How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes

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fans, Jan. 22, 2021, is unlikely to be a date that sticks in their long-term memory. But for supporters of one club in particular, it is one that is laden with significance.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tWith just 15 minutes left of Newcastle United\u2019s match against Leeds United at Elland Road, the score was 0-0. A miserable Premier League season looked set to continue for Eddie Howe\u2019s team.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv style=text-align:center\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cfigure class=image style=display:inline-block\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cimg alt= height=800 src=https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/March\/20\/2025\/eddie_howe_celebrates.jpg width=1200 \/\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\r\n\t\t\tNewcastle\u0027s head coach Eddie Howe lifts the trophy after winning the EFL Cup final soccer match between Liverpool and Newcastle at Wembley Stadium in London on March 16, 2025. (AP)\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/figure\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tThen up stepped Jonjo Shelvey to give Newcastle a priceless 1-0 victory. It is no exaggeration to say that the win instantly changed the complexion of the team\u2019s season and with it the club\u2019s trajectory.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tGoing into their 21st match of the league season, Newcastle United had found themselves with just one previous win, leaving them stuck in the relegation zone.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv class=injected-block block-wrapper block-custom-bg padding-1 bottom-spacer--m\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cdiv class=block-title text-left separator-left-above style-v2\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Ch4\u003E\r\n\t\t\t\u003Cspan class=chars-style\u003EFAST\u003C\/span\u003EFACTS\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\t\u003Cdiv class=block-content\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cdiv class=with-separator\u003E\r\n\t\t\t\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\t\t\t\t\u2022 Newcastle is a one-club city.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\t\t\t\t\u2022 Newcastle United\u2019s Carabao Cup win was their first trophy in 55 years.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\t\t\t\t\u2022 Newcastle have won Four League titles and six FA Cups.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tAfter the win at Leeds, however, Newcastle would embark on a run that would see them win five of their next six matches, and nine of the next 13. The team cruised to safety and ended the season in a comfortable 11th place.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tHowe had conjured a miracle that barely seemed feasible just a few months earlier when he was tasked with turning around the club\u2019s fortunes following their sale by long-time owner Mike Ashley.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tOn Sunday, as Howe, his team, and chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan celebrated with delirious fans at Wembley after Newcastle defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final, those memories from just three years earlier must have seemed like a distant bad dream.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv style=text-align:center\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cfigure class=image style=display:inline-block\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cimg alt= height=716 src=https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/March\/20\/2025\/rumayyan.jpg width=1086 \/\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\r\n\t\t\tNUFC Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan celebrates at Wembley after Newcastle defeated Liverpool 2-1 to win the title on March 16, 2025. (AFP)\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/figure\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tNewcastle had won their first major trophy in 55 years, justifying the faith that Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund (PIF) had shown in the club and the city when it finally completed a takeover on Oct. 7, 2021.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tPIF, alongside Amanda Staveley\u2019s PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers, had been pursuing the club for more than a year. Once the deal with Ashley had been completed, they set about reawakening a sleeping giant \u2014 one of England\u2019s and Europe\u2019s biggest clubs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tNewcastle United supporters had had few reasons to celebrate since the mid-1990s when manager Kevin Keegan\u2019s \u201cEntertainers\u201d team had come close to winning the Premier League, only to lose out to Alex Ferguson\u2019s unstoppable Manchester United.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv style=text-align:center\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cfigure class=image style=display:inline-block\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cimg alt= height=800 src=https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/March\/20\/2025\/fans_celebrate.jpg width=1200 \/\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\r\n\t\t\tFans at Newcastle\u2019s St. James\u2019 Park have seen their club transformed in just three years. (AFP)\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/figure\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tNow, backed by PIF and its chairman Al-Rumayyan in the boardroom, and with Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi initially their public face, this was a club reborn.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tThe mission was to not only build a successful football team, but to also rejuvenate the local area surrounding St James\u2019 Park in this one-club city.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tFirst up was to hire Howe, a promising young English coach who had performed footballing miracles with Bournemouth FC by taking them from League One to the Premier League.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv style=text-align:center\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cfigure class=image style=display:inline-block\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cimg alt= height=707 src=https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/March\/20\/2025\/sale_of_nufc.jpg width=1200 \/\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\r\n\t\t\tIn this photo taken on October 7, 2021, Newcastle United supporters celebrate outside the club\u0027s stadium St James\u0027 Park in Newcastle upon Tyne in England after the sale of the football club to a Saudi-led consortium was confirmed. (AFP)\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/figure\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tWhile at the time some supporters had expected a more established European coach, PIF\u2019s decision to give Howe the reins on Nov. 8, 2021, has proved to be inspired.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tNext was to assemble and oversee a squad capable of Premier League survival. If and when that was achieved, they would need to go on to challenge the country\u2019s elite clubs at the other end of the table.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tWithout splurging on superstar names, Howe\u2019s signings were astute. January of 2022 saw the arrival of Kieran Trippier for Atletico Madrid, Chris Wood from Burnley, Matt Targett from Aston Villa, and former Newcastle youth player Dan Burn from Brighton.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tBut, without a doubt, the jewel in the crown was Bruno Guimaraes from Olympique Lyon. Fans instantly fell in love with their gifted Brazilian midfielder.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv style=text-align:center\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cfigure class=image style=display:inline-block\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cimg alt= height=800 src=https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/March\/20\/2025\/bruno_celebrates.jpg width=1200 \/\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\r\n\t\t\tNewcastle United\u0027s Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes celebrates on the pitch on March 16, 2025. (AFP)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/figure\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tAnother masterful trick managed by Howe was to rejuvenate players like Joelinton Cassio Apolinario de Lira, Sean Longstaff, and Miguel Almiron, who had stagnated under the reign of previous coach Steve Bruce and owner Ashley.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tAfter relegation was easily avoided with a stunning second half to the 2021-22 Premier League season, the squad was strengthened in the summer transfer window with the signings of goalkeeper Nick Pope from Burney, highly rated Dutch defender Sven Botman from Lille, and the superlative Swedish international Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tNewcastle now had a formidable squad that was ready to challenge for trophies and European places. And that is exactly what they did in the 2022-23 season.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv style=text-align:center\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cfigure class=image style=display:inline-block\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cimg alt= height=775 src=https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/March\/20\/2025\/combonew.jpg width=1200 \/\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\r\n\t\t\tThis combination of photos taken during the English League Cup final match between Newcastle United and Liverpool shows (clockwise, from top left) NUFC\u0027s Alexander Isak scoring their second goal, striker Callum Wilson (#09) fighting for the ball with Liverpool defender #Andrew Robertson, midfielder Harvey Barnes (#11) fighting for the ball with Liverpool\u0027s Dominik Szoboszlai, and Liverpool players reacting after Newcastle scored their second goal to win the title. (Reuters \u0026amp; AFP photos)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/figure\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tAt the start of 2023, Howe led the club to its first major cup final since 1998. But, on Feb. 28, the still-developing team found the task of defeating Manchester United a step too far, losing 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tDespite the cup final defeat, Howe\u2019s first full season as manager ended on a major high as the club finished in fourth place in the Premier League to secure a spot in the following season\u2019s UEFA Champions League.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tThe following season would prove to be one of consolidation. Despite the signings of Anthony Gordon from Everton, Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, and Harvey Barnes from Leicester City, the team found it hard to balance the challenges of the Premier League and European competition.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\t\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv class=media_embed height=472px width=600px\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cblockquote class=twitter-tweet height=472px width=600px\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cp dir=ltr lang=en\u003E\r\n\t\t\tBig Dan Burn\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\t\t\t\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\t\t\tOur first goal at Wembley for 25 years couldn\u2019t have been scored by anyone more fitting \u003Ca href=https:\/\/t.co\/s4PKoYFl92\u003Epic.twitter.com\/s4PKoYFl92\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\t\t\u2014 Newcastle United (@NUFC) \u003Ca href=https:\/\/twitter.com\/NUFC\/status\/1901396561029939544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\u003EMarch 16, 2025\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cscript async= charset=utf-8 height=472px src=https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js width=600px\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\t\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tA stunning 4-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain at St James\u2019 Park in October, could not stop Newcastle from exiting the Champions League in the group stages. Their final position of seventh in the Premier League would have disappointed fans hoping for another invite to Europe\u2019s top table.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tBut that was only a prelude to what will now go down as one of the greatest seasons in Newcastle\u2019s history. There were moments of uncertainty for fans as the team\u2019s Premier League form fluctuated throughout the current campaign. But glory was just around the corner.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tA superb two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final win, which saw a 2-0 victory at the Emirates followed by another at St James Park, gave Newcastle another chance to claim its first trophy in generations. This time it would be against Premier League leaders and England\u2019s most successful club, Liverpool.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv style=text-align:center\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cfigure class=image style=display:inline-block\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cimg alt= height=800 src=https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/March\/20\/2025\/fans_celebrate_last.jpg width=1200 \/\u003E\r\n\t\t\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\r\n\t\t\tNewcastle fans erupt in celebration after Newcastle United\u0027s victory at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025. (AFP)\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/figure\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tSunday, March 16 would prove a golden day for Newcastle. Their fans, who had taken over central London in the two days leading up to the final, were as remarkable in the stands as their heroes were on the pitch.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tGoals by the local hero Burn and talisman Isak\u0026nbsp;either side of half time left supporters in dreamland. Despite a late Liverpool goal, Newcastle were not denied a well deserved 2-1 win.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tCue Bruno\u2019s tears, Al-Rumayyan\u2019s joyous celebrations and pure delirium on the Wembley terraces.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\tIt was a victory 55 years in the making, but one achieved almost in a blink of an eye since the dark days of 2021.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\t\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp style=text-align:center\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cimg alt= height=1200 src=https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/March\/20\/2025\/anp3_spotlight_20mar2025.jpg width=821 \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\r\n\t\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","articleSection":null,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/n_670_395\/public\/main-image\/2025\/03\/20\/4584437-1898902556.jpg?itok=ubaKMS4a","width":"600","height":"400"},"commentCount":"0","datePublished":"2025-03-19 23:41:48","dateModified":"2025-03-20 17:28:46","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ali Khaled"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Arabnews","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/sites\/all\/themes\/arabnews\/assets\/img\/logo?123.png","width":"270","height":"80"}}}</script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; 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(AP Photo)" alt="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes" data-lazy="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/2025/03/20/4584420-985522494.jpg?itok=UbsT4GNy"/> </div> <div class="slider-counter"><span>1</span> / 2</div> <div class="slider-item-caption">Newcastle players celebrate after winning the EFL Cup final soccer match between Liverpool and Newcastle at Wembley Stadium in London on March 16, 2025. (AP Photo)</div> </div> <div class="slider-item"> <div class="slider-item-img"> <span class="label abs-el uppercase special"> Special </span> <img title="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes" alt="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes" data-lazy="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/2025/03/20/4584449-1697557275.jpg?itok=_7jOlV4P"/> </div> <div class="slider-counter"><span>2</span> / 2</div> </div> </div> <div class="short-url-wrapper"> <div class="short-url grid-x grid-padding-x gutters-1x align-middle center"> <div class="cell shrink"><span>Short Url</span></div> <div class="cell shrink"><p class="short-url-link">https://arab.news/5qqww</p></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-x entry-article-inner align-center" data-nid="2594190"> <div class="cell large-shrink"> <div class="entry-aside-info stick-aside-info show-for-large" > <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 20 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> <div>Ali Khaled</div> </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 19, 2025<span> 23:41</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594190"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> <div class="entry-aside-shares"> <div class="addthis_toolbox" addthis:title="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594190" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594190" data-a2a-title="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes" > <div class="a2a_kit "> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i> </a> </div> </div> <div class="padding-top-1"> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_email"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> <a style="background-color: #000; border-radius: 20px; padding: 2px 10px; font-size: 14px; color: #fff; font-family: isento-medium;" href="https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arabnews.com%2F&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Ebuttonembed%7Ctwterm%5Efollow%7Ctwgr%5Earabnews&region=follow_link&screen_name=arabnews"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter" style="font-size:14px;"></i> Follow </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cell large-auto"> <div class="printable-area shareable"> <div class="title-area show-for-printable-area"> <h2>How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes</h2> </div> <div class="img-area show-for-printable-area"> <img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/20/4584437-1898902556.jpg?itok=ubaKMS4a" alt="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes" title="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes" /> </div> <div class="entry-highlight"> <ul> <li>NUFC was purchased by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October 2021, marking the start of a major turnaround for the club</li> <li>Under head coach Eddie Howe, the English football side have avoided relegation and quickly become top Premier League contenders</li> </ul> </div> <div class="entry-meta hide-for-large no-print"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 20 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> Ali Khaled </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 19, 2025<span> 23:41</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-meta-footer"> <div class="grid-x align-justify"> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594190"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> </div> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit " addthis:title="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594190" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594190" data-a2a-title="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_email"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="large-shrink"> <a style="background-color: #000; border-radius: 20px; padding: 2px 10px; font-size: 14px; color: #fff; font-family: isento-medium;" href="https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arabnews.com%2F&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Ebuttonembed%7Ctwterm%5Efollow%7Ctwgr%5Earabnews&region=follow_link&screen_name=arabnews"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter" style="font-size:14px;"></i> Follow </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="block-wrapper show-for-small-only" > <div class="block-content"> <div class="ad-holder text-center"> <div class="show-for-small-only"> <script> if (isMobileDevice()) { document.write("<div id='div-gpt-ad-3341368-3'></div>"); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-3341368-3'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="entry-content" itemprop="articleBody" data-io-article-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594190/football"> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> DUBAI: For the majority of football fans, Jan. 22, 2021, is unlikely to be a date that sticks in their long-term memory. But for supporters of one club in particular, it is one that is laden with significance.</p> <p> With just 15 minutes left of Newcastle United’s match against Leeds United at Elland Road, the score was 0-0. A miserable Premier League season looked set to continue for Eddie Howe’s team. </p> <div style="text-align:center"> <figure class="image" style="display:inline-block"><br /> <img alt="" height="800" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/pictures/March/20/2025/eddie_howe_celebrates.jpg" width="1200" /><br /> <figcaption><br /> Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe lifts the trophy after winning the EFL Cup final soccer match between Liverpool and Newcastle at Wembley Stadium in London on March 16, 2025. (AP)</figcaption><br /> </figure> </div> <p> Then up stepped Jonjo Shelvey to give Newcastle a priceless 1-0 victory. It is no exaggeration to say that the win instantly changed the complexion of the team’s season and with it the club’s trajectory.</p> <p> Going into their 21st match of the league season, Newcastle United had found themselves with just one previous win, leaving them stuck in the relegation zone.</p> <div class="injected-block block-wrapper block-custom-bg padding-1 bottom-spacer--m"> <div class="block-title text-left separator-left-above style-v2"> <h4> <span class="chars-style">FAST</span>FACTS</h4> </div> <div class="block-content"> <div class="with-separator"> <p> • Newcastle is a one-club city.</p> <p> • Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup win was their first trophy in 55 years.</p> <p> • Newcastle have won Four League titles and six FA Cups.</p> </div> </div> </div> <p> After the win at Leeds, however, Newcastle would embark on a run that would see them win five of their next six matches, and nine of the next 13. The team cruised to safety and ended the season in a comfortable 11th place.</p> <p> Howe had conjured a miracle that barely seemed feasible just a few months earlier when he was tasked with turning around the club’s fortunes following their sale by long-time owner Mike Ashley.</p> <p> On Sunday, as Howe, his team, and chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan celebrated with delirious fans at Wembley after Newcastle defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final, those memories from just three years earlier must have seemed like a distant bad dream.</p> <div style="text-align:center"> <figure class="image" style="display:inline-block"><br /> <img alt="" height="716" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/pictures/March/20/2025/rumayyan.jpg" width="1086" /><br /> <figcaption><br /> NUFC Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan celebrates at Wembley after Newcastle defeated Liverpool 2-1 to win the title on March 16, 2025. (AFP)</figcaption><br /> </figure> </div> <p> Newcastle had won their first major trophy in 55 years, justifying the faith that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) had shown in the club and the city when it finally completed a takeover on Oct. 7, 2021.</p> <p> PIF, alongside Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers, had been pursuing the club for more than a year. Once the deal with Ashley had been completed, they set about reawakening a sleeping giant — one of England’s and Europe’s biggest clubs.</p> <p> Newcastle United supporters had had few reasons to celebrate since the mid-1990s when manager Kevin Keegan’s “Entertainers” team had come close to winning the Premier League, only to lose out to Alex Ferguson’s unstoppable Manchester United.</p> <div style="text-align:center"> <figure class="image" style="display:inline-block"><br /> <img alt="" height="800" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/pictures/March/20/2025/fans_celebrate.jpg" width="1200" /><br /> <figcaption><br /> Fans at Newcastle’s St. James’ Park have seen their club transformed in just three years. (AFP)</figcaption><br /> </figure> </div> <p> Now, backed by PIF and its chairman Al-Rumayyan in the boardroom, and with Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi initially their public face, this was a club reborn.</p> <p> The mission was to not only build a successful football team, but to also rejuvenate the local area surrounding St James’ Park in this one-club city.</p> <p> First up was to hire Howe, a promising young English coach who had performed footballing miracles with Bournemouth FC by taking them from League One to the Premier League.</p> <div style="text-align:center"> <figure class="image" style="display:inline-block"><br /> <img alt="" height="707" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/pictures/March/20/2025/sale_of_nufc.jpg" width="1200" /><br /> <figcaption><br /> In this photo taken on October 7, 2021, Newcastle United supporters celebrate outside the club's stadium St James' Park in Newcastle upon Tyne in England after the sale of the football club to a Saudi-led consortium was confirmed. (AFP)</figcaption><br /> </figure> </div> <p> While at the time some supporters had expected a more established European coach, PIF’s decision to give Howe the reins on Nov. 8, 2021, has proved to be inspired.</p> <p> Next was to assemble and oversee a squad capable of Premier League survival. If and when that was achieved, they would need to go on to challenge the country’s elite clubs at the other end of the table.</p> <p> Without splurging on superstar names, Howe’s signings were astute. January of 2022 saw the arrival of Kieran Trippier for Atletico Madrid, Chris Wood from Burnley, Matt Targett from Aston Villa, and former Newcastle youth player Dan Burn from Brighton.</p> <p> But, without a doubt, the jewel in the crown was Bruno Guimaraes from Olympique Lyon. Fans instantly fell in love with their gifted Brazilian midfielder.</p> <div style="text-align:center"> <figure class="image" style="display:inline-block"><br /> <img alt="" height="800" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/pictures/March/20/2025/bruno_celebrates.jpg" width="1200" /><br /> <figcaption><br /> Newcastle United's Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes celebrates on the pitch on March 16, 2025. (AFP) </figcaption><br /> </figure> </div> <p> Another masterful trick managed by Howe was to rejuvenate players like Joelinton Cassio Apolinario de Lira, Sean Longstaff, and Miguel Almiron, who had stagnated under the reign of previous coach Steve Bruce and owner Ashley.</p> <p> After relegation was easily avoided with a stunning second half to the 2021-22 Premier League season, the squad was strengthened in the summer transfer window with the signings of goalkeeper Nick Pope from Burney, highly rated Dutch defender Sven Botman from Lille, and the superlative Swedish international Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad.</p> <p> Newcastle now had a formidable squad that was ready to challenge for trophies and European places. And that is exactly what they did in the 2022-23 season.</p> <div style="text-align:center"> <figure class="image" style="display:inline-block"><br /> <img alt="" height="775" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/pictures/March/20/2025/combonew.jpg" width="1200" /><br /> <figcaption><br /> This combination of photos taken during the English League Cup final match between Newcastle United and Liverpool shows (clockwise, from top left) NUFC's Alexander Isak scoring their second goal, striker Callum Wilson (#09) fighting for the ball with Liverpool defender #Andrew Robertson, midfielder Harvey Barnes (#11) fighting for the ball with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai, and Liverpool players reacting after Newcastle scored their second goal to win the title. (Reuters & AFP photos) </figcaption><br /> </figure> </div> <p> At the start of 2023, Howe led the club to its first major cup final since 1998. But, on Feb. 28, the still-developing team found the task of defeating Manchester United a step too far, losing 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.</p> <p> Despite the cup final defeat, Howe’s first full season as manager ended on a major high as the club finished in fourth place in the Premier League to secure a spot in the following season’s UEFA Champions League.</p> <p> The following season would prove to be one of consolidation. Despite the signings of Anthony Gordon from Everton, Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, and Harvey Barnes from Leicester City, the team found it hard to balance the challenges of the Premier League and European competition.</p> <p> </p> <div class="media_embed" height="472px" width="600px"> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" height="472px" width="600px"><p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> Big Dan Burn</p> <p> Our first goal at Wembley for 25 years couldn’t have been scored by anyone more fitting <a href="https://t.co/s4PKoYFl92">pic.twitter.com/s4PKoYFl92</a></p> <p> — Newcastle United (@NUFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1901396561029939544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" height="472px" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" width="600px"></script></div> <p> </p> <p> A stunning 4-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain at St James’ Park in October, could not stop Newcastle from exiting the Champions League in the group stages. Their final position of seventh in the Premier League would have disappointed fans hoping for another invite to Europe’s top table.</p> <p> But that was only a prelude to what will now go down as one of the greatest seasons in Newcastle’s history. There were moments of uncertainty for fans as the team’s Premier League form fluctuated throughout the current campaign. But glory was just around the corner. </p> <p> A superb two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final win, which saw a 2-0 victory at the Emirates followed by another at St James Park, gave Newcastle another chance to claim its first trophy in generations. This time it would be against Premier League leaders and England’s most successful club, Liverpool.</p> <div style="text-align:center"> <figure class="image" style="display:inline-block"><br /> <img alt="" height="800" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/pictures/March/20/2025/fans_celebrate_last.jpg" width="1200" /><br /> <figcaption><br /> Newcastle fans erupt in celebration after Newcastle United's victory at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025. (AFP)</figcaption><br /> </figure> </div> <p> Sunday, March 16 would prove a golden day for Newcastle. Their fans, who had taken over central London in the two days leading up to the final, were as remarkable in the stands as their heroes were on the pitch.</p> <p> Goals by the local hero Burn and talisman Isak either side of half time left supporters in dreamland. Despite a late Liverpool goal, Newcastle were not denied a well deserved 2-1 win.</p> <p> Cue Bruno’s tears, Al-Rumayyan’s joyous celebrations and pure delirium on the Wembley terraces.</p> <p> It was a victory 55 years in the making, but one achieved almost in a blink of an eye since the dark days of 2021.<br /> </p> <p style="text-align:center"> <img alt="" height="1200" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/pictures/March/20/2025/anp3_spotlight_20mar2025.jpg" width="821" /></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div>  </div> </div> <div class="block-wrapper show-for-small-only" > <div class="block-content"> <div class="ad-holder text-center"> <div class="show-for-small-only"> <script> if (isMobileDevice()) { document.write("<div id='div-gpt-ad-3341368-4'></div>"); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-3341368-4'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit" addthis:title="How the sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia’s PIF transformed the club’s fortunes" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594190"> <div class="entry-share"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> </div> <div class="entry-otpions"> <a class="a2a_button_email envelope-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> <div class="follow-field"> <a style="background-color: #000; 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googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-3341368-5'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <script> if (!isMobileDevice()) { document.write("<div id='div-gpt-ad-3341368-5'></div>"); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-3341368-5'); }); } </script> <div class="view view-full-content-display view-id-full_content_display view-display-id-block_1 view-dom-id-bd14086007c326ac5b7d4ea3c2ea204b"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row views-row-1 views-row-odd views-row-first"> <div class="padding-horizontal-for-small"><hr></div> <div class="pageWrapper"> <span class='hidden-title' style='display:none'>Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout</span> <span class='hidden-url' style='display:none'>/node/2594505/sport</span> <div class="entry-article" data-tags="1401,410931,388421,290096" data-article-publish-date = "2025-03-22 22:09:31" data-article-author="AP" data-event="dynamic_article_load" data-article-category="5" data-page-type="content - article" data-page-title="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout" data-value="2594505" data-nid="2594505" data-title="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout" data-url="/node/2594505/sport" data-img="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585261-2068025271.jpg?itok=eZ1C-JVR"> <div class="entry-title padding-horizontal-for-small"> <h2><a href="/node/2594505">Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout</a></h2> </div> <div class="entry-media"> <div class="slider-item"> <div class="slider-item-img"><img alt="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout" title="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585261-2068025271.jpg?itok=eZ1C-JVR"/></div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-x entry-article-inner align-center"> <div class="cell large-shrink"> <div class="entry-aside-info stick-aside-info show-for-large" data-nid="2594505"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> <div>AP</div> </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 22:09</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594505"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> <div class="entry-aside-shares"> <div class="addthis_toolbox" addthis:title="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594505" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594505" data-a2a-title="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout" > <div class="a2a_kit "> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i> </a> </div> </div> <div class="padding-top-1"> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_email"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> <a style="background-color: #000; border-radius: 20px; padding: 2px 10px; font-size: 14px; color: #fff; font-family: isento-medium;" href="https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arabnews.com%2F&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Ebuttonembed%7Ctwterm%5Efollow%7Ctwgr%5Earabnews&region=follow_link&screen_name=arabnews"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter" style="font-size:14px;"></i> Follow </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cell large-auto"> <div class="printable-area shareable"> <div class="title-area show-for-printable-area"> <h2>Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout</h2> </div> <div class="img-area show-for-printable-area"> <img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585261-2068025271.jpg?itok=eZ1C-JVR" alt="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout" /> </div> <div class="entry-highlight"> <ul> <li>The Scandinavian side are favored to win Group I, which also includes Estonia and Israel</li> <li>The talented Norway team likewise failed to qualify for the 2024 European Championship</li> </ul> </div> <div class="entry-meta hide-for-large no-print"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> AP </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 22:09</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-meta-footer"> <div class="grid-x align-justify"> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594505"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> </div> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit " addthis:title="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594505" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594505" data-a2a-title="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_email"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="entry-content"> <p> CHISINAU: Erling Haaland helped Norway make a positive start to their World Cup qualifying campaign by scoring in a 5-0 rout at Moldova on Saturday.<br /> Norway’s third and last World Cup appearance was back in 1998, two years before Haaland was born.<br /> Now, Haaland lead a team featuring Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard that bear high expectations of reaching the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.<br /> The Scandinavian side are favored to win Group I, which also includes Estonia and Israel.<br /> Haaland scored Norway’s second goal against the outmatched Moldova. That took his exceptional career haul to 39 goals in 40 appearances for his country since his 2019 debut.<br /> Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson opened the scoring for Norway five minutes after kickoff in Chisinau. Haaland doubled the lead in the 23rd.<br /> Thelo Aasgaard, who assisted Ryerson for the opener, made it three before Odegaard set up Alexander Sorloth before halftime. Substitute Aron Donnum got on the scoreboard in the second half.<br /> Haaland already knows what it is to win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester City, but he has yet to take his country to a major tournament. Injury ruled Haaland out of several matches during Norway’s unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup.<br /> The talented Norway team likewise failed to qualify for the 2024 European Championship when they disappointed with a third-place group finish behind Spain and Scotland.<br /> Europe to send 16 teams<br /> Europe will have 16 teams in the expanded 48-team field for next year’s World Cup in North America.<br /> They will come from the winners of the 12 qualifying groups plus four from a playoff of the group runners-up.<br /> The group stage of European qualifying runs through November.</p> </div> </div> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit" addthis:title="Haaland helps Norway start their World Cup qualifying campaign with 5-0 rout" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594505"> <div class="entry-share"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn"><i 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alt="Perisic stars as Croatia stun France in Nations League" title="Perisic stars as Croatia stun France in Nations League" /> </a> </div> <div class="article-item-info"> <div class="category-field uppercase"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/5">Sport </a> </div> <div class="article-item-title"> <h5 class="font-bold"> <a href="/node/2594313"> Perisic stars as Croatia stun France in Nations League </a> </h5> </div> </div> </div> <div class="padding-horizontal-for-small show-for-small-only"><hr></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row views-row-2 views-row-even"> <div class="padding-horizontal-for-small"><hr></div> <div class="pageWrapper"> <span class='hidden-title' style='display:none'>Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash</span> <span class='hidden-url' style='display:none'>/node/2594502/sport</span> <div class="entry-article" data-tags="1601,508311,16951,290096" data-article-publish-date = "2025-03-22 21:55:10" data-article-author="AFP" data-event="dynamic_article_load" data-article-category="5" data-page-type="content - article" data-page-title="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash" data-value="2594502" data-nid="2594502" data-title="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash" data-url="/node/2594502/sport" data-img="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585254-921339686.jpg?itok=yZhlKPPH"> <div class="entry-title padding-horizontal-for-small"> <h2><a href="/node/2594502">Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash</a></h2> </div> <div class="entry-media"> <div class="slider-item"> <div class="slider-item-img"><img alt="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash" title="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585254-921339686.jpg?itok=yZhlKPPH"/></div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-x entry-article-inner align-center"> <div class="cell large-shrink"> <div class="entry-aside-info stick-aside-info show-for-large" data-nid="2594502"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> <div>AFP</div> </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 21:55</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594502"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> <div class="entry-aside-shares"> <div class="addthis_toolbox" addthis:title="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594502" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594502" data-a2a-title="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash" > <div class="a2a_kit "> <div 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href="https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arabnews.com%2F&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Ebuttonembed%7Ctwterm%5Efollow%7Ctwgr%5Earabnews&region=follow_link&screen_name=arabnews"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter" style="font-size:14px;"></i> Follow </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cell large-auto"> <div class="printable-area shareable"> <div class="title-area show-for-printable-area"> <h2>Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash</h2> </div> <div class="img-area show-for-printable-area"> <img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585254-921339686.jpg?itok=yZhlKPPH" alt="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash" /> </div> <div class="entry-highlight"> <ul> <li>The defender could be paired with the uncapped Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio on Sunday against the Netherlands</li> <li>“For us, many of the (breakthrough) players are not surprising, we know the quality of the raw material we have in this country,” De la Fuente said</li> </ul> </div> <div class="entry-meta hide-for-large no-print"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> AFP </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 21:55</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-meta-footer"> <div class="grid-x align-justify"> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594502"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> </div> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit " addthis:title="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594502" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594502" data-a2a-title="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_email"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="entry-content"> <p> VALENCIA: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente hailed his team’s “inexhaustible” supply of talent on Saturday, ahead of the Nations League quarter-final second leg clash against the Netherlands.<br /> Euro 2024 winners Spain fought back in the 2-2 first leg draw to stay unbeaten in their last 22 competitive games, with Bournemouth center-back Dean Huijsen making his debut as a substitute in Rotterdam on Thursday and impressing.<br /> The defender could be paired with the uncapped Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio on Sunday against the Netherlands, after Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi hurt his ankle in the first leg.<br /> “For us, many of the (breakthrough) players are not surprising, we know the quality of the raw material we have in this country,” De la Fuente told a news conference.<br /> “We can use players who have made history and who are great players today, with exceptional experience... (and) others who are appearing, and who will make us grow, become more competitive and a better team.<br /> “It’s very healthy and good news for everyone because we know that we have an inexhaustible youth system.”<br /> Spain won the Nations League under De la Fuente in 2023 and then propelled by young wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, roared to Euro 2024 victory in Germany.<br /> De la Fuente took off Barcelona teenager Yamal in the first half of the draw with Netherlands and left Asencio out of the squad entirely.<br /> “This is a squad with great players and we manage it like any team,” continued De la Fuente.<br /> “There are 26 of us, we can have 23 players (in the matchday squad), Raul understood it, and is happy to be here with us and having this experience...<br /> “I can make two exceptional starting line-ups, that’s the luck I have, and we have in this country, but not only these 26 players, we have so many more that could be here as well.”<br /> Netherlands fans created a display in the stands for the first leg which depicted Robin van Persie’s spectacular diving header against Spain during a 5-1 with for the Dutch in the 2014 World Cup.<br /> Asked what he would like to see at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium in response, De la Fuente was certain.<br /> “Three nil on the scoreboard,” joked the Spain coach.<br /> “Tomorrow our fans will be fired up, they will put a lot of pressure on and we will feel powered by a supernatural strength.”<br /> The coach thanked Spain fans for the team’s welcome in the east coast city on Friday, as over 20,000 turned up to show their support at an open training session and donated to support renovations following the devastating floods which hit the Valencia region last October.<br /> “I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it... it will be a historic atmosphere,” added De la Fuente.</p> </div> </div> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit" addthis:title="Spain coach hails emerging talent ahead of Netherlands clash" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594502"> <div class="entry-share"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> </div> <div class="entry-otpions"> <a class="a2a_button_email envelope-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> <div class="follow-field"> <a style="background-color: #000; border-radius: 20px; padding: 2px 10px; font-size: 14px; color: #fff; font-family: isento-medium;" 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<div class="cell 9" data-nid="2594313" data-vr-contentbox="position 1"> <div class="article-item"> <div class="article-item-img"> <a href="/node/2594313"> <span class="views-count abs-el views-count-placeholder nid-2594313"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i> <span></span></span> <img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_360_212/public/main-image/2025/03/21/4584751-654456657.jpg?itok=gdzejiho" width="360" height="212" alt="Perisic stars as Croatia stun France in Nations League" title="Perisic stars as Croatia stun France in Nations League" /> </a> </div> <div class="article-item-info"> <div class="category-field uppercase"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/5">Sport </a> </div> <div class="article-item-title"> <h5 class="font-bold"> <a href="/node/2594313"> Perisic stars as Croatia stun France in Nations League </a> </h5> </div> </div> </div> <div class="padding-horizontal-for-small show-for-small-only"><hr></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row views-row-3 views-row-odd"> <div class="padding-horizontal-for-small"><hr></div> <div class="pageWrapper"> <span class='hidden-title' style='display:none'>France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match</span> <span class='hidden-url' style='display:none'>/node/2594498/sport</span> <div class="entry-article" data-tags="1516,588479,290096,23071" data-article-publish-date = "2025-03-22 21:00:58" data-article-author="AP" data-event="dynamic_article_load" data-article-category="5" data-page-type="content - article" data-page-title="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match" data-value="2594498" data-nid="2594498" data-title="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match" data-url="/node/2594498/sport" data-img="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585243-543797646.jpg?itok=NsB-RV9f"> <div class="entry-title padding-horizontal-for-small"> <h2><a href="/node/2594498">France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match</a></h2> </div> <div class="entry-media"> <div class="slider-item"> <div class="slider-item-img"><img alt="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match" title="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585243-543797646.jpg?itok=NsB-RV9f"/></div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-x entry-article-inner align-center"> <div class="cell large-shrink"> <div class="entry-aside-info stick-aside-info show-for-large" data-nid="2594498"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> <div>AP</div> </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 21:00</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594498"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> <div class="entry-aside-shares"> <div class="addthis_toolbox" addthis:title="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594498" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594498" data-a2a-title="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match" > <div class="a2a_kit "> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i> </a> </div> </div> <div class="padding-top-1"> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_email"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> <a style="background-color: #000; border-radius: 20px; padding: 2px 10px; font-size: 14px; color: #fff; font-family: isento-medium;" href="https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arabnews.com%2F&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Ebuttonembed%7Ctwterm%5Efollow%7Ctwgr%5Earabnews&region=follow_link&screen_name=arabnews"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter" style="font-size:14px;"></i> Follow </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cell large-auto"> <div class="printable-area shareable"> <div class="title-area show-for-printable-area"> <h2>France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match</h2> </div> <div class="img-area show-for-printable-area"> <img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585243-543797646.jpg?itok=NsB-RV9f" alt="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match" /> </div> <div class="entry-highlight"> <ul> <li>“Rabiot has a calf problem and will not train this (Saturday) evening,” Deschamps said</li> </ul> </div> <div class="entry-meta hide-for-large no-print"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> AP </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 21:00</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-meta-footer"> <div class="grid-x align-justify"> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594498"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> </div> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit " addthis:title="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594498" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594498" data-a2a-title="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_email"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="entry-content"> <p> PARIS: France midfielder Adrien Rabiot has a minor calf injury and is doubtful to face Croatia in the return leg of the Nations League quarterfinals on Sunday.<br /> Rabiot came off midway through the second half on Thursday in Split, where Les Bleus lost 2-0.<br /> “Rabiot has a calf problem and will not train this (Saturday) evening,” Deschamps said at a pre-match news conference. “It looks complicated for tomorrow.”<br /> France won the Nations League in 2021 but lost to Croatia 1-0 at home the following year.<br /> Before Sunday’s game, France will pay tribute to all-time leading scorer Olivier Giroud, who retired from the national team last year after scoring 57 goals in 137 matches.<br /> Thierry Henry is second with 51 followed by Kylian Mbappé on 48. Mbappé missed chances to score in Split.</p> </div> </div> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit" addthis:title="France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594498"> <div class="entry-share"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> </div> <div class="entry-otpions"> <a class="a2a_button_email envelope-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> <div class="follow-field"> <a style="background-color: #000; border-radius: 20px; padding: 2px 10px; font-size: 14px; color: #fff; font-family: 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</div> <div class="views-row views-row-4 views-row-even"> <div class="padding-horizontal-for-small"><hr></div> <div class="pageWrapper"> <span class='hidden-title' style='display:none'>Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan</span> <span class='hidden-url' style='display:none'>/node/2594492/sport</span> <div class="entry-article" data-tags="370526,77231,487521,584603,333266" data-article-publish-date = "2025-03-22 19:39:22" data-article-author="Arab News" data-event="dynamic_article_load" data-article-category="5" data-page-type="content - article" data-page-title="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan" data-value="2594492" data-nid="2594492" data-title="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan" data-url="/node/2594492/sport" data-img="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585229-1350828648.jpg?itok=dxCrRYKJ"> <div class="entry-title padding-horizontal-for-small"> <h2><a href="/node/2594492">Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan</a></h2> </div> <div class="entry-media"> <div class="slider-item"> <div class="slider-item-img"><img alt="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan" title="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585229-1350828648.jpg?itok=dxCrRYKJ"/></div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-x entry-article-inner align-center"> <div class="cell large-shrink"> <div class="entry-aside-info stick-aside-info show-for-large" data-nid="2594492"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> <div>Arab News</div> </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 19:39</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594492"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> <div class="entry-aside-shares"> <div class="addthis_toolbox" addthis:title="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594492" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594492" data-a2a-title="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan" > <div class="a2a_kit "> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin 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<div class="title-area show-for-printable-area"> <h2>Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan</h2> </div> <div class="img-area show-for-printable-area"> <img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585229-1350828648.jpg?itok=dxCrRYKJ" alt="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan" /> </div> <div class="entry-highlight"> <ul> <li>Head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups</li> <li>National team will hold a closed training session on Sunday</li> </ul> </div> <div class="entry-meta hide-for-large no-print"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> Arab News </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 19:39</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-meta-footer"> <div class="grid-x align-justify"> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594492"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> </div> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit " addthis:title="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594492" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594492" data-a2a-title="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_email"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="entry-content"> <p> SAITAMA, Japan: Saudi Arabia’s national football team started training on Saturday at Saitama Stadium’s training pitch in preparation for their clash against their host Japan on Tuesday.<br /> The Green Falcons will face off with Japan at Saitama Stadium 2002 as part of the eighth round of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<br /> On the field, head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups. The first group included those who played their recent match against China, and were assigned recovery exercises at the health club.<br /> The second group, which consisted of the remaining players, had warm-up exercises followed by small-sided games. Later, the players carried out a variety of tactical exercises, and the session concluded with stretching.<br /> The national team will hold a closed training session on Sunday, at 7:00 p.m. at the same training pitch.<br /> The Green Falcons arrived in Japan on Friday evening, a day after beating 10-man China 1-0 in Riyadh to get their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign back on track.</p> </div> </div> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit" addthis:title="Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594492"> <div class="entry-share"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn"> <i class="icomoon-icon 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href="/taxonomy/term/584603" class="button tiny hollow gray">2026 World Cup</a> <a href="/taxonomy/term/333266" class="button tiny hollow gray">Asian Qualifiers</a> </div>  <div class="entry-related"> <div class="section-wrapper bottom-spacer"> <div class="section-title text-center first-letter-style uppercase"> <h4><span>Related</span></h4> </div> <div class="section-content"> <div class="grid-items gutters-1x grid-x align-justify small-up-1 medium-up-2 large-up-2"> <div class="cell 14" data-nid="2594466" data-vr-contentbox="position 1"> <div class="article-item"> <div class="article-item-img"> <a href="/node/2594466"> <span class="views-count abs-el views-count-placeholder nid-2594466"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i> <span></span></span> <img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_360_212/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585163-1374033417.jpg?itok=86RaA9m1" width="360" height="212" alt="Saudi national football team arrives in Japan for World Cup qualifiers" title="Saudi national football team arrives in Japan for World Cup qualifiers" /> </a> </div> <div class="article-item-info"> <div class="category-field uppercase"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/5">Sport </a> </div> <div class="article-item-title"> <h5 class="font-bold"> <a href="/node/2594466"> Saudi national football team arrives in Japan for World Cup qualifiers </a> </h5> </div> </div> </div> <div class="padding-horizontal-for-small show-for-small-only"><hr></div> </div> <div class="cell 15" data-nid="2593384" data-vr-contentbox="position 1"> <div class="article-item"> <div class="article-item-img"> <a href="/node/2593384"> <span class="views-count abs-el views-count-placeholder nid-2593384"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i> <span></span></span> <img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_360_212/public/main-image/2025/03/12/4582318-1422350084.jpeg?itok=RsU8ohdB" width="360" height="212" alt="Herve Renard announces Saudi Arabia’s lineup for Asian qualifiers for 2026 World Cup" title="Herve Renard announces Saudi Arabia’s lineup for Asian qualifiers for 2026 World Cup" /> </a> </div> <div class="article-item-info"> <div class="category-field uppercase"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/5">Sport </a> </div> <div class="article-item-title"> <h5 class="font-bold"> <a href="/node/2593384"> Herve Renard announces Saudi Arabia’s lineup for Asian qualifiers for 2026 World Cup </a> </h5> </div> </div> </div> <div class="padding-horizontal-for-small show-for-small-only"><hr></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row views-row-5 views-row-odd views-row-last"> <div class="padding-horizontal-for-small"><hr></div> <div class="pageWrapper"> <span class='hidden-title' style='display:none'>Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64</span> <span class='hidden-url' style='display:none'>/node/2594477/sport</span> <div class="entry-article" data-tags="1361,588474,588475" data-article-publish-date = "2025-03-22 16:12:05" data-article-author="AFP" data-event="dynamic_article_load" data-article-category="5" data-page-type="content - article" data-page-title="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64" data-value="2594477" data-nid="2594477" data-title="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64" data-url="/node/2594477/sport" data-img="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585191-352990427.jpg?itok=SpWzUDu7"> <div class="entry-title padding-horizontal-for-small"> <h2><a href="/node/2594477">Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64</a></h2> </div> <div class="entry-media"> <div class="slider-item"> <div class="slider-item-img"><img alt="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64" title="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64" src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585191-352990427.jpg?itok=SpWzUDu7"/></div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-x entry-article-inner align-center"> <div class="cell large-shrink"> <div class="entry-aside-info stick-aside-info show-for-large" data-nid="2594477"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> <div>AFP</div> </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 16:12</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594477"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> <div class="entry-aside-shares"> <div class="addthis_toolbox" addthis:title="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594477" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594477" data-a2a-title="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64" > <div class="a2a_kit "> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i> </a> </div> </div> <div class="padding-top-1"> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a class="a2a_button_email"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i> </a> </div> <div class="entry-share-row"> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> <a style="background-color: #000; border-radius: 20px; padding: 2px 10px; font-size: 14px; color: #fff; font-family: isento-medium;" href="https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arabnews.com%2F&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Ebuttonembed%7Ctwterm%5Efollow%7Ctwgr%5Earabnews&region=follow_link&screen_name=arabnews"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter" style="font-size:14px;"></i> Follow </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cell large-auto"> <div class="printable-area shareable"> <div class="title-area show-for-printable-area"> <h2>Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64</h2> </div> <div class="img-area show-for-printable-area"> <img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2025/03/22/4585191-352990427.jpg?itok=SpWzUDu7" alt="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64" /> </div> <div class="entry-highlight"> <ul> <li>“The wider Algerian football family and JS Kabylie are in mourning following the announcement of the death of Djamel Menad,” JS Kabylie wrote</li> <li>Born on July 22, 1960 in the town of El Bayadh, Menad represented his country 79 times, scoring 25 goals, over a 15-year international career</li> </ul> </div> <div class="entry-meta hide-for-large no-print"> <div class="updated-ago"> Updated 22 March 2025 </div> <div class="entry-author"> AFP </div> <div class="entry-date"> <time>March 22, 2025<span> 16:12</span></time> </div> <div class="entry-meta-footer"> <div class="grid-x align-justify"> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-views"><span class="views-count-placeholder nid-2594477"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-views"></i><span></span></span> </div> </div> <div class="cell shrink"> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit " addthis:title="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594477" data-a2a-url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594477" data-a2a-title="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn-hover"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_email"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="entry-content"> <p> ALGIERS: Former Algeria forward Djamel Menad has died aged 64 following a short illness, his ex-club JS Kabylie announced on Saturday.<br /> “The wider Algerian football family and JS Kabylie are in mourning following the announcement of the death of Djamel Menad, a former player and true legend of football in the country,” JS Kabylie wrote on social media.<br /> “In recent weeks, the health of the former center-forward of the Algerian national team had deteriorated rapidly as a result of a devastating illness that struck him around two months ago,” indicated news website TSA.<br /> Menad died in a clinic in Algiers where he had been hospitalized on March 14, after returning from Brussels where he had been receiving treatment for a month, reported Algerian football media DZfoot.<br /> Born on July 22, 1960 in the town of El Bayadh, Menad represented his country 79 times, scoring 25 goals, over a 15-year international career.<br /> Menad’s efforts in helping Algeria reach the 1986 World Cup in Mexico resulted in him being named Algerian sportsman of the year in 1985.<br /> He was notably top scorer at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, with four goals in five appearances as Algeria claimed the trophy on home soil.<br /> Over his club career, Menad played for Algerian sides JS Kabylie, CR Belouizdad and USM Alger. He also played in Europe for French club Nimes, as well as Portuguese sides Famalicao and Belenenses.<br /> Menad moved into coaching after his playing career and was most recently sporting director at JS Kabylie.</p> </div> </div> <div class="entry-shares-wrapper"> <div class="a2a_kit" addthis:title="Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64" addthis:url="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594477"> <div class="entry-share"> <a class="a2a_button_facebook facebook-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-facebook"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_twitter twitter-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-twitter"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_linkedin linkedin-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-linkedin"></i></a> <a class="a2a_button_whatsapp whatsapp-btn"> <i class="icomoon-icon icon-whatsapp"></i></a> </div> <div class="entry-otpions"> <a class="a2a_button_email envelope-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-envelope"></i></a> <a href="#" class="print-btn"><i class="icomoon-icon icon-printer"></i></a> 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