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Salah Wins Soccer Writers’ ‘Footballer of the Year’ Award in England for Record-tying 3rd Time 

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
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Salah Wins Soccer Writers’ ‘Footballer of the Year’ Award in England for Record-tying 3rd Time 

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was voted “Footballer of the Year” in England by soccer writers for a record-tying third time Friday, while Arsenal striker Alessia Russo won the women’s award.

Salah previously won the award, handed out by the Football Writers’ Association, in 2018 and 2022. Arsenal great Thierry Henry is the only other player to have captured it three times.

The FWA’s accolade is the oldest individual soccer award in the world. It was first awarded in 1948.

The FWA said Salah won 90% of the votes cast by more than 900 members, making it the “biggest winning margin this century.” Teammate Virgil van Dijk was second and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was third.

Salah has the most goals (28) and assists (18) in the Premier League this season and played a key role in Liverpool winning the title for the second time in five years.

Russo finished ahead of Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw and Arsenal teammate Mariona Caldentey, with FWA chair John Cross saying Russo’s performances in the Women's Champions League have helped her stand out.

Arsenal, which is second in the Women’s Super League, has reached the Champions League final after beating eight-time winner Lyon in the semifinals and will play Barcelona in the title match.

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Sports

Saudi Arabia Named First-Ever Recipient of Formula E’s New ‘Best Host Country’ Award

The award was presented for the first time in the championship’s history at the 2025/26 Formula E End of Season Awards ceremony. (SPA)
The award was presented for the first time in the championship’s history at the 2025/26 Formula E End of Season Awards ceremony. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Named First-Ever Recipient of Formula E’s New ‘Best Host Country’ Award

The award was presented for the first time in the championship’s history at the 2025/26 Formula E End of Season Awards ceremony. (SPA)
The award was presented for the first time in the championship’s history at the 2025/26 Formula E End of Season Awards ceremony. (SPA)

Formula E has awarded Saudi Arabia its newly introduced “Best Host Country” award in recognition of the Kingdom’s outstanding organization of one of the world’s leading electric car racing championships.

The award was presented for the first time in the championship’s history at the 2025/26 Formula E End of Season Awards ceremony, held in London on Sunday. It recognizes the destination that sets a global benchmark in event organization, infrastructure development, and partnership building.

Saudi Arabia’s receipt of the award reflects its excellence in hosting the FIA-sanctioned ABB Formula E World Championship races. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s receipt of the award reflects its excellence in hosting the FIA-sanctioned ABB Formula E World Championship races and the high standards it has established since first hosting the championship in 2018.

The achievement reflects the unwavering support for the sports sector from the Saudi leadership, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

It also highlights the support of Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal. The sustained efforts of the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, Saudi Motorsport Company, and Sela also contributed to this success.

Sports

‘This Is Probably My Last Year in Football,’ Says Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)
Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)
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‘This Is Probably My Last Year in Football,’ Says Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)
Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo says this Saudi Pro League season is likely to be the last of his professional career.

The 41-year-old superstar’s contract with Riyadh club Al-Nassr, signed in December 2022, expires next June, and he has told Vogue magazine that another is unlikely.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said.

The Portugal forward, who has scored 976 career goals, married long-time partner, Georgina Rodriguez, earlier this month.

“I have my future all mapped out,” he said. “I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.

“And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned — what we’ve earned. Because after all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

The 2026-27 SPL season is Ronaldo’s 25th as a professional. During his career, he has won five Ballon d’Or awards and five UEFA Champions League titles.

Ronaldo’s 28 league goals last season helped Al-Nassr become champion of Saudi Arabia in May to secure his first trophy since arriving in Riyadh, and a first league title for the club since 2019.

After returning from his wedding, he missed Al-Nassr’s first game of its title defense on Saturday, watching from the sidelines as it opened with a 3-0 win over Al-Fateh.

“Cristiano is here today, and he is always present with us,” Al-Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou said after the game.

Ronaldo could play against Al-Diriyah in the King’s Cup on Tuesday.

“The most important thing now is recovery, especially as we have only two days after this match,” former Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest coach Postecoglou said.

Ronaldo’s comments came days after long-time rival Lionel Messi revealed that, following his father’s death, he may soon retire.

“I don’t know how to carry on,” Messi, 39, said. “I used to just play football, and now I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer.”

Sports

Colombia Defender Jhon Lucumí Moves to Juventus After Impressing at World Cup

Colombia's Jhon Lucumí, left, and Switzerland's Remo Freuler battle for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Switzerland and Colombia in Vancouver, British Columbia, July 7, 2026. (AP)
Colombia's Jhon Lucumí, left, and Switzerland's Remo Freuler battle for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Switzerland and Colombia in Vancouver, British Columbia, July 7, 2026. (AP)
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Colombia Defender Jhon Lucumí Moves to Juventus After Impressing at World Cup

Colombia's Jhon Lucumí, left, and Switzerland's Remo Freuler battle for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Switzerland and Colombia in Vancouver, British Columbia, July 7, 2026. (AP)
Colombia's Jhon Lucumí, left, and Switzerland's Remo Freuler battle for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Switzerland and Colombia in Vancouver, British Columbia, July 7, 2026. (AP)

Colombia defender Jhon Lucumí signed for Juventus on Monday for 19.5 million euros ($22.6 million) after impressing at the World Cup.

Juventus said the 28-year-old center-back had signed a four-year contract and the fee paid to Serie A rival Bologna could rise above 22 million euros ($25.5 million) with performance bonuses.

Lucumí played almost every minute of Colombia’s five games at the World Cup, where the team conceded just one goal, in an opening 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.

Colombia lost in the round of 16 to Switzerland in a penalty shootout, after a 0-0 draw where Lucumí’s header struck the bar in extra time. He was substituted ahead of the shootout.

Lucumí played four years at Bologna, including in the Champions League two seasons ago, having first arrived in Europe to join Genk in Belgium.

Juventus plays in the Europa League this season after a sixth-place finish in Serie A.