International Football
Pictures: Behold! Messi’s Luxurious Wedding Venue
This Friday, world famous footballer, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and captain of Argentina national team will tie the knot with long term love Antonello Roccuzzo in their hometown of Rosario in Argentina.
Reports have it that the couple have known each other since they were just five years old. Many top athletes are expected to attend what could easily pass as ‘royal wedding’.
*The indoor swimming pool which the celebrity guests can make use of.
The attendance by stars is overwhelming just as the setting for the event. Courtesy of many sources in Ireland and Argentina, Sports Village Square brings to you the pictorial of the lavish setting.
The main event is a luxurious complex in Santa Fe in Rosario, the hometown of the couple.
The complex contains the five star Pullman Hotel, conference centre and mega casino where FC Barcelona teammates: Luis Suarez and Neymar, and other notable players, including Samuel Eto’o who are said to be on the celebrity guest list, could even try their luck on the various card tables.
*The Palatial setting at the reception hall
Over 250 guests, including the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s high profile Barcelona teammate Gerard Piqué and his wife Shakira, are expected to attend the event which comes just six days after the footballer’s 30th birthday.
Wedding guests won’t be short of entertainment at the lavish complex either, as the space boasts a bowling alley, tennis courts and both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.
Messi is reported to be currently holidaying in Rosario ahead of the big day, although has yet to make any public appearances.
*The tennis courts at the disposal of the celebrity guests
The couple are also reported to have planned a second wedding in Barcelona, home of the footballer’s team FC Barcelona, for friends who are unable to attend their South American celebrations.
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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