CELEBRITY

Bill Gates, Beckham, Drogba, predict Morocco’s defeat of France

Published

2 years ago

December 14, 2022

The achievements of the Atlas Lions at the ongoing Qatar World Cup have received praise from many world-class celebrities.

According to Morocco’s news outlet, Morocco World News, Bill Gates, David Beckham, Didier Drogba, and Michael Essien joined the list of public figures in supporting Morocco and predicted that the Atlas Lions will defeat France in the semi-finals.

It was on the sidelines of a panel discussion at the Gates Foundation event in Doha when Dr. Alaa Murabit, medical doctor, and director of health at the Gates Foundation asked participants about their predictions for the FIFA World Cup 2022 winner.

Murabit reportedly asked all participants to hold voting cards depicting Moroccan and French flags and to choose a side, jokingly saying, “it’s an easy one.”

Drogba, Gates, Essien, Beckham, and Murabit held up the side of the Moroccan flag, predicting the Atlas Lions’ victory over France in the World Cup semi-final

Morocco became the first African and Arab-speaking country to reach the World Cup semi-finals after defeating European football giant Portugal (1-0).

This momentous accomplishment sparked wild celebrations across the globe from not only fans but also celebrities, public figures, and officials from various nations.

King Mohammed VI received phone calls from President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Emir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, and King of Jordan Abdullah II, who all joined in congratulating the monarch for the Atlas Lions’ historic achievement.

The monarch also received calls from the President of Mauritania Mohammed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, and the President of the UAE Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

A long list of famous names, including the Colombian singer Shakira, the American producer, director, and actor Shelton Jackson, and the billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, have also congratulated Morocco on reaching the semi-finals.

CELEBRITY

Over a million subscribe as Ronaldo launches YouTube channel

Published

2 weeks ago

August 21, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Euro 2024 - Quarter Final - Portugal v France - Hamburg Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany - July 5, 2024 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo after taking a penalty during the penalty shootout REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File photo

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday and hundreds of thousands of subscribers signed up within a couple of hours.

The 39-year-old five-times Ballon D’Or winner plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

“The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on his social media accounts.

A couple of hours after posting his first video, 1.69M subscribers had joined he channel.

Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million on Facebook and 636 million on Instagram.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player is preparing for his team’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Raed on Thursday.

-Reuters

CELEBRITY

Lionel Messi set to hang boots

Published

3 months ago

June 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Messi Sets Record Straight Over Hong Kong Absence -

Inter Miami will be the last club Argentina captain Lionel Messi plays for, the 36-year-old forward said on Wednesday, adding he feels “a little bit scared” at the thought of the day he decides to retire.

Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, has a contract with the Major League Soccer side until 2025 following his arrival last summer after a spell with French champions Paris St Germain.

“Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything even more because I am aware that there is less and less left,” Messi told ESPN.

“I’m not ready to leave football. I’ve done this all my life, I love playing football, I enjoy training, the day-to-day, the matches… And yes, there’s always a little bit of fear that it’s all over.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is preparing with his national team to defend their Copa America title, with the tournament kicking off on June 20 in the United States.

Argentina will take on Canada in the opening match before facing Group A rivals Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.

-Reuters

CELEBRITY

Bidding opens for Messi napkin that defined soccer great’s career

Published

4 months ago

May 9, 2024

Kunle Solaja

A guest looks at a napkin, written on by Barcelona's Sporting Director at that time Carles Rexach on December 14, 2000, promising a contract to secure 13-year-old Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona, on display at Bonhams Auctions in New York City, U.S., March 6, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Bidding began on Wednesday for a napkin on which soccer club Barcelona penned a promise to sign a 13-year-old Lionel Messi – who went on to become one of the game’s greatest players – with early bids reaching almost $300,000.

The napkin was signed in December 2000 when Carles Rexach, then Barcelona’s sporting director, agreed with agent Horacio Gaggioli to recruit the Argentine teenager who went on to become the club’s all-time top scorer.

Bidding for the document, described by auction house Bonhams as “blue ink on a standard Spanish waxy napkin,” was at 220,000 pounds ($274,824.00) shortly after the sale opened, according to the auctioneer’s website.

The online sale closes on May 17 and has a guide price of between 300,000 and 500,000 pounds.

“It was never legally binding, but emotionally it represents the deep link or the beginning of the deep link, that Messi had with Barcelona,” said Bonhams Chief Marketing Officer Marc Sands.

Messi helped Barcelona win 35 titles, making a record 782 appearances and scoring 674 goals. Messi left Barcelona in 2021 and now plays for Inter Miami.

“If you love football, you’ll know all about Lionel Messi and you will know that he defined football for generations. If you want a slice of that action, this is the thing to get,” Sands said.

-Reuters