Spain’s former football federation boss Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent and ordered to pay a fine of €10,800 (£8,942), Spain’s High Court has ruled.
He was acquitted of coercion, for allegedly trying to pressure Hermoso into saying publicly that the kiss was consensual.
As Spain’s players received their medals after defeating England in Sydney to win the 2023 World Cup, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips.
The incident triggered protests and calls forthe resignation of Rubiales, who has said he will appeal against the verdict.
The ruling also banned Rubiales from going within a 200-meter radius of Hermoso and from communicating with her for one year, the court said in a statement.
Three of Rubiales’s former colleagues who were also on trial, accused of colluding in the alleged coercion – Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning side, Rubén Rivera, the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)’s former head of marketing, and Albert Luque, former sporting director – were cleared of those charges.
Prosecutors had demanded a prison sentence for Rubiales, who last week told a court he was “absolutely sure” Hermoso had given her consent before he kissed her.
He described the kiss as an “act of affection”, adding that in the moment it was “something completely spontaneous”.
In her testimony earlier this month, Hermoso insisted that she had not given Rubiales permission and that the incident had “stained one of the happiest days of my life”.
Rubiales was accused of sexual assault and of trying to coerce Hermoso into saying the kiss had been consensual.
The incident was witnessed by millions of television viewers and an entire stadium after the Spanish women’s team won the 2023 World Cup.
The ensuing uproar gave momentum to a “Me Too”-style movement in the Spanish women’s game, in which players sought to combat sexism and achieve parity with their male peers.
Rubiales resigned in September 2023 following weeks of resisting pressure to stand down, and after Fifa suspended him and Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation.
The 7-foot-3 center from France was averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 3.7 assists this season. Since blocked shots became an official statistic, only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — nearly a half-century ago — finished a season with those numbers or better.
Some questions and answers about Wembanyama’s situation:
What is deep vein thrombosis?
By the Mayo Clinic’s definition, deep vein thrombosis — or DVT — “occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs.” The Spurs say Wembanyama was diagnosed with DVT in his right shoulder, and doctors will now work to determine how and why that happened before coming up with a plan for treatment.
Among the major risks of DVT: Clots breaking loose, traveling through the bloodstream and reaching the lungs. That does not appear to have happened to Wembanyama, at least based on the diagnosis the team provided Thursday.
How will Wembanyama be treated?
Doctors who spoke Thursday to The Associated Press — none of them involved in Wembanyama’s treatment — said it’s a virtual certainty that the French star will be prescribed blood-thinning medication to address the clot.
The longstanding thinking was that athletes who participate in contact sports like basketball should not play while on blood thinners, or anticoagulants, because of the risk of bleeding. However, an article published Thursday by the American College of Cardiology — hours before the news about Wembanyama broke — said playing “competitive sports may be reasonable for athletes receiving full anticoagulation or partial anticoagulation.”
What does this mean for the Spurs?
In short, it’s not good. The Spurs are not currently in the playoff picture and faced an uphill fight just to get into the play-in tournament — and now will have to finish the season without their best player.
San Antonio still has talent: Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes and newly acquired De’Aaron Fox are a formidable veteran trio. But everything is built around Wembanyama.
And the Spurs will be without their biggest star while also missing the franchise’s leader. Coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke in November and has been away from the team for nearly the entire season.
What does this mean for the NBA?
The league’s MVP for each of the last six years has been a player born somewhere other than the U.S. and that streak is likely to extend to seven this season — with Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the stellar Oklahoma City guard, and Serbia’s Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP from Denver, expected to be the favorites.
But it robs the league of one of its brightest stars for the stretch run.
Everything Wembanyama does is huge news in France and in San Antonio, and he’s already one of the league’s most popular players. If he and the Spurs had made a playoff run, his star would have only shined brighter.
Why can’t he win an NBA award now?
The league is in its second year of what’s commonly called the 65-game rule, which basically means a player has to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for most end-of-season awards like MVP.
It also applies to defensive player of the year, which Wembanyama was favored to win. He has played in only 46 games, meaning he will not be on the NBA’s ballot for that trophy when the voting is conducted in April.
Wembanyama won rookie of the year last season. If this situation happened then, he still could have won the rookie honor — that one doesn’t fall under the 65-game-minimum policy.
Kylian Mbappé scored a hat trick, Erling Haaland stayed on the bench injured and Real Madrid dumped Manchester City out of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Mbappé’s stellar trio of goals in the fourth, 33rd and 61st minutes in a 3-1 win gave Madrid a 6-3 victory on aggregate over the 2023 champion in their two-leg knockout playoff.
One superstar striker was watched by another from the sidelines. Haaland was not fit to start for an ultimately overmatched Man City because of a knee injury sustained late in a Premier League game Saturday.
Paris Saint-Germain beat French rival Brest 7-0, to run up a 10-0 aggregate score, and will play either Liverpool or Barcelona in the round of 16.
PSV Eindhoven ousted Juventus in the only one of the eight playoffs this week that went to extra time. Defender Ryan Flamingo scored in the 98th minute for a 3-1 win on the night and 4-3 on aggregate. United States international Timothy Weah scored for Juventus.
In the early game Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund started with a 3-0 lead at home to Sporting Lisbon and was barely stretched in a 0-0 draw. Sporting’s Champions League campaign imploded after coach Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United in November.
Mbappé mastery
Mbappé’s first goal of the two-leg playoff in Manchester was a lucky miscue, a looping effort off his shin to level at 1-1 in what ended a 3-2 win.
His three goals in Madrid were classy and decisive. A first-time lob over City goalkeeper Ederson — who perhaps advanced too far, too soon — was followed by a low shot after leaving defender Joško Gvardiol on the turf.
The third was a powerful left-footer from the edge of the penalty area when he had lured six Man City players toward encircling him.
“I have always said I didn’t come here simply to complete a dream,” said Mbappé, a boyhood Madrid fan who never won a Champions League at Monaco and PSG. “I want to play well, I want to mark an era.”
Coach Pep Guardiola’s injury-hit side — with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri out since September and Kevin De Bruyne now rarely starting — has looked like a shadow of the heavyweight rival that met Madrid in each of the past three seasons, when each time the winner went on to lift the trophy.
Paris Saint-Germain hits 10
PSG has not lost anywhere since a Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich three months ago, and the playoff against Brest proved a total mismatch.
Brest had impressed in its first European season but went out with a whimper at Parc des Princes, after a 3-0 loss in the home leg.
Wingers Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the first half. Midfielder Vitinha, Desiré Doué, left back Nuno Mendes, striker Ramos and Senny Mayulu netted after the break. PSG also beat Brest 5-2 in a French league game this month.
Sporting slumps post-Amorim
With Ruben Amorim as coach, Sporting was unbeaten in four Champions League games and stood second in the 36-team standings. The team he left behind went winless in six Champions League games under two different coaches.
Dortmund also fired a coach midseason and newly hired Niko Kovač now has two wins on the European stage to offset two straight losses in the German league.
Still, Sporting’s prospects to be in the Champions League next season look better than Dortmund’s.
Portugal’s champion advances direct to the next league phase and Sporting currently is top, two points clear of Benfica. Dortmund is 11th in the Bundesliga and could need to win this Champions League title to earn a place in the next edition.
Round of 16 draw
Real Madrid, PSG, Dortmund and PSV join Bayern Munich, Benfica, Club Brugge and Feyenoord, which all advanced Tuesday, as playoff round winners who will be unseeded teams in Friday’s draw. They will host the first-leg games on March 4-5.
The top eight in the 36-team standings three weeks ago — Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa — skipped the playoffs round and are seeded in the round of 16 draw. They host second legs on March 11-12.
The round of 16 is in a new, tennis-like seeded bracket for the knockout stage in the expanded competition format.
Madrid, as the 11th-place team in the standings and No. 11 seed already knew its next opponent would be Atletico or Leverkusen, who respectively placed fifth and sixth.
Top-seeded Liverpool will play No. 15 PSG or No. 16 Benfica.
The draw for the Confederation African Football Champions League and Confederation Cup knockout stages draw will be held tomorrow, 20 February, in Doha, Qatar.
The draw will lay down the path from the quarter to the final for the remaining eight teams in each of CAF Interclub competitions.
The quarter-finals of both competitions will be played over two legs, with the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League scheduled for 1 April and 8 April, 2025.
The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final fixtures will take place on 2 April and 9 April 2025.
The clubs will also know their potential semi-final opponents with the draw for that stage held as well.
Both draws will feature the reigning champions of each competition: Al Ahly SC, title holders of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, and Zamalek SC, the defending TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup champions.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-final teams:
Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Al Hilal (Sudan), AS FAR (Morocco), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Pyramids (Egypt), and MC Alger (Algeria).
TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final teams:
Zamalek SC (Egypt), Asec Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), Al Masry (Egypt), CS Constantine (Algeria), RS Berkane (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania), Stellenbosch FC (South Africa), USM Alger (Algeria).
Winners of the Total Energies CAF Champions League will be rewarded Ksh 520 million, while winners of the Total Energies CAF Confederation Cup are set to pocket Ksh 260 million.
The FIFA series, developed by Electronic Arts, has long been the go-to football video game for fans around the world. Since its debut in 1993, FIFA has consistently raised the bar for football gaming, becoming synonymous with the sport itself. The series is renowned for its ability to innovate year after year, offering new features, improved graphics, and more realistic gameplay. Whether you’re a casual player enjoying a quick match or a competitive gamer aiming for the top of the online leaderboards, FIFA has remained a staple of the gaming world.
Throughout the years, FIFA games have captured the hearts of football fans and gamers alike, with each release bringing something fresh to the table. From the early days of FIFA 98 to the more recent additions like FIFA 17, the franchise has evolved in ways that were once unimaginable. In this article, we will delve into the seven best FIFA games in history and explore what made each of them so memorable. Stick with us until the end, as there’s a special treat awaiting you — a promo code from Melbet that offers a boosted welcome bonus when you create an account.
FIFA 98: A Groundbreaking Milestone
FIFA 98 holds a special place in the hearts of football fans due to its groundbreaking innovations and massive leap in gameplay quality. One of the most significant updates was the inclusion of a record 172 national teams, making it the most expansive FIFA game of its time. This expanded roster allowed players to choose from an incredible variety of teams from all corners of the globe. Along with the introduction of the 5×5 indoor mode, which offered a new way to experience football, FIFA 98 also featured penalty shootouts, a highly requested feature that added excitement to the game.
The game was also a leap forward in terms of graphics and animation. Thanks to the motion capture of players like David Ginola, FIFA 98 brought a new level of realism to the game. Players’ movements were smoother, and the physics of the ball and players were far more realistic than in any previous FIFA title. These innovations made FIFA 98 stand out as a truly revolutionary title in the franchise, and it’s no surprise that it remains a fan favorite to this day, despite the game’s age.
FIFA 05: A New Level of Gameplay Realism
FIFA 05 introduced significant improvements to the core gameplay mechanics, making the experience even more fluid and realistic. The game introduced independent ball physics, a feature that allowed the ball to behave more naturally depending on the speed and angle at which it was struck. This update enhanced the overall realism of the game, giving players a more authentic experience. It also allowed for more variation in how the ball moved, making each pass, shot, and clearance feel unique.
In addition to the improved ball physics, FIFA 05 overhauled the career mode, allowing players to manage national teams and create their own custom players. This feature gave players greater control over their virtual football experience and allowed for deeper engagement with the game. The introduction of the “first touch” mechanic was another key feature, enhancing passing and dribbling mechanics by requiring more precision and skill from players. These updates, along with improved graphics, made FIFA 05 one of the best entries in the series at the time.
FIFA 08: The Rise of Player-Centric Career Mode
FIFA 08 marked a major step forward with the introduction of the player career mode, which allowed players to take control of a single player’s career and guide them through up to 15 seasons. This new mode gave fans a more personal and immersive experience, allowing them to focus on developing one player’s skills and helping them achieve greatness on the world stage. This addition added a new layer of depth to the game, making it even more appealing to those who wanted a more personalized football experience.
Another key feature of FIFA 08 was the inclusion of Ukrainian teams through a special patch. This move was particularly significant for fans of Ukrainian football, as it allowed them to play with their local teams in the game for the first time. Along with these updates, FIFA 08 featured improved graphics, with more realistic player models and better animation, making the game feel even more lifelike. The upgraded physics engine also made gameplay smoother and more natural, giving players a more realistic football experience.
FIFA 09: Ultimate Team and Live Seasons
FIFA 09 revolutionized the series with the introduction of Ultimate Team, a mode that allowed players to build their own teams using player cards, which could be purchased or earned through gameplay. This mode became one of the most beloved features of the franchise, as it added a new level of strategy and personalization to the game. Players could create their dream teams, compete in online matches, and collect special player cards, making each match even more exciting.
Another notable addition to FIFA 09 was the “Adidas Live Season” feature, which tracked real-life player performances and updated the in-game stats of players based on their real-world form. This added an extra layer of realism to the game, as it reflected the real-time performances of football stars. Additionally, the dynamic time of day in matches was a welcome improvement, making matches feel even more immersive and true to life. FIFA 09’s combination of Ultimate Team and real-time player updates made it a standout release in the franchise.
FIFA 12: The Evolution of Physics and Online Seasons
FIFA 12 introduced a completely new physics engine, which made the game’s collisions, ball physics, and overall gameplay much more realistic. This update allowed for more natural player interactions, with less predictable outcomes for tackles, passes, and shots. The new physics engine made the game feel more authentic and immersive, as players’ movements were more fluid and interactions between the ball and players felt more natural.
In addition to the new physics engine, FIFA 12 introduced the online seasons mode, which allowed players to compete in ranked divisions, adding a competitive edge to the online experience. The Euro 2012 DLC also expanded the game’s content, bringing the excitement of the European Championship to FIFA 12. These additions, combined with the improved graphics and smoother gameplay, made FIFA 12 one of the most memorable entries in the series.
FIFA 14: The Transition to Next-Gen Consoles
FIFA 14 marked a pivotal moment for the franchise as it made the transition to next-gen consoles, including the PS4 and Xbox One. The leap in graphical quality was immediately noticeable, with more detailed player models, improved lighting effects, and more realistic animations. This new generation of consoles allowed for greater immersion, as the game’s world looked more lifelike than ever before.
In addition to the visual upgrades, FIFA 14 introduced improvements to the physics engine and online Ultimate Team mode. The addition of exclusive content for Xbox One, such as legendary player cards, further enriched the gameplay experience. The revamped career mode also made the game feel more engaging, with more detailed player interactions and transfer negotiations. FIFA 14’s leap to next-gen consoles made it a major milestone in the franchise’s history.
FIFA 17: The Introduction of Story Mode
FIFA 17 took a bold step by introducing “The Journey,” a story mode that followed the career of Alex Hunter, a young footballer trying to make a name for himself in the Premier League. This mode added a whole new layer of depth to the FIFA series, giving players a chance to experience the highs and lows of a professional footballer’s life. The story mode was a major shift for the series, as it allowed players to immerse themselves in a narrative-driven experience that hadn’t been seen in a football game before.
In addition to the story mode, FIFA 17 continued to build on the Ultimate Team experience, introducing Squad Building Challenges (SBC) and Weekend League, which kept the gameplay fresh and engaging for players. These additions, combined with the overall improvement in graphics and gameplay, made FIFA 17 a standout title in the series, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in sports gaming.
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Conclusion
The FIFA series has been a pioneer in the world of football gaming, continuously evolving to meet the demands of fans and gamers alike. Each game brought something new to the table, whether it was revolutionary gameplay features, realistic graphics, or engaging new modes. From FIFA 98’s inclusion of national teams to FIFA 17’s story mode, each title has left a lasting impact on the gaming community.
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Steph Curry claimed the Kobe Bryant MVP trophy and led Shaq’s OGs to the All-Star title at Chase Center in San Francisco.
The NBA rolled out a new format with four teams, each coached by a legend, competing in a single-elimination tournament as two semi-finals and a championship game.
Curry, 36, scored 12 points in the final to seal a 41-25 victory against Chuck’s Global Stars.
“I had a lot of fun,” Curry said.
“The intensity was definitely different than last year, a step in the right direction. It’s something new, everybody is still trying to figure it out.”
Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal coached the winning team, with two-time NBA winner Kenny Smith, 11-time All-Star Charles Barkley and three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker in charge of the other three sides.
Curry ended the competition with 20 points in total, having scored eight points in the 42-35 semi-final win against Candace’s Rising Stars was named MVP.
The Golden State Warriors point guard is the 15th player in NBA history to win the All-Star MVP on more than one occasion.
New format receives mixed reviews
The 2024 All-Star game drew criticism with both teams combining to score 397 points in Indianapolis and organisers were hoping a new format might help to bring back a competitive edge.
Aside from making it a mini-tournament with semi-finals and final, one of the key changes was games being played on a first-to-40-points basis rather than across four quarters.
MVP Curry was among those to praise the NBA for trying something new.
“I think it was a good step in the right direction to reinvigorate the game in some way,” Curry said.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard was also on the winning side and echoed the thoughts of Curry.
“I think they’re just looking for a more competitive game and trying to find ways to create that and it was a little bit more competitive than they have been the last few years,” Lillard said.
“That’s the number one thing, to provide the entertainment and competitiveness on the floor, and I thought it was a little bit more of that.”
However, Curry’s Golden State Warriors team-mate Draymond Green, who was working as a television analyst for the event, was critical of change.
Asked to rate it on a scale, Green said, “Ten being the best? A zero. It sucks. Awful.”
“You work all year to be an All-Star and you get to play up to 40 (points) and then you’re done,’” Green added on TNT.
Now the jeopardy really kicks in for the Champions League with a title chase, pride and hard cash on the line.
At least four former European champions will be among eight teams eliminated when the new knockout playoff round ends this week.
Real Madrid or Manchester City, Bayern Munich or Celtic, AC Milan or Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven or Juventus.
Their European seasons will be over in February before even reaching the round of 16 that teams like Madrid and Man City, who meet in their second-leg game Wednesday, have come to expect.
Indeed, City coach Pep Guardiola has never failed in 16 seasons of coaching — four at Barcelona, three at Bayern and nine in Manchester — to take his team to the round of 16 in the Champions League.
Advancing to the last-16 is worth 11 million euros ($11.5 million) in prize money from UEFA. While that pays just a few months of salary for Kylian Mbappé or Erling Haaland, it is a path toward a bigger share of the 2.5 billion euros ($2.6 billion) total prize fund shared by 36 teams that started in the league phase in September.
It took 152 games so far in the new expanded format — already 21% more than the entire 125-game competition in each of the past 21 seasons — just to reach this stage.
The business end of the Champions League arguably only starts now, with 37 games left through the May 31 final in Munich.
Heavyweight clash in Madrid
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a classic match in the modern Champions League: A 3-3 draw in the quarterfinals last year and a thrilling 3-1 win for Madrid in extra-time to decide their semifinal in 2022. Each time coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team went on to win the title, extending the record to 15 in the competition’s 70-year history.
Their first meeting in Madrid, a group-stage game in September 2012, was a late comeback by Madrid with two goals after the 85th minute to win 3-2 — just as it was in Manchester last Tuesday in the first leg.
That 2012-13 season was the last time City did not play in the round of 16. The English champion’s streak of 11 straight years, including finally lifting the trophy in 2023, is at serious risk Wednesday.
German clubs’ home comfort. Tense week for Italian clubs
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund start home games with leads from the first leg as they seek to join Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16. Bayern hosts Celtic on Tuesday with a 2-1 lead and Dortmund starts 3-0 up on Sporting Lisbon in the early game Wednesday.
Paris Saint-Germain also has a 3-0 advantage at home, against Brest on Wednesday. It will be the clubs’ third meeting in 19 days. Benfica also won on the road, 1-0 at Monaco, and hosts the return leg on Tuesday.
Juventus takes a 2-1 lead to Eindhoven on Wednesday and Club Brugge is 2-1 up going to Atalanta on Tuesday in Bergamo. About 30 miles (50 kilometers) away, in Tuesday’s early game, AC Milan hosts Feyenoord trying to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
West is best and wealthiest
The Champions League is dominated more than ever by teams from the richest leagues in western Europe, banking hundreds of millions more in prize money.
No team from eastern Europe qualified for the knockout stage. Croatia’s champion Dinamo Zagreb was edged out in 25th place on goal difference behind Brugge.
All eight seeded teams already in the round of 16 come from the five countries — England, Italy, Spain, Germany, France — ranked highest by UEFA based on results in all European competitions across five seasons.
Sixth-ranked Netherlands and No. 7 Portugal are well set to place at least one team in the rest of the competition. The lowest-ranked country still involved, No. 14 Scotland, is likely to have Celtic eliminated by Bayern.
Round of 16 draw
The pairings will be set Friday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, at midday local time (1100 GMT).
The eight playoff winners will be unseeded, and play the home leg first, against the seeded teams that placed in the top eight of the 36-team league phase standings.
First-leg games are played March 4-5 and return games are one week later. There is now no separate draw for the quarterfinals and semifinals because the tennis-style seeded bracket is set through to the final.
Liverpool and Barcelona will be drawn against the winners of either of the playoffs involving the Nos. 15 and 16 seeds, PSG and Benfica. As Real Madrid placed 11th in the league, the winner of its playoff with Man City will next play the fifth- or sixth-place team, Atletico or Leverkusen.
Saudi Arabia has confirmed that alcohol will be completely banned during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, with no sales permitted in hotels or any other locations throughout the tournament.
Speaking to British radio station LBC News, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, stated that the kingdom has no plans to change its alcohol policies for the event.
“Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country. At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol, but plenty of fun can be had without it. It’s not 100 per cent necessary,” he explained.
He hinted that while visitors are welcome to consume alcohol after leaving the country, Saudi Arabia will maintain its cultural traditions during the tournament.
Prince Khalid emphasised that the country is willing to accommodate visitors within the boundaries of its customs but will not alter its cultural values to suit others.
FIFA officially confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 World Cup in December 2024, making it the second Middle Eastern country to stage the global tournament after Qatar in 2022.
The competition will take place across 15 stadiums in five cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and the futuristic city of Neom.
The 2034 edition will also mark a significant milestone, as it will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, expanding the tournament’s format.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the highest paid athlete of 2024, according to a list compiled by Sportico, earning a reported $260 million, but no female athletes featured in the top 100.
Soccer star Ronaldo’s impressive earnings came from $215 million in salary and winnings for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and the Portugal national team, and $45 million through off-the-field endorsements.
The 40-year-old has enjoyed somewhat of a career renewal since moving to Saudi Arabia, scoring 82 goals in his 90 games for Al-Nassr and becoming the first man to have 900 career goals in September last year.
Ronaldo is one of three soccer players to feature in the top 10 after big-money moves to Saudi Arabia, joined by Neymar and Karim Benzema, though the Brazilian star has since moved back to his boyhood club, Santos.
In 2024, Ronaldo brought in over $100 million more than the second-placed athlete, with NBA superstar Steph Curry earning an estimated $153.8 million – $53.8 million through salary/winnings and $100 million through endorsements.
Although his Golden State Warriors had a disappointing end to last season, Curry was paramount in Team USA’s basketball gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris in the summer.
Britain’s Tyson Fury was in third with a reported $147 million in earnings – $140 million in salary/winnings and $7 million in endorsements – while Ronaldo’s long-time on-the-pitch rival, Lionel Messi, came fourth with $135 million in estimated earnings – $60 million in salary/winnings and $75 million in endorsements.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James rounded out the top five at an estimated $133.2 million – $48.2 million in salary/winnings and $85 million in endorsements.
Dak Prescott was the top-earning NFL player, with the Dallas Cowboys quarterback reportedly earning $100.4 million to finish in 12th position. Jalen Hurts – quarterback of the Super Bowl LIX-winning Philadelphia Eagles – finished in 65th with $46.1 million.
While plenty of male athletes cashed in on their talents, no female athletes featured in the top 100.
US tennis sensation Coco Gauff was the highest-earning female athlete last year at an estimated $30.4 million, having won the doubles title at the French Open as well as the singles championship at the end-of-season WTA Finals. For reference, the final athlete on Sportico’s top 100 list was former New York Giants and now Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones who earned $37.5 million.
The 20-year-old tennis star also made history by becoming the youngest Team USA flag bearer at the Olympics and the first tennis player to carry the flag for the US.
According to Sportico, the top 100 list includes athletes from eight sports and 27 countries. In total, those 100 earned $6.2 billion in total income in 2024, including $4.8 billion in salary and prize money and $1.4 billion from their endorsements away from the field.
How professionalism and analysis help increase income
Affiliate marketing is a field where success depends directly on strategy, constant analysis, and market adaptation. This article covers the case of an experienced 1xBet partner who achieved great results in 21 months. His story is not just an example of successful collaboration but also a set of practical tips for those looking to build a stable income in this area.
The path to affiliate marketing
Ibourara is an affiliate with experience in online marketing, specializing in content creation and advertising campaigns. The main reasons for partnering with 1xBet were the brand’s reliability and attractive reward conditions. He noted that the company’s support and available resources helped him quickly adapt to the affiliate program and build effective promotion strategies.
Strategies for attracting and retaining customers
One of the main strategies of a successful partner is using quality content and SEO. Combining these tools not only attracts traffic but also helps retain customers for the long term. A successful affiliate’s toolkit includes working with social media, smart targeting, and constantly analyzing audience behavior.
A tip from Ibourara: it’s important not just to advertise a product, but to help customers solve their problems. This approach builds trust and increases conversion. For example, if a customer is looking for a reliable betting platform, it’s not enough to just bring them to the website; you need to explain the benefits, offer a breakdown of betting strategies, and clarify the game’s terms.
Analysis and optimization as the foundation of steady growth
One of the key factors for success is regularly analyzing the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Our protagonist carefully tracks conversions, tests different approaches, and adjusts strategies based on audience behavior.
A practical example: competition in the niche is high, so the partner found a way to stand out – they focused on narrow audience segments and improved targeting. This helped Ibourara increase the accuracy of reaching the target group and reduced advertising costs.
Financial results and key achievements
During their time with the 1xBet affiliate program, Ibourarareached a stable income of $10,000 to $15,000 per month, with a record of $56,000. They consider the key achievement to be turning leads into loyal customers, which provides the opportunity for a steady passive income.
Tips for beginners
1. Study the product. The better you know the platform, the easier it is to explain its benefits to customers.
2. Create value. Customers trust experts, so don’t just advertise – offer useful advice.
3. Be patient. Results don’t come instantly – analyze your work, fix mistakes, and keep moving forward.
4. Optimize advertising. Test different strategies, track conversions, and adjust your approach.
5. Keep growing. Use new promotion channels, such as video content or podcasts.
New horizons and future plans
Currently, Ibourara is actively developing a video content strategy to expand the audience, as well as planning to increase investments in paid advertising and try new promotion channels, such as podcasts.
Conclusion: success in affiliate marketing depends on analysis, constant strategy improvement, and the ability to adapt to market changes. Our hero’s story proves that with the right approach, it’s possible to build a stable income stream and scale your business.
How professionalism and analysis help increase income
Affiliate marketing is a field where success depends directly on strategy, constant analysis, and market adaptation. This article covers the case of an experienced 1xBet partner who achieved great results in 21 months. His story is not just an example of successful collaboration but also a set of practical tips for those looking to build a stable income in this area.
The path to affiliate marketing
Ibourara is an affiliate with experience in online marketing, specializing in content creation and advertising campaigns. The main reasons for partnering with 1xBet were the brand’s reliability and attractive reward conditions. He noted that the company’s support and available resources helped him quickly adapt to the affiliate program and build effective promotion strategies.
Strategies for attracting and retaining customers
One of the main strategies of a successful partner is using quality content and SEO. Combining these tools not only attracts traffic but also helps retain customers for the long term. A successful affiliate’s toolkit includes working with social media, smart targeting, and constantly analyzing audience behavior.
A tip from Ibourara: it’s important not just to advertise a product, but to help customers solve their problems. This approach builds trust and increases conversion. For example, if a customer is looking for a reliable betting platform, it’s not enough to just bring them to the website; you need to explain the benefits, offer a breakdown of betting strategies, and clarify the game’s terms.
Analysis and optimization as the foundation of steady growth
One of the key factors for success is regularly analyzing the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Our protagonist carefully tracks conversions, tests different approaches, and adjusts strategies based on audience behavior.
A practical example: competition in the niche is high, so the partner found a way to stand out – they focused on narrow audience segments and improved targeting. This helped Ibourara increase the accuracy of reaching the target group and reduced advertising costs.
Financial results and key achievements
During their time with the 1xBet affiliate program, Ibourarareached a stable income of $10,000 to $15,000 per month, with a record of $56,000. They consider the key achievement to be turning leads into loyal customers, which provides the opportunity for a steady passive income.
Tips for beginners
1. Study the product. The better you know the platform, the easier it is to explain its benefits to customers.
2. Create value. Customers trust experts, so don’t just advertise – offer useful advice.
3. Be patient. Results don’t come instantly – analyze your work, fix mistakes, and keep moving forward.
4. Optimize advertising. Test different strategies, track conversions, and adjust your approach.
5. Keep growing. Use new promotion channels, such as video content or podcasts.
New horizons and future plans
Currently, Ibourara is actively developing a video content strategy to expand the audience, as well as planning to increase investments in paid advertising and try new promotion channels, such as podcasts.
Conclusion: success in affiliate marketing depends on analysis, constant strategy improvement, and the ability to adapt to market changes. Our hero’s story proves that with the right approach, it’s possible to build a stable income stream and scale your business.
Lewis Hamilton isn’t just a Formula One legend—he’s one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. With a net worth of $300 million, the seven-time World Champion has built an empire on and off the track.
From record-breaking wins to luxury car collections and multimillion-dollar real estate, Hamilton’s success extends far beyond racing.
His bold career moves, including a high-profile switch to Ferrari in 2025, keep him in the spotlight.
But how did he amass such wealth, and what fuels his fortune? Let’s dive into Hamilton’s incredible journey.
Exploring Lewis Hamilton Net Worth
Lewis Hamilton, a British Formula One driver, has a net worth of $300 million. He began his F1 career with McLaren and won his first championship in 2008, becoming the youngest-ever Formula One World Champion.
In 2013, he joined Mercedes and went on to win six more championships in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
On February 1, 2024, news broke that Lewis would leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the season.
Contracts and Earnings
Lewis is one of the highest-paid F1 drivers and athletes in the world. He typically earns $70-90 million per year, with most of his income coming from his $60 million annual Mercedes contract.
In July 2023, he signed a two-year deal with Mercedes, agreeing to earn $60 million per season in 2024 and 2025. However, he chose to leave after just one season and will join Ferrari in 2025.
Reports say Ferrari will pay him up to $107 million per year. Between June 2016 and June 2017, Lewis made about $50 million from endorsements and prize money.
The following year, he earned $51 million. From June 2018 to June 2019, his earnings rose to $55 million.
Early Life
Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born on January 7, 1985, in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England.
His mother, Carmen, is Caucasian, and his father, Anthony, is Black. Lewis identifies as Black.
When he was two, his parents separated. He lived with his mother and half sisters until he was 12, then moved in with his father, stepmother, and half brother Nicolas.
At five, he took up karate for self-defense because he was bullied at school. When he was six, his father bought him a radio-controlled car.
The next year, he finished second in the British Radio Car Association championship. For Christmas at age six, his father gave him a go-kart.
Anthony Hamilton promised to support his racing dreams as long as he stayed in school and worked hard.
Lewis attended The John Henry Newman School, a Catholic secondary school in Hertfordshire. He also played football (soccer).
In early 2001, he studied at Cambridge Arts and Sciences.
Professional Career
When Lewis Hamilton was ten years old, he walked up to Ron Dennis, the McLaren racing team principal, and said, “I want to race for you one day… I want to race for McLaren one day.”
In 1998, he joined the McLaren Young Driver program. By 2007, he became an official Formula One McLaren driver, making history as the sport’s first and only Black racecar driver. That year, he finished as the runner-up to Kimi Räikkönen.
In 2008, Hamilton won his first F1 World Championship, securing victory in the final race of the season. In 2013, he signed with Mercedes.
He won back-to-back World Championships in 2014 and 2015, then repeated the feat in 2017 and 2018, and again in 2019.
As of now, he has won seven World Championships, tying Michael Schumacher for the most titles.
In 2018, he launched his clothing line, TOMMYXLEWIS, during New York Fashion Week. He collaborated with American designer Tommy Hilfiger and models Winnie Harlow and Hailey Baldwin.
Throughout his career, Hamilton has faced controversy both on and off the track. His aggressive racing style and outspoken nature have often put him in the spotlight.
While racing in Spain, he suffered racial abuse from Spanish fans. His rivalry with Spanish driver Fernando Alonso fueled the hostility. Hamilton admits his competitive nature sometimes causes tension with other drivers.
Before the 2018 German Grand Prix, he signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes, reportedly worth nearly $50 million per year.
In June 2020, he announced he would race in a new all-black Mercedes to support Black Lives Matter.
Hamilton has been vocal about the lack of diversity in Formula One. The car, called the Black Arrow, debuted in Austria during the delayed F1 season in early July.
In 2022, Formula One introduced new technical regulations that led to major car design changes.
Hamilton struggled throughout the season. Despite securing nine podium finishes, he failed to win a race or take pole position for the first time in his career.
Lewis ranks among the highest-paid F1 drivers and athletes worldwide. He earns $70-90 million annually, with $60 million coming from his Mercedes contract. [Photo/Courtesy]
Real Estate
In 2019, Lewis Hamilton listed his New York penthouse for $57 million. The 8,900-square-foot unit, the largest in the building, is in Tribeca, where Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Meg Ryan, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Bella Hadid also own homes.
He bought it for $43.9 million in 2017 and sold it for $50 million in December 2021. Reports say Hamilton never lived there—possibly because he also owns another penthouse nearby at 70 Vestry Street, which he bought in 2019 for $40.7 million.
In London, he owns a four-story, six-bedroom mansion in Kensington, built in 1860 and valued at $25 million.
He also owns apartments in Nyon, Switzerland, and Monaco. Additionally, he has an estate in Colorado, where he plans to live after retiring.
Lewis Hamilton Net Worth and Personal Car Collection
Lewis Hamilton’s car collection is worth at least $40 million, based on the cars he has shared on social media or confirmed owning.
His 1995 McLaren F1, valued at $20 million, is the most expensive in his collection.
Here are some of his most significant cars:
1995 McLaren F1 – $20 million
Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta – $4.1 million
Ferrari LaFerrari – $4 million
Mercedes-AMG One – $2.7 million
McLaren P1 – $1.8 million
1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – $1.4 million
Mercedes-AMG SLS Black – $270,000
AC 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 – $100,000
Personal Life
In November 2007, Lewis Hamilton began dating Nicole Scherzinger, lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls.
They broke up in early 2010 to focus on their careers but were seen together at the Turkish and Canadian Grand Prix that year.
Between 2011 and 2015, they split and reunited multiple times before ending things for good in February 2015.
After their breakup, rumors linked Hamilton to Rihanna, Rita Ora, Miss Finland Lotta Hinsa, Miss Grenada 2007 Vivian Burkhardt, model Winnie Harlow, Hungarian model Barbara Palvin, and Sofia Richie.
He was also romantically connected to Nicki Minaj, with whom he took a vacation to Dubai.
Hamilton is vegan.
Some UK MPs have criticized him for avoiding UK taxes by living abroad. His parents named him after Olympic sprint champion Carl Lewis.
An Arsenal fan, Hamilton once said that if he hadn’t pursued Formula One, he would have become a footballer or cricketer, both of which he played in high school.
In 2022, Hamilton announced he was legally changing his name to include his mother’s maiden name, Larbalestier, as a middle name.
That same year, Brazil granted him honorary citizenship after politician Andre Figueiredo‘s proposal passed in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies.
The official said the sides have agreed on the renewable extension of Ronaldo’s contract, “but it has not been signed yet. An announcement will be made over the coming days”.Ronaldo turned 40 last week with his current contract due to end in June 2025.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star joined Al Nassr in January 2023 and has since scored 82 goals in 90 matches.
In August, Ronaldo said he would stay with Al Nassr through the end of his professional career, which may be “soon or in two or three years”.
“But it’ll most likely happen with Al Nassr, in the team that makes me happy… and where I feel good.”
The Portuguese great appeared to trade an end-of-career payday for football obscurity when he moved to Riyadh’s Al Nassr two years ago in a deal said to be worth $250 million.
But his influence became clear when he was followed by a parade of ageing superstars to the big-spending Saudi Pro League.
Saudi Arabia was then awarded the 2034 World Cup in December, the crowning glory for the oil-rich kingdom’s strategy of revamping its image through sports, tourism and culture.
When Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel in August, he gained one million subscribers in just 90 minutes and 20 million within 24 hours. He currently has 73.5 million.
Although World Cup glory has probably eluded him, unlike his Argentine rival Lionel Messi, records still dangle in front of the five-time Ballon d’Or and Champions League winner.
Despite his prodigious form as he closes in on 1,000 professional goals in official matches, Ronaldo is yet to win a Saudi or continental trophy with Al Nassr, with the Arab Club Champions Cup of 2023 his only triumph with the club.
The Philadelphia Eagles demolished the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to deny them an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl.
The Chiefs were playing in their fifth Super Bowl in six years and much of the pre-game hype focused on a potential three-peat.
But the Eagles utterly dominated in New Orleans, in particular their defence, which showed why it has been the NFL’s best this season.
Kansas City’s star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked six times and threw two interceptions as the Chiefs’ bid for NFL immortality was ruthlessly quashed in the Superdome.
It is the Eagles’ second Super Bowl win having claimed their first in 2018, despite the Chiefs managing to keep their star running back Saquon Barkley relatively quiet.
The Eagles scored a defensive touchdown through Cooper DeJean, who celebrated his 22nd birthday in style. Reuters
Instead, quarterback Jalen Hurts stepped up to silence those who continue to question his passing game, throwing a superb 46-yard touchdown pass to seal a humbling defeat for the Chiefs.
Victory was revenge for the Eagles’ 38-35 Super Bowl defeat by the Chiefs two years ago, when Hurts put in a superb performance but ended up on the losing side.
This time he helped Philly put the game beyond the Chiefs and was later named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
“I’ve been able to use every experience and learn from it, the good and the bad, using it as fuel,” he said.
“There’s always going to be doubts and questioning, but this is the purpose and my calling in life.
“Things come right on time and you know, the last Super Bowl wasn’t our time yet. Sometimes we have to accept that you have to wait your turn.
“I couldn’t do any of this without the guys around me,” Hurts added. “Defence wins championships. We saw the difference they made in the game today.
“Winning a national championship is just an unprecedented feeling. That kid in me always kept working at this, and I stayed true to his vision.”
Family Dispute Erupts Over Estate of Late Marathon Champion Kelvin Kiptum
The death of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum on February 11, 2024, has left a profound void in the athletics community.
However, beyond the grief, a contentious dispute has emerged within his family, centering on allegations made by Kiptum’s father, Mzee Samson Cheruiyot, who has accused his son’s widow, Asenath Rotich, of abandoning the family home and allegedly taking off with Kiptum’s money shortly after his burial.
Allegations and Family Tensions
In a recent interview, Mzee Cheruiyot refuted claims that he and his wife forced Asenath out of her matrimonial home in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu County.
He asserted that Asenath left voluntarily shortly after Kiptum’s burial, first relocating to Kipkorgot before eventually moving to Nairobi.
Expressing his anguish, Mzee Cheruiyot lamented:
“The wife of my child will be cursed her whole life… If God is really present, let her live. When he died, she did not even finish a month here; she left. Let her leave and eat our son’s money alone. We will cry to God only.”
Kelvin Kiptum’s wife, Asenath Rotich, was overcome with grief during his burial.
Government’s Swift Intervention
Following Kiptum’s untimely death in a road accident, the Kenyan government moved quickly to honor his legacy and support his family.
President William Ruto personally oversaw the construction of a new home for Asenath and her children in Naiberi, completing the project within seven days.
Additionally, the President pledged to secure employment for Asenath to ensure financial stability for her young family.
President Ruto emphasized Kiptum’s contributions to Kenya’s global recognition in athletics, underscoring the state’s moral obligation to care for his loved ones.
However, the ongoing family dispute has cast a shadow over these efforts, raising concerns about the unity of Kiptum’s family and the distribution of resources meant for their welfare.
A Family Divided
Further complicating the situation, 22-year-old Edna Awuor has come forward, claiming to have been in a relationship with Kiptum since 2019.
She asserts that they lived together and had a daughter, who was one year and seven months old at the time of his passing.
Seeking legal recognition for her child, Edna filed a petition to delay Kiptum’s burial until a DNA test could confirm paternity.
However, the High Court in Eldoret dismissed her application, citing the advanced stage of burial preparations.
In December 2024, Edna visited Kiptum’s family home in Naiberi, where she shared photos of her child with Mzee Cheruiyot. The visit fueled speculation about Asenath’s absence, as Edna’s daughter was seen spending time with Kiptum’s father.
As the first anniversary of Kiptum’s death approaches, Edna continues to mourn publicly, sharing heartfelt tributes to the late athlete.
Legacy Overshadowed by Disputes
The ongoing conflicts have cast a pall over Kiptum’s legacy, exposing the delicate balance between grief, inheritance, and family ties in the wake of his tragic passing.
For now, Mzee Cheruiyot’s words linger heavily: “She will be cursed her entire life.” Whether this is a cry of pain or a foreboding warning, only time will tell.
Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss made his return to ESPN on Sunday, joining the “Sunday NFL Countdown” crew in New Orleans amid his battle with cancer.
Moss had been on leave from the weekly pregame show since announcing Dec. 6 that he was taking time away to address a health issue. A week later, he said in an Instagram Live post that he had undergone major surgery to address a cancerous mass found in his bile duct between his liver and pancreas, adding he would follow up with radiation and chemotherapy.
He was welcomed back on Sunday, ahead of Super Bowl LIX, with a video featuring faces from throughout the NFL. Former teammate Tom Brady, wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jerry Rice, Steve Smith Sr. and Malik Nabers, and ex-coach Bill Belichick were among those wishing him well.
Moss fought off tears after the video as he sat on the ESPN set at the Superdome, flanked by host Mike Greenberg and fellow analysts Rex Ryan, Alex Smith and Tedy Bruschi.
“I couldn’t do it alone,” Moss said after viewing the video.
“It’s been hard, but I got a lot of love and a lot of people believing in me, man, so I’m happy to be here.”
Moss, who turns 48 next week, has been part of ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” crew since 2016.
“For nearly a decade, Randy has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently elevating ‘Countdown’ with his insight and passion,” the network said in a statement when Moss took his leave of absence. “He has ESPN’s full support, and we look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready.”
Moss was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 with 982 receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns in 218 games with the Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).
The four-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection led the NFL in receiving touchdowns five times, including a single-season record 23 scores with the Patriots in 2007.
The shoes that basketball legend Kobe Bryant wore when he tore his Achilles tendon during an iconic 2013 game have sold at auction for $660,000 (£532,000).
Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant stayed in the game against the Golden State Warriors to score two clutch free throws despite the crippling injury.
“There is no moment in Kobe’s career more emblematic of the ‘Mamba Mentality’ than ‘The Achilles Game,” auction house Sotheby’s wrote in a description for the sale.
The Basketball Hall of Famer died aged 41 in a helicopter crash that killed eight other people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna in January 2020 in Calabasas, California.
The 12 April game started painfully for Bryant, who was 34 at the time.
The shooting guard hyperextended his knee early on in the second half of the game, causing him to hobble on one foot.
Then, with three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Bryant took another hit, falling and holding his left heel.
“As soon as I made the move, I knew it. It feels like the shock absorbers in the back of your foot are just gone,” Bryant said of the tear at the time.
He hobbled to the bench, but then returned to the court moments later and made two free throws. It was one of Bryant’s most famous moments on the basketball court.
The Lakers then fouled to pause the game so Bryant could head to the locker room for treatment. He finished the game with 34 points and his side went on to beat Steph Curry’s Warriors by two points, 118-116.
Sotheby’s estimated the Nike Kobe 8 Elite sneakers would sell for between $600,000 (£483,000) and $800,000 (£645,000).
A number of other Bryant items have sold for high prices at auction since his death. His jersey from the same 2013 game sold for $1.2m (£967,000) in June 2024.
In 2023, a jersey Bryant signed and wore during his MVP season from 2007 to 2008 sold for more than $5.8m (£4.6m). It was the second-most expensive basketball jersey ever sold, according to ESPN.
Premier League leader Liverpool was knocked out of the FA Cup by second-tier struggler Plymouth after losing 1-0 in a stunning fourth-round upset on Sunday.
It ended any hopes of a quadruple of major trophies for Liverpool, which leads the Premier League by six points with a game in hand, finished top of the revamped first stage of the Champions League and has reached the English League Cup final.
Ryan Hardie’s 53rd-minute penalty proved to be the winner for Plymouth, a club from the southwest of England which is in last place in the second-tier Championship and recently fired Wayne Rooney as its manager.
Liverpool fielded a heavily rotated lineup, without stars like Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk, and it backfired.
The Kansas City Chiefs aim for a historic hat-trick of Super Bowl titles on Sunday when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in front of a star-studded crowd in New Orleans headed by US President Donald Trump.
Trump will become the first sitting president ever to attend the Super Bowl when he takes his seat among a sell-out crowd of around 74,000 fans at the Superdome for the biggest annual event in the American sporting calendar, which kicks off at 5:30pm local time (2330 GMT).
Pop superstar Taylor Swift will also be in the VIP seats to watch as her boyfriend Travis Kelce and his fellow Chiefs bid to become the first team in history to lift three consecutive Vince Lombardi Trophies.
Trump’s presence at the NFL showpiece will heighten security around an event which was already protected by a heavy police presence following a New Year’s Day attack which left 14 people dead and many more injured on the Big Easy’s famous Bourbon Street.
Trump has had a strained relationship with the NFL stretching back several decades, when he sought to join the league as an owner in the early 1980s only to be rebuffed.
The Republican also triggered uproar during his first term as president when in 2017 he criticized American football players who knelt during the playing of the national anthem to draw attention to issues of racial injustice.
Players in Sunday’s game have so far walked a diplomatic line when asked about Trump’s presence, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes saying playing in front of the US leader would be “cool.”
Fans in New Orleans meanwhile have expressed hope that Trump does not politicize the occasion.
“I’m hoping that basically he comes in and he’s at his seat and they kind of like keep it quiet. I just want it to be a fun game and not be political,” Debra Ward, a teacher from Virginia, told AFP.
As always, the Super Bowl crosses over into popular culture and the half-time show this year will feature hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar, who had a clean sweep at last Sunday’s Grammys, winning in all five categories for which he received nominations.
Bookmakers and casinos meanwhile are taking odds on whether Chiefs star Kelce will propose to pop icon Swift after what might be his final game in the NFL. Reports late Saturday said the 35-year-old is considering retirement after the Super Bowl.
– Chiefs favorites –
For the more serious punters, the oddsmakers have the Chiefs as slight favorite for the game, a rematch of the Super Bowl from two years ago which the Chiefs won by three points.
They defended their title last year, beating the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas and putting them one win away from an unprecedented “three-peat.”
The 29-year-old Mahomes will become one of just four quarterbacks in National Football League history to have won more than three Super Bowls should he triumph again, having first led the Chiefs to Super Bowl glory in 2020.
But the Eagles have added serious offensive firepower since their defeat two years ago with mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts joined by the game-changing speed and power of running back Saquon Barkley.
The Chiefs put the finishing touches to their game preparations Saturday with a 30-minute walkthrough of a mock game.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid saluted his team’s attitude to training over the whole week since arriving in Louisiana.
“I thought the guys worked hard, they got done what they needed to get done,” Reid said.
The Eagles had a similarly relaxed final session before going to the Superdome on Saturday for a team photo.
Head coach Nick Sirianni said his Eagles were “hungry” and “ready to roll.”
“We’re ready for the challenge against a really good team,” Sirianni said.
