messi to china i hope not
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

President Javier Tebas:

Messi to China? I hope not

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleMessi to China? I hope not

Atletico's Colombian striker Jackson Martinez
Singapore - Arab Today

The head of Spain's La Liga said the cashed-up Chinese Super League wasn't far from becoming one of the world's top football competitions -- but he hopes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo aren't headed there just yet.

Speaking in Singapore, La Liga president Javier Tebas also told AFP that he welcomed China's burgeoning interest in football, which includes investments in Spain's Atletico Madrid and Espanyol.

Atletico's Colombian striker Jackson Martinez, signed for 42 million euros ($47 million) by Guangzhou Evergrande, was one of the big signings in China's lavish spree during the recent transfer window.

But Tebas said he hoped Barcelona and Real Madrid superstars Messi and Ronaldo weren't about to join China's growing band of expensive foreign imports.

"You'll have to ask them that but I certainly hope not," he said during a visit to Singapore, adding: "There are enough football stars to go around."

"Even though some improvement is needed at the moment, it's slowly raising its standard," Tebas, speaking through a translator, said of the Chinese Super League.

"And in a few years, if the standard is better, it can become among the top in the world. All of us will reap the benefits because it means we can all work together to increase standards."

A pre-retirement stint would be more likely for Messi and Ronaldo if they were tempted by China, although reports have also linked some of football's biggest names to CSL clubs.

- Model owners -
Inspired by a push headed by President Xi Jinping to turn China into a footballing power, Chinese teams have invested heavily in foreign players, often for outlandish sums.

Chinese clubs smashed the Asian transfer record four times as they splashed 331 million euros ($366.8 million) in the January-February transfer window, outstripping the English Premier League.

Chinese businesses have also invested in European football, with one state-backed company taking a $400 million stake in England's Manchester City.

A Chinese company also sponsors Portugal's second division, and sparked concern over plans to impose a quota of players from China.

But Tebas said China's investments in La Liga were a "good opportunity" for Spanish clubs as they raised teams' profile in the massive Chinese market.

Wanda Group, owned by Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin, has a 20 percent stake in Atletico, and a Chinese model car-maker is the majority owner of Espanyol.

"Because they have an interest in the league, we feel it's a good opportunity because this helps their investment," Tebas said.

"It also allows the teams to have an increased profile in China," he added.

Tebas also said La Liga's ability to retain key players would depend on its spending power, although he was confident Spanish clubs would remain competitive in the transfer market.

"This is an issue of finance, whether the La Liga is still growing," he said. "If we continue on that path, and have enough future resources, we will be able to keep our players."
Source :AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

GMT 08:47 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

what to do about Federer

GMT 08:22 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

We fear Sterling more than Kane

GMT 08:53 2018 Tuesday ,09 January

US runner-up snubbed for Olympics

GMT 08:59 2018 Wednesday ,03 January

won't sell unless replacements bought in

GMT 00:54 2017 Friday ,22 December

Arsenal wasted Oxlade-Chamberlain

GMT 17:23 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Abdel Razaq happy for his return

GMT 14:47 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

ending career at season's end

GMT 06:59 2017 Sunday ,17 December

Clasico too soon for Dembele
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

messi to china i hope not messi to china i hope not

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 21:49 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Trump to tell Erdogan of concern over Syria offensive

GMT 08:26 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Five things to know about Davos

GMT 16:13 2018 Sunday ,14 January

Netanyahu urges Macron to 'fix' Iran nuclear deal

GMT 10:17 2016 Thursday ,21 January

WHO confirms second new Ebola case in Sierra Leone

GMT 13:33 2011 Wednesday ,06 July

Russia bids to expand Arctic border to seek gas

GMT 09:06 2011 Wednesday ,21 September

Powerful typhoon hits Japan

GMT 11:15 2011 Wednesday ,03 August

2 glaciers in Nepal to disappear

GMT 19:01 2017 Saturday ,19 August

Finland suspect an asylum seeker, targeted women

GMT 02:45 2017 Wednesday ,08 February

Coup defeat a matter of time, says Yemeni VP

GMT 17:38 2017 Friday ,14 July

Saad Lamjarred denied issuance of new song

GMT 16:02 2011 Thursday ,21 April

Chelsea squad not good enough

GMT 11:29 2011 Tuesday ,19 July

Etihad Towers on track for delivery

GMT 02:05 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

UAE takes keen interest in supporting higher education

GMT 07:17 2017 Saturday ,01 July

Key US inflation measure declines in May
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle