The management of Neom Sports Club, which plays in the Saudi First Division League (Yello League), announced that it has successfully completed the procedures for officially signing the talented player Ryan Messi, coming from the ranks of the French club Strasbourg, on a loan basis until the end of the current sports season, in a deal that has sparked widespread interest in sports circles.

Details of the official announcement of the deal

The media center of NEOM FC announced the completion of the deal via the club's official Twitter account on Saturday. The club posted a special welcome video for the new player, showcasing his exceptional individual skills, speed, and technical abilities that attracted the attention of scouts in Europe, accompanied by welcoming messages emphasizing the value of this addition to the team.

Who is Ryan Messi?

Ryan Messi (full name Ryan Messi Tanfori) is one of the rising stars of French football. Born in 2007, the winger has attracted considerable attention not only because of his name similarity to Argentine legend Lionel Messi, but also for his genuine talent, which emerged early with Dijon, where he became the club's youngest ever goalscorer, before moving to Strasbourg. He represents France at various youth levels, making him a valuable addition to NEOM's ambitious project.

NEOM Sports Project and the Dream of Promotion

This deal comes as part of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the NEOM club management to build a strong team capable not only of competing but also of dominating the Yellow League and securing early promotion to the Roshan Professional League. The team currently boasts a selection of international and local stars, such as captain Salman Al-Faraj, Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazi, and Brazilian Romarinho, under the guidance of experienced coach Pericles Chamusca.

The signing of a young talent from the French league reflects the new trend of Saudi clubs to attract promising talents globally, not just veteran stars, in line with the tremendous development witnessed by the sports sector in the Kingdom within Vision 2030. Ryan Messi is expected to be a winning card in Neom's attack during the upcoming crucial matches in the league.

Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo, who plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal, has put an end to the speculation surrounding his future and the possibility of a return to the Brazilian league. According to a recent report by ESPN, the player has no intention of leaving Al-Hilal at this time, confirming his complete commitment to the club.

The past period witnessed intensive moves by the Brazilian club Palmeiras, which opened a hot line of serious negotiations with the management of Al-Hilal during the winter transfer period in January, with the aim of securing the services of the Brazilian talent to strengthen its ranks before the upcoming challenges, but these attempts were met with the desire of the player and the club to continue the current partnership.

Roadmap to the 2026 World Cup

The global network explained in its report that Marcus Leonardo has laid out a clear roadmap for his professional career, deciding to stay with Al-Hilal until next June as a first step. However, the most important strategic decision concerns the long term, as it was agreed to postpone any final decision regarding his future or a move to another club until after the 2026 World Cup. This indicates the player's desire to focus on developing within a highly competitive environment like the Saudi Professional League to secure an international reputation.

Distinctive numbers and a clear artistic effect

On a technical level, Leonardo has proven his worth in Al-Hilal's ranks since joining, becoming a key player in the team's lineup. The Brazilian striker has contributed significantly to the team's positive results, with statistics showing his involvement in 15 goals (scoring and assisting) in 24 official matches this season. This performance reflects his rapid adaptation to the environment in Saudi Arabia and his excellent rapport with his teammates.

Context of the event and the importance of continuity

Al-Hilal's insistence on keeping the player and Leonardo's refusal to return to Brazil comes within the context of the major sporting boom in Saudi Arabia, where the Roshan League has become a magnet for the world's top stars. Retaining a young and talented player like Leonardo strengthens Al-Hilal's attacking prowess, especially given the fierce competition for domestic and continental titles. Furthermore, his continued presence thwarts the efforts of Brazilian clubs seeking to bring back their expatriate talents in preparation for the revamped Club World Cup, with Palmeiras, for example, hoping to acquire a prolific striker to bolster their chances in international competitions.

In conclusion, it seems that Al-Hilal fans can rest assured that one of their most prominent attacking weapons will continue, given the administrative and technical stability the club is experiencing, and the shared ambition between the player and the management to achieve more accomplishments in the coming years.

Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez continues to etch his name in the annals of the Saudi Professional League, delivering exceptional defensive performances for Al-Ahli. This brilliance culminated in a remarkable record: maintaining a clean sheet in 12 consecutive matches, a testament to his exceptional focus and physical strength.

According to precise statistics from SofaScore, a global network specializing in football statistics and data, Ibanez has dominated one-on-one duels for a total of 1068 consecutive minutes. This figure is not just a passing statistic, but a true indicator of the defensive solidity the Brazilian star has added to Al-Ahli's back line, making him one of the toughest defenders to beat in the league this season.

List of victims and match record

The matches in which Ibanez maintained this record were neither easy nor insignificant; they included high-caliber encounters and fiercely contested matches. The list of clubs whose strikers were unable to dribble past the Brazilian rock included: Al-Riyadh, Al-Ittihad, Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Fateh, Al-Fayha, Al-Akhdoud, Al-Taawoun, Al-Khaleej, Neom, Al-Ettifaq, Al-Hilal, and Al-Hazm. The presence of clubs of Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad's stature on this list amplifies the significance of this achievement, given the formidable attacking arsenals these teams possess, boasting some of the world's most prominent stars.

General context and impact of the deal

Since joining Al-Ahli from AS Roma, there were high hopes placed on Ibanez to lead the defense in Al-Ahli's project to return to title contention. The Saudi league currently boasts world-class strikers, making the task of defenders more complex and challenging than in previous seasons. Ibanez's success in achieving this feat amidst such fierce competition confirms the quality of Al-Ahli's management choices and the player's ability to quickly adapt to the Saudi football environment and the demands of coach Matias Jääsle.

Tactical and technical importance

Tactically, this statistic is a testament to the success of Al-Ahli's pressing and high-pressing system, which the team frequently employs. The team relies on Ibanez's ability to win back possession and thwart counter-attacks without resorting to fouls or dribbling. This defensive stability gives the midfielders and forwards the confidence to push forward and create plays, making Ibanez an indispensable pillar of the Jeddah-based team's lineup as they strive to continue accumulating points and compete strongly in all domestic and continental competitions.