Welcome to our Soccer Results Page

• Five-year financial commitment is the largest ever made to US Soccer by a woman
• Funds to support organisation’s women’s and girls’ soccer programmes
• Kang hopes investment will encourage others to “follow suit”

Serial women’s soccer investor Michele Kang has pledged US$30 million to US Soccer over the next five years, which the national governing body says will “transform” the game for women and girls in the country.

The commitment from Kang, owner of the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Washington Spirit, French top-tier outfit Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and English second division side London City Lionesses, is the largest donation ever made to US soccer by a woman.

It is also the largest philanthropic investment to date in US Soccer’s women’s and girls’ programmes.

The investment from Kang will scale competitive opportunities for youth players, expand and improve talent identification, and fuel professional development for female players, coaches and referees.

“Michele Kang’s gift will transform soccer for women and girls in the United States,” said US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone.

“It will impact generations of women and girls in our game, including players, coaches, and referees. I know firsthand the power soccer can have in someone’s life and thanks to Michele, we will be able to provide more support and opportunities for women and girls.”

Kang added: “Women’s sports have been undervalued and overlooked for far too long. I am committed to raising the standard of excellence in women’s soccer – both on and off the pitch – by delivering the resources female athletes need to reach their full potential and surround them with the professional support they deserve.

“I hope this investment serves as ‘seed capital’ and spurs other donors to follow suit.”

Source: https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/us-soccer-michele-kang-investment-donation-women-girls-program-november-2024/

.

Former Orlando Pirates and Chippa United attacker Thabo Rakhale has issued an update on his injury setback in the neighbouring country Botswana.

The dribbling wizard, Rakhale, is currently playing for Township Rollers in the Botswana Premier League as he struggled to find a club in the Betway Premiership. The 34-year-old joined the club in July 2023 as a free agent as he looks to revive his football career.

‘Jomo’ had been without a club since the middle of the 2021/22 campaign after parting ways with ambitious Premiership side Sekhukhune United.

In his second season with the Gaborone-based outfit, the speedy winger was unfortunate after sustaining an injury just after the start of the new season in October. The former PSL star is yet to feature for The Blues this season after he tore his right Achilles tendon and underwent a successful surgery in Botswana.

THABO RAKHALE COMMENTS ON HIS INJURY SETBACK?

The dribbling wizard says he’s currently recovering well from the lengthy injury that will keep him on the sidelines for some months to come.

Rakhale’s return back to action is expected to be late in the second half of the season, around April 2024.

“Well, I have completed the operation, and it was successful. So for now, I’m still in the healing stage,” Rakhale told FARPost. “The results showed that I will be on the sidelines for at least half of the season [until April 2024].”

Without Rakhale, Rollers have performed quite well in the five league matches they have played so far this season. Township Rollers are in third place on the log standings after amassing 10 points.

The team has registered three victories and one draw and suffered one defeat. In attack, they struggled to find the back of the net, only netting six times. At the back, Rollers have conceded three goals and kept three clean sheets.

RELATED STORY: Thabo Rakhale rates Sundowns star as his toughest defensive opponent

Source: https://farpost.co.za/2024/11/20/thabo-rakhale-issues-an-update-on-his-injury-in-botswana/

.

Ranga Chivaviro of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Mothobi Mvala of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2024 Carling Knockout Cup match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on the 02 November 2024

Muzi Ntombela, Backpages

Source: https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/local/premiership/mamelodi-sundowns/injury-scare-for-mothobi-mvala-but-manqoba-mngqithi-provides-good-news-20241120

.

POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 30: Ranga Chivaviro of Kazier Chiefs arrive with the bus prior to the Betway Premiership match between Magesi FC and Kaizer Chiefs at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on October 30, 2024 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)

Source: https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/local/siyagobhoza/inside-kaizer-chiefs-ranga-chivaviro-could-lose-his-place-to-ashley-du-preez-20241120

.

Most fans know and recognize the Ballon d’Or gala and FIFA’s The Best awards as the two preeminent global annual football recognition events.

Presented by France Football, the Ballon d’Or is widely considered the most coveted individual award in the world, while FIFA has attempted to challenge that superiority with its own set of trophy presentations.

However, a relatively unknown player has been around for over a decade as the Globe Soccer Awards look to gain notoriety and clout for their annual ceremony held every January (until this year) in Dubai.

The Sporting News details where the Globe Soccer Awards come from and who the 2024 nominees are across their various award categories.

MORE: All the latest soccer action | Cristiano Ronaldo news | Lionel Messi news

What are the Globe Soccer Awards?

Founded in 2010, the Globe Soccer Awards are organized by their namesake, Globe Soccer, the gala has taken place every January in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to recognize the most prominent figures in the world of football.

The awards were founded by famed agent Jorge Mendes along with Italian businessman Riccardo Silva and Tommaso Bendoni. Mendes has won the Best Agent category in 11 of the 13 years of its existence.

“At the heart of Globe Soccer’s mission is a commitment to honoring all facets of the beautiful game,” reads the official website. “Their awards celebrate not just players, but the full spectrum of football stakeholders – from chairmen and agents to directors and referees.”

To recognize the best across the world of football in the 2024 calendar year, the Globe Soccer Awards will hold its next iteration of the ceremony earlier than usual, on December 27, in Dubai.

2024 Globe Soccer Awards nominees

In 2010, the first year of the ceremony, the Globe Soccer Awards consisted of just Best Agent, Best Director, and a Career Achievement Award. For the 2024 ceremony, there are 12 different main categories.

The selection committee, or “jury” as Globe Soccer refers to it, consists of dozens of individuals from around the world of football. It includes former players Francesco Totti, Ian Rush, and Luis Figo, current players such as Alexia Putellas, coaches Antonio Conte and Fabio Capello, former referees, club executives, businessmen, and even a member of the Dubai Sports Council among others. 

There are some quirks to the categories. First off, there are “Best Forward” and “Best Midfielder” categories for the men but no “Best Defender.” Meanwhile, there is a “Best Coach” that is clearly restricted to the men’s side by the nominees, but no similar category for the women.

There also appears to be clear bias and blind spots in certain areas. Possibly thanks to Jorge Mendes’ influence, Portuguese players, clubs, and executives appear more often than usual, such as Sporting CP’s presence in the “Best Club” category despite being knocked out of last year’s continental competition in the Europa League Round of 16. Additionally, on the women’s side, not a single American player was nominated for Best Player, while no NWSL club was chosen as part of the Best Club nominees.

The following are all the nominees in every given category up for recognition at the 2024 iteration of the Globe Soccer Awards.

Best Men’s Player

Best Women’s Player

Best Men’s Club

Best Women’s Club

Best Coach

Best Midfielder

Best Forward

Best Emerging Player

Best Agent

Best Sporting Director

Best Middle East Player

This award recognizes the best player contracted to a Middle Eastern club.

Best Middle East Club

Source: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/globe-soccer-awards-2024-nominees-messi-ronald-haaland-list/86849425f6a0a80380a99f2c

.

While Manchester United may not have enjoyed the same level of Premier League success over the past decade as it did under Sir Alex Ferguson, its global influence has hardly waned.

Despite on-pitch struggles compared to the club’s glory days, United has managed to uphold its brand’s impact worldwide, proving highly profitable. The Forbes 2024 List ranked United as the second most valuable soccer team globally, boasting revenues of $785 million, operating income of $187 million, and a club value of $6.55 billion. Barcelona is third on that list with a value of $5.6 billion.

Liverpool is the fourth most profitable soccer team in the world, boasting a current value of $5.37 billion, with a revenue of $719 million and operating income of $102 million.

Only Real Madrid has outstripped United, valued at $6.6 billion with revenues of $873 million during the reporting period. The Spanish titan is expected to surpass the $1 billion revenue mark when its next accounts are published, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach has injected a dose of optimism into United’s competitive future, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees soccer and strategic matters at Old Trafford, has his work cut out for him. A pivotal decision looms over the potential construction of a new stadium, with clubs like Real Madrid having long since upgraded its home to capitalize on commercial opportunities in today’s game.

The Santiago Bernabeu, for instance, has undergone costly renovations. Now, Real Madrid has edged further ahead of United by inaugurating ‘Real Madrid World’ in Dubai, touted as “the world’s first football club theme park.”

This expansive 15-acre park boasts over 40 attractions themed around the illustrious club, including what is claimed to be the world’s tallest “flying chairs” ride and the Middle East’s first wooden roller coaster. In addition to the rides, Madridistas can watch live matches at the park, which is nestled within the Dubai Parks and Resorts complex -a hub for various theme and water parks. Although officially opened last week, ‘Real Madrid World’ had already welcomed visitors in a soft launch back in April.

Set to dazzle fans, the ‘Hala Madrid Coaster’ and ‘Stars Flyer’, proclaimed as “the world’s tallest spinning ride” at a towering 460 feet, are key attractions in the exciting offering. And for those after a taste of triumph, there’s even a life-size Cibeles fountain replica – the spot where Real Madrid bask in its victories.

Plus, Spanish culinary delights await at the ‘Hala Madrid’ restaurant. This theme park isn’t just another attraction; it’s part of Real Madrid’s strategic play to transition from just a soccer club to an all-encompassing entertainment giant. With a firm stance in the Middle East, the club is tapping into tourist-rich territories while diversifying income well beyond TV rights and match wins – a model United, with its own global influence, might mimic as football entities evolve into multifaceted entertainment hubs.

Source: https://www.liverpool.com/premier-league/real-madrid-worth-liverpool-manutd-30407023

.