Tonight, all eyes in Saudi Arabia will be on the Kingdom Arena, which will host a highly anticipated clash between league leaders Al-Hilal and their arch-rivals Al-Ahli, in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. This match, known as the "Clásico," carries added significance for both teams in their pursuit of the league title this season.

Historical background and renewed competition

The rivalry between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli stretches back decades, as they represent two of the giants of Saudi football. Their encounters have always been characterized by intense competition, excitement, and large fan attendance. Today's match comes as Al-Hilal seeks to consolidate its lead and widen the gap with its closest rivals, while Al-Ahli hopes to achieve a positive result that will bring it back into contention and close the gap with the leading teams.

Jesus's statements and concerns ahead of the summit

In the pre-match press conference, Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, discussed his team's preparations, revealing some of the challenges they face. Jesus explained that the participation of one of the key players remains uncertain, saying, "I don't know yet whether one of our players will be ready for the upcoming match against Al-Ahli." He indicated that the final decision regarding his participation will be based on an assessment of his condition in the final training session before the match, emphasizing that the team will continue to work hard regardless of any absences.

The set-piece crisis is troubling Al-Hilal's defense

Jesus didn't hesitate to acknowledge a weakness the team is working to address, saying, "Al-Hilal has been struggling recently with conceding too many goals from set pieces." He added, "We are analyzing these errors and working intensively to correct them during current training sessions to avoid repeating them in an important match like the one against Al-Ahli, who have excellent players in that area.".

Expected impact of the match

The outcome of this derby will have a significant impact on the league standings. A victory for Al-Hilal would be a major blow to their rivals' ambitions and a confirmation of their dominance, while a win for Al-Ahli would give them a huge morale boost and great confidence to finish the season. Jesus concluded his remarks by emphasizing his team's objective, saying: "Our goal is clear: to win against Al-Ahli and secure the three points in order to maintain our position at the top of the Roshan Professional League standings this season.".

Jesus temporarily closes the door on a Benzema deal

Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al-Hilal, made decisive statements regarding the rumors circulating about his club's interest in signing French striker Karim Benzema, star of Al-Ittihad, during the transfer window. In the press conference preceding one of the team's matches in the Saudi Professional League, Jesus temporarily put an end to the speculation, emphasizing his complete focus on his current team.

When asked directly about the possibility of signing Benzema, Jesus said, “I won’t talk about players who aren’t on my team. My focus is entirely on Al-Hilal players, and he’s currently not in my plans .” This statement reflects the professional approach of top coaches, who avoid discussing players under contract with rival clubs, respecting regulations and maintaining team stability.

Background to the rumors and Benzema's uncertain future

These speculations come amidst a period of uncertainty surrounding Karim Benzema's future with Al-Ittihad. Following his high-profile transfer from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013 as one of the key players in the Saudi sports project, the Ballon d'Or winner has faced challenges adapting, coinciding with a decline in the team's performance. International media reports have indicated tension in his relationship with the management and his potential desire for a new challenge, opening the door for major clubs, most notably Al-Hilal, to monitor the situation. The prospect of Benzema joining their arch-rivals Al-Hilal makes these rumors even more intriguing and attracts significant attention from fans and the media.

Al-Hilal's continued ambition to strengthen its ranks

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal, the Roshan League leaders, continue their ambitious policy of bolstering their squad with top players to maintain their domestic dominance and compete strongly on the continental stage. Despite already possessing a formidable attacking arsenal, including Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, Brazilian Malcom, and the injured Neymar Jr., the club's management is constantly seeking opportunities to enhance the team's quality. The linking of Al-Hilal to a global star of Karim Benzema's caliber aligns with the club's strategy of attracting big names, which explains the frequent appearance of such transfer rumors.

The potential impact of the deal on Saudi football

If this deal goes through, it will undoubtedly cause a radical shift in the balance of power in the Saudi league. Benzema's move to Al-Hilal would not only represent a massive boost to the "Leaders'" attacking prowess, but would also deliver a significant blow to Al-Ittihad's project and its standing as a major contender. Regionally and internationally, this move would be the talk of the global sports world, reaffirming the immense appeal of the Saudi league and its ability to produce unexpected footballing events, thus solidifying its position as one of the world's top leagues.

The city of Dammam will host the Kingdom's Weightlifting Championship for seniors from February 2nd to 7th, along with the preliminary championships for junior and youth categories. This championship marks the opening event of the 2026 weightlifting season in the Kingdom, featuring a large number of participants including 333 weightlifters representing 19 clubs from across the country, in a sporting gathering that reflects the rapid growth of the sport.

Background and development of weightlifting in the Kingdom

This championship comes as part of a comprehensive strategy led by the Saudi Weightlifting Federation, aimed at expanding the sport's base and increasing its popularity. These efforts align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program, both of which place great emphasis on strengthening the sports sector and encouraging community participation in various physical activities. Over the past years, Saudi weightlifting has witnessed remarkable development through the organization of regular local championships, the provision of advanced infrastructure, and the recruitment of highly qualified coaches, all of which have contributed to honing young talent and preparing champions capable of competing internationally.

The importance of the tournament and its future impact

The importance of the championship extends beyond simply competing for gold medals; it serves as a vital platform for discovering and developing promising talent. By including junior and youth categories, the Saudi Weightlifting Federation ensures a continuous flow of champions and the formation of a second tier of athletes for the national teams. These competitions provide an ideal opportunity for athletes to showcase their technical and physical abilities to national team committees, with the aim of joining the Saudi national team and representing the Kingdom in upcoming regional and international events, such as the Asian Games, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.

Expected local and regional impact

At the local level, the tournament contributes to fostering a competitive spirit among clubs and revitalizing the sporting movement in the Eastern Province. The participation of 19 clubs from various regions reflects the game's broad geographical reach, a positive indicator of the federation's successful plans to promote the sport. Regionally, the success of such tournaments strengthens the Kingdom's position as a leading sporting hub in the region and underscores its ability to organize and host major sporting events, paving the way for even greater achievements befitting the name of Saudi Arabian sports.