Wetin dey happen for football world dis days? Big money dey fly upandan, but one Spanish star just show say loyalty still dey exist. Dani Olmo, dat sharp Barcelona and Spain national team midfielder, don turn down one massive offer wey come from Saudi Arabia. According to wetin popular journalist Alfredo Martínez yarn for Onda Cero radio station, Al-Qadisiyah ready to pay Barcelona up to €60 million just to carry Olmo go Saudi Pro League.
Dem even promise the boy sweet four-year contract with net salary of €9.5 million every year. Na big money wey fit turn person head o! But Olmo just look the offer, shake him head, and say no. Him position clear like daylight. Him no wan hear word about leaving Barcelona.
And e no be only Saudi Arabia wey dey look Olmo side. Big clubs for English Premier League like Arsenal, and even some for French league, don send their own offers. But Olmo answer remain the same for all of dem. As dem talk am, “Olmo is thinking only of staying with Barça.” Na strong statement wey show say some players still value where dem dey play pass money.
Olmo performance for Barcelona dis season don dey speak for itself. Just last Saturday, him play key role as Barcelona beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 for La Liga match. Na him give the assist wey lead to the first goal, wey Marcus Rashford score. The boy dey in form, and him happy where him dey.
Meanwhile, for Saudi Arabia side, another kain wahala dey. Al Ettifaq go face Al Qadsiah for important Saudi Pro League match dis Sunday. The match go hold for Al Ettifaq Club Stadium for Dammam, and kick-off na 11:30 p.m. IST. Na Eastern Derby wey go hot like pepper!
Al Qadsiah dey run after league title dis season. Dem dey fourth place for table, but dem need maximum points to maintain pressure on the three teams wey dey above dem. For Al Ettifaq side, dem dey seventh place with 11 wins from 26 matches. Their coach Saad Al Shehri go need him players to perform better pass their last four matches wey no too sweet.
One interesting thing for dis match na the goalkeeper battle. Koen Casteels wey dey keep for Al Qadsiah and Marek Rodak wey dey keep for Al Ettifaq both still dey run for this year Golden Glove award. Both don keep seven clean sheets so far. Casteels even win the award last season with 14 clean sheets! But dis season, Al Qadsiah defence don concede 16 goals – na the highest among the top four teams.
Rodak own story different small. Even though him don concede 44 goals dis season, him don make 96 saves – more than any other goalkeeper for the league. Him save percentage dey around 70%, almost the same as Casteels own. Na Rodak efforts dey help Al Ettifaq dream of entering top five before season end.
For striker side, Julian Quinones dey battle with Ivan Toney and Cristiano Ronaldo for golden boot. Quinones and Ronaldo both dey joint-second, three goals behind Toney. For Al Ettifaq, Georginio Wijnaldum na their standout player and highest scorer. Him and Quinones go dey compete for who go shine pass for dis derby.
Al Qadsiah get upper hand for recent meetings. Dem no lose to Al Ettifaq since 2020, and just last month, Brendan Rodgers men put four goals past Saad Al Shehri side. So Al Ettifaq go wan revenge for dis one.
For where to watch, fans for Nigeria fit catch the match live on Star Times App and Sporty TV. UK fans go use DAZN UK, while others fit stream on FanCode app or website. For America side, fuboTV and FOX Deportes go show am.
As Sunday dey come near, all eyes dey on Dammam. One side dey fight for title, the other dey fight for better position. Goalkeepers dey fight for personal award, strikers dey fight for golden boot. Na complete package of football drama wey go unfold for Saudi Arabia dis weekend.
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