Latest news with #RoshnSaudiLeague
Saudi Gazette
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Lacazette joins NEOM SC as Saudi Pro League newcomers boost attack with French star
Saudi Gazette report NEOM — Former France international Alexandre Lacazette has officially joined NEOM Sports Club, becoming the latest high-profile signing in the Roshn Saudi League as the newly promoted side prepares for its debut season in the top flight. The 34-year-old striker, Lyon's second all-time leading scorer, brings a wealth of experience from Ligue 1 and the English Premier League, where he starred for Arsenal between 2017 and 2022. During his time in England, Lacazette netted 54 goals in 158 league appearances and helped the Gunners lift the FA Cup in 2020. NEOM SC confirmed the move on Tuesday with a message on social media: 'From the cradle of heritage in Lyon to the frontier of the future at NEOM SC. Sharpshooter Alexandre Lacazette has arrived.' The ambitious club earned promotion to the 2025–26 Roshn Saudi League by winning the First Division League under Brazilian coach Pericles Chamusca, and are looking to build a competitive squad for the upcoming campaign. Lacazette joins a growing list of former Olympique Lyonnais stars now playing in the Kingdom, including Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema and Houssem Aouar, and new NEOM SC teammate Saïd Benrahma. His arrival follows Monday's announcement of Ivorian midfielder Amadou Koné from Reims, as the club continues strengthening its roster ahead of the new season.
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Sport
- Gulf Insider
Al Hilal Stuns Man City And Stirs The World: ‘One Of The Greatest Nights In Saudi Club Football'
Al Hilal's stunning 4-3 extra-time victory over English powerhouse Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup sent shockwaves through global football, but for seasoned followers of Asian football and the Roshn Saudi League, it felt like a long-overdue statement on the world stage. The Riyadh giants, who boast a record number of AFC Champions League titles, pulled off one of the most remarkable results in the competition's history Monday night in Orlando. With goals from Marcos Leonardo (2), Malcom, and Kalidou Koulibaly, Al Hilal outlasted the reigning UEFA Champions League winners in a pulsating round-of-16 clash. Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi praised his squad's heart and tactical discipline, declaring: 'The key to this result are the players, the heart they put on the pitch. Tonight, we had to do something extraordinary because we knew how good Manchester City are. We knew we had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we were great.' He added: 'We played with strong determination. They deserved it. They fought for every ball, and it gives satisfaction to the family of Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia, and the fans here with us.' Senegalese center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who nodded home Al Hilal's third goal in extra time, said: 'We knew it would be a difficult game against one of the best teams in the world and we wanted to show our ideas, our talents, and our power. We took our chances, and we can be happy.' Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo, the match's two-goal hero, delivered an emotional tribute: 'I've had a difficult time in the last two months. My mother spent 70 days in the ICU. Today she's fine, thank God. When I scored those two goals, I thought of her — she was able to watch the match. If they weren't watching, I wouldn't be here today.' While international media hailed the result as 'a shock,' it was instead a confirmation for Saudi football insiders: Al Hilal are not just participants — they're contenders. With the Saudi Pro League investing heavily in infrastructure, player development, and global talent, Monday night's victory underscored the Kingdom's ambitions to become a serious force in world football.
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Hilal stuns Man City and stirs the world: ‘One of the greatest nights in Saudi club football'
Saudi Gazette report ORLANDO — Al Hilal's stunning 4-3 extra-time victory over English powerhouse Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup sent shockwaves through global football, but for seasoned followers of Asian football and the Roshn Saudi League, it felt like a long-overdue statement on the world stage. The Riyadh giants, who boast a record number of AFC Champions League titles, pulled off one of the most remarkable results in the competition's history Monday night in Orlando. With goals from Marcos Leonardo (2), Malcom, and Kalidou Koulibaly, Al Hilal outlasted the reigning UEFA Champions League winners in a pulsating round-of-16 clash. Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi praised his squad's heart and tactical discipline, declaring: 'The key to this result are the players, the heart they put on the pitch. Tonight, we had to do something extraordinary because we knew how good Manchester City are. We knew we had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we were great.' He added: 'We played with strong determination. They deserved it. They fought for every ball, and it gives satisfaction to the family of Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia, and the fans here with us.' Senegalese center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who nodded home Al Hilal's third goal in extra time, said: 'We knew it would be a difficult game against one of the best teams in the world and we wanted to show our ideas, our talents, and our power. We took our chances, and we can be happy.' Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo, the match's two-goal hero, delivered an emotional tribute: 'I've had a difficult time in the last two months. My mother spent 70 days in the ICU. Today she's fine, thank God. When I scored those two goals, I thought of her — she was able to watch the match. If they weren't watching, I wouldn't be here today.' While international media hailed the result as 'a shock,' it was instead a confirmation for Saudi football insiders: Al Hilal are not just participants — they're contenders. With the Saudi Pro League investing heavily in infrastructure, player development, and global talent, Monday night's victory underscored the Kingdom's ambitions to become a serious force in world football.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
7 Samba stars to shine in 2024-25 RSL
The Roshn Saudi League has always shared a special relationship with Brazil and thus Brazilian players, with the South American nation supplying a huge number of foreign footballers to the league through the years. From players of yesteryear like Rivellino and Denilson, to modern-day greats such as Neymar and Roberto Firmino, a cavalcade of Brazil's best have called Saudi Arabia home during the years. This past season was no different, with more than 30 Brazilians sprinkled across the league. Advertisement So, to mark the all-Brazilian clash between Palmeiras and Botafogo taking place at the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday, we look at how some of the standout Samba stars from the 2024-25 RSL. -------- Fabinho - Al Ittihad Right at the top, the former Liverpool midfielder walked away with his first RSL title as Al Ittihad dominated the second half of the season to storm away with the top-flight trophy, ultimately heading the league by eight points ahead of second-placed Al Hilal. Capped 29 times by his national team, Fabinho has formed a dynamic relationship with N'Golo Kante in the centre of the park since joining the Jeddah giants back in 2023; together, they form one of the best midfield duos in the league. Advertisement Ranked seventh in the league for passes and sixth for tackles, in every facet of the game Fabinho was crucial to Al Ittihad's title success. Check out the best images from Al Ittihad's title ceremony -------- Marcos Leonardo - Al Hilal The 22-year-old arrived in Riyadh with a burgeoning reputation after his time with both Santos and Benfica, and he showed why during a superb debut season for defending champions Al Hilal. It's never easy coming into a team that has won the title, let alone one that did so by breaking a slew of records, but Leonardo unmistakably made Al Hilal stronger this campaign - especially when deputising devastatingly for the injured Aleksandar Mitrovic. Advertisement Leonardo's 17 goals ranked him seventh in the 2024-25 RSL and included a run of scoring in seven straight games; incredibly, he netted 11 times in that spell from December through to February. Al Hilal's Leonardo celebrates goal v Al Fayha -------- Galeno - Al Ahli It's hard to quantify the difference the former FC Porto winger made for Al Ahli, but it was significant. Arriving only in February, the 27-year-old played 11 games in the RSL and registered three goals and two assists. However, Galeno changed structurally how Al Ahli attacked, which made them significantly more dangerous. With that in mind, it's no coincidence that Ivan Toney scored 16 of his 23 RSL goals – second only to golden boot winner Cristiano Ronaldo – after the Brazilian wideman arrived. Advertisement Undoubtedly, the crowning glory came in winning the AFC Champions League Elite, with Galeno's goal in the final helping Al Ahli claim their first piece of continental silverware. -------- Robert Renan - Al Shabab The name Robert Renan might not have meant as much to a lot of football fans, but the 21-year-old certainly made something of a name for himself at Al Shabab this season. The Brazil youth international arrived in September on loan from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg as an exciting defender full of potential, promptly settled on the left side of the defence for a team that improved under Fatih Terim's tutelage to eventually finish sixth. Advertisement By season's end, Renan not only had three assists to his name - the most of any defender at the club and more than the likes of legendary captain Abderrazak Hamdallah and Giacomo Bonaventura - but also ranked fourth at Al Shabab for passes, and third for both tackles and clearances. -------- Bento - Al Nassr Signing a top-quality goalkeeper was close to the top of Al Nassr's wish list during last summer's transfer window – and, in Bento, they found just what they were looking for. After five seasons in his homeland with Athletico Paranaense, the 26-year-old made the move to Riyadh as Al Nassr looked to go one better than their RSL runners-up finish they had in 2023-24. Advertisement While they couldn't achieve that, ultimately finishing third, that wasn't the fault of Bento, who concluded his first campaign ranked fourth across the league for clean sheets (nine) - ahead of Yassine Bono and Predrag Rajkovic. The Brazil international more than justified that pre-season faith. -------- Vitinho - Al Ettifaq After three seasons in the RSL, the former Flamengo midfielder had his best campaign yet in the Kingdom thanks in large part to Al Ettifaq manager Saad Al Shehri, who replaced Steven Gerrard in January. Used more sparingly by Gerrard at the beginning of the season, the Brazil youth international came alive in Al Shehri's side, with four of his six goals and five of his seven assists coming under the Saudi manager in the back half of the season. Advertisement Recording his most productive season to date, Vitinho was vital to Al Ettifaq shooting up the table from 12th to eventually finish seventh. -------- Lucas Kal - Al Riyadh The 29-year-old could have been described as a journeyman when he landed in the RSL at the beginning of last season from Atletico Goianiense, with Al Riyadh the eighth stop on his career pathway since making his debut for Sao Paolo in 2017. But, having embraced manager Sabri Lamouchi's guidance, Kal impressed in the heart of midfield for a side that oscillated between the top and bottom half of the table throughout the campaign. With three goals and two assists, Kal also ranked third for passes and fourth for tackles at the club - a more-than-respectable return for someone experiencing the Saudi top flight for the first time.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Innovative and intense: What 'one of greatest coaches' Inzaghi will bring to Al Hilal
Innovative and intense: What 'one of greatest coaches' Inzaghi will bring to Al Hilal There is change coming to Al Hilal. That's self-evident in the appointment of Simone Inzaghi to replace Jorge Jesus in the dugout. Replacing a Portuguese manager with one from Italy will always result in a different view of football. The beautiful game, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. Advertisement But there is more to it than just the nationality of the manager. Otherwise stereotype would dictate that a bit of catenaccio is headed for Riyadh, which those that have followed Inzaghi's coaching career would attest is not his style. Fresh off taking Italian giants Inter Milan to the UEFA Champions League Final – a second appearance as manager at European club football's showpiece competition – the 49-year-old arrives in the Roshn Saudi League with a glittering reputation. Despite Inter's 5-0 loss in the final to Paris Saint-Germain, he is known for his innovative tactical approaches. A Serie A winner with Lazio during an impressive playing career that also saw him capped for Italy, Simone Inzaghi is the younger brother of Filippo, probably the better known of the siblings for his time with Juventus and AC Milan, not to mention winning the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 2006. Advertisement But those who knew Simone from a young age say he was always the more talented, with a view of the game that made coaching a natural post-playing path for him. "Simone was technically stronger than Filippo. No doubt. He had more quality; he was unlucky in his career," Giovanni Trainini, one of Simone's first coaches, was quoted as saying by the BBC last year. For what it's worth, his brother agrees, recently labelling Simone, who is two years younger, as 'one of the greatest coaches ever'. There might be some hyperbole and brotherly love attached to those quotes, but you won't find many who don't have Simone Inzaghi high on their list of great modern-day managers, especially after leading Inter Milan to the UEFA Champions League final twice in the past three years. Advertisement What makes him so revered is his flexible and adaptable approach to tactics, where defined formations are mere numbers on a page; his style is more fluid, where defenders maraud forward, midfielders drop back, and full-backs are pressed high up the pitch. In traditional terms, Inzaghi likes to set up in a 3-5-2 formation, but flexibility and rotations are the key. His priority comes in moving the ball around to exploit space, whether that's done by short-passing between the lines, or sucking teams in and hitting them over the top. They attack as a team and defend as a team. It makes an Inzaghi side incredibly difficult to play against when you could find the central defender high up in the attack, or the striker dropping back to occupy space and drawing opposition defenders out. Take, for example, the fact that 20 different players provided an assist for Inter Milan in Serie A last season - the highest of any of the top teams in Europe, where around 15-16 is the average. Only FC Barcelona, with 19 different players, came close. Advertisement Al Hilal, for what it's worth, had 15 different players provide an assist in the recently concluded RSL campaign. Captain Salem Al Dawsari not only led the 2024-25 RSL in assists, but heads the competition's all-time list, too. It's a style of play that demands a lot from the players, particularly the defenders - and it's no surprise to see Al Hilal already go into the transfer market to snap up Ali Lajami from rivals Al Nassr. Clearly, the design was to deepen their central-defensive stocks alongside the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Al Bulayhi and Hassan Al Tambakti. But, while it'll be new ground for almost all the Al Hilal squad, there is one player that knows Inzaghi, his philosophy and his demands, intimately: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Advertisement The Serbian played under Inzaghi for little more than five seasons in the Italian capital, winning the Coppa Italia in 2018-19 and the Supercoppa Italia in 2017 and 2019, while also being named Lazio's Player of the Season in Inzaghi's final campaign with the club. Milinkovic-Savic's best years in Italy were spent during Inzaghi's Lazio tenure, which should give Al Hilal fans plenty to be excited about as they look ahead to both the new season and the FIFA Club World Cup. The inaugural expanded tournament, now comprising 32 teams, kicks off on Saturday in the United States; Al Hilal open their Group H account four days later, with a mouth-watering clash against Real Madrid in Miami. If that's quite the debut for Inzaghi, in Milinkovic-Savic, he already has an acolyte. Advertisement 'I made great progress from all points of view thanks to him, both as a player and as a man,' the midfielder told Serbian media in 2022. 'We had an excellent relationship, [and] as far as his abilities are concerned, just look at his results at Inter.' Those results speak for themselves. A Serie A winning coach in 2023-24, twice a UEFA Champions League finalist, twice a winner of the Coppa Italia, and three times a winner of the Supercoppa Italia in 2021, 2022 and 2023; the last two of which were won, ironically, in Saudi Arabia. And it's in the Kingdom, at an expectant Al Hilal, that a coaching journey that boasts numerous high points continues.
