Rome – Italy

Qissa, the Gulf-based luxury perfume brand, has announced its official partnership with AS Roma, becoming the club's exclusive fragrance sponsor. This strategic move combines Arabian craftsmanship with the cultural identity of one of Europe's most prestigious and globally influential clubs, embodying the "spirit of Rome."
Rome is considered one of the world's leading capitals of fashion and culture, representing a unique convergence of rich history, art, fashion, and contemporary influence. In a particularly significant strategic step, Qissa was selected from among a select group of international fragrance brands to be the exclusive fragrance sponsor, a clear affirmation of its growing stature and the trust placed in it by global institutions. This selection marks a pivotal milestone for Qissa, a qualitative achievement that reflects its ability to represent Arabian craftsmanship on the international stage and strengthen its presence in major global centers of influence through partnerships that represent the convergence of cultures and the integration of markets.

The partnership, launched under the slogan "The Wolf Deserves the Best," expresses mutual recognition between two brands with established identities and a strong presence, preceding any direct promotion or advertising. Rome is not merely a football city; it is a city that embodies strength, belonging, and continuity. From this heritage, the partnership emerges, reflecting the shared values ​​that unite the two parties.
This partnership arises at a point where the Arab heritage in perfumery intersects with the spirit of one of Europe's most prestigious clubs, transcending geographical boundaries and presenting a new model for partnerships based on culture, identity, and belonging, not just visibility.
Through this partnership, the story of the official perfume partner of AS Roma becomes a reality, enhancing its presence on a global platform where sports are a powerful space for building brands and fostering emotional connections with diverse audiences worldwide.

“This partnership with Italian club Roma is a strategic step in the growth journey of Qissa Global,” said Mr. Bashar Al-Amir, CEO of Qissa.

He added: “We are honored and proud to become an official partner of this prestigious club with its rich heritage and passionate global fan base. Through this collaboration, we seek to combine the essence of Italian football heritage with Middle Eastern craftsmanship, to create a cultural dialogue that will contribute to elevating both brands to a new level.”.

Michael Gandler, Chief Business Officer of AS Roma, praised the partnership, saying: “We are proud to welcome Qissa as the official fragrance partner of the club.”.

He added: “This collaboration represents a meeting point of cultures and values, where football, luxury and lifestyle converge in one integrated framework. Creating a joint fragrance that carries the identity of both brands is a unique expression of our personality, capable of creating an emotional and sensory connection with our fans around the world.”.

AS Roma boasts a vast global fan base, comprising between 80 and 90 million fans worldwide, more than 46.6 million followers across social media platforms, and nearly 129 million television viewers per season, giving the partnership an influential global dimension in promoting the international spread of the Qissa brand.

The story does not seek to redefine Rome, but rather to become part of its cultural fabric. The concept of "The Scent of Rome," "The Essence of Rome," embodies this connection, as an expression of belonging and recognition of identity, not a claim to it.

The Qissa x Roma partnership represents more than just a formal sponsorship agreement; it is a strategic shift that reflects the brand's evolution from a regional success story to a global name present on the international cultural and commercial scene.

By combining sports, wellness, and cultural identity, Qissa continues to enhance its global presence while preserving its authentic roots and values.

The wolf deserves the best

Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr FC announced the return of their Senegalese star, Sadio Mane, to the squad for their upcoming match against Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Professional League. This match marks the global star's first appearance in Al-Nassr's jersey since his international participation with Senegal in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Context of returning from continental participation

Sadio Mane was absent from Al-Nassr's lineup recently while leading Senegal in their title defense at the Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast. Despite a strong performance by the "Lions of Teranga" in the group stage, their journey ended in the round of 16 at the hands of the host nation, Ivory Coast, who went on to win the title. Mane's return represents a huge morale and technical boost for Al-Nassr as they strive to maintain their strong challenge for the league title.

Mane's importance in the global victory project

The signing of 31-year-old Sadio Mane by Al-Nassr in the summer of 2023 from Bayern Munich is considered one of the most prominent transfers in Saudi football history, falling within the Roshan League's strategy of attracting top-tier international stars. Since his arrival, Mane has formed a formidable attacking partnership with Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, making a significant impact on the team's performance.

Before his international break, Mane played 17 league matches for Al-Nassr this season, scoring 6 goals and providing 6 assists to his teammates, during 1099 minutes of play, reflecting his direct and significant impact on the results.

Expected impact on local competition

Mane's return is of paramount importance given the fierce competition for the top spot in the Roshan League. Having a player of his caliber and experience provides coach Luis Castro with diverse tactical options and strengthens the team's attacking prowess at this crucial juncture in the season. Al-Nassr fans eagerly await the return of their star player to his best form on Saudi pitches, hoping he will contribute to securing victories, starting with the match against Al-Taawoun, which will be a true test of the team's ability to maintain pressure on the league leaders.

In a surprising and quick move, the Uruguayan coach of Al-Riyadh, Daniel Carreno, included the new arrival, the young Romanian winger Anis Salhi, in the starting lineup that will face the leader of the Roshan Professional League, Al-Hilal Club, in the match that will be held at eight and a half o’clock on Sunday evening as part of the eighteenth round of the competition.

This decision comes less than 24 hours after Al-Riyadh Club, known as "The Central School," officially announced the signing of Salli on Saturday evening. The deal aims to bolster the attacking capabilities of the team, which is striving to avoid relegation. Salli, 18, is considered one of the most promising talents in Romanian football, having previously become the youngest player to both participate in and score in the history of the Romanian league, making him a significant investment for the club's future.

General context and importance of confrontation

This match is of paramount importance to both teams, but for vastly different reasons. Al-Hilal enters the game sitting atop the league standings with 44 points and an unbeaten record, aiming to extend their winning streak and widen the gap with their closest rivals. On the other hand, Al-Riyadh is in a precarious position, languishing in 16th place with only 10 points, a position that threatens relegation to the First Division. Therefore, this encounter represents a formidable challenge for Al-Riyadh, and an opportunity to prove themselves and achieve a positive result that could prove to be a turning point in their season.

The impact of the deal and the first appearance

The signing of Anis Salli is seen as a bold move by Al-Riyadh's management to inject new blood into the team during the winter transfer window. His immediate inclusion in the starting lineup against a formidable opponent like Al-Hilal reflects coach Carreno's strong confidence in his abilities and potential to make a difference. Salli's debut will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike, who will be eager to assess how quickly he adapts to the competitive Saudi league and what individual and technical solutions he can bring to the team's attack.

The full Al-Riyadh team lineup for the match was as follows:

• Goalkeeper: Milan Borjan
• Defense: Ammar Al-Harfi, Marzouk Timbukti, Yoann Barrett, Osama Al-Bawardi
• Midfielders: Ismaila Soro, Ahmed Siyahi, Antonio Toze, Ibrahim Bayesh
• Forwards: Anis Sali, Mamadou Sylla