Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

KSI, Ronaldinho, and Lineker to launch Baller League in UK and US

The six-a-side football format, which originated in Germany, will expand globally in 2025.

The league’s distinctive feature is the involvement of social media influencers with large audiences. (Photo: X/@BallerLeagueUK)
The league’s distinctive feature is the involvement of social media influencers with large audiences. (Photo: X/@BallerLeagueUK)
EasternEye
By EasternEyeNov 27, 2024

YOUTUBERS KSI and IShowSpeed have teamed up with football icons Ronaldinho, Gary Lineker, and Luis Figo to launch the British and American editions of Baller League.

The six-a-side football format, which originated in Germany, will expand globally in 2025.

The concept was first introduced by footballers Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski, alongside entrepreneur Felix Starck.

The league’s distinctive feature is the involvement of social media influencers with large audiences. KSI, who has 24.8 million YouTube subscribers, has been named president of the UK tournament.

Streamer IShowSpeed, who has over 60m followers across platforms, will serve as president of the US competition. Both appointments were announced on Tuesday.

Other notable participants include Sidemen members Miniminter and Tobi, along with streamer AngryGinge, who will take on managerial roles in the UK event.

Ronaldinho, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002 and a former Barcelona star, is part of the US tournament. Former England captains Lineker and John Terry, as well as ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid forward Figo, have been announced as team managers for the UK edition.

Additional coaches for the UK league include Micah Richards, Alan Shearer, Freddie Ljungberg, Jens Lehmann, and Robert Pires.

The UK tournament is scheduled to run from 3 March to 19 May 2025, with matches held every Monday on indoor pitches. A total of 12 teams will compete, and trials to select players are set to take place in London and Manchester. Eligible participants include former professionals, futsal players, free agents, and released academy players.

All matches will be live-streamed, with YouTuber Chunkz hosting a weekly show.

"Sport is no longer as easy as just saying, 'look, we're here now, come and watch us'," Starck told the BBC. "It needs to be exciting, and it needs to be authentic. Those are the two words that we always use at Baller League."

(With inputs from AFP)

baller league - gary lineker - ksi - ronaldinho

Related News

How Music Analytics Can Boost Your Career
Sponsored Feature

How Music Analytics Can Boost Your Career

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

Instagram/harrypotterhbonotofficial

‘Harry Potter’ filming in London sparks anger as locals claim no consent for Privet Drive remake

Highlights:

  • A London street has been turned into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series
  • Locals in Upminster say they were not told filming was for the HBO remake
  • Some residents fear being “bombarded with wizards” while others are thrilled
  • Cast includes Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

A quiet street in east London has been transformed into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series, but locals are unhappy they were not properly informed about the filming. Springfield Gardens in Upminster, chosen to double as the boy wizard’s childhood home, has left neighbours divided, with some welcoming the attention while others worry they will be “bombarded with wizards.” The HBO production, part of a major reboot, has already brought cameras, drones and fans to the area.

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout Instagram/harrypotterhbonotofficial

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif

Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain

Instagram/priyankachopra

Farhan Akhtar says ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ will happen but drops bombshell that Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif may exit

Highlights:

  • Farhan Akhtar says Jee Le Zaraa has been delayed but not shelved
  • Significant work including music and location scouting already completed
  • Director cannot confirm if Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif remain attached
  • Project first announced in 2021 as a female-led road trip film

Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar has clarified that his highly anticipated film Jee Le Zaraa has not been shelved. Speaking about the much-discussed project, Akhtar said the film is simply “on the back burner” due to scheduling conflicts. The clarification comes after years of speculation that the all-female road trip film, originally announced with Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, might have been abandoned.

Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain Instagram/priyankachopra

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
© Copyright 2025 Garavi Gujarat Publications Ltd & Asian Media Group USA Inc
Contact Us