Injured de Jong Out Until International Break, Says Barca’s Xavi 

Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Celta Vigo - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - September 23, 2023 FC Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong reacts after sustaining an injury. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Celta Vigo - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - September 23, 2023 FC Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong reacts after sustaining an injury. (Reuters)
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Injured de Jong Out Until International Break, Says Barca’s Xavi 

Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Celta Vigo - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - September 23, 2023 FC Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong reacts after sustaining an injury. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Celta Vigo - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - September 23, 2023 FC Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong reacts after sustaining an injury. (Reuters)

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong will not return to action until after the next international break at the earliest after picking up an ankle injury at the weekend, manager Xavi said.

The 26-year-old Netherlands midfielder had played every minute of Barcelona's LaLiga matches so far this season before being substituted in the first half against Celta Vigo on Saturday.

"He'll be a significant absence for us," Xavi told reporters on Monday. "Frenkie is fundamental to how we play, especially given the great form he was in.

"About the timeframe of his injury, it's going to depend on him really but we will have to assess how he's feeling after the next international break (in October)."

Barcelona visit Real Mallorca later on Tuesday, followed by a home game against Sevilla and a Champions League group stage away fixture against Porto on Oct. 4. They visit Granada in the league on Oct. 8 before the break.

Xavi said he will have to rotate his squad for upcoming matches, with midfielder Pedri also nursing a thigh injury.

"We will rotate not just for the Champions League, but also for the next LaLiga game," he added. "There will be an average of two or three players rotating every game, that's how we understand we have to prevent injuries."



First Sports Investment Forum Kicks Off in Riyadh

Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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First Sports Investment Forum Kicks Off in Riyadh

Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

The first edition of the Sports Investment Forum (SIF), sponsored by the Ministries of Sport and Investment, kicked off in Riyadh on Monday with over 140 speakers, more than 3,000 attendees, and 50 sessions and workshops for the three-day event.

Deputy Minister of Sport Badr Al-Qadi, representing Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, expressed appreciation for the Saudi leadership's support of the sports sector, which has contributed to the development of the sports system and its many accomplishments in recent years.

The audience watched a presentation on SIF, which reviewed its objectives and highlighted the most prominent national sports achievements.

Several initiatives related to sports investment were launched, accompanied by the signing of various agreements in real estate development, technology, and sports sector.

One panel session featured Al-Qadi, Deputy Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed, and Assistant Minister of Investment Ibrahim Al-Mubarak.

Al-Qadi said that achieving the objectives of the National Sports Strategy requires cross-sectoral integration, adding that the sports sector is a strategic partner in driving national development and advancing Saudi sports.

Princess Haifa stressed that the forum is the result of private sector initiatives and aligns closely with the objectives of Vision 2030. She underscored the role of sports in advancing the tourism sector, generating job opportunities and supporting economic growth.

The Kingdom currently attracts approximately 24 million tourists annually to attend sports events and activities, generating around SAR22 billion in spending, she revealed.

Al-Mubarak said the Kingdom has achieved significant milestones across numerous sectors since the launch of Vision 2030, including the sports sector, which demonstrates its promising investment potential.