In a surprising development that has shaken Saudi football circles, reliable sources within Al-Ittihad Club have confirmed that the club's management has officially agreed to the transfer of French star Karim Benzema to their arch-rivals, Al-Hilal, during the current winter transfer window. This decision comes after a series of negotiations that culminated in an agreement on all financial and contractual details, including the purchase of the remaining term of the French player's contract.

Details of Benzema's transfer deal to Al-Hilal

Sources told Al-Midan that Al-Ittihad's management has given the green light for the departure of the former Ballon d'Or winner, with the matter now finalized. Karim Benzema is scheduled to join Al-Hilal's training sessions immediately after the highly anticipated derby match against Al-Ahli, part of the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League, which will be held at the Kingdom Arena, Al-Hilal's new home stadium.

Youssef En-Nesyri: The strategic alternative for Al-Ittihad

In a related development, to fill the attacking void that Benzema will leave, the same sources indicated that Moroccan international Youssef En-Nesyri, the striker for Spanish club Sevilla, is the most likely and prominent name to wear the Al-Ittihad jersey. The Al-Ittihad management is currently working on the final touches to officially complete the deal during the current transfer window, making En-Nesyri the Tigers' new spearhead.

Background of the event and its impact on the Roshan League

This indirect swap deal comes at a time when Saudi football is undergoing historic transformations as part of a massive sports investment project. The transfer of a player of Karim Benzema's caliber between the two Saudi football giants (Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal) reflects the flexibility in the movement of top players within the league to ensure maximum benefit from their technical abilities. Benzema, who joined Al-Ittihad with high hopes, will be a valuable addition to coach Jorge Jesus's squad at Al-Hilal, especially given his extensive European experience.

Why Youssef En-Nesyri?

The selection of Youssef En-Nesyri as a replacement was not arbitrary; the player boasts an impressive track record, most notably his outstanding performance with the Moroccan national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they reached the semi-finals. Furthermore, his exceptional aerial ability and high pressing skills are precisely what Al-Ittihad needs to bolster their attack in upcoming domestic and continental competitions. These moves underscore the ongoing efforts of Saudi clubs to maintain a high level of competitiveness and strengthen their squads with top international stars.

In a remarkable development following the final whistle, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al-Nassr club, apologized for not attending the traditional press conference held after the match, following the encounter that brought his team together with Al-Riyadh in the twentieth round of the Roshan Professional League competition, which was held at Al-Malaz Stadium in the Saudi capital.

Sources revealed that Jesus's absence was not a personal decision, but rather a response to directives from the club's management, who issued a strict order prohibiting any media statements from either the coaching staff or the players following the controversial match at Al-Malaz Stadium. All members of the team adhered to this directive, with no Al-Nassr player making any comments to the media in the mixed zone.

The correspondent for Channel 8 confirmed this news, noting that the team's administrative director was officially informed of the administration's refusal to allow any media appearances, which reflects a state of dissatisfaction or a desire to protect the team from entering into media disputes that may affect their focus in the next stage, especially in light of the fierce competition witnessed in the Saudi League this season.

On the technical front, Al-Nassr secured a crucial victory in the mini-Riyadh derby, winning 1-0. The lone goal of the match came courtesy of Senegalese star Sadio Mane, who capitalized on a brilliant and precise pass from his teammate Joao Felix, firing a powerful shot into the net and earning his team three valuable points in their title race.

The context of competition and the importance of media silence:
This move by Al-Nassr's management comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is undergoing major transformations and fierce competition on all fronts. International and local clubs often resort to the tactic of "media silence" in specific situations, frequently related to protesting refereeing decisions or the desire to shield the team from psychological pressure and fan hype. The press conference is a fundamental part of the Saudi Professional League's protocols, and its absence can subject clubs to fines according to disciplinary regulations. However, clubs may prefer to pay the fine to convey a specific message or protect their coaches and players from emotional statements that could lead to suspensions.

This victory, despite the events that accompanied it, reflects Al-Nasr's ability to separate the surrounding tensions from the performance within the green rectangle, as maintaining the tone of victories and collecting full points is the ultimate goal in light of the close points struggle at the top of the standings, which makes every match of utmost importance in drawing the features of the season's champion.

Uruguayan Danilo Carreño, the manager of Al-Riyadh Club, made important statements after the end of his team’s match against Al-Nasr, which ended with Al-Riyadh losing by one goal to nil, in the match that was held on the grounds of Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium (Al-Malaz) as part of the competitions of the twentieth round of the Saudi Professional League.

Carreno's statements regarding performance and the psychological aspect

In the post-match press conference, Carreño highlighted the factors that influenced the course of the game, indicating that the psychological aspect played a pivotal role in the final result. Carreño said, "There's no news regarding the current winter transfer window, and the psychological aspect greatly affected the results of today's match. We tried everything to achieve a positive outcome. The team played with a high fighting spirit, and we will achieve greater results in the future. We need to improve even more." The coach emphasized that his team gave their all against a strong, star-studded opponent, praising his players' fighting spirit despite the loss.

Between passion and professionalism: Carreno's relationship with Al-Nassr

Carreño addressed his long-standing relationship with Al-Nassr, having previously coached the club and achieved unforgettable successes with them, adding a special dimension to his encounters against them. He commented, "I certainly love Al-Nassr very much, but I am currently the coach of Al-Riyadh, and my goal was to secure the three points from the match to improve the team's position in the Roshan Professional League standings." This statement reflects the high level of professionalism possessed by the Uruguayan coach, as he completely separates his feelings towards his former club from his current responsibility towards Al-Riyadh, which is striving to secure its position in the safe zone of the league table.

The context of the competition and the importance of the match

This match comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is witnessing fierce competition and significant development on both the technical and marketing levels, where every point has become crucial for teams, whether in the battle for the top spot or in the fight to avoid relegation. Carreno's return to face Al-Nassr is always an event that attracts the attention of fans and the media, given the immense popularity the coach enjoys among Saudi sports fans and the memories Al-Nassr supporters hold of him as one of the coaches who left a clear mark on the club's history.

Details of the decisive goal

In the match itself, Al-Nassr secured a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a goal from Senegalese star Sadio Mane. The goal came after a brilliant team move and a decisive pass from Joao Felix, which Mane finished with a precise shot into the net, securing a valuable win for Al-Nassr and strengthening their position in the competition. Meanwhile, Al-Riyadh will need to work hard and improve in the upcoming rounds, as promised by their coach.