Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez is linked with a surprising move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, with reports suggesting he is close to leaving and talks are ongoing, despite being a key player and recently signing a contract extension. The move could be influenced by Barcelona's need to offload a center-back and registration issues for new players.
Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year extension with Al-Nassr, earning around €185 million annually, and will also be offered a minority ownership stake in the club, signaling his future ambitions in football beyond playing.
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United's captain, is considering a lucrative offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal, encouraged by teammate Ruben Neves, amid United's financial and squad challenges, with a decision expected within a week.
Cristiano Ronaldo hinted that his time at Saudi club Al-Nassr has ended, fueling speculation about his next move, with discussions ongoing about his participation in the upcoming Club World Cup, where he may play for a new club.
Mohamed Salah has expressed uncertainty about his future at Liverpool, stating he has not received a formal contract offer despite his current deal expiring next summer. Salah, who has been a key player for Liverpool since 2017, could sign a pre-contract with an overseas club from January. While discussions with his representative are ongoing, Salah has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League. Despite the uncertainty, Salah remains focused on his performance, contributing significantly to Liverpool's current season.
Al-Hilal's world-record winning streak in the Saudi Pro League has raised concerns over the predictability of the league, with the team's formidable lineup and financial backing contributing to their dominance. The team's 28-game winning run has put them 12 points clear at the top of the league, with their focus now shifting to the Champions League. Despite challenges from other wealthy clubs like Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal's winning mentality and consistent success make them a formidable force in the league.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a one-game ban and fined for making an 'obscene gesture' at fans during a recent match, seemingly in response to chants of 'Messi, Messi' from the stands. The incident highlights Ronaldo's sensitivity to comparisons with Lionel Messi, despite their lack of recent competition. This behavior raises questions about the fragility of Ronaldo's ego and the undignified nature of his current situation playing in a substandard league, haunted by the ghost of his long-standing rival.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one match by the Saudi Football Federation after making an obscene gesture during a match against Al Shabab, for which he has also been fined. This decision means he will miss Al Nassr's upcoming Saudi Pro League game. This is not the first time Ronaldo has been involved in such controversy, as he previously appeared to grab his genitals following a match against Al Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one match and fined for allegedly making an offensive gesture during a Saudi Pro League game while playing for Al Nassr. The gesture, which appeared to be aimed at Al-Shabab fans, led to a ban and a fine from the Saudi Arabia Football Federation. This is not the first time Ronaldo has been at the center of controversy since joining Al-Nassr, but he continues to lead the league in goals and is also competing in the Asian Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo faces heavy criticism and a potential suspension after appearing to make an offensive gesture towards Al Shabab supporters following Al Nassr's victory in a Saudi Pro League match. The incident, not captured by television cameras, has sparked swift backlash and an investigation by the Saudi football federation. Ronaldo's availability for the next match is in jeopardy, despite leading the league with 22 goals this season since joining Al Nassr in December 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo is under investigation by the Saudi football federation for making an obscene gesture towards heckling fans during Al Nassr's match against Al Shabab in a Saudi Pro League match. The incident, not captured by television cameras, occurred after Ronaldo scored on a penalty in the first half. The Portuguese soccer star, who is leading the league with 22 goals this season, joined Al Nassr in 2022 in a lucrative transfer from Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo faced criticism for making an apparent obscene gesture towards Al Shabab supporters after Al Nassr's 3-2 win in a Saudi Pro League game, with social media videos capturing the incident. The action, which seemed to be in response to "Messi" chants, has sparked an investigation by the Saudi football federation, with some pundits calling for sanctions. This is not the first time Ronaldo has faced such criticism, as he previously grabbed his genitals and engaged in a scarf incident. Despite the controversy, Ronaldo leads the Saudi league scoring charts and Al Nassr is in contention for the Asian Champions League.
In a preseason match between Al Nassr and Inter Miami in Riyadh, Al Nassr dominated with a 6-0 victory, despite Messi and Ronaldo not playing the full game. The match highlighted the disparity between the Saudi Pro League and MLS, with Inter Miami struggling to compete. The game also raised questions about the ability of MLS teams to compete on a global scale, prompting discussions about the need for change within the league to enhance its competitiveness.
Neymar, recovering from an ACL injury, responded to social media criticism about his weight by showing his belly and telling "haters" to "s*** it." The Brazilian star has faced backlash for appearing bulky in photos, but he has clapped back at the criticism.
Jordan Henderson's abrupt departure from Saudi Arabia's Pro League deals a blow to the kingdom's ambitions to make its domestic league an international soccer hub. The former Liverpool captain's move to Dutch side Ajax comes six months after signing with Al-Ettifaq, citing difficulty settling in the country. His exit raises questions about both his reputation and the image of the Saudi Pro League, with critics accusing Riyadh of "sportswashing" to distract from human rights abuses. Henderson's departure prompts speculation about potential reputational damage to the league, while some had previously criticized his move to a country where same-sex sexual activity is criminalized.