The hottest team in the NBA was left for dead around the holidays, looking old and slow with a window as a contender seemingly closed.
Barely a month later, the Clippers have managed to become the comeback story of the year. And yet getting that revival to complete feel-good status remains a work in progress.
Drama enveloped the Clippers early. In October, the NBA began to investigate a report that the team had circumvented the salary cap by compensating star forward Kawhi Leonard through an outside sponsorship deal. The investigation continues.
By early December, their reunion with former star Chris Paul soured and he was sent home from a road trip with the team no longer having a use for his services. Paul’s locker remains but sits empty each game night.
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On the court, it was even more embarrassing. The Clippers won just six times over their first 27 games, with 10 of those games coming without Leonard because of more injury issues. While knee pain has railroaded Leonard in recent years, he was slowed by foot and ankle pain this year.
When the Clippers lost 121-101 at Oklahoma City on Dec. 18, they were on a five-game losing streak with losses in 10 of their last 11 games. What followed next was improbable.
On Dec. 20, Clippers blogger and podcaster Robert Flom was at his wit’s end. “If they go 15-3 in any stretch this season I will print and eat this tweet,” Flom posted to X.
Leonard has said he didn’t know anything about the tweet, even as fans in the rowdy “The Wall” section of the two-year-old Intuit Dome chanted “Eat the tweet” last week. But Leonard sure played like a man on a mission.
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Starting with their 103-88 victory over the cross-town Los Angeles Lakers shortly after the tweet appeared, the Clippers not only went on a 15-3 run — they added a 16th victory in the stretch with a 115-103 win at Utah on Tuesday.
Once desperate for victories, Tuesday’s triumph over the Jazz was about revenge. After all, the Clippers’ early-season mess started with an uncompetitive 129-108 loss at Utah on opening night.
From hopeless to vengeful, all in a short period of time, is the arc of cinema.
A 6-21 start seemed like the signal to tank and maximize their first-round draft pick. But the Clippers did not have that option. The champion Thunder own L.A.’s first-round pick following the unfulfilling Paul George trade before the 2019-20 season.
This season, the Clippers actually have nothing to lose for.
With Leonard back to full strength, the game plan from head coach Tyronn Lue was to lean into the six-time All-Star like never before. On defense, a frenetic new approach — while playing without big man Ivica Zubac for a stretch — awakened the team.
Leonard’s game has always operated with a team-wide approach. Sure, he scored, but he was just as inclined to get others involved. Even with the Clippers, while playing alongside James Harden and Zubac, Leonard had been just as willing to pass as to score.
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A quicker tempo on offense now has Leonard leading the charge. His 8.6 attempts from three-point range over the team’s recent run of success is well above his 4.3 career mark and his 6.0 number over his first 17 games of the season.
Since Dec. 20, Leonard is scoring 31.1 points per game. It has him up to 27.9 on the season, ahead of his 27.1 mark in 2019-20 when he first joined the Clippers and his 21.2 mark in 2015-16 with the San Antonio Spurs, when he finished second in MVP voting.
Harden has settled into 19.3 points per game since Dec. 20 as the team’s secondary scoring threat. It is below his season average of 25.4 points. He has also improved to 3.3 turnovers a game during the run, as opposed to 3.9 over his first 25 games.
Now comes the hard part. The Clippers are not young. Only recently have fresh faces like Jordan Miller, Kobe Sanders and Yanic Konan Niederhauser been asked to make significant contributions. Young energy has been refreshing.
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But the veterans make it go. Can Leonard, at 34, keep delivering with a heavy load? Can Harden, at 36, continue to run the offense? Zubac is still 28, but three-point threat Nico Batum is 37.
Almost at .500 for the first time this season, the Clippers will continue to press their luck and step on the gas. They have no other choice.
And for the record, Flom printed the tweet and ate it Monday during an episode of the Clips N Dip podcast, even after Leonard doubted the health benefits.
Another Canadian Olympic medallist has been suspended.
Pole vaulter Alysha Newman, who won bronze at the 2024 Summer Olympics, was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit on Wednesday for whereabouts failures.
Canadian swimmer and seven-time Olympic medallist Penny Oleksiak was suspended two years for the same thing back in November.
To be suspended, an athlete has to miss three doping tests in a 12-month timeline.
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Newman, 31, has not vaulted since a Diamond League event last May.
At the Paris Games in 2024, Newman soared to an improbable bronze in her third Olympics.
The London, Ont., native set a personal best and national record with a vault of 4.85 metres to place third.
She also won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games.
January is a time for renewal — for mind, body, spirit, and of course, golf equipment.
And there’s no better indication of what’s resonating with gear-heads than a deep dive into the month’s best-sellers, which include all the latest new-for-2026 tech.
Topping the list so far is a pair of iron models from Mizuno, the Pro M-13 and Pro M-15. The Pro M-13 is designed to be used by a range of handicaps while the Pro M-15 is primarily for distance-seekers. But both models offer impressive launch, speed and spin.
Next up: Ping’s G440K driver, which is already in play with a number of top players on Tour. A new Dual Carbonfly Wrap crown and sole, a new acoustic rib structure and an adjustable backweight for the first time on this model makes it the manufacturer’s most forgiving driver ever.
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Another hot driver is TaylorMade’s Qi4D, which is designed for speed and distance, and incorporates a stock-shaft fit system to encourage straighter ballflight. Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood already have this one in the bag.
Finally, another iron making a splash is Cobra’s 3DP X, a game-improvement iron created from 3D-printing technology that uses single-piece construction rather than a face insert. The result: faster ball speeds and spin to keep the ball in the air.
Interested in adding one of these top-sellers to your equipment arsenal? Explore each club in detail below by clicking on the links below, and customize your club in your Fairway Jockey cart now!
Shop January’s top-selling clubs from Fairway Jockey
ITV will introduce in-play advertising to its Six Nations coverage this week, a first for UK live sports broadcasting, starting with Ireland’s trip to holders France on Thursday night.
The broadcaster will run two adverts in each half, shown during breaks in play before scrums. The promotions will appear in a picture-in-picture format, taking up roughly half the screen while the match continues.
Commercial deals have been agreed with Samsung and Virgin Atlantic. Samsung’s advert will promote its Galaxy Fold 27 phone, showing fans watching live rugby together on a mobile device and asking: “Can your phone make you feel this close?” Virgin Atlantic’s slot will focus on the airline’s global routes.
While ITV has stressed the ads will only appear during natural stoppages, the move has already prompted debate about the impact on rugby’s flow and viewing experience.
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Among the first to react was South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus who responded with a series of pointed social media posts.
Quoting the original report, Erasmus initially wrote “Rerig?”, a sarcastic reference to re-engineering rugby broadcasts to accommodate advertising.
He followed that up with a second post: “O shit Daan, wat nou?”
The tone was typical Erasmus: short, dry, and clearly sceptical of a direction that risks chipping away at the rhythm of the game.
For now, the experiment applies only to rugby. ITV would require separate approval to introduce similar in-play advertising during football broadcasts, including the World Cup.
8AM Golf — the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based holding company with more than a dozen golf-related brands in its portfolio, including GOLF.com, Miura and True Spec — announced Wednesday that it has taken a significant equity stake in ascendant performance-footwear brand PAYNTR Golf.
PAYNTR launched its first pair of shoes in 2021 and is among the game’s fastest-growing footwear brands. On the PGA Tour, PAYNTR shoes are worn by Jason Day (who is an equity parter), Min Woo Lee, Sam Burns and Isaiah Salinda. Justin Rose claimed his 13th PGA Tour win at the Farmers Insurance Open last week wearing PAYNTRs, and is among a contingent of PGA Tour, LPGA and PGA Tour Champions players who wear PAYNTRs by choice.
“PAYNTR Golf represents everything we look for in a modern golf brand, with its authentic innovation, clear performance benefit and an experienced leadership team deeply rooted in the science of the game,” 8AM Golf CEO and president Hoyt McGarity said in a release. “Their commitment to building products around the biomechanics of the golf swing, combined with their impressive traction at retail and on Tour, makes PAYNTR Golf a natural fit within the 8AM portfolio.
Each PAYNTR shoe features a cutting-edge propulsion plate to help golfers harness ground reaction forces to bring more speed and power to the ball during the downswing. The company was co-founded by Mike Forsey and Michael Glancy, who combined have more than 50 years of experience in the golf-shoe business, working at footwear powerhouses Nike, Reebok, Under Armour and FootJoy.
“At its core, PAYNTR Golf was founded to challenge convention by creating footwear that truly enhances how golfers move, generate force and perform on the course,” Forsey said in the release. “Partnering with 8AM Golf is a powerful validation of that mission. Their deep understanding of the golf ecosystem, from media and entertainment to equipment and fitting, makes them an ideal strategic partner as we continue to expand our footprint globally and invest in innovation.”
You can shop the PAYNTR Golf shoe collection at Fairway Jockey by clicking here.
Jason Day is among the PGA Tour pros who wear PAYNTR shoes.
Courtesy
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Golf.com Editor
As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her original interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.
If, in the end, the new leadership group wants to go for it all, then landing an elite QB via trade could be the path forward (as difficult as that is to pull off). The Vikings’ most compelling offer may not get the job done, but it’s nevertheless something that’s worth exploring.
During the most recent regular season, Joe Burrow was in the headlines due to his public reflections on not enjoying football (who would over in Cincinnati?). Past iterations of quarterback speculation have involved Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray, and Lamar Jackson. Of that trio, only Jackson is elite and only Murray appears to be available. If, however, Burrow did become available, how formidable would the Vikings’ offer be?
The Vikings’ Most Compelling Trade Offer for Joe Burrow
Journeying into speculative rumors becomes easier when at least a portion of the discussion remains rooted in reality. As a result, consider an actual NFL trade for a franchise quarterback. Matthew Stafford is a nice comparable.
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Check it out:
The LA Rams Receive
The Detroit Lions Receive
QB Matthew Stafford
QB Jared Goff
3rd-Round Pick in 2021
1st-Round Pick in 2022
1st-Round Pick in 2023
Okay, some details to pry away from the chart. Landing Mr. Stafford — a high-end passer who was 32 at the time of the trade — cost a starting level passer, a pair of 1st-Round selections, and a 3rd. Not cheap, but a deal the Rams would do again without any hesitance. Worth noting, too, that the Lions didn’t do too poorly, either.
Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Looking at the Stafford deals clarifies that the Vikings would need to begin any conversation with the Bengals with a pair of 1st-Round selections. The No. 18 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft alongside the top pick for 2027 (wherever it happens to land). Beginning to talk without that being the starting point means the phone line goes dead very quickly.
There would then need to be considerably more added into the mix.
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Presumably, J.J. McCarthy would be part of the offer. The Bengals could therefore look to build around a young passer alongside whatever draft picks get added to the haul. So, the tally would be sitting at Mr. McCarthy — the No. 10 selection from 2024 who does have a ton of ability — alongside a pair of 1sts.
There would then need to be more added. Think something within the range of some Day 2 selections — 2nd and/or 3rd Round — or possibly even another 1st. Star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is soon to leave Cincinnati behind. Would the Bengals desire Dallas Turner to build around at edge rusher?
If Cincinnati demanded two 1st-Round selections, a 2nd, J.J. McCarthy, and Dallas Turner, the Vikings should agree to the trade to bring Joe Burrow to the Twin Cities.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow goes through his pregame routine, loosening up and throwing on the field as teammates filter out for warmups. The image was taken Dec 14, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, where anticipation built ahead of a divisional matchup with Baltimore under late-season stakes. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images.
Why would the Bengals make the move? Consider some reasons:
Joe Burrow has publicly opened the door to that possibility with his comments.
The past trio of seasons have involved finishing 9-8, 9-8, and 6-11. All three years involved missing the playoffs, suggesting the current plan isn’t working particularly well.
On a personal level, Burrow may welcome the move due to playing with Justin Jefferson and for ownership that isn’t stingy.
Building up a deep collection of young players and draft assets could actually be wise.
Offloading Burrow’s contract would save money and cap space long term.
Oh, and another thing. A pair of high-profile quarterbacks who have been traded recently — Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson — involved the acquiring team — Cleveland and Denver — almost instantly regretting the swap.
Admittedly, Joe Burrow is better than both of those players, but the idea can nevertheless be made that sending over a ton for a quarterback isn’t guaranteed to succeed. The Texans and Seahawks are pleased to have moved on from their former top passers. Goodness, Seattle is back in the Super Bowl and Houston is a great team.
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In December, Joe Burrow will turn 30. He has suffered some bad injuries since turning pro in 2020. He has also established himself as being among the game’s top-five passers. Working under the tutelage of Kevin O’Connell would mean shredding the NFL.
Back in 2023, Burrow put pen to paper on a five-year extension that tips the scales at $275 million. Any trade would likely need to involve massaging the money no matter the acquiring team. As a result, Burrow’s desire to get traded to a specific location — such as Minnesota — would be vital since he would need to agree to a new deal, lowering his cap charge in the immediate.
Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls signals during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
In 2025, Joe Burrow had to work through an injury that kept him out for a good portion of the season. He went 5-3 in his starts, completing 66.8% of his passes for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
Burrow and Jefferson won a National Championship while playing college ball at LSU.
Gamboa will now attempt to find success in a new discipline altogether, after it was announced that the 44-year-old from Cuba will make the switch to BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, much to his delight.
“Bare knuckle boxing is the oldest form of boxing. After winning an Olympic gold medal, world championships in boxing, now I’m focused and excited to become BKB Bare Knuckle World Champion. I’m going to showcase my skills and show why I belong at the very top of this sport.”
BKB Bare Knuckle founder Mike Vasquez also commented on the signing of Gamboa.
“It’s an honour to welcome Yurorkis to bare knuckle, and I can’t wait to see his skills and pedigree on display in the trigon. We’ve got some incredible Cuban fighters on our roster, including our heavyweight world champion. This year we’re going to see more and more elite fighters join our global roster of over 200 fighters from over 30 countries.”
Gamboa’s debut in the promotion is expected to be announced soon.
Former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has explained why Arsenal attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze did not end up playing for the Super Eagles.
Eze, who came through the Queens Park Rangers academy, is now fully tied to England and was part of the Three Lions squad at the 2024 European Championship.
Nigeria first made a move for the talented midfielder in March 2017, when he was invited to train with the Super Eagles ahead of a friendly match against Burkina Faso. However, the game was later cancelled, denying Nigeria the chance to hand him a competitive appearance.
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During his time as NFF president, Pinnick actively pushed for the recruitment of players with dual nationality. His efforts helped convince players such as Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Joe Aribo, Semi Ajayi and Josh Maja to choose Nigeria over England.
Pinnick said his interest in Eze grew stronger ahead of Nigeria’s 2022 World Cup play-off against Ghana. He revealed that he held a private meeting with the Crystal Palace star at his home in London to discuss a possible switch.
According to Pinnick, Eze was close to committing his international future to Nigeria before changes within the football federation disrupted the process. He said talks had progressed well and involved detailed discussions with the player and his family.
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Pinnick explained that Eze, alongside his father and sister who manages his career, had agreed in principle, but asked for time as administrative changes and elections at the NFF took place. Soon after, Pinnick left office and the move did not progress further.
He added that Eze has a strong affection for Nigeria and was positive about representing the country.
Since making his senior debut for England in a European Championship qualifier against Malta, Eze has scored three goals in 16 appearances for the national team.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed the veteran middle linebacker on Wednesday, a day after he was released by the Toronto Argonauts. McManis joining the Ticats wasn’t much of a surprise, though, as he lives in Toronto year-round and has a daughter and son.
His arrival also fills a need for Hamilton after Canadian middle linebacker Devin Veresuk signed this off-season with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
McManis had 62 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 15 regular-season games last season.
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The Memphis, Tenn., native spent four CFL campaigns with the Argos (2022-25), helping them win Grey Cups in 2022 and 2024.
The six-foot, 220-pound McManis began his CFL career with Calgary (2017-19), winning his first Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2018.
“Wynton is one of the premier defenders in our league,” Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich said in a statement. “He plays the game the right way — with physicality, intelligence, and a relentless motor.
“Beyond what he brings on the field, his experience as a Grey Cup champion and his leadership in the locker room are invaluable, and we’re excited to welcome him to our organization.”
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McManis has 390 tackles, 52 special-teams tackles, 16 sacks, nine interceptions and four forced fumbles while scoring three defensive touchdowns in 100 career regular-season CFL games.
The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will face off in the 2026 Super on Feb. 8
Fans can still purchase tickets to the Super Bowl via various resale sites, though they should prepare to pay thousands of dollars to attend the big event
Some of the cheapest tickets currently available cost nearly $5,000
The stakes for Super Bowl LX may be high, but ticket prices are even higher.
There’s less than a week to go until the main event, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
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However, Super Bowl tickets are not released to the general public, which means that unless you’re in the NFL, a season ticket holder or an NFL partner, sponsor, or committee host, you’ll likely be shelling out top dollar for resale tickets to see the New England Patriots play the Seattle Seahawks, with prices skyrocketing in recent years.
He added, “It seemed like the average person could attend back in those first 20 years.”
Keep reading to find out how much a ticket to the 2026 Super Bowl will cost you, and how it compares to recent years.
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Where can I buy Super Bowl tickets?
Ty Okada #39 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a play during the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026.
Kevin Sabitus/Getty
Super Bowl tickets cannot be purchased directly by the general public.
However, resale tickets are available on Ticketmaster, which is the NFL’s official ticketing partner.
On Location Experiences, a.k.a. the Super Bowl’s “official hospitality provider,” is also offering NFL Super Bowl packages starting at $6,000 per person, which include an official ticket to the game, an open bar and takeout menu, “NFL Legend” appearances and live music.
What’s the cheapest Super Bowl ticket?
Garrett Bradbury #65 of the New England Patriots runs out of the tunnel prior to the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on January 25, 2026.
Cooper Neill/Getty
As of Feb. 3, one of the cheapest single Super Bowl tickets available is in section 420 for $4,836 on Vivid Seats.
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What’s the most expensive Super Bowl ticket?
Fireworks explode over Raymond James Stadium at half time during Super Bowl LV between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs on February 07, 2021.
Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty
As of Feb. 3, one of the most expensive single Super Bowl tickets currently up for grabs is a VIP seat in section 139, which has an eyeline view of the field, priced at $59,290 on Ticketmaster.
Do Super Bowl tickets get cheaper closer to the game?
Julian Love #20 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Antonio Gibson #4 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 15, 2024.
Adam Glanzman/Getty
According to data from more than 900,000 aftermarket NFL ticket compiled by SeatData.io and analyzed by Finance Buzz in September 2025, NFL tickets are less expensive closer to kickoff time during the regular season, though not by much, with an average of $20 in savings when purchased during game week. By contrast, fans who purchased their tickets three weeks or more in advance paid 3% more than the average ticket price.
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Prices for the 2026 Super Bowl have already begun to drop, per TickPick, with the average price per ticket at nearly $10,000 10 days before the game, compared to about $6,400 six days before.
According to the NFL, tickets will be available for resale on the NFL Ticket Exchange up to 60 minutes after kickoff.
Are Super Bowl tickets more expensive this year than normal?
Jabrill Peppers #5 of the New England Patriots tackles Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Gillette Stadium on September 15, 2024.
CBS reported that the cost of Super Bowl 2025 tickets ranged from roughly $3,000 to roughly $5,000.
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They aren’t the highest Super Bowl prices in history, however: 2024 set the record, with an average ticket price of $9,800, per CNN.
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How much were Super Bowl tickets in the recent years?
Zach Charbonnet #26 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball as Marcus Jones #25 of the New England Patriots looks for the tackle during a game at Gillette Stadium on September 15, 2024.
Jaiden Tripi/Getty
Super Bowl ticket prices have fluctuated in recent years, though average ticket costs have typically trended upward, peaking in 2024.
Below are the average Super Bowl ticket prices seven days before the game from 2022 and 2025, according to TickPick.
Karim Benzema has likened his new team, Al-Hilal, to his former employers, Real Madrid, saying the Saudi Pro League side reminds him of Los Blancos in terms of rich history.
The Frenchman on Monday completed a shock deadline day move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal on a free transfer. Benzema’s contract with Al-Ittihad was due to run out in June, but negotiations over renewal collapsed, and Al-Hilal took full advantage of the situation, signing the 38-year-old on a one-and-a-half-year deal.
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Speaking to Al-Hilal media after his first training session in the blue jersey, Benzema was asked what he knows about the club.
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“It’s a great team with a great history,” he said. “They won a lot of trophies. It’s like similar, like Real Madrid here in Asia, you know. Everything is good, the fans are good, they play well, they have good players, and they have a good mentality, they have a good process. So I liked this team before, I used to play against them with Madrid, it was not an easy game, it was a good game, so I have good memories, and today I’m happy because now I’m playing for Al-Hilal.”
Al-Hilal and Real Madrid share the same history as the most successful team in their respective division. The Blue Waves are Saudi Arabia’s most successful team, with 21 league titles and four Asian Championships. Similarly, Los Blancos have won the most league titles in the Spanish division, winning it a record 36 times.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner guided Al-Ittihad to the league and King’s Cup glory last season. With Al-Hilal sitting atop the league table, they will be keen to leverage the forward’s experience to guide them to their 22nd league title.
Karim Benzema hungry for more silverware after Al-Hilal switch
Amid the controversy surrounding his move to Al-Hilal, Karim Benzema expressed his desire to win more trophies with the Riyadh-based club. Joining Al-Ittihad in 2023, Benzema went trophyless in his debut season but responded with a domestic double in his second campaign.
Regarding his ambitions at Al-Hilal, the 38-year-old stated:
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“Clear message, you know, my mentality. I have a lot of ambition. I will work, I will give everything in the pitch, I will help this team, and Inshallah bring trophies, because for me it’s more important to bring trophies, and we have, what I said before, good team, good fans, so together, Inshallah, we will do it.”
The striker has scored eight goals in 14 league appearances this season and is expected to make his Al-Hilal debut on Thursday against Al Okhdood.
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