In one of the most controversial moments during the seventeenth round of the Saudi Professional League, the well-known Jordanian refereeing expert, Ahmed Abu Khadija, settled the controversy surrounding Al-Nasr Club’s right to a penalty kick during its important match against Damac Club, which was held on the grounds of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports Stadium.

The incident occurred when Al-Nassr stars, led by Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammate Abdulrahman Ghareeb, demanded a penalty kick after a handball by a Damac defender inside the penalty area. The players' protest sparked debate among observers regarding the referee's decision to allow play to continue.

In an exclusive statement to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija offered his decisive technical analysis, stating: “The referee’s decision not to award a penalty to Al-Nassr against Damac was 100% correct .” Abu Khadija explained his reasoning, saying: “The ball was played by a teammate to the defender from very close range. In such situations, there is no opportunity to pull the hand away or avoid the ball, and therefore, the handball was not considered intentional according to the Laws of the Game. The referee’s decision to allow play to continue was correct and in accordance with the recent amendments to the handball law.”

General context and importance of the match in the Roshan League

This match comes amidst the intense competition of the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention after attracting major international stars. Every point is crucial in the title race, and Al-Nassr is considered one of the top contenders, making every refereeing decision in their matches subject to intense scrutiny from the media and fans. These controversial incidents add to the excitement of the league and highlight the immense pressure placed on referees managing matches of this magnitude.

Expected impact and importance of arbitration analysis

Refereeing decisions, especially in major matches, have a direct impact on the outcome and the course of the league competition. Although Al-Nassr secured the victory with a goal scored by Abdulrahman Ghareeb after a decisive pass from Angelo Gabriel, such incidents remain a topic of discussion in sporting circles. The role of refereeing experts like Ahmed Abu Khadija is crucial in providing objective analysis based on the Laws of the Game, contributing to public awareness, calming heated debates, and emphasizing the importance of understanding the details of the law to avoid misinterpretations.

Al-Ahli Saudi fans are breathing a sigh of relief with positive news regarding the injury of young Brazilian player Matheus Gonçalves, who missed the team's last match against Al-Khaleej in the Saudi Professional League. According to informed sources, the player is preparing to return to group training next Friday, paving the way for his participation in upcoming matches and bolstering the team's strength.

General context and the player's importance to the team

The absence of Gonçalves from the Al-Khaleej match, which Al-Ahli won 4-1, is a temporary setback for the team led by German coach Matthias Jäissle. The Brazilian player, who joined the "Castle of Cups" during the summer transfer window on loan from Brazilian club Flamengo, quickly established himself as a key pillar in the team's midfield. Jäissle relies on him as a vital element in the midfield trio thanks to his technical skills and ability to link the defense and attack, providing a valuable addition alongside established stars like Ivorian Franck Kessié and Spaniard Gabri Vega.

The impact of his return on Al Ahly's ambitions

Gonçalves' return comes at a crucial time, as Al-Ahli, newly promoted to the Pro League, seeks to establish itself in the top four and seriously contend for the league title. With the influx of international talent into the Roshan League this season, every match has become a final, and having a full squad, both physically and technically ready, is key to success. The return of a player of Gonçalves' caliber provides coach Yasle with broader tactical options and greater squad depth, especially given the pressure of a packed schedule and the tight competition.

A look at the team's future

Gonçalves is part of Al-Ahli's ambitious project to build a strong team capable of competing both domestically and continentally. The fitness and continued participation of his players are crucial to achieving these goals. As his return to action draws near, attention is focused on how he will contribute to enhancing the team's performance in upcoming matches, starting with the next game against NEOM FC, and continuing the quest for titles to delight their vast fan base, who have high hopes for this generation of players.

The spotlight has once again fallen on the future of Polish star Robert Lewandowski, the Barcelona striker, with increasing reports linking him to a move to the Saudi Professional League, specifically to Al-Hilal. According to reliable journalist Florian Plattenberg, a specialist in transfer news, a move to Saudi Arabia remains a strong possibility for the all-time leading scorer, despite his rejection of the idea of ​​leaving Barcelona during the current winter transfer window.

General context: The transfer revolution in Saudi football

This interest comes amidst a historic transformation of the Saudi Professional League, which has become a magnet for the world's top football stars. Since the arrival of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, the league has opened the floodgates to high-profile signings, with Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté following suit, joining Al-Ittihad, Neymar Jr. and Kalidou Koulibaly at Al-Hilal, and Sadio Mané at Al-Nassr. This ambitious project, backed by the Public Investment Fund, aims to elevate the league's competitiveness and technical quality, positioning it among the top 10 leagues globally. This makes the prospect of a player of Robert Lewandowski's stature joining Al-Hilal a logical and justifiable move.

Offer details and Lewandowski's stance

According to Plattenberg's post on the X platform, Lewandowski has several options for his future. He indicated that Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs are pushing hard to secure his signature this summer, an option the player is open to. He added, "Other options include a move to the Saudi League or joining another European club." However, the journalist settled the debate about an immediate transfer, stating, "Robert Lewandowski refuses to leave Barcelona during the winter transfer window. Discussions about his potential departure will take place next summer, not in the current transfer window." He also confirmed that the idea of ​​retirement is not currently on the table for the 35-year-old player.

Importance and expected impact of the deal

Should this deal materialize, Lewandowski's arrival at Al-Hilal would be a tremendous boost for the club and the Saudi league as a whole. Domestically, Al-Hilal would possess a formidable attacking force with a world-class striker capable of deciding big matches, thus bolstering the team's ambitions to dominate domestic competitions and seriously contend for the AFC Champions League title. Internationally, the presence of a player of Lewandowski's caliber, a two-time European Golden Shoe winner, would increase the global profile and interest in the Saudi league, confirming that the Saudi project is not merely a passing fad, but a strategic plan to attract the world's best talent, even at the peak of their careers.