Football

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal maintained their perfect start to the AFC Champions League Elite with a 3-0 victory over Iran's Esteghlal on Monday, thanks to a hat-trick from Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serbian striker scored twice in the first half to give Al Hilal a comfortable lead, before completing his treble in the second half.Brazil's Neymar made his second appearance in two weeks for Al Hilal, coming on as a second-half substitute. However, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star appeared to suffer a thigh injury and was replaced after just 28 minutes.Al Ahli, another Saudi Arabian side, also secured a victory on Monday, defeating Al Shorta of Iraq 5-1. Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez both scored twice for Al Ahli, while Feras Al Buraikan added another.Elsewhere in the AFC Champions League Elite, UAE's Al Wasl were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Al Sadd of Qatar, while Iran's Persepolis and Qatar's Al Gharafa played out the same scoreline in Dubai.Al Hilal now top the standings for West Asia with four wins from four, while Al Ahli are second with 12 points from a possible 12.

Neymar, the Brazilian football superstar, suffered another injury setback on Monday during his second game back from a year-long absence. The incident occurred in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Neymar's Al-Hilal faced Esteghlal of Iran in the AFC Champions League Elite.Neymar, who recently recovered from a torn ACL, came off the bench after 58 minutes. However, the 32-year-old forward was forced to leave the field with three minutes remaining after appearing to pull up after stretching his leg out for the ball in the penalty area.Despite the injury, Neymar has time to recover before his next game, as he is not registered for Al-Hilal's matches in the Saudi Pro League. The next fixture in the AFC competition is scheduled for November 25.Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Serbian striker, stole the show for Al-Hilal, scoring a hat trick to lead the four-time Asian champion to a 3-0 victory. Mitrovic's goals came from close range, with the first coming after 15 minutes, the second just after the half-hour mark, and the third with 16 minutes remaining.Al-Hilal remains top of the 12-team group, with the top eight teams advancing to the Round of 16. They are ahead of Saudi Arabian rival Al-Ahli on goal difference after Al-Ahli thrashed Al-Shorta of Iraq 5-1, with former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino scoring twice in the first half.In other AFC Champions League matches, Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates drew 1-1 with Qatar's Al-Sadd, while the game between Persepolis of Iran and Al-Gharafa of Qatar ended in the same scoreline.

Brazilian superstar Neymar made his long-awaited return to the pitch on Monday after more than a year on the sidelines. The 32-year-old forward, now playing for Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, came on as a second-half substitute in his team's thrilling 5-4 victory over Asian champions Al Ain in the UAE.Neymar had not played since rupturing his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while on international duty in October 2022. He underwent surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process, but is now back in action and eager to regain his top form.The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker is Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, with 79 goals in 128 appearances. He is expected to play a key role for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and the Asian Champions League.Neymar was named on the Hilal bench for the first time since his injury and was introduced on 76 minutes of the Asian Champions Elite encounter at a packed Hazzan Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. By then, Hilal were leading 5-3, thanks to goals from Renan Lodi, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and a hat-trick from Salem Al Dawsari.Neymar cannot be registered for the Saudi top-flight until January, but Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is keen to get him match fit as soon as possible. "I need to prepare Neymar with games; that's the only possible means to bring him to his level, which was the idea today," Jesus said."There are some risks for the team because we need to use the games to prepare him, but it's the only way to have one of our important players back at the highest level," the Portuguese boss added.On Monday, Hilal took the lead on 26 minutes when Aleksandar Mitrovic played in Lodi down the left, and the ex-Atletico Madrid full-back drilled a low shot past Khalid Essa in the Al Ain goal. However, Hernan Crespo's side drew level six minutes before half-time when Morocco international Soufiane Rahimi slid home a cross.In first-half stoppage-time, Hilal seemed to take the contest away from their UAE rivals. First, Joao Cancelo, a summer signing from Manchester City, crossed for Milinkovic-Savic to head home unmarked from six years. Moments later, reigning Asian Player of the Year Al Dawsari raced cleared of the Al Ain defence, skipped around the onrushing Essa and curled home superbly on the angle.Al Ain reduced the deficit just after the hour through substitute Mateo Sanabria, only for Al Dawsari to flick home his second of the night from a Milinkovic-Savic centre. Minutes later, Rahimi notched his double as a see-saw clash took another swing. Al Dawsari then restored Hilal's two-goal advantage with a sublime strike from range.Not long into 12 minutes of the allotted injury-time, and with Hilal reduced to 10 men after defender Ali Al Bulaihi was sent off for an intentional handball, Rahimi won and converted a penalty to secure his hat-trick and give Al Ain hope, but the Saudi champions hung on to claim the win.Neymar had little time to truly impact the game, although he did flash wide an effort in the dying moments of normal time. Hilal sit top of the Western region group, with three victories from three while Al Ain have picked up a solitary point.

Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in Saudi Arabia has sparked a surge of excitement in the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Nassr aiming to dethrone reigning champions Al-Hilal. Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, has yet to lift a domestic trophy with the club.Al-Hilal dominated last season, winning the title with an impressive record of 31 wins and three draws, finishing 14 points clear of Al-Nassr. The Riyadh rivals faced off in the Saudi Super Cup final last weekend, with Al-Hilal emerging victorious 4-1.Despite the setback, Ronaldo remains determined to help Al-Nassr end Al-Hilal's dominance. "New season, same goal," he wrote in a social media post.Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly acknowledges the challenge ahead. "This season is going to be very difficult," he said. "Last year, it was a tough championship, but we managed to come out on top. This year, all the teams will be gunning to beat Al Hilal."Last summer, Saudi Arabia witnessed an influx of high-profile players from Europe's top leagues, including Ronaldo. This summer has been quieter, but the transfer window remains open until September 2.For Al-Hilal, the return of Neymar from injury will be a major boost. The Brazilian superstar made only five appearances before sustaining a knee injury in October. "Neymar's return is highly anticipated by our players," said Koulibaly. "He still has this motivation when we see him in training."Al-Nassr has also made significant signings, including Brazilian goalkeeper Bento and Senegalese star Sadio Mane. Other challengers include Al-Ahli, led by Riyad Mahrez, and Al-Ittihad, which has acquired French winger Moussa Diaby.The Saudi Pro League kicks off on Thursday, with all four clubs aiming to improve the average attendance of just over 8,000 per game last season. Al-Hilal also has international ambitions, representing Asia in the FIFA Club World Cup in June.

Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration boiled over after Al-Nassr's 4-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final. Despite scoring the opening goal, Ronaldo's team collapsed in the second half, conceding four goals in quick succession.Aleksandar Mitrovic led the comeback for Al-Hilal, scoring twice in six minutes, while Malcom added a fourth to seal the victory. Al-Hilal fans taunted Ronaldo with chants of "Messi," further fueling the rivalry between the two football legends.Ronaldo's anger was evident throughout the match, with cameras capturing him gesturing towards his teammates. After the final whistle, he refused to collect his runner-up medal, heading straight to the locker room.This incident has sparked discussions about Ronaldo's temperament and the pressure he faces in his second season with Al-Nassr. Former teammates Rio Ferdinand and Louis Saha believe Ronaldo has the potential to become a successful manager, citing his energy, passion, and experience.Ronaldo's frustration may stem from his desire to continue playing at a high level. Ferdinand believes he will play for at least three more years, while Saha suggests he could transition into a managerial role.Despite his disappointment, Ronaldo remains a respected figure in the football world. His work ethic and determination have inspired many, and his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time is secure.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Arabian adventure has hit a roadblock as his Al Nassr side suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to arch-rivals Al Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday. The Portuguese superstar, who joined Al Nassr in January with much fanfare, has yet to win a domestic trophy in the Middle Eastern nation.Ronaldo's frustration was evident throughout the match, particularly after Al Hilal's fourth goal. Social media footage captured the 38-year-old throwing his arms up in exasperation, gesturing that his teammates were "asleep" and making another controversial gesture.Al Nassr had taken the lead through Ronaldo's goal just before halftime, but Al Hilal staged a remarkable comeback in the second half. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic equalized in the 53rd minute, followed by a brace from Aleksandar Mitrovic in the 61st and 64th minutes. Malcolm added the icing on the cake in the 72nd minute, capitalizing on an error from Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento."We showed how good we are in the second half," said Mitrovic after the match. "We had some problems in the first half and then changed in the second. We stayed calm and it feels good to get a trophy at the start of the season."Ronaldo's gestures towards his teammates have sparked controversy, with some criticizing his lack of leadership and others defending his frustration. The defeat leaves Al Nassr without a trophy this season and raises questions about Ronaldo's impact on the team.

Al Hilal Clinches Fourth Saudi Pro League Title in Five Years, Extends Ronaldo's Silverware DroughtSaudi Arabian powerhouse Al Hilal has secured its fourth Saudi Pro League title in the past five years, extending Cristiano Ronaldo's wait for silverware in the lucrative competition. The Riyadh-based club sealed the championship with a resounding 4-1 victory over bottom-placed Al Hazm on Saturday, putting them an unassailable 12 points clear of Ronaldo's Al Nassr with just three matches remaining.Al Hilal's triumph marks a remarkable campaign, as they remain unbeaten in 31 league matches and have amassed a record-breaking 34 consecutive wins in all competitions for a top-flight team. The title victory solidifies Al Hilal's dominance in Saudi football, further cementing their status as the most successful club in the country.The title race had been highly anticipated due to the arrival of global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Nassr in January 2023. However, Al Hilal's consistent performances and unwavering determination proved too much for Ronaldo and his team.Al Hilal's success is a testament to the club's astute management and the brilliance of their Portuguese manager, Jorge Jesus. The club has assembled a formidable squad, boasting a blend of experienced veterans and promising young talents.The Saudi Pro League has witnessed an influx of high-profile players in recent years, including Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, N'Golo Kante, and Riyad Mahrez. These players have been lured by lucrative contracts offered by the Saudi clubs, which are owned by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth vehicle driving Saudi Arabia's economic diversification.Despite the star power at Al Nassr, Al Hilal's unwavering focus and collective spirit have propelled them to the title. The club will now look to maintain their dominance and add to their trophy cabinet in the years to come.

Fan Assaults Al-Ittihad Player with Whip After Saudi Super Cup FinalDuring the Saudi Super Cup final on Thursday night, a shocking incident occurred when a fan attacked Al-Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah with a whip. The incident took place moments after the match, which saw Al-Ittihad lose 4-1 to Al-Hilal at Abu Dhabi's Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.A video circulating on social media shows Hamdallah throwing water from a bottle at the fan, who retaliated by pulling out a long whip and lashing at the Moroccan international twice. The second lash appeared to hit Hamdallah's back, but the 33-year-old did not appear to be injured.As Hamdallah's teammates intervened, the fan was guided away by another spectator and a security official. However, the video suggests that the fan was not detained. A young fan in a wheelchair was nearly caught in the crossfire of the altercation.The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from the football community. Al-Ittihad has not yet responded to a request for comment. Hamdallah, who played for Morocco in the 2022 World Cup semifinals, is in his sixth season in Saudi Arabia.The Saudi Super Cup was expanded in 2023 to include the runners-up from both the league and King's Cup competitions. It was also moved to Abu Dhabi.

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal has etched its name in football history by setting a new world record for consecutive victories. The Riyadh-based club extended its winning streak to an astonishing 28 matches, surpassing the previous record of 27 held by Welsh team The New Saints.Al Hilal's remarkable run culminated in a 2-0 triumph over fellow Saudi side Al Ittihad in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League. The victory propelled them into the semi-finals with a 4-0 aggregate score.The match was a tense affair, with Al Ittihad posing a significant threat despite missing key players like Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante. However, Al Hilal's resilience and attacking prowess proved too much for their opponents.Yasser Al Shahrani broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, capitalizing on a pass from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Brazilian forward Malcom sealed the victory deep into injury time, securing a memorable night for the Riyadh giants.Al Hilal's dominance has been evident throughout their Champions League campaign, as they have won their last nine matches. They are also the most successful team in the competition's history, having lifted the trophy four times.Meanwhile, South Korea's Ulsan also advanced to the semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Jeonbuk Motors. Seol Young-woo's first-half volley proved decisive in a tense encounter between the two K-League powerhouses.Ulsan's victory brings them closer to a place in next year's expanded Club World Cup, which will feature 32 teams in the United States. They will face either Japan's Yokohama F-Marinos or China's Shandong Taishan in the semi-finals.