In a move that could represent a turning point for Iraqi football, the management of Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya , one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Iraq, has opened official communication channels with the agent of Spanish defensive legend Sergio Ramos , with the aim of bringing him to the team during the winter transfer window. The club's media spokesman, Rahim Al-Daraji, confirmed to AFP that preliminary negotiations are underway, sparking widespread anticipation in local and regional sporting circles.

General context and ambitions of the Iraqi league

This ambitious move comes at a time of significant changes in the global football landscape, with many international stars moving to leagues outside Europe, most notably the Saudi Professional League. It appears that the Iraqi Premier League is also seeking to enhance its standing, raise the level of competition, and boost its marketing by attracting global names. The mere fact that a name of Sergio Ramos's stature is linked to the Iraqi league reflects a genuine desire to develop the football system and attract international attention, a strategy adopted by many emerging leagues in the region.

Presentation details and technical team vision

According to Al-Daraji, the club's management, headed by Maad Badai, is awaiting the player's final response and conditions for completing the deal, noting an initial "positive reaction" from his agent. He added that the team's coach, the Omani Rashid Jaber, expressed a strong desire to bolster the "Falcons" squad with players possessing international experience and significant on-field presence, which would contribute to achieving the team's ambitions of a strong return to the podium. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya currently occupies fourth place in the league standings, making strengthening the team an urgent necessity to compete for the title.

Who is Sergio Ramos? A career full of achievements

Sergio Ramos (37 years old) is one of the greatest defenders in the history of football. He achieved glory with Real Madrid , leading them as captain to four Champions League titles, in addition to numerous La Liga titles. Internationally, Ramos was a key figure in Spain's golden generation, earning 180 caps and winning the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. After a stint with Paris Saint-Germain , Ramos recently returned to his boyhood club, Sevilla , and continues to perform at a high level in La Liga.

The expected impact of the deal on Iraqi football

If this historic deal goes through, its impact won't be limited to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya club alone, but will extend to Iraqi football as a whole. Locally, Ramos will bring immense leadership experience and unparalleled technical skill to the Falcons' defense, serving as an inspiration to the young players. Nationally, the presence of a global star of this caliber will boost the marketing value of the Iraqi Premier League, attracting international media attention and sponsors, and potentially paving the way for other stars to join the league in the future, thus raising the overall level of the game and enhancing Iraq's reputation on the international football map.

Al-Hilal Saudi Club announced that their Moroccan international goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, suffered a hamstring injury, ruling him out of the team's match against Al-Fayha in the 17th round of the Saudi Professional League. This injury has caused considerable concern among Al-Hilal fans, given Bounou's pivotal role in stabilizing the team's defense since joining the club.

In this context, Thamer Al-Shahrani, a sports rehabilitation specialist, explained via his account on the X platform that the nature of the injury necessitates thorough examinations to determine its severity. Al-Shahrani stated, "Yassine Bounou sustained a hamstring injury upon his return from international duty and will undergo medical tests, including an MRI scan, to determine the extent and severity of the injury.".

Al-Shahrani added that resorting to an MRI often indicates the medical staff's suspicion of a muscle tear. The recovery period depends on the severity of the tear; a first-degree tear requires 10 to 14 days of rest and treatment, while a second-degree tear may require four to six weeks of recovery.

General context and player importance

Yassine Bounou is one of the world's most prominent goalkeepers, having gained widespread fame after his historic performance with the Moroccan national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he led the Atlas Lions to an unprecedented achievement by reaching the semi-finals. Bounou joined Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023 from Spanish club Sevilla, and quickly proved his worth as the team's linchpin, contributing to Al-Hilal's winning streak and comfortable lead in the Roshan League standings.

The expected impact of Bono's absence

Bono's absence comes at a crucial point in the season, as Al-Hilal competes fiercely on all fronts: the Saudi Professional League, the King's Cup, and the AFC Champions League. His absence will pose a significant challenge for Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who will rely on Saudi international goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais to fill the gap. Despite Al-Owais's considerable experience, Bono's strong understanding with the defense has been a key factor in the team's defensive strength. Al-Hilal fans eagerly await the results of the final medical tests to determine the duration of their first-choice goalkeeper's absence, hoping for his swift return to bolster the team in its upcoming domestic and continental competitions.

Saudi star Abdulrahman Ghareeb, a player for Al-Nassr FC, expressed his immense joy at his team's valuable victory over Damac FC in their match in the 17th round of the Saudi Professional League. Ghareeb emphasized that his outstanding performance and Man of the Match award were due to his teammates and the tremendous support he receives from Al-Nassr fans.

In his remarks to the official broadcaster after the match, Gharib said: “I am honored to receive the Man of the Match award, especially given the presence of a constellation of distinguished foreign players in the team and the league in general. Without the help of my teammates, I would not have been able to achieve this, as they are the foundation of every individual and collective success.”.

General context and importance of winning for Al-Nasr

This victory comes at a crucial stage of the Saudi Professional League, as Al-Nassr seeks to maintain pressure on the league leaders and compete strongly for the title. Every win at this stage represents a significant step towards achieving the team's goals and boosts player morale ahead of upcoming matches. The victory over Damac was more than just three points; it confirmed the team's ability to achieve consecutive wins, as Ghareeb indicated, saying, "One win breeds another, and we work as a unified team for the benefit of the club.".

A strange brilliance in the star system

Since joining Al-Nassr in the summer of 2022 from Al-Ahli, Abdulrahman Ghareeb has proven himself to be one of the most prominent Saudi talents capable of making his mark amidst a constellation of international stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane. His goal against Damac, following his strike in the previous round against Al-Shabab, confirms his continued development as a crucial attacking element in the coach's lineup. This brilliance not only benefits Al-Nassr but also strengthens his position as an important international player for the Saudi national team, especially with continental and international competitions approaching.

A special message to the fans

Gharib didn't forget to express his gratitude to Al-Nassr's fans, whom he considers the team's number one player and main supporter in all circumstances. He added, "Praise be to God for scoring the goal, and I thank Al-Nassr's fans for their continuous support in every match, whether at home or away. They are always our true support, and we strive to make them happy in every game.".