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Lionel Messi.
Saudi Arabia turned down Messi offer to play in Saudi Pro League, says official
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia declined an offer to sign football legend Lionel Messi for a short-term stint in the Saudi Pro League, a senior official has revealed. Abdullah Hammad, CEO of the Mahd Sports Academy, said in a recent podcast with Thmanyah that Messi’s team approached him with a proposal for the Argentine star to play in Saudi Arabia while the Major League Soccer (MLS) season pauses for four months. “During the last Club World Cup, Messi’s team contacted me and offered for him to play in Saudi Arabia because the MLS will stop for nearly four months,” Hammad explained. “The player wanted to stay active and prepare himself for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.” Hammad added that he relayed the offer to the Minister of Sports, who rejected it, saying the...
October 29, 2025

Saudi Arabia turned down Messi offer to play in Saudi Pro League, says official

Al-Hilal's president Prince Nawaf bin Saad signed the contract extension with Sergej on Sunday evening at the club’s headquarters in Riyadh.
Al Hilal extend Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s contract until 2028
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Al Hilal have announced the renewal of Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s contract for two additional years, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028. The Saudi Pro League champions made the announcement on X with a post that quickly went viral, reading: “The story continues with the Sergeant.” Milinkovic-Savic, 30, joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2023 from Lazio for €40 million, signing an initial three-year deal. The extension comes just months before the player would have been free to negotiate with other clubs. Since his arrival, the Serbian international has been a key figure for Al Hilal, scoring 31 goals and providing 27 assists in 105 appearances across all competitions. He has helped the Riyadh giants capture four...
October 26, 2025

Al Hilal extend Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s contract until 2028

Al Hilal deepen Al Ittihad’s woes with 2-0 win in Roshn Saudi League
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Al Hilal compounded Al Ittihad’s struggles with a 2-0 victory on Friday in the standout fixture of Matchweek 6 of the Roshn Saudi League. An own goal from Mamadou Doumbia in the 41st minute gave Al Hilal the lead before Marcos Leonardo sealed the win in the 57th minute, pouncing on a rebound spilled by goalkeeper Hamad Al Shinqiti. The result lifted Al Hilal to third place on 14 points, one behind Al Taawoun in second and league leaders Al Nassr. Al Ittihad, meanwhile, remained on 10 points in seventh place after extending their winless run to three matches. Following defeats to Al Nassr in Matchweek 4 and a draw against Al Fayha last round, the reigning champions’ title defense continues to falter as pressure builds ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
October 24, 2025

Al Hilal deepen Al Ittihad’s woes with 2-0 win in Roshn Saudi League

SURJ and ATP officials sign the new agreement in the presence of PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. (Supplied)
Saudi Arabia to host new ATP Masters 1000 tournament from 2028
Saudi Gazette report PARIS — Saudi Arabia will host a new expanded ATP Masters 1000 tournament starting in 2028, marking the first time the prestigious series has added a new event since its inception, SURJ Sports Investment announced on Thursday. The new tournament, launched through a partnership between SURJ Sports Investment — a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company — and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), will make Saudi Arabia the tenth Masters 1000 host city, joining Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid, Rome, Toronto/Montreal, Cincinnati, Shanghai, and Paris. The announcement builds on the strategic partnership between PIF and the ATP, which includes PIF’s role as the official naming partner of both the PIF ATP Rankings and WTA Rankings, collaboration on major...
October 23, 2025

Saudi Arabia to host new ATP Masters 1000 tournament from 2028

Al Hilal continue perfect start with 3-1 win over Al Sadd in AFC Champions League Elite
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Al Hilal SFC maintained their flawless form in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 with a 3-1 victory over Al Sadd SC on Tuesday, extending their winning streak to three games in Group B. Goals from Yusuf Akcicek, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic secured another commanding result for Simone Inzaghi’s side, while Al Sadd’s winless run continued after two opening draws. Missing Joao Cancelo and captain Salem Al Dawsari, Al Hilal made five changes from the lineup that defeated Al Ettifaq 5-0 in the Saudi Pro League last week. Al Sadd, meanwhile, rotated four players from their previous continental outing against Sharjah FC. After an even start, Al Hilal took control when Koulibaly set up Akcicek for the opener in the 25th minute following a...
October 22, 2025

Al Hilal continue perfect start with 3-1 win over Al Sadd in AFC Champions League Elite

Al Nassr arrive in India to fan frenzy ahead of AFC clash as Ronaldo remains absent
Saudi Gazette report GOA — Al Nassr’s squad arrived in the Indian coastal city of Goa on Monday evening to a rousing welcome from local fans, ahead of their AFC Champions League Two group stage clash against FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium. Despite rainy weather, dozens of supporters gathered at the airport to greet the Saudi side, reflecting the growing popularity of the Riyadh giants in India. A large turnout is expected for Wednesday’s match, which will mark Al Nassr’s first-ever competitive fixture in the country. Team captain Cristiano Ronaldo did not travel with the squad, with the Portuguese forward not participating in the group stage of this continental campaign. Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozović also missed the trip due to a groin strain sustained during the weekend’s...
October 21, 2025

Al Nassr arrive in India to fan frenzy ahead of AFC clash as Ronaldo remains absent

Salem Al Dawsari makes history with second AFC Player of the Year award in Riyadh
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al Dawsari etched his name in Asian football history on Thursday, becoming the first player from the Kingdom to win the AFC Player of the Year award twice.The Al Hilal captain received the honour at the glittering AFC Awards Riyadh 2025 presented by NEOM, held at the King Fahad Cultural Center.Al Dawsari, who first won the accolade in 2022, reclaimed the title after a stellar 2024/25 season, surpassing Qatar’s two-time winner Akram Afif and Malaysia’s Arif Aiman Hanapi to secure the crown once again — this time on home soil.His victory also extended Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal SFC’s dominance in Asian football, with the Kingdom now boasting a record seven individual winners, and Al Hilal six — both the highest tallies in AFC...
October 17, 2025

Salem Al Dawsari makes history with second AFC Player of the Year award in Riyadh

Qatar clinch 2026 World Cup berth with 2-1 win over UAE in Doha
Saudi Gazette report DOHA — Qatar are heading back to the FIFA World Cup. The 2022 hosts secured their place at the 2026 Finals with a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, as second-half headers from Boualem Khouki and Pedro Miguel sent the Maroons through from Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 playoffs.Akram Afif — the reigning AFC Player of the Year — was once again the difference-maker at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.The Al Sadd playmaker delivered two pinpoint free kicks in the 49th and 74th minutes, both converted with precision by Khouki and Pedro, giving Julien Lopetegui’s side an unassailable lead.Sultan Adil’s late strike in injury time, coming after Tarek Salman’s red card, made for a nervous finish, but Qatar held firm to claim their...
October 15, 2025

Qatar clinch 2026 World Cup berth with 2-1 win over UAE in Doha

Saudi Arabia seal World Cup 2026 spot after tense draw in Jeddah
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night after a goalless draw with Iraq sent Herve Renard’s men into scenes of celebration at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, securing top spot in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 playoffs.With more than 60,000 fans creating a deafening atmosphere, the Green Falcons held firm to confirm their third straight World Cup appearance and seventh overall — a run that underscores the Kingdom’s growing consistency on the continental stage.Saudi Arabia’s qualification was sealed thanks to their superior goal difference after a vital 3-2 win over Indonesia last week. That result ultimately proved decisive as Iraq were left to rue missed opportunities.Iraq, coached by...
October 15, 2025

Saudi Arabia seal World Cup 2026 spot after tense draw in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia, Iraq set for decisive World Cup playoff showdown in Jeddah
Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — All eyes will be on King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday night as Saudi Arabia and Iraq collide in a high-stakes, winner-takes-all clash in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Playoffs Group B.Victory will guarantee automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, while the losing side must advance to a playoff against the Group A runners-up for another chance to reach the global finals through the FIFA Playoff Tournament.Saudi Arabia eye seventh World Cup berthSaudi Arabia enter the match with momentum, having edged Indonesia 3-2 in their group opener.Herve Renard’s side need only a draw to confirm their place at the World Cup, thanks to their superior goal difference over Iraq, who defeated Indonesia 1-0.However, the Green Falcons will be without...
October 13, 2025

Saudi Arabia, Iraq set for decisive World Cup playoff showdown in Jeddah

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