Kaka, Ronaldo, Clarence Seedorf lead star-studded daily Padel tournament at World Cup

Putting down their commentary microphones and swapping plush TV studios for Padel courts, among the most iconic footballers ever have been going head-to-head in a daily tournament in Qatar throughout the World Cup.

Padel is the world’s fastest-growing racket sport and is turning into more and more common amongst retired footballers.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has stepped as much as meet that demand by organising a daily tournament to get the aggressive juices flowing – and he is signed up a complete host of iconic former World Cup and Champions League winners. 

Brazilian superstars Kaka and Ronaldo – winners of the World Cup in 2002 – lead a star-studded line-up that additionally consists of former Barcelona stars Patrick Kluivert, Ronald de Boer and Andres Iniesta, in addition to ex-England worldwide Joe Cole.

Former PSG defender Maxwell, Olivier Dacourt, ex-Tottenham star Robbie Keane, Carles Puyol, Sportsmail columnist Graeme Souness, Gabriel Batistuta and Italy icon Alessandro Del Piero are additionally concerned within the tournament.

Padel is a hybrid sport of tennis and squash and is loved by greater than 25 million folks around the globe – with David Beckham one other notable devotee.

And with time to kill in Qatar for these pundits and FIFA ambassadors now the tournament is into the knockout levels, with fewer matches per day, the mission to be No 1 on the Padel courtroom has obtained them rolling again the years within the searing warmth to get one over some long-time rivals. 

A who’s who of a few of soccer’s best gamers as Clarence Seedorf (far left), Patrick Kluivert (second left), Ronaldo (second from proper) and Kaka (far proper) take to the Padel courtroom

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Former Ajax, Barcelona and Holland midfielder Ronald De Boer will get his sweat on on the courtroom

Andres Iniesta (proper) is amongst a star-studded group competing in a daily tournament organised by PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi (left, with world No 2 tennis star Ons Jabeur)

Al-Khelaifi has been a driving power not simply behind this megastar tournament but additionally within the progress of Padel in his function as chairman of Premier Padel. 

Premier Padel is the one official world Padel tour and it launched earlier this 12 months, with competitors ruled and controlled by the International Padel Federation (FIP).

The PSG chief’s multi-sport connections additionally noticed him recruit world No 2 tennis star Ons Jabeur, former British tennis participant James Ward and ex-Brazilian tennis icon Gustavo Kuerten to the daily tournament, growing the competitors stage for Ronaldo and Co.

Kluivert (important), partnered up with Seedorf, seems to be to play a return off the glass in a doubles tie

Italy nice Alessandro del Piero (second left) is all smiles after a doubles match with Kluivert (far left), Brazilian tennis icon Gustavo Kuerten (second from proper) and Seedorf (far proper) 

Al-Khelaifi (left) poses with Kluivert (second left), Ronaldo (center) and Gabriel Batistuta (second from proper) with the daily tournament turning into a fixture for some iconic footballers 

It was clear to see which doubles pairings emerged for this tournament, with Al-Khelaifi properly selecting to staff up with Jabeur, the one lively racquet sports activities participant within the competitors. 

Kaka and Ronaldo seemed to deliver that Brazilian aptitude to their doubles match up as they took on Seedorf and Kluivert.

Were they not preoccupied with getting ready for the last-16 of the competitors, little doubt Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two identified followers of Padel, would have opted in to the heavyweight clashes.  

Smaller racquets are used to these in tennis and gamers can hearth photographs off the glass partitions 

Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp, too, is so enamoured that he has entered right into a partnership with Wilson to advertise a Padel racket bearing his signature, and has had a Padel courtroom put in at Liverpool’s coaching floor. 

Padel is performed on a ten metre by 20m courtroom enclosed by glass partitions and steel fencing and is normally performed in doubles relatively than singles – which is the case on this blockbuster tournament.

The enclosed area and the power to play photographs off the glass means the ball not often goes out of play, creating longer rallies, which is the squash-like factor of the game.

Serving is underarm and the factors system is similar as in tennis. 

The balls used are just like tennis balls however the racquets are stable with no strings.

Padel is pushing to be recognised as an Olympic sport and included within the Olympic Games. 

For now, Premier Padel supplies worldwide and nationwide competitions – together with 4 high class Major tournaments – just like Grand Slams in tennis. 

Those happen in Doha, Qatar, Rome, Italy, Paris, France and Monterrey, Mexico.

At least 10 tournaments – together with the 4 Majors – are scheduled for 2022 and 2023, ramping as much as over 25 annual tournaments by 2024.

Whether any of Al-Khelaifi’s World Cup sign-ups can ever make the grade as an elder statesman in Padel stays to be seen. 

But as among the most interesting footballers of their technology, who gained the best honours within the sport, do not anticipate them to go frivolously in these early morning matches. 

Premier Padel may be seen in over 180 international locations around the globe – with broadcasters reminiscent of beIN SPORTS, ESPN and Sky Sports.

Ex-Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray, left, and retired England striker Peter Crouch, proper, additionally benefit from the sport – which is a hybrid of tennis and squash