Ronaldo edges closer to 1000 goals with huge brace over Damac.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a match-winning performance as Al Nassr defeated Damac 2-0 on Friday, keeping their Saudi Pro League title hopes alive. The Portuguese forward, who joined the Riyadh-based club in 2022, is yet to secure a major trophy but showcased his determination with a goal in each half. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 16th minute, converting a penalty after Abdelkader Bedrane was penalized for handball. Damac’s struggles worsened in the second half when Bedrane was sent off for a dangerous tackle. With 10 minutes remaining, Ronaldo struck again from close range, securing the victory and lifting Al Nassr to third place in the league standings, five points behind leaders Al Ittihad. The brace also elevated Ronaldo to second in the league’s scoring charts with nine goals, surpassing Karim Benzema and trailing Aleksandar Mitrović by three. He has now scored 915 career goals and will be looking to make history as the first player to reach the 1000 goal mark.
✨🇵🇹 Brace for Cristiano Ronaldo today… 915 career goals so far, 452 goals since turning 30!
20 goals, 4 assists for club and country this season for Cristiano. pic.twitter.com/KG7C3RwYyj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 29, 2024
The Chicago Bulls have reportedly put Lonzo Ball up for trade.
New reports have suggested that the Chicago Bulls are reportedly open to trading star point guard Lonzo Ball, according to Jake Fischer. Ball is in the midst of a comeback season after missing two years due to injury, a period where his career appeared at risk of ending prematurely. Sources indicate the Bulls are actively engaging rival teams about potential trades ahead of the February 6 deadline, with Zach LaVine, Nikola Vučević, and Ball—earning a combined $85 million this season—among those mentioned. This season, Ball has averaged five points, two rebounds, four assists, and one steal per game while shooting 37% from three-point range in just 16 minutes per outing. While modest, these numbers reflect progress after his extended layoff. In his best season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Ball averaged 15 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals, suggesting he could regain that form with more minutes on the court.
The Chicago Bulls are willing to Trade Lonzo Ball, per @JakeLFischer
“No surprise, then, that Bulls executives, according to league sources, have been messaging to rival front offices that they are willing to discuss the majority of their roster in trade talks leading up to the… pic.twitter.com/NnSTTlAa2A
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 29, 2024
Ibrahima Konaté to be sidelined for multiple weeks after picking up a knee injury.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté has suffered a knee injury following a collision with Real Madrid’s Endrick during their midweek Champions League clash. Konaté, a key figure in Liverpool’s defense, was forced off the field and will now miss the team’s upcoming showdown against Manchester City. The French center-back has been a cornerstone of Liverpool’s backline, starting 11 of their 12 Premier League matches this season. Konaté expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “So frustrating to pick up this injury right at the end of a great game. I promise to come back stronger. Thank you for the amazing support at Anfield. Inshallah, we will keep going, and I’ll support the team every step of the way.” Liverpool manager Arne Slot now faces a defensive dilemma, with Joe Gomez likely to step in or youngster Jarell Quansah providing an alternative option.
🚨 Ibrahima Konaté will MISS Man City game and several others with new injury.
“So frustrating to pick up this injury. Now we start the recovery process but one thing I promise is I will come back and be the best I can be once again”, says Ibou. pic.twitter.com/sCZQ0KQ4uC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 29, 2024
Bayern Munich set to reportedly loan out young prospect, Mathys Tel.
Bundesliga giant, Bayern Munich are open to allowing 19-year-old forward Mathys Tel to leave on Loan in January to gain more first-team experience, according to Fabrizio Romano. Tel has made 76 appearances for Bayern, scoring 16 goals, but has been limited to just four Bundesliga outings this season under manager Vincent Kompany. This is largely due to Harry Kane’s exceptional form, with the England captain netting 20 goals in 18 appearances so far. While Kane has firmly established himself as Bayern’s first-choice striker, the club recognizes the importance of developing Tel, who is seen as a long-term prospect. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund stated, “We’re discussing plans with the players and coaching staff to ensure they make good development steps.” Tel missed Bayern’s recent 3-0 win over Augsburg, and his availability for this weekend’s Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund remains uncertain.
🚨 Mathys Tel could leave Bayern on loan based on opportunities.
Bayern director Freund: “We're speaking to the players and also discussing things with the coaching staff because it's important to us that the boys make good development steps”. pic.twitter.com/mtNoyvaC2b
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 30, 2024
Real Madrid is more optimistic about FIFA The Best Awards than the Ballon d’Or.
Per reports, Real Madrid is reportedly more optimistic about FIFA’s The Best awards than the Ballon d’Or, viewing its voting process as more democratic and balanced. Unlike the Ballon d’Or, which is determined by journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations, The Best splits voting equally among fans, national team captains, coaches, and specialist journalists, each accounting for 25%. This inclusivity aligns better with Real Madrid’s perspective on fairness. Several Real Madrid players are in contention for the award, including Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Dani Carvajal, and Toni Kroos, along with former PSG star Kylian Mbappé. The optimism stems from hopes of redemption after their Ballon d’Or disappointment, where Vinicius was notably snubbed. While The Best lacks the historical prestige of the Ballon d’Or, it has become a respected honor, offering Real Madrid an opportunity for deserved recognition.
🚨 Real Madrid are much more optimistic about FIFA’s The Best awards.
The club consider it to be more democratic than the Ballon d’Or, with national team captains and a specialised pool of journalists from the top 100 FIFA nations voting. @diarioas pic.twitter.com/uuCl3eytjh
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 30, 2024