In a strategic move reflecting the rapid development of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia, Al-Ittihad Club officially announced the commencement of the detailed design phase for the "Al-Ittihad Sports Village" project. This step underscores the Jeddah-based club's commitment to building a sustainable future that aligns with the transformative shift Saudi sports are experiencing under the umbrella of Vision 2030.

The official statement issued by the club explained that Al-Ittihad Club Company, represented by the Director of Facilities and Infrastructure, Engineer Hassan Harsani, has finalized crucial agreements to realize this dream. A contract was signed with the international firm Parsons to serve as the project management consultant, and another with FIA to be the lead designer of this new sports complex. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the club's CEO, Mr. Dominicus Oliveira, reflecting the utmost importance the administration places on this project.

A qualitative leap in sports infrastructure

This project is more than just a traditional sports facility; it represents a qualitative leap in the infrastructure of Saudi clubs. This move comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing unprecedented sporting activity aimed at transforming the Saudi League into one of the strongest leagues in the world, which requires world-class facilities comparable to those of the biggest European clubs. Advanced infrastructure is the cornerstone for developing young talent and attracting international stars, which is what the Federation seeks to achieve through this village.

Integrated facilities with international standards

According to the master plan, the sports village will be an integrated environment encompassing the club's headquarters, dedicated training pitches for the first team and others for youth teams, ensuring a professional hierarchy in player development. The project will also include specialized centers for developing athletic performance, state-of-the-art administrative facilities, and commercial assets and investments aimed at enhancing the club's financial sustainability—a vital element in the era of sports privatization.

A strategic location that enhances the fan experience

The project boasts a unique strategic location near King Abdullah Sports City (The Shining Jewel) in Jeddah. This proximity grants the project direct access and integration with the city's urban and sporting environment, positioning it as a world-class sporting destination. This location is expected to enhance the fan experience, facilitate access, and improve the club's daily operational efficiency.

The club's management concluded its statement by emphasizing that the design was chosen after a rigorous competition among a select group of international consultants, to ensure its compliance with FIFA requirements and global best practices, making it a model to be emulated in the region.

Al-Ittihad Club is charting its next course with well-considered steps that reflect a strategic direction towards financial and technical restructuring, paving the way for a potential change in the club's ownership structure. This is part of a comprehensive project to rebuild the organization on more sustainable foundations.
Among these changes, the administration has focused on reducing operational costs, particularly the high salaries that have been a financial burden in recent times and directly contributed to the departure of several key players during the winter transfer window. This is part of a vision aimed at restoring a balance between sporting ambition and financial sustainability.
renew the contract
of Portuguese coach Danilo Pereira and postpone a decision on Brazilian Fabinho until the end of the season is part of a sporting strategy aimed at gradually lowering the average age of the team while retaining experienced players who provide a clear technical contribution both on and off the field.
Through this policy, the sporting management seeks to build a more dynamic and competitive team, relying on a blend of young talent and influential experience, thus ensuring consistent performance and achieving technical stability in the medium and long term.
Al-Ittihad Sports Village: A Cornerstone for the Future.
In a move reflecting the strategic vision of the club, Al-Ittihad Club Company, represented by the Director of Facilities and Infrastructure, announced the signing of an agreement with Parsons as the consultant for managing the “Al-Ittihad Sports Village” project, alongside FIA ​​as the lead designer, in the presence of the club’s CEO.
The project is considered one of the most prominent sports infrastructure projects in the Kingdom, encompassing a comprehensive plan that includes the club’s headquarters, training fields for the first team and youth teams, specialized performance development centers, administrative facilities, and investment assets that enhance financial and commercial sustainability, while adhering to the highest environmental sustainability standards.
The project boasts a strategic location near King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, granting it urban integration and direct connectivity to the surrounding sports infrastructure. This will serve as a new avenue enhancing the player and fan experience and boosting operational efficiency, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Al-Aboud Returns… A Message of Discipline and Confidence.
In a related technical development, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud has returned to training via a gradual fitness program, having overcome the brief dispute that led to his recent exclusion. This move reflects a professional approach to managing technical matters, based on discipline while preserving the technical value of key players. A
New Phase Emerges:
Between budget adjustments, a rejuvenation of talent, and investment in advanced infrastructure, Al-Ittihad is moving towards a more balanced phase. This phase will not rely solely on big names, but rather on an integrated system managed with a modern investment and sporting mindset.

As the Saudi Professional League enters its decisive stages and final moments, the eyes of football fans both locally and globally are turning to an individual battle no less exciting than the title race: the race for the Golden Boot. Although Ivan Toni currently leads by two goals, technical analyses and on-field data suggest that Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo appears poised to turn the tables and snatch the title in the remaining rounds.

The context of competition and the development of the Saudi League mean
that the race for the top scorer title is no longer merely a local affair, but has become an event followed globally due to the presence of such prominent names in the competition. This fierce rivalry between Ronaldo and Toni reflects the qualitative leap that Saudi football has undergone, as it has become a haven for the world's best strikers. Historically, the top scorer title was often decided solely by individual brilliance, but with the current tactical developments, the collective system has become the decisive factor, which currently works in Ronaldo's favor.

1- The Hard-Served Constellation: Mane, Coman, and Felix.
Ronaldo is no longer burdened with creating chances alone, as was the case in previous stints. Al-Nassr now possesses an attacking supply system that is considered the strongest domestically, and perhaps among the best continentally. The great synergy with Sadio Mane, the blistering pace of Kingsley Coman, and the sharp vision of Joao Felix have transformed the opponents' penalty area into a constant stage for waiting for Ronaldo's killer touch. Al-Fateh's recent goal, which came from a Mane assist, is a microcosm of what this squad can do to serve its leader, at a time when Toni sometimes suffers from inconsistent playmaking within Al-Ahli's ranks.

2- The weapon of a recharged battery: After a break
, at the age of 41, rest and recovery become crucial factors, no less important than technical readiness. Ronaldo's recent break brought back a more aggressive and energetic version of himself. His remarkable physical activity, reduced defensive support, and impressive leaps into the box against Al-Fateh confirm that the "Madeira Rocket" has fully recovered his physical condition. This readiness could make a significant difference in the final stages, especially given the signs of physical and mental fatigue appearing in several opponents due to the pressure of consecutive matches.

3- The Thousand-Goal Mentality: An unquenchable drive
for many strikers. The top scorer title is the ultimate goal, but for Ronaldo, it's merely a stepping stone on a larger, historic dream: reaching 1000 career goals. This personal motivation drives him to approach every match with a "cup final" mentality, giving him a clear psychological advantage over his rivals. Ronaldo isn't just competing with Toni Kroos; he's competing with history and time itself. This kind of psychological battle generates boundless energy, which is reflected positively in his prolific goal-scoring record.

4- Gold Monopoly: Penalties and set pieces
in the tight race for top scorer; small details and set pieces could decide the title. Ronaldo is the undisputed first-choice penalty and free-kick taker for Al-Nassr, giving him a guaranteed goal-scoring advantage every round. These "relatively guaranteed" goals make it only a matter of time before he closes the gap with Toni, while roles are sometimes distributed within Al-Ahli, giving "The Don" a clear numerical advantage to increase his goal tally.

5- The tactical explosion of Jesus' system:
The remarkable development in Al-Nassr's performance under coach Jorge Jesus is no longer based on individual brilliance, but rather on a comprehensive attacking system that creates clear-cut chances at a high rate (xG). Penetrating defenses from the center and flanks has become a defining characteristic of Jesus's style, which has led to Ronaldo frequently getting the ball in extremely dangerous areas inside the penalty area. The statistics confirm that the quality of the chances he is currently receiving is the highest since the beginning of the season, which explains his reaching 18 goals despite missing some periods.

The expected impact of the race:
If this conflict continues until the last round, it will have positive effects that go beyond the field; it will enhance the marketing value of the Saudi League and attract the attention of the international media to follow every remaining minute of the competition, thus consolidating the league’s position as one of the most exciting and competitive leagues in the region.