Ronaldo turned down $5M Saudi offer
Roger Bennett reported that Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly turned down a Saudi tourism deal worth $5 million, far less than Messi's reported offer.
Snapshot · Pod Save the World
World Corrupt Episode 6: A Dystopian World Cup
Explore episode
Nov 25, 2022
Where this was said
Messi, Beckham, and Sportswashing's Price Tag
At 57:12 · chapter starts 52:55
The sportswashing conversation sharpens into two case studies. Lionel Messi — Roger's GOAT, 'a remarkable little man who runs with the ball as if it's stuffed inside his boot' — has signed on as a paid ambassador for Saudi tourism, visiting scenic locations and declaring his love for the country [1] — Roger Bennett "Lionel Messi is a paid Saudi tourism ambassador while Argentina bids to host the 2030 World Cup against Saudi Arabia. David Beckham signed …" 53:40 . The problem: Argentina is reported to be bidding for the 2030 World Cup against Saudi Arabia's joint bid with Greece and Egypt, meaning the world's greatest footballer is simultaneously the face of his country's rival bid. Roger calls it simply 'dystopian.' Tommy adds that Messi reportedly earned $120 million last year [2] — Tommy Vitor "Messi reportedly made $120M in a year: Tommy Vitor noted that Lionel Messi reportedly made $120 million in the past year, making his report…" 56:26 , making the Saudi deal feel less like financial necessity and more like a character choice. David Beckham's situation is equally striking: a reported 10-year, $15 million-per-year Qatar ambassador deal [3] — Roger Bennett "Beckham's Qatar deal: $15M/year for 10 years: David Beckham reportedly signed a 10-year deal worth $15 million per year to serve as Qatar's…" 57:52 has infuriated English fans. British gay comedian Joe Lissette went viral by threatening to feed £10,000 through a wood chipper unless Beckham renounced the deal — noting pointedly that 'you married a Spice Girl, which is the gayest thing a human can do.' Beckham has not responded.
Messi, Beckham, and Sportswashing's Payday
Lionel Messi is a paid Saudi tourism ambassador while Argentina bids to host the 2030 World Cup against Saudi Arabia. David Beckham signed a $150 million, 10-year deal to be Qatar's brand ambassador — prompting an English comedian to threaten to put £10,000 through a wood chipper unless Beckham quit.
MBS cut $2B check to Jared Kushner
Tommy Vitor highlighted that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently cut a $2 billion check to Jared Kushner, illustrating MBS's pattern of buying influence with powerful figures.
Messi reportedly made $120M in a year
Tommy Vitor noted that Lionel Messi reportedly made $120 million in the past year, making his reported £25 million Saudi tourism ambassador deal puzzling.
Beckham's Qatar deal: $15M/year for 10 years
David Beckham reportedly signed a 10-year deal worth $15 million per year to serve as Qatar's brand ambassador, drawing significant backlash from English fans and media.
Similar snapshots
CrossFit athlete: top 2,000 worldwide
Thomas's wife is already ranked in the top 2,000 CrossFit athletes in the world — roughly the top 1% — and Thomas wants her to pursue the sport professionally now that he is graduating law school.
Athletes improve with mental rehearsal
Research shows athletes who mentally imagine practicing basketball or soccer have better performance than those who do not include imagination in their training.
~10 rounds dominated vs Usyk
Rico Verhoeven dominated approximately 10 of 12 rounds against undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk before a controversial post-bell stoppage.
Stopped after the bell
Rico's appeal confirmed the fight was stopped after the bell rang, and the ringside doctor found no concussion or disorientation — yet the result was never overturned.
Glory uses 5 judges vs boxing's 3
Glory Kickboxing uses 5 judges rather than boxing's 3, which Joe Rogan argues reduces the chance of a corrupt or incompetent minority swinging the result.
1 professional boxing match before Usyk
Rico Verhoeven had only one professional boxing match before fighting undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC title.
15 years of boxing training
Despite having just one pro boxing match, Rico Verhoeven had been training boxing for 15 years alongside his kickboxing career.
6-month boxing transition camp
Rico used a full 6 months to transition from kickboxing stance to a proper boxing stance under trainer Peter Fury, calling it essential rewiring.
75+ kickboxing fights in career
Rico Verhoeven has had approximately 75 professional kickboxing fights, giving him a massive combat sports experience advantage over pure boxers.
