The Charlotte Chess Club in North Carolina, where Naroditsky both trained and coached, announced his passing on social media, describing him as “a gifted teacher, exceptional player, and a cherished member of our community.”

His cause of death has not been made public.

Naroditsky earned the title of grandmaster – the highest honor in chess apart from becoming world champion – at just 18 years old.

As a child, he claimed the World Under-12 Championship. Later as a teen, he published several well-regarded books on chess strategy.

Over the years, Naroditsky consistently maintained a spot among the world’s top 200 chess players.
He also became known for his skill in blitz chess – a rapid-fire version of the game where each player has only minutes to make their moves.

Most recently, in August, Naroditsky, affectionately known by fans as “Danya,” captured the U.S. National Blitz Championship title, further cementing his reputation as one of America’s brightest chess talents.

Naroditsky was also widely recognized for his livestreams, which helped bring chess to a broader and younger audience.

Through platforms like YouTube and Twitch, he attracted thousands of loyal viewers who tuned in regularly to watch his games and commentary.

Fellow U.S. grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura said Naroditsky had a genuine passion for streaming and education. He also said Naroditsky loved sharing his knowledge and making chess more accessible to everyone.

His final video, titled “You Thought I Was Gone?”, was posted to his YouTube channel last Friday.

In it, Naroditsky cheerfully told his fans he was “back and better than ever” after a short break from streaming. The video featured him playing live matches from his home studio while chatting with viewers about his moves.

Top chess players from around the world have shared their condolences on social media following Naroditsky’s passing.

Dutch grandmaster Benjamin Bok, who had known Naroditsky since the Under 12 World Championships in 2007, reflected on their long friendship in a post on X, writing that he “still can’t believe it and don’t want to believe it.”

Naroditsky was born and raised in San Mateo County, California.

The son of Jewish immigrants, he showed an exceptional memory and focus from an early age.

After finishing high school, he went on to study history at Stanford University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2019.

Following graduation, Naroditsky moved to North Carolina, where he dedicated much of his time to coaching young chess players.

The post U.S. Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky Dead at 29 appeared first on Gazette Review.

The unsigned statement from the city offered their deepest condolences to his family and friends. They also said their thoughts are with his loved ones, teammates, and the sporting community.

The local police department released a similar statement saying that they had already notified the coroner’s office and that they would be examining the circumstances and causes behind his death. The boy’s identity has not yet been released to the public.

According to police, an 11-year-old boy was accidentally struck by a hockey puck during an evening practice game. They had received the 911 call at approximately 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Ambulances and medical teams immediately rushed to the ice arena on Arthur-Sauve Boulevard, where the hockey game was taking place. The boy was taken to Saint-Eustache, a Montreal hospital, where he was transferred to the intensive care unit.

Despite their best efforts, however, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

After his death was confirmed on Friday, a bouquet was left outside the hockey area.

The Laurentians Regional Health Board is currently offering psychological support to those who are involved in the tragic incident – one that has shaken the city terribly, according to Mayor Pierre Charron.

Jean-Philippe Labreche, who leads the minor hockey association, released a news release the morning after the tragic incident, stating that they understand the impact of the event on everyone present at the game, including volunteers and parents.

The case also raises the issue of hockey safety – especially for the neck area.

This October, 29-year-old professional hockey player, Adam Johnson, died after he was accidentally cut in the neck by a skate blade during a Challenge Cup match in England. His death was considered a ‘freak accident’ by the Nottingham Panthers, the hockey club that he was a part of.

He was not wearing a neck guard at the time.

According to Trent McCleary, a former professional hockey player who suffered a career-ending injury on the ice during an NHL game, however, equipment doesn’t provide the player with adequate protection against hard, direct impact.

McCleary, who played for the Montreal team in 2000, suffered a fractured larynx after being hit by a puck, which put his life in danger. While he wasn’t wearing a neck guard, he stated in a phone interview that it probably ‘wouldn’t have mattered’ as it was such a high-speed slam.

On X (formerly Twitter), The Montreal Canadiens issued a statement, saying that the organization is sad to learn about the 11-year-old boy’s death. Quebec’s sports minister, Isabelle Charest, also offered their condolences to his friends, family, and teammates.

So far, no details have been provided on the boy’s hockey team or the level that he played at.

The post 11-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Hit In Neck By Hockey Puck appeared first on Gazette Review.

This article will provide insights into the top 10 highest-paid male volleyball players in the world.

Top 10 Highest Paid Male Volleyball Players in the World – 2026  Update

10. Ivan Zaytsev – $620,000

Ivan Zaytsev, often referred to as “the Zar” in the world of volleyball, is an Italian professional volleyball player of Russian descent. Born on October 2, 1988, in Spoleto, Italy, Zaytsev has made significant contributions to the sport, both at the national and international levels.

Zaytsev’s career in volleyball began at a young age, following in the footsteps of his father, Vyacheslav Zaytsev, who was a well-known volleyball player in his own right. His professional career took off when he signed with RPA-LuigiBacchi.it in 2004. Over the years, he has played for several leading clubs including M. Roma Volley, Lube Banca Macerata, Dinamo Moscow, and Sir Safety Perugia among others.

In terms of accomplishments, Ivan Zaytsev has an impressive list to his name. As an integral part of the Italian national team, Zaytsev led his team to victory in the 2015 European Championship. He was instrumental in securing the silver medal for Italy at the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro. In addition to these, he has been a part of three World League bronze-winning teams and was awarded “Best Server” at the 2014 World Championship.

His club success is also noteworthy. With Dinamo Moscow, he won the Russian Championship in the 2012-13 season. During his tenure with Sir Safety Perugia, they clinched the Italian Cup and Italian Super Cup in the 2017-18 season.

9. Aleksandar Atanasijevichane – $800,000

Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Aleksandar Atanasijevichan’s journey in volleyball began at an early age. His natural talent and skill quickly propelled him into the professional arena, where he has been making his mark ever since. Atanasijevichan’s professional career took a significant upturn when he joined the Serbian Men’s National Volleyball Team. With his impressive performances and consistent scoring, he played a pivotal role in leading the team to several international victories.

One of the significant highlights of Atanasijevichan’s career was his extraordinary performance in the European Championship. His exceptional skills and strategic gameplay were instrumental in Serbia’s triumph, earning him widespread acclaim and recognition. Furthermore, he has consistently been a high scorer in numerous World Championships, contributing significantly to his team’s success on multiple occasions.

In addition to his team victories, Aleksandar Atanasijevichan has also earned numerous individual accolades that stand as a testament to his prowess on the court. He was named “Best Opposite Spiker” at the World Cup, an honour that acknowledges his powerful and precise attacks. He has also received the prestigious “Best Server” award multiple times, demonstrating his versatility and comprehensive mastery of the game.

8. Matt Anderson – $850,000

Anderson, who was born in Buffalo, New York, began his illustrious journey at Penn State University where he was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Player of the Year in his junior year.

Matt Anderson’s prowess on the court was not limited to his university years. Following graduation, he embarked on a professional volleyball career that has taken him across the globe and earned him a reputation as one of the sport’s top players.

Anderson’s first significant achievement came when he was named USA Volleyball’s Indoor Male Athlete of the Year in 2012. His stellar performance on the global stage continued when he led the US national team to win gold at the 2014 FIVB World League and then again at the 2015 FIVB World Cup. His commanding presence and formidable skills were instrumental in securing these victories.

In addition to his team accomplishments, Matt Anderson has also achieved personal recognition on numerous occasions. He was named Best Server at the 2014 World League and later the Best Outside Spiker at the 2015 World Cup. His crowning personal achievement came in 2016 when he was selected as USA Volleyball’s Male Indoor Player of the Year for the second time.

7. György Grozer – $870,000

György Grozer, a Hungarian-born German volleyball player, has made significant contributions to the sport and has accomplished remarkable feats in his illustrious career. Standing at 6’6″, Grozer is a formidable presence on the court, marked by his intimidating spike serves and powerful attacks. His exceptional athleticism combined with his strategic acumen has led him to become one of the most respected figures in international volleyball.

Grozer’s accomplishments are numerous and impressive. He started his professional career in 2005 with the German club VfB Friedrichshafen, where he quickly established himself as a powerhouse player. During his time at VfB Friedrichshafen, Grozer played a pivotal role in leading the team to victory in the CEV Champions League in 2007. His next stint was with the Russian club Belogorie Belgorod, where he won the Russian Championship, Russian Cup, and once again the CEV Champions League.

Internationally, György Grozer has been just as influential. He was a part of the German national team that won a bronze medal at the 2014 World Championship and has represented Germany in multiple international tournaments including the European Championships and World Cup. Grozer has received several individual accolades as well, including being named ‘Best Server’ at the 2014 FIVB World Championship and ‘Most Valuable Player’ at the 2015 CEV Champions League.

6. Bartosz Kurek – $920,000

Bartosz Kurek, a Polish professional volleyball player, has achieved remarkable success with his performance in the sports industry. His journey to prominence began at a young age, and his dedication to the game has led him to become one of Poland’s most decorated athletes.

Kurek’s impressive list of achievements is a testament to his prowess on the volleyball court. Born on August 29,1988, Kurek started his professional career in 2005 with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle. His exceptional performance caught the attention of many and he soon became a vital player for Poland’s national team.

One of the most significant accomplishments of Bartosz Kurek includes being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2018 World Championships. His contribution was instrumental in leading the Polish team to victory in this prestigious tournament. This achievement not only solidified Kurek’s position as one of the world’s top volleyball players but also marked a historic moment for Polish volleyball.

Not only that but Bartosz Kurek has also won numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, including Best Opposite Spiker and Best Server awards in different leagues. He was also bestowed with the Gold Cross of Merit by the President of Poland for his outstanding sports achievements and for promoting Poland on an international level.

5. Robertlandy Simón – $950, 000

Robertlandy Simón, a Cuban volleyball player, has carved an impressive niche for himself in the realm of international volleyball. Born on 11 June 1987, Simón has been a pillar of strength and a symbol of exceptional talent for his teams. His remarkable height of 2.08 meters makes him a formidable player on the court, but it is his skill and strategy that truly sets him apart. Throughout his career, he has played for clubs in South Korea, Qatar, Brazil, and Italy, leaving an indelible mark with his performances.

His accomplishments are numerous and continue to grow with each passing year. Robertlandy Simón’s excellence in the game is evident from his numerous awards. He was named the Best Middle Blocker at the 2009 NORCECA Championship and received the same honor at the World Championship later that year. In 2010, he was declared the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the World League, further cementing his status as one of the most skilled players in the sport.

In addition to his individual accolades, Robertlandy Simón has also contributed significantly to team successes. He played a key role in Cuba’s silver medal finish at the 2010 World Championships and led his team to victory at the 2015 Pan American Games. Currently, he plays for Cucine Lube Civitanova in Italy where he continues to display his prowess on the court. His powerful attacks and solid defense are a spectacle to behold and a nightmare for opponents.

4. Earvin N’Gapeth – $1 Million

Earvin N’Gapeth is a renowned professional volleyball player who hails from France. Born on 12th February 1991, N’Gapeth has carved a niche for himself in the world of volleyball due to his exceptional skills and dynamic playing style. He is widely recognized as a versatile player, proficient in both offense and defense, and has been instrumental in leading his teams to numerous victories.

N’Gapeth’s career is adorned with a plethora of accomplishments. In the year 2015 and 2016, he was named the Best Outside Spiker by FIVB World League. He played a significant role in helping France win the gold at the 2015 World League, the European Championship in 2015, and the World Cup in 2017.

His individual brilliance has also been recognized on multiple occasions; he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the CEV Champions League in 2017 and the FIVB Club World Championship in 2019.

In addition to his national successes, N’Gapeth has achieved remarkable feats playing for clubs like Modena Volley and Zenit Kazan. With Modena Volley, he won the Italian Championship and Italian Cup in 2016. At Zenit Kazan, he played alongside other prominent players like Dmitry Muserskiy, contributing significantly to their victory in the Russian Championship and Russian Cup in 2020.

3. Dmitry Muserskiy – $1 Million

Born on October 29, 1988, Muserskiy is widely recognized for his exceptional height, standing at 2.18 meters (approximately 7 feet 2 inches), making him one of the tallest athletes in the world. However, it is not just his physical stature that sets him apart, but also his remarkable skill set and contributions to the game of volleyball.

Muserskiy’s professional career took off in 2006 when he joined Belogorie Belgorod, a prominent Russian volleyball club. His performance quickly propelled him into the international arena where he represented Russia in various tournaments. Among his most significant achievements is leading the Russian team to victory at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. His dominating performance in the final match against Brazil, where he scored a whopping 31 points, earned him immense recognition and praise.

In addition to his Olympic gold, Dmitry Muserskiy has also been an integral part of teams that have won numerous championships including the European Championship in 2013 and 2017, and the World League in 2011 and 2013. Moreover, he was a key player for Russia when they secured gold at the World Championship in 2011.

Alongside these team accomplishments, Muserskiy has also been lauded for his individual performances. He has been awarded the Best Middle Blocker at the World League (2011 & 2013) and was named Most Valuable Player at the Club World Championship in 2014.

2. Maxim Mikhaylov – $1.3 Million

Born on March 19, 1988, in Tayga, Mikhaylov has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of Russian volleyball in the international sports community.

Throughout his career, Mikhaylov has consistently demonstrated remarkable agility, strategic acumen, and unwavering determination. His accomplishments are a testament to his talent and dedication to his sport. As an integral part of the Russian national team, he has significantly propelled the team to victory in various international competitions. He took center stage as a leading player in the FIVB World League, where he earned gold medals in 2011 and 2013. Moreover, he led the Russian team to an impressive victory in the 2012 London Olympics, bringing home the gold medal.

Mikhaylov’s individual achievements are equally impressive. He was named Best Spiker at the World Cup in 2011 and was honored as Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2012 Olympics and the 2013 European Championship. His performances have also earned him numerous accolades in domestic leagues; he has been a vital player for Zenit Kazan since 2008, leading the club to multiple Russian Championships and CEV Champions League titles.

1. Wilfredo Leon Venero – $66 Million

Number one on our list is Wilfredo Leon. Born in Santiago de Cuba, he began playing volleyball at the age of seven. Coached by his mother, he eventually made his national debut in 2008 at the age of fourteen. By 2009, he had won the ‘Best Receiver’ title at the World League and a silver medal at the World U21 Championships.

While he initially played for Cuba, he eventually left to play for a Russian club in 2014, with whom he won multiple leagues and cups. And in 2018, he joined the Italian club, SIR Safety Perugia. He’s also a member of the Polish national volleyball team (he became elligible after receiving his Polish citizenship in 2015).

Known for his powerful serves and spikes, Leon, who hails from Cuba, is highly regarded in the world of volleyball. He plays for the Russian club Zenit Kazan, and his annual earnings are estimated to be around 1.4 million euros.

If anything, these top 10 highest-paid male volleyball players have contributed significantly to the popularity and growth of volleyball globally.

Over the years, they have showcased exceptional skills and talent, making them not only the highest-earning but also some of the most influential figures in the sport. Their success serves as a testament to the potential rewards and recognition that a career in professional volleyball can provide.

The post Top 10 Richest Male Volleyball Players in the World – 2026 List appeared first on Gazette Review.

Almost immediately, medical staff members were by his side administering CPR; they also used an AED to restart his heart. According to an official statement from the Bills, they were successfully able to restore his heartbeat. Hamlin was subsequently taken to a local hospital, where he remained in critical condition.

While details are still emerging, doctors have stated that the most likely explanation is commotio cordis, a very rare condition that occurs after an individual suffers a sudden blunt impact to the chest. If the trauma is severe enough and occurs at a specific time in the heart cycle, it can cause electricity to flow from one side of the heart to the other. This can send the heart into ventricular fibrillation, a type of irregular heart rhythm that can be fatal without immediate treatment.

With commotio cordis, the heart must be shocked back into a normal rhythm. Fortunately for Hamlin, medical staff arrived within seconds and he was given CPR right away. An AED was also available to shock his heart.

Two days after the incident, it was reported that Hamlin was awake and “neurologically sound.” Doctors also stated that he’s able to move his hands and feet, news that drew joy and relief from fans nationwide.

According to Dr. Timothy Pritts, the NFL player’s first question was “did we win?”, which he scribbled on a clipboard. He was subsequently told yes—that “[he] had “won the game of life.”

While he has shown significant signs of improvement over the last 24 hours, the 24-year-old remains on a ventilator and has been communicating by writing brief notes and by shaking or nodding his head. Not only that but he has also been able to hold hands with his family at the hospital, according to his agent Ron Butler.

According to UC Health, they will not be discharging him from the hospital until he’s able to completely breathe on his own, something that will require many days of treatment and recovery.

Hamlin’s father, Mario, has also talked to the team via Zoom and has said that his son is making good progress, which many of his teammates found to be both emotional and encouraging. Since then, the Bills have announced that they plan on holding their first news conference since the incident on Thursday afternoon.

As for whether or not the game from Monday will be resumed, no official decision has been made.

The post NFL Star Damar Hamlin Showing ‘Signs of Improvement’ After Suffering a Cardiac Arrest appeared first on Gazette Review.

Nicknamed “The Legs of WCW” for her stunning long legsーsomething which undoubtedly captured the attention of those present, she soon became one of the most admired valets in the company. At one point, she even danced on The Chairman’s desk mid-ring, an event which ultimately earned her the title of “executive assistant.” Throughout her career, Keibler has helped manage many wrestlers including the Dudley Boyz, Standards and Practices, David Flair, Shawn Stasiak, and a handful of others.

Awarded the title of “WWE Diva of the Year” in 2004, Keibler has gone up against several popular female wrestlers in the ring; some notable mentions include Molly Holly, Victoria and Trish Stratus. Known for her corner foot choke and mounted punches, she was in fact the only female to be brought over to the WWE from the WCW after the former acquired the latter in 2001.

Following a seven year career, she eventually retired from the sport in 2006. Considering her near perfect physique however, it’s not surprising that Keibler later turned towards modellingーsince then, she has graced the covers of countless publications over the recent years including the Cosmopolitan, LA Times, Elle Girl, Esquire and Parade. On top of that, she is also regularly featured in the Us Weekly, People, The Look and Entertainment Weekly Magazines.

Since she stepped down from being a professional wrestler, Keibler has also appeared multiple times on television. A year after her retirement, she played the role of a recurring character in the comedy drama, What About Brian (2007). Some of the other series which she’s been involved with as an actress include Samurai Girl (2008), In the Motherhood (2009), Blue Mountain State (2010), Men at Work (2012) and How I Met Your Mother (2014), to name a few. However in terms of the small screen, outside of the wrestling context that is, she is probably best known for being a competitor in ABC’s Dancing with the Stars in 2006.

So what has the former WCW/WWE wrestler been up to nowadays? What has she been busy with these past few years? What happened to Stacy Keibler? Where is she now in 2018?

Stacy Keibler’s Childhood and Early Life

Born on October 14, 1979 in Rosedale, Maryland, Stacy Ann-Marie Keibler is the daughter of Gary and Patricia Keibler. An avid dancer ever since she was a young girl, she first took up jazz, tap dancing and ballet at Dundalk’s Jean Kettell Studio of Dance when she was three years old. After her initial schooling in St. Clement Mary Hofbauer School, she went to the all-girls Catholic High School of Baltimore, where she was part of the cheerleading team. With her charming looks, she began modelling at the age of six; from there, it wasn’t long until she was cast in a handful of national commercials. By the time she was ten, Keibler was already a member of the Screen Actors Guild!

Following her high school graduation, she enrolled at her local Towson University, majoring in mass communication. Attending the institution on a partial scholarship, Keibler helped pay for her tuition through small modelling and acting gigsーfor instance, she appeared in a couple of minor roles in the films Liberty Heights (1999) and Pecker (1998). Originally more of a dancer than a wrestler, it wasn’t until she attended a wrestling match with her boyfriend at the time in the late 90’s that she was first exposed to the sport. Piquing her interest, she later took part in WCW’s nationwide search for a new Nitro Girl towards the end of 1999. Eventually coming out as the winner amongst hundreds of other female competitors, she was given a position on the dance troupe as well as a cash prize of $10,000 (it was later revealed that she spent a portion of the money to buy season tickets to the Baltimore Ravens football games).

Stacy Keibler’s Career with the WWE and WCW

Strutting into the wrestling scene, Keibler adopted the stage name of Miss Hancock and became a valet. As an associate, she managed the tag team duoー”Standards and Practices” aka Lodi and Lenny Lane. Although she was often dressed in business suits however, her character was known for climbing on top of furniture such as tables and dancing for the fans. Following her “firing” from the pair, Keibler went on to manage the Latin-American tag team duo El Dandy and Silver King, successfully guiding them towards their first major victory. For a short period, the blonde began dating professional wrestler David Fairーwho was in fact, already involved in an on-screen relationship with fellow valet, Daffney. With that, the two women eventually went up against each other in a Wedding Gown Match at the annual Bash at the Beach event; Keibler ultimately lost after removing her gown.

After WCW was acquired by WWE in the early 2000’s, Keibler was one of two dozen names that were brought over by the latter. With the new company, she made her initial appearance on WWE SmackDownーShane McMahon had brought the blonde haired beauty in to the ring with him to distract his opponent, Rhyno. Not long afterwards, Keibler teamed up against real life friend, Torrie Wilson and feuded with the well known WWF divas Lita and Trish Stratus. During The Invasion, she helped manage the wrestling tag team The Dudley Boyz; it was during that time that she received the nickname of “Duchess of Dudleyville” by Paul Heyman.

In 2004, Keibler was one of the few who were asked to record a song for the WWE Originals album. Working alongside Jim Johnstonーa music producer, she ended up recording a track called Why Can’t We Just Dance?. Other superstars who contributed to the album include Lilian Garcia, John Cena and Chris Jericho, all of whom had also embarked on a music career. Keibler’s song was ultimately featured during the RAW Diva Search of 2004. Still at the peak of her popularity, she went on to take part in a series of tag team battles against “villainous” divas such as Molly Holly, Gail Kim and Trish Stratus alongside Nidia and Victoria. Proving herself to be a worthy contender, she showcased her improved moves and was able to win against the women. At one point, she even earned a Women’s Championship titleーalthough it was later retained by Trish.

After a little over half a decade in the wrestling scene, Keibler announced her retirement from the WWE in April of 2006, citing that she was going to be “moving on to other endeavours.”

Highlights from Stacy Keibler’s Acting and Reality Television Career

Staying true to her dancing roots, Keibler participated as a contestant on the second season of the ABC dancing reality series, Dancing with the Stars in 2006. Partnered with professional dancer Tony Dovolani, the pair dazzled the judges and audience with their dance movesーthe blonde even earned the nickname of “weapon of mass seduction” by Bruno Tonioli after receiving perfect scores from three separate judges following her samba dance routine during the fifth week. Although Keibler and Dovolani went on to receive one more perfect score, they were eventually eliminated in the last episode; overall, they ranked third after retired NFL player Jerry Rice and singer, Drew Lachey.

Although she had dabbled in acting in the years prior, it wasn’t until 2007 that Keibler landed a major acting role in the American comedy series, What About Brian? playing the recurring part of a character named Stephanie. Originally aired on the ABC Network in April 2006, the drama revolved around a group of friends in various stages of a romantic relationship in the city of Los Angeles. Keibler’s character made her appearance in the fourteenth episode of the second season, which aired on February 12, 2007; other members of the show’s ensemble cast include Barry Watson, Sarah Lanchester, Rosanna Arquette and Matthew Davis. Despite its initial promising ratings however, an eventual decrease in viewership led the series to be cancelled after two seasons.

From dancing to cooking, Keibler eventually hosted a reality cooking competition series called Supermarket Superstar in the summer of 2013. First premiered on Lifetime in July of that year, the show featured a small group of aspiring entrepreneurs who competed against each other for a chance to win $10,000 in cash as well as consultation services form Mattson and DINE Marketing. Every week, each contestant presents a product to a panel of judges consisting of Chris Cornyn, Michael Chiarello and Debbi Fields; following an evaluation, they then have 90 minutes to make changes to their respective productsーwith the one bearing the lowest rating being eliminated at the end of the episode. In spite of its interesting premise, Supermarket Superstar was met with mediocre reviews and eventually ended after one season.

What’s Stacy Keibler Doing Now In 2026 – Recent Updates

Keibler was fairly active during the mid-2010s. Not only was she a guest on various talk shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and The Arsenia Hall Show, but she also hosted the VH1 Super Bowl Blitz and was a guest judge on the popular reality series Project Runway.

That’s not all, she also made a couple of appearances in How I Met Your Mother, where she played the role of Karina, a former wrestling diva who’s described as ‘the hottest bartender in the world.’ On top of that, she appeared in the films Dysfunctional Friends, A Drop of Love, and Fixing Pete.

Despite how active she was on television, she seemingly disappeared in 2015. She didn’t make any guest appearances nor did she take on any acting roles.

It wasn’t until 2017, that she appeared again, this time in the documentary Ballerina I’m Not, where she made a small appearance. From there, she surprised everyone at the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Event, where she inducted Torrie Wilson into the hall of fame.

Fast forward to 2021, and WWE Network has named her one of the only women to have made an impact in WWE outside the wrestling ring. And earlier this year, she made an appearance in the new DLC for WWE 2K22, the ninth video game under the WWE 2K franchise. Released on March 11, 2022, it’s available for Windows, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.

Outside of work, she and her husband Jared Pobre, the CEO of Future Ads, recently welcomed their second daughter, Isabella Faith, in May 2020. The couple also has a son named Bodhi Brooks, who was born in June 2018, and a daughter named Ava Grace, who was born in August 2014.

For those who want to know what else she’s up to, you can follow Stacy Keibler on social media. She’s active on Instagram (@stacykeibler) where she has 349K followers as well as Twitter (@StacyKeibler), where she has 385K followers. She also had an official website at one point but it seems to be down at the moment.

The post What Happened to Stacy Keibler – 2026 Updates appeared first on Gazette Review.

Outside of the United States, sports are also incredibly popular. Take the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, for example, it had a global audience of over 3 billion. While it’s a slight decrease from the previous Olympics, it’s still a staggering number. The opening ceremony alone drew more than 16.7 million viewers on NBC.

But have you ever wondered which sports are the most popular? How many fans they have? Because that’s what we’ll be going over in this post. Keep reading to learn more!

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In 2026

Without further ado, here are the top ten most popular sports in the world.

10. Golf – 450 Million Fans

Golf is the most popular sport in the world with more than 450 million fans worldwide. A club-and-ball sport, it originated in 15th-century Scotland, though its exact origins are unknown.

Unlike other ball games, golf does not utilize a standard playing area. Rather, courses consist of various terrains, all of which are an essential part of the game. There are two main types of golf courses- 9 holes or 18 holes, each of which consists of a tee box, rough, putting green, and other hazards.

While many holes can be seen directly from the teeing area, many are hidden to increase the level of difficulty.

Generally speaking, one group will contain one to four people playing the ground. Depending on the pace of play, it can take up to four hours for an 18-hole round or two hours for a 9-hole round.

The game starts when a player puts a ball into play by hitting it with a golf club on the tee. Ultimately, the goal is to get the golf ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible. Various obstacles such as grass and sand may also impede players as they progress through the round.

While golf is popular worldwide, it is particularly popular in the U.S., UK, Ireland, Finland, Denmark, New Zealand, Austria, and Canada.

9. Rugby – 475 Million Fans

Rugby is second on our list with more than 475 million fans worldwide. A contact team sport, it originated in Warwickshire, England, in the early 19th century.

Unlike other ball sports, it allows players to run across the field with the ball in hand. Ultimately, the goal is to advance the ball into the opposition’s end zone, where the goalpost is located. While there are different variations, the most common type of game is played between two teams, both of which consist of 15 players.

Generally speaking, players in a team are divided into seven backs and eight forwards; the former defends the back line while the latter is responsible for gaining possession of the ball.

While rugby was originally popular in Ireland and Great Britain, it has since spread to other countries including France, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In fact, international matches have taken place since the early 1870s. Take the Rugby World Cup, for example, it is held every four years. There’s also the Rugby Championship and the Six Nations Championship, the latter of which occurs in Europe.

8. Baseball – 500 Million Fans

Baseball has its origins in older bat-and-ball games, which were played in England in the mid-18th century. The game was eventually brought over to North America by immigrants, where they developed the modern version. By the late nineteenth century, it had become the national sport of the U.S.

A bat-and-ball sport, it’s played between two teams, who take turns fielding and batting. In each play, the pitcher throws a ball that the batting team tries to hit; their goal is to hit the ball away from the other team’s players so that their players can advance to the different bases. As for the defensive team, their goal is to prevent the batters from running to the bases.

To do that, they try to get the runners or batters “out”, which forces them out of the field.

Currently, the MLB is the highest level of professional baseball in Canada and the U.S., with teams in the American League and National League. There are three main divisions: Central, West, and East.

In fact, the World Baseball Classic is one of the biggest international sports competitions in the world.

7. Basketball – 825 Million Fans

Basketball is a popular team sport with more than 825 million fans across the globe. The game was invented by James Naismith, a Canadian physical education teacher, in 1891 in Massachusetts. His goal was to create a sport that students would be able to play indoors during the winter months; he also wanted something that’s less injury-prone.

After publishing the rules of the game, the first basketball match was held on December 21, 1891. The sport quickly became established and by the 20th century, had become popular in many countries, including the United States. By 1946, the American National Basketball Association was established.

A team sport, it’s played with two teams, each of which tries to throw a basketball through the other team’s hoop. The ball is advanced across the rectangular court through dribbles or it can be passed to a teammate. In total, each team consists of five players, the tallest being the center,

Some of the biggest international basketball events include the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament and the FIBA Basketball World Cup.T THe Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament and FIBA Women’s World Cup also features some of the best U.S. teams.

6. Table Tennis – 875 Million Fans

Table Tennis is the sixth most popular sport in the world with more than 875 million fans. Also known as ping pong, the sport originated in England during the late 19th century and was often played by the upper class. Makeshift versions of the game were eventually developed by military officers in the 1860s, who brought the sport back with them. Several decades later, the International Table Tennis Federation was founded.

In 1988, table tennis was officially made an Olympic sport, with women’s and men’s singles as event categories. Men’s and women’s teams have also existed since 2008.

Nowadays, the largest international tournaments for professional players include the World Championships, which were started in 1926, the WTT Grand Smashes, and the Olympic Games.

While table tennis is played across the world, it’s the most popular in China. If anything, they’re known for producing some of the most successful players in the sport’s history. Take Deng Yaping, for example, he has won every professional title in the sport.

Aside from China, the sport is also popular in Japan, Korea, Germany, and Sweden. Some of the biggest names in the sport include Jan-Ove Waldner, Liu Guoliang, Deng Yaping, Wang Liqin, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, and Fan Zhendong.

5. Volleyball – 900 Million Fans

Volleyball is the fifth most popular sport in the world. In the United States alone, there are more than 37 million players. Not only that but many also tune into live game streams. Take the Women’s Volleyball Championship, for example, it drew more than 20 million viewers in 2020.

Originally known as “mintonette”, the sport originated in the late 1890s in Massachusetts and was created by the director of the YMCA William George Morgan.

A team sport, it’s played between two teams of six, each of which tries to score points by sending the ball to the ground on the other side. Each game consists of five sets, the last of which goes to 15, with the team winning the most matches being the winner (a team must win a set by at least two points). Depending on the level of competition, however, there may be fewer sets.

Currently, the biggest volleyball tournaments include the Olympic Games, FIVB Volleyball World Nations League, FIVB World Grand Championship, FIVB World Cup, and FIVB Volleyball World League.

4. Tennis – 1 Billion Fans

Tennis originated in Northern France during the 12th century. Unlike the modern version, which is played with a racket, the initial sport was a handball game where players would hit the ball with their hands or glove. It wasn’t until the late 1870s that it was modified to be played on an outdoor court.

In 1881, the United States Tennis Association (formerly known as the United States National Lawn Tennis Association) was formed. Not long afterward, the first men’s singles championships were held in Newport, Rhode Island. By the end of the decade, it had also become popular in France, and Australia. In fact, they now host two of the most prestigious tennis events in the world- the French Open and the Australian Open.

Nowadays, tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world with millions of recreational players acoss the globe. Not only that but it’s also a popular spectator sport. Aside from the French Open and Australian Open, the US Open National Championship is also popular with some of the world’s best tennis athletes competing.

3. Field Hockey –  2 Billion Fans

Although field hockey was played since the middle ages in The Netherlands, Scotland, and England, the modern game grew in popularity in the English public school system in the nineteenth century. The Hockey Association was founded in 1886 and the first international match took place in 1895 between Ireland and Wales when the Irish team won by three goals to nil.

The game was inaugurated as an Olympic sport in 1908 and the competition was dominated by India and Pakistan until 1968. With the introduction of synthetic pitches in the 1970’s the domination of those two nations ended as artificial surfaces were too expensive for developing nations, and other nations began to challenge the previous masters of the game, most notably The Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and Spain.

Despite their lack of form in recent years, Pakistan, where field hockey is the national sport, holds an unbroken record of four World Cup wins to this day and many of the sport’s two billion fans are from there and neighboring India.

2. Cricket – 2.5 Billion Fans

The exact origins of Cricket are not known, however, it is believed to have originally been a children’s game that was played in England at least as early as 1550. By around 1610 it had begun to be played by adults and its popularity grew.

Matches were often held between neighboring villages on a casual basis and as the British Empire grew, so did the popularity of Cricket, particularly in Australia and the Indian subcontinent.

By the 19th-century cricket clubs were formed at the county level, with the first being Sussex County Cricket club in 1839, and the sport soon became established in North America, The Caribbean, South Africa, and New Zealand.

1. Soccer – 3.5 Billion Fans

The earliest known form of soccer was played in China during the Han Dynasty, around 200 BC, in a game called ‘Cuju’, which translates literally as ‘Kick Ball’. The modern game was founded in England in 1883 with the formation in Britain of the Football Association (FA), which standardized the rules for competition.

The popularity of the sport grew rapidly throughout Europe and an international governing body, FIFA was founded in Paris in 1904. Today the sport is played at a professional level throughout the World, with an estimated 250 million people playing it regularly at an amateur level. The popularity of the sport grew in South America, Australasia, and Asia, and in 1930 FIFA held the inaugural FIFA World Cup. The competition has been held every four years since then, with the exception of 1942 and 1946 when World War two halted the competition.

Today top players can expect to earn hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and are treated with almost religious respect by legions of passionate fans. Brazil is generally recognized as the most talented national team and leads the World Cup rankings with five wins throughout the competition’s history. Today the sport is followed by 3.5 billion fans Worldwide.

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As one can expect, they practice with their respective NFL team as a means of training up the primary team to peak performance. But how much do they make? Keep reading to find out the answers and more!

Average Salary for an NFL Practice Squad Player In 2026 – $102,000

Practice squad players who have played less than two seasons earn around $11.5K per week (this will go up to $16.7K in 2030) or $207K every 18 weeks. After gaining two years of experience, they will receive a minimum of $15.K per week or $277K every 18 weeks. It’s also important to note that their salaries do count toward their team’s salary cap.

Note: There isn’t a fixed salary for these players; only the minimum and maximum are set (the weekly maximum will go up to $26.25K in 2030). More experienced veterans are free to negotiate the best possible contract

In contrast, rookies on an active roster make a minimum of $705K.

If a practice squad player is promoted to the active roster, he’ll receive the prorated minimum salary according to his experience level. For example, a rookie who’s promoted to the active roster will have his pay increased from $11.5K to $39K.

A practice squad player can also be temporarily promoted to the 53-man roster if a particular position is needed in a team. Their salary will then be prorated with the set minimum. However, a team can only do this three times before signing the individual to their active roster.

How do you become an NFL Practice Squad Player – Do you need to go to school?

To become an NFL Practice Squad Player, you may not need to go to school per se, but in finding all the eligibility requirements and ways to actually end up on the team you may need a degree in Law.

As to be expected, starting out the path to NFL player and Practice Squad player are on in the same: Start early, play regularly in school, at least to high school, and if not selected then, try to go to college and play hard. Then, you may be selected for further training by the NFL and tossed into the main or Practice Squad. However, determining if you can even go onto said position, and what can be done after is much more tricky.First off, to qualify to work on a Practice Squad, you can’t have a lot of experience in the NFL. In fact, you can’t even have 9 games under your belt even in the most extreme circumstances. Most would be disqualified for this role even with as little as 6 games where they were on the active roster. You can also be disqualified if you have two seasons of what is deemed Free Agency Credit. Likewise, they cannot already have been on the practice roster for 2 seasons previous, with each “season” being a minimum of three weeks. This means that someone can practice for three weeks, twist their ankle, come back a year later, do the same thing, and not be allowed to play in that role again (here’s to hoping nobody has that happen).

As said earlier, this job can land you into the NFL’s Active Squads if you show talent, and many players have that happen. Oddly though, most of these selected players get picked up by other teams, and can be selected throughout the season. For this reason, there’s an oddball of a rule in the NFL. Practice Squad Players can be picked up by an opposing team, but they have to do so at least 6 days before the teams play, or 10 days if it happens to be a bye week. Of course there are contracts to sign and waiver off, but these are usually far less binding than those of Active players. This may be particularly attractive for Practice Players who felt they weren’t adequately appreciated by their first team, and would really like to show them what the player has got.

Of course, there can be another way for the Practice Squad player to leave. If ran for two seasons, cut early, or not picked up by an NFL team, then it’s time to retire the dream. Sadly this does happen with some level of regularity, as having 10 spots rotating per team rotating at the very least once every 2 seasons really turns out a lot of players. Still though, they can claim they played with some of the NFL greats, and have a nice looking bank account afterwards.

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For those who don’t know, MLB is the biggest professional baseball league in the world. It’s also the oldest, having been found in 1876—more than 147 years ago. Not only that but it’s the second-wealthiest professional sports league, just after the NFL by revenue.

Currently, the MLB is comprised of 30 teams, 15 of which belong to the American League (AL) and 15 of which belong to the National League (NL). During the regular season, each team plays 162 games, with six advancing to the finals aka the World Series, where the winner is determined through a best-of-seven playoff.

As of 2026, the Houston Astros are the reigning champions, having beaten the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 World Series.

But what about the MLB umpires? Are they paid well? How high are their salaries? For those who are wondering, be sure to keep reading because that’s what we’ll be going over below!

Average Salary for an MLB Umpire in 2026 – $235,000

For the 2022 season, the average MLB umpire took home $235,000. Generally speaking, the monthly salary starts at $2,000 to $2,500 per month and gradually increases over time as they accumulate more experience.

For example, it’s not uncommon for senior umpires to earn more than $2,000 each game. For someone to reach that level, it takes many years as most of them have officiated over 4,000 games.

Not only that but it’s not uncommon for umpires to receive daily expense allowances to cover things such as transportation, food, and hotel. Their location matters as well. For instance, umpires working in the San Francisco area tend to have higher salaries than those working elsewhere in the country.

The yearly take-home figure might seem high at first, but there are several reasons for it. For starters, MLB umpires work up to 162 games during the regular season, each of which can last up to several hours. They must also pay close attention during each game and are tasked with making close calls with the average baseball being thrown at up to 95-plus mph.

Home plate umpires have an even harder task as they must call strikes for the game and with nearly 300 pitches thrown during each match, they must make many decisions under pressure. Add in curveballs and fastballs and keeping track of everything that’s happening is not easy.

Those who serve in Division 1 are also compensated at a higher rate. For one thing, they’re usually eligible to receive a compensation package that includes housing, mileage, and $400 per game. Having said that, the exact amount depends on various factors.

It’s also worth mentioning that the annual salary for MLB umpires has actually gone up over the years.

The Highest-Paid MLB Umpires

Some of the highest-earning MLB umpires include Joe West, Bruce Froemming, and Joe Brinkman.

Bruce Froemming

Bruce Froemming has officiated more than 5,100 games throughout his multi-decade career. In 2007, he became the oldest umpire in MLB history after umpiring at first base in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays-Cleveland Indians game, at the age of 67.

Joe West

Joe West is one of the highest-paid umpires in the MLB with an annual salary of $450,000. He also holds one of the longest tenures in the history of the sport, having worked for a total of 26 seasons. However, he is often considered as one of the most notorious officials, having received criticism from coaches, players, and media representatives.

Joe Brinkman

Joe Brinkman worked as an MLB umpire from 1972 to 2006. During his career, he officiated in three All-Star games and five American League Championship Series.

How Do You Become an MLB Umpire?

Those who are interested in becoming an MLB umpire must meet a set of specific criteria. First and foremost, you must be physically fit with quick reflexes. Strong communication skills are also a must as you’ll likely need to explain your calls during the games. In addition to that, you must have 20/20 vision either with or without corrective lenses.

For those that meet the criteria, the next step is to attend an umpire training school. In the U.S., there are three main schools: the Umpire School in Florida; the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in Michigan, and the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring in Colorado. On average, the school costs are around $2,500.

These professional umpire schools happen for two to five weeks at the beginning of the year under the guidance of current MLB umpires, who will teach the students about the sport’s mechanics, rules, signals, as well as officiating policy. Not only will they be in the classroom but they will also be doing work out in the field.

While each class is different, aspiring umpires will typically learn side-by-side with dozens of other students. However, only the top few will be able to attend an MLB umpire evaluation class. During the evaluation, MLB instructors will look for potential candidates to hire for the short-season Class A or Rookie leagues.

Generally speaking, once an individual makes it to the Triple-A level, which can take up to six years or more, the league will begin considering them for the majors. For example, an individual may be given a temporary opportunity to break into the big leagues if there are scheduling issues or injuries at the Major League level.

Keep in mind, however, that the turnover in the field is low, which means that umpires don’t get as many opportunities to be discovered. For one thing, there’s only one opening a year on average. And even when you’ve gotten to the majors, it can take anywhere from seven to ten years to advance through the ranks.

Currently, one free camp is also scheduled every month from April to August in Houston, California, Cincinnati, Norfolk, Chicago, and San Bernardino. Those who excel in the training program will be invited to the Umpire Prospect Development Camp for further training by professional staff and of course, all expenses will be paid for.

How Much Are MLB Umpires Paid For the World Series?

The World Series is the annual championship event of MLB in the U.S. and Canada. While viewership isn’t as high as it used to be, it’s still a popular event in the United States. In 2022, the playoff games drew more than 11.8 million television viewers.

The way it works, the playoff games start in early October and continue until November every year. The winning team is then awarded the Commissioner’s Trophy, which features 30 gold-plated flags, each of which represents a team.

Given how high-profile the World Series is, it’s not surprising to know that MLB umpires are paid more for working the playoff games.

As of 2026, they are paid anywhere from $17,000 to $20,000 for calling the World Series, and that’s on top of their base salary and expenses. Depending on how many games there are, that works out to be around $2,800 to $5,000 per match. Not too bad at all for a day’s work!

Keep in mind, however, that not all MLB umpires will make it to the World Series. If anything, being a World Series umpire is a prestigious honor- one that only a few will be able to experience.

For the 2022 World Series, James Hoye, Dan Iassogna, Pat Hoberg, Jordan Baker, Alan Porter, Tripp Gibson, and Alan Porter served as the game’s umpires.

Is Being an MLB Umpire a Full-Time Job?

MLB umpires are unique in that they only work six months a year. Given the amount of time they put into the games, however, it can pretty much be considered a full-time job. For example, it’s not uncommon for umpires to work 18 hours a week calling balls and strikes on the field.

As of 2026, there are 70 MLB umpires working in the league.

The post Average MLB Umpire Salary In 2026 – How Much Umps Actually Make appeared first on Gazette Review.

Top 10 Asian Football Players In 2026

Without further ado, here are some of the best football players of Asian descent.

10. Ryo Miyaichi

Ryou Miyaichi is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for the Japan National Team. Not only that but he’s also a winger for the Yokohama F. Marinos. Known for his ability to dribble and run past defenders, he has been regarded as one of the most talented youth aspects in world football.

Born into a sporting family, he started playing football as a young child. He later joined the school football club in high school. Not long after graduating, he signed a professional contract with Arsenal after impressing the manager, Arlene Wenger. Without a work permit, however, he was ultimately loaned to the Dutch football team Feyenoord, with whom he made his professional debut.

From there, he was loaned out to the Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. He then returned to the Eredivisie for several years before returning to Japan, where he signed for the Yokohama F. Marinos. Assigned the number 17 jersey, he made his debut in 2021 against the Nagoya Grampus, where he came onto the field as a substitute. He later played against the Vietnamese champions HAGL during the AFC Champions League, where the team ultimately won 2-1.

Due to a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee, however, he will be sitting out the rest of the 2022 season.

9. Shunsuke Nakamura

Shunsuke Nakamura is the only football player to have been named J.League Most Valuable Player more than once. Born and raised in Japan, he began his professional career with the Yokohama Marinos in 1997, with whom he made over 330 league appearances. In between, he also played in Europe with Regina, Celtic, and Espanyol. During that period, he was named SFWA Footballer of the Year, Scottish Player of the Year, and became the first Japanese player to land a goal in the UEFA Champions League.

He later played for the Japan national team, with whom he scored 24 goals. He also played for them during the AFC Asian Cup and the FIFA World Cup Finals in 2006 and 2010. Not only that but he was also named a member of the Japan under-23 team for the 2000 Summer Olympics, which took place in Sydney.

Following the 2010 World Cup, he announced his retirement from international football. However, he’s still active in the football scene in Japan. In 2011, he was appointed captain of the Yokohama Marinos. Since then, he has played against several notable players including Yasuhito Endo, Oita Trinita, Masami Ihara, Jubilo Iwata, and Gamba Osaka.

8. Yasuhito Endou

Yasuhito Endou is a Japanese football player who plays for Jubilo Iwata. A central midfielder who’s known for his leadership, goal scoring ability, and passing ability, he joined the Yokohama Flugels after graduating from high school in 1998. Together, they went on to win the 1998 Emperor’s Cup. Due to financial constraints, however, the club was ultimately disbanded afterward.

He subsequently joined Kyoto Purple Sanga with contemporaries Hideo Oshima and Kazuki Teshima.

He then moved to Gamba Osaka in 2001, where he became a central player for the club. He was also named a J.League Best Eleven player for ten years in a row from 2003 to 2012. Not only that but he also helped the team win the J1 League Championships in 2005.

From there, they went on to win the AFC Champions League twice in 2008 and 2009. They also won the Emperor’s cup. For his contributions, he was named Asian Footballer of the Year in 2009. Since then, the team has won three major titles in Japan: the Emperor’s Cup, J. League Cup, and J1 League. Endo was also named the J.League MVP for the first time.

Following that, he was transferred to Jubilo Iwata.

7. Ki Sung-Yueng

Ki Sung-Yeung is a South Korean football player who plays as a defensive and central midfielder for FC Seoul. Born and raised in Gwangju, South Korea, he began playing football in his elementary school days. He later went to Australia, where he studied at John Paul College Under the Brain Soccer Program.  Not only was he a member of the school team but he also helped them win the Bill Turner Cup in 2004.

By 2005, he had received offers from the A-League club Queensland Roar and the South Korean club FC Seoul. He ultimately chose to return to South Korea to continue his career and education. After graduating from high school in 2006, he joined FC Seoul where he played alongside Lee Chung-yong. He eventually made his senior debut in 2007 during the K league.

In the end, he was a full international for South Korea from 2008 to 2019. With the team, which he led as captain, he participated in three Asian Cups. He also represented the country at two Summer Olympic Games, winning the bronze medal in 2012.

Since then, he has won the Scottish Cup and Scottish Premiere League with Celtic. He later announced that he will be retiring from international football in 2019.

6. Koo Ja-Cheol

Koo Ja-cheol is considered one of the most successful South Korean football players of all time. A midfielder, he currently plays for Jeju United. He’s also played for the German Bundesliga, alongside Son Heung-min and Cha Bum-kun, Mainz 05, FC Augsburg, and VFL Wolfsburg. Not only that but he was also the captain of the South Korean national team for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, where they won bronze.

Born on February 27, 1989, Koo started playing football at the age of ten after a nearby elementary school opened a football club. Back then, he mostly played as a defender. However, his abilities weren’t particularly outstanding.

Later as a high school student, he participated in a football competition in Baekrok, where he led the school team to win second place. His performance in the game also caught the attention of Jung Hae-seong, the manager of Jeju United. He was later selected by  Jeju in 2007 during the K League draft. Due to numerous injuries, however, his performance was unremarkable. It wasn’t until 2010 that people started to notice his talent. Since then, he has received numerous donors including the Fantastic Player Award, Best XI Player Award, and Top Assists Award.

5. Ali Al Habsi

Ali Al-Habsi is an Omani football player that made his debut with Al-Mudhaibi in 1998. A goalkeeper, he ultimately stayed with the team for four years before transferring to Al-Nasr in 2002. From there, he transferred to Bolton Wanderers in 2006. However, many people expressed concerns about the transfer as there was a conflict of interest between his father, his agent, and the club itself. As a result, he did not make any appearances with the team during his first year. It wasn’t until 2007 that he made his full Bolton debut.

In 2010, he was loaned to Wigan Athletic, their local rivals. He subsequently made his debut in a League Cup match and was named player of the season. It was later announced in 2011 that he had joined Wigan Athletic permanently, having signed a £4 contract. It was around that same time that he himself as a penalty saver, having saved nearly half of all penalties faced.

Several years later, he was loaned to Brighton & Hove Albion. However, he ultimately played one game for the team before returning to Wigan. From there, he signed a three-year contract with Al-Hilal in 2017. However, he was ultimately released without ever having made an appearance in 2020. That same year, he announced his retirement from professional football.

4. Shinji Kagawa

Shinji Kagawa is a Japanese football player who plays as an attacking midfielder for the Japan national team and the Belgium First Division club Sint-Truiden. He’s often considered as one of the best Japanese players of all time.

Born and raised in Kobe, Hyogo, he started playing football when he was five years old. He later joined the Marino Football Club in 1994, with whom he played until 1999. From there, he joined the Kobe NK Football Club.

At the age of 17, his talent was noticed by Cerezo Osaka, who offered him a professional contract even before he completed high school. He ultimately accepted the offer and was given a regular position in 2007. That same year, he represented Japan as a member of the under-20 national team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which took place in Canada.

In 2008, he made his senior international debut where he and his team won against Ivory Coast. Later in 2013, he was named to Japan’s 23-member team for the FIFA Confederations Cup, where he ended up scoring the second goal for Japan during a match against Italy.

3. Lee Chung-Yong

Lee Chung-yong plays for the South Korean National Team and for Ulsan Hyundai as a winger. As a young teen, he caught the attention of Cho Kwang-rae, the manager of FC Seoul, while playing a game in middle school. Recognizing that he had massive potential, Cho offered him a contract on the spot.

Lee subsequently dropped out of school and joined FC Seoul, which was then known as Anyang LG Cheetahs. After being a substitute in the 2004 League Cup, he made his debut in the K League in 2006. With the team, he went on to hone his skills over the next several years.

In 2007, he broke into the first team after Senol Gunes joined FC Seoul as manager. The following year, he became a regular, scoring five goals and playing 22 league matches.

In 2009, it was announced that Lee Chung-yong would be joining the Bolton Wanderers. A £2.2 million transfer, it was officially confirmed that August. Around that same time, he made his first Bolton appearance in a match against Sunderland, where he scored the first goal. The team would go on to win 2-1.

Currently, he plays for the K League 1 club Ulsan Hyundai, which he signed for back in 2020. That same year, they won the 2020 AFC Champions League.

2. Keisuke Honda

Keisuke Honda is the coach and general manager of the Cambodia national team. Known for his powerful striking ability and dribbling skills, he usually plays as an attacking midfielder but can also play as a false nine, deep-lying playmaker, or winger.  Throughout his career, he has earned more than 90 international caps and has played at the 2010, 2014, and 2018 World Cups. In 2011, he and his team also won the Asian Cup.

Born and raised in Osaka, he began his youth career at Gamba Osaka. After graduating high school, he joined Nagoya Grampus Eight, with whom he started his professional career.

After playing with them for three years, he signed a 2.5 year deal with VVV-Venlo. During the 2008-09 season, he made 36 league appearances and scored 16 goals. He was eventually transferred to CSKA Moscow in 2009. Since then, he has played for several other teams including AC Milan, Pachuca, Melbourne Victoria, and Vitesse. Most recently, he played for Suduva Marijampole in 2021. Not only that, but he was also a member of the Japan National Team from 2008 to 2018.

1. Park Ji Sung

Park Ji-sung is a former professional football player who played as a midfielder for several teams including Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers, and PSV Eindhoven. Not only that but he was also a member of the South Korea National Team from 2000 to 2011. With them, he scored 13 goals and won 100 caps.

Known for his discipline and work ethic, he began his career in his native South Korea, where he played for Myongji University. From there, he eventually moved to Japan after signing with Kyoto Purple Sanga. After his manager for the national team moved to the Netherlands, Park followed him to the Dutch side. His talents were subsequently recognized by Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Mancester United, who offered him a £4 million contract.

Throughout his career, he has participated in several FIFA World Cups and was named man of the match four times at the World Cup. Currently, he’s South Korea’s all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup, having scored goals in three tournaments in a row.

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