As part of the intensive preparations for the 23rd round of the Roshan Professional League, Al-Hilal's star player Karim Benzema spoke about his physical and mental readiness during the holy month of Ramadan, ahead of the anticipated fiery encounter between his team and Al-Ittihad at the "Kingdom Arena" stadium next Friday.

In exclusive statements shared by the club's official account, Benzema confirmed that fasting gives him an extra incentive to excel, saying, "My performance is better during Ramadan. Ramadan makes me more focused and increases my strength and enthusiasm, praise be to God." These statements underscore the deep spiritual connection the player feels during the holy month and how this positively impacts his performance on the pitch, a phenomenon observed among many Muslim players in leagues around the world.

The importance of El Clásico and its impact on the league

This match holds special significance, not only because it pits the two giants of Saudi football against each other in a classic encounter eagerly anticipated by fans across the Arab world, but also because it comes at a crucial juncture in the league season. Historically, matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are among the most intense in the region, always characterized by fierce competition and huge fan excitement. This particular match is seen as a pivotal turning point in the league standings, as each team strives to assert its dominance and delight its supporters during these Ramadan nights.

Benzema facing his former team

The match holds special significance for Karim Benzema, as he will lead Al-Hilal's attack against Al-Ittihad in his first encounter with his former club since joining the Saudi giants on a free transfer. All eyes will be on the French star to see how he handles the pressure of such a high-stakes game, especially as fans are counting on him to decide the outcome thanks to his extensive experience in European and international football.

Technical and physical preparations

On the technical front, Al-Hilal enters the match with high morale after their recent 2-1 victory over Al-Wahda of the UAE, giving the team a significant morale boost. The team resumed training today in preparation for the upcoming match, with the coaching staff focusing on capitalizing on the players' excellent physical condition, particularly Benzema, who has shown great enthusiasm for playing in the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan.

The timing of major matches with the month of Ramadan always gives a distinctive character to the Saudi League, as the stands become crowded with fans and the competition reaches its peak, which promises a rich football confrontation befitting the reputation of Saudi football and its rapid development that has attracted the world’s attention.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a strongly worded official statement regarding the deplorable racist incident involving Real Madrid's Brazilian star Vinicius Junior during his team's Champions League playoff match against Benfica. This statement reaffirms FIFA's firm stance against any transgressions that tarnish the image of global sport.

Details of the FIFA president's statement

On his official Instagram account, Infantino expressed his deep dismay at the incident, saying, "I was shocked and saddened to see the alleged racist incident against Vinicius Junior in the Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid." He added, emphasizing the need for collective action: "There is absolutely no place for racism in our sport and our society. We need all stakeholders to take firm action and hold those responsible for these shameful acts to account.".

Infantino stressed FIFA's commitment to protecting the pillars of the game, explaining: "At FIFA, through the global stance against racism and the Players' Voice Committee, we are committed to ensuring that players, officials and fans are respected and protected, and to taking appropriate and immediate action when such incidents occur.".

Activating the new FIFA protocol

In a related development, FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the actions of the match referee, Frenchman François Letixter, who implemented the new instructions meticulously. Infantino said, "I commend referee François Letixter for activating the anti-racism protocol by using an arm gesture (an X) to stop the match and address the situation." He concluded with a message of solidarity: "FIFA and football demonstrate their full solidarity with victims of racism and all forms of discrimination. I will always continue to emphasize: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!".

Historical background and context of the event

This incident is particularly significant given that Vinicius Junior has become a global icon in the fight against racism in football stadiums in recent years, after enduring a series of abuses in several European stadiums. These repeated incidents prompted FIFA to take unprecedented steps, most notably the decision made at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, where the "crossed arms" gesture was adopted as a global symbol indicating racist abuse, triggering a three-step procedure: stopping the match, then suspending it, and finally abandoning it if the abuse continues.

Expected impact of the event

The referee's application of this protocol in a Champions League match sends a strong message from football authorities that the new laws are not just empty words, but effective tools for protecting players. This firm stance from Infantino and FIFA's full support for the victims are expected to lead to stricter penalties for clubs and fans involved in the future, putting pressure on continental and national federations to standardize punishment criteria and ensure a safe environment for all players, regardless of their nationality or skin color.

Brazilian star Malcom Filipe , winger for Al-Hilal's first football team, has sparked debate and anticipation in Saudi sports circles, particularly among Al-Hilal fans, regarding his potential participation in the upcoming match against Al-Ittihad. Al-Hilal is preparing to host its traditional rival in the "Saudi Clasico" as part of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional , in a highly anticipated match to be held at the Kingdom Arena.

The controversy arose after Malcom posted a video message on his Instagram story, showing him undergoing intensive recovery and physiotherapy. This image was interpreted by followers and analysts as a race against time by the player to recover and reach full fitness before the crucial match, leaving the door open to all possibilities regarding his inclusion in the starting lineup under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus.

The concern among Al-Hilal fans stems from an injury sustained by Malcom during the team's last match against Al-Ettifaq, which Al-Hilal won 2-0, continuing their impressive winning streak in the league. This injury is considered a significant blow to the team's tactical plans, given the high level of skill the Brazilian player brings to the team.

The importance of El Clásico and the potential impact of Malcom's absence

The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad match holds immense significance, transcending the mere three-pointer; it represents a historic rivalry between the two giants of Saudi football. This classic encounter attracts widespread public and media attention, not only locally but also regionally, given the presence of world-class stars and high-caliber players on both sides. This match is pivotal in both teams' pursuit of the league title, with Al-Hilal aiming to solidify their lead and widen the gap, while Al-Ittihad seeks to close the gap and prove their competitiveness.

Malcom is a key pillar of Al-Hilal's attacking system, distinguished by his playmaking abilities and crucial goal-scoring prowess, as well as his excellent understanding with the rest of the attack. Therefore, his potential absence may force the coaching staff to make tactical adjustments to compensate for this loss against a team of Al-Ittihad's caliber, which boasts a strong defense and a cohesive midfield.

Fans are awaiting the final medical report in the coming hours, which will determine the player's participation, amid hopes from Al-Hilal supporters that the recovery sessions the player posted are a positive indication of his imminent return to the field to participate in this anticipated football epic.