sport news Kaka, Ronaldo, Clarence Seedorf lead star-studded daily Padel tournament at ... trends now
Putting down their commentary microphones and swapping plush TV studios for Padel courts, some of the most iconic footballers ever have been going head-to-head in a daily tournament in Qatar during the World Cup.
Padel is the world's fastest-growing racket sport and is becoming increasingly popular among retired footballers.
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has stepped up to meet that demand by organising a daily tournament to get the competitive juices flowing - and he's signed up a whole 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 also includes former Barcelona stars Patrick Kluivert, Ronald de Boer and Andres Iniesta, as well as ex-England international 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 also involved in the tournament.
Padel is a hybrid sport of tennis and squash and is enjoyed by more than 25 million people around the world - with David Beckham another notable devotee.
And with time to kill in Qatar for these pundits and FIFA ambassadors now the tournament is into the knockout stages, with fewer matches per day, the mission to be No 1 on the Padel court has got them rolling back the years in the searing heat to get one over some long-time rivals.
A who's who of some of football's greatest players as Clarence Seedorf (far left), Patrick Kluivert (second left), Ronaldo (second from right) and Kaka (far right) take to the Padel court
Former Ajax, Barcelona and Holland midfielder Ronald De Boer gets his sweat on on the court
Andres Iniesta (right) is among 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 force not just behind this megastar tournament but also in the growth of Padel in his role as chairman of Premier Padel.
Premier Padel is the only official global Padel tour and it launched earlier this year, with competition governed and regulated by the International Padel Federation (FIP).
The PSG chief's multi-sport connections also saw him recruit world No 2 tennis star Ons Jabeur, former British tennis player James Ward and ex-Brazilian tennis icon Gustavo Kuerten to the daily tournament, increasing the competition level for Ronaldo and Co.
Kluivert (main), partnered up with Seedorf, looks to play a return off the glass in a doubles tie
Italy great Alessandro del Piero (second left) is all smiles after a doubles match with Kluivert (far left), Brazilian tennis icon Gustavo Kuerten (second from right) and Seedorf (far right)
Al-Khelaifi (left) poses with Kluivert (second left), Ronaldo (middle) and Gabriel Batistuta (second from right) with
