Ronaldo's Legal Win, Saudi Pro League Targets Global Stars, and the Intense Dubai Basketball Kickoff!

This week, football and basketball! is buzzing with drama, legal wins, and high-stakes moves—let’s dive right in! 👀⚡ Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a major legal victory against Juventus, walking away with an extra $11.5 million after the court shot down their appeal. 💰 Meanwhile, Barcelona is reigniting talks with Al Ahly over 18-year-old star Hamza, and the Saudi Pro League is gearing up for a massive summer with €2 billion set aside for foreign signings—including some big names like Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes! 😱🔥 Switching gears to basketball, the 35th Dubai International Basketball Tournament kicked off with a bang, and it’s already heating up! 🏀🔥 Meanwhile, the Moroccan national football team faces some uncertainty, with coach Walid Regragui expected to resign after a tough AFCON loss to Senegal. 👀 From courtroom battles to transfer rumors and high-energy tournament action, another unforgettable week in sports. 🏆⚡

Dubai International Basketball Tournament Begins with Intense Opening Matches

• The 35th edition of the Dubai International Basketball Tournament kicked off on January 23 at Rashid Bin Hamdan Hall, Al Nasr Club, and will run until February 1. Ten teams are competing across two groups.

• Opening day saw three exciting games: Al Nasr (UAE) vs. Al Ittihad (Libya) at 4 PM, UAE National Team vs. Homs Al Fida (Syria) at 6 PM, and Al Karama (Syria) vs. Beirut (Lebanon) at 8 PM.

• Group A features the UAE National Team, Al Nasr, Homs Al Fida, and Al Ittihad, while Group B includes Beirut, Al Karama, Club Africain, Al Ahli Tripoli, and Zamboanga. Fans are eagerly following the action.

Ronaldo wins Juventus wage case as court rejects Juve’s appeal and confirms he keeps $11.5 million

• A Turin judge has ruled in Cristiano Ronaldo’s favor in his wage dispute with Juventus, rejecting the club’s appeal and confirming Ronaldo keeps the $11.5 million payment.

• The case began right after COVID-19 hit, when Juventus asked players to delay parts of their salaries. Ronaldo said a private agreement meant he was still owed $23 million.

• In April 2024, arbitrators ordered Juventus to pay about half that amount. around $11.5 million. Juventus then appealed, but the court said the club can’t claw it back and must pay legal costs.

Barcelona to reopen negotiations with Al Ahly for 18-year-old Hamza

• Barcelona are back in advanced talks to sign 18-year-old striker Hamza, restarting negotiations with Al Ahly after discussions cooled and The teenager has been keen on the move for weeks. when the last update was from Egyptian side Ceramica Cleopatra.

• Sources say Hamza agreed in principle to join Barcelona in December and continues to push for the transfer. Clubs are still negotiating the fee and key terms, with talks continuing this week.

Saudi Pro League Targets 50 Foreign Stars for Major Summer Signings 

• The Saudi Pro League is planning a major transformation this summer, targeting 50 peak-age foreign players as part of a strategy shift. Clubs are set to use €2 billion in central funds for the signings.

• While younger talent is the priority, some veteran stars are still on the radar. Names like Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Vinícius Jr., and Robert Lewandowski are reportedly among the top targets.

• This aggressive recruitment strategy aims to elevate the league's competitiveness and global appeal. It marks a clear shift from past tactics. Expect the Saudi Pro League to make headlines with these signings.

Walid Regragui Likely to Quit Morocco After AFCON loss and a Historic Run

• Walid Regragui is widely expected to resign as Morocco’s head coach in the coming days, potentially ruling him out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Reports suggest the decision could come in the next few days, but The Royal Moroccan Football Federation hasn’t confirmed yet.

• Regragui, 50, made history as the first African and Arab coach to guide a team to the World Cup semi‑finals in 2022, transforming Moroccan football and earning global recognition.

• Morocco reached the 2025 AFCON final but lost 1‑0 to Senegal in extra time amid controversy and media pressure. Journalists publicly pressed Regragui on his future after the defeat.

🤖🎙️Tune Into the Smashi Sports AI Podcast for the Latest Insights!

• Don’t miss out on the Smashi Sports AI Podcast in English, where we bring you the latest sports news through the power of AI!

• For our Arabic-Speaking listeners, we’ve got you with game-changing transfers to insider analysis, we’ve got all the updates you need.

SMASHI MOMENTS

⚽🏀 Sharable Bits & Highlights !

• Al-Sadd crowned Champions of the UAE Super Cup, Led by Firmino.

• The referee was checking out the conditions ahead of Kahramanmaraş İstiklalspor vs 1461 Trabzon in the Turkish 2nd Division League.

• When you’re so obsessed with Mohamed Salah, you think every question is about him

• Al Nassr’s Sadio Mane is happy with the AFCON trophy, which is the second in the country’s history.

• Al Hilal’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic dressed in full Saudi drip

• Arabs take street football extremely seriously. This group even implemented VAR on top of having official referees.

• Cristiano Ronaldo is still going! He scored goal no. 960 to lead Al Nassr to a 2-1 win over Damac.

• Cristiano Ronaldo was cooking Al Hilal 18 years ago with Manchester United. 18 years later, nothing’s changed.

• Cristiano Jr. misses a penalty for Al Nassr but scores the rebound. His eye for goal comes from his father doesn’t it?

• Old footage has resurfaced of Brahim Diaz attempting the same panenka penalty for Spain in the U17 World Cup.

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