“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Al-Nassr have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Al-Nassr have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
In brief
The terracesThe press cannot get enough of João Félix
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Al-Nassr, and 5 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 8 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Al-Nassr have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Al-Nassr that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Al-Nassr that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
“I want to win things, and I would like to do it here.” Nothing has been demanded and nothing has been threatened — but a boardroom at Al-Nassr hears a sentence like that exactly as it was built.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Bento knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
3 wins on the spin now, and the question has changed from whether the run ends to who ends it. Confidence like this cannot be bought; it has to be earned exactly this way.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new face in his position, and Bento suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Al-Nassr have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Rinat Shakerov arrives at Al-Nassr with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
“I want to win things, and I would like to do it here.” Nothing has been demanded and nothing has been threatened — but a boardroom at Al-Nassr hears a sentence like that exactly as it was built.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Al-Nassr, and 1 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Al-Nassr have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Al-Nassr have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
The fee is $1.3M, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Al-Hilal drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
Ayanda Tibe is 18, and Al-Nassr have signed him for the player he will be rather than the one he is. The first team can wait; the point of a deal like this is the years it buys.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
The shirt still fits. Sami Al-Sultan is back at Al-Nassr, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
The name of Abdulrahman Al-Obud has come up in conversations Al-Nassr were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Abdullah Al-Hamddan has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
“I have ambitions, and I would like the club to share them.” Nobody has asked to leave and nobody has been shown the door — but a player chooses that sentence carefully, and a boardroom hears it exactly as it was meant.
The name of Mohammed Marran has come up in conversations Al-Nassr were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
A new face in his position, and João Félix suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Al-Nassr have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
The name of Sultan Al-Ghannam has come up in conversations Al-Nassr were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
The fee is $1.2M, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Al-Diriyah drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“I have ambitions, and I would like the club to share them.” Nobody has asked to leave and nobody has been shown the door — but a player chooses that sentence carefully, and a boardroom hears it exactly as it was meant.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Qualification is done, and next season the floodlights come on for something bigger. A stage for the players, oxygen for the accounts and a passport for everybody else.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Al-Nassr have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Ângelo has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
Al-Nassr spent a month trying to move him and nobody rang back. He trains with a squad that has told him where he stands, and both sides start counting down to the next one.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Al-Nassr, and 5 appearances in 25 say he has earned the hearing.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
“I want to win things, and I would like to do it here.” Nothing has been demanded and nothing has been threatened — but a boardroom at Al-Nassr hears a sentence like that exactly as it was built.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Al-Nassr, and 0 appearances in 22 say he has earned the hearing.
The name of Nawaf Al-Aqidi has come up in conversations Al-Nassr were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 7 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Al-Nassr have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Al-Nassr has been clear about where Sultan Al-Ghannam stands, which is more than many ever get.
“I did not go to Esteghlal Khuzestan to sit and watch. I want to come back to Al-Nassr and fight for my place.” 4 appearances in 21 matches say the rest.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
The name of Abdulelah Al-Amri has come up in conversations Al-Nassr were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 7 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Al-Nassr have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Al-Nassr, and 3 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Al-Hilal defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
In brief
SquadAhmed Hassan asks for a word with the manager
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Al-Nassr have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Al-Nassr, and 0 appearances in 14 say he has earned the hearing.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Al-Nassr have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Bento knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.
“I did not go to Esteghlal Khuzestan to sit and watch. I want to come back to Al-Nassr and fight for my place.” 2 appearances in 13 matches say the rest.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
“I have ambitions, and I would like the club to share them.” Nobody has asked to leave and nobody has been shown the door — but a player chooses that sentence carefully, and a boardroom hears it exactly as it was meant.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Al-Shabab defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Abdulelah Al-Amri has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Al-Nassr know, and have known for weeks.
“I did not go to Esteghlal Khuzestan to sit and watch. I want to come back to Al-Nassr and fight for my place.” 2 appearances in 9 matches say the rest.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new face in his position, and Kingsley Coman suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Al-Nassr have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
3 wins on the spin now, and the question has changed from whether the run ends to who ends it. Confidence like this cannot be bought; it has to be earned exactly this way.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Al-Nassr, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Al-Nassr have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Al-Nassr, and 1 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Bento knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Al-Nassr have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Al-Nassr have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The deal that would have taken Abdulelah Al-Amri to Najran has collapsed at the last stage, and he reports back to Al-Nassr with a summer to forget and a season still to play. Nobody is saying which side walked away.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Al-Nassr know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Kingsley Coman has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Abdullah Al-Khaibari has let it be known that he does not like the way Al-Nassr are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. João Félix has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
In brief
The terracesThe press have found their man in Sadio Mané
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Al-Nassr can pretend not to have heard.
The name of Abdullah Al-Hamddan has come up in conversations Al-Nassr were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“I have ambitions, and I would like the club to share them.” Nobody has asked to leave and nobody has been shown the door — but a player chooses that sentence carefully, and a boardroom hears it exactly as it was meant.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Al-Nassr, and both men came out saying it was fine.