Latest news with #SouthAmerican
India Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
Real Madrid, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami amongst biggest crowd pullers in Club World Cup
Real Madrid and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami remain amongst the biggest crowd-pullers in the FIFA Club World Cup, being hosted in the United States of America, reported Sports Business Journal on Friday, June 27. The revamped tournament is averaging attendance of 34,770 through its group stage matches heading into the knockout stages, the report further place in the United States this year, many of the games were hosted in larger venues, mainly NFL stadiums, allowing for larger crowds to attend. But that also had the double-edged effect of creating more empty seats for the lower-profile matches. Fourteen individual matches drew crowds of more than 50,000, led by the impressive turnout of just over 80,000 (80,619) at the Rose Bowl for Paris Saint-Germain's 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid was the biggest selling point for the tournament, boasting three of the top five best-attended matches in group play. An average of 65,825 fans attended their three games, best among all teams. Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain clocked an average attendance of 61,649. Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid saw 51,749 fans attending their matches on average, while local favourites, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, pulled in 51,208 fans on average. South American giants Palmeiras were fifth on this list, clocking their average attendance at 47,456. Among venues, Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida had the highest average attendance (52,955).At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest attended match was Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Ulsan HD, with a paltry 3,412 fans present. Twelve stadiums across 11 cities have hosted a total of 1.668 million World Cup FixturesThe group stage of the tournament will run until July 2. Inter Miami vs. PSG and Real Madrid vs. Juventus remain two of the biggest group stage fixtures in this tournament that are still to be played. The quarter-final fixtures start from July 5, while the final will be hosted on July 14.- EndsTrending Reel
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
From Lionel Messi to Auckland City, magic shining through Club World Cup issues
Fans cheer Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid as he is substituted during the Club World Cup match against Salzburg. EPA ATLANTA – The Club World Cup's various problems have been well documented, from empty seats to storm delays, extreme heat to complaints about Fifa's expanded competition being a cash grab at the expense of the players' long-term health. However, with the right ingredients slow-cooking in the United States summer sun, there has also been plenty to enjoy about the tournament so far. Several stars are getting their encore moments, including Inter Miami's cast of ageing former Barcelona greats, led by Lionel Messi. Now 38, Messi helped the Major League Soccer side make the last 16 against the odds. His mere presence still provokes intense reactions, including from a young boy in an Argentina shirt at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in tears before the new NBA-style walk-outs. He delivered, too, scoring a superb free kick to earn Miami a shock victory over Porto. 'I'm a Messi fan, he's still one of the best players in the world – that Porto game we weren't supposed to win,' said Yemi Obono, a 34-year-old tech product manager who lives in Atlanta. He and many others will get another chance to see the forward when Miami face European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Georgia in the last 16 on June 29. '(Watching Messi) was like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me... I hope I can go on Sunday and see him again,' added Obono. Messi's reunion with his former club PSG is one of many narratives to catch the eye. With clubs taking the competition seriously, not least because of the total of US$1 billion in prize money on offer, these matches feel 'canon', unlike pre-season friendly tours. 'I'm pretty sure for the South American teams, for the Brazilian teams, for Argentinian teams, this competition is maybe the maximum,' said Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who hailed the passion of the South American fans in particular. 'People are surprised (when) European teams lose. Welcome to the real world my friends.' The group stage has offered some of the tension the revamped Uefa Champions League first round lacked. The Club World Cup has also offered a first look at Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid project, and new signings like Los Blancos duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, Chelsea's Liam Delap and several City arrivals. On the other hand, the tournament has been an opportunity to celebrate teams who rarely get to enjoy the global spotlight. While some mocked New Zealand amateurs Auckland City after their opening 10-0 defeat by Bayern Munich, it highlighted how impressive their 1-1 draw against Boca Juniors was in their final game. 'We're representing 99 per cent of club teams in world football who are amateurs... we all have day jobs,' said vice-captain Adam Mitchell. Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds' fans went toe-to-toe with their River Plate counterparts in creating a superb atmosphere, which is no mean feat. Although River and Argentine rivals Boca were eliminated, their passionate supporters helped bring the tournament to life. Even if stadiums are not full, the fans who are there are bringing the noise – and the average attendance is higher than for La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 last season. Brazilian clubs have flexed their muscles, with all four reaching the last 16, surprising those who thought the gap to Europe's elite was too great. The Club World Cup is a tournament in its infancy, with room to improve, but is already showing it has more heart than some expected. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Club World Cup 2025 highlights: Messi magic, underdog triumphs
THE Club World Cup's various problems have been well documented, from empty seats to storm delays, extreme heat to complaints about FIFA's expanded competition being a cash grab at the expense of the players' long-term health. However, with the right ingredients slow-cooking in the United States summer sun, there has also been plenty to enjoy about the tournament so far. Several stars are getting their encore moments, including Inter Miami's cast of ageing former Barcelona greats, led by Lionel Messi. Now 38, Messi helped the Major League Soccer side make the last 16 against the odds, which coach Javier Mascherano said was 'historic'. Messi's mere presence still provokes intense reactions, including from a young boy in an Argentina shirt at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in tears before the new NBA-style walk-outs, overcome at the prospect of seeing his hero live. He delivered, too, whipping a superb free-kick into the top corner to earn Miami a shock victory over Porto. 'I'm a Messi fan, he's still one of the best players in the world -- that Porto game we weren't supposed to win,' said Yemi Obono, a 34-year-old tech product manager who lives in Atlanta. He and many others will get another chance to see the forward when Inter Miami face European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Georgia again this weekend in the last 16. '(Watching Messi) was like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me... I hope I can go on Sunday and see him again,' added Obono. 'I'm happy -- at first I wasn't happy we came second (in the group).' Messi's reunion with PSG is one of many narratives to catch the eye. With clubs taking the competition seriously, not least because of the total of $1 billion in prize money on offer, these matches feel 'canon', unlike pre-season friendly tours. 'I'm pretty sure for the South American teams, for the Brazilian teams, for Argentinian teams, this competition is maybe the maximum,' said Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, who hailed the passion of the South American fans in particular. 'People are surprised (when) European teams lose,' added Guardiola. 'Welcome to the real world my friends.' Botafogo stunned PSG in the group stage with a 1-0 win, Chelsea suffered a stinging 3-1 defeat by another Brazilian side in Flamengo, and Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid were eliminated early. The group stage has offered some of the tension the revamped UEFA Champions League first round lacked. The Club World Cup has also offered a first look at Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid project, and new signings like Los Blancos duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, Chelsea's Liam Delap and several Manchester City arrivals. Coaches including Bayern's Vincent Kompany have appreciated the extra time they have to work in depth with players, swallowed up in the season by recovery sessions amid the packed calendar. - '99 percent' - The tournament has been an opportunity to celebrate teams who rarely get to enjoy the global spotlight. While some mocked New Zealand amateurs Auckland City after their opening 10-0 defeat by Bayern Munich, it highlighted how impressive their 1-1 draw against Boca Juniors was in their final game. 'We're representing 99 percent of club teams in world football who are amateurs... we all have day jobs,' said vice-captain Adam Mitchell. Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds' fans went toe-to-toe with their River Plate counterparts in creating a superb atmosphere, which is no mean feat. Although River and Argentine rivals Boca were eliminated, their passionate supporters helped bring the tournament to life. Even if stadiums are not full, the fans who are there are bringing the noise -- and the average attendance is higher than for La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 last season. Brazilian clubs have flexed their muscles, with all four reaching the last 16, surprising those who thought the gap to Europe's elite was too great. With the likes of PSG, City, Real and Bayern looking to go deep, some impending blockbuster clashes may yet win over those resistant to the spectacle. The Club World Cup is a tournament in its infancy, with room to improve, but is already showing it has more heart than some expected.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
IDB approves $2 billion credit line for Brazil
(Reuters) -The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a conditional credit line of $2 billion to strengthen fiscal management in Brazil, it said on Friday. The funds will go toward modernizing the South American nation's tax management processes and systems, the lender said in a statement, starting with an initial $30 million loan for the state of Amazonas.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sky Sports: Fulham Pushing to Sign 17-Goal Brazilian Striker
Fulham Eye Brazilian Talent Romulo in Ambitious Striker Pursuit Fulham appear to be taking strides in the transfer market with their sights firmly set on Göztepe striker Romulo, according to reports originally published by Sky Sports. The West London club, known for their measured yet ambitious recruitment strategy, are believed to be pushing for a deal that would bring the 23-year-old Brazilian forward to Craven Cottage ahead of the 2025–26 Premier League campaign. Romulo's Rise in Turkey Romulo's emergence in Turkish football has not gone unnoticed. The Göztepe forward registered an impressive 17 goals and 10 assists across all competitions last season, sparking interest from a number of European clubs. Advertisement Fulham, according to Sky Sports, have already tested the waters with a reported €16 million bid, though this was turned down by the Turkish outfit, who value the player closer to €20 million. Photo: IMAGO Such output in a single season highlights Romulo's all-round attacking threat and hints at his growing potential. At 23, he's entering his peak years and appears to possess the profile Fulham are seeking as they aim to evolve from mid-table consistency to a genuine top-half presence. Fulham's Forward Options Require Reinforcement Despite some attacking flair last season, Fulham's goalscoring record has drawn criticism. The departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic left a noticeable void, and while Rodrigo Muniz showed flashes of brilliance, consistency at Premier League level remains a work in progress. Advertisement The pursuit of Romulo signals intent. It's not just about numbers, it's about profile. Romulo offers a blend of pace, sharp movement and clinical finishing that aligns with Marco Silva's attacking philosophy. He also carries that added South American edge, often seen in players who bring tenacity and flair in equal measure. Negotiations Underway Amidst Growing Interest While Fulham are reportedly leading the race, they are not alone in monitoring Romulo. According to the Sky Sports report, 'he has several suitors across Europe,' underlining the competition that could complicate matters. However, Fulham's willingness to table a €16 million offer shows serious intent. With pre-season rapidly approaching, time is of the essence if the Cottagers hope to integrate a new striker into Silva's system effectively. Advertisement If they are to close the gap to Göztepe's valuation, Fulham may need to offer closer to €20 million, possibly with performance-related add-ons to sweeten the deal. Strategy and Timing Will Be Key Romulo's potential arrival would not only boost Fulham's attacking depth but also act as a statement of ambition. While negotiations continue, Fulham must weigh their options carefully. Securing a player with such an upward trajectory could prove a masterstroke if managed efficiently. Our View – EPL Index Analysis As a Fulham supporter, this news is genuinely exciting. Finally, the club is chasing a forward who has both the statistics and the energy to make a real difference. Romulo's 17 goals and 10 assists are not just numbers, they are evidence of a player who can influence games from multiple positions in attack. Advertisement Fans have longed for a replacement for Mitrović who doesn't just wait for chances, but creates them. Romulo seems to be that player. He's quick, hungry, and at 23 years old, he fits the mould of a modern Premier League forward. If Silva can mould him into the system early, he could be one of the signings of the summer. What excites me most is the potential partnership between Romulo and Muniz. With Willian and Pereira pulling the strings behind them, we could be looking at a forward line full of flair and unpredictability. And given Fulham's growing reputation for improving players, this feels like a calculated risk worth taking. Paying the full €20 million? If he fires us into the top half or better, it'll be money well spent.
