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CRISTIANO RONALDO PROTESTS AL-HILAL'S BENZEMA DEAL BY SKIPPING AL-NASSR LEAGUE MATCH

Cristiano Ronaldo is fuming. Discover why the Al-Nassr star skipped his last match and is now threatening to leave Saudi Arabia.

Cristiano Ronaldo protests Al-Hilal's Benzema deal by skipping Al-Nassr league match
Ronaldo "considering leaving Saudi Arabia" despite signing 2027 contract extension

Cristiano Ronaldo has been the main attraction in the Saudi Pro League ever since he landed in the Middle East three years ago. Now, for the first time, it looks like he’s actually thinking about leaving. He’s frustrated. He feels the playing field isn’t level, and it’s starting to get to him.

Here’s the deal: Four clubs in the league—Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli—get their backing straight from the state. But Ronaldo sat out Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh on Monday night. Why? He was protesting. He found out Al-Hilal was about to sign Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, and that was the last straw. From Ronaldo’s perspective, Al-Hilal keeps getting more freedom to splash cash than everyone else. They’re the current champions, and Ronaldo still hasn’t managed to win his first Saudi title.

Saudi officials tried to calm him down. According to Diario AS, they reached out and argued that most of Al-Hilal’s extra spending comes from Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, not the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Al-Hilal just brought in Kader Meite for €30 million, Saimon Bouabre for €23 million, and now Benzema. Al-Nassr, on the other hand, only managed two free transfers this winter. Sure, they spent a lot more in the summer, but that didn’t seem to matter to Ronaldo.

Reports from Portugal, cited by AS, say Ronaldo’s not ruling anything out—not even leaving Saudi Arabia this summer. That’s despite just signing an extension with Al-Nassr until 2027.

And honestly, he has a point. Since he arrived, Al-Hilal have spent €647 million, while Al-Nassr have shelled out €410 million and Al-Ittihad €365 million. These numbers probably don’t include salaries—and let’s face it, nobody’s making more than Ronaldo. He’s supposed to return on Friday when Al-Nassr face Al-Ittihad, but right now, no one really knows if he’ll play or if he’s planning his next move.

DIEGO SIMEONE’S ATLéTICO FUTURE IN DOUBT AFTER TENSE MATEU ALEMANY FALLOUT

Diego Simeone’s future at Atlético Madrid is uncertain as tension grows with Mateu Alemany, and Inter Milan rumours gain momentum.

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Simeone Linked To Inter Milan Amid Rumours Of Atlético Exit

Spanish media is swirling with talk that Diego Simeone might be on his way out at Atletico Madrid. Hard to believe, right? This guy took over back in December 2011, turned the club into a real force, and even managed to win La Liga twice—beating out giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona.

But here we are. Apparently, Atletico are weighing up Simeone's future. Sport says things have gotten tense between him and Mateu Alemany, the club’s new Director of Football. Simeone’s contract runs until 2027, but that relationship seems rocky. Atletico sit third in La Liga, trailing Barcelona by ten points. They just lost to Bodo/Glimt in the last Champions League group match and now have to fight through a play-off to reach the knockouts. Recent results have been rough, and transfer disagreements are piling up. It’s starting to feel like Simeone’s once-untouchable job is suddenly at risk.

There’s also the money. Simeone is one of the highest-paid managers in the game—€13 million a year. Only a few names earn more: Simone Inzaghi at Al-Hilal, Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, and, believe it or not, David Moyes at Everton. If Simeone walks away after this season, replacing someone with his status won't be easy.

Meanwhile, Alemany isn’t waiting around. He’s already looking at possible successors and has his eye on Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth. The catch? Iraola seems happy in the Premier League, but who knows—if Atletico come calling after all these years under Simeone, maybe he listens.

Looking back, you can’t overstate what Simeone’s done for Atletico. He’s delivered two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues, a Copa del Rey, and a Supercopa de España. Add to that two UEFA Super Cups and two trips to the Champions League final. Four times, he’s been named La Liga Manager of the Year. That’s a legacy.

Still, Simeone’s never hidden his dream of coaching Inter. He played there from 1997 to 1999, and you can tell the place means something to him. “It doesn’t just depend on me, but I can see myself managing Inter one day. I think it’ll happen,” he said. He’s a huge admirer of their squad and their style, especially after recent games against Milan. “They play with personality and have a clear idea of how to attack. They deserved more. In the Champions League, the numbers speak for themselves. Two finals—they’re one of the favourites,” he added.

So, maybe we’re watching the end of an era at Atletico. Or maybe Simeone finds a way, like he always has. Either way, it’s hard to imagine the club without him.

MARC-ANDRé TER STEGEN TO UNDERGO SURGERY FOLLOWING SERIOUS GIRONA INJURY

Marc-André ter Stegen faces surgery and a long recovery after a serious injury at Girona, putting his 2026 World Cup spot in doubt.

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Ter Stegen Speaks Out After Injury Nightmare Ruins 2026 World Cup Prep

FC Barcelona made headlines this winter when Marc-André ter Stegen, their German goalkeeper, left for Girona. He wanted more minutes on the pitch and had his sights set on making Germany’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. That was the plan, anyway.

But things went sideways fast. In just his second game for Girona under Míchel, Ter Stegen picked up a serious injury. Now he needs surgery, and he’ll be out for months.

After the news broke, Ter Stegen didn’t keep quiet. He posted a raw, honest message online, letting fans in on what he’s going through.

Here’s what he wrote:

Most of you don’t know me personally, so I want to open up a bit. I’ve always tried to stay positive—no matter what life throws at me. But this injury? It’s a tough one.

Last weekend, my worst fear happened. I got hurt during the match. I’d just arrived in Girona, and from day one, everyone here made me feel welcome. I was excited to help the team chase our goals, but now everything’s changed for me.

I won’t be out there on the field, but I’m not going anywhere. This group isn’t just a team—it’s like a family, and I’ve felt their support from the start.

As athletes, there’s nothing better than playing and training. Now I have to put that on hold for a while. I’ve decided to have surgery.

I’ll be back.

You can feel how much this stings for him. He’d just landed at Montilivi, already made his mark with the squad and fans, and now he’s sidelined. The timing couldn’t be worse, either. With such a long road to recovery, his World Cup dream is hanging by a thread. Even so, Ter Stegen’s message makes one thing clear—he’s not giving up. He’s determined to come back stronger, ready for football whenever it calls him again.

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