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Saudi League: Many People Don’t Understand – Ex-American Player Defends Cristiano Ronaldo

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Former American defender, Alexi Lalas has defended Cristiano Ronaldo over his recent comments about the Saudi Pro League, SPL, being better than the French Ligue 1.

According to Lalas, many people don’t understand because the Saudi league does not get credit, similar to Major League Soccer, MLS.

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Ronaldo had made the comment after he was honored with the Best Middle Eastern Player award at a gala in December.

READ ALSO:Cristiano Ronaldo Tops List Of Highest Earners In Saudi Arabia Pro League [Top 10]

The Al Nassr captain added that in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain was the only recognised club, “everyone else is finished.”

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However, speaking on his podcast, Lalas stated that Ronaldo was right to mention the challenges of playing in the Middle Eastern weather.

He added that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner defending the country and the league was good to see.

“I like that he is defending Saudi Arabia. I like that he has taken this unconventional pathway, notwithstanding how much money he’s making.

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READ ALSO: Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Legal Battle Against Juventus, To Be Paid £8.3m

“It’s not as traditional as the past, and it has shown him some of the challenges out there—both on and off the field—when playing in leagues that many people don’t fully understand or appreciate,” Lalas said.

He added, “But from an MLS perspective, I can appreciate it. I have always tried to say, whether it’s Saudi Arabia—which, to be clear, I have never played in, though I visited many years ago—or any other league, there are unique challenges that players face which others don’t often consider.

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“I can guarantee there are difficulties players encounter there that are hard to comprehend unless you’ve experienced them.”

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WAFCON Final: Super Falcons Produce Stunning Comeback To Defeat Morocco, Win 10th Title

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Nigeria’s women national team, the Super Falcons, on Saturday night beat Morocco to win the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations.

The West Africans had to fight back from two goals in the first half to win 3-2 in Rabat.

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The hosts came flying out of the blocks and scored twice through Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy.

But the Falcons came out strongly in the second half and scored through Esther Okoronkwo’s penalty.

READ ALSO: WAFCON Final: Super Falcons Coach, Madugu Gives Reason For Dropping Ex-Liverpool Forward Babajide

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Okoronkwo then turned provider for Folashade Ijamilusi who drew Nigeria level.

Jennifer Echegini then got on the end of a free-kick to score a late winner.

The victory means Nigeria have now won a record-extending 10 WAFCON titles.

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Arsenal Sign Swedish International Viktor Gyokeres

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Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.

The 27-year-old, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is reported to have signed a five-year deal in a transfer worth £55 million (62.9m euros).

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Gyokeres’ transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £64m with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal’s close-season spending to the region of £200m.

He becomes Mikel Arteta’s sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates.

READ ALSO:Pre-season: Why I Dropped Timber, Gabriel Magalhães From Arsenal Squad vs AC Milan – Arteta

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Arsenal confirmed the news with a brief post on X which read: “This is where you need to be. Viktor Gyokeres is a Gunner.”

Gyokeres will be expected to meet up with his new team-mates in Arsenal’s ongoing pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Gunners face Newcastle in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their tour, against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31.

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Gyokeres moved to Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021.

READ ALSO:WWE: Real Cause Of Legendary Wrestler, Hulk Hogan’s Death Revealed

After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton in the 2023 Championship final at Wembley, Gyokeres completed a £20.5m switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side.

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Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club’s two-decade wait for a Premier League title.

READ ALSO:Arsenal Sign Spain Midfielder Zubimendi

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Constance Owoyomi praised for stellar performances in “To Kill A Monkey”

Arsenal’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta has wasted little time in strengthening a squad which has finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons.

Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed.

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[BREAKING] WAFCON Final: Super Falcons’ Starting XI Against Morocco Unveiled

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The Super Falcons’ starting XI to face Morocco in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, has been confirmed.

Super Falcons coach, Justine Pwanidi Madugu, opted to start goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal against the host nation.

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Madugu also started the likes of Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie in the defensive line.

Nigeria head into the game after beating South Africa 2-1 in the semi-final encounter.

Morocco, on the other hand, defeated Ghana via a penalty shoot-out.

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READ ALSO:WAFCON Final: ‘We Play At Home’ – Morocco Coach, Vilda Warns Nigeria

The WAFCON final will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday at 9 p.m.

Here is the Super Falcons’ starting XI against Morocco:

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Chiamaka Nnadozie, Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Ashleigh Plumptre, Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Folashade Florence Ijamilusi, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo

Substitutes: Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Sikiratu Isah, Toni Payne, Asisat Oshoala, Ifeoma I. Onumonu, and Tochukwu Oluehi.

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