Saudi football fans will turn their attention to the Kingdom's various stadiums tomorrow, Monday, to follow the start of the 21st round of the Yellow League for First Division clubs for the 2025-2026 season. This round is of paramount importance as it comes at a crucial stage of the league, where the contours of the competition are beginning to take clear shape, both in the battle for promotion to the Saudi Professional League and in the fight to avoid relegation to the Second Division.

Abha and Al-Zulfi: Ambition for the top and the challenge of surprises

Abha FC continues its impressive run this season, entering tomorrow's match at the top of the league table with 51 points. The southern team aims to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to extend their winning streak and take another step closer to promotion back to the top flight. Meanwhile, Al-Zulfi, currently in tenth place with 25 points, arrives as the visiting team. While the match appears to favor the league leaders on paper, Al-Zulfi hopes to pull off an upset and derail Abha's impressive run.

The summit of Qassim and Hail... Al Jabalayn and Al Bukayriyah

The round features a heavyweight clash between Al-Jabalain and Al-Bukairiyah, a match crucial for both teams as they look to close the gap in the title race. Al-Jabalain enters the game in fifth place with 36 points, while Al-Bukairiyah trails closely behind in sixth with 33 points. A win in this encounter would significantly boost either side's chances of securing a top-four finish and seriously competing for promotion.

The struggle for promotion: Al-Ula, Diriyah, and Al-Urouba

In the ongoing pursuit of the league leader, the top three teams (Al-Diriyah, Al-Ula, and Al-Urooba) face varying challenges:

• Al-Diriyah vs. Al-Jandal: Al-Diriyah (the runner-up) enters with 43 points and his sights are set on the three points to continue putting pressure on Abha, taking advantage of the circumstances of his host Al-Jandal, who is suffering in the fourteenth place with 21 points.
• Al-Ula vs. Al-Batin: Al-Ula (third with 40 points) seems to have a relatively easy task on paper against Al-Batin, who are having their worst season, occupying seventeenth place with only 8 points.
• Al-Oruba vs. Al-Jubail: Al-Oruba (fourth with 40 points) faces Al-Jubail, the bottom team (8 points), in a match that cannot be divided between the two sides, as the first wants to be promoted and the second clings to the last hope of survival.

The context of the competition and the development of the Yellow League

The Yelo League has witnessed remarkable development in recent years, both technically and organizationally, becoming one of the strongest first-division leagues in the Arab region. This fierce competition reflects the significant sporting movement in Saudi Arabia, where promotion is no longer merely a sporting achievement but has transformed into an investment and development project for the clubs and the cities they represent. This round is a pivotal juncture that could determine which teams are most likely to secure qualification for the Roshan League, which has become a strategic objective for all participating clubs due to the substantial financial and fan-related returns associated with competing among the elite.

Recent international press reports have revealed that Brazilian star Neymar da Silva, former player of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal and recently signed to Brazilian club Santos, has made a decisive and final decision regarding his career in the coming period, with the aim of maintaining his maximum technical and physical readiness in preparation for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Sources reported that Neymar informed the management of his club, Santos, of his categorical refusal to play any matches on artificial turf fields, justifying this by his extreme fear of suffering a new health setback or muscle injury that could thwart his great dream of representing his country in the upcoming World Cup, which is scheduled to be jointly organized by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Medical concerns and history of injuries

This decision stems from the player's desire to avoid risk, as he seeks to minimize injuries, especially after his long struggles with knee and ligament problems in recent years. It is medically known that playing on artificial turf increases pressure on joints and ligaments compared to natural grass, posing a greater risk to players returning from long-term injuries, such as the one Neymar previously suffered with Al-Hilal.

Last chance and sixth title

The 2026 World Cup holds exceptional importance for Neymar, as it is seen as the Brazilian maestro's "final dance" on the international stage. Brazil, which hasn't lifted the trophy since 2002, is striving to reclaim its former glory and win its sixth star. Neymar understands that leading the Seleção in this tournament requires him to be at his physical peak, far removed from the physiotherapy rooms that have plagued much of his career.

Ancelotti and the national team squad

The same source continued, explaining that Neymar has his sights set on the final list for the Samba team, noting that the Brazilian national team coach, Carlo Ancelotti, will announce the list at the beginning of next month, which puts additional pressure on the player to prove his readiness without suffering any sudden setbacks that would disrupt his international return.

Liverpool received unwelcome news from Ligue 1, as young defender Jérémy Jacquet , the Reds' new signing currently on loan at Rennes, suffered a serious shoulder injury. The injury occurred during his team's match against Lens in Ligue 1 on Saturday, raising concerns about the player's fitness ahead of his expected move to Anfield this summer.

Details of the injury and Rennes' fall

The match, which ended in a 3-1 defeat for Rennes, was a dramatic affair for the young defender. In the second half, Jacquet suffered a horrific fall on his shoulder, clearly in excruciating pain, and was forced to leave the pitch immediately. This wasn't Rennes' only injury; their woes were compounded by the injury to teammate Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal.

Habib Bey emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "Jérémy injured his shoulder, while Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal suffered a muscle injury." The coach added, with a concerned tone, "We'll see what happens after the tests, but initial indications suggest that their injuries are indeed serious," raising questions about the players' recovery time.

Liverpool hit by a severe defensive crisis

This news comes at a particularly difficult time for Liverpool, who are already suffering from an unprecedented injury crisis in their back line. The team, currently sixth in the Premier League table, are preparing for a crucial match against Manchester City this Sunday.

Liverpool enters this crucial match missing four of its key defenders due to a series of injuries: Giovanni Leone , Joe Gomez , Jeremy Frimpong , and Conor Bradley . Jacquet's injury is a significant blow to the club's future plans, as the coaching staff had hoped for his return in the summer to bolster this weakened defense. However, this latest injury could disrupt preseason preparations and present additional medical challenges for Liverpool's medical team.

Impact of the injury on the player's future

Loan spells are crucial for the development of young players, and Jacquet's loan to Rennes was intended to provide him with experience and exposure in a competitive league like Ligue 1. However, his serious shoulder injury could hinder his physical development and delay his adaptation to the Premier League upon his return. Liverpool fans are anxiously awaiting the results of thorough medical tests to determine whether the injury will require surgery, potentially sidelining him for an extended period, or if it will only require an intensive rehabilitation program to allow him to return during pre-season training.