The plan seems to be an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the US president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV.
La Real triumphed 4-3 in the shoot-out following a pulsating 2-2 draw after extra-time, to win the trophy for only the fourth time in the club’s history.
For forwards Nadia Khan and Aqsa Mushtaq, the tournament laid bare not just the team’s potential, but also the structural gaps that keep Pakistan from climbing higher.
“This move reinforces Messi’s close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia,” club statement says.
Diego Simeone’s side returned to the semi-finals for the first time since 2017 by holding on against the La Liga champions in a compelling and bloody battle.
Nadia Khan, who became Pakistan’s all-time leading scorer in the previous match, had the first opportunity for her side in the 13th minute when she shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Luis Diaz and Harry Kane struck a each in either half to earn the visitors a slender first-leg advantage after a high-tempo contest in the Spanish capital.
The English champions, fifth in the Premier League, have suffered 15 defeats across all competitions this season — their most in a single campaign since losing 18 matches in 2014-15.
Real face a stern test against Vincent Kompany’s Bayern, who are nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and finished second in the Champions League league phase, suffering just one defeat.
After beating Liverpool twice in the Premier League this term, City have enjoyed three successive victories over the Reds for the first time since 1937.
The Reds have to get past City without injured goalkeeper Alisson Becker who will miss the Saturday’s clash and both legs of the Champions League tie with Paris St-Germain.
