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Champions League

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos.

How Gulf nations are using soccer to distract from their poor human rights records

Conflict

High-profile acquisitions of two European soccer clubs fit into a soft power strategy for the two Gulf states: project them favorably on the international stage; garner empathy among huge global fan bases; and distract attention from poor human rights records

messi

Tom Brady’s legacy deflates while Lionel Messi’s is on the rise

Sports
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