Danilo Pereira, the Portuguese professional player in the ranks of Al-Ittihad Club, ignited social media and sparked widespread controversy after the end of the Clasico match that brought together his team and Al-Nasr, which ended with Al-Ittihad losing by two goals to nil.

In a swift and brief response, Pereira posted a cryptic message on his official Instagram account's story, writing: "Some things are predetermined." A large segment of fans and followers interpreted this as a veiled reference to the course of the match and the refereeing decisions, especially given the tense atmosphere surrounding the game.

Al-Ittihad suffered this heavy defeat on Friday evening, in the twenty-first (21) round of the Saudi Professional League, a result that cast a shadow over the team’s ranking and its ambitions to compete for the title this season, which increased the pressure on the players and the technical staff.

In a related context that reinforces the hypothesis of the player's objection, Al-Ittihad Club issued a strongly worded official statement protesting the refereeing performance in the Clasico match against Al-Nasr, demanding that the club's rights be preserved and emphasizing the impact of the refereeing decisions on the course of the match. For more details about the statement, click here .

The importance of El Clásico and its impact on the Saudi League

Matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr hold immense historical and popular significance, as this "classic" encounter is considered one of the fiercest in Saudi and Arab football. The importance of this match transcends the mere three points at stake, extending to its profound psychological and moral impact on both teams in the league campaign. This particular match comes at a time when the Roshan League is experiencing tremendous growth and attracting some of the world's top stars, ensuring that every game is under intense global scrutiny.

The reactions, whether from professional players like Danilo Pereira or from club officials, reflect the intense competition currently taking place in the Saudi league. The struggle for top positions now demands high concentration and attention to detail, which can decide major matches. This explains the frustration players may feel when they perceive significant errors that hinder the team's progress.

The medical staff at Al-Ittihad Saudi Club are continuing their intensive efforts to prepare first-team players, striker Saleh Al-Shehri and Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn, through a precise fitness and rehabilitation program they are currently undergoing. This accelerated medical approach aims to pave the way for their return to full team training at a crucial point in the season.

Details of Bergwijn and Al-Shehri's injuries

Both Al-Shehri and Bergwijn are suffering from similar calf muscle injuries, which have recently sidelined them from full participation. Saleh Al-Shehri sustained his injury during the match against Al-Fateh in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League, while Dutch star Steven Bergwijn was injured during the match against Al-Ettifaq in the 16th round of the same competition.

The duo's numbers with Al-Ittihad this season

The return of the duo is significant given their impressive statistics this season. Saleh Al-Shehri has featured in 19 matches across all competitions for Al-Ittihad, scoring four goals and providing one assist in 514 minutes of play, making him a valuable asset in attack. Meanwhile, Bergwijn is a key player, having participated in 20 matches, scoring eight goals and assisting two in 1644 minutes of play, highlighting his high level of skill and importance to the starting lineup.

The importance of facing Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League Elite

The return of injured players is of paramount importance given the upcoming continental fixture, as Al-Ittihad prepares to host Qatari side Al-Gharafa at 9:15 PM next Tuesday. This match is part of the seventh round of the group stage in the current edition of the AFC Champions League, a tournament Al-Ittihad is striving to win in order to reclaim its continental glory.

Al-Ittihad enters the match in sixth place in the West Zone standings with 9 points, a position that qualifies them for the next round, but they are aiming to improve their ranking to secure easier opponents in the knockout stages. On the other hand, Al-Gharafa sits in ninth place with 6 points, making this a crucial match for the Qatari team, who are striving to reach the top eight qualifying spots. This adds a fierce competitive edge to the anticipated encounter in Jeddah.

This match is a pivotal moment for Al-Ittihad to confirm its superiority and overcome the obstacle of injuries that have recently plagued its ranks, as the Al-Ittihad fans are counting heavily on the team's full strength to ensure continued competition on all local and continental fronts.

International press reports have revealed a state of ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding the position of Portuguese football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, with his Saudi club Al-Nassr, in light of his noticeable absence from participation in recent matches and training sessions, which has raised widespread questions in the sports community.

According to a report published today, Saturday, by the reliable "The Athletic" network, citing a responsible source within Al-Nassr club, the administration and technical staff are finding it difficult to predict the next steps of the Portuguese star or determine his final position at the present time, which adds more anticipation about the player's future with "Al-Aalami".

Details of his absence from El Clásico and training sessions

Ronaldo has been absent from Al-Nassr's training sessions in preparation for their crucial match against Al-Ittihad, without the club issuing any official statement explaining the medical or technical reasons for his absence. His absence wasn't limited to training; it also extended to his participation in the team's last match in the Saudi Professional League against Al-Riyadh.

Despite the return of "Madeira Rocket" to participate in the team's training session last Wednesday evening, he was not included in the exciting "Clasico" that brought together Al-Nasr and Al-Ittihad on Friday evening, in which his teammates succeeded in achieving a valuable victory with two goals to nil, proving the team's ability to compete even in the absence of its first captain.

Ronaldo's numbers and his historical impact

This absence comes at a time when the (41)-year-old is delivering remarkable performances this season, having participated in (22) matches in various tournaments with Al-Nasr, during which he scored (18) goals and made 3 goals for his teammates, in (1917) minutes of play, which confirms the continuation of his passion for scoring despite his age.

Historically, Al-Nassr's signing of Cristiano Ronaldo is seen as a pivotal turning point in the history of the Saudi League and Asian football, as it opened the door to attracting elite world stars and contributed to placing the Roshan League under the global media spotlight, making any ambiguity about its future an issue with dimensions that extend beyond the green rectangle to include the marketing and fan aspects of the club and the competition as a whole.

Upcoming challenges and victory opportunities

Al-Nasr fans are eagerly awaiting the return of their star player in the upcoming matches, as Al-Nasr is scheduled to be a tough guest for Turkmenistan’s Arkadağ at 4:45 pm next Wednesday, as part of the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League 2, a tournament in which “Al-Aalami” seeks to advance to achieve the continental title.

Following the Asian mission, the team will return to local competition when they visit Al-Fateh at 8:30 pm on Saturday, February 14, as part of the (22) round of the Roshan League, in matches that will be crucial for the team’s journey this season. The question remains: Will the Don return to lead the yellow attack or will the ambiguity continue?