Source: FIFA
Security & Justice
Clashes Erupt Between Lebanese Army and Armed Syrians at Illegal Border Crossing
Clashes broke out on Friday between the Lebanese Army and armed Syrian individuals in the Maaraboun border area, following the military’s efforts to close an illegal crossing.
Friday, January 3, 2025
Security Tensions at Beirut Airport as Iranian Delegation Blocks Inspection of Mahan Air Flight
An Iranian delegation aboard an Iranian Air Mahan flight from Tehran, which had landed at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport, attempted to prevent Lebanese security officials from inspecting the plane, as reported by the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar on Thursday.
Friday, January 3, 2025
Opinion
What Does a Possible Pax Americana Mean for Lebanon in 2025?
Lebanon may not be the centre of attention for many countries in the Middle East or internationally these days, despite the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. However, it will be at the heart of the geopolitical changes that have swept throughout the Levant. Whatever happens regionally – polarisation, conflict or reconciliation – tends to be reflected in Lebanon in a concentrated way.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
US Treasury Hacked: Are China and the US Stepping Up their Cyberwar?
The United States Department of the Treasury on Monday blamed China for breaching its network and gaining access to information that includes unclassified documents.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Sports
Paulo Fonseca Confirms He’s Been Fired by AC Milan with Sergio Conceicao Lined up to Replace Him
Paulo Fonseca has been fired by AC Milan, the coach confirmed in the early hours of Monday morning as he left the San Siro stadium following a 1-1 draw with Roma.
Monday, December 30, 2024
Lakers’ Dorian Finney-Smith Deal Helps Shape NBA Trade Market
The Los Angeles Lakers made their long-awaited splash on the trade market Sunday, sending D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
Monday, December 30, 2024
Friday 3 January 2025 12:19:00
Haaland, Messi, Ronaldo and the Records Being Chased in 2025
Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal feature as FIFA spotlights the records being pursued this year.
950
Cristiano Ronaldo could become the first man in history to register 950 official career goals. The 39-year-old is currently on 916. Ronaldo hit 43 goals for Al Nassr and Portugal in 2024. Second-placed Lionel Messi in on 850.
125
Wendie Renard could become the first player to make 125 appearances in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The 34-year-old is on 122, with Lyon in the 2024/25 quarter-finals. Renard is also aiming to extend her record of appearing in the most finals to 12, while the centre-back and team-mate Eugenie Le Sommer are out to become the first players to lift the trophy nine times.
100
Erling Haaland is on course to break the record for reaching 100 English Premier League goals in the fewest appearances. It is held by Alan Shearer (124), who is followed by Harry Kane (141), Sergio Aguero (147), Thierry Henry (160) and Mo Salah (162). The Norwegian has scored 77 goals in 85 games in the competition. Haaland is also set to smash Ruud van Nistelrooy’s UEFA Champions League best of reaching 50 goals in 62 games. The 24-year-old has 46 in 45 to his name.
55
Celtic are firmly expected to equal arch-rivals Rangers’ tally of 55 Scottish titles. Despite losing yesterday's Old Firm derby, the Bhoys are 11 points clear of the second-placed Gers after 19 rounds. Success would leave Celtic with as many league trophies as Rangers for the first time since 1930. Northern Irishmen Linfield hold the world record for league titles (56), with Uruguayan behemoths Penarol (52) and Nacional (49) also in the top five.
50
Lionel Messi could become the first player in history to win 50 team titles. ‘The Atomic Flea’ has 45 to his name – 34 with Barcelona, six with Argentina, three with Paris Saint-Germain and two with Inter Miami. The Floridians will compete in the Leagues Cup, MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup and FIFA Club World Cup™ in 2025, while the Albiceleste are scheduled to play Spain in the Finalissima.
39
Guatemala legend Carlos Ruiz has scored an unprecedented 39 goals in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying, but two gods of the game have his record is under threat. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi of Argentina are on 36 and 34 respectively.
25
Seventeen-year-olds Lamine Yamal and Kendry Paez – who have both played 17 internationals – could become the first players to reach 25 caps before the age 19. The Ecuadorian will turn 18 May, with the Spaniard doing the same two months later. By comparison, Kylian Mbappe was 19, while Lionel Messi, Pele, Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo were 20.
14
Ludogorets will become just the fourth club in history to win 14 successive league titles if they conquer Bulgaria in 2023/24. The Razgrad outfit are 13 points clear of their nearest challengers. Ludogorets were only promoted to the top flight for the first time in 2011, but have won all 13 championships possible thereafter. The only clubs to have won more successive league crowns are Lincoln Red Imps (14 in Gibraltar between 2003 and ’16), Skonto Riga (14 in Latvia between 1991 and 2004), and Tafea in Vanuatu (15 between 1994 and 2009).
9
Robert Lewandowski could outrank Lionel Messi and become the outright record holder of most top goalscorer awards in Europe’s big five leagues. The Argentina claimed his eight prizes from 19 season with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, while the Pole amazingly managed eight in just 14 campaigns with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Lewandowski is five goals clear of his closest rival, Barça team-mate Raphinha, in the race to finish as the leading marksman in La Liga this term. The only other players with more than four are Gerd Muller (7), Jimmy Greaves (6), Kylian Mbappe (6), Telmo Zarra (6), Carlos Bianchi (5), Steve Bloomer (5), Alfredo Di Stefano (5), Gunnar Nordahl (5), Delio Onnis (5), Jean-Pierre Papin (5), Quini (5) and Hugo Sanchez (5).
3
Sarina Wiegman will equal the record for most UEFA Women’s EURO triumphs by a coach if she guides England to glory at Switzerland 2025. The Hague native led her native Netherlands and England to success in 2017 and 2022 respectively. Gero Bisanz (1989, 1991 and 1995) and Tina Theune (1997, 2001 and 2005) won three titles apiece at the Germany reins.
