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Steve Luckings

Sports Editor

Abu Dhabi

Steve is one of the of The National “originals”, arriving in Abu Dhabi in January 2008 to help launch the paper three months later. He has held a number of positions including online editor, page editor, senior sports editor and now sports editor. Steve has more than 15 years’ experience across a variety of media platforms. He writes comment and analysis on everything from football to rugby to boxing and is a regular guest on The National’s sport podcasts.

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Articles

Al Hilal's Joao Cancelo, right, in action with Al Rayyan's Hazem Shehata. Reuters

AFC Champions League: Wins for Al Wasl and Al Hilal

Soufiane Bouftini's second-half header enough to see Wasl take all three points against Pakhtakor

September 18, 2024, 6:07 AM

Ilia Topuria celebrates his victory against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California on February 17, 2024. Today Sports

UFC 308: Holloway credits Topuria but says past won't matter in Abu Dhabi

Topuria defends the featherweight title he won from Volkanvski in the headline bout against Holloway at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena

September 17, 2024, 8:19 AM

Al Ain's Mathias Palacios, left, runs with the ball under pressure from Al Sadd's Akram Afif during the AFC Champions League match at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on September 16, 2024. Getty

Al Sadd v Al Ain: Asian Champions League title-holders held in opener

Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo content with a point after fellow Argentine cancels out Akram Afif's first-half effort while Al Nassr held by Iraq's Al Shorta

September 17, 2024, 4:49 AM

Saudi Arabia's Hassan Kadish celebrates after scoring his second goal against China to clinch a 2-1 win in 2026 World Cup qualifying. AFP

2026 World Cup qualifiers: 10-man Saudi Arabia see off China

Mohamed Kanno sent off before two Hassan Kadish headers seal 2-1 win for Roberto Mancini's side

September 11, 2024, 7:37 AM

England captain Harry Kane during a training session as he prepares to win his 100th cap in the Nations League match against Finland. Reuters

Kane eyes 100 goals as he prepares to win 100th England cap

Kane will become 10th England player to reach a century of caps if he plays against Finland on Tuesday

September 10, 2024, 7:09 AM

England captain Harry Kane trains with teammates ahead of their match against Republic of Ireland. Reuters

Harry Kane: Cristiano Ronaldo is the benchmark

England captain hopes to emulate Portuguese by playing well into his late thirties

September 07, 2024, 5:40 AM

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates scoring the 2-0 goal, and his 900th career goal, during the UEFA Nations League group A soccer match between Portugal and Croatia, in Lisbon, Portugal, 05 September 2024. EPA / JOSE SENA GOULAO

'Unique milestone': Cristiano Ronaldo scores 900th career goal

Ronaldo scores what proved to be winning goal in Uefa Nations League victory over Croatia

September 06, 2024, 6:14 AM

Danilo Pereira has transferred to Al Ittihad after four seasons at Paris Saint-Germain. EPA

Five best deals on Saudi Pro League transfer deadline day

Transfer window closed late on Monday with Al Ahli missing out on Victor Osimhen

September 03, 2024, 7:22 AM

Casemiro was substituted at half time during Manchester United's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford. PA

Casemiro's decline at Manchester United painful to watch

Brazilian at fault for two of Liverpool's goals on Sunday before he was hooked at half time

September 02, 2024, 8:34 AM

Real Madrid's Endrick, left, and Kylian Mbappe celebrate with the trophy after winning the Uefa Super Cup final against Atalanta on August 15. 2024. Reuters

Kylian Mbappe, Endrick and the best summer transfer deals

Real Madrid bolstered their attacking ranks while Bayern Munich added much needed steel in midfield

August 31, 2024, 7:48 AM

Ivan Toney completed a medical in London Friday ahead of his move to Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli. AP

Toney joins Al Ahli, Sterling and Sancho make loan moves

A busy day at Arsenal as goalkeeper Ramsdale secures switch to Southampton while Manchester United midfielder McTominay moves to Napoli

August 31, 2024, 4:42 AM

Victor Osimhen looks to be on his way out of Napoli after the club accepted a huge bid from Saudi club Al Ahli. Getty Images

Al Ahli agree deals for Osimhen and Toney, according to reports

It is understood Saudi Pro League club will only sign one of the strikers

August 30, 2024, 12:58 PM

Cristiano Ronaldo was on target for Al Nassr in their 4-1 Saudi Super Cup final defeat to Al Hilal. Photo: Al Nassr FC

Time running out for Ronaldo to add Saudi titles to trophy collection

Al Nassr lost the Saudi Super Cup final to Al Hilal on Saturday with the champions again looking the team to beat this season

August 19, 2024, 6:26 AM

Pep Guardiola with Kevin De Bruyne after Manchester City's win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Reuters

Pep Guardiola: Managing Manchester City an 'honour'

Spaniard says managing club a 'privilege' as City kick-start campaign with 2-0 win over Chelsea

August 19, 2024, 4:27 AM

Achraf Hakimi had a successful Olympics with Morocco as he prepares to return to domestic duty with PSG. Reuters

PSG look to likes of Hakimi to lead as they begin life without Mbappe

Moroccan defender is one of head coach Luis Enrique's most-trusted players as they look to maintain French dominance

August 16, 2024, 6:03 AM