Bashar al-Assad (born 11 September 1965) is a Syrian politician, military officer and former dictator who served as the 19th president of Syria from 2000 until his government was overthrown in 2024. As president, Assad was commander-in-chief of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces and secretary-general of the Central Command of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is an Iranian conservative politician, former military officer, and current Speaker of the Parliament of Iran since 2020. He held office as the Mayor of Tehran from 2005 to 2017. Ghalibaf was formerly Iran’s Chief of police from 2000 to 2005 and commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ Air Force from 1997 to 2000.

Marco Asensio has started a new chapter in his career by joining Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season after having trouble finding playing time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).