Mitrovic to the rescue for Al-Hilal side missing Neymar’s firepower

Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goal was enough give Hilal the victory. (Al-Hilal)
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Updated 13 August 2024
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Mitrovic to the rescue for Al-Hilal side missing Neymar’s firepower

  • With the Brazilian out through injury for the foreseeable future, his teammates rally to a 1-0 home victory over Al-Khaleej that moves them three points clear at the top of the league
  • Al-Hilal receive boost as closest title rivals Al-Taawoun and Al-Ittihad draw 1-1, but after taking the lead struggle to put the game to bed with a second goal

RIYADH: Al-Hilal this week lost Neymar to injury for the foreseeable future but at least they still have the formidable goal power of Aleksandar Mitrovic to count on.

And that proved to be enough for a 1-0 home victory over Al-Khaleej on Friday night that extended their lead at the top of the table to three points after the 10th game of the season.

Fans in Riyadh and Rio have been coming to terms with the distressing sight of Neymar being carried off the pitch during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on Tuesday and the subsequent news that he requires surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Banners flew in the stands on Friday bearing the player’s image and the message “Return Stronger.”

If his team can maintain their winning ways so far this season, when he does return it could well be to a squad of champions. Boosted by the good news that closest title rivals Al-Taawoun and Al-Ittihad had drawn 1-1 in their match earlier in the evening, Al-Hilal knew that victory would move them three points clear at the top — and that is exactly what happened.

They went on the attack from the get-go. In the 14th minute, Malcom pushed the ball past the goalkeeper and it was rolling toward the net, but a sprinting Saeed Al-Hamsal just managed to get his body in the way. Soon after, Ruben Neves sent over a cross, only for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to head just wide.

In the end, it took the 18-time champions 30 minutes to break the deadlock with what was a typical goal from Serbian striker Mitrovic. A corner kick hung high and long in the air as it flew toward the far post. Goalkeeper Marwan Al-Haidari came off his line but could not get to it, and Mitrovic sent a looping header into the net.

Just before the break, the former Fulham forward sent a similar header, this time from a Michael cross, just over the bar, and the first half ended with Malcom missing a good close-range opportunity.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with even more attacks from Al-Hilal. Neves shot wide from a great position inside the area and then, just after the hour mark, Mitrovic showed his aerial prowess once more, but his powerful downward header drew a fine save from Al-Haidari.

Despite several more attempts, a second goal would just not come. Then, with 15 minutes remaining, the ball somehow found its way into the back of the net after Salem Al-Dawsari slid in at the right byline and guided the ball home, with the help of a deflection off the goalkeeper. However, the ball was adjudged to have gone out of play and the goal did not stand.

Al-Hilal might have felt a little frustrated by their inability to categorically put the game to bed with a second goal but, still, the three points were eventually secured, leaving the 18-time champions sitting pretty at the top of the league, albeit with some tough tests to come in the league, and in Asia, which they will have to face without Neymar.


Real Madrid close in on Vinicius contract extension amid Saudi interest

Updated 10 min 10 sec ago
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Real Madrid close in on Vinicius contract extension amid Saudi interest

  • Spanish champions discussing new deal with Brazilian
  • Move follows prospect of record-breaking Saudi interest

MADRID: Real Madrid are close to agreeing a contract extension with Vinicius Jr. after discussions began in January amid interest from Saudi Arabia to sign FIFA’s Player of the Year to a record-breaking deal, multiple sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Despite the Brazil forward’s current contract running to the end of the 2026-27 season, the Spanish champions contacted the player’s agents last month to rework his deal and put an end to the Saudi interest that has rumbled on for over a year.

A source close to Vinicius Jr said that, despite multiple contacts from Saudi Arabia showing interest over a possible move to Al-Ahli, a formal contract offer was never discussed and Saudi confidence in a possible move has waned in recent months.

Real have denied being contacted by Saudi authorities but a source close to the Madrid club said they were approached by Saudi Public Investment Fund officials during the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah in early January to enquire about Vinicius Jr.

However, the European champions showed no interest in negotiating a transfer, highlighting the 24-year-old player’s €1 billion ($1.04 billion) buy-out clause as the only scenario in which they would allow the Brazilian to leave.

“I don’t know anything, nobody has talked to me about (a Saudi offer),” Vinicius Jr told TNT Sports after Real’s 3-2 win at Manchester City in their Champions League playoff first-leg on Tuesday. “They have to speak to (Real’s) president. I hope I can stay here for a long time,” added the player of the match.

“It’s always very exciting to be able to open talks with Real Madrid about my renewal. I have a contract until 2027, but I’ve always spoken of my desire to be able to play here for a long time, to be able to make history here.”

Real announced Vinicius Jr.’s last contract extension in October 2023, which was a four-year deal reportedly worth a net €13.5 million in salary per season.

He opted for a shorter, incentive-based deal, rather than the usual five-to-six-year contracts most Real players sign, in a bet on his progress as one of Europe’s leading young players.

Top salary

Following a LaLiga and Champions League double last season and his FIFA Player of the Year award in 2024, sources said Vinicius Jr. had achieved a series of performance and loyalty bonuses that boosted his salary to the top of Real’s wage bill.

Neither the club nor the players disclose the figures in their contracts but multiple soccer sources said Vinicius Jr.’s salary is already at about the same level as their new striker Kylian Mbappe’s, around €18 million per year.

However, the Frenchman’s contract includes a €100 million signing bonus and a large percentage of his image rights that make him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

Following a couple of face-to-face meetings in the last few weeks in Madrid attended by Vinicius Jr.’s father, Real have put forward new numbers and a third meeting between club executives and the player’s team is scheduled for next week.

There is growing optimism on both sides that there will soon be an agreement on a contract extension for Vinicius Jr.

A source close to the player said he has no interest in joining another club in Europe and would only start listening to contract offers from Saudi Arabia above €1 billion.

Vinicius Jr. and his staff already have a fruitful business relationship with Saudi Arabia and he has participated in sponsorship and commercial meetings regarding tourism and E-sports events in the Gulf country.

There is also interest from Saudi Arabia in making him an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup, which will be held there.


Al-Hilal held at Damac to stay second

Updated 09 February 2025
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Al-Hilal held at Damac to stay second

  • Champions have to settle for a point in exciting game
  • Riyadh giants had chances and hit the woodwork early in the game

RIYADH: Al-Hilal drew 2-2 at Damac on Saturday to stay in second place in the Saudi Pro League, two points behind leaders Al-Ittihad.

It was an exciting game, but in the end the champions had to settle for a point after their Jeddah rivals won 2-1 at Al-Taawoun on Thursday thanks to a last-minute winner from Karim Benzema.

The Riyadh giants had their chances and hit the woodwork early in the game. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic thought he had opened the scoring on the half hour, nodding home at the far post after a fine sweeping cross from Malcom. But the Serbian was caught offside.

No matter, as just two minutes later, the visitors were ahead. Ruben Neves swung over a cross from the right and there was Marcos Leonardo, in red-hot scoring form, to send a diving header into the net.

It was a beautiful goal. Al-Hilal had more chances to extend their lead but were left to regret their wastefulness when, five minutes after the restart, Damac were back on level terms.

Georges-Kevin N’Koudou intercepted Kalidou Koulibaly’s clearance and the ball bounced into the path of Habib Diallo and the Senegalese striker made no mistake in stroking the ball home.

It was a shock for Al-Hilal, but then they were given a penalty just before the hour as Kaio Cesar was brought down in the area. Up stepped Neves but his shot was well saved by Florin Nita.

Neves was kicking himself with 17 minutes remaining as Damac took the lead thanks to a second goal from Diallo who swept home a first-time shot after good work from Francois Kamano.

But four minutes later Hilal were level. The ball dropped nicely for Milinkovic-Savic at the edge of the area and the midfielder fired a low shot into the net.

Al-Hilal continued to push forward but could not get the all-important winning goal and had to settle for a point. Al-Ittihad will be happy for now, but there is still a long way to go.

Earlier, Ettifaq won 2-0 at Al-Okhdood to go ninth in the table.


Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again

Updated 07 February 2025
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Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again

  • Duran scores twice, Ronaldo adds third
  • Al-Nassr back in third place in table after victory

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran were on target on Friday as Al-Nassr beat Al-Fayha 3-0 to go back into third place in the Saudi Pro League.
Duran, who signed from Aston Villa from the English Premier League at the end of the January transfer window, put the Yellows ahead midway through the first half. The Colombian, who picked up possession just outside the area, turned inside and then shot home into the bottom corner to score his first goal in his first SPL game.


It was a great start but the Yellows had to wait until the 72nd minute to extend their lead. Duran got his, and the team’s, second as he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper from the edge of the six-yard box.
It sealed the win for the hosts, but there was still time for another goal, and two minutes later it was 3-0. Nawaf Boushal ran down the right and then pulled the ball back into the area for Ronaldo to sweep home from just inside the box. It was the 16th league goal of the season for the Portuguese star, who stays on top of the scoring rankings. It also secured another win for Al-Nassr, their fourth in succession.
“It was a good match and we played well against a solid opponent who did not make it easy for us,” said Al-Nassr’s coach Stefano Pioli. “We were patient and, at the end, we got what we wanted.”
The win means that Al-Nassr are in third place, five points behind Al-Hilal in second and eight behind leaders Al-Ittihad.
Earlier, Al-Ahli beat Al-Fateh 2-0 with both goals coming from England striker Ivan Toney from the penalty spot.


On eve of his 40th birthday, Ronaldo says he is the best soccer player ever

Updated 05 February 2025
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On eve of his 40th birthday, Ronaldo says he is the best soccer player ever

  • “I am the greatest scorer in history,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta
  • He had said it before, more than once, that he feels he will go out as the best ever in the history of soccer

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo approaches his 40th birthday with the same confidence and self-esteem as he has always boasted throughout his successful career.
Ronaldo, the former Real Madrid star who now plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, will turn 40 on Wednesday and apparently has no doubt about who should be considered the best soccer player ever.

“I am the greatest scorer in history,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta. “Although I am not left-footed, I am in the top 10 in history for goals scored with the left foot. These are numbers, I am the most complete player who has ever existed.

“I play well with my head, I take good free kicks, I am fast, I am strong, I jump... I have never seen anyone better than me.”
The Portugal star holds most scoring records in men’s international soccer, including most appearances with 217 and most goals with 135.
He had said it before, more than once, that he feels he will go out as the best ever in the history of soccer. Whenever he was asked about the discussion of who is better, him or Lionel Messi, he always praised the Argentine but ended siding with himself.
Ronaldo’s most recent comments prompted a few reactions in the soccer world.
“I have a lot of respect for Cristiano and I don’t have to analyze his opinions. It’s what he thinks. I have my own thoughts and it isn’t that,” said Javier Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi and his current coach at Inter Miami.


Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group

Updated 05 February 2025
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Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group

  • Malcom opens the scoring after just 10 minutes as his team cruise to a 4-1 victory over Persepolis of Iran
  • Joao Cancelo adds a second before Salem Al-Dawsari steals the show during the remainder of the first half with 2 impressive goals

RIYADH: Al-Hilal strolled to a 4-1 home victory over Iranian side Persepolis on Tuesday to return to the top of their AFC Champions League Elite qualifying group with one game remaining.
The Saudis, who had already secured their place in the round of 16, were four goals to the good before half time. Malcom opened the scoring with just 10 minutes on the clock, the Brazilian winger skipping past two defenders and into the area before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz.
The four-time champions continued to press and were rewarded when Joao Cancelo added a second after 24 minutes. The former Manchester City star picked up possession on the right-hand corner of the box and drilled a low shot into the opposite bottom corner, though Guendouz should perhaps have got a stronger hand to it.


The remainder of the first half was the Salem Al-Dawsari show. With seven minutes remaining, the lively Malcom slipped the ball through a crowded area for Al-Dawsari, the 2022 Asian Player of the Year, to skip past the goalkeeper and slot home from the narrowest of angles.
His second, and his team’s fourth, was the best of the night. A minute into first-half stoppage time, Cancelo sent over a beautiful pass from the touchline that made it all the way to a central position, just outside the area, and there was Al-Dawsari charging up to blast the ball into the top corner with the most fluent of first-time shots.
With the game already won, the second half was a much quieter affair. Two minutes from the end, though, Persepolis were awarded a penalty when Ali Al-Bulaihi, who had just come on as a substitute, brought down Issa Alkasir. Giorgi Gvelesiani stepped up to give his team a consolation goal.
This could not spoil the night for Al-Hilal, however, who have 19 points from a possible 21. The result also meant that the penultimate round of games in the group stage was another perfect one for all three representatives of the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr winning on Monday. Al-Ahli trail Al-Hilal only on goal difference, while Al-Nassr are three points behind on 16 points and guaranteed at least third place in the group.