The French international, once regarded as one of the most talented midfielders of his generation, is now free to return to competitive action, with potential moves to Major League Soccer (MLS) or the Saudi Pro League reportedly on the table

Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, fell below $70 a barrel for the first time since October, reflecting concerns about a potential glut. Middle Eastern oil markets also faced downward pressure following OPEC+’s decision to ramp up production

"He had a physical problem, but I wouldn't say it was 100% a big problem, but we preferred him not to be in the game," Pioli stated, downplaying the severity of the issue. However, sources suggest that the decision was influenced by a combination of fitness concerns and off-field factors

The Saudi Arabian side, one of three clubs from the kingdom to progress to the knockout stages, will aim to capitalize on their strong group stage performance as they continue their pursuit of continental glory

The highly anticipated encounter saw both teams struggle to break the deadlock, with solid defensive displays and missed opportunities defining the contest. Ultimately, it was Saudi Arabia who held their nerve in the shootout, emerging victorious thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Hamed Yousef

From there, the hosts took control. Dutch forward Steven Bergwijn gave Al Ittihad the lead just before half-time, scoring on the rebound after his initial header was parried by Al Hilal’s goalkeeper Bono

The delay in his decision has sparked concerns that the veteran forward could be lured away from the Spanish giants. According to Spanish publication Marca, Al Ittihad has tabled a staggering two-year contract offer worth €200 million for the 35-year-old forward

While the official game titles for the event have yet to be confirmed, professional esports players and industry experts have welcomed the decision with enthusiasm

While concerns over human rights persist in international forums, they have not impeded Riyadh’s diplomatic and economic ambitions. Saudi Arabia has actively repositioned itself on the world stage, investing heavily in entertainment and sports to bolster its soft power

Ronaldo's influence has extended far beyond his contributions on the field. His move to Saudi Arabia has sparked a wave of high-profile signings in the league, with aging superstars following his lead in joining the big-spending clubs of the kingdom

The new region, unveiled at the Ministry of Communications and Technology’s (MCIT) flagship LEAP 2025 technology summit, will feature two availability zones with full redundancy, advanced cloud services, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities

From Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior to Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, the Middle Eastern league is ready to break records in an effort to lure elite talent to its shores