Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Saturday, for the highly anticipated match between Al-Fateh and Al-Qadisiyah, which concludes the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This encounter carries added significance, not only because it's a battle for three points to improve their standings, but also because it represents a mini-derby for clubs in the Eastern Province, adding a special, passionate atmosphere and attracting large crowds.

Before the opening whistle, the statistics reveal the contours of the historical rivalry between the two teams. Head-to-head records indicate a slight advantage for Al-Fateh, who have dominated in a greater number of matches compared to Al-Qadisiyah. This historical advantage puts Al-Fateh under pressure to maintain their positive record, while giving Al-Qadisiyah added incentive to break the deadlock and close the gap in their head-to-head record.

According to official statistics from previous encounters, the two teams have met in 20 matches across various domestic competitions, and the results of these encounters are as follows:

• 9 victories in favor of Al-Fateh team, reflecting its high ability to win derbies in recent years.
• 6 victories and is striving to increase its tally of victories and get closer to its competitor's record.
• Five matches ended in a draw, indicating that competitiveness was present in approximately a quarter of the encounters between the two teams.

This match comes amidst the significant development witnessed by the Saudi Professional League, where every game has become a major sporting event attracting widespread local and regional attention. The Saudi League is no longer merely a local competition; it has transformed into a global arena featuring elite players, thus elevating the technical value of each encounter. In this context, Al-Qadisiyah aims to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans, as well as their current form, to close the historical gap, while Al-Fateh aspires to maintain their dominance and secure all three points, which could prove crucial in their league campaign this season.

Tomorrow’s match is not limited to the 90 minutes on the pitch, but is an extension of a long history of fair competition between the two prestigious clubs, as the sports fans await crucial details that may change the digital map of direct confrontations between them.

In a remarkable development within the corridors of the Saudi Al-Hilal club, Uruguayan professional Darwin Nunez has made his final decision regarding his future with the club, rejecting the official offer presented to him by the Turkish club Fenerbahce to join its ranks during the current winter transfer window, which is still open in the Turkish league, sparking widespread controversy in sports circles.

Details of Fenerbahce's offer and Nunez's stance

The interest of the prestigious Turkish club in signing Núñez stemmed from the current situation in Al-Hilal's attack, especially after the Riyadh-based club announced the signing of veteran French striker Karim Benzema. Fenerbahçe's management anticipated that Benzema's arrival would reduce Núñez's playing time, potentially facilitating his departure. However, the Uruguayan striker surprised everyone with his shocking decision to stay and compete for his place in the Al-Hilal squad, affirming his commitment to his contract and his desire to win more titles with the Blue team.

Flamengo of Brazil and the financial obstacle

Fenerbahçe wasn't the only club vying for Núñez; Brazilian side Flamengo had also entered the negotiations earlier. Reliable Brazilian journalist Gabriel Urvão revealed the behind-the-scenes details that led to the deal's collapse, indicating that Flamengo's management had indeed inquired about the possibility of loaning the player. Urvão explained via his social media accounts that the main obstacle was Núñez's hefty salary at Al-Hilal, amounting to €16 million annually—a figure exceeding the financial capabilities of South American clubs, making the transfer virtually impossible.

Nunez's numbers and his career with Al-Hilal

Darwin Nunez, 26, joined Al-Hilal from Liverpool in a high-profile transfer last summer, part of Saudi Arabia's major sporting boom aimed at attracting top international stars. Since donning the blue jersey, the international player has featured in 22 matches across all competitions, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists for his teammates, accumulating a total of 1487 minutes of playing time. While opinions vary on his goal-scoring record, his determination to stay reflects his desire to improve his statistics and prove his worth alongside the team's established stars.

General context and impact of global deals

This activity in the transfer market is part of the overall landscape of the Saudi Professional League, which has become a preferred destination for the world's top football stars. The presence of names of the caliber of Karim Benzema and Darwin Núñez in the same team enhances Al-Hilal's competitiveness not only domestically, but also continentally and globally, and presents the coaching staff with the positive challenge of selecting the optimal lineup to ensure continued dominance in championships.

This week, the eyes of equestrian enthusiasts around the world are turning to Saudi Arabia, specifically the historic AlUla region, which is preparing to host the seventh edition of the Defender Endurance Championship. This prominent sporting event, jointly organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Saudi Equestrian Federation, and under the direct supervision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), reaffirms AlUla's position as a leading global destination for heritage and traditional sports.

The global event returns to the land of civilizations

After a period of anticipation, the championship returns, bringing with it an atmosphere of excitement and challenge to the Mohammed Yousef Naghi Equestrian Village – Al Fursan. The competitions will take place on February 7th and 8th, 2026, with a wide participation of approximately 300 riders representing more than 70 countries, competing on their purebred Arabian horses. This edition is of exceptional importance, as it represents the most prominent preparatory stage and the true test before AlUla hosts an even bigger event, the World Endurance Championship, scheduled for next November.

Historical depth and tourist and sporting significance

This championship is more than just a sporting event; it's an extension of a rich cultural heritage. AlUla has been linked to horses for thousands of years, a fact documented by the rock carvings scattered throughout its mountains and valleys, which tell stories of the relationship between the Arab people and their steeds. Hosting such championships enhances the Kingdom's presence on the international sports map and supports the sports tourism sector within the Kingdom's ambitious vision. The race route passes through breathtaking natural and historical landmarks, most notably the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra and the famous Elephant Rock.

Competition details and challenge routes

The tournament's courses were designed to be among the most challenging and beautiful in the world, with the competitions spread over two days:

• Day 1 (Saturday, February 7): The *CEI2* 120km race, with 200 participants, will test the speed and harmony between rider and horse.
• Day 2 (Sunday, February 8): The challenge intensifies with the 160km *CEI3 race, featuring 95 riders, which is the ultimate test of endurance and effort management to reach the finish line.

Elite Knights and Official Statements

The championship will witness the participation of prominent names in the world of endurance riding, led by the Frenchwoman Melody Theulissa, ranked number one in the world, and the Dutchman Marek Visser, the European champion, along with the German champion Sabrina Arnold, and the rising Saudi talent Muhannad Al-Salmi.

In this context, Dr. Anas Hassan, Technical Advisor at the Saudi Equestrian Federation, affirmed that the event adheres to the highest international standards and embodies the deep-rooted equestrian heritage of the Kingdom. For his part, Rami Al-Muallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate, noted that the championship presents a unique model that blends sport, nature, and history.

Ziad Al-Suhaibani, CEO of the sports sector at the Royal Commission, concluded by emphasizing that this championship represents the culmination of efforts to build a world-class equestrian system, and a pivotal milestone in a busy year leading up to hosting the World Championship.