On August 20, Spain won their first-ever Women’s World Cup in a 1-0 victory over England. It capped off a dominant tournament for the European side, whose only blip was a shock 4-0 loss to Japan in their final group match. La Roja was in firm control of the final, earning 57% of possession in the final and nearly having more shots on goal than England had total shots.
More specifically, the hero of the match was 23-year-old Olga Carmona. The Real Madrid defender put Spain ahead in the 29th minute, tapping in a long-range shot from just inside the penalty box that goalkeeper Mary Earps just couldn’t get to. It was Carmona’s second hero moment in as many matches, having also scored the game-winner in Spain’s semifinal win over Sweden. However, elation has turned to tragedy as Carmona learned of her father’s death hours after the final.
PÉSAME | La @RFEF lamenta profundamente comunicar el fallecimiento del padre de Olga Carmona. La futbolista ha conocido la triste noticia una vez concluida la final de la Copa del Mundo.
Mandamos nuestro abrazo más sincero a Olga y a su familia en un momento de profundo… pic.twitter.com/BSe2XmUrVF
“@RFEF deeply regrets to report the death of Olga Carmona’s father. The soccer player learned the sad news after the World Cup final. We send our most sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. We love you, Olga, you are the history of Spanish football,” the Spanish football federation wrote on social media. Carmona’s domestic club, Real Madrid, also released a statement soon after the news broke. “Real Madrid, the president and the board of directors are deeply saddened by the passing of the father of our player Olga Carmona. Real Madrid would like to extend our condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Olga, her family and all her loved ones. May he rest in peace.”
However, in a cruel twist of fate, Carmona had lifted her shirt after her goal to reveal the word “Merchi” written on her undershirt. “This victory is for the mum of one of my best friends who passed away recently,” she said after the final, explaining the message. Carmona has not publicly commented since learning the news of her father’s passing. It is unknown if Carmona will celebrate with the rest of the team when they return to Madrid on August 21.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski and General Manager Kate Markgraf have both resigned their positions with the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT). The moves come after the team suffered its worst-ever performance at a World Cup. The two-time defending champions only managed to win one game at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, beating Vietnam 3-0 in the Group Stage. After two draws to close out the group stage, they lost on penalties to Sweden in the Round of 16.
Both Andonovski and Markgraf had held their respective positions since 2019. Markgraf made hiring the Macedonian coach the first major decision of her tenure. Andonovski had no prior international coaching experience while Markgraft, a USWNT legend herself, had no prior experience in sports administration. Their tenure has been marked by a noted downturn in the fortunes of the American side. The team earned a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics preceding their World Cup failures.
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 18, 2023
Both decisions were expected. Markgraf, whose contract expired at the end of August, had already made the decision to leave the role before the World Cup. Meanwhile, there was no way that Andonovski could stay on after an abysmal performance from the sidelines at the World Cup. In short, Andonovski ran the USWNT like you would a domestic club. He brought in masses of young talent in the hopes of developing them into superstars. Meanwhile, he ran a tactical philosophy counter-intuitive to the demands of a national team. However, with an Olympic campaign less than a year away, the US Soccer Federation must act fast to stem the bleeding.
It’s unclear if the position of GM will be filled after Markgraf vacates it. Given that the team won multiple World Cups without one, it’s not exactly necessary for US success. Meanwhile, numerous superstar candidates have been floated for the vacant head coach position. The problem is that many of these candidates are still under contract with their current federations. Those federations would demand an absolute ransom to have them join the US. The most likely solution would be to announce an interim coach until the Olympics and then hire a full-time leader to coach the team into the 2027 World Cup. A host for that competition will be selected next year. Bids from Belgium/Germany/The Netherlands, South Africa, Brazil, and The US/Mexico have been accepted by FIFA.
Yo Gotti has owned the MLS’ DC United September 2021. “As we continue to evolve, we are confident that the expanded ownership group will help us to further engage our fanbase – both existing and new, create additional forms of entertainment, and ultimately deliver a pathway for success for our club both on the pitch and in the community.” Co-chairman Steve Kaplan said at the time of Gotti’s takeover.
DC United is one the founding clubs of the MLS when the league launched way back in 1994. Since then, they’ve won four MLS Cups, last winning the league in 2004. They have earned three Supporter’s Shields for best regular season performance, most recently in 2007. However, the club has been in something of a doldrum in recent years. They haven’t reached the playoffs in the last three years and haven’t progressed past the first round since 2015. In 2022, they were quite literally the league’s worst team. However, Gotti has great faith in his mission with the team.
“It was a few years ago when I joined the club as an owner, part of the ownership club. I think diversifying growth as an entrepreneur, I mean, whoever thought we would own part of a professional sports team?” Gotti told Ebro Darden of Apple Music. “I try to show to the young guys in my city by action, what we can do and what we can become if we stay determined and disciplined and on top of what we’re trying to do as young hustlers and entrepreneurs.” He also recently teamed up with the First Lady to promote the 2023 All-Star Game.
So far, 2023 has been a better season for DC United. They currently hold the last playoff spot in the East with an 8-10-6 record and 30 points. However, the next four clubs beneath them are all within one win (3 points) of tying or surpassing United. They are currently led in scoring by Christian Benteke, the Belgian international they signed from Crystal Palace last year. He currently has eight goals this season.
It’s safe to say that Lionel Messi has had a fantastic start to his career with Inter Miami. After joining on a free transfer from French giants PSG, Messi got right to work in the in-season Leagues Cup tournament. Granted, not every team from the MLS and Liga MX is playing their starting XI, but that doesn’t take away from just how dominant Messi has been. Inter Miami are now in the final of the competition, where they will face Nashville FC on August 19. Meanwhile, Messi has scored in all six games Miami has played in the tournament so far.
However, the impressive nature of the six-game scoring streak goes beyond the Argentine’s ability to find the net. Prior to Messi’s arrival in Miami, the team was the worst side in the MLS. When they eventually resume league play, Messi will be joining a side that has just five wins on the season and hasn’t won in the league since mid-May. That included a chronic inability to find the back of the net. Before the Leagues Cup began, Miami’s leading scorer was Josef Martínez, who joined the team after a stellar career in Atlanta. Martínez had six goals. Six games later and Messi is now the team’s joint top scorer alongside Martínez with nine goals.
Last season at PSG, Messi had 21 goals in 41 appearances. Now, despite literally having already played 41 games in the last 13 months or so, Messi already has nine goals in six matches. He scored an injury-time winner in his debut, added two against Atlanta, had another brace against Orlando, a third consecutive pair of goals against Dallas, and then on goal apiece against Charlotte and Philadelphia. At some point, Messi will likely stop scoring. As mentioned, he is now on appearance #48 since the start of the 2022-23 season back in August 2022. Given when he joined Miami and the fact he won a World Cup in December, the man hasn’t taken a prolonged break since the end of the 2021-22 season.
But his ability to absolutely dissect North American teams means that he has rocketed up the scoring charts. As mentioned, he now jointly leads Inter Miami. When the MLS restarts, the currently leading scorer is Harry Mukhtar of Nashville, who has 13. But Messi has fundamentally redefined dominance in the MLS. While Messi is already in a league of his in terms of playing ability, the US league has simply never seen a player like him. The league’s all-time top scorer, Chris Wondolowski, netted 171 goals in a 16-year career. Messi debuted a year before Wondo and has played beyond his 2021 retirement. The Argentine superstar has 724 career goals. The MLS may never be the same again.
A staggering 103 people have been issued blanket charges of murder, assault, and illegal possession of explosive material in Greece. The charges come after a Champions League soccer match was canceled due to the murder of a fan. The match between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb was suspended hours before kick-off after a riot reportedly instigated by fans of the Croatian team left a 29-year-old Greek fan dead. Video of the riot showed fans wielding bats and iron bars outside OPAP Arena in Athens. Explosive devices such as petrol bombs were also detonated as part of the riot.
Many of the suspects, 97 of whom are Croatian nationals, hid their faces with their shirts as they appeared in front of the magistrate. It is likely that most will have the murder charge dropped as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, Greek authorities announced a further six arrests. All six individuals, all Croatian nationals, were caught trying to flee the county. Five were detained attempting to board a ferry to Italy. Another was caught trying to escape via bus to Albania.
ATHENS, GREECE – AUGUST 08: A man lays flowers in the memory of 29-year-old Greek fan died during the overnight clashes between rival supporters in Nea Filadelfeia, Athens, Greece on August 08, 2023. (Photo by Dimitris Lampropoulos/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
A tribute outside OPAP Arena was soon established for Michalis Katsouris, who was stabbed to death outside the stadium. Meanwhile, Greek Public Order Minister Giannis Oikonomou said the police had made “tragic errors” in handling fans from Croatia traveling to the game. Ignoring calls to resign, Oikonomou suspended several senior law enforcement officers pending investigation. Meanwhile, the city braces itself as it prepares to host the UEFA Super Cup Final next week. The match will feature Manchester City and Sevilla.
Elsewhere, AEK Athens called for “immediate and severe punishment” against their Croatian opponents. Furthermore, the Greek side expressed disappointment that the fixture was set to go ahead in Zagreb later this month. “The question that torments our fans is one that we described from the outset and that also torments us: How is it possible that following the brutal murder of Michalis by a gang of vicious criminals from Croatia, for AEK Athens to enter the field and play against this team?” AEK said. “Will any of his killers be in the stands?” However, a joint statement from the mayors of Athens and Zagreb called for calm and civility.
The US Women’s National Team has suffered their worst-ever finish at a World Cup, crashing out of the 2023 tournament in a penalty shootout loss to Sweden. It had been a disappointing tournament overall for the two-time defending champions, who failed to score in three of the four matches they played. All three of the team’s tournament goals came in their opening match against Vietnam. Over the last eight World Cups, the US has averaged 17.3 goals a tournament.
That’s not to say there weren’t chances to beat Sweden. The US had 22 shots against the European side. In fact, the US had more shots on target (11) than the Swedes had total shots (9). However, it wasn’t enough as the Swedes played their signature style of ultra-defensive football that has frustrated the Americans in the past. Regulation and extra time both came and went with no goals, meaning it was going to penalties. A string of late misses from the Americans, including sky-high efforts from Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith, gave the Swedes the chance to win. Lina Hurtig’s effort initially looked like it had been saved but it bounced back across the line to give Sweden the win. Swedish goalkeeper Zećira Mušović was named Woman of the Match for her record-breaking 11-save performance.
Soon enough, the blame game will begin. A lot of fault can be put on the shoulders of head coach Vlatko Andonovski. Andonovski made a lot of bizarre choices during the tournament and seemed completely unable to figure out a way past the Swedish defense. However, it was also an incredibly inexperienced squad that never really appeared to fully click. More changes will come, with Megan Rapinoe already announcing her retirement and Julie Ertz confirming hers after the loss.
The US is already qualified for the 2024 Olympic tournament in Paris. There, the US will look to bounce back from a disappointing bronze medal finish in Tokyo two years ago. It’s unclear what the team will look like – it’s likely that we haven’t had the last of the veteran retirements. However, what is clear is that something just isn’t working within the US National Team and if they don’t want it to become a persistent problem, they need to figure out what that is.
We now know the first quarterfinals at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Japan and Spain, who finished first and second in Group C respectively, dominated their Round of 16 matches to progress in the tournament. Japan conceded their first goal of the tournament as Norway neutralized a 15th-minute own goal five minutes later. However, the European side was never able to fully swing the momentum back into an offensive effort. Two second-half goals from Japan sealed the win, as well as cementing the Asian side as a surprise contender in the tournament. Furthermore, the win put 23-year-old Hinata Miyazawa atop the Golden Boot standings with five goals.
Meanwhile, Spain bounced back from their 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Japan to utterly humiliate Switerzland. Spain took the lead in the 5th minute before an own goal even the score. But after that, it was all La Roja. Spain lead 4-1 at half-time and added another after the break for good measure. It was the team’s second 5-goal game of the tournament. In the next round, Spain will take on the winner of The Netherlands versus South Africa. Meanwhile, Japan will face either Sweden or the United States.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – AUGUST 5: Jennifer Hermoso of Spain celebrates scoing her goal with team mates Eva Navarro, Aitana Bonmati and Salma Paralluelo during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Spain at Eden Park on August 5, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
The dominance performances coming out of Group C highlight just how far women’s soccer has come since the last World Cup. While Japan is a one-time tournament winner, the squad has been wildly inconsistent in recent years. After winning in 2011, they finished runners-up in 2015 before falling in the first knockout in 2019. Now they are one of the hottest clubs in the 2023 tournament. Similarly, this is just Spain’s third World Cup. However, you wouldn’t know it from the level of dominance they have demonstrated (outside their match against Japan). The win over Switzerland showed that Spain can hold their own against “real” opponents. Before this tournament, Spain had won just one World Cup match. Now they’ve won three and look like a legitimate deep-run contender.
However, the pair of wins means that if both sides are able to win their quarterfinals, they will once again meet in the semifinals. Spain’s arguably shocking defeat in the group stage sets up a semifinal clash that most people wouldn’t trade for anything. How will Spain adapt and respond when there’s a place in the World Cup Final on the line? Of course, this relies on Spain and Japan beating the likes of The Netherlands, Sweden, and the US. However, that is entirely possible given just how wild this tournament has been.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned soccer icon, has captured the world’s attention not only for his remarkable skills on the field but also for his impressive net worth. As of 2023, Celebrity Net Worthestimates Ronaldo’s wealth at a staggering $500 million, making him one of the wealthiest and most visible athletes globally. Let’s delve into the factors that have contributed to Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Rise In Soccer
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on September 25, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Ronaldo’s journey in soccer began at an early age in Portugal, where his prodigious talent quickly caught the eyes of scouts. At just 12, he joined the prestigious Sporting Lisbon youth academy, which paved the way for his professional career. Ronaldo’s exceptional performances soon attracted the attention of top clubs in Europe, leading to his transfer to Manchester United in 2003.
KIEV, UKRAINE – MAY 26: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid lifts The UEFA Champions League trophy following his sides victory in during the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
His time at Manchester United was transformative, and he played a vital role in the team’s success, securing three Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy. In 2009, Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid, setting a then-world record transfer fee. During his nine years with Los Blancos, he achieved numerous accolades, including four Champions League titles and four Ballon d’Or awards.
In 2018, Ronaldo moved to Juventus, further bolstering his global fame and net worth. His impact on the field has been immense, elevating the stature of each club he represents and contributing significantly to his marketability.
Lucrative Endorsement Deals
MONACO, MONACO – AUGUST 29: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool react during the UEFA Champions League Draw, part of the UEFA European Club Football Season Kick-Off 2019/2020 at Salle des Princes, Grimaldi Forum on August 29, 2019 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Harold Cunningham – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Apart from his soccer earnings, lucrative endorsement deals heavily influenced Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth. The world’s most prominent brands, including Nike, CR7, and Clearhair, among others, enlisted Ronaldo as part of brand campaigns. These endorsements have added substantial figures to his income, making him one of the highest-earning athletes through endorsements.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 03: Cristiano Ronaldo smiles as he is unveiled as an Al Nassr player at Mrsool Park Stadium on January 3, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Khalid Alhaj/MB Media/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo signed a $75 million-per-year deal with Al Nassr FC, a top-flight Saudi Arabian club. While earlier reports suggested he would earn $207 million annually, the new agreement guarantees $75 million for his on-field contributions. Additionally, Ronaldo has the potential to earn up to $200 million through commercial agreements with the club, making the overall package highly lucrative.
Remarkable Accomplishments
Ronaldo’s illustrious career has been adorned with numerous records and achievements. He is the all-time top scorer in UEFA Champions League history and the Portuguese national team. With multiple league titles, domestic cups, and international trophies, Ronaldo’s trophy cabinet is a testament to his extraordinary talent and unwavering determination.
MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 17: (back, L-R) Football players Kaka from Brazil and Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal attend ‘En Navidad, Ningun Nino Sin Juguete’, (No Child Without a Toy at Christmas) charity campaign presentation at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 17, 2012 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
Beyond his sporting prowess and commercial success, philanthropic endeavors heavily influenced Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth. The football icon has actively participated in charitable activities and has been a generous donor to causes close to his heart. His contributions have not only made a positive impact on various communities but have also enhanced his public image, leading to more opportunities for endorsements and partnerships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth in 2023 stands at an impressive $500 million, a result of his incredible soccer journey, successful club transitions, lucrative endorsements, outstanding achievements, and philanthropic efforts. As Ronaldo continues to excel both on and off the pitch, his net worth is expected to grow further, solidifying his position as one of the wealthiest and most influential athletes of all time.
FIFA has announced they will be launching an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Bruce Mwape. Mwape is currently the head coach of Zambia’s Women’s National Team and has been since 2018. Zambia, appearing at the Women’s World Cup for the first time, recorded a victory against Costa Rica but failed to qualify for the knockout stage. Allegations against Mwape first arose in September 2022, when the Football Association of Zambia announced it had referred allegations of sexual abuse to FIFA. Following Zambia’s exit from the tournament, The Guardian published a report claiming that Mwape had been seen rubbing a player’s chest in a sexual manner two days before the game against Costa Rica. Furthermore, an anonymous player claimed that “if he [Mwape] wants to sleep with someone, you have to say yes.”
The allegations against Mwape and others have overshadowed Zambia’s historic moment. It was the first time that any senior national team from the African nation had appeared at a World Cup. Furthermore, Zambia came away with the nation’s first-ever win as well. A press conference before their match against Spain ended early because reporters refused to stop asking questions about the allegations.
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 31: Hellen Mubanga and Lushomo Mweemba of Zambia celebrate after the team’s victory during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Costa Rica and Zambia at Waikato Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
“FIFA takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously. Furthermore, the organization has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident. We can confirm that a complaint has been received in relation to the Zambian women’s national team and this is currently being investigated. We cannot provide further details regarding an ongoing investigation for obvious confidentiality reasons. Anyone who wishes to report allegations or information related to abuse in football can do so via FIFA’s confidential reporting platform. All information that is submitted to FIFA is handled in the strictest of confidence.” This statement was made to ESPN via a FIFA spokesperson
They continued. “In addition, FIFA offers support and assistance to ensure the safety of those who report a safeguarding issue, including witnesses who come forward and give testimony in FIFA Ethics cases. Where guilt is established, FIFA takes the strongest possible sanctions, including removing people from the game for life. Our track record demonstrates this.” In 2019, FIFA handed down a lifetime ban to Keramuddin Keram, the then-President of the Afghanistan Football Federation. Keram had been accused of sexually abusing several members of the women’s national team.
For the first time in the history of the Women’s World Cup, Germany will not participate in the knockout stage. Their group stage came to an end with a 1-1 draw with South Korea. The result would have been enough to see them through to the Round of 16. However, Morocco took a 1-0 win over Colombia to leapfrog Germany in the standings. Germany had begun the group with a 6-0 thrashing of Morocco but suffered a stoppage-time 2-1 loss to Colombia. Furthermore, despite entering as the favorites against an all-but-eliminated South Korea, Germany found themselves trailing after just six minutes. It’s yet another crushing blow for the second-ranked team in the world.
“We are all very speechless,” German midfielder Lena Oberdorf said. “Things didn’t quite click. We didn’t really show the combination we can show and we can play.” Outside of their 6-0 destruction of Morocco, Germany scored just two goals in the tournament, both from team leader Alexandra Popp. Popp nearly scored a 74th-minute header but hit the bar. Furthermore, head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg chose to wait until the 85th minute to tell her team that they needed to score another goal to avoid elimination.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 3: Lena Oberdorf of Germany was crushed after been eliminated from FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group H match between South Korea and Germany at Brisbane Stadium on August 3, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by James Whitehead/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Germany is one of three teams ranked in the FIFA top ten to exit the World Cup in the group stage. Canada missed the knockouts for the first time since 2011 after suffering a 4-0 loss to Australia in their must-win final match. Meanwhile, Brazil was held to a goalless draw by Jamaica, giving As Canarinhas their first group stage exit since 1995. But even the teams that made it through didn’t do so especially cleanly.
The United States, the two-time defending champions, came five inches from elimination in their final group-stage match against Portugal. Had Ana Capeta’s 91st-minute shot not hit the post, Portugal would have progressed over the US. Sweden needed an injury time goal to beat South Africa. England needed a do-over on a penalty to beat Haiti. France were held to a goalless draw by Jamaica. Meanwhile, Spain were beaten 4-0 by Japan. Elsewhere, Australia was all-but-eliminated before their 4-0 drubbing of Canada. The ninth-ranked Netherlands arguably had the cleanest group stage of any team in the top ten. The question is – will this chaos carry into the knockouts?
PÉSAME | La @RFEF lamenta profundamente comunicar el fallecimiento del padre de Olga Carmona. La futbolista ha conocido la triste noticia una vez concluida la final de la Copa del Mundo.
6 games
