In a shocking surprise that shook the Saudi and international sports scene, veteran French star Karim Benzema, winner of the Ballon d'Or, expressed his great happiness at joining the ranks of Al-Hilal Club, the leader of Asia, during the current winter transfer period, after ending his career with Al-Ittihad Club.

Benzema's first appearance wearing the Al-Hilal logo

Al-Hilal's official social media accounts released a promotional video featuring the French striker wearing the club's jersey and addressing the club's vast fan base. Benzema said in the video, "Hello to the great fans, I'm happy to be moving from Jeddah to Riyadh." The global star added, emphasizing his excitement for this new experience, "I'm happy to join Al-Hilal and I look forward to seeing you soon.".

Details of the deal and context of the transfer

It is worth noting that Al-Hilal's management successfully secured the services of Karim Benzema on a free transfer, after the player reached an agreement to terminate his contract with Al-Ittihad in Jeddah. This transfer will bolster the attacking prowess of the Saudi club, as Benzema is considered one of the most prominent strikers in the history of modern football, thanks to his legendary career with Real Madrid and the French national team.

The dimensions of the deal and its impact on the Saudi League

The transfer of a player of Karim Benzema's caliber from Jeddah giants Al-Ittihad to Riyadh giants Al-Hilal carries significant implications, underscoring the dynamic nature and high level of competitiveness that now characterize the Saudi Professional League. This deal is particularly important given the historic rivalry between the two clubs in the "Saudi Clasico," adding further excitement and anticipation to upcoming matches.

From a technical standpoint, Benzema's arrival at Al-Hilal represents a major qualitative addition to the coach's squad. The player possesses vast field experience and an exceptional ability to create plays and score goals from half-chances. His presence in Riyadh is expected to give Al-Hilal a significant boost to their ambitions of competing for all domestic and continental titles, especially the AFC Champions League.

Global resonance and a new responsibility

This move comes as a continuation of Saudi Arabia's global attraction strategy, which has made the Saudi League a focus of international attention. Analysts view Benzema's transfer to Al-Hilal as a smart move that ensures the continued presence of international stars within the Saudi League system, thus enhancing its global market value. Al-Hilal fans eagerly await the French star's debut at the King Fahd International Stadium (also known as the "Pearl"), hoping he will lead the attack towards championship titles.

The final day of the winter transfer window witnessed exceptional activity within the corridors of Olympique de Marseille, the third-placed team in the French football league, as the southern club's management announced a series of quality signings to strengthen the team's ranks. The most prominent of these was the signing of Algerian international midfielder Haimad Abdelli and young Nigerian player Tochukwu Ndi, in a move that reflects the ambitions of Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi to compete strongly in the remainder of the season.

Himad Abdali... a new lung in the heart of the southern square

The signing of 26-year-old Algerian international Haïmad Abdelli was a strategic move, coming just five months before his contract with his former club Angers was due to expire. Abdelli signed a long-term deal that will keep him at the Stade Vélodrome until June 2030, underscoring the club's strong belief in his abilities.

In an official statement, Olympique de Marseille praised their new player's abilities, describing him as "capable of dictating the tempo, creating chances, and scoring crucial goals," noting that he has established himself as one of the most complete midfielders in Ligue 1. This signing further cements the historical relationship between the French club and Algerian players, as Marseille has historically been a preferred destination for stars of the "Desert Warriors," adding a layer of excitement and anticipation to the transfer.

International reinforcements and young talents

Marseille's ambitions didn't stop with Abdelli, as the club also announced the signing of young Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Ndi (22 years old) from Belgian side Zulte Waregem. This signing comes after the player's impressive international performances, having made his debut for the "Super Eagles" during the recent Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, giving him valuable international experience despite his young age.

These signings are part of a comprehensive plan to revamp the midfield, following Marseille's acquisition this winter of Dutchman Quentin Timber from Feyenoord to bolster an area where the team has struggled with inconsistency, aside from the outstanding performances of Dane Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. The young English talent Ethan Nwaneri has also joined the squad on loan from Arsenal, providing De Zerbi with an additional option.

A massive purge and mass departures

On the other hand, the door was wide open for departures to alleviate financial and technical burdens. The club loaned English midfielder Angel Gomes to Wolverhampton Wanderers, bottom of the Premier League, with an option to buy. Gomes had joined on a free transfer last summer after a spell with Lille and a youth academy at Manchester United, but he failed to secure a regular starting place in the French Riviera squad.

The list of departures also included Swiss left-back Ulisse Garcia and young midfielder Daryl Pakula (18 years old), both of whom moved to Italian club Sassuolo; the former on loan and the latter on a permanent transfer. Meanwhile, Sassuolo exercised their option to buy Canadian Ismaël Koné on loan, while Dane Matt O'Reilly returned to English club Brighton after an unsuccessful loan spell.

With these moves, Marseille seeks to secure a Champions League qualifying spot and try to put pressure on the leaders in the French league, relying on new blood and a clear football philosophy led by De Zerbi.

A sense of unease has gripped Al-Nassr FC and its vast fan base after the absence of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, the team's captain, from Tuesday's training session. This absence comes at a particularly critical time, as the club prepares for a high-stakes clash against arch-rivals Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Arabian football classic, scheduled for Friday evening as part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League.

Neither Al-Nassr's management nor its medical staff has issued an official statement yet explaining the reasons for "Madeira's Rocket's" absence from training, fueling speculation about his readiness for the upcoming match. This absence follows his exclusion from the previous game against Al-Riyadh, leaving coach Luis Castro in a tactical dilemma ahead of one of the season's most crucial matches.

The importance of El Clásico and the battle for the top spot

The Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad match holds immense importance, transcending its status as a traditional derby. Al-Nassr currently sits second in the Roshan League standings, just one point behind league leaders and arch-rivals Al-Hilal. Any slip-up in this classic encounter could widen the gap with Al-Hilal, making Al-Nassr's quest to reclaim the league title, which has eluded them for some time, even more difficult. Therefore, securing three points against Al-Ittihad is a lifeline and a crucial step towards maintaining pressure on the top spot.

History of confrontations and global dimension

Historically, matches between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad have always been characterized by fierce competition and excitement, and are considered among the strongest matches in the Middle East. With the recent boom in Saudi sports, this classic encounter has transformed into a global event followed by millions around the world, especially with the presence of a host of international football stars on both teams. Besides Ronaldo for Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad boasts stars like Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté, making the match a technical and tactical battle of the highest caliber.

The impact of Don's absence

There is no doubt that the absence of a player of Cristiano Ronaldo's caliber and experience will negatively impact the team's morale and attacking performance. Ronaldo is not just a goalscorer; he is an inspirational leader on the pitch, and his presence instills confidence in his teammates and disrupts the opponents' plans. Al-Nassr fans are eagerly awaiting the coming hours, hoping for reassuring news confirming their star player's return to training and his readiness to lead the team's attack on Friday night's crucial match at Al-Nassr Park.