English striker Ivan Toni, who plays for Al-Ahli Saudi FC, has put an end to recent speculation about his future, definitively ruling out a return to the English Premier League at this time. Toni confirmed that his full focus is currently on serving Al-Ahli and continuing his impressive performances in the Saudi Professional League, especially given his outstanding form this season.

The English striker is enjoying a golden period, arguably one of his best scoring seasons ever. He topped the league's scoring charts with 20 goals, two ahead of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr. Tony's impact isn't limited to domestic statistics; he played a pivotal role in leading Al-Ahli back to continental glory, contributing directly to their 2025 AFC Champions League title, particularly with his decisive goal that eliminated arch-rivals Al-Hilal in the semi-final, cementing his place in the hearts of the Green Castle's fans.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Tony clearly indicated that a return to English football might be an option in the distant future, but it is not among his current priorities. He emphasized his complete commitment to his long-term contract with Al-Ahli, expressing his strong desire to repay the club and its fans by winning more titles and championships, and affirming that the sporting project in Saudi Arabia has become attractive to the world's top stars.

Tony added that he feels a great deal of psychological and technical stability within the Kingdom, both on and off the pitch, which positively impacts his performance. He explained that the record-breaking numbers he's achieving and the high level of competition give him no reason to consider leaving; on the contrary, they increase his determination to make history with his current team.

On the international stage, Toni addressed his situation with the England national team under German coach Thomas Tuchel. Despite playing just two minutes against Senegal in June 2025 and missing subsequent training camps, his ambition to represent the Three Lions remains strong. He emphasized that his dream of participating in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is a major motivation for him to continue performing at his best.

Toni concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the road to the World Cup passes through the gateway of continuing to score goals and delivering consistent and strong performances that impose his name on the national team's coaching staff, stressing his respect for the coach's decisions and his constant endeavor to maintain his physical and mental readiness, far from any financial considerations, so that he is ready to serve his country's national team whenever the need arises.

Saudi star Saud Abdul Hamid continued to make history in the stadiums of the Old Continent, as the famous French newspaper “L’Equipe” chose him in the ideal lineup for the round in the French League competitions, in an achievement that reflects the great development of the player’s level and his rapid adaptation to the highly competitive atmosphere of European football.

Abdel Hamid's selection for this prestigious award is a culmination of his exceptional performance with his team this week. The newspaper highlighted the remarkable balance he demonstrated between defensive and offensive duties, noting his high level of tactical discipline, lightning-fast counter-attacks, and effective contribution to supporting attacks and creating plays. This made him a formidable player in his position and undoubtedly one of the standout stars of the week.

In its analysis of the player's performance, L'Équipe, known for its rigorous evaluation standards, praised the Saudi star's exceptional mental presence and his remarkable ability to read the game and make the right decisions in crucial moments. The newspaper emphasized that Saud's contributions were not merely individual but had a direct impact on the match result, which was clearly reflected in his ranking among the best in his position, surpassing many prominent names in the league.

This achievement is particularly significant given the broader context of Saudi players' professional careers abroad. The French league is one of the top five leagues in the world, known for its physicality and tactical speed. Saud Abdulhamid's success in establishing himself in such an environment is conclusive proof of the success of playing professionally abroad and the ability of Saudi players to compete with the best when given the opportunity and confidence.

On the international stage, this brilliance represents a significant morale and technical boost for the Saudi national football team. The players' exposure to diverse footballing styles and high technical levels will positively impact the performance of the "Green Falcons" in upcoming continental and international competitions, as Saud is expected to pass on this accumulated experience to his teammates, thus strengthening the national team.

This selection is a new and important step in Saud Abdul Hamid’s professional career, and a tangible proof of his growing presence in the European football scene, as well as an achievement that adds to the record of Saudi players who leave their mark on international fields, paving the way for more Saudi talents to pursue professionalism abroad.

The first football team of Al-Shabab Saudi Club will play a crucial and decisive match this Tuesday evening when they host their counterpart, Tadhamon Hadramout of Yemen, at the SHG Arena in the capital, Riyadh, as part of the sixth and final round of the group stage of the Gulf Champions League for Clubs.

Al-Laith enters this match defending its slim and complicated chances of securing a ticket to the semi-finals, as the team occupies the third place in the second group standings with only 4 points, collected from a series of four draws, compared to one loss. This is the same score as its Yemeni guest, which achieved one win and one draw, compared to three defeats.

Complex qualification calculations

Al Shabab's situation in the group has become precarious after their recent stumble against Oman's Al Nahda, who snatched a last-minute equalizer in the previous round. Consequently, Al Shabab's qualification now hinges on two crucial conditions: first, securing a victory tonight, and second, hoping for a favor from their rivals, namely, an Al Nahda loss to Qatar's Al Rayyan, who have already secured their place at the top of the group. Should Al Nahda win or even draw, Al Shabab's result will be irrelevant to their qualification calculations, placing the team under immense psychological pressure.

The desire to restore reputation

Beyond the numerical calculations, Al-Shabab seeks to redeem itself against Al-Tadhamon Hadramout, especially after the surprising and heavy defeat the team suffered in the first leg. The coaching staff and players will be focused on making amends with the fans and delivering a performance worthy of the club's name, while clinging to hope until the final minutes of the matches being played simultaneously.

Battalion of Stars and Experience

Al-Shabab are relying on a formidable squad of stars capable of making a difference in this challenging task, led by Belgian star Yannick Carrasco, Brazilian Carlos Junior, experienced goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, and Englishman Josh Brownhill. The list also includes prominent local players such as Hammam Al-Hamami, international defender Ali Al-Bulaihi, Mohammed Al-Shuwairikh, and Ali Al-Asmari, who bear the responsibility of guiding the team to safety.

The importance of the tournament and the regional context

This match takes on special significance as it revives the Gulf Champions League, one of the region's most prestigious club competitions. Saudi clubs consistently strive to reaffirm their regional dominance, making Al-Shabab's potential elimination from the group stage a highly undesirable outcome for their fans. Meanwhile, Al-Tadhamon Hadramout has delivered impressive performances considering their limited resources and challenging circumstances, and will aim to secure a positive result to add to their impressive record in the tournament, free from the pressure of qualification, which appears difficult for both sides.