EWC ‘way beyond what I imagined’ — former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder

EWC ‘way beyond what I imagined’ — former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder during his visit to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 20 August 2024
Follow

EWC ‘way beyond what I imagined’ — former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder

EWC ‘way beyond what I imagined’ — former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder
  • The ex-Ajax, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Galatasaray star visited Boulevard Riyadh City over the weekend
  • Longtime gaming fan Sneijder discussed the esports evolution and shed light on the gaming culture during his football career

RIYADH: Former Dutch international footballer Wesley Sneijder has opened up on his Esports World Cup experience in Riyadh, describing the event as “insane” while tipping esports to be the future of global sport.

The former Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Galatasaray attacking midfielder — widely considered one of the best of his generation — visited Boulevard Riyadh City on Sunday during the Grand Finals of StarCraft II, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and EA Sports FC.

“I was invited here and I love gaming, so there was never any doubt about accepting the invitation,” said Sneijder, who with 134 appearances holds the record as the Netherlands’ most capped player of all time.

“I’ve wanted to see professional gaming from a close-up perspective for some time now. The way esports has grown in recent years is incredible.

“I had some expectations before arriving but what I’ve seen goes way beyond what I imagined — it’s insane! The venue here and the facilities within are amazing, and as a fan I’m intrigued about what the years ahead will look like for the EWC. It’s going to become bigger and bigger every year because esports look set to be the future.”

Sneijder said the event brought back fond memories of the gaming cultures at his former clubs. The Dutchman, who made his professional debut for Ajax in 2002, said this was when his own gaming journey began.

“We didn’t have computers when I was really young, but the PlayStation was around by the time I made the Ajax first team,” he said. “We played together a lot, especially in pre-season, but after a certain point we hardly slept because we were playing during the night with training the next day!

“Gaming became huge for many footballers around that time and has remained so ever since. Looking back, we never could have imagined how much more advanced and realistic games would become.”

Reflecting on his time in Italy — where Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League triumphs sealed a historic continental treble under legendary manager Jose Mourinho in 2009/10 — Sneijder said: “This was where we played together the most as a team. I played a lot with Mario Balotelli and Marko Arnautovic — I loved playing with those guys.

“As footballers, it was always nice to see ourselves on FIFA. It was always an exciting time wondering who the new face would be and what the new skills would be ahead of a new edition. We often spoke about these things. Our ratings were also a major talking point every season and some players were like ‘Woah, why do I only have this?’ or ‘How am I not higher?’. We were always competitive about these little things but it was always great fun.”

Besides catching the action from EA SPORTS FC 24, the inaugural installment of the new series that succeeded FIFA, Sneijder’s EWC appearance also coincided with the finale of a tournament headlined by his favorite franchise.

“I’m a huge Call of Duty fan. I’ve seen and played every edition that’s ever been released, I absolutely love it and the improvements made in each new game are incredible,” he said.


Tendulkar says ‘life has come full circle’ with Lord’s portrait

Tendulkar says ‘life has come full circle’ with Lord’s portrait
Updated 10 July 2025
Follow

Tendulkar says ‘life has come full circle’ with Lord’s portrait

Tendulkar says ‘life has come full circle’ with Lord’s portrait
  • Tendulkar is one of the greatest batsmen cricket has known, scoring 34,357 runs in Test matches, ODIs and one T20
  • It is the fifth portrait of an Indian player in the collections of Marylebone Cricket Club, the owners of Lord’s ground 

LONDON: Sachin Tendulkar said “life has truly come full circle” after a portrait of the India cricket great was unveiled at Lord’s on Thursday.

Tendulkar is one of the greatest batsmen cricket has known, scoring 34,357 runs in Test matches, one-day internationals and one T20 for India in an international career that spanned 24 years from 1989 to 2013.

That total is over 6,000 more runs than the next highest of 28,016 compiled by Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.

“I remember standing near the pavilion, soaking in the history and dreaming quietly,” Tendulkar said of his first visit to Lord’s in 1988 as a teenager in a post on X.

“Today, to have my portrait unveiled at this very place is a feeling that’s hard to put into words. Life has truly come full circle. I’m grateful, and filled with wonderful memories.”

The portrait, by Stuart Pearson Wright, is painted from a photograph taken by the artist in Tendulkar’s home in Mumbai 18 years ago and was unveiled before the first day of the third Test between England and India.

It is the fifth portrait of an Indian player in the collections of Marylebone Cricket Club, the owners of Lord’s.


Messi brace sets up Miami’s 2-1 MLS victory over New England

Messi brace sets up Miami’s 2-1 MLS victory over New England
Updated 10 July 2025
Follow

Messi brace sets up Miami’s 2-1 MLS victory over New England

Messi brace sets up Miami’s 2-1 MLS victory over New England
  • The 38-year-old Argentine star has scored two goals in each of his last four MLS games to become the first MLS player to score multiple goals in four straight games
  • With the victory Miami climbed from sixth to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts: Lionel Messi scored twice in the first half of Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Wednesday, continuing a run of form unprecedented in Major League Soccer.

The 38-year-old Argentine star has scored two goals in each of his last four MLS games to become the first MLS player to score multiple goals in four straight games.

He launched the streak in late May with two goals in a 4-2 win over Montreal then had two in a 5-1 victory over Columbus.

Miami then paused their MLS campaign to compete in the Club World Cup — where Messi scored one goal in four matches and Miami were eliminated in the round of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain.

Javier Mascherano’s team returned to MLS action on Saturday with a 4-1 victory at Montreal — also fueled by a brace from eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.

In all Messi has 14 goals in 15 MLS games, putting him two behind leading scorer Sam Surridge, who has appeared in six more games for Nashville than Messi has played this season.

Messi put Miami up 1-0 in the 27th minute at Gillette Stadium, taking advantage of a Revolution miscue and firing a left-footed shot from the heart of the area.

The Argentinian star doubled the score 11 minutes later, charging onto a long through ball from Sergio Busquets and curling a left-footed shot beyond the reach of Slovenian goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.

Veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari also starred for Miami, coming up with six saves before Spaniard Carles Gil managed to put one by him, picking off Tadeo Allende in the 79th minute and rifling in a shot from outside the box.

With the victory Miami climbed from sixth to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. On 35 points, they are seven points behind leaders FC Cincinnati but with three fewer matches played after their Club World Cup break.


Pogacar plays down yellow jersey after Evenepoel wins Tour time trial

Pogacar plays down yellow jersey after Evenepoel wins Tour time trial
Updated 10 July 2025
Follow

Pogacar plays down yellow jersey after Evenepoel wins Tour time trial

Pogacar plays down yellow jersey after Evenepoel wins Tour time trial
  • Pogacar: The most important (jersey) is yellow, and the most important time to have it is on the Champs-Elysees at the finish line
  • It was Evenepoel’s second stage win on the Tour de France, having triumphed in the time trial in Gevrey-Chambertin last year on his debut in the Grande Boucle

CAEN, France: Three-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar played down the importance of taking over the yellow jersey after Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel stormed his way to an impressive victory in the fifth-stage time trial on Wednesday.

Pogacar, who started the day in second place on the same time as leader Mathieu van der Poel, produced one of his best time trials on the 33km route around Caen to finish just 16 seconds behind the world and Olympic champion to leave Van der Poel and fellow challenger Jonas Vingegaard struggling in his wake.

The Slovenian, who now holds a 42sec lead over Evenepoel with Vingegaard over a minute behind, is the first rider since Eddie Merckx in the 1970s to hold all three of the main jerseys — the general classification, points and king of the mountains.

“I’m super happy with how I rode today, to be 16 seconds behind the world champion, the Olympic champion, the best time triallist in the world right now,” Pogacar said after the stage.

“It’s a very good day and I’m happy, but I’m just happy this day is over and we can keep the ball rolling in this Tour de France.

“The most important (jersey) is yellow, and the most important time to have it is on the Champs-Elysees at the finish line.

“Now, it’s not that important. It feels good, but the important thing is to have it in Paris.”

Evenepoel completed the course in 36min 42sec at a blistering average speed of 54 km/h. Italian Edoardo Affini finished third, 33sec behind.

It was Evenepoel’s second stage win on the Tour de France, having triumphed in the time trial in Gevrey-Chambertin last year on his debut in the Grande Boucle.

“I knew I had a good chance but, of course, the legs still have to be there and everything has to go to plan,” said Evenepoel whose Soudal Quick-Step teammate Tim Merlier won stage three two days ago.

“In the end I think it was pretty good. I didn’t really feel like I could go any faster, so I think in general I’m happy with the result.

“It’s a second stage win for our team, it’s super nice.

“As for me, I’ve taken a step toward the podium but there’s still a long way to go.”

Two-time winner Vingegaard, who began the day just 8sec behind Van der Poel, had a poor day as the Dane could only finish 13th in the stage — 1min 21sec behind Evenepoel — to slip to 1min 13sec behind Pogacar in the new standings.

He drops to fourth overall with local rider Kevin Vauquelin moving up to third after a hugely impressive ride that saw him finish fifth on the day.

“I’m over the moon, really,” said an emotional Vauquelin.

“I think I can only experience this once in my life. To see everyone looking at me, cheering me on, it’s incredible.

“For a 24-year-old just starting out in the professional world, it’s just incredible.”

Dutchman Van der Poel also struggled to maintain the pace, coming in 18th, 1min 44sec behind the winner, dropping him down to sixth overall.

Evenepoel was the nailed-on favorite to win the stage given his astonishing record in time trials.

The Flemish rider, who has been wearing a golden helmet since his Olympic double, is virtually invincible in this exercise.

He has won the last six time trial stages in which he has taken part, and nine out of 12 since the start of 2024. This was his 64th career victory, of which 21 have come in time trials.

Evenepoel was also impressed by the performance of Pogacar who was a distant third to the Belgian and Vingegaard in the time trial in the recent Criterium du Dauphine.

“Compared to the Dauphine, he took a big step forward. He showed that he’s in great form and that he’s the man to beat in this Tour.”

Thursday serves up the second longest stage of this year’s Tour with 3,500 meters of elevation over a 201.5km route through Normandy which starts in Vauquelin’s home town of Bayeux and ends with a short, steep climb to the finish in Vire Normandie.


Let the Esports World Cup games begin!

Let the Esports World Cup games begin!
Updated 10 July 2025
Follow

Let the Esports World Cup games begin!

Let the Esports World Cup games begin!
  • Features 2,000 players, 25 tournaments, $70m to win
  • Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan hails govt support

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup kicks off in Riyadh on Thursday featuring over 2,000 elite players, 25 tournaments across 24 leading titles, and a record-breaking prize pool of over $70 million.

Running from July 10 to Aug. 24, the event will also have the world’s top 200 clubs competing in a new format.

At the heart of the competition is the Club Championship, where teams accumulate points to claim a $7 million grand prize and the coveted trophy.

The over $70 million prize pool also includes $38 million for individual Game Championships, $5 million in global qualifier rewards, and $450,000 in MVP bonuses.

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership for their support at a press conference in Riyadh on Wednesday.

“The Kingdom is cementing its position as a global leader in gaming and esports. The Esports World Cup is a clear reflection of that progress.”

The event, run by the Esport World Cup Foundation, was first held in Riyadh last year with a purse of $62.5 million.

The team competition was won by Team Falcons, from Saudi Arabia, in 2024.

“This event stands as a global milestone for esports by showcasing the scale, ambition, and future of competitive gaming,” Prince Faisal said.

“It is a moment that will shape the direction of the industry for years to come.”

Faisal bin Homran, chief product officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation, added: “The Esports World Cup is redefining what’s possible in esports.

“It brings together the world’s top teams to compete in the most iconic and advanced arenas, delivering a level of excitement that is unmatched across the industry.”


Djokovic reaches record 14th Wimbledon semifinal

Djokovic reaches record 14th Wimbledon semifinal
Updated 10 July 2025
Follow

Djokovic reaches record 14th Wimbledon semifinal

Djokovic reaches record 14th Wimbledon semifinal
  • The Serb, chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam singles crown, was given the royal seal of approval by Britain’s Queen Camilla before his 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win on Center Court

LONDON: Novak Djokovic won a testing battle against Flavio Cobolli on Wednesday to reach a record 14th men’s Wimbledon semifinal, which will be a blockbuster clash against world number one Jannik Sinner.

The Serb, chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam singles crown, was given the royal seal of approval by Britain’s Queen Camilla before his 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win on Center Court.

The seven-time champion was pushed hard by the Italian 22nd seed but ultimately had too much for the 23-year-old, who had never previously been beyond the third round of a major.

Djokovic said Wimbledon was the “most special tournament” in the sport as he was cheered by the crowd.

“And of course, it means the world to me that I’m still able at 38 to play the final stages of Wimbledon,” he said.

“Thank you for cheering for my age. I really appreciate it. It’s beautiful. Makes me feel very young.

“And I guess another thing that makes me feel very young is competing with youngsters, you know, like Cobolli today — he’s who knows how many years younger than me.”

The sixth seed prepared for the contest by meeting Camilla, the wife of King Charles III, who said she was keeping her “fingers crossed” for his match.

She watched Djokovic from the Royal Box, along with British actor Hugh Grant.

Cobolli showed early intent, mixing up his play with drop shots and heavy groundstrokes from his flashing orange racquet and unsettling his illustrious opponent.

Djokovic, who has reached every Wimbledon final since 2018, served for the first set at 5-3 but the Italian broke back and won the ensuing tie-break.

Cobolli, who has claimed titles in Bucharest and Hamburg this year, next had to answer the question of whether he could sustain his level against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

But it was a different story in the second set as Djokovic broke twice to level the match in the evening sunshine.

The pair swapped service breaks early in the third set but Djokovic pounced again in the 11th game and thundered an ace as he took control of the match.

The fourth set was tight but Cobolli failed to put away a simple winner at the net in the ninth game.

Djokovic slipped and fell awkwardly when serving for the match, grimacing in pain, but got up to finish the job.

He played down the incident in his on-court interview.

“I had a nasty slip, but that’s what happens when you play on the grass,” he said.

“It did come at an awkward moment, but somehow I managed to find a good serve and close it out. Obviously, I’m going to visit this subject now with my physio and hopefully I’ll be well in two days.”

The Serb now owns the all-time record for most Wimbledon men’s singles semifinal appearances, moving one clear of eight-time champion Roger Federer, who reached the last four 13 times.

He has also reached a 52nd Grand Slam semifinal, extending his all-time record in the men’s game.

Djokovic is now within two wins of breaking his tie with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles for any player, man or woman.

If he reaches and wins Sunday’s final he will also equal Federer’s record of eight men’s titles at the All England Club.

Sinner, who beat 10th seed Ben Shelton earlier Wednesday, will offer a different level of challenge.

The top seed has won his past four matches against Djokovic, beating him in straight sets in the semifinals of the recent French Open.

Carlos Alcaraz, who has beaten Djokovic in the past two finals at Wimbledon, takes on US fifth seed Taylor Fritz in the other semifinal on Friday.