Sports
Napoli qualify for the 2024 Italian Super Cup final in Riyadh
Napoli qualified for the Italian Super Cup final in Riyadh after a resounding 3-0 victory over Fiorentina. Learn more about the match and the significance of the tournament being held in Saudi Arabia.
Napoli, the Italian league champions, secured their place in the Italian Super Cup final for the fifth time in their history after a resounding and well-deserved 3-0 victory over Fiorentina at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This win reinforces the southern Italian club's ambitions to claim their first title of the new season.
Match details and events
Argentine striker Giovanni Simeone opened the scoring for Napoli in the 22nd minute of the first half, following a precise pass from Juan Jesus, putting his team ahead. Despite Fiorentina's attempts to equalize, with Jonathan Ikoné missing a golden opportunity to level the score by failing to convert a penalty in the 44th minute, the first half ended with Napoli leading 1-0. In the second half, Napoli continued their dominance and secured the victory with two quick goals from substitute Alessio Zerbin in the 84th and 86th minutes, capitalizing on Fiorentina's declining performance to propel his team to the final.
The historical context of the tournament and the new system
This is the 36th edition of the Italian Super Cup, and the first time the tournament has been held in its new four-team format, similar to the Spanish Super Cup. The new format brings together the league champion (Napoli) and runner-up (Lazio), along with the Coppa Italia winner (Inter Milan) and runner-up (Fiorentina). This change aims to increase excitement and competition, offering fans a rich football spectacle. Saudi Arabia's hosting of the tournament for the fourth time in its history is a testament to the growing strategic partnership between Riyadh and Italian football.
The importance of the event and its impact within the framework of Vision 2030
The significance of Riyadh hosting the Italian Super Cup extends beyond the purely sporting aspect; it is a pivotal component of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and establish the Kingdom as a global destination for sports, tourism, and entertainment. Saudi Arabia has successfully attracted numerous major sporting events, such as Formula 1 races, world boxing championships, and the Spanish Super Cup, in addition to drawing international football stars to the Saudi Professional League. This event further enhances Riyadh's standing on the global sporting map and offers Saudi and Arab fans the opportunity to see Italian football stars up close, thus contributing to a growing passion for the game in the region.
With this victory, Napoli will meet in the final next Monday with the winner of the other semi-final match between Inter Milan and Lazio, as they seek to achieve their third title in the competition's history after 1990 and 2014.
Sports
Al-Qadisiyah loans Qasim Lajami to Al-Taawon and signs Waleed Al-Ahmad
Officially, Al-Qadisiyah Club agrees to loan Qasim Lajami to Al-Taawon and signs Waleed Al-Ahmad at the request of coach Brendan Rodgers to strengthen the defense in the winter transfers.

Al-Qadisiyah FC officially announced the loan of defender Qasim Lajami to Al-Taawoun FC, following a final agreement covering all financial and contractual details between the two clubs. This move comes amidst the active winter transfer window in the Saudi Professional League, as clubs look to finalize their squads before the start of the second half of the season.
Al-Qadisiyah FC's official social media account posted a brief statement confirming the completion of the deal, which read: "Al-Qadisiyah FC's management has agreed to loan player Qasim Lajami to Al-Taawoun FC until the end of the season." Lajami is a defender with considerable experience in the league and is expected to be a strong addition to the back line of "Al-Sukari Al-Qassim" (Al-Taawoun's nickname), who are competing fiercely for top positions in the standings.
In a related development, Al-Qadisiyah's management didn't stop at loaning players; they also secured a significant signing, acquiring defender Waleed Al-Ahmad to bolster their squad. This acquisition came after intensive negotiations over the past few hours, culminating in an agreement on all terms. Al-Ahmad is expected to be a key player in the club's ambitious project.
Sources indicated that the signing of Waleed Al-Ahmad came at the direct request of manager Brendan Rodgers, who had precisely identified his needs during the current winter transfer window. Rodgers aims to address defensive deficiencies and rectify weaknesses exposed in the first half of the season through these acquisitions, ensuring a more robust and effective performance from the team in upcoming matches.
These moves are of paramount importance within the broader context of the Saudi league. Al-Qadisiyah's activity in the transfer market reflects the new management's desire to build a competitive team capable of challenging the top clubs, benefiting from significant support and administrative stability. Furthermore, the exchange of local players between mid-table and top-tier clubs contributes to raising the overall technical level of the league, providing players with greater opportunities to participate and develop their skills, which will positively impact the national team's future prospects.
Sports
Al-Nassr officially signs Abdullah Al-Hamdan from Al-Hilal: Details of the deal
Al-Nassr FC has officially announced the signing of Abdullah Al-Hamdan from Al-Hilal on a free transfer for two and a half seasons. Learn more about the deal and Al-Nassr's preparations for their match against Al-Ittihad.

The board of directors of Al-Nassr Saudi Club, headed by the club’s CEO, officially announced the completion of the signing of the young international striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan, coming from the traditional rival Al-Hilal Club, in one of the most prominent deals of the current winter transfer window in the Roshan Professional League.
This announcement came after Al-Nassr's management successfully finalized all financial and contractual details with the player. The club's official Twitter account (formerly known as "X") published a brief statement confirming the official signing of the contracts. The statement clarified that the deal was a "free transfer," meaning Al-Nassr secured the player's services without paying a transfer fee to his former club, a significant administrative achievement for the Al-Nassr negotiators.
According to the announced details, Abdullah Al-Hamdan signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al-Ahli, bolstering the team's attack in the crucial upcoming phase of the season. This move comes after Al-Hilal officials terminated their contract with the player, paving the way for his transfer to their Riyadh rivals.
Al-Hamdan's career and the importance of the deal
This deal is particularly significant given the player's technical ability. Abdullah Al-Hamdan is a prominent name among Saudi Arabia's young footballers, a national team striker who previously shone for Al-Shabab before his move to Al-Hilal. Al-Nassr fans are placing high hopes on Al-Hamdan to provide the necessary boost, especially considering the fierce competition the team faces on all fronts, both domestically and continentally.
The direct transfer of a player from Al-Hilal to Al-Nassr always carries a special significance and competitive edge, given the long-standing rivalry between the two Riyadh giants. This deal further strengthens Al-Nassr's squad depth, as the coaching staff seeks to provide strong alternatives and diverse tactical options in attack, in line with the club's strategy of attracting top local talent to bolster the team alongside international stars.
Getting ready for the highly anticipated Clasico
Meanwhile, immediately after the signing was announced, Al-Nassr fans began discussing the team's upcoming match, as they prepare for a high-stakes encounter against Al-Ittihad. This match is part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League.
The match is scheduled to take place at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, where Al-Nasr aims to achieve victory and collect the three points to continue chasing the top spot and competing for the title. This match may be an opportunity for new names to appear or to boost the team's morale after the recent winter reinforcements.
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo is considering leaving Al-Nassr: Reasons and available offers
Record newspaper has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo's desire to leave Al-Nassr due to the club's weak performance in the winter transfer window. Learn more about the European and American offers and the future of the Portuguese star.

Portuguese press reports have revealed a major surprise that could change the landscape of Saudi football in the coming period, as the Portuguese newspaper "Record" revealed a state of extreme dissatisfaction that is controlling the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr team, which may push him to make a shocking decision to leave "Al-Aalami" in the near future.
Reasons for Ronaldo's anger and behind-the-scenes details of the transfer window
According to Record, the main reason behind this tension is Ronaldo's dissatisfaction with Al-Nassr's transfer dealings during the last winter window. The Portuguese star believes the team did not adequately strengthen its squad to ensure fierce competition for all domestic and continental titles, especially given the significant progress made by rival clubs.
The newspaper indicated that Ronaldo already has serious offers from clubs in Europe and the United States, and that the €50 million release clause in his contract may not pose a significant obstacle for clubs wishing to acquire the services of the all-time top scorer in football.
A significant absence and future scenarios
The Portuguese network confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from the team's last match against Al-Riyadh was not due to purely technical or physical reasons, but rather a reflection of the player's current state of anger. Sports fans are anxiously awaiting the coming hours, which could be decisive for the player's future, as the "Madeira Rocket" is expected to make a final decision regarding his continued stay in Riyadh or embarking on a new adventure.
Historical context and Ronaldo's influence
Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January 2023, the Portuguese star has revolutionized the Saudi Professional League. His contribution wasn't limited to his technical skill and prolific goal-scoring; he was instrumental in bringing Saudi football into the global spotlight, paving the way for the arrival of world-class players like Neymar, Karim Benzema, and others. Ronaldo's potential departure wouldn't just be the loss of a player; it could also negatively impact the media and marketing momentum of the entire sporting project.
Victory wins in the absence of the captain
On the pitch, despite the tense atmosphere and the absence of their captain, Al-Nassr secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Al-Riyadh. The lone goal came courtesy of Senegalese star Sadio Mane, who capitalized on a brilliant and decisive pass from Joao Felix, expertly slotting the ball into the net. This goal underscored the team's ability to achieve positive results despite the challenging administrative circumstances surrounding the future of their star player.
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