ROME (ITALPRESS) – After several days of heated negotiations with his club, Al-Ittihad, regarding a contract renewal, Karim Benzema has been sold to rival Al-Hilal, who signed the 38-year-old French striker on a one-and-a-half-year contract, running until June 2027.

The former Lyon and Real Madrid striker arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2023 and leaves Al-Ittihad after two and a half seasons and 83 appearances, during which he scored 54 goals and provided 17 assists, notably winning the league and cup titles last season.

The former French international will join his new team alongside his compatriot Theo Hernandez and former Lazio player Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, as well as coach Simone Inzaghi, who led Inter to the Italian championship in 2024.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

FLORENCE (ITALPRESS) – “It’s an honor for me to win the Golden Bench of the Technical Sector. First, to be recognized here at Coverciano, and then to succeed coaches like Ancelotti, like Gasperini last year, and above all to represent the Italian school of thought abroad, which is always a pleasure.” Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was awarded the Golden Bench of the FIGC’s Technical Sector today at Coverciano. A prestigious recognition for a coach who just a few months ago won the Conference League and then the Club World Cup with the Blues.

“Serie A is always an interesting championship, even if every country is different,” explained Maresca, who later denied he would refuse to lead an Italian team. “I never said I wouldn’t come back to coach here,” Maresca pointed out. “I simply said that I’ve been abroad for many years now, and right now I’m still abroad because I’m still” under contract at Chelsea, “and we’ll see what happens in the future. I don’t think it’s so much the level of the league, but rather the willpower each coach has in making certain choices. I’ve been abroad as a coach for seven or eight years, and I’m happy there, so I’m happy to eventually stay and coach abroad.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The government has begun offering HIV prevention medication PrEP free of charge, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela announced.

Addressing health professionals and the media, Abela said the move also expands access to PEP, making both treatments freely available to anyone who needs them, fulfilling a long-standing pledge.

“This is a game-changer,” the minister said, describing the measure as a major step in the country’s sexual health efforts.

PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a combination of two drugs taken by HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection. When used correctly, it is highly effective in stopping transmission of the virus.

– photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly lost his patience, to the point that he may not play today against Al Riyadh. There’s no energy management ahead of Friday’s match against Al Ittihad, but—”A Bola” reports, citing sources within the club—a decision by CR7 himself, dissatisfied with how the PIF fund is managing Al Nassr’s transfer market, especially when compared to rivals controlled by the same fund.

Ronaldo is reportedly unhappy that Jorge Jesus’ team, battling for the title with Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal, has signed only Haydeer Abdulkareem, a 21-year-old midfielder from Iraq. Furthermore, the powers of sporting director Simão Coutinho and CEO José Semedo were reportedly frozen at the beginning of the month by the board of directors, another decision that would have irritated Ronaldo, with Al Hilal having instead signed Pablo Marì from Fiorentina and Kader Meitè from Rennes and could even snatch Benzema from Al Ittihard and Bouabrè from Neom. Ronaldo’s irritation would thus be compounded by that of Jorge Jesus, who in recent weeks stressed that Al Nassr “does not have the political power of Al Hilal.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Ciro Immobile is a new player of Paris FC. The French club announced the news in a statement specifying that the 35-year-old striker arrives from Bologna, signing a contract until the end of the season, with the option for a further year.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Mike Maignan and AC Milan remain together: the 30-year-old French goalkeeper has officially renewed his contract with the Rossoneri until June 30, 2031.

Having arrived in the summer of 2021, he has made 188 appearances to date and was among the key players in the club’s 2021/22 Scudetto triumph and the 2024 Italian Super Cup. On an individual level, he was named Serie A’s best goalkeeper for the 2021/22 season.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BERLIN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – The Executive Committee of the German Football Association (DFB) has addressed the public debate regarding a possible boycott of the 2026 World Cup, clearly clarifying its position. At a time of heightened media attention, the DFB, in a statement, reiterated that “debates on sports policy must be conducted internally and not publicly,” emphasizing its desire to maintain a structured and responsible approach to strategic issues.

In this regard, the federation has ruled out scenarios of boycotting the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As President Bernd Neuendorf previously stated, “a boycott of the 2026 World Cup is not currently under consideration.” In parallel, the DFB confirmed that it is “in contact with representatives from politics, security, business, and sport in preparing for the tournament,” adopting a multilevel coordination approach oriented toward risk mitigation and the creation of shared value. The statement concludes with a clear and consistent vision: the DFB “believes in the unifying power of sport and in the global impact that a FIFA World Cup can have,” with the aim of strengthening its positive force.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID, SPAIN (ITALPRESS) – A new name has emerged as a potential reinforcement for Atletico Madrid. According to AS, the Colchoneros have set their sights on Marcos Leonardo, the Brazilian striker currently playing for Al Hilal, the club coached by Simone Inzaghi.

The forward is one of the players being monitored by Mateu Alemany as Atletico look to strengthen their attacking department. The basis of the deal would be a loan move, with the market value of the 22-year-old Brazilian estimated at €20 million.

Marcos Leonardo has scored nine goals and provided one assist in fifteen appearances in the Saudi Pro League. However, before letting the player leave, Al Hilal would like to identify a suitable replacement.

Any potential completion of the deal would, clearly, move Ademola Lookman further away from Atletico Madrid. The Nigerian winger remains on the way out at Atalanta.

– Foto IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VIENNA (AUSTRIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Austrian authorities have arrested a local citizen suspected of links with the terrorist organization Daesh, thanks to close cooperation with the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (Morocco’s internal security service).

The operation, conducted as part of a counter-terrorism investigation, prevented alleged attack plans on Austrian territory, particularly against law enforcement forces.

The contribution of the Moroccan services was publicly praised by Vienna authorities, who emphasized the crucial role of international cooperation in preventing the terrorist threat.

According to the Austrian Interior Ministry, jihadist propaganda materials and electronic devices currently under analysis were seized during searches.

– Photo Yamiladi-MAP –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Virtu Ferries has helped broker a new agreement aimed at boosting trade ties between Malta and Sicily, marking a significant step in cross-border economic cooperation.

The deal brings together the Associazione Territoriale di Ragusa (CNA) and the Malta Chamber of SMEs, with both organisations committing to closer collaboration in support of their members.

The partnership is designed to improve the free movement of goods and services between the two territories while opening fresh commercial opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Virtu Ferries, which operates a daily fast ferry service between Malta and Pozzallo, played a central role in facilitating the agreement. The route links Malta with the commercial port of Ragusa province and functions as a Regular Shipping Service under European Commission regulations.

As part of the initiative, the company will provide access to its new 24,000-square-metre logistics hub currently under construction in Pozzallo. Businesses will also be able to use the Sicily Business Centre at the Sea Passenger Terminal.

CNA Ragusa and the Malta Chamber of SMEs will share expertise, advisory services and business support for their respective members. The collaboration is expected to foster strategic partnerships between enterprises in Malta and the Ragusa area.

Support will include guidance on accessing European Union funding, with the aim of encouraging joint ventures, start-ups and new commercial links.

Officials say the agreement is set to deliver practical benefits for SMEs on both sides, reinforcing long-standing economic and transport connections between Malta and Sicily.

– Photo Virtus Ferries –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews