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Luka Modric to Stay with Real Madrid for Another Season in the Spanish League

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric attends a training session at the Real Madrid City training complex in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid on June 3, 2023. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric attends a training session at the Real Madrid City training complex in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid on June 3, 2023. (AFP)
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Luka Modric to Stay with Real Madrid for Another Season in the Spanish League

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric attends a training session at the Real Madrid City training complex in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid on June 3, 2023. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric attends a training session at the Real Madrid City training complex in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid on June 3, 2023. (AFP)

Real Madrid extended Luka Modric's contract on Monday, keeping the veteran midfielder for another season.

Madrid agreed to extend the contract of the 37-year-old Croatian until the end of the 2023-24 campaign, just like it did with Toni Kroos last week.

The moves allow Madrid to keep two of its most experienced players in a midfield that will be refreshed by the recent signing of 19-year-old Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

The Spanish club also has Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Dani Ceballos in the midfield. Ceballos also had his contract extended recently.

Modric will be playing his 12th season with Madrid. He has made 488 appearances with the club and won 23 titles, including five Champions Leagues and three Spanish leagues. He won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA's The Best awards for player of the year in 2018.

“Home Sweet Home,” Modric wrote on Twitter.

The 33-year-old Kroos will begin his 10th season with Madrid.

The club also recently extended the contract of defender Nacho Fernández, and boosted its attack with the loan of Spain striker Joselu from Espanyol. Not returning next season are forwards Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Mariano Díaz.

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Iran Women Players Thank Australian Government for Protection

A street lined with Iranian flags in Tehran, Iran, April 16, 2026. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
A street lined with Iranian flags in Tehran, Iran, April 16, 2026. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
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Iran Women Players Thank Australian Government for Protection

A street lined with Iranian flags in Tehran, Iran, April 16, 2026. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
A street lined with Iranian flags in Tehran, Iran, April 16, 2026. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Iranian women's soccer players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a "safe haven" and said they wished to resume their sporting careers after rebuilding their lives.

In their first public comments since being granted humanitarian visas, the players said in a statement the compassion and support shown to them had provided them hope for a future where they could live and compete in safety.

"We wish to express our ⁠deepest gratitude to ⁠the Australian government, and particularly Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, for granting us humanitarian protection and a safe haven in this beautiful country," Reuters quoted them as saying.

Australia initially granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member from ⁠the Iran squad after their Asian Cup campaign in Australia began just as the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran.

Five of the group subsequently changed their minds and decided to return home, leaving only Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh in Australia.

The duo began training with A-League Women's team Brisbane Roar last month.

"At this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health ⁠and beginning ⁠the process of rebuilding our lives," they said.

"We are elite athletes, and it remains our dream to continue our sporting careers here in Australia."

Concerns over the Iranian players' safety surfaced after several players did not sing the national anthem at an Asian Cup match, with Iranian state TV labelling them "wartime traitors".

The rest of the team arrived home in Iran last month via the Turkish border after a fraught return journey from Australia.

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Djokovic Still Dealing with Injury, May Not Play Madrid Open

Tennis star Novak Djokovic takes his place in the stands for the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Tennis star Novak Djokovic takes his place in the stands for the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
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Djokovic Still Dealing with Injury, May Not Play Madrid Open

Tennis star Novak Djokovic takes his place in the stands for the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Tennis star Novak Djokovic takes his place in the stands for the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Novak Djokovic is still working through the injury problems that forced him to miss recent events in Miami and Monte Carlo and says he may not be ready for next week's Madrid Open, one of the last stops before the French Open Grand Slam.

The 38-year-old Serb lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final in February and fell to Jack Draper in the Indian Wells ⁠fourth round last ⁠month, before pulling out of the Miami Open due to a right shoulder injury.

The 24-times Grand Slam champion then skipped last week's Monte Carlo Masters before arriving in Spain to begin preparations for the ⁠April 22-May 3 Madrid Open.

However, his participation at the event, which he has won three times, remains in doubt.

"I hope to compete here, I'm working towards that," Djokovic told Spanish broadcaster Movistar+ at a EuroLeague basketball game in the Spanish capital on Thursday.

"I don't (know), I'm not sure. I have been struggling physically a little bit with an ⁠injury, ⁠so I'm trying to address that and play as long as I can.

"Now I have a little bit more time, not playing as much, so I get a chance to enjoy other sports and great athleticism,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

The draw for the Madrid Open will be held on Monday.

Djokovic will be looking for a record 25th Grand Slam title when Roland Garros gets underway on May 24.

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Kingdom Holding to Acquire Majority Stake in Al-Hilal

The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals. Photo: PIF
The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals. Photo: PIF
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Kingdom Holding to Acquire Majority Stake in Al-Hilal

The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals. Photo: PIF
The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals. Photo: PIF

Kingdom Holding Company has signed a binding agreement to acquire a 70% stake in Saudi Pro League soccer club Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) said on Thursday.

The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4 billion Saudi riyals ($373.20 million). The agreement supports PIF's ⁠strategy of maximizing ⁠returns while recycling capital back into the local economy.

Since July 2023, the PIF has been the principal shareholder in Al-Hilal as part of a wider initiative aimed at accelerating ⁠the development of sports clubs and boosting the sports sector’s contribution to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product.

Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company Prince Al Waleed bin Talal said: “Al-Hilal Club represents a national symbol and a source of pride. Our acquisition reflects our deep belief in the role of sport as a developmental force for both the economy ⁠and ⁠society.”

Al-Hilal, who have been top-flight champions 19 times, are second in the Saudi Pro League on 68 points from 28 games, eight points off Al Nassr with a match in hand.

Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF Yazeed Al-Humied, said: “PIF has proudly helped drive the efforts to transform Saudi Arabia’s sports sector and increase its value proposition for investors while creating lasting results at every level, from players and fans to local communities.”

“PIF has set ambitious goals for the clubs, enabling them to become successful commercially and professionally and achieve long-term financial sustainability. Today’s announcement aligns with PIF’s strategy to maximize returns and redeploy capital within the domestic economy,” he added.

Completion of the transaction is subject to meeting certain conditions and receiving the necessary regulatory approvals as outlined in the agreement.