In an atmosphere of warmth and deep appreciation for his illustrious career, the players of Al-Ittihad's first football team, along with the coaching staff led by Portuguese coach Conceição, bid farewell to French star N'Golo Kanté on the sidelines of the team's training session held Wednesday evening. This farewell reflected the high esteem in which the player was held within the club during his time representing Al-Ittihad.

The farewell ceremony included a touching gesture from his teammates and coaching staff, who signed a large Al-Ittihad jersey bearing Kanté's name as a memento of his time with the team. Coach Conceição also delivered a moving farewell speech to the players, praising the French star's professionalism and high level of discipline, and wishing him success in his next professional endeavor.

The board of directors of Al-Ittihad Club officially announced this morning their acceptance of the offer to purchase the remainder of N'Golo Kanté's contract from Turkish club Fenerbahçe. In their statement, the Al-Ittihad administration praised the player's significant contributions, noting that this decision came after a thorough technical and administrative review. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the French international in Turkish football, a move eagerly anticipated by sports fans given the player's skill and extensive experience.

Looking back, N'Golo Kanté's arrival at Al-Ittihad during the 2023/2024 summer transfer window was a landmark event in the Saudi Professional League. He joined from English club Chelsea after a trophy-laden career, most notably winning the World Cup with France, the UEFA Champions League, and the English Premier League. His arrival at that time was part of a historic shift in Saudi football, attracting some of the world's best players.

In terms of numbers and statistics, the 34-year-old left a clear mark with Al-Ittihad this season. Kanté participated in 26 matches for the "Tigers," demonstrating tactical discipline and high physical fitness, scoring two goals and providing one assist, accumulating a total of 2,287 minutes of playing time. These figures are a testament to his consistent value as one of the top midfielders, making his move to Fenerbahçe a significant addition to the Turkish league and a major acquisition for his new club.

All eyes in Saudi Arabia are on Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, where Al-Hilal's first team is preparing for a highly anticipated and fiery encounter against Al-Akhdoud. This match is part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League and promises to be a challenging and exciting affair, especially given the star-studded lineup of Al-Hilal.

The sports media has revealed details of Al-Hilal's expected lineup for this match, which holds some major surprises for Al-Hilal fans. The most anticipated event is the debut of global star Karim Benzema in Al-Hilal's jersey, following his official signing and inclusion in the squad for this round. Benzema's presence in the attack represents a significant technical boost and a powerful attacking force that Al-Hilal's management aims to use to enhance the team's scoring capabilities during this crucial stage of the league.

Defensively, the lineup has undergone both forced and tactical changes, with Ali Lajami emerging as a replacement for his teammate Hassan Tambakti in central defense, forming a strong partnership with Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly. The squad also includes world-class full-back Theo Hernandez, confirming the coaching staff's desire to solidify the backline while providing attacking support down the flanks.

Al-Hilal is expected to field the following lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou.
• Defense line: Hamad Al-Yami, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Lajami, Theo Hernandez.
• Midfield: Mohamed Kanno, Ruben Neves, Sergej Savic.
• Attack line: Malcolm Philippe, Salem Al-Dawsari, Karim Benzema.

Al-Hilal enters this match with its sights set on nothing less than three points, especially after the recent setback of a draw against Al-Ahli in last week's derby match held at the Kingdom Arena. The league leaders are eager to quickly return to winning ways to ensure they maintain their position at the top of the table and remain strong contenders for the Roshan League title, which has garnered unprecedented global attention due to the caliber of stars and the significant signings made by Saudi clubs, making every match a final with no room for error.

Facing Al-Akhdoud on their home ground will not be an easy walk, as the opponent is armed with the home advantage and the support of the fans. However, Al-Hilal's star-studded squad, led by newcomer Karim Benzema, is determined to deliver a football performance worthy of the club's name and the aspirations of its vast fan base.

The medical staff of the first football team at Al-Ittihad Club is in a state of maximum alert, in direct coordination with the technical staff led by the Portuguese coach Sergi Conceição, in a diligent attempt to prepare the Dutch star who plays for the team, Steven Bergwijn, to catch up with the anticipated Clasico match against Al-Nasr Club.

Thursday evening is scheduled to be the decisive date to determine Bergwijn's participation, as the player will undergo a series of thorough medical and physical tests on the sidelines of the team's final training session, to determine his full readiness and ability to provide the required technical contribution in such major matches.

Date of the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Nassr match and the teams' standings

In a related context, the eyes of Saudi football fans will be on the match venue at 8:30 pm on Friday, February 6, as Al-Ittihad hosts Al-Nasr in the top match of the round within the Saudi Professional League competitions.

The two teams enter the match with contrasting ambitions. Al-Ittihad currently sits in sixth place in the league standings with 34 points, a position that falls short of the aspirations of the club's fans, who hope for an improved performance and a return to contention for the top spots. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr enters the match in second place with 46 points, just one point behind league leaders Al-Hilal (at the time of writing). This makes a victory crucial for Al-Nassr to maintain pressure on the top of the table.

The importance of El Clásico and its impact on the competition

Matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr hold immense historical and popular significance, as this "classic" encounter is considered one of the strongest matches in the Middle East, given the rich history of both clubs and their vast fan bases. The importance of the match extends beyond just the three points; it encompasses the morale and psychological impact on both the players and the fans.

The efforts to prepare Bergwijn are part of coach Conceição's strategy to utilize all his available resources, as the Dutch player represents a significant attacking threat thanks to his speed and individual skills, which could be key to unlocking the opponent's defense. This match is a true test of Al-Ittihad's ability to regain its footing against title contenders, while Al-Nassr seeks to confirm its superiority and continue its quest for the league title amidst fierce competition this season.

The Saudi Roshan League is witnessing remarkable development and unprecedented global attention, which puts additional pressure on players and technical staff to deliver levels befitting the growing reputation of Saudi football, making the readiness of big stars like Bergwijn the talk of the town in sports circles before the starting whistle.