Reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, a specialist in player transfers, confirmed that Saudi club Al-Nassr has successfully completed the signing of young Iraqi talent Haider Abdul-Karim from Iraqi club Al-Zawraa. Romano indicated via his official account on the X platform that the deal is finalized and that the player successfully passed his medical examinations. He emphasized that Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus was very keen on acquiring the player, which prompted the club's management to finalize the negotiations.

Background and context of the deal in the Saudi League

This deal comes amidst a major transformation of the Saudi Professional League, which is no longer solely focused on attracting top international stars, but is now also concentrating on recruiting promising young talents from around the world, particularly from the Arab region. This shift is part of a broader strategy aimed at raising the league's technical level in the long term and building a new generation of players capable of competing globally, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 for developing the sports sector.

Who is Haider Abdul Karim?

Twenty-one-year-old Haider Abdul Karim is considered one of the most promising rising stars in the playmaker position in Iraqi football. He has impressed with his club, Al-Zawraa, making 12 appearances this season, scoring two goals and delivering a remarkable display of tactical maturity beyond his years. Internationally, Abdul Karim has two caps for the Iraqi Olympic team (under-23), indicating that he has been on the radar of national team coaches since his early years.

The importance of the deal and its expected impact

Domestically, Abdulkarim's arrival represents a strategic addition to Al-Nassr, providing a promising future option in midfield who can develop under the guidance of an experienced coach like Jesus. Regionally, this transfer highlights the footballing talent in Iraq and opens the door for other players to move to stronger leagues, thus enhancing the standing of Iraqi football. Internationally, this deal confirms that Saudi clubs are building a comprehensive vision that doesn't rely solely on big-money signings, but also invests in young talents who can become stars in the future. The player's current market value is around €300,000 according to Transfermarkt, a value that is expected to increase significantly as his performance develops in a competitive environment like the Saudi league.

Football fans around the world will be glued to their screens on Friday, January 23, 2026, for a day packed with exciting and diverse matches across different continents. From the fierce battle for points in Europe's top leagues to the intense competition for continental glory in the CAF Champions League, and even the high ambitions of the Saudi Professional League, this day promises a rich football feast to satisfy every taste.

European clashes with different flavors

The European leagues continue their relentless pursuit of their goals as we enter the halfway point of the season. Every team is striving to achieve its objectives, whether it's competing for the title, securing a European qualification spot, or avoiding relegation. Several important matches are scheduled for today in the Spanish, Italian, and French leagues.

Spanish League: The Midfield Battle

In Spain, Levante hosts Elche in a match of great importance to both teams in the La Liga standings. Such mid-season fixtures are often crucial in determining the course of the season, as every point gained at this stage can be decisive in the fight for survival or the competition for European qualification.

• Levante vs Elche – 11:00 PM Saudi Arabia Time

Italian League: Inter seeks to strengthen its position

The Italian Serie A will witness a clash between Inter Milan, one of the giants of Italian football with its rich history, and Pisa. Inter always strives to compete strongly for the league title, and home matches are considered an ideal opportunity to secure three points and strengthen their position at the top of the standings, while Pisa aims to achieve a positive result against a tough opponent.

• Inter vs. Pisa – 10:45 PM Saudi Arabia Time

French League: Paris Saint-Germain on a new mission

In France, the star-studded Paris Saint-Germain travel to Auxerre. Matches for the Parisian side are always closely watched, given their attacking prowess and their relentless pursuit of the Ligue 1 title. Meanwhile, Auxerre will be hoping to capitalize on home advantage and a supportive crowd to pull off a major upset.

• Auxerre vs. Paris Saint-Germain – 10:00 PM Saudi Arabia Time

A fiery African night in the Champions League

The excitement continues in the group stage of the CAF Champions League, the most prestigious and important club competition in Africa. The matches in this round are crucial in determining which teams will advance to the knockout stages.

Sundowns host Al-Hilal of Sudan

In a highly anticipated clash, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, known for their distinctive attacking style, will host Sudan's Al-Hilal, a team with a massive fan base and a rich history. This encounter has become a classic of the tournament in recent years, consistently delivering fierce competition and intense battles on the pitch.

• Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al-Hilal (Sudan) – 11:00 PM Saudi Arabia Time

Al Ahly of Egypt vs. Young Africans

At their home ground in Cairo, Al Ahly of Egypt, the record holders for the most titles in the competition, will face a crucial match against Tanzania's Young Africans. The "Red Devils" always strive to reaffirm their continental dominance and secure a victory to guarantee first place in their group and ease their path in the later rounds.

• Al Ahly vs Young Africans – 7:00 PM Saudi Arabia Time

The ambition to advance ignites the Saudi Yellow League

The excitement is no less in the Saudi stadiums, where the competitions of the Yellow League for First Division clubs continue, which is witnessing fierce competition between several clubs in order to snatch the promotion tickets to the Saudi Professional League, which has become a destination for the most prominent stars of the world.

• Al-Oruba vs. Al-Bukairiyah – 3:50 PM Saudi Arabia Time
• Al-Diriyah vs. Al-Ta'i – 4:40 PM Saudi Arabia Time

Complete satisfaction and a remarkable attacking performance

Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, expressed his complete satisfaction with his players' performance after their convincing 4-1 victory over Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League. During the post-match press conference, Jesus emphasized that the team entered the game with high mental focus and successfully imposed their control and attacking style from the opening minutes, enabling them to score an early goal and deliver a strong performance against a well-organized opponent.

Background of the Blue dominance in the current season

This victory further solidifies Al Hilal's dominance at the top of the Saudi Pro League, in an exceptional season where the team has delivered high-level performances and a series of consecutive wins, placing them among the leading contenders for the title. The "Leaders" are enjoying a golden period under the leadership of Jorge Jesus, combining defensive solidity with a potent attack, benefiting from a constellation of local and international stars who joined as part of the significant development witnessed in the Saudi Pro League, raising the level of competition and attracting the attention of fans worldwide.

Confidence in the front line and future ambitions

Jesus was particularly impressed with the performance of his forwards, expressing his confidence in their abilities. He stated, “We have excellent attacking options, and everyone is working incredibly hard. Malcom and Mitrovic are performing brilliantly, and I’m very happy with their understanding and synergy on the pitch.” Regarding the winter transfer window, Jesus emphasized his complete faith in the club’s management, affirming that they are constantly working to strengthen the team with the necessary players, both in midfield and attack, to maintain the squad’s strength and enhance its competitiveness at all levels, both domestically and continentally.

The local and regional impact of Al-Hilal's successes

Al-Hilal's continued positive results not only enhance its chances of winning the domestic league but also send a strong message to its rivals in the AFC Champions League, which the club considers a strategic objective. Domestic dominance gives the team confidence and high morale for continental challenges, and the strong performances of the team's stars raise the profile of the Roshan League globally, confirming the success of its project to attract top international talent.

Tactical flexibility and the importance of set pieces

The Portuguese coach addressed the diverse tactical roles of his players, noting that the occasional absence of key players like Salem Al-Dawsari is compensated for by a high degree of tactical flexibility, with other players capable of effectively covering multiple positions. Jesus also denied that relying on set pieces is merely a backup plan, emphasizing that they are an integral part of modern football and a crucial strategic weapon for deciding matches. He concluded by affirming that the coaching staff is placing great emphasis on developing this aspect and leveraging the aerial and shooting abilities of exceptional players to enhance the team's attacking effectiveness in upcoming matches.