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.

In a surprising development that could reshape the power dynamics in the Saudi Professional League, Al-Ittihad's management has set the asking price for their French star, Karim Benzema, during the current winter transfer window. This decision comes amidst growing reports of the player's desire to leave the Jeddah-based club and the management's efforts to bolster the squad with new players capable of meeting the fans' expectations.

According to reliable journalist Sacha Taglioferi, via the “X” platform (formerly Twitter), “Al-Ittihad is demanding €25 million to approve Karim Benzema’s transfer to Al-Hilal in the winter.” This figure reflects the immense value of the Ballon d’Or winner and puts the ball in Al-Hilal’s court, the league leaders, to make a decisive decision regarding one of the biggest transfers in Saudi football history.

Background to the deal and challenges of adapting

Karim Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2013 in a record-breaking transfer from Real Madrid after a glittering career. His arrival, along with other international stars, marked a turning point in the Saudi Pro League's ambitious project to attract top global talent. However, things didn't go as planned. The player faced challenges adapting to the team, and his time there coincided with a decline in Al-Ittihad's performance, their fall from the title race, and their early exit from the FIFA Club World Cup, which was hosted in Jeddah.

The crisis escalated with increasing criticism of Benzema's performances and the alleged strain in his relationship with former coach Nuno Espírito Santo, a situation that persisted even after the arrival of Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo. All these factors contributed to the player's desire to seek a new challenge, despite his contract running until the end of the current season, which legally entitles him to sign with any other club for a free transfer next summer.

The expected impact of the deal on the football scene

If this deal goes through, it will cause a major stir at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, Benzema's move to Al-Hilal would be a major blow to Al-Ittihad, who would lose their star player to their direct rival, while Al-Hilal would bolster their already formidable attacking force like never before, adding a name of Benzema's stature to their constellation of stars such as Mitrovic, Malcom, and Neymar (upon his return from injury).

Regionally and internationally, the deal will once again highlight the immense purchasing power of Saudi clubs and their ability to secure high-profile transfers, even among their own elite clubs. It will also raise questions about the future of Al-Ittihad's sporting project and its ability to retain its international stars, leaving the future of the French star and the Saudi football scene wide open in the coming days.