Latest news with #Malcom
Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Fluminense vs Al-Hilal predictions: Club World Cup tips and odds
Our expert has two tips for Friday's Club World Cup quarter-final between Fluminense and Al-Hilal at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida (kick-off, 8pm BST). We think Malcom could cause problems for the Brazilians. Fluminense vs Al-Hilal tips Second half to be highest-scoring @ 11/10 with Sky Bet Malcom to score or assist @ 5/4 with Sky Bet Odds courtesy of Sky Bet Correct at the time of publication and subject to change. Already a Sky Bet member? Check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts. Slow burner on the cards There were early goals in both Club World Cup round-of-16 ties involving Fluminense and Al-Hilal, but it could be a different story in the quarter-final between the clubs. Al-Hilal went 1-0 down after nine minutes against a Manchester City team who are known for starting games strongly and were expected to win, while Fluminense bundled the ball in after just three minutes against a fatigued and disorganised Inter Milan. But in such a huge contest for both clubs, neither are likely to take many risks in the opening stages. Four of the six goals scored by Fluminense at this Club World Cup have come after the break, while Al-Hilal failed to net in the first half against City or Salzburg. This game could open up more in the second half and, rather than settle on a result in a potentially tight contest, back the second half to be the highest-scoring one at 11/10. Expect Malcom magic in Orlando Given Al-Hilal have players such as Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Joao Cancelo in their ranks, Brazilian winger Malcom often flies under the radar and he is overpriced at 5/4 to score or assist against Fluminense. Even though he was replaced after 64 minutes, Malcom was one of Al-Hilal's most dangerous attacking players against City, getting on the scoresheet, managing a total of three shots and making one key pass. Indeed, he is averaging 2.3 shots per game and 1.5 key passes per game in this tournament, while he scored nine times in last season's Saudi Pro League. The big pull of backing Malcom in this match, though, is that Fluminense will be without their key left wing-back Rene, who is suspended. Rene is adept at shutting down opposition attacks, having averaged 2.3 tackles and four clearances per game at the Club World Cup, and his absence could be music to the ears of Malcom. Fluminense vs Al-Hilal odds All odds courtesy of Sky Bet. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
New York Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The curious career of Malcom – Barcelona, Russia and now a Club World Cup star for Al Hilal
After helping to send Manchester City home from the Club World Cup in a spin, Al Hilal winger Malcom joined his wife Leticia, two sons and wider family for a trip to Walt Disney World on Wednesday. Having walked off the pitch in the 64th minute looking exhausted after his quick-fire goal and de facto assist stunned City, the player's recovery came in the form of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Cinderella. Advertisement For the 28-year-old Brazilian, the latter's story arc is perhaps rather fitting. Al Hilal certainly seem the perfect fit for him at this stage in his career, anyway. Named after his father's hero Malcolm X, a prominent figure during the civil rights movement in the U.S., Malcom has excelled in the same land at this tournament. He performed well against Real Madrid, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg, going close to scoring with his left foot from the edge of the box in the latter two group games, but it was against City, in the 4-3 victory that sealed a place in the quarter-finals, where Malcom found top gear. In the 20 minutes after half-time, Malcom almost single-handedly changed the game. Within 30 seconds of the restart, he turned Rayan Ait-Nour on the halfway line and drove past another two players before playing the ball wide for a cross. The ball fell to him and his shot was parried straight to Marcos Leonardo to equalise. Less than five minutes later, he spotted City's openness at their own corner and won a 60-yard sprint against Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders before sliding the ball under Ederson. Although he had to come off just after the hour mark, Malcom's conviction to drive towards goal with every dribble spread belief to his team-mates and the thousands of Saudis in the stadium. It was a reminder of the ability he possesses, the talent that won him a €41million (£35m/$48m at current exchange rates) move to Barcelona in 2018. His year there can be viewed as a misstep, a brief spell that was unmemorable from the off. Barcelona's manager at the time, Ernesto Valverde, was having breakfast one day with his assistants when they read in the newspaper Sport that a deal to sign the Brazilian from Bordeaux was practically done. When the club confirmed, Valverde was shocked and inquired what the plan was. They had stolen in on Sevilla and Monchi at the eleventh hour and Malcom had jumped at the chance to play at the Camp Nou alongside Lionel Messi. He scored four goals in 24 appearances in all competitions, starting only six times in La Liga. Malcom's potential was clear as a 16-year-old at the 2014 Copinha, the biggest youth tournament in Brazil. He shone for his hometown club Corinthians, winning admirers among the scouts in attendance — and, he later revealed, from hundreds of school girls who were messaging him after his name became known. He broke into the first team soon after he turned 17 and became a regular the next season. Advertisement His Corinthians under-20s manager Osmar Loss described him as a 'responsible irresponsible' character, whose desire to improve saw him study clips of Romario as he worked on how to become more efficient in the final third. Malcom helped Corinthians win the league in 2015 but, after just 70 games, he was destined for Europe. He chose to move to France with Bordeaux, who acquired half of his player rights for €5million. It represented guaranteed regular football in a top-five league while still a teenager and he adapted quickly, scoring long-range strikes against Lyon, Toulouse, Saint-Etienne and Dijon. However, the player showed some naivety when he and his family posed for a photo with Neymar immediately after Bordeaux had conceded six goals against Neymar's Pari Saint-Germain. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal were credited with interest in him but Barcelona won the race and Brazil honours arrived a few months later. After his first goal for Barcelona against Inter Milan in the Champions League in November 2018, he declared his story as just getting started. Valverde hoped it would be a 'launchpad'. In reality, it was to be a premature exit from Europe's main stage at the age of 22. Since 2019, his career has been spent in the petrostates of Russia and Saudi Arabia, playing for the dominant clubs in both leagues — Zenit Saint Petersburg and Al Hilal. Malcom saw it as a 'bridge', an experience at one of the world's biggest clubs which automatically inflated his status when he arrived at Russia's richest club Zenit for a fee of €40m. It was a productive time in Russia, winning four league titles in a row and being named the league's player of the year in 2022-23, when he scored 23 goals in 27 games. As Al Hilal strategised where to splash the cash handed to them by the Saudi state's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Malcom's exploits and Russia's invasion of Ukraine made him a realistic target. It reunited him with Neymar, the idol he had once been too eager to get close to back in France, but Brazil's record scorer suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture to his knee which meant they barely shared the pitch together. Instead, Malcom is the Brazilian forward who has gone on to lead the club's revolution, scoring in the last 16, quarter-final and semi-final in the Asia Champions League. He won the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal, for whom he scored a hat-trick on his debut, signalling that he was going to be one of the top players at that level. But many saw it as an unambitious move, a sign he may have given up on earning a regular spot in the Brazil squad despite scoring the winning goal in the final against Spain to win gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Malcom has certainly not been taking it easy in Saudi. He has taken his personal physiotherapist, Igor, with him to live full-time there and help ensure he is in the best shape possible. Advertisement 'Malcom is truly a big-hearted guy, very family-oriented,' says Igor. 'He truly believes in the project, which is ambitious and involves some of the biggest names in world football. Malcom would never have taken on this challenge if he didn't see real purpose and commitment in the mission to strengthen the league. 'Financial considerations are certainly part of any high-performance career. But beyond that, the opportunity to be part of a growing league, one that's undergoing a remarkable transformation, was also a strong motivator. 'We've seen clear evidence of that in the high-level matches being played, including the game against Manchester City. This is a new era for football in the region, and Malcom is playing an active role in shaping that future.' If Malcom can inspire Al Hilal to victory against Fluminense on Friday in Orlando, Florida, they will be just two wins from staging the kind of upset that could make some people think differently about those big-name players who joined the Saudi project in the early stages.
The National
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Ask Mina: Al Hilal's tactical masterclass, Inter running on fumes
Q: Did you watch Al Hilal crush Manchester City! How did they manage it? @Faisalehh via Instagram A: It was an incredible match, perhaps the game of the tournament so far! A seven-goal thriller that no one saw coming. But Al Hilal didn't crush them. Manchester City were the only team to win all three of their group-stage matches – and they didn't top their group by accident. Their goal was clear: avoid Real Madrid. A smoother path to the quarter-finals was targeted, with Al Hilal seen as the 'easier' opponent. Instead, it was Al Hilal who stole the spotlight – and knocked City out. Credit goes to Simone Inzaghi. His team produced a disciplined, incisive counter-attacking performance – exactly the kind he's built his reputation on. Set up in a 5-4-1 formation, Al Hilal targeted City's weakness in transition and capitalised on their players' strengths, especially Malcom. Hilal's standout forward drove forward with intent and exploited space with pace and precision. City simply couldn't cope with his speed. Without Aleksandar Mitrovic, there were questions about where the goals would come from, but Inzaghi's system provided the answer. The real hero, though, was Bono. The Moroccan goalkeeper – a star of the 2022 World Cup – was exceptional. He made 10 saves to Ederson's two, keeping City at bay despite their 30 shots (14 on target). Without him, the scoreline could've been ugly. What stood out most was Al Hilal 's mentality. Inzaghi has already instilled a clear sense of belief and structure. The team worked tirelessly, tackled, and won the key duels. Ironically, it was City's opening goal that ignited their ferocity – it seemed to provoke the Saudi side into action. From that moment on, they played with intensity and conviction, delivering one of the Fifa Club World Cup's most dramatic upsets. Q: Ruben Neves is one of the best midfielders in the world. Are Al Hilal building around him or do you think he'll come back to Wolves? @Zaido via Instagram A: I don't see Ruben Neves returning to Wolves anytime soon. But the admiration for him remains deep, as shown by the wave of affection that followed his decisive penalty for Portugal in the Uefa Nations League final. He left a lasting mark at Molineux; few overseas players have connected so completely with a fan base. For now, though, Neves is flourishing at Al Hilal. He played a central role in their victory over Manchester City, helping guide the team into the Club World Cup quarter-finals. It's been a standout month for him, both individually and collectively. Throughout the group stage, he dictated the pace of play, anchoring midfield with assurance. In matches against Real Madrid and RB Salzburg, he led all players in completed passes – a clear reflection of his composure and intelligence. Inzaghi's system demands versatility. His teams shift fluidly between attacking through central channels and stretching play out wide, depending on where the spaces are. Neves fits in perfectly. He's technically gifted, positionally astute, and equally capable of stepping into a defensive role, as he did against City, when the tactical balance requires it. What sets him apart, though, is his ability to hit long, accurate diagonals. With Al Hilal's forwards stretching the backline, Neves becomes the architect, picking passes few others can see. Add to that his threat on set pieces, and it's easy to see why he's so crucial to Inzaghi's vision. Q: Are you surprised that Inter lost to Fluminense in the Club World Cup? I can't see a bright future for the Italians. @AliRasekh via X A: Inter's performance against Fluminense wasn't just disappointing, it was lethargic, disjointed, and well below the standard expected of a team with their ambitions. They switched off almost instantly, allowing Fluminense to strike early and seize control of the match. The Brazilians were superb in maintaining a compact shape, counter-attacking with precision, and halting the Italians from establishing a playing rhythm, not unlike what Al Hilal managed against Manchester City. At the back, Fabio, their 44-year-old goalkeeper, was excellent. Despite enjoying 68% possession, Inter offered little in the way of genuine threat. The ball moved sideways far too often, with minimal movement off it and a final third that completely lacked invention. Lautaro Martinez was uncharacteristically sluggish, while Federico Dimarco came closest with an effort off the bar. Inter only really came to life in the final 15 minutes. By then, it was far too late. Still, it's hard to ignore the fatigue. This was Inter's 63rd game of the season, and it looked like it. Static in attack, slow to recover, a team running on fumes. Perhaps that's why Beppe Marotta has been so vocal about shifting towards younger profiles in the market. Manager Christian Chivu needs time. For now, the verdict is simple: Inter weren't good enough. Q: Liverpool have done some great business in the transfer market. Do you think Darwin Nunez will go to Napoli and why do they want him? @Kidilby via Instagram A: I think Nunez is an intriguing fit, more suited to Antonio Conte's vertical, high-intensity football than what Arne Slot wants to implement at Liverpool. Nunez has always been a forward who plays on instinct rather than structure. He thrives in space, attacks relentlessly, and presses with purpose. But in a system that demands patience, close control, and combination play – like Slot's Liverpool – he often looks disconnected. That's not a knock on the player, just a reminder that tactical fit matters. Working under Conte at Napoli, especially in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3, Darwin begins to make sense. He works best alongside a more grounded, physical striker, someone who holds the line while he roams, presses, and attacks space. Think of the role Romelu Lukaku played under Conte at Inter. Nunez, in that context, could be devastating. His aggression, directness, and stamina are tailor-made for Conte's demands. But there are barriers, big ones. According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal is currently at a stalemate Liverpool want as much as €65 million for the striker, and that's a price Napoli are unlikely to meet, especially with the Victor Osimhen saga unresolved. Napoli don't splash cash and have to work within their financial constraints. Liverpool, for their part, rejected offers from Saudi Arabian clubs in January because they lacked reliable alternatives up front. Now, with a need to sell before making new signings, Nunez's diminished role in the squad and the constant criticism he's faced are likely to weigh heavily on his market value. Q: Rasmus Hojlund looked like a great player at Atalanta. Why was he so poor for Manchester United? @PBouHabib via Instagram A: Who has it really worked out for at Manchester United in recent years? The club hasn't operated under a cohesive, long-term project for some time. Squad-building involves more than collecting 'best-in-class' players. You either recruit players to fit a manager's tactical system or appoint a pragmatic coach who can maximise the resources at hand. United have done neither. Hojlund is clearly talented, but talent alone is never enough. He arrived at Old Trafford off the back of just one season at Atalanta, where he scored nine goals in 32 appearances. In Italy, he played in a system built around verticality, fluidity, and controlled chaos. But expecting a youngster to lead the line at United – a club with a revolving door of managers, tactical shifts, and public scrutiny – was always a monumental ask. Ruben Amorim's ideals demand different movement, more patience, and clinical decision-making – areas where Hojlund is still raw. His confidence has clearly dipped, further compounding the misery. His runs were predictable, his positioning inconsistent, and he was simply not producing enough shots on goal. It must also be said that Amorim's United didn't generate many high-quality chances for their forwards. And strikers, no matter how talented, cannot thrive without service.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🤑 Al-Hilal hand out generous bonus after Saudi side make history in the US
🤑 Al-Hilal hand out generous bonus after Saudi side make history in the US There were several questions about the value that Al-Hilal would pay as a "bicho" to the athletes after the historic classification to the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup over Manchester City. It was up to journalist Ahmed Al-Qarni, who works for the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper and is a member of the Saudi Arabian Media Sports Federation, to reveal the value in question. Advertisement According to him, each athlete earned 2 million Saudi riyals, which is equivalent to R$ 2.9 million. The club itself released a video with the presence of president Fahad bin Nafel in the locker room of the Camping World Stadium. The material preserved the "mystery" about the value, as there is a cut before Fahad bin Nafel talks about the money in question. The sequence shows the arrival of coach Simone Inzaghi and several athletes going to hug the president after the "revelation" that was of great interest. The "bicho" in the context of football refers to the value paid to athletes and members of the technical committee after relevant victories or other important results. Advertisement Al-Hilal, with Brazilians Marcos Leonardo, Malcom, Renan Lodi, and Kaio César, will face Fluminense next Friday (4), starting at 4 pm (Brasília time) for a place in the semifinals. Whoever advances will guarantee a prize of $21 million from FIFA. Which is equivalent to 78.7 million Saudi riyals and R$ 114.4 million. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Qatar Tribune
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Manchester City knocked out of CWC as Al Hilal snatch 4-3 win
PA Media/dpa London Manchester City crashed out of the Club World Cup as Al Hilal snatched a stunning 4-3 victory in extra time of a pulsating last-16 clash in Orlando, Florida. Marcos Leonardo grabbed his second goal with 112 minutes on the clock as the Saudi Arabian side produced a major upset. Bernardo Silva gave City a ninth-minute lead but Pep Guardiola's side were punished for missing a series of chances as Leonardo and Malcom replied after the break. Erling Haaland sent the game to extra time but City needed another equalizer from Phil Foden after Kalidou Koulibaly headed Al Hilal back ahead. City, who were caught repeatedly on the break, were undone again as Leonardo had the final say and the Saudi side will now play Fluminense for a place in the semi-finals. Guardiola, having taken the competition seriously, will rue a wasteful first-half display. His side started quickly with Ruben Dias heading straight at Yassine Bounou. The opening goal soon came, although it proved highly controversial with complaints of handball against Rayan Ait-Nouri and Ilkay Gundogan. Tijjani Reijnders cleverly played in Ait-Nouri but the ball appeared to brush the Algerian's hand before he crossed. It then took two ricochets, the second off the shoulder of Gundogan, before Silva poked past Bounou. Al Hilal players surrounded referee Jesus Valenzuela but the Venezuelan was unmoved. City should have extended their lead before half-time but Bounou denied Savinho, Gundogan, Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku. Silva had a shot parried but, after riding their luck, Al Hilal went close through Leonardo and Malcom. City failed to heed those warnings and were punished as Al Hilal struck twice in the first seven minutes of the second half. The equalizer came as former City full-back João Cancelo drove in a low cross. Ederson pushed away and Malcom's attempt on the rebound was blocked but the ball looped up for Leonardo to head in. City were stung again moments later as Al Hilal quickly recycled the ball from a corner they were defending. Malcom broke from halfway and buried a low shot into the far corner. City needed to respond and did so as a Silva corner led to a goalmouth scramble. Haaland pounced from close range to level but, far from settling nerves, the Premier League side remained vulnerable. Malcom was brought down by Dias for what seemed a certain penalty only for an offside flag to spare City. It also took a good recovery tackle by Manuel Akanji to prevent Malcom getting in another shot and Mohamed Kanno fluffed a free header. City were inches away as Akanji headed against the post and Haaland's follow-up was cleared off the line. Both sides had further attacks and Doku was pulled back seconds before the final whistle was blown. Guardiola raced onto the field to complain but the game was heading to extra time. City, who lost Haaland to injury, were stunned when Al Hilal reclaimed the lead with Koulibaly's powerful header. Yet the drama was far from over as Foden, having come off the bench to replace another substitute in the ineffective Rodri, exquisitely volleyed in from a Rayan Cherki cross. Al Hilal refused to lie down and scored yet again as Leonardo pounced to settle the contest after Ederson had pushed away a header from Sergej Milinkovic-Savie.
