News

Ronaldo Loan To Al-Hilal Dismissed As “Counter-Intuitive”

The chief executive of Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal says that a loan move for Cristiano Ronaldo before the Club World Cup would have been “completely counter-intuitive” because he played for their “biggest opponent” Al-Nassr.

Al-Hilal were linked with a possible deal for the 40-year-old Portugal forward after Fifa introduced an additional transfer window earlier this month because of the revamped tournament.

Both rival Riyadh clubs are controlled by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Ronaldo is out of contract at Al-Nassr at the end of June.

But when asked if they came close to a move for the forward, Esteve Calzada told BBC Sport: “We normally don’t comment on players’ situations, particularly because our name is always put out there, when a player or an agent wants to negotiate a better deal with his club, or is trying to move out.

“It’s been a very weird transfer window, it’s a very short period of time.

“You don’t want to take a decision thinking about this tournament that then you have to carry on with for the next two or three years.

“As much as I respect Ronaldo as a huge player, as we all recognise he is, it’s certainly completely counter-intuitive that you bring the biggest player of your biggest opponent to play with you.

“Even more when it’s only for three to four weeks.

“We’ve been trying to see if we can reinforce the team. But some players were with a mindset of ‘holidays already’, some players were sometimes just asking for too much money, and we’re aware that our team is extremely competitive.

“We’ll go into the traditional transfer window after the tournament still with the biggest ambitions to see if we can reinforce the team even more.”

Fernandes, Nunez, Osimhen – Al-Hilal can ‘pitch to any player’
Calzada was speaking in Miami, where Al-Hilal play Ronaldo’s former club Real Madrid in their opening Club World Cup fixture on Wednesday (20:00 BST).

Al-Hilal recently appointed Simone Inzaghi as their head coach but did not make any major signings before the tournament in the United States.

Earlier this month, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes claimed he rejected a huge offer from Al-Hilal because he still wants to play “at the highest possible level”.

“I cannot confirm nor deny that we’ve been interested in him,” added Calzada.

“He’s a big player, it fits the profile of player that we think would be good for Al-Hilal, just like many others. We’re not refraining from contacting players because we feel they would say no to us.

“The names we are linked with demonstrate the ambition of the club. We believe that we are in a position to pitch [to] any players nowadays.”

In recent months, Al-Hilal have also reportedly considered moves for Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

While refusing to comment on those specific cases, Calzada did say: “We are targeting the biggest players.

“We are very ambitious, but we need to see hunger from the player himself and the transaction needs to work out both ways.

“The only thing we’ve been trying to remind players and agents is that yes, we are from Saudi, but we don’t print notes here!

“My role as CEO is to make sure we run the club efficiently, so that we can have the biggest budget possible to have big players, but not at any cost.

“That’s why sometimes we basically walk away from negotiations, because we still want players extremely keen on coming, and not only looking for the money.”

‘No regret’ over Neymar
The likes of Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Joao Cancelo helped Al-Hilal win the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League, but record signing Neymar left the club in January after just seven appearances following an injury-hit spell in Riyadh.

When asked if the club regretted signing the Brazilian, Calzada – who previously worked at both Barcelona and Manchester City – said: “I would say no regret at all.

“It’s just sad that he got badly injured. It’s always been unfair to criticise Neymar for being injured, when most of the injuries came from tackles from opponents.

“A collateral positive effect of it is that it helped us to make the club more popular globally. It helped us to gain social media followers when he arrived, alongside other big names.

“Now we have over 42 million followers on social media. The good news for us is that some of those followers, we won them because of the arrival of Neymar, and when he left, they stayed.

“So in that respect, it’s some sort of legacy that can stay with us.”

Inzaghi ‘expected to help us win again’

Al-Hilal finished the Saudi Pro League season eight points behind new champions Al-Ittihad, and sacked Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus last month after his team were knocked out of the Asian Champions League Elite semi-finals.

Inzaghi was appointed just days after his former club Inter Milan lost the Champions League final against PSG.

“It might look like it’s something that came quickly, but it’s the result of hard work,” said Calzada.

“He was playing a massive match and asked [us] to keep things aside until after the final, it was decided but not signed before the final, just because out of respect he asked us to wait, which is certainly fair enough.

“This season we came off second, that’s below par for what is expected from us.

“And very simply what we expect from the new coach is that he helps us to win again and to re-establish our championship.”

Al-Hilal’s match against Real Madrid on Wednesday is a repeat of the final of the 2022 tournament.

Real Madrid won 5-3 in Morocco, with Vinicius Jnr and Federico Valverde each scoring twice and Karim Benzema – now of Saudi club Al-Ittihad – also on target. Al-Hilal responded through Moussa Marega and two from Luciano Vietto.

“It’s a huge opportunity for us to show our product, [and] to also test our level as well, because we don’t have so many opportunities,” said Calzada.

“We’re not here to exchange shirts with Real Madrid players, or only for the exposure.

“We have a very talented squad, with the addition of a world-renowned new coach with us and with that we go to the tournament with the maximum ambition.”

Bbc.com

Post Views: 9

Click to comment

News

Beware Of Chelsea: PSG Get Final Warning Ahead Of Club World Cup Showdown, “We’ll Shock People Today” – James

Chelsea captain Reece James had made a bold statement ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final today, July 13

The England international believes the Blues are not pushovers despite all odds favouring the reigning UEFA Champions League winners

Both teams recorded one loss each during their group stage matches and are expected to light up the MetLife Stadium

Reece James is confident Chelsea will surprise doubters when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, July 13.

The Ligue 1 giants have been labelled favourites to win the tournament, but the England international said the Blues will make a statement when they clash at the MetLife Stadium

The Premier League side outclassed South American side Fluminense by two goals to nothing in the semi-final last Wednesday, July 9.

New signing Joao Pedro, who was on holiday in Brazil, scored a brace for Chelsea against his boyhood club.

I don’t care- James

Chelsea captain Reece James said he is not bothered about the pedigree of Paris Saint-Germain during the Club World Cup.

According to Daily Mail, the 25-year-old said the Blues are preparing to win the tournament for the second time.

The England star emphasised that had had played for a favourite in the final, where they did not eventually win the trophy, adding that the same fate may befall PSG. He said BBC:

“I want to be honest with you, I do not care that everyone is hyping our opponent. The team is preparing right, and Chelsea is going to the final to win.

“As a player, I have been to many finals before where my team were the favourites but we ended up losing.

“PSG are amazing and we’re expecting a tough game, but we also have an amazing team and we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”

Stats on PSG form Paris
Saint-Germain are currently in the best form of their life since Lius Enrique took over as coach.

According to beINSPORTS, PSG have won a treble consisting of the French Cup, Ligue 1 and Champions League, and are a game away from a fourth major trophy of 2025 after dismantling Real Madrid 4-0 in their semi-final last Thursday, July 10.

The French giants have beaten other Premier League sides, Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal, in the Champions League before humbling Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.

Trump confirms presence at CWC final

Post Views: 38

News

FIFA Club World Cup Winners: Full List Of Champions Emerge

The FIFA Club World Cup brings together some of the best club soccer teams from around the globe. This year, the final is set to be a good one as Chelsea and PSG square off.

Check out the complete list of FIFA Club World Cup winners, runners-up, and more.

FIFA Club World Cup Winners

2023: Manchester City defeated Fluminense (4–0)
2022: Real Madrid defeated Al-Hilal (5–3)
2021: Chelsea defeated Palmeiras (2–1 after extra time)
2020: Bayern Munich defeated Tigres UANL (1–0)
2019: Liverpool defeated Flamengo (1–0 AET)
2018: Real Madrid defeated Al-Ain (4–1)
2017: Real Madrid defeated Gremio (1–0)
2016: Real Madrid defeated Kashima Antlers (4–2 AET)
2015: Barcelona defeated River Plate (3–0)
2014: Real Madrid defeated San Lorenzo (2–0)
2013: Bayern Munich defeated Raja Casablanca (2–0)
2012: Corinthians defeated Chelsea (1–0)
2011: Barcelona defeated Santos (4–0)
2010: Inter Milan defeated TP Mazembe (3–0)
2009: Barcelona defeated Estudiantes (2–1 AET)
2008: Manchester United defeated LDU Quito (1–0)
2007: AC Milan defeated Boca Juniors (4–2)
2006: Internacional defeated Barcelona (1–0)
2005: São Paulo defeated Liverpool (1–0)
2000: Corinthians defeated Vasco da Gama (0–0, 4–3 penalties)

Tournaments were not held from 2001 to 2004.

Who has the most FIFA Club World Cup championships?

Real Madrid has won the most FIFA Club World Cups with five. Below are all the clubs who have won one title or more:

Real Madrid – 5 titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022)
Barcelona – 3 titles (2009, 2011, 2015)
Bayern Munich – 2 titles (2013, 2020)
Corinthians – 2 titles (2000, 2012)
AC Milan – 1 title (2007)
Chelsea – 1 title (2021)
Liverpool – 1 title (2019)
Internacional – 1 title (2006)
Inter Milan – 1 title (2010)
Manchester United – 1 title (2008)
Manchester City – 1 title (2023)
São Paulo – 1 title (2005)

Post Views: 174

News

Mission X: Super Falcons To Use Algeria As Shooting Practice To Prepare For Quarter-final Tie

Nine-time champions Nigeria, the Super Falcons, will use Sunday’s final group B clash with Algeria’s Lady Fennecs to prepare hard for their quarter-final date with either hosts Morocco or ambitious Zambia – two teams that any team will underrate at their own peril.

The two teams (Morocco and Zambia) were also the ones that rubbed mud into the faces of the Super Falcons at the last edition of the competition, also hosted by Morocco. The hosts accounted for the Falcons in the semi-finals (via penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time), and the Copper Queens pipped the Falcons 1-0 in the third-place match.

Head Coach Justine Madugu, who was also in the technical crew to that championship, is aware that his charges must be at their best to overcome either the hosts or the Copper Queens, or even Senegal who still have a chance to finish well if they overpower the Lionesses in their group A final-day clash.

“Our commitment has been to take it one game at a time. We believe in our approach, and we will adopt the tactics, pattern and approach that we believe can give us victory in each game. We respect all the teams but fear none.”

Algeria’s lone-goal defeat of Botswana on group B’s Matchday 1, and subsequent draw with Tunisia have taken them to four points, two behind Nigeria, and with a potential quarter-final with any of defending champions South Africa, Mali, Tanzania and Ghana as group C is still delicately poised.

Sunday’s encounter at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca will revive memories of both team’s two friendly matches in Nigeria in the last quarter of last year, during which the Falcons affirmed superiority over the North Africans with 2-0 and 3-1 defeats. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored both goals in Ikenne, off long-range rockets, while Folashade Ijamilusi, now based in China and also with the Falcons in Morocco, was the star of the second match at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos with a brace.

Madugu will have to do without USA-based playmaker Deborah Abiodun, who received yellow cards in both matches against Tunisia and Botswana, and must thus sit out this one against the Algerians.

Probables to take her place are the lively Esther Okoronkwo – who swiftly enlivened Nigeria’s previous matches at this tournament on introduction, and has two assists as well as Woman of the Match award from the 3-0 defeat of Tunisia – and the quiet but diligent Jennifer Echegini, who plays her club football in France.

However, Madugu may opt to alter pattern and personnel, and drag the energetic Toni Payne back into the playmaker role, with Ajibade slotted on the wide and with perhaps Francesca Ordega on the left, with the precocious Rinsola Babajide in the central attacking role.

Victory will not only extend the Falcons’ superiority over the Algerians but will sustain the Nigerian girls’ winning mentality (they have not lost a game this year) and set them in great tune for a potentially explosive quarter-final duel on Friday next week.

Post Views: 76