Latest news with #SaudiPremierLeague
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Chapter is over': Cristiano Ronaldo hints Al-Nassr exit after 2-3 loss in last SPL 2024-25 match
Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at the end of his Al-Nassr exit after the team's defeat in the Saudi Premier League (SPL) 2024-25 season-ending match to Al-Fateh. Despite notching up his record 800th club goal of his career, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could not prevent a 2-3 loss for his side, ending hopes of their Asian Champions League Elite qualification. With 70 points, Al Nassr finished third on the SPL standings, 13 behind league winners Al-Ittihad and five behind second-placed Al-Hilal. Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi side in 2022 after his second stint with Manchester United, has his contract with the club run out this summer. 'This chapter is over,' Ronaldo wrote on social media after the loss. 'The story? Still being written. Grateful to all,' the former Real Madrid and Juventus forward added. This chapter is story? Still being to all. — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) May 26, 2025 The 40-year-old Ronaldo can, however, keep his story running immediately by linking up with a FIFA Club World Cup team before the 32-team tournament begins on June 14. Ronaldo could be in the running to join one of the sides after FIFA set up a special trading window for the participating teams to sign new players between June 1-10. FIFA president Gianni Infantino also hinted at a probable move for the Portuguese legend in the special window. 'Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup,' Infantino said on the online streamer IShowSpeed's YouTube channel, which boasts over 39 million subscribers. 'There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup, who knows. There is still time; it will be fun.' Ronaldo could then reunite with his long-time rival Lionel Messi in the same tournament for the first time since the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Despite Al-Nassr's underwhelming finish, Ronaldo topped the Golden Boot race in the SPL with 24 goals, with his overall tally sitting at 99 goals in 111 appearances for the team.
Arab Times
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Saudi Federation apologizes for referee's blunder in Al-Hilal vs Al-Qadisiyah match
RIYADH, Jan 29: The Saudi Football Federation has acknowledged a refereeing error in the Al-Hilal vs Al-Qadisiyah match in the Saudi Premier League, according to local media reports. Al-Qadisiyah secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Al-Hilal on Monday in Dammam, concluding the 17th round of the league. A controversial moment occurred in the 42nd minute when Al-Qadisiyah's Nacho Fernandez made a handball during a joint challenge with Al-Hilal's Sergej Savic, prompting calls for a penalty from the "leader" players. However, Austrian referee Julian Weinberger dismissed these appeals, awarding an indirect free kick to Al-Qadisiyah instead, after consulting the video assistant referee (VAR). Refereeing expert Muhammad Kamal Risha called the decision "strange" in statements to Al-Riyadhiyah. Al-Jazirah newspaper reported that the VAR official advised the on-field referee that Nacho should have been sent off for deliberately handling the ball and that a penalty should have been awarded to Al-Hilal. Despite this, Weinberger stood by his decision, calling it offside. The Saudi Football Federation's referees committee has since confirmed that the decision not to expel Nacho was incorrect, with no valid justification for the call. Meanwhile, the 18th round of the Roshn Professional League kicks off today with three matches: Al-Orobah vs. Al-Ahly, Al-Riyadh vs. Al-Wehda, and Al-Raed vs. Al-Nasr.
