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Tag: Saudi Arabia

  • Mourinho rejects lucrative offer to coach Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia

    Mourinho rejects lucrative offer to coach Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia

    Portuguese gaffer and AS Roma boss, Jose Mourinho has a lucrative offer to coach a Saudi pro league side Al Hilal FC.

    According to Fabrizio Romano, Al Hilal sent an offer of €30 million per season net salary to Mourinho to become their next manager.

    Mourinho made it known that he prefers to his present club to coaching in Saudi league.

    Mourinho led Roma to their second consecutive European final last season.

    But they suffered a 4-1 defeat on penalties against Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League final after a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.

    Al Hilal moved for Mourinho before making efforts to lure Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri to Saudi but the Italian also turned down the opportunity.

  • Ighalo goes down memory lane, recounts how fans sent him death threats

    Ighalo goes down memory lane, recounts how fans sent him death threats

    Former Al-Hilal striker, Odion Ighalo, has revealed that he almost got killed after Nigeria’s elimination from the 2018 World Cup and their defeat to Ghana in the 2022 World Cup qualifying play-offs, saying these were his two worst moments in his footballing career.

    Going down memory lane, the forward said he received death threats for the chances he missed against Argentina at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

    Unfortunately for him, it was to the fury of Nigerian supporters who chose to abuse him for weeks on social media after the Super Eagles’ ouster.

    However, Ighalo made a return to the national team in 2022 but couldn’t help Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup that held same year in Qatar

    Ighalo was also involved when the Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after a 1-1 draw against Ghana in Abuja.

    “The two worst experiences I had with the Super Eagles was the game against Argentina at the 2018 World Cup when I missed a chance and the whole of Nigeria wanted to bury me alive,” Ighalo told Elegbete TV.

    “Also the last World Cup which we did not qualify for was another bad time for me.”

    Recall that Ighalo retired from international football after the Super Eagles won bronze at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he also picked up the Golden Boot for the tournament.

  • Edouard Mendy’s new club revealed

    Edouard Mendy’s new club revealed

    Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy could be heading to the Saudi Arabian league this summer ahead of next season.

    The Senegalese has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli.

    Al Ahli and Chelsea are now negotiating a fee for Mendy’s proposed move to the Middle East.

    This was disclosed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano in a tweet via his Twitter handle on Monday.

    “Negotiations at the final stages for Senegal goalkeeper to join Saudi league from Chelsea on a permanent deal. Here we go soon!”

    Mendy has just 12 months left on his current contract with Chelsea.

    Chelsea are reportedly keen on not offering the Senegalese international a new deal, as they are happy with Kepa and are also targeting a move for Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili.

  • Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia close in on Signing Ngolo Kante

    Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia close in on Signing Ngolo Kante

    Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia are set to splash the cash on Chelsea Midfielder, Ngolo Kante.

    The Saudi Arabian champions have sent a team to the UK to wrap up a deal for the France midfielder.

    This was revealed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.

    Romano tweeted: “N’Golo Kanté is on the verge of joining Al Ittihad on free transfer! Final details are being discussed, then proposal will be accepted.

    “Al Ittihad directors just arrived in London to link up with the PIF Saudi delegation to prepare documents. €100m per year until 2025.”

    Kante will be the next top player to join Al-Ittihad after Karim Benzema was officially unveiled on Tuesday.

  • Why I chose to sign for Al Ittihad FC of Saudi Arabia – Karim Benzema

    Why I chose to sign for Al Ittihad FC of Saudi Arabia – Karim Benzema

    Karim Benzema has stated reason why he joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad from Spanish side, Real Madrid.

    Benzema signed a mouth-watering deal with the Saudi club side  on Tuesday evening.

    Benzema will now play in the Middle East after 14 years with the LaLiga giants.

    “Al Ittihad is a new challenge for me. It’s a good league and there are many good players.

    “Cristiano Ronaldo is already here, he is a friend who shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to get ahead and I am here to win as I did in Europe,” Benzema said.

    Benzema will earn almost €200m per season net salary with commercial deals included.

    Lionel Messi could also be playing in the Saudi Arabian league next season if his deal with Al Hilal eventually pulls through.

  • Why pilgrims should not eat unapproved food in Saudi Arabia – NAHCON

    Why pilgrims should not eat unapproved food in Saudi Arabia – NAHCON

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned pilgrims against patronising unapproved food vendors.

    The Nigerian pilgrims are currently undergoing the Islamic religious rites for the 2023 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The commission’s Coordinator in Madina, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahmud, gave the warning on Wednesday in Madinah.

    Mahmud said the commission had engaged the services of approved caterers for pilgrims feeding to protect them against contaminated food.

    He explained that NAHCON had negotiated with the Saudi based caterers in partnership with the Nigerian indigenous caterers to prepare local cuisines for the pilgrims.

    He revealed that the commission has so far inspected the kitchens where caterers would be preparing food for the pilgrims to ensure that pilgrims get value for their money.

    ”Since the arrival of the NAHCON’s Advance Team on May 26, we undertook some activities which includes visit to all the relevant offices here in Madina.

    ”We visited the airport, the logistics company, Adilah, offices of accomodations providers, kitchens of the caterers that will provides foods for the Nigerian pilgrims.

    ”The purpose of embarking on the visits was to inform them that the Nigerian delegation are on ground and ready to commence the exercise with a view to ensure smooth hajj operation.”

    The coordinator said he held a coordination meeting with heads of various committees to strategies on how to conduct hajj operation effectively.

    ”Since May 26, we started receiving pilgrims from Nasarawa State which where warmly welcomed by the Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yahaya Lawal.

    ”He was accompanied by the Consul General, Bello Kazaure and other mission staff from both the Nigerian Embassy and Consulate in Riyadh.

    ”Thereafter, the pilgrims were taken to their respective accomodation by the committee in charge of accomodations. So also the feeding committee ensure that food is provided for them.

    “So far from May 26 to date we have received no fewer than 10,484 Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and the transportation of pilgrims is ongoing. All the pilgrims were well accommodated and they are going about their religious activities.”

  • Messi set to seal mouth-watering move to Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia

    Messi set to seal mouth-watering move to Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia

    Argentina superstar, Lionel Messi’s move to Al-Hilal is sealed according to a report from L’Equipe

    The deal is said to be worth  £522 million annually.

    Messi will leave PSG as a free agent by the end of the season after he would have played for the club for two yeas.

    Recall that the Argentine joined PSG two years ago from Barcelona on a free.

    Messi signed a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 champions with an option for another year which both parties were initially keen on triggering.

    But Messi is set to leave PSG and join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League with a deal now agreed.

    Ronaldo currently plays for Al-Hilal’s rivals Al-Nassr, but Messi will now overtake him as the highest-paid footballer in the world.

    If Messi’s deal pulls through, he will be renewing his rivalry with Christian Ronaldo in the Saudi Arabian Pro league.

    Messi’s proposed clubside, Al Hilal presently enjoys the services of Nigeria forward, Odion Ighalo

  • Ligue 1: Despite apology PSG drops Messi ahead clash with Troyes FC

    Ligue 1: Despite apology PSG drops Messi ahead clash with Troyes FC

    Argentine super star, Lionel Messi has been dropped from Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their Ligue 1 clash against Troyes this weekend despite penning an apology for heading to Saudi Arabia without getting approval from the club.

    Messi was expected in training on Monday last week after PSG had lost a game over te weekend but report got to the club he flew to Saudi Arabia to discuss personal business.

    PSG suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Lorient in Ligue 1 last weekend.

    That result has thrown the title race open, leaving PSG just five points ahead of Marseille.

    Messi has now been suspended for two weeks and cannot use the club’s training facilities in that time.

    Messi apologised to the club and his team-mates on Friday in a video released on Instagram.

    Despite his apology, PSG haven’t changed their mind over his suspension and unavailability.

    Messi has been excluded from their league clash against Troyes this weekend and is also expected to miss the home fixture against Ajaccio the following week.

    Christophe Galtier’s side will conclude their campaign away to Auxerre and Strasbourg, before hosting Clermont on the final day.

    Messi is likely to be involved in those three matches, before his contract expires on 30 June.

  • Ligue 1: Lionel Messi apologizes to PSG, begs for forgiveness

    Ligue 1: Lionel Messi apologizes to PSG, begs for forgiveness

    Following a two-week suspension slammed on him for heading to Saudi Arabia for personal reasons without getting permission from Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi has turned in his apology via a video recording to the management of PSG.

    According to Messi’s apology video circulating on Social Media, he said he had “thought he had the day off” after Sunday’s 3-1 home Ligue 1 defeat to Lorient and is now “waiting to hear” from the club over his future.

    He said: “First of all, I want to apologize to my team-mates and the club. Honestly, I thought we were going to have a day off after the game like we did in previous weeks.

    “I had this trip organised, which I had cancelled already. I could not cancel it again. I repeat, I want to say sorry for what I did. I am waiting to hear what the club want to do with me.”

    After Messi’s suspension , it was revealed on Wednesday that Messi will leave PSG at the end of the season, with the French champions not planning to offer the forward a new contract.

     

  • Messi plans to exit PSG after two weeks suspension

    Messi plans to exit PSG after two weeks suspension

    Speculations are rife that Lionel Messi will exit Paris Saint-Germain this summer after the club slammed a two-week suspension on him for traveling to Saudi Arabia without getting permission.

    According to French journal, L’Equipe, PSG will no longer offer Messi a contract extension.

    The Argentine’s contract ends at the end of the season with no plan of a renewal.

    The Argentina captain has been linked with a return to Barcelona and a few MLS clubs.

    Messi is understood to have asked PSG for permission, having twice postponed a scheduled commercial trip there previously due to team defeats.

    However, Messi did not get an approval and has now been fined two weeks’ wages.

    He will sit out league games against Troyes and Ajaccio.