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Saudi Crown Prince Awards the Esports World Cup Champions

The Crown Prince crowns the Saudi club "Team Falcons" as champions of the Esports World Cup 2024 - SPA
The Crown Prince crowns the Saudi club "Team Falcons" as champions of the Esports World Cup 2024 - SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Awards the Esports World Cup Champions

The Crown Prince crowns the Saudi club "Team Falcons" as champions of the Esports World Cup 2024 - SPA
The Crown Prince crowns the Saudi club "Team Falcons" as champions of the Esports World Cup 2024 - SPA

Under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the inaugural Esports World Cup successfully concluded on Sunday in Riyadh, SPA reported.
Over the past 8 weeks, clubs and players from across the globe came together in Riyadh to compete in the first-ever Esports World Cup. With a total prize pool of over $60 million, the event attracted around 500 teams and 1,500 professional players, marking it as the largest event in Esports history.
The Crown Prince crowned the Saudi club "Team Falcons" as champions of the Esports World Cup 2024. The Falcons secured a total of $7 million in prize money, emerging as the top club in this historic competition.
Team Falcons led the rankings with 5,665 points earned across 12 tournaments, achieving first place in both the "Call of Duty: Warzone" and "Free Fire" championships. This victory showcases the Kingdom’s exceptional national talent in the esports sector.
This event, uniting the gaming and esports community, brought together players, fans, game developers, and publishers from around the world, marking a significant milestone for the esports industry.
With its unique multi-game and multi-genre format, the competition not only featured tournaments among the world’s top clubs, but also strengthened efforts by various entities within the Kingdom and globally to advance the esports landscape. It highlighted the positive impact of esports on communities, enhanced cultural exchange, and encouraged brands to recognize esports as a promising and vital investment opportunity.
The Esports World Cup set record-breaking milestones. It attracted over two million visitors, contributing to over 29% increase in visitors to Riyadh during the event period compared to the same timeframe the previous year. The event also featured more than 32 side entertainment and cultural activities. Across its eight-week run, the Esports World Cup recorded more than 500 million viewers, totaling more than 250 million hours watched—setting a new global record for this year.

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Sports

Messi Suffers Muscle Strain, Return Date Undetermined

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Messi Suffers Muscle Strain, Return Date Undetermined

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was suffering from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring when he requested a sub Sunday during a 6-4 win over the visiting Philadelphia Union, the club said Monday.

"After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring," Reuters quoted Inter Miami as saying in a statement. "The timeline for his return to physical activity ⁠will depend on ⁠his clinical and functional progress."

Messi was seen grabbing at his upper thigh before he asked to sub out in the 73rd minute, and he headed directly to the locker room.

Messi's ailment ⁠comes about one week before Argentina begins to prepare for its World Cup title defense at a training camp in Kansas City, Kan.

It's unclear whether Messi will have to miss any time due to the overload. The Major League Soccer season has now begun its World Cup break, and Messi, 38, may return to ⁠training ⁠with Argentina or may need to rest further before matches begin.

Argentina plays Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, Mo. for their first group- stage match. Messi and company will also face Austria and Jordan as part of Group J.

Messi helped Argentina win its first World Cup since 1986 and its third overall four years ago in Qatar. He won the Golden Ball for the tournament's top player.

Sports

Monfils Aims to Emulate Ronaldo, LeBron after Roland Garros Farewell

France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
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Monfils Aims to Emulate Ronaldo, LeBron after Roland Garros Farewell

France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

Gael Monfils is determined to emulate the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James by playing into his 40s and hopes to play at Wimbledon, Montreal and the US Open before bringing down the curtain on his career on home soil at the Paris Masters.

The Frenchman, who turns 40 in September, bade a fond farewell to Roland Garros after going down 6-2 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-0 to compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round on Monday, walking off to a standing ovation that celebrated a career that spanned two decades.

Monfils will retire at the end ⁠of the season ⁠as he seeks to manage his body into his 40s.

"Why do I want to get to the States? Because I want to play until 40. My wish is to be an athlete that plays until 40 years old," Reuters quoted Monfils as saying.

"Like Stan (Wawrinka), LeBron, Cristiano, (Patrice) Evra, like all of the athletes ⁠who have managed to continue their sport until the age of 40.

"That's what I want to do. You know that whatever happens this summer, I'm locked in to train."

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 25, 2026 France's Gael Monfils poses with former tennis players Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet after receiving an award from Roland Garros. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

The former world number six, who has enjoyed some of his best results on clay, acknowledged that the surface has become more challenging in recent years.

While he hopes to secure a wildcard for the US Open, he also plans to play Wimbledon and Montreal.

"Hopefully Wimbledon. Then need to decide if we go to ⁠Washington or ⁠not," he said.

"I think we will ask Montreal, hopefully. I want to say goodbye to Montreal. Obviously I will ask the French Federation to have the US Open wildcard. Hopefully I will have this one.

"Asia is a bit blurry, to be honest. Then the end of the year, I can tell you I will play Lyon, the new tournament. Nicolas (his agent) wants me to play Vienna, and then hopefully, Paris."

The 13-time ATP title winner reached the French Open semi-finals in 2008 and was a key part of France's Davis Cup runs in 2010 and 2014.

Sports

FIFA Reveals 48 World Cup Team Base Training Sites

TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
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FIFA Reveals 48 World Cup Team Base Training Sites

TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP

Defending champions Argentina and England will have their World Cup teams based in Kansas City under a list of training sites announced by FIFA on Monday.

The record 48 teams competing in the global football showdown that begins next month will have 39 teams based in the United States, seven more based in Mexico and two based in Canada.

"Team Base Camps are an integral part of the fabric of any FIFA World Cup," said Heimo Schirgi, 2026 FIFA World Cup chief operating officer. "They are where teams put down roots, train and recuperate, and experience the day-to-day rhythms of the tournament."

Iran were confirmed with a team base in Tijuana, Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday said the country would allow Iran to be based there to avoid US visa restrictions.

Colombia, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Tunisia and Uruguay will also be based in Mexico with Canada and Panama based in Canada and the rest settled in US venues.

Saudi Arabia: Austin, TX (Austin FC Stadium)
Algeria: Kansas City (University of Kansas)
Argentina: Kansas City (Sporting KC Training Centre)
Australia: San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland Roots/Soul facility)
Austria: Goleta, CA (UC Santa Barbara)
Belgium: Renton, WA (Seattle Sounders performance centre)
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sandy, UT (RSL Stadium)
Brazil: New York-New Jersey (Columbia Park Training Facility)
Canada: Vancouver (National Soccer Development Centre)
Cote d'Ivoire: Philadelphia (Philadelphia Union)
Congo DR: Houston (Houston Training Centre)
Colombia: Guadalajara, MX (Academia Atlas FC)
Cabo Verde: Tampa, FL (Waters Sportsplex)
Croatia: Alexandria (Episcopal High School)
Curaçao: Boca Raton, FL (Florida Atlantic University)
Czechia: Dallas (Mansfield Multipurpose Stadium)
Ecuador: Columbus, OH (Columbus Crew Performance Centre)
Egypt: Spokane, WA (Gonzaga University)
England: Kansas City (Swope Soccer Village)
Spain: Chattanooga, TN (Baylor School)
France: Boston (Bentley University)
Germany: Winston-Salem, NC (Wake Forest University)
Ghana: Boston (Bryant University)
Haiti: New York-New Jersey (Stockton University)
Iran: Tijuana, MX (Centro Xoloitzcuintle)
Iraq: Greenbrier, WV (Greenbrier Sports Performance Centre)
Jordan: Portland (University of Portland)
Japan: Nashville, TN (Nashville SC facility)
South Korea: Guadalajara, MX (Chivas Verde Valle)
Morocco: New York-New Jersey (Pingry School)
Mexico: Mexico City (Centro de Alto Rendimiento)
Netherlands: Kansas City (KC Current Training Facility)
Norway: Greensboro, NC (UNC Greensboro)
New Zealand: San Diego (University of San Diego - Torero Stadium)
Panama: New Tecumseth, CAN (Nottawasaga Training Site)
Paraguay: San Francisco Bay Area (Spartan Soccer Complex)
Portugal: Palm Beach Gardens (Gardens North County District Park)
Qatar: Santa Barbara, CA (Westmont College)
South Africa: Pachuca, MX (Pachuca - Universidad Del Futbol)
Scotland: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte FC facility)
Senegal: New York-New Jersey (Rutgers University)
Switzerland: San Diego (SDJA)
Sweden: Dallas (FC Dallas Stadium)
Tunisia: Monterrey, MX (Rayados Training Centre)
Türkiye: Mesa, AZ (Arizona Athletic Grounds)
Uruguay: Cancun, MX (Mayakoba Training Centre Cancun)
United States: Irvine (Great Park Sports Complex)
Uzbekistan: Atlanta (Atlanta United Training Centre)