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Al Hilal accelerates preparations to resume the season under tight focus. The team plans a media-free friendly against Neom to test fresh tactical ideas. Simone Inzaghi aims to evaluate all players, giving especially the substitutes a chance to shine. The move signals a deliberate, secrecy-driven approach to ready the squad for upcoming fixtures.
An intense training clash at Zamalek pits head coach Abdul-Raouf against midfielder Hamdi ahead of a Cairo Capital Cup date with Haras El Hodoud. The split-squad drill becomes heated, with jersey tears and sharp exchanges. Coaches and teammates intervene to calm the situation, and rumors of a sidelining are dismissed. The club keeps focus on the upcoming match while light humor threads through the tension.
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso plans a strong starting lineup for a Copa del Rey trip to Talavera de la Reina, a third-tier side. The squad will rest Thibaut Courtois, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé, giving minutes to Andriy Lunin and fringe forwards. The defense and midfield feature established names, while the attack looks to Rodrygo and Gonzalo Garcia to spearhead the challenge. It’s a test of depth for Madrid, with Talavera hoping for a cup upset.
Al-Hilal's right-back Hamad Al-Yami is in the final phase of rehab as coach Simone Inzaghi weighs his return. The team is preparing for a clash with Sharjah in the AFC Champions League Elite. He sustained a thigh muscle injury in November, and his participation hinges on Inzaghi's call. He competes with Joao Cancelo for the starting spot, who is expected to be fit. A upcoming friendly against Neom wraps up the break as everyone crosses fingers for good news.
Abdu Atif argues Renard is not the root cause of Saudi football's struggles. He highlights Saudi Arabia's 0-1 defeat to Jordan in the Arab Cup 2025 quarterfinals and questions the emphasis on coaching. The veteran points to player quality and time constraints ahead of the 2026 World Cup as the real hurdles. He suggests focusing on mental aspects rather than blaming the coach alone, while noting the team’s broader challenges.
FIFA reveals the voting by captains and coaches for The Best awards. Ousmane Dembélé wins Best Player 2025, with Luis Enrique as Best Coach. Messi, as Argentina captain and Inter Miami star, participates in voting, stirring Barca's potential reaction. Scaloni’s and Messi’s ballots add twists, while fans debate the final lineup.
At The Best 2025 awards, Dembele is crowned World Player of the Year after a stellar season. The voting reveals Kane’s English tilt, while Tuchel backs English players. A mix of captains, coaches, and media shaped the final results, with a few surprising ballots along the way. Light humor weaves through the drama as the football world weighs in on who deserved the award most.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 promises a packed football evening headlined by the Intercontinental Cup final PSG vs Flamengo. The night also features Copa del Rey ties in Spain, La Liga action, and Carabao Cup quarterfinals in England. BeIN SPORTS, Shahid, and TOD TV hold the broadcasting keys, with streaming options and VPN tips sprinkled in for the globetrotters. This guide breaks down what’s on, who’s commentating, and where to tune in for every crucial kickoff.
Kylian Mbappé did not vote in the Best FIFA 2025 ballot, a surprising moment given France’ s strong representation. The shortlist included Dembele and Mbappé alongside Lamine Yamal. Didier Deschamps appears among the voters, ranking players as he saw fit. Dembélé then won The Best in Doha, adding to his Ballon d’Or haul from September.
During a high-profile India visit, Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates toured a wildlife center in Vantara. The center honored him by naming a lion cub after Messi, blending football fame with conservation. The trip concluded in Kolkata amid some stadium chaos, leaving a memorable impression.
Barcelona’s coach Hans Flick explains the plan behind starting Marc-André ter Stegen against Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey. The clash marks a chance for Ter Stegen to prove his readiness after a four-month injury absence. Flick’s “starter today only” remark hints at a cautious approach while assessing the goalkeeper’s form. The article also notes Ter Stegen’s 2028 contract and ongoing transfer rumors linking Turkish clubs Besiktas and Galatasaray.
Nawaf Al-Aqidi seems set to dislodge Bento at Al-Nassr as the winter window approaches. A Saudi outlet reports Bento is slated to depart in January due to limited playing time. Jorge Jesus has trusted Al-Aqidi as the starter this season, with Bento appearing in AFC Champions League matches. If Bento leaves, Al-Nassr will look for a foreign replacement and a suitable financial offer in the coming days.
Mustafa Mohamed ends his goal drought for Egypt by scoring in a friendly against Nigeria at Cairo Stadium. Nigeria answers with a late equalizer after a costly error by Egypt’s goalkeeper. Mahmoud Saber had opened the scoring for Egypt before the visitors leveled. Imam Ashour’s emotional moment before the anthem also grabs attention as the match ends in a 1-1 draw.
Barcelona’s coach announces a starting XI for the Copa del Rey opener against Guadalajara, welcoming Ter Stegen back in goal. The German boss also reshuffles the defense with Casado at right-back to rest Koundé. Lamine Yamal remains the creative hub, with Fermin Lopez leading the attack alongside Ramzy and Rashford. Guadalajara counter with a balanced lineup as Barça aims to kick off the tournament on a high note.
Chelsea rotates their squad for a Carabao Cup quarterfinal in Cardiff, resting key players. Palmer is left out despite returning from injury and scoring recently. Caicedo captains the side while Marc Gio leads the attack with support from George and Gittens. The article outlines both teams’ lineups and what to expect from tonight’s clash.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not participate in the voting for FIFA's The Best award, fueling speculation about his role and engagement. Bernardo Silva acted as his proxy, placing Vitinha and Nuno Mendes as the top two picks. Ousmane Dembélé won The Best 2025, adding to his recent Ballon d'Or, with PSG enjoying a standout year. The voting system, global and influential, continues to spark conversations about who deserves football’s top honors. This piece breaks down what happened and why it matters.
FIFA's The Best 2025 voting delivers a surprising twist as Hakimi doesn’t back his PSG teammate for the top spot. Ousmane Dembélé wins the award in Qatar, with Hakimi naming Mbappé first, Dembélé second, and Rafinha third. The Moroccan captain’s vote underlines a personal loyalty amid global football drama. Hakimi and Mbappé have long been friends since PSG days, a relationship that endures beyond transfers. The ceremony mixes competition suspense with light-hearted football theater.
Nigeria has filed a FIFA complaint seeking Congo DR's exclusion from the 2026 World Cup playoffs amid allegations of ineligible players and nationality changes. The case centers on nine players accused of document irregularities and nationality switches during the African qualifiers. Arise News reported the claims and warned of potential fallout four months before the global playoff. If proven, the allegations could reshape Africa's World Cup path and spotlight citizenship rules.
FIFA’s The Best 2025 voting unfolds in Doha with Dembele winning Best Player and Louis Enrique named Best Coach. Salah places Hakimi first in his ballot, reveals friction with Slot, and hints at a strained mentor-mentee relationship. The results come from four voting blocs: captains, players, fans, and journalists. The article also notes ongoing tensions between Salah and coach Arne Slot, adding a dramatic twist to the awards season.
Egypt beat Nigeria 2-1 in a Cairo friendly as both teams tune up for AFCON. Mahmoud Saber opened the scoring, Shidrack Owazim equalized before halftime, and Mustafa Mohamed sealed the win after the break. Several regulars were absent, adding to the sense of squad depth being tested. The result provides a positive signal for Egypt’s build-up, with a few light-hearted moments sprinkled in.
