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31 - 40 from 22235 . In "Sports"

NEOM FC aims high with World Cup 2029 in sight

Saudi Gazette reportNEOM — In the far northwest of Saudi Arabia, just outside Tabuk, a football project with ambitious intent is quietly gaining momentum.NEOM FC, the rebranded successor to Al-Suqoor, has quickly become one of the most intriguing stories in the Saudi football landscape — a club built to symbolize transformation.Owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also owns Premier League side Newcastle United, NEOM FC is designed to represent more than a city.It’s being positioned as the footballing face of one of the Kingdom’s largest and most high-profile development initiatives — the NEOM giga-project — and, in the long term, a potential global football brand.Last August, the unveiling of the club’s new name and identity drew an unexpected 10,000 spectators to...

May 20, 2025

NEOM FC aims high with World Cup 2029 in sight

Al Ahli reaffirm commitment to Matthias Jaissle amid contract renewal talks

Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — Al Ahli Saudi FC have reaffirmed their commitment to head coach Matthias Jaissle, dismissing speculation about a potential split and confirming that the German tactician remains under contract until 2026.In an official statement released Saturday, the club denied any reports suggesting a termination of Jaissle’s contract or talks with alternative candidates.“Such claims are baseless and completely unfounded,” the club said, adding that all official communications are issued exclusively via its verified platforms.Al Ahli further revealed that talks are already underway to revise Jaissle’s existing contract to enhance technical continuity ahead of a critical upcoming season.“Coach Jaissle is a cornerstone of our sporting project,” the statement...

May 18, 2025

Al Ahli reaffirm commitment to Matthias Jaissle amid contract renewal talks

Al Hilal survive Al Fateh scare to stay second in Pro League

Saudi Gazette reportAL AHSA — Al Hilal staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Al Fateh 4-3 in a pulsating clash on Friday night, strengthening their grip on second place in the Saudi Pro League and edging closer to qualification for next season’s AFC Champions League Elite.In one of the most thrilling matches of the season, Al Hilal came from behind three times at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium before Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic sealed victory in second-half stoppage time with his second goal of the night.The win took Al Hilal to 71 points, firmly in second place behind newly crowned champions Al Ittihad. Meanwhile, Al Fateh remain on 33 points and winless in their last eight league outings.The hosts took a shock 2-0 lead through a quick-fire brace from Algerian midfielder...

May 17, 2025

Al Hilal survive Al Fateh scare to stay second in Pro League

Nassr held by Taawoun, miss out on AFC Elite qualification

Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Al Nassr’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s AFC Champions League Elite officially ended on Friday night, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Al Taawoun in Round 32 of the Saudi Pro League at Al Awwal Park.Despite dominating large spells of the match, Nassr failed to convert their momentum into three points, settling for a draw that lifts them to 64 points in fourth place — one point behind third-placed Al Qadsiah and seven adrift of runners-up Al Hilal, who have now mathematically secured the league’s second AFC Elite qualification spot.With Cristiano Ronaldo absent, Sultan Al Ghanam led the team as captain, while Portuguese midfielder Otavio opened the scoring for the hosts with a tidy finish in the 51st minute.But Al Taawoun responded...

May 17, 2025

Nassr held by Taawoun, miss out on AFC Elite qualification

Kanté, a 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France, now joins a rare group of players to have won both the World Cup and the Saudi league title.

Kanté joins elite club of World Cup and Saudi league winners

Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — French midfielder N’Golo Kanté played a pivotal role in Al Ittihad’s title-winning Saudi Pro League campaign, helping the Jeddah club clinch their 14th league title and their second in three years.Kanté, a 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France, now joins a rare group of players to have won both the World Cup and the Saudi league title.His achievement draws comparisons to Brazilian legend Roberto Rivellino, who lifted the 1970 World Cup and later led Al Hilal to the Saudi league crown in 1979, followed by the King’s Cup in 1980.Rivellino starred alongside local icons like Saleh Al-Nuaimi and Abdullah Foudeh.Kanté’s impact has been immediate and profound since joining Al Ittihad on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.Signed on a three-year deal,...

May 16, 2025

Kanté joins elite club of World Cup and Saudi league winners

Laurent Blanc wins his first major trophy outside of France.

Laurent Blanc becomes first Frenchman in 30 years to win Saudi league

Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — Laurent Blanc secured the 16th title of his managerial career in style on Thursday night, guiding Al Ittihad to their 14th Saudi Pro League crown — and his first major trophy outside of France.With the league-clinching win over Al Raed in Round 32, Blanc became only the second French manager in history to lift the Saudi top-flight title, and the first in 30 years since Jean Fernandez led Al Nassr to glory in the 1994-1995 season.The former France international has now won domestic league titles with three different clubs across two continents.His previous honors include four Ligue 1 titles, two French Cups, four French League Cups, and five French Super Cups — achieved during successful stints at Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain.The 2024-25 Saudi Pro...

May 16, 2025

Laurent Blanc becomes first Frenchman in 30 years to win Saudi league

From boos to brilliance: Benzema leads Ittihad’s title charge

Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — Once at the center of widespread fan discontent, Karim Benzema has completed one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Saudi football, emerging as the undisputed leader of Al Ittihad’s title-winning campaign in the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League season.After a turbulent start to his Ittihad tenure last year, marked by injuries, perceived lack of commitment, and strained relationships with staff and fans, the French striker faced intense criticism.Calls for his departure grew louder over the summer, culminating in his very public fallout with former coach Marcelo Gallardo.Club president Loay Nazer later confirmed in a press conference that Gallardo's dismissal was partly due to his demand to drop Benzema, calling it a "red line" that clashed with the...

May 16, 2025

From boos to brilliance: Benzema leads Ittihad’s title charge

Ittihad seals league title away from Jeddah once again

Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — Al Ittihad etched a new chapter in their illustrious history by clinching their 14th Saudi top-flight title — and their third in the professional era — with a 3-1 victory over Al Raed on Matchday 32, securing the 2024–25 Saudi Pro League championship with two rounds to spare.This marks the first time in the professional era that Ittihad have sealed the league title before the final two rounds, having previously secured the championship in the final matchweek in 2009 and with one game to spare in 2023.In a poetic twist of fate, the title-clinching match once again took place away from their Jeddah stronghold, adding to a curious record: each of Ittihad’s three Pro League titles has been secured in a different city.In 2009, they were crowned champions...

May 15, 2025

Ittihad seals league title away from Jeddah once again

Houssem Aouar scores winner for Al-Ittihad at Al-Nassr.

Al Ittihad's last-gasp legend: A title season written in stoppage time

Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Al Ittihad’s 14th Saudi Pro League title will not be remembered as just another championship win — it was a season defined by drama, resilience, and an unshakable will to fight until the very last whistle.Nicknamed by fans as “Ittihad Time,” the Jeddah club earned a reputation for stunning late winners throughout their triumphant 2024-25 campaign — scoring 12 goals beyond the 90th minute, collecting a crucial 30 points from those dramatic finishes. Without them, the title could have easily slipped away.These final moments mirrored the famous “Fergie Time” era of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, with Al Ittihad repeatedly flipping matches in stoppage time, including nine matches with match-winning goals and three matches salvaged by late...

May 15, 2025

Al Ittihad's last-gasp legend: A title season written in stoppage time

Al Ittihad crowned Saudi Pro League champions for 14th time

Saudi Gazette reportALQASSIM — Al Ittihad sealed their 14th Saudi Pro League title with a commanding 3-1 victory over relegated Al Raed on Thursday, clinching the 2024–2025 crown with two matches to spare.Trailing early to a ninth-minute opener from Al Raed’s Omar Gonzalez, Al Ittihad responded in style through goals from Steven Bergwijn, Danilo Pereira, and Abdulrahman Al Aboud to complete the comeback at a packed stadium attended by over 18,000 fans.The win took Al Ittihad to 77 points after 32 rounds, putting them nine clear of second-placed Al Hilal, who have a game in hand.Despite being level on points in head-to-head results, Al Ittihad edged Al Hilal in the direct encounter goal difference, having lost 3-1 in the first round but winning the reverse fixture 4-1.Nicknamed...

May 15, 2025

Al Ittihad crowned Saudi Pro League champions for 14th time

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