International Football
RONALDO’S MOTHER SUFFERS STROKE
Cristiano Ronaldo is flying home to Madeira to be with his mother in hospital after she suffered a stroke, reports in Portugal claimed.
Mother-of-four Dolores Aveiro is said to have been admitted to Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital in Madeira just after 5am this morning.
Local media say she is ‘conscious and stable.’ She is due to undergo new tests in the next few hours to determine her state of health.
Reports say that the Juventus star is flying to the Portuguese island on a private jet today and will return to Italy on Thursday to play in a cup semi-final against Milan.
‘All we can say is that he’s not at training for personal reasons,’ a Juventus spokesman said without giving further details.
One local report says Dolores has suffered an ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain.
This is the most common type of stroke.
Reports say Dolores is resting after receiving mechanical thrombectomy, a technique, which involves the removal of a blood clot from the artery through a catheter.
Her family are said to have asked the regional health service to respect her privacy while she remains in intensive care at the hospital.
There has been no comment by any of her four children, but well-wishers have offered the 65-year-old their support on social media.
One said: ‘Get well soon Dolores. Portugal is with you.’ another added: ‘Stay strong Dolores. Everything will be okay. We will be praying for you.’
New tests to evaluate her conditions and any side effects from the stroke she has reportedly suffered are not expected to take place until late this afternoon.
One local TV report described the next 12 hours as ‘decisive’ and described Dolores’ stroke as ‘severe’.
Sporting Lisbon, where Ronaldo started his senior career before he signed for Manchester United, wished Dolores a speedy recovery today.
Ronaldo’s mother is an ambassador for the club’s foundation.
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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