Informed sources have settled the controversy surrounding the future of Saudi international right-back, Saud Abdulhamid, who currently plays for French club Lens, amid reports that the two Riyadh giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr, are keen to acquire his services during the current winter transfer window.

Sources told Al-Midan that Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr clubs have not submitted any official offer to sign the player. The statements made on Monday indicated that there is no official offer submitted to the Saudi national team player and Lens club by the management of Al-Hilal or Al-Nasr at the present time, thus denying all the rumors that linked the player to a quick return to the Roshan Professional League.

Saud Abdul Hamid's stance on remaining in Europe

The same sources emphasized that the 26-year-old player is staying with his French club, where he is currently focused on proving himself in European football. Saud Abdulhamid is playing this season on loan at Lens from Italian side Roma, a professional experience through which he seeks to gain more experience and exposure to French football, known for its physicality and technical prowess.

Saud Abdulhameed's numbers with Lance

On the technical side, the right-back, whose market value is around €3 million, continues to deliver increasingly impressive performances. He has made 15 appearances for Lens so far, contributing to the attack with one goal and two assists, playing a total of 619 minutes, reflecting his gradual integration into the French team's system.

The importance of Saud Abdulhameed's professional experience

Saud Abdulhamid's experience holds immense significance for Saudi football, as his previous transfer from Al-Hilal to AS Roma was a historic step, making him the first Saudi player to play professionally in the Italian Serie A (Calcio). Saudi fans view this experience as a gateway for more local talents to pursue professional careers in Europe's top five leagues, which will positively impact the performance of the Saudi national team in upcoming international competitions.

Why is the player's name associated with Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr?

The connection between Saud Abdulhamid and a return to Saudi Arabia stems from his high technical ability and the scarcity of local players with the same quality and international experience at right-back. Both Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are looking to bolster their squads with top local talent to compete for all titles. However, the player's current desire and inclination are geared towards continuing his professional career in Europe, supported by his existing contract with Roma and his current loan spell with Lens.

FC Barcelona announced in an official statement that their Brazilian star Rafinha has suffered a muscle injury that will sideline him temporarily, posing a new challenge for the coaching staff led by German manager Hansi Flick at a crucial stage of the season. The Catalan club confirmed that medical tests revealed the international winger is suffering from "strain in the adductor muscle of his right leg," which necessitates rest and treatment.

Details of the injury and the cup match

According to the club's medical statement released on Monday, Rafinha has been ruled out of the squad that will face Albacete on Tuesday in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. The statement explained that the player will be sidelined for one week as a precautionary measure, with the medical staff preferring not to risk further injury and to ensure his full recovery, especially since he was unable to complete the second half of the recent league match against Elche, which Barcelona won 3-1.

Context of the injury and the player's medical history

This injury comes at a sensitive time for Rafinha, who has already endured an inconsistent season in terms of physical condition. The Brazilian player was sidelined for nearly two months earlier due to a serious hamstring injury, which was compounded by two setbacks during his rehabilitation. This complex medical history explains the extreme caution being exercised by coach Hansi Flick and his medical staff, as the club seeks to avoid a scenario of long-term injuries that could deprive the team of its key players in the final stages of domestic and continental competitions.

The importance of timing and the challenges for Hansi Flick

Barcelona faces a congested fixture schedule, and the Copa del Rey is a key objective for the team this season as they look to add to their trophy collection. Rafinha's absence from the Albacete match forces coach Flick to find effective attacking alternatives to secure passage to the semi-finals, especially in cup competitions where there is no room for error. Managing the players' physical workload is a major challenge for top European clubs, as the pressure of consecutive matches leads to an increase in muscle injuries, something Barcelona is trying to address through squad rotation and careful medical management.

Condi's return: a bright spot

On the other hand, Monday's training session brought good news for Barcelona fans, with the return of French international defender Jules Koundé to group training. Koundé had also left the Elche match due to muscle cramps, but his quick recovery and readiness provide a morale and tactical boost to the team's defense ahead of upcoming matches, partially compensating for the impactful absence of Rafinha in attack.

In a move that bolsters the team's attacking prowess, the board of directors of Al-Hilal Club, chaired by Prince Nawaf bin Saad, announced the official signing of young French striker Mohamed Kader Meïté from Stade Rennais. This significant acquisition was made possible through the generous support and full sponsorship of prominent Al-Hilal member, His Royal Highness Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, who continues his leading role in supporting the club's progress.

Details of Mohamed Kader Mete's contract with Al-Hilal

Al-Hilal's board of directors finalized the signing procedures early Monday morning, with the player signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. He will now wear the blue jersey and begin a new chapter in the Saudi Professional League. This move comes just hours before the winter transfer window closes, underscoring Al-Hilal's commitment to seizing every opportunity to strengthen the team with top young talent.

Ongoing support from the Gold Member

The club's board of directors expressed their sincere gratitude to Prince Alwaleed bin Talal for sponsoring the deal, praising his continued and unsurprising support for the club. This support is an extension of a series of initiatives undertaken by His Highness to ensure Al-Hilal's continued dominance both domestically and continentally. Financial support from the club's gold members is a cornerstone of its strategy to maintain its financial and technical stability and to attract players worthy of the global stature of the club.

Who is Muhammad Qadir Miti?

Eighteen-year-old Meiti is considered one of the most promising young talents in French football. He progressed through the youth ranks at Stade Rennais, a club renowned for its strong academy that produces stars, eventually reaching the first team. His brilliance wasn't limited to the club; he was also a key player for the French national teams, representing France at the under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels, reflecting his considerable talent and ability to continuously develop.

Player numbers and statistics this season

In terms of statistics, Mohamed Kader Meiti delivered impressive performances with Rennes in the 2025/26 season, participating in 19 matches, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists for his teammates, all within 567 minutes of play. These statistics for an 18-year-old player in one of the top five European leagues indicate a promising goal-scoring talent on whom Al-Hilal are placing high hopes for the near future.

Winter transfer context

This deal comes on the final day of the winter transfer window for the Roshan League, which opened on January 5th and is scheduled to close today, Monday, February 2nd. Al-Hilal aims to blend experience and youth in its squad by signing Mete, ensuring it can compete for all available titles this season.