Latest news with #TheBeautifulGame
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Noel Gallagher's daughter in tiny string bikini after getting band back together
Anais Gallagher made sure all eyes were on her holidaying in France with her boyfriend after it was reported she had been instrumental in Oasis' reunion Noel Gallagher's daughter, Anais Gallagher, showed off her toned figure in a yellow bikini while she was on holiday with her boyfriend in France. The famous musician's daughter gave fans a sneak peek into her holiday with a sizzling snap, following reports that she encouraged her dad's band Oasis to get back together. Anais looked loved up with her boyfriend Callum Scott Howells, who is rarely seen online, as they enjoyed their romantic holiday. Anais opted for a tiny patterned yellow bikini for the sunny day and styled her hair in blonde beachy waves. The model later shared another snap where she changed into a summery pink linen dress and cooked a pasta and salad dish as she cosied up to her boyfriend. Callum is known for his roles in It's A Sin, The Way and The Beautiful Game. The couple has reportedly been dating since 2023, after they started spending more time together when Anais allegedly split from her long-term boyfriend, Julius Roberts. The exes were dating for three years, but a source told Daily Mail that they ended their relationship in 2022 after Anais moved back to London after spending time on Julius' family farm in Dorset. Not only is Anais a fashionable influencer in her own right, but she has been labelled as the reason her dad, Noel Gallagher, and uncle, Liam Gallagher, have reunited for their new tour. A source reported that after Noel's split from Sara MacDonald, Anais was a huge source of comfort for him and pushed him to reconcile with his brother. A source told The Sun: 'Anais was one of the biggest sources of comfort and support for Noel following his divorce. She was the one who was helping him get back on his feet and return to doing things he loved that had fallen by the wayside.' They continued: 'Over the years, Noel had offered an olive branch to Liam, but he'd never taken it up. Anais could tell her dad really wanted both his brothers, Liam and Paul, by his side after the split, so was determined to get them back in touch.' After the famous fallout between the brothers, Anais reportedly maintained a close relationship with Liam and his sons, Gene and Lennon. The photographer, who is said to have played a part in picking the tour's set list, recently spoke out in defence of younger Oasis fans, who were accused of not being able to appreciate the Britpop sensation's music because they were not of the same generation. Insisting her dad's catalogue of hits was 'timeless', the photographer told Hello! magazine: 'I see this all the time actually - where someone will post a funny video or a cover song and people would say '[Oasis] would hate this'. No, no, you hate this. 'Sometimes people put this hyper-aggressive masculine ideology into what they think that my dad and my uncle are going to be like. They're actually a lot more accepting than the fans are.'
The Star
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Soccer- Burgeoning 'Baller League' offers zany remix of Beautiful Game
LONDON (Reuters) -An enthusiastic announcer rallies the crowd inside London's Copper Box Arena for a noisy five-second countdown to Santan FC vs MVPs United, the former managed by rapper Dave, the latter by popular player Alisha Lehmann and TV host Maya Jama. Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg tosses the ball in the air to begin a 30-minute, six-a-side game but before he can take his position on the side, MVPs score in six seconds: the quickest goal yet in the fledgling Baller League UK. Twelve minutes later, it is time for a twist - the "Plus One" rule reduces the teams to one-versus-one plus goalkeepers with the rest allowed back after next goals. Social media-focused soccer tournaments like the German-founded Baller League and Spanish-origin Kings League have sprung up in Europe and elsewhere to offer young consumers a cheaper, crazier and shorter version of traditional 90-minute soccer. Some older fans scoff at these formats as a gimmicky distortion of what Brazilian great Pelecalled "The Beautiful Game", and predict they will quickly fade. But for now, ex-professionals, online influencers and entertainment figures are piling in. Viewing figures are soaring and investment is mounting into what supporters see as a back-to-roots, playground-style version of the sport. "The way they play the game is the way that kids on the street play it all over the world," EQT Ventures' Partner Ashley Lundstrom told Reuters. 'The ecosystem of fans is so open-minded to a new sport, a new style of sport.' Her company led an investment round for Baller League that raised $25 million in early December 2024. 'SOCIALS BLOWING UP' The UK league, in its inaugural season, has drawn a multitude of personalities including some who could not quite make it in mainstream professional football. "It's so close to being what I've always wanted with being a pro footballer and just having that recognition of, okay, this kid can play," said midfielder Harry Cain, 27, who plays for Yanited managed by YouTuber and Twitch streamer Angryginge. "My socials (were) absolutely blowing up from friends, family. 'Can't believe we just watched you on Sky Sports'." Cain, who produces soccer content for 1 million-plus TikTok followers, said one of his highs was scoring in front of former England international and Baller League UK coach John Terry. The Baller League expanded to the UK this year, with 12 teams, after its founding in Germany in 2023 where games were livestreamed from an old plane hangar in the city of Cologne. The Kings League, established by former Spanish player Gerard Pique, has a growing fanbase, with 80% of its 30 million social media followers under 34. Founded in 2022, the seven-a-side Kings League has expanded to Italy, France, Germany, Brazil and the Americas. "Investors also see that we have a disruptive, creative new product, that is solving perhaps the biggest problem in sports: attracting and retaining the attention of young audiences," Kings League CEO Djamel Agaoua told Reuters. "The increasing competition for audience attention means that it's harder and harder to get younger fans to watch a 90-minute live game." The Kings League raised $60 million in its last funding round last year and is in partnership with Surj Sports Investment, the sports arm of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, to launch Kings League MENA (Middle East and North Africa). With the majority of Saudis under 30, the synergy is obvious. As pay-TV fees increase, the young are increasingly watching sport for free on platforms like YouTube, Kick and Twitch. According to a Deloitte study, about 90% of Generation Z and Millennials consume sport via social media. On the day Santan FC played MVPs United, matchday 8 drew more than 900,000 viewers on YouTube. 'I don't think it's as simple as the older generation watches sports over linear channels and the younger generation does it over social channels,' said Pete Giorgio, global and U.S. sports leader for Deloitte. "Both generations are moving towards a mode where they do not consume sports monolithically." OLD CLUBS TAKING NOTE European clubs have taken note, trying to work with new leagues rather than treat them as rivals. In Italy, Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo has cast it as a 'cross-marketing" opportunity. Juventus, for example, offer facilities to Zebras FC, a Kings League Italy side led by content creator and Juventus fan Luca Campolunghi. Zebras had 2.5 million engagements across social platforms in its first season. "Collaborating with content creators helps us speak a native digital language that truly resonates with younger audiences,' Juventus' head of brand Gianmarco Pino told Reuters. In France, Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille have teamed up to help Kings League France club Wolf Pack FC, founded by former Olympique de Marseille player Adil Rami. However, one football insider in a major European league told Reuters he thought the proliferation of new mini-leagues may prove too much, with one likely to dominate eventually. With the Baller League UK reaching its season finale on Thursday and the Kings World Cup Clubs culminating in Paris on Saturday, the hype is reaching fever-pitch. But not all are convinced. "I just don't think it's particularly entertaining," said a 30-year-old Englishman who supports Premier League team Arsenal and tried the Baller League on YouTube. "Beyond an influencer or a former footballer's team winning, there's no emotional investment in any of these teams which makes it difficult for us to care," he said. (Reporting by Streisand Neto;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos host legends match with ex-NBA stars
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Roberto Carlos will host the third edition of The Beautiful Game on June 7th at 8pm (Brasília time) at the Chase Stadium, home of Inter Miami. The 2025 edition features confirmed names such as John Terry, Claude Makélélé, Diego Lugano, Valderrama, Higuita, Gilberto Silva, Beletti, Willian, Mario Yepes, Ricardo Quaresma, NBA legend Steve Nash, influencer Khaby Lame, and many others. 'Being able to gather so many great players and friends is a great gift. I hope it will also be a great gift for the audience to relive a bit of each one's history. Let's see who will be the next victim of Bruxo's dribbles and goals,' joked Ronaldinho Gaúcho. 'With all our history in the National Team, in great European clubs... being able to reach this stage of life gathering these legends, in a place like Miami, with this passionate football crowd, is indescribable. It will be a very fun and memorable night for everyone present,' guaranteed Roberto Carlos. 'The Beautiful Game has already become a great meeting of world football legends. The charisma and history of Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos attract great names, who take advantage of this time of year to socialize and recall great moments,' says Rafael Alves, CEO of The Beautiful Game.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Inside Pope Francis' love of football: The self-confessed admirer of 'The Beautiful Game' rubbed shoulders with Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Pep Guardiola - and had a three-word label to describe Diego Maradona
Pope Francis is being mourned all over the world following his death at the age of 88, with football paying its own tribute to the Argentine. Just minutes after his passing was confirmed on Monday morning, Italy's Serie A confirmed they had postponed all of their matches scheduled for Easter Monday as a mark of respect for the late Pope. It is a fitting tribute for a man who adored 'The Beautiful Game'. Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Pope was a lifelong supporter of his local team, San Lorenzo, and he was delighted to receive a club shirt back in 2013. As he rose to power, he also got the chance to meet some of his country's footballing heroes. They don't come much bigger than the great Diego Maradona, and the pair met at the Vatican in 2014, six years before the iconic footballer died at the age of 60. The Pope also exchanged gifts with Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Buffon in 2013 when they visited the Vatican The Pope met legendary manager Pep Guardiola in 2014 when he was in charge of Bayern Munich The Pope held a private audience with Guardiola and his team, and was clearly delighted to meet them He was even given a signed Champions League ball that he was seen clutching gleefully He also met Germany's players - including Thomas Muller (left) - two years after their 2014 World Cup triumph The Pope remembered Maradona in his prayers following his death, and referred to him as the 'poet of soccer' after his incredible career that saw him lead Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986. If anyone can match Maradona's achievements on a football pitch it is his fellow countryman Lionel Messi who also got the chance to share the Pope's company. Alongside goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon, Messi and the Pope exchanged gifts back in 2013, and Messi would lead Argentina to the World Cup final the following year. Eight years after that, Messi got his nation over the line as Argentina lifted the World Cup for the third time in Qatar in 2022. During his 12 years in the Vatican, the Pope was more than happy to welcome some of the sport's biggest stars into his home. He greeted Pep Guardiola during a private audience with his Bayern Munich team in 2014, and Germany's players - including Thomas Muller - visited him in 2016, two years after winning the World Cup. As he spent a considerable part of his life in Italy, it is no surprise that the Pope also rubbed shoulders with some of the nation's greatest footballers. He welcomed ex-Man City striker Mario Balotelli to the Vatican in 2013, and was happy to pose for photos with Buffon and Andrea Pirlo when the pair visited him a year later. He was happy to pose for photos with Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo, who won the World Cup together in 2006 Buffon, who was known for his safe hands, was ecstatic when he handed over a signed ball to the Pope The Pope received a personalised shirt from another Italian icon, Alessandro Del Piero, in 2014 The Pope also rubbed shoulders with Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho as he supported a charity event in 2022 He was on hand to watch a Children's Day event in Rome last year, shortly before he was taken unwell Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers presented the Pope with a signed club shirt when he visited him in 2023 Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis gave the Pope a signed shirt when he got the chance to meet him in 2023 The Pope saw the fun side of football, and played a game of table football back in 2021 He guided the ship at the Vatican for 12 years, and was given a captain's armband when he attended the Clericus Cup in 2019 He also got presented with a ball at the match at St Peter's Square in the Vatican The Pope was also gifted a shirt that read 'Papa Francesco' by Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero. Charity work was also close to the Pope's heart, and this led to him receiving a special shirt with his name on it from Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho ahead of a match to raise funds in 2022. Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers then handed him a shirt signed by all the players in 2023, with the Pope more than happy to take it as he embraced football until his dying day. Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis presented him with a club shirt in the same year, but it did not change the Pope's loyalties. It was always San Lorenzo that had his heart.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gareth Southgate warns of ‘toxic influencers' and ‘crisis' facing generation of young men
Sir Gareth Southgate has warned 'callous, manipulative and toxic' online influencers have led a to 'crisis' facing a generation of young men. The former England manager highlighted the dangers of social media and discussed his experiences in football as he delivered the Richard Dimbleby Lecture. Southgate's address, titled 'The Beautiful Game: Building Belief and Resilience in a Younger Generation', highlighted the importance of role models but said young men are 'suffering' in the age of social media. And Southgate, who led England to the finals of two European Championships and the semi-finals of the World Cup, said the current generation of young men need to be saved from a particular type of influencer. 'As real-world communities and mentorship declines, young men end up withdrawing, reluctant to talk or express their emotions,' Southgate said at the University of London. 'They spend more time online searching for direction and are falling into unhealthy alternatives like gaming, gambling and pornography. And this void is filled by a new kind of role model who does not have their best interest at heart. 'These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers, whose sole drive is for their own gain. They willingly trick young men into believing that success is measured by money or dominance, never showing emotion, and that the world, including women, is against them.' Southgate, 54, followed famous authors, actors, entrepreneurs in delivering the 46th Richard Dimbleby Lecture. He said he had spent time visiting community centres, schools and a prison since stepping down following England's defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final last summer. The former defender spoke about the importance of 'belief and resilience' and used his missed penalty against Germany at Euro 96 as an example of how he had grown from difficult experiences. Southgate transformed the culture of the England team after taking charge in 2016 and he said encouraging his players to be open with their emotions and feelings created strong bonds and connections in the team. He said the absence of real-life role models and father figures has left young men struggling with their sense of masculinity and that social media is creating additional pressures. "Today, young people are bombarded by information at all times of the day,' Southgate said. 'They are targeted with images of the perfect body, the perfect career and the perfect life. 'A beautifully crafted highlights reel where success appears to be instant and effortless. How can this make them feel good about themselves? "The solutions are complex because bad habits have been formed. But ignoring the negative impact of social media on our young people is not an option. "With England, we gave ourselves the best chance to succeed. And we must give our young men the best chance to succeed as well. That's the message we need to offer young men today. "Not everyone will win trophies, not everyone will be at the top of their field. But everyone can live a life where they can constantly strive to improve. "That is how we will create a young generation, a society, and a nation of which we can all be very proud. And I'm looking forward to playing whatever role I can to help make it happen." The Richard Dimbleby Lecture with Sir Gareth Southgate is available now on BBC iPlayer and on BBC One at 10:40pm on Wednesday 19 March.
