The appearance of Portuguese star João Félix, a player for Al-Nassr, alongside his compatriot Rúben Neves, the Al-Hilal midfielder, has sparked considerable debate and anticipation in Saudi sports circles over the past few hours. This notable appearance came just hours before the start of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, further fueling speculation among fans of the two Riyadh giants.

The secret of Saudi dress and formal attire

Social media users circulated photos of the two players together, highlighting the stark contrast in their appearances. João Félix wore a smart formal suit, while Rúben Neves turned heads by expertly donning traditional Saudi attire (thobe and shemagh). Sources close to the players indicate that the meeting was primarily for their participation in a major advertising campaign scheduled for launch soon, coinciding with the large-scale sporting events currently taking place in the Kingdom.

The integration of international stars into Saudi culture

Ruben Neves' appearance in Saudi attire is not a fleeting event, but rather reflects a growing positive phenomenon: the integration of international football stars with the local culture of Saudi Arabia. Since the launch of the massive sports development project, many stars, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar, have been keen to participate in national events and wear traditional clothing, thus enhancing the soft power of the Saudi league and confirming its success not only on the field, but also culturally and socially, in attracting global attention.

Portuguese relations amid local rivalry

Despite the fierce rivalry between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in the league race, the relationship between the Portuguese players remains strong. The presence of a large number of Portuguese players and coaches in the Roshan League contributes to a friendly atmosphere off the pitch. This friendly gathering for the upcoming announcement aims to alleviate some of the tension among fans before the crucial matches.

Crucial preparations for El Clásico and continental clashes

On the field, both teams are entering a crucial stage of the season. Al-Nassr is preparing to face Erciyes this Wednesday evening in a match where the Saudi club aims to confirm its superiority and continue its winning streak. Meanwhile, all eyes are on the "Kingdom Clasico," as Al-Hilal faces Al-Ittihad next Friday evening in the upcoming round of matches. The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad match is considered a pivotal point in the title race, making the return of Neves in high spirits a reassuring sign for the Al-Hilal fans.

Uruguayan star Fede Valverde, the midfielder for Real Madrid, broke his silence to reveal details of the altercation that his Brazilian teammate Vinicius Junior experienced during the fiery encounter between the Royal team and their Portuguese counterpart Benfica, in the Champions League, which took place at the home ground of the Portuguese team.

In a press conference following the final whistle, Valverde highlighted the tensions that marred the match, stating that what Vinicius endured went beyond the bounds of fair play. Valverde said, "What happened to Vinicius? We don't know exactly what was said, but according to all the teammates who were close to the incident, the opponent used foul language that shouldn't be uttered on a football pitch. We have fought against racism for a long time, and Vinicius has been at the forefront of this fight. If this situation continues unchecked, it's truly regrettable that the cameras didn't capture the incident clearly.".

A recurring pattern and ongoing suffering

This incident adds to a series of unfortunate events that Brazilian star Vinicius Junior has faced in European stadiums, where he has become a global icon in the fight against racism and discrimination in football in recent years. Valverde's comments are particularly significant because they highlight the "covering the mouth" tactic some players use to hurl insults without being caught by cameras or having their lips read by experts—a behavior Valverde described as proof that "what you're saying isn't true.".

Threatening to withdraw and team unity

Valverde highlighted a crucial point regarding the Real Madrid players' reaction, confirming that leaving the pitch was a viable option due to the seriousness of the situation. He explained, "The team considered leaving the pitch because what happened was extremely serious, and these provocations have happened many times before. At this point, I don't think leaving is an option that aligns with the enjoyment of the football we play for, but one individual spoiled the enjoyment of the match with his behavior. He kept saying many things throughout the game, and unfortunately, no cameras captured it.".

This stance reflects the great solidarity within the Real Madrid dressing room, as Valverde praised his teammates who rushed to defend Vinicius, expressing his pride in his Brazilian teammate who managed to overcome the psychological pressure and move forward in the match despite the provocations.

Focus on performance and results

In closing, Valverde emphasized the importance of separating provocations from the team's performance, praising the defensive and offensive contributions of his attacking duo. He said, "We need to focus on the game we played, and on Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé's performances. They helped us a lot defensively, and now we'll leave with a good result." This statement underscores Real Madrid's determination to continue their Champions League campaign, aiming for titles and refusing to allow external distractions to divert the team's focus from its ultimate goals.

The Olympic Village stadiums in Jeddah witnessed an exciting conclusion to the group stage competitions of the "Jeddah 2026" football tournament, as the list of teams that qualified for the round of 16 was officially completed. The final night of matches for Groups (D) and (H) was full of competitiveness and excitement, resulting in the qualification of teams with significant technical and popular support, most notably the Saudi Aramco team, which succeeded in securing its place in the knockout stages.

In Group D, the hard-fought match between the Border Guards and Saudi Aramco ended in a 1-1 draw. This result was enough to secure the Border Guards' top spot in the group with 4 points, while Aramco clinched the runner-up spot with 2 points, continuing their journey in the tournament with high hopes of competing for the title in the knockout stage, where there is no room for error.

Meanwhile, in Group H, Al-Arabi of Jeddah continued their impressive run, securing a perfect record with a resounding 3-0 victory over the former players' team, United. This win propelled Al-Arabi to the top of the group with 6 points, while Al-Widad of Taif also advanced to the next round, finishing second with 3 points and guaranteeing their place among the elite in the Round of 16.

The "Jeddah 2026" tournament holds special significance in the local sports scene, as it is one of the tournaments that brings together government sectors, major companies, and outstanding neighborhood teams, reflecting the vibrant sports movement in the Kingdom. These tournaments contribute to fostering a spirit of fair competition and raising physical fitness levels, in line with quality of life goals. They also provide an ideal opportunity for football talents to emerge and create a unique social and sporting atmosphere in Jeddah.

With the lineup now complete, fans eagerly anticipate the Round of 16 matches, which promise some exciting encounters. Al-Arabi will face Al-Taawoun from Jeddah, while Al-Rasoukh will clash with Al-Widad Al-Taif in a closely contested match. All eyes will be on the clash between the Border Guards and the Security Patrols team, while Aramco will face a tough test against the Special Forces for Environmental Security, in matches that demand high concentration and peak physical condition.

The excitement won't end there, as the Round of 16 features a heavyweight clash between the Ministry of Sports and the Jeddah Police, while the National Guard faces the Education Department. Among the neighborhood club teams, the highly anticipated "Makkah Derby" between Al-Ustoura and Noor Academy stands out, a match that draws a large following. The round concludes with a match between Salam University and BH from Al-Qunfudhah, completing the exciting picture of the tournament.