Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Luis Castro, has finalized his decision regarding the foreign players who will participate in the crucial match against Al-Taawoun, in the 18th round of the Saudi Professional League. This match comes at a pivotal point in the season, as Al-Nassr aims to maintain pressure on the league leaders and close the gap to bolster their chances of competing for the title.

According to coach Castro's tactical vision, the squad is expected to be led by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, the team's and league's top scorer, alongside a constellation of international stars who form the backbone of the team. Castro's key players include Senegalese Sadio Mane on the attacking wing, Croatian Marcelo Brozovic as playmaker and central midfielder, Portuguese Otavio, who has been delivering outstanding performances, and Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte to anchor the defense.

General context and importance of the match

Al-Nassr enters this match fully aware that there is no room for error, especially given the fierce competition for the top spot in the Roshan League, which has become a destination for the world's most prominent football stars. Following the significant investments made by Saudi clubs, expectations have soared among Al-Nassr fans, who hope to finally secure the league title that has eluded the club since the 2018-2019 season. Every match is considered a final in this long title race, placing immense pressure on the coaching staff and players to deliver their best possible performance.

Expected impact and technical options

Selecting the foreign players is one of the most difficult decisions facing coach Luis Castro before each match, due to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's regulations that limit the number of foreign players allowed in each game's squad. This forces the coach to choose between his stars based on their technical and physical readiness and the tactical requirements of the match. The presence of names like Brazilian Anderson Talisca, full-back Alex Telles, and Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina on the bench or sometimes even outside the squad reflects the depth and strength of Al-Nassr's squad and confirms the intense competition among the players to secure a starting position. A victory in this match would not only grant Al-Nassr three valuable points but would also boost the team's morale before entering the crucial stages of the season, both domestically and continentally.

The future of talented defender Waleed Al-Ahmad with his club Al-Taawoun remains shrouded in uncertainty, with speculation mounting about whether he will stay or leave during the current summer transfer window. In a notable development, reliable press reports have revealed that Al-Taawoun's management has set an unprecedented financial ceiling for approving the sale of the player's contract, reflecting the significant shifts occurring in the Saudi Professional League's player transfer market.

General context and historical background:

This development comes amidst a historic boom in Saudi football, fueled by massive investments from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to make the Saudi Professional League one of the top 10 leagues in the world. This financial support has not only attracted international stars but has also led to a significant increase in the market value of outstanding local players, with major clubs now willing to pay substantial sums to secure the best Saudi talent to strengthen their squads and achieve the necessary balance in their rosters.

Terms of cooperation and offer details:

According to sources, Al-Taawoun's management is demanding approximately 70 million Saudi riyals to release Waleed Al-Ahmad. The club aims to achieve a record-breaking transfer fee, making it the most expensive deal in the history of Saudi defender transfers. This high financial demand reflects the player's significant technical value, as he has proven himself to be one of the best defenders in the league, as well as the desire to secure substantial financial resources that the club can reinvest in strengthening the team for future seasons.

The importance of the deal and its expected impact:

Waleed Al-Ahmad is attracting serious interest from Al-Ittihad, who are looking to bolster their defense after a disappointing season and see him as the ideal solution to strengthen their back line. Al-Qadisiyah, recently promoted to the Saudi Professional League and backed by Aramco, have also entered the negotiations aggressively, clearly indicating their ambitions to compete at the highest level. Completing this deal for such a sum would not only shift the balance of power among the competing clubs but would also set a new benchmark for evaluating defenders in Saudi Arabia, potentially encouraging other clubs to adopt similar strategies to maximize the financial return from selling their star players. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the player's final destination, in a transfer expected to be a hot topic in the sports world for a long time to come.

Ibrahim Bayesh, star of Al-Riyadh Club and the Iraqi national team, praised the transfer of his young compatriot Haider Abdul Karim to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr Club, describing it as a pivotal step in the player's career and a source of great pride for Iraqi football. Bayesh emphasized that this move not only represents an important addition to the Riyadh-based team but also reflects the quality of talent that Iraqi football continues to produce for Arab football.

General context: The Saudi League's boom and appeal

This move comes at a time when Saudi football is experiencing an unprecedented boom, with the Saudi Professional League becoming a destination for some of the world's biggest stars, raising the level of competition and providing an ideal environment for the development of young players. Haider Abdulkarim's joining a club the size of Al-Nassr, which boasts global legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, represents a golden opportunity for the young player to gain experience at the highest international level and acquire invaluable expertise, as Baish pointed out in his remarks.

Paich's role in the deal and his advice to the player

In his statements to MBC, Baish revealed the behind-the-scenes details of the deal, explaining that he played a pivotal role in convincing Abdulkarim to accept Al-Nassr's offer. He clarified that he advised him to join Al-Nassr because of the club's historical significance and its long-standing fan base in Saudi Arabia and across Asia. Baish emphasized his complete confidence in the player's ability to prove his worth and deliver exceptional performances, affirming that the professional environment at Al-Nassr would help him hone his talent and significantly develop his potential.

The importance of the deal and its expected impact

Domestically, the Abdulkarim deal represents a strategic investment for Al-Nassr's future. While the club maintains its policy of attracting international stars, it also prioritizes strengthening the squad with promising young talents from the Arab region, ensuring the team's long-term continuity and balance. Regionally, this transfer is a testament to the success of Iraqi football, demonstrating that Iraqi players are capable of attracting the attention of major clubs in the region. This deal is expected to pave the way for more Iraqi talents to move to the Saudi league in the future.

A message to Al-Nassr fans

Baish concluded his remarks with a special message to Al-Nasr fans, known for their immense passion and unwavering support for their team. He urged them to stand behind the young player and support him during his initial adaptation period, emphasizing that Haider Abdul Karim possesses the talent and potential that, with the right support, will make him a cornerstone of the team's future and one of the best players in his position.