The management of Neom Sports Club, which plays in the Saudi First Division League (Yello League), announced that it has successfully completed the procedures for officially signing the talented player Ryan Messi, coming from the ranks of the French club Strasbourg, on a loan basis until the end of the current sports season, in a deal that has sparked widespread interest in sports circles.

Details of the official announcement of the deal

The media center of NEOM FC announced the completion of the deal via the club's official Twitter account on Saturday. The club posted a special welcome video for the new player, showcasing his exceptional individual skills, speed, and technical abilities that attracted the attention of scouts in Europe, accompanied by welcoming messages emphasizing the value of this addition to the team.

Who is Ryan Messi?

Ryan Messi (full name Ryan Messi Tanfori) is one of the rising stars of French football. Born in 2007, the winger has attracted considerable attention not only because of his name similarity to Argentine legend Lionel Messi, but also for his genuine talent, which emerged early with Dijon, where he became the club's youngest ever goalscorer, before moving to Strasbourg. He represents France at various youth levels, making him a valuable addition to NEOM's ambitious project.

NEOM Sports Project and the Dream of Promotion

This deal comes as part of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the NEOM club management to build a strong team capable not only of competing but also of dominating the Yellow League and securing early promotion to the Roshan Professional League. The team currently boasts a selection of international and local stars, such as captain Salman Al-Faraj, Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazi, and Brazilian Romarinho, under the guidance of experienced coach Pericles Chamusca.

The signing of a young talent from the French league reflects the new trend of Saudi clubs to attract promising talents globally, not just veteran stars, in line with the tremendous development witnessed by the sports sector in the Kingdom within Vision 2030. Ryan Messi is expected to be a winning card in Neom's attack during the upcoming crucial matches in the league.

Saudi football fans, particularly those following the First Division, will turn their attention to the Kingdom's stadiums tomorrow, Sunday, to watch the continuation of the 21st round of the Yellow Professional League. This round features two high-stakes matches with complex calculations and crucial importance in the battle for positions, whether in the comfortable mid-table or in the fight to avoid relegation at the bottom of the league. Al-Tai hosts Al-Raed, while Al-Arabi clashes with Al-Adalah in a must-win encounter.

Al-Ta'i and Al-Ra'id: The ambition to progress and secure safe zones

In the first match, Al-Tai hosts Al-Raed in a game where both sides will be looking to boost their points tally and improve their positions in the overall standings. Al-Raed enters the match in relatively stable form, currently sitting in eighth place with 28 points. The team aims to return to winning ways and secure the three points that would allow them to move closer to the top of the table and compete for promotion spots, or at least solidify their place in the top half.

On the other hand, Al-Ta'ee sits in eleventh place with 24 points and hopes to capitalize on home advantage to achieve a positive result. A win in this match would not only give Al-Ta'ee three points but also reduce the gap with their direct rival, Al-Raed, thus boosting their chances of climbing the table and avoiding any complicated scenarios that might arise in the final rounds of the competition.

Arabs and justice: The battle to escape the abyss

In the second match, which promises to be equally exciting and competitive, Al-Arabi will face Al-Adalah in what can only be described as a "six-pointer" given the teams' close positions in the standings and the precariousness of their situations. This match takes on added significance as it pits two teams directly battling relegation against each other, separated by a mere two points.

Al-Arabi currently sits in 16th place with 13 points, a position that places them in the immediate danger zone. A win is their only option to get back into contention and give the team a much-needed morale boost to escape the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, Al-Adalah is in 15th place with 15 points and is well aware that dropping points against a direct rival could prove costly, while a victory would give them a crucial advantage and a lifeline in the relegation battle.

The importance of the round and the competitiveness of the Yellow League

These matches come at a crucial juncture in the league, as the competitive landscape becomes clearer with the start of the second half of the season. The Yellow Professional League is characterized by its high level of competition and the close competition in terms of both skill and points standings among the teams, making it extremely difficult to predict match results.

These matches reflect the significant development of Saudi football at all levels. The competition is no longer limited to the top spots; the mid-table and lower-ranked regions are now witnessing high-level tactical and physical battles. Points at this stage are crucial in determining the fate of teams, whether they aspire to promotion to the top flight or are fighting fiercely to avoid relegation, promising open and exciting encounters right up to the final whistle.

Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo, who plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal, has put an end to the speculation surrounding his future and the possibility of a return to the Brazilian league. According to a recent report by ESPN, the player has no intention of leaving Al-Hilal at this time, confirming his complete commitment to the club.

The past period witnessed intensive moves by the Brazilian club Palmeiras, which opened a hot line of serious negotiations with the management of Al-Hilal during the winter transfer period in January, with the aim of securing the services of the Brazilian talent to strengthen its ranks before the upcoming challenges, but these attempts were met with the desire of the player and the club to continue the current partnership.

Roadmap to the 2026 World Cup

The global network explained in its report that Marcus Leonardo has laid out a clear roadmap for his professional career, deciding to stay with Al-Hilal until next June as a first step. However, the most important strategic decision concerns the long term, as it was agreed to postpone any final decision regarding his future or a move to another club until after the 2026 World Cup. This indicates the player's desire to focus on developing within a highly competitive environment like the Saudi Professional League to secure an international reputation.

Distinctive numbers and a clear artistic effect

On a technical level, Leonardo has proven his worth in Al-Hilal's ranks since joining, becoming a key player in the team's lineup. The Brazilian striker has contributed significantly to the team's positive results, with statistics showing his involvement in 15 goals (scoring and assisting) in 24 official matches this season. This performance reflects his rapid adaptation to the environment in Saudi Arabia and his excellent rapport with his teammates.

Context of the event and the importance of continuity

Al-Hilal's insistence on keeping the player and Leonardo's refusal to return to Brazil comes within the context of the major sporting boom in Saudi Arabia, where the Roshan League has become a magnet for the world's top stars. Retaining a young and talented player like Leonardo strengthens Al-Hilal's attacking prowess, especially given the fierce competition for domestic and continental titles. Furthermore, his continued presence thwarts the efforts of Brazilian clubs seeking to bring back their expatriate talents in preparation for the revamped Club World Cup, with Palmeiras, for example, hoping to acquire a prolific striker to bolster their chances in international competitions.

In conclusion, it seems that Al-Hilal fans can rest assured that one of their most prominent attacking weapons will continue, given the administrative and technical stability the club is experiencing, and the shared ambition between the player and the management to achieve more accomplishments in the coming years.