Al-Ittihad's Serbian goalkeeper, Predrag Rajkovic, has ignited early excitement ahead of the highly anticipated Saudi Arabian football derby against arch-rivals Al-Hilal. His fiery remarks came after his team's hard-fought victory over Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League, sending a strong message to the league leaders.

Rajkovic led Al-Ittihad to a valuable 2-1 victory over Al-Fayha at Al-Inma Stadium on Friday evening in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri scored his first league goal for Al-Ittihad in the 36th minute, before Zambian Fashion Sakala equalized for Al-Fayha. However, defender Hassan Kadash became the hero, scoring the decisive winning goal seven minutes before the final whistle.

A message of defiance before the Clasico match

In televised remarks following the match, Rajkovic dismissed any suggestion of fear in facing league leaders Al-Hilal, confidently stating, "We will fight and we will go for the win. We are not afraid; we are the champions from last season, and we are still the champions." These words underscore Al-Ittihad's desire to defend their title, despite the significant points gap this season.

The goalkeeper spoke about the physical difficulties the team faced against Al-Fayha, pointing to the impact of playing a tough match just three days earlier against Al-Gharafa of Qatar in the AFC Champions League, stressing that the most important thing in such circumstances is to collect the three points regardless of the performance.

The importance of El Clásico and the league standings calculations

The upcoming derby in the 23rd round takes on paramount importance that transcends mere three points; it represents a historic clash between the two giants of Saudi football. Al-Ittihad, currently in sixth place with 37 points, aims to close the gap and improve their position to secure an Asian Champions League spot, while Al-Hilal sits comfortably atop the table with a 16-point lead over Al-Ittihad. This makes the match an opportunity for Al-Ittihad to prove themselves and halt Al-Hilal's winning streak.

Al-Ittihad fans are counting on the fighting spirit the team showed in the final minutes against Al-Fayha, in addition to the harmony of the new winter signings such as Youssef En-Nesyri, to present a different face in the Clasico and reconcile with the fans after the fluctuating results in the past period.

Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, who plays for Al-Ittihad's first football team, ignited excitement early before the anticipated Clasico against their traditional rival, Al-Hilal, after leading the "Dean" squad to a valuable and hard-fought victory over Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League.

A hard-fought victory and a final rehearsal before the summit

Al-Ittihad secured a valuable three points with a 2-1 victory over Al-Fayha at Al-Inma Stadium on Friday evening in the 22nd round of the league. The match saw Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri score his first league goal for Al-Ittihad in the 36th minute, marking his first goal for the club since joining during the winter transfer window. Despite Al-Fayha equalizing through Zambian Fashion Sakala in the 55th minute, defender Hassan Kadash played the hero, scoring the decisive winning goal seven minutes before the final whistle.

Rajkovic challenges Al-Hilal: The champion's character never dies

In televised remarks following the match, Rajkovic delivered a strong message to their upcoming opponents, emphasizing that his team would enter the derby with only one goal in mind: victory. The Serbian goalkeeper stated, "We will fight and we will go for the win. We are not afraid; we are the champions from last season, and we remain the champions." These words reflect Al-Ittihad's desire to regain its prestige and close the technical and psychological gap before the crucial encounter.

The context of El Clásico and the challenges facing Al-Ittihad

The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Hilal match carries exceptional significance that transcends the mere three points at stake; it represents the pinnacle of Saudi football and a historic battle for supremacy. Despite Al-Ittihad trailing league leaders Al-Hilal by 16 points this season, Rajkovic's statements indicate that "Al-Ittihad" will play for pride and the club's history, especially as the team enters the match as the reigning champions of the previous season's league, a title in which Rajkovic played a pivotal role.

Fatigue and match pressure

Rajkovic didn't shy away from discussing the team's physical condition, pointing to the impact of their continental participation, noting that they had played a tough match just three days prior against Al-Gharafa of Qatar in the AFC Champions League. He explained that fatigue was evident against Al-Fayha, but the team's character ultimately prevailed, a quality Al-Ittihad fans are counting on to face Al-Hilal's formidable attack in the upcoming 23rd round.

As the clock ticks faster, signaling the approach of the biggest football event, the eyes of football fans are turning towards the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where preparations are underway for the 2026 World Cup finals. Amid this global anticipation, Argentine star Lionel Messi has returned to the forefront of the sports scene, not with a legendary goal this time, but with a simple symbolic gesture on social media platforms, which was enough to ignite speculation about his international future.

Mysterious message via LEGO

On Saturday, the Argentine captain posted a photo and video on his official Instagram account showcasing a World Cup trophy meticulously crafted from Lego bricks. Messi captioned the post with a brief but meaningful message: "We did it." What caught the eye most was a small figurine inside the model, wearing Argentina's iconic sky-blue and white jersey and embracing the trophy – a gesture interpreted by millions of his followers as a subtle message confirming Messi's desire to defend his country's title in the upcoming World Cup.

Between recovery and World Cup ambition

This controversial digital appearance comes at a time when the Inter Miami star is undergoing a period of recovery, carefully balancing physical rest with mental relaxation. Messi recently suffered a minor strain in his left hamstring during a friendly match, prompting the medical staff to rest him and postpone his participation in subsequent friendlies. This cautious approach is interpreted as a long-term strategy to keep the legend fit for an exceptional year, as he seeks to avoid any risks that could jeopardize his career in its final stages.

Qatar's 2022 legacy and the challenge of the new edition

This event cannot be separated from its recent historical context, as fans still vividly remember Argentina's triumph at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the missing piece in Messi's illustrious career. With the new format of the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams for the first time, the challenges and excitement are even greater. The tournament, scheduled for June 11 to July 19, will be played in 12 groups, opening the door to major upsets and opportunities for ambitious teams.

Argentina's group and a date with history

According to the current tournament schedule, Argentina will compete in Group J, alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. This lineup presents Messi and his teammates with a diverse array of footballing styles, ranging from European powerhouses to ambitious Arab and African teams. The most pressing question on everyone's mind is: will North American stadiums be the stage for Messi's final act, marking the end of an unparalleled footballing saga? Only time will tell.