao stadium in Porto on September 8, 2026. (Photo by Patricia de Melo Moreira / AFP)

Man City Boss Maresca: 'I Completely Trust the Club’

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca said on Friday that he had absolute faith in the club after it was found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Sports 08 October 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester City forward Erling Haaland arrives at the City Football Academy (CFA) for a training session. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa

European Soccer Leaders Tell UEFA of Unhappiness with Longer 4-game Schedule

European soccer federations told UEFA they are not happy with the new extended four-game blocks of international matches that finished this week. Injured…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports 09 October 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: A general view of Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa

Everton Up for Sale after US Owner Says it is Exploring Investment Options

Premier League Everton is on the market again after US owner the Friedkin Group announced Friday it was exploring investment options and a potential sale. …

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Sports Mercedes' British driver George Russell drives during a practice session ahead of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on October 9, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Russell to Go 'All-out' Ahead of Unusual Singapore Daylight Sprint as Antonelli Nears F1 Title

George Russell needs to throw everything he can at stopping — or even just delaying — Kimi Antonelli’s march to the Formula 1 title. That won’t be easy from…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Ben Shelton of the USA reacts while in action against Daniel Altmaier of Germany during their Men's Singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, 09 October 2026.  EPA/ALEX PLAVEVSKI

Birthday Boy and US Open Finalist Ben Shelton Advances at Shanghai Masters

US Open runner-up Ben Shelton celebrated his 24th birthday Friday by advancing to the third round of the Shanghai Masters with a 6-3, 7-6 (6) win over Daniel…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Donis celebrates with the Gulf Cup trophy. (Saudi Arabian Football Federation)

Saudi FA Source Tells Asharq Al-Awsat: No Deal with Martinez to Coach Saudi Arabia

A Saudi Arabian Football Federation source denied reports of a deal with Roberto Martinez to replace Georgios Donis as national team coach, while multiple…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Sports The summit’s business and leadership platform brought together a group of prominent decision-makers and specialists. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi PIF Rewrites the 'Global Sports Economy'

Saudi Arabia’s investment presence in international sporting events is no longer limited to traditional forms of commercial sponsorships or one-off…

Kawtar Wakil (London)
Sports Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas hits a return to Belgium's Kimmer Coppejans during their men's singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 8, 2026. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)

Tsitsipas Advances to Shanghai Masters 2nd Round, Hurkacz Lines Up Djokovic

Two-time major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas beat qualifier Kimmer Coppejans 6-3, 7-5 in the Shanghai Masters first round on Thursday, continuing his slow climb…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Air pollution is seen across the skyline as people prepare the street circuit before the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix night race in Singapore on October 8, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

FIA to 'Strengthen' Software Testing after F1 Cars Stopped on Track in Malaysia

The FIA has defended its handling of the Formula 1 car software bug which delayed the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia last weekend and pledged it…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Cadillac's Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas arrives ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang on October 4, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

On Your bike! Bottas Opts for 2 Wheels to Reach Singapore GP

Valtteri Bottas swapped his Formula One car for a bicycle as he pedaled the 420 kilometers from Sepang in Malaysia to this week's Singapore Grand Prix. …

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during his final match of the Japan Open tennis tournament at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, 06 October 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Alcaraz, Sinner, Osaka Commit to Australian Open '1 Point Slam'

The Australian Open will revive its innovative "1 Point Slam" in 2027 with Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner among those agreeing to…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Saudi Arabia Climbs to 55th in FIFA World Rankings, Fourth among Arab Nations

Saudi Arabia climbed three places to 55th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, released following the international break, up from 58th following the 2026 FIFA…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Ramon Vega. (Getty Images)

Former Spurs Defender Vega to Stand for FIFA Presidency

Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has become the first person to announce he intends to run against incumbent Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential…

Sports Arsenal's Spanish coach Mikel Arteta looks on during the UEFA Champions League - League Phase, Matchday 1 - football match between Napoli and Arsenal at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples on September 9, 2026. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

Arsenal Plot Football Domination after Title Win, Says CEO Garlick

Arsenal are in a strong position to dominate men's football for years to come, CEO Richard Garlick said on Wednesday, minutes after the club announced they…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Belgian tennis player Elise Mertens reacts during a women's singles match against Coco Gauff of the US at the China Open in Beijing, China, 07 October 2026. The China Open runs from 28 September to 11 October 2026.  EPA/JESSICA LEE

Mertens Beats Gauff to Set Up Swiatek Clash at China Open

Elise Mertens beat a listless Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday to seal her spot in the China Open quarter-finals, where she will face Iga Swiatek. Gauff,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. SPA

Khaleeji 27 Trophy Presented to Saudi National Team

On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, under whose patronage the tournament was held, Deputy Governor of Makkah…

Asharq Al Awsat (Jeddah)
Sports 06 October 2026, Argentina, Buenos Aires: Argentina's Lionel Messi cheers during an international friendly football match between Argentina and Benin at the Monumental Stadium. Photo: Roberto  Tuero/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Messi Ends Argentina Career with Goal, 2 Assists in Tear-filled Farewell

Global soccer superstar Lionel Messi met the moment, contributing to all three goals in his final appearance for Argentina's national team, a 3-0 exhibition…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports  Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)

Merino Double Helps Spain Beat Croatia, Reach Nations League Quarters

Mikel Merino hit a brace to help World Cup winners Spain seal qualification to the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Croatia on Tuesday. …