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Saudi Arabia heads into the Arab Cup 2025 with injuries to two key stars, forcing a 21-man squad. Rules restrict replacements, testing the team's depth. They will field three goalkeepers and 18 outfield players, starting in the quarterfinal against Palestine at Lusail. A path to the final or a third-place match on December 18 awaits if they advance.
Fans booed Juventus at halftime after a muted display against Pafos in the Champions League. The club’s European form has been inconsistent this season. The team showed few positives against a beatable opponent. They sit on six points from a possible fifteen and must turn things around quickly.
Palmeiras reportedly attempted to sign Fabinho from Al-Ittihad, but the move collapsed according to a press report. A Turkish journalist suggested talks did not progress and that a Brazilian return is unlikely. Fabinho’s contract with Al-Ittihad runs through the end of the season, with renewal discussions not yet opened. With 83 appearances for the club and a noted decline in urgency about a fresh deal, Fabinho's next destination remains unclear.
With AFCON 2025 approaching, Simone Inzaghi has outlined Al Hilal's plan to cope with key absences. The club will miss Yassine Bounou and Kalidou Koulibaly as they represent their nations. The Saudi daily reports Batouillet will start in goal, while Yusuf Akcicek steps in at center-back. Inzaghi still relies on Akcicek in the Asian Champions League, and Batouillet has limited continental experience but a clean sheet to his name. AFCON kicks off December 21 in Morocco, aligning with the Saudi league's return after the Arab Cup break.
Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui faces a fresh setback as Hamza Igaman suffers an adductor injury just as the AFCON squad is named. The recovery window remains undefined, potentially sidelining Igaman for up to three weeks and forcing a club-national decision. Igaman's mental strain adds pressure, as he had hoped to feature in the tournament. Regragui now weighs keeping Igaman versus replacing him with another attacker, possibly Yasser Zabiri, while Igaman had been one of Lille's rising scorers.
Flamengo, Libertadores champions, beat Cruz Azul 2-1 in a FIFA Club World Cup clash. Giorgian De Arrascaeta scored twice, while Jorge Sánchez found the net for Cruz Azul. Flamengo’s defense withstood late pressure to preserve the lead. The win sets up a semi-final with Pyramids FC, with a potential final against Paris Saint-Germain on December 17, 2025.
Spanish football authorities sanctioned four Real Madrid players after a contentious La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, a 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu. Ferran Garcia received a one-match ban for two yellow cards within 60 seconds. Endrick Felipe and a teammate, Dani Carvajal, were suspended for two matches for protesting the referees, with Endrick sent off while on the bench. The sanctions follow protests from other Madrid players, including Rodrygo Goes and Fede Valverde.
Steven Kalzada, Al Hilal's chief executive, praises the Saudi club as the biggest in the country and explains why he left Manchester City for the Saudi giants. He assumed the role in January after roughly five years at City as chief commercial officer. In talks at the World Football Summit, he stressed Al Hilal's stature and his openness to new challenges. The piece also nods to a Champions League encounter context, underscoring the broader football landscape. A light, hopeful note closes the article with a couple of snappy quips.
Saudi Arabia rules out Ayman Yahya from the Arab Cup squad due to a knee injury. Yahya was hurt as a substitute in the group finale against Morocco, which the Atlas Lions won 1-0. Hervé Renard confirmed the decision based on the medical report. The Green now heads into a quarterfinal showdown with Palestine, with potential paths to the semis via Iraq or Jordan.
Hasan Tambakti returns for Saudi Arabia after recovering from injury, boosting the Green Falcons ahead of a Arab Cup 2025 quarterfinal against Palestine. Jihad Zikri misses the camp due to injury, prompting Tambakti's comeback. The match takes place at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, with a potential semi-final against the Iraq-Jordan winner. If Saudi advance, the path to glory tightens and the defense will be tested.
Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al-Nassr, starred in a UAE-friendly against Al-Wahda in Abu Dhabi, scoring a goal and delivering a memorable performance. The crowd turnout exceeded expectations, with 15,818 spectators in a venue officially rated for 15,000. Al-Nassr used the match as a pre-season showcase during a Abu Dhabi training camp, as Saudi Arabia’s Arab Cup involvement wrapped up. The event blended competitive intensity with star power, turning a routine friendly into headline material. A light-hearted finale caps the piece with a wink to Ronaldo’s enduring appeal.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Louis Enrique has announced his starting XI for the Champions League clash at San Mamés against Athletic Bilbao. PSG sit fourth in the group with 12 points, while Bilbao are at the bottom with 4. The Parisians have recently defeated Atalanta and Barcelona, crushed Leverkusen, and edged Tottenham, but suffered a setback against Bayern Munich. Bilbao’s recent form includes losses to Arsenal and Dortmund, a win over Qarabag, and draws with Newcastle and Slavia Prague. This article breaks down the lineup, context, and what to expect from the showdown.
Real Madrid line up against Manchester City at the Bernabéu with Mbappé unavailable due to injury. Xabi Alonso shifts attack to Gonzalo Garcia and starts Dani Ceballos in midfield. City respond with a formidable lineup led by Haaland and Foden, while Marmoush starts on the bench. The match promises a tactical duel with star power on both sides, and a few plot twists on the medical chart and the bench. Expect tension, substitutions, and moments that could decide the tie.
Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar could push the tenth round of the Saudi Pro League. The Arab Cup final is scheduled for December 18, with the third-place match shortly after. Clubs reportedly received notices that Round 10 may be postponed if Saudi Arabia reaches the semi-finals. If postponed, the league would resume on December 19 after the Arab Cup concludes, with Saudi facing Palestine in the quarterfinals at Lusail and potential semi finals to follow.
Jamie Carragher publicly apologizes to Mohamed Salah after criticizing Salah’s remarks about Inter Milan’s coach Arne Slot. The exchange followed Salah’s benching in a trio of games. Carragher’s apology came during CBS coverage of a Champions League clash between Inter Milan and Liverpool, and Liverpool still won 1-0 in Italy. The mini-drama ends with light-hearted quips, balancing football drama with on-air contrition.
A heated debate unfolds as Hervé Renard and Walid Al-Faraj weigh the impact of foreign players in the Roshen Pro League. Renard has repeatedly warned that many foreigners could limit opportunities for Saudi talent and affect the national team. Al-Faraj calls for a gradual reduction, linking it to higher standards and smarter spending. The discussion includes a public poll showing support for limits, and the Arab Cup context adds urgency to the conversation.
Cristiano Ronaldo propelled Al Nassr to a 4-2 victory over Al Wahda in a UAE-friendly in Abu Dhabi. The match served as a final tune-up during a Saudi Pro League break for the Arab Cup. Al Nassr fielded their best lineup apart from players on Saudi duty, and the goals came from both starters and subs. The result keeps Al Nassr atop the league as they head back to Saudi Arabia for their next test.
Manchester United has reportedly submitted an official bid to sign Sergio Ramos from Monterrey as he contemplates a return to Europe. The 39-year-old defender, a Real Madrid legend, weighs options in the Premier League amid ongoing talks that are still in early stages. Monterrey had hoped to renew his contract, but Ramos has indicated plans to continue his career in Europe. Expect updates as the winter window approaches and the Spain captain movers toward a potential European comeback.
Ittihad Jeddah's midfield regains its spark as Abdel Aziz Al-Beishi is declared fit after an injury layoff. Reports from the Saudi daily Al-Riyadiyah place him back in training in Dubai ahead of a friendly win. The team wraps up the camp with a UAE First Division showdown against Gulf United before facing Al-Hazm in the Roshen Pro League. Mali midfielder Mamadou Doumbia also returns to strengthen the squad as the club eyes a decisive stretch of fixtures.
Palestine's football chief asserts the team will challenge Saudi Arabia in the Arab Cup 2025 quarterfinals, emphasizing equal respect for all Arab federations. Palestine topped Group A to reach the knockout stage, where they face a stern test at Lusail Stadium. The Palestinian leadership stresses national resolve and sportsmanship, while outlining the path to the semifinals. Expect a tense clash with a potential surprise as Jordan and Iraq await the other semifinal winner.
