Germany’s World Cup winner Boateng announces retirement

Bayern Munich's German defender Jerome Boateng warms up prior to the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs Hertha Berlin on October 4, 2020 in Munich. (FILE/AFP)
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Updated 20 September 2025
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Germany’s World Cup winner Boateng announces retirement

  • The 37-year-old, who made 76 appearances for Germany between 2009-18, spent 10 years at Bayern after joining from Manchester City in 2011, winning nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions League’s

REUTERS: Former Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng, a World Cup winner with Germany in 2014, announced his retirement from professional football late on Friday.
The 37-year-old, who made 76 appearances for Germany between 2009-18, spent 10 years at Bayern after joining from Manchester City in 2011, winning nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions League trophies.
“I played for a long time, for big clubs, for my country. I learned, won, lost, and grown through it all,” Boateng said in a video uploaded to Instagram.
“Football has given me a lot, but now it’s time to move on. Not because I have to, but because I’m ready. I’m grateful for everything, for the teams, the fans, the people who carried me. And above all, my family, my children. They were always there.”
Boateng also played for Olympique Lyonnais, Salernitana and Hamburg SV, last featuring for Austrian side LASK Linz, where his contract was terminated by mutual consent last month.
In July last year, he was handed a suspended fine and a warning following a trial relating to domestic violence allegations by his former partner.
The mother of his twin daughters accused him of hurling a lamp at her which missed and then throwing a small box which injured her arm, before hitting her and pulling her hair. Boateng denied injuring his ex-girlfriend.


Oracle Red Bull Racing signs global partnership deal with Damac

Updated 14 February 2026
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Oracle Red Bull Racing signs global partnership deal with Damac

  • UAE developer’s branding will appear on the RB22 car’s halo and side pods, as well as the driver kit, helmets, and race suits

DUBAI: Oracle Red Bull Racing has signed a global partnership deal with Damac Properties, the largest private real estate developer in the UAE and the Middle East.

The Formula 1 racing team is one of the most successful in motorsport history, with a driver lineup that features four-time world champion Max Verstappen alongside rising talent Isack Hadjar.

Damac Properties branding will appear on the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 car’s halo and side pods, as well as the team principle and driver team kit, helmets, and race suits.

Over the years, Damac has partnered with brands that include Roberto Cavalli, Paramount, and Chelsea Football Club.

Speaking about the announcement, Amira Sajwani, managing director of sales and development at Damac Properties, said the developer was proud to partner with Oracle Red Bull Racing.

“Formula 1 represents precision, innovation, and elite performance at the highest level, values that resonate deeply with our brand DNA. I truly believe that no real estate developer in the UAE has built a partnership portfolio as diverse and globally impactful as Damac’s, and this collaboration is a powerful testament to that journey,” Sajwani said.

Laurent Mekies, CEO and team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, said that the partnership “will open avenues for stronger global engagement and create meaningful impact for both organizations.”

He added: “This partnership reflects our mindset as a business and our vision for the future.” 

Ali Sajwani, managing director of operations, finance and hospitality at Damac, said: “Formula 1 has always been a passion of mine, and I deeply understand both the scale and global influence of this industry. At Damac, we are constantly seeking partnerships that are distinctive, powerful, and aligned with our ambition to be a trendsetter in the market.”

The announcement follows Damac’s global partnership with Chelsea Football Club, unveiled in April 2025, with the developer becoming the club’s front-of-jersey sponsor for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The collaboration also marked the launch of Chelsea Residences by Damac, the world’s first football-branded residential development, located in Dubai.