At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal has already etched his name into football history. The Barcelona winger not only helped Spain clinch the UEFA Euro 2024 title but also set multiple records along the way.
⚽ Record-Breaking Feats
Yamal made his Euro debut at 16 years and 338 days, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in a European Championship match. He further made history by scoring in the semi-final against France, at 16 years and 362 days, making him the youngest goalscorer in Euro history. In the final against England, he assisted Nico Williams for Spain’s opening goal, contributing to their 2–1 victory. With one goal and four assists, Yamal was named the tournament’s Young Player of the Tournament.
🏆 Domestic Triumphs
Domestically, Yamal played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s treble-winning season, securing the La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España. His performances earned him the La Liga Player of the Month award for September 2024.
✍️ Contract Extension and Market Impact
In May 2025, Barcelona announced a six-year contract extension for Yamal, tying him to the club until 2031. This move underscores the club’s commitment to nurturing its young talent. His popularity has also boosted merchandise sales, with his No. 10 jersey becoming the best-selling item, reflecting his growing influence both on and off the pitch.
🌍 Looking Ahead
As Yamal continues to develop, both Barcelona and Spain fans eagerly anticipate his future contributions. With his blend of skill, vision, and maturity, he is poised to be a central figure in world football for years to come.
Just days before kicking off as hosts at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, Switzerland’s senior women’s national team faced a shocking 7–1 loss in a closed-door friendly against FC Luzern’s Under‑15 boys team. Behind-the-scenes footage of the match leaked online, sparking intense debate and drawing attention to the rigorous yet controversial nature of such training preparations.
🗞 The Hard-Hitting Result
On June 24, Switzerland—ranked 23rd in the world—took on the U‑15 boys from Luzern in a structured warm-up designed to boost fitness and tactical sharpness. Played over three 30-minute periods, the match saw the Swiss side rotate 26–28 players and experiment with positions, including having their third-choice goalkeeper play with the boys’ squad for one segment The result was emphatic: a 7‑1 win for the boys.
A few days later, the leaked clip went viral—garnering over 70,000 views—sparking a backlash over its publicisation
🛡 Why This Test Was Chosen
Swiss FA media officer Sven Micosse defended the strategy: “It’s not uncommon in women’s football to play against junior boys’ teams… the focus during this phase is on the physical aspect. Regardless of the result, these training matches are very similar to our international matches in terms of intensity and mileage”
Midfielder Leila Wandeler echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of physical conditioning and game principles:
“The result didn’t matter. For us, it was about testing our game principles… We all want to be in our best shape for this European Championship.”
This approach is not unprecedented: top women’s national teams—including Australia, USA, and Brazil—have previously used youth male squads in training, sometimes suffering similar decisive defeats
🎙 Lip Service or Valuable Prep?
Among players, veteran winger Alisha Lehmann—one of the more prominent squad members—asserted that the team remains mentally resilient. She responded to critics by posting on social media that they are ignoring the noise and focusing on their own preparation
Still, public reaction has been mixed. Some pundits ridiculed the result as a sign of gender-based performance disparity, while others defended the match as a tough but necessary drill in elite preparation.
⏳ countdown to Kick-Off
Switzerland opens its tournament campaign against Norway on July 2 in Basel, with group-stage encounters also involving Finland and Iceland. The team will play one more warm-up match—likely against the Czech Republic—to steady themselves before the biggest test begins
🚀 Looking Ahead
Hosting the Euros on home soil comes with immense pressure and immense opportunity. The 7–1 defeat marks a tough moment, but the national squad—and management—insist it’s just part of a rigorous push toward peak performance.
As Pia Sundhage’s team gears up for their first Group A match next Wednesday, all eyes will be on whether this heavy warm-up setback serves as a wake-up call or a demoralising blow.
In summary, Switzerland’s dramatic 7–1 loss to a youth side has ignited debate around the efficacy and optics of such mismatched training. With the Euros about to start, the key question remains: has the sting of humiliation sharpened the Swiss team… or unbalanced them? Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the tournament begins.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, has officially signed a two-year contract extension with Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al Nassr, keeping him at the club until June 2027 . The agreement concludes weeks of speculation over his future, following a cryptic social media post hinting at the end of a chapter, which triggered rumors he might head to the Club World Cup or make a late-career move elsewhere
💰 Unprecedented Financial Package
While exact figures were not disclosed by the club, international media reports reveal staggering numbers:
Salary between €209 million and £178 million annually, equating to roughly €550,000 per day .
Signing bonus ranging from €28 million to £38 million
A 15 % equity stake in the club .
Performance bonuses such as per-goal (e.g. €93,900) and per-assist (€46,950) rewards .
Extensive perks including private jet credits, 16-person personal staff (chefs, drivers, security, gardeners)
Tax-free salary under Saudi Arabia’s system enhances the financial value
This puts Ronaldo at the pinnacle of athlete compensation, setting a new high in global sports contracts
“Al Nassr Forever”: Ronaldo’s Own Words
Marking the announcement, Ronaldo shared a slick club video and an Instagram message:
The club echoed his enthusiasm with a statement captioned “The story continues”, featuring CR7 declaring, “Al Nassr, forever”
Sporting and Strategic Implications
Beyond remuneration, Ronaldo’s extension reinforces Al Nassr’s long-term strategic push. Public Investment Fund backing positions him as a central figure in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to elevate football domestically and internationally
Since his arrival in December 2022, Ronaldo has been a transformative asset: 99 goals in 111 appearances, two-time Saudi Pro League Golden Boot winner, and cultural benchmark for professionalism His daily training ethos and global brand presence have inspired teammates such as Jhon Duran, who credited Ronaldo’s influence for raising standards at Al Nassr
The move also signals ambition to end a major silverware drought, following a trophyless third-place league finish in 2024‑25 and the departure of manager Stefano Pioli. The club is reportedly planning a managerial overhaul, with Jorge Jesus among the favored candidates
Legacy and Global Impact
The stunning deal marks another milestone: Ronaldo is now set to play at Al Nassr until he’s 42, pursuing another career goal of reaching 1,000 senior goals—currently standing at approximately 938 It also confirms his role not just as a star striker, but as a figure of influence, both within the team’s sporting culture and Saudi Arabia’s broader sports diplomacy strategy .
In summary: Ronaldo’s new 2025–27 contract with Al Nassr is historic not only for its unmatched financial reward—encompassing salary, bonuses, equity, and non-monetary perks—but also for its profound sporting and symbolic significance. It secures his legacy as a football icon and positions him at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s football renaissance.
