Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, manager of Al-Hilal's first football team, has decided to continue excluding Brazilian star Marcos Leonardo from the squad preparing for the highly anticipated derby match against Al-Ittihad. This encounter, part of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, will be held at the Kingdom Arena, Al-Hilal's home ground, in a match of particular significance and importance to both teams' pursuit of the title.

This marks the sixth consecutive exclusion of the Brazilian player by a direct technical decision from coach Inzaghi, confirming his complete exclusion from the coaching staff's plans at this stage. The roots of this crisis can be traced back to the last winter transfer window in January, when relations between the two parties became noticeably strained following Leonardo's failed transfer to Atlético Madrid. This incident cast a shadow over the player's technical and mental stability within the capital club.

In a related development, sources revealed that the technical staff's anger towards Marcos Leonardo intensified after he rejected the European offer, at a time when Al-Hilal's management bolstered its ranks with a high-profile signing: French star Karim Benzema from their arch-rivals, Al-Ittihad. This signing altered the team's attacking strategy and forced coach Inzaghi to reshuffle his tactical plans, relying on different players more suited to his new strategies, thus significantly diminishing Leonardo's chances of playing.

The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad match holds immense importance, transcending mere three points; it represents a historic and fiercely competitive rivalry between the two giants of Saudi football. Al-Hilal enters the match with high morale after securing a crucial victory in the previous round against Al-Ettifaq, winning 2-0 at the same stadium. This victory strengthens the "Leader's" desire to continue their winning streak and reaffirm their domestic dominance, especially under the guidance of Italian coach Inzaghi, who seeks to impose his tactical vision in high-stakes matches.

A large crowd is expected at the Kingdom Arena for the match, given its importance and the direct impact of its result on the Roshan League standings. Al-Hilal will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the readiness of their new signings to secure a victory in this classic encounter. Meanwhile, the future of Marcus Leonardo remains uncertain as he continues to be excluded from the squad and his participation with the Blue team is frozen out.

The match between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Fateh, in the exciting encounter that brought the two teams together as part of the twenty-third round of the Saudi Professional League, witnessed a remarkable moment in which the young star Khaled Al-Ghannam was the hero, on the grounds of the “Ego” stadium, the stronghold of the captains.

Cameras and sports commentators captured an unusual gesture from Khalid Al-Ghannam immediately after he scored a brilliant goal against Al-Fateh. Instead of simply celebrating with his teammates or the fans, the player, in a gesture that surprised and impressed observers, headed towards the opposing team's bench to greet Al-Fateh's coach, the Portuguese José Gomes, in a scene that reflects high sportsmanship and perhaps a relationship of mutual respect, despite the intense competition on the pitch.

This goal confirms Khalid Al-Ghannam's continued impressive form with Al-Ettifaq this season in the Saudi Professional League. The player has not only showcased his technical skills but has also demonstrated significant attacking effectiveness, making him a key player in the team's lineup. His goal against Al-Fateh further solidified his position as one of the league's most prominent local players this season.

The numbers speak for themselves: Khaled Al-Ghannam has played 21 matches in the current Roshan Professional League season, delivering outstanding performances. He has scored 8 crucial goals and provided 4 assists for his teammates, bringing his total goal contributions to 12 – a significant improvement in the young player's career.

This match and Al-Ghannam's performance take on special significance given the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League, which is witnessing an unprecedented qualitative leap with the presence of a constellation of world-class stars. The brilliance of local players like Khalid Al-Ghannam amidst this stellar lineup offers a positive indication for the future of Saudi football, confirming the Saudi player's ability to prove himself and make a difference in the toughest matches against the fiercest opponents.

It is worth noting that such ethical actions on the field, such as Al-Ghannam’s greeting to coach Gomez, enhance the values ​​of sportsmanship in the Saudi League and add a human dimension to the competition, making the Roshan League not just an arena for football competition, but a platform for presenting honorable examples of sportsmanship.

The management of Al-Qadisiyah Club announced that it has received an official letter from the Saudi Handball Federation confirming the selection of the club's first team to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the 42nd Gulf Clubs Handball Championship. The Kingdom of Bahrain is scheduled to host this highly anticipated edition from March 25th to April 3rd, amidst great public anticipation for the Gulf handball competitions.

This well-deserved nomination is the culmination of Benucades' exceptional season, during which the team dominated the first division, winning the title with a perfect record. The team achieved a remarkable feat by winning all 18 of its matches without a single defeat or draw, reflecting the players' high level of technical and physical readiness and the club's administrative stability.

This participation is of paramount importance given the fierce competition in Gulf handball championships, as the Gulf states, particularly Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, are among the formidable forces in this sport at the Asian level. The tournament presents a valuable opportunity for Al-Qadisiyah to gain exposure to diverse playing styles and acquire international experience, which will bolster the club's strong return to the forefront of Saudi sports across various disciplines, in line with the significant transformation underway in the Kingdom's sports sector.

Commenting on the event, Al-Qadisiyah handball team manager Naif Jassim stated, "We appreciate the federation's confidence in selecting our team for this important tournament, and we strive to deliver a strong performance worthy of the club's name and Saudi handball." Jassim added, emphasizing the seriousness of the preparations, "This participation represents a new opportunity to enhance Al-Qadisiyah's presence internationally and raise the profile of Saudi sports in regional arenas. We will begin early to prepare the team optimally, both technically and physically. Our goal is not merely participation, but competing for the title and bringing joy to Al-Qadisiyah's loyal fans.".

It is worth noting that the Gulf handball championships always enjoy wide public interest, especially when they are held in Bahrain, which has a broad fan base for the game. This places on the nation's representative the responsibility of appearing in an honorable manner that reflects the development of Saudi handball.