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KARIM BENZEMA NETS DEBUT HAT TRICK AS AL HILAL CRUSH AL OKHDOOD 6-0

Karim Benzema ruined Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthday with a debut hat trick for Al Hilal, while the Al Nassr captain went on strike.

Karim Benzema Nets Debut Hat Trick As Al Hilal Crush Al Okhdood 6-0
Benzema, Malcom, And Al Dawsari Combined For Six Goals

Karim Benzema made quite an entrance for Al Hilal, scoring a stunning hat trick on his debut and rubbing a little salt in Cristiano Ronaldo’s wounds. All this went down, of all days, on Ronaldo’s birthday. Benzema didn’t waste a second after arriving from Al Ittihad—he just got right to work, helping Al Hilal crush Al Okhdood 6-0. Salem Al Dawsari chipped in with two goals, and Malcom added another. Just like that, the new front three looked like they’d been playing together for years.

Getting Benzema to Al Hilal wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The Saudi Ministry of Sports and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) blocked the transfer at first, but the move finally happened right before the deadline. Apparently, Ronaldo wasn’t thrilled. Reports say the Al Nassr captain felt PIF left his club hanging while boosting their rivals. He was so upset, he refused to play for Al Nassr on Monday in protest.

Now, Ronaldo’s back at training, but it looks like he’s sitting out Friday’s game against Al Ittihad. The Saudi Pro League tried to cool things down, putting out a statement reminding everyone that no player is bigger than the club.

Meanwhile, Benzema showed everyone why Al Hilal worked so hard to get him. He opened the scoring with a slick back-heel after just 31 minutes, then bagged two more in the second half—a smooth side-footed finish on the hour and a quick close-range strike four minutes later for the hat trick.

The win puts Al Hilal three points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League. Al Ahli are in second, with Ronaldo’s Al Nassr another point back, though they’ve played one game less.

One more thing: Ivan Toney found the net again for Al Ahli in their 2-0 win over Al Hazem, stretching his lead in the golden boot race with 19 goals. Ronaldo’s got 17. The race is definitely heating up.

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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