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Albert Samaha

@samaha.bsky.social
1.1K followers 46 following 123 posts

journalist & author of “Concepcion” & “Never Ran, Never Will” / albertcsamaha@gmail.com / samaha.substack.com

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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
If Pacquiao’s story chronicles the desperation forged in the post-colonial wreckage, Eala’s embodies the ambition to vault into a world the former colonizers had built for themselves. samaha.substack.com/p/mabuhay-alex
samaha.substack.com
Mabuhay Alex
A new fan learns a brutal sport
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Dispatch from the US Open final, where Ben Shelton fell short of a title but leaves Queens as America’s next tennis superstar: wapo.st/4AfXpre
wapo.st
Even in a loss, Ben Shelton owned the U.S. Open until the final point
Alexander Zverev prevailed in four sets, keeping alive a two-decade drought for Americans at the U.S. Open. But Shelton, brash and powerful, was the event’s breakout star.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A dispatch from the US Open, a noisy culture clash of serious fans and casual spectators: wapo.st/4A2vHOx
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Alex Eala’s fans are an unstoppable force of Filipino joy blasting into an immovable wall of tennis tradition. “Sorry we’re loud,” read a sign at this year’s U.S. Open. “We’re Filipino.” My dispatch from last night: wapo.st/4h67Eqj
wapo.st
At U.S. Open, a Filipina star’s boisterous fans test tennis’s staid etiquette
Alexandra Eala, the first player from the Philippines to advance past the opening round of a Grand Slam, has been drawing Filipinos to her matches around the world.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Why do so many Filipinos come out to support Alex Eala? Fans I spoke with cited the virtues of kapwa and bayanihan — products of a history that has left us hungry for solidarity. Wrote about the roots of Eala mania 🇵🇭 for the @newyorker.com : www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
newyorker.com
How Alex Eala Became a Symbol of the Philippines
At only 21, the tennis phenom Alex Eala is likely already the best-ever player from Southeast Asia. Now she is seeking her first Grand Slam title at this summer’s U.S. Open.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Spoke with Alex Eala’s coaches, teachers, and fans for this @newyorker.com story about how she has risen through a sport dominated by wealthier countries: www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
newyorker.com
How Alex Eala Became a Symbol of the Philippines
At only 21, the tennis phenom Alex Eala is likely already the best-ever player from Southeast Asia. Now she is seeking her first Grand Slam title at this summer’s U.S. Open.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Wrote about how football coaches are adapting to concerns about CTE: wapo.st/4gJe4uf
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Wrote about why Alex Eala means so much to Filipinos: www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
newyorker.com
How Alex Eala Became a Symbol of the Philippines
At only 21, the tennis phenom Alex Eala is likely already the best-ever player from Southeast Asia. Now she is seeking her first Grand Slam title at this summer’s U.S. Open.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Wrote about people trying to get last-minute World Cup Final tickets outside the stadium: wapo.st/4pqGVY0
wapo.st
The World Cup final was minutes away. How much would it cost to get in?
For fans trying to get last-minute tickets to the most expensive soccer match in history, a crowded market tested their devotion — and their bank accounts.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Wrote about people trying to get last-minute World Cup Final tickets outside the stadium: wapo.st/4pqGVY0
wapo.st
The World Cup final was minutes away. How much would it cost to get in?
For fans trying to get last-minute tickets to the most expensive soccer match in history, a crowded market tested their devotion — and their bank accounts.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Trump booed at World Cup Final
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
“England fans were anxious about coming to Mexico. What they encountered was a soccer lover’s paradise inhabited by kindred spirits.” Wrote about the bonds forged in Mexico City last weekend: wapo.st/44qfdB7
wapo.st
English fans thought they were soccer-mad. Then they went to Mexico.
Ahead of the Sunday showdown, England fans were anxious about coming to Mexico. What they encountered was a soccer lover’s paradise inhabited by kindred spirits.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
First time since 1990 the World Cup’s four semifinalists are all former champions
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
How are visiting soccer fans experiencing their World Cup vacation in Trump’s America? I spoke with more than 100 fans from more than a dozen countries, including some on the travel ban list. Here’s my story in @newyorker.com www.newyorker.com/sports/world...
newyorker.com
How Tourists Are Experiencing Trump’s World Cup
Ahead of its co-hosting duties, the U.S. imposed strict travel restrictions on dozens of countries, including four participating in the tournament. Here’s what millions of visiting soccer fans encount...
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
My dispatch from Mexico City, where I embedded with the lads: wapo.st/4f26FVZ
wapo.st
English fans thought they were soccer-mad. Then they went to Mexico.
Ahead of the Sunday showdown, England fans were anxious about coming to Mexico. What they encountered was a soccer lover’s paradise inhabited by kindred spirits.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
For World Cup countries on Trump’s travel ban, like Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, diasporas have tried to “cheer twice as loud.” I reported on the absence of tourists from those places, & the experiences of those from elsewhere, for @newyorker.com: www.newyorker.com/sports/world...
newyorker.com
How Tourists Are Experiencing Trump’s World Cup
Ahead of its co-hosting duties, the U.S. imposed strict travel restrictions on dozens of countries, including four participating in the tournament. Here’s what millions of visiting soccer fans encount...
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
After the match, Mexico fans waited in the concourse to congratulate England fans:
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
England and Mexico fans united in their feelings about Argentina:
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
a smooth & festive transit ride to Estadio Azteca — easier, faster, and much much cheaper than Boston and Jersey!
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
As Mpasi puts together another masterpiece, here’s a story on him and other breakout keepers:
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
“Journeymen goalkeepers from African and Caribbean nations are becoming the breakout stars of this year’s tournament, standing strong against richer nations’ teams.” My story on World Cup underdogs: wapo.st/4xNT1hN
wapo.st
The old, unknown goalkeepers shutting down World Cup giants
Journeymen goalkeepers from African and Caribbean nations are becoming the breakout stars of this year’s tournament, standing strong against richer nations’ teams.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
strong words at the colonial derby lol
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
“For visitors who have plunked down thousands on travel, not to mention the most expensive tickets in World Cup history, food is one cost they can control.” My story on visiting fans turning to American fast-food to save money: wapo.st/3QihXx8
wapo.st
World Cup visitors marvel at American food, from cheesesteaks to cheese slices
After going broke on tickets, there’s only one way for these fans to save a buck: cheap (and greasy) eats.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Fans from Senegal are famous for traveling in huge numbers with their national team. In NJ today, fewer than 10% of spectators were in Senegal green. But you could hear every one of them on this goal:
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Spoke to more than a dozen Senegal fans before the France match today — all immigrants living in the US or children of immigrants. Nearly everyone said they had family in Senegal who wanted to come but couldn’t due to the US tourist visa ban.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
If you’re curious about Cape Verde after that historic showing in its World Cup debut, I spoke with the team’s players and the country’s people about football culture on the archipelago: www.cntraveler.com/story/to-und...
cntraveler.com
To Understand Cape Verde's Soccer Roots, Head to the Beach
The archipelago of Cape Verde may be small, but the love for beach soccer is mighty—and this World Cup, the country will finally get to show off its skills.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Most of the Côte d’Ivoire fans I’ve spoken with are diaspora living in the US or Europe. One man from Abidjan had a visa from before the ban. Siahou, who immigrated to Philly when she was a teenager, said she’ll be cheering twice as loud to honor those who couldn’t come.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Ecuador fans far outnumber Côte d’Ivoire fans here in Philly, at least in part because of the US tourist visa ban. That means fewer chances for these fun moments of playful cross-cultural trash talk
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Edwin’s first cheesesteak. He heard about Pat’s on TikTok.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Fans from Ecuador enjoying the local cuisine
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Our developing dispatch from the happiest city in the world: wapo.st/44cuNQw
wapo.st
New Yorkers flood the city as Knicks win improbable NBA title
New York’s unlikely title run fueled epic celebrations, sky-high ticket prices and celebrities galore. Now comes the real party.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Soon as the Brazil-Morocco match in NJ ended, a rush to the exits, a bunch of folks running to catch the Knicks
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Dueling chants en route to the Brazil-Morocco match in NJ
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
“Maybe I was doomed to cycle through well-trodden paths crammed with fellow seekers, wandering in futile search of even the smallest whiff of discovery, desperate for surprise but seeing only what others have shown me.” A Japan travelog: open.substack.com/pub/samaha/p...
open.substack.com
Looking For An Authentic Local Experience In Japan? Try A Basketball Game.
A Japan travelog
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
On-the-ground reporting on how Knicks fans have experienced this magical run:  Brooklyn’s hottest Knicks bar: wapo.st/4dCcp9r Wemby as NYC’s latest villain: wapo.st/4vsfxuB Trump getting booed: wapo.st/4vbGwLk Parties out in the streets: wapo.st/3S4XA74
wapo.st
A Brooklyn sports bar starring Spike Lee, the mayor and, suddenly, joy
Fans of the Knicks and Arsenal have long experienced disappointment. They finally have reasons to cheer.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
“we’re just a happy city with some happy people” — scenes from last night’s celebration: wapo.st/4xn6ixu
wapo.st
An epic Knicks comeback sparked an epic New York night
For much of Wednesday night, it seemed the Knicks were suddenly cursed again. Then the team, and the city, roared to life.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
My dispatch from the post-game mayhem: wapo.st/4xn6ixu
wapo.st
An epic Knicks comeback sparked an epic New York night
For much of Wednesday night, it seemed the Knicks were suddenly cursed again. Then the team, and the city, roared to life.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
when the Spurs bus rolled by
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
“Knicks in five”
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
greatest city in the world
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
prophetic
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
This question has been definitively answered wapo.st/4upc1Ab
wapo.st
Can Knicks fans find it in their hearts to hate Victor Wembanyama?
It’s a grand tradition that spans generations. But how will Knicks fans turn the Spurs’ lovable star into a villain?
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
lol
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Knicks fans greeting their new favorite villain Wemby
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Some folks showed up as early as 2pm to get a good spot at the MSG watch party, only to learn around 3:30pm that it has been cancelled.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Spurs might have won the game but getting absolutely mauled by these NYC teens outside their bus
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
They showed Trump during the anthem. He got louder boos than the Spurs.
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
presumably the suite with the bulletproof glass is where Trump will be sitting
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Albert Samaha @samaha.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
The fences really change the vibe: yesterday vs today
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