In a remarkable technical move aimed at rotating players and distributing physical effort, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al-Nasr team, decided to exclude 8 of the most prominent stars of the first team from the squad leaving to face the Turkmenistani team, Arkadag, within the competitions of the AFC Champions League 2.

Al-Nasr is preparing to be a tough guest for its counterpart Arkadag on Wednesday evening, as part of the first leg of the quarter-finals of the continental competition, where the Al-Nasr squad seeks to return with a positive result that will make the return leg in Riyadh easier.

List of key absences in Al-Nasr's ranks

The squad selected by Jesus saw the resting of key players from the starting lineup, with the team that flew to Turkmenistan on Tuesday missing legendary captain Cristiano Ronaldo , as well as Senegalese star Sadio Mane . The absences weren't limited to the attacking line, also including French winger Kingsley Coman and Croatian playmaker Marcelo Brozovic .

On the defensive level, the Portuguese coach preferred to rest the solid defender Mohammed Simakan and his teammate Inigo Martinez , in addition to the Portuguese star Joao Felix and goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi , preferring to rely on other elements to compensate for these significant absences.

Context of the decision and the importance of the Asian Championship

Jesus' decision to rest so many key players comes at a time when Al-Nassr is facing a demanding schedule, competing on multiple fronts both domestically and continentally. While the AFC Champions League is a strategic objective for Al-Nassr, aiming to add another continental title to their trophy cabinet, the coaching staff is also mindful of maintaining the players' fitness for the crucial stages of the season and avoiding the potential muscle fatigue that could result from the long journey to Turkmenistan.

This move reflects the coach's strong confidence in Al-Nassr's bench and the depth of the squad. The match is expected to see several players eager to prove themselves and secure a starting position under the Portuguese coach. Al-Nassr fans are keen to see how the team will cope with the ambitions of Arkadağ on their home ground and in front of their supporters, especially given the absence of key players.

German press reports have revealed a major surprise in the world of football and Saudi Arabia, as the reliable German newspaper "Kicker" revealed that the Saudi club Al-Ittihad has placed the English star Harry Kane, the top scorer of Bayern Munich, at the top of its list of priorities in the upcoming summer transfer market.

According to the newspaper, Al-Ittihad's management is seriously considering a record-breaking international signing to bolster their attack, viewing the England captain as the ideal and likely replacement for the expected departure of French star Karim Benzema. These moves come as part of the Jeddah club's efforts to restructure the team and return to winning ways after a domestic season that failed to meet fans' expectations.

Harry Kane, 32, is enjoying one of the most successful periods of his career, continuing to break records in German football. "Prince Harry" has contributed to 44 goals for the Bavarian giants this season, either scoring or assisting, cementing his status as one of the world's best strikers. These impressive statistics make him a strategic target for the Saudi Arabian Roshan League project, which continues to attract elite international players.

Domestically, Al-Ittihad is going through a difficult period, currently sitting seventh in the Saudi Professional League standings with 34 points – a position unbecoming of the club's illustrious history and the scale of its previous signings. This noticeable decline in results and performance has prompted the management to consider radical solutions, chief among them the acquisition of a striker of Harry Kane's caliber and leadership qualities to revitalize the team and lead it back to competing for domestic and continental titles.

This news comes within the broader context of the tremendous development taking place in Saudi sports, with the Kingdom's clubs becoming a preferred destination for top European stars. If this deal is finalized, it will be another footballing earthquake, confirming the continued growth and expansion of the Saudi league, especially as Kane is still at the peak of his career and competing for the European Golden Shoe.

Everton and England have suffered a major blow after Jack Grealish, the on-loan Manchester City midfielder, confirmed his season is officially over. The announcement came after the player underwent emergency surgery for a stress fracture in his foot, ending his hopes of a strong comeback this season and directly jeopardizing his chances of representing his country at the upcoming World Cup.

Details of the injury and critical timing

Grealish, 30, suffered the serious injury during Everton's Premier League match against Aston Villa last month, which the Toffees won 1-0. Despite trying to play through the pain, medical tests confirmed that the player requires surgery to treat a stress fracture, a type of injury that demands a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation period to ensure complete bone healing without future complications.

Grealish's numbers and the march of return

Before this injury, Grealish was steadily progressing towards regaining the form that had previously made him England's most expensive player. He had made 22 appearances in all competitions for Everton this season, scoring two goals and providing six assists. This upward trajectory had fueled speculation about a possible recall to the England squad, especially given the team's need for his experience in major tournaments.

The World Cup dream evaporates

Perhaps the most painful aspect of this injury is its timing, just before the start of the World Cup finals scheduled to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19. Grealish's absence from the pitch until the end of the season logically means it will be difficult, if not impossible, for him to make the Three Lions' World Cup squad, as joining the national team requires a high level of physical and technical readiness that a player just returning from surgery cannot possess.

Grealish's last international appearance for England was in October 2024 under interim coach Lee Carsley, and the player hoped that his loan spell at Everton would be his gateway back to the starting lineup for the World Cup.

The player's reaction and history of titles

In his first comment, Grealish expressed his deep sadness via social media, saying: “I didn’t want my season to end this way, but that’s football. I’m very disappointed. I had surgery and my focus is now entirely on getting fit, and I’m confident I’ll come back stronger and better than ever.”.

It is worth noting that Grealish has a record full of titles, having won three Premier League titles, in addition to the Champions League and the FA Cup during his golden period with Manchester City, experiences that Everton will miss in their remaining struggle this season, as well as the English national team in the upcoming World Cup.