Goal efficiency
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
SHANGHAI SIPG · Super League · Attacker · #45 · Brazil · 28 yrs
Leonardo plays as an attacker for SHANGHAI SIPG. Leonardo is a Brazilian international, 28 years old, attacker, currently at SHANGHAI SIPG. Leonardo wears shirt number 45 for SHANGHAI SIPG. Leonardo was born in São Paulo, Brazil on 1997-05-28. Leonardo is 180 cm tall and weighs 76 kg. Leonardo's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across J3 League, FA Cup, J2/J3 League, Super League, and other leagues. Leonardo's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Leonardo season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-27 | Transfer |  Shandong Luneng SHA |  SHANGHAI SIPG SHA |
| 2025-01-20 | Transfer | Shandong Luneng SHA | SHANGHAI SIPG SHA |
| 2025-01-01 | N/A |  Hangzhou Greentown HAN | Shandong Luneng SHA |
Season intelligence
Profile as Attacker: balanced output without a single dominant trait. Archetype: Balanced contributor. Season rating 7.0.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Shot-stopping, goals conceded, and penalty saves.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
Leonardo plays as an attacker for SHANGHAI SIPG. Leonardo is a Brazilian international, 28 years old, attacker, currently at SHANGHAI SIPG. Leonardo wears shirt number 45 for SHANGHAI SIPG. Leonardo was born in São Paulo, Brazil on 1997-05-28. Leonardo is 180 cm tall and weighs 76 kg. Leonardo's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across J3 League, FA Cup, J2/J3 League, Super League, and other leagues. Leonardo's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Leonardo season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-27 | Transfer | Shandong Luneng SHA | SHANGHAI SIPG SHA |
| 2025-01-20 | Transfer | Shandong Luneng SHA | SHANGHAI SIPG SHA |
| 2025-01-01 | N/A | Hangzhou Greentown HAN | Shandong Luneng SHA |
Season intelligence
Profile as Attacker: balanced output without a single dominant trait. Archetype: Balanced contributor. Season rating 7.0.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Shot-stopping, goals conceded, and penalty saves.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
After Andrea Pirlo was ruled out, Italian Soccer Federation president Giovanni Malagò confirmed Roberto Mancini as the new head coach. As a result, Paolo Maldini's future in Italy is in doubt, with another Italian legend as a possible replacement. Italy have decided to begin a reconstruction of their sporting project. While names such as Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola were approached, neither accepted the challenge. In addition, Andrea Pirlo was ruled out because of his relationship with a Russian betting company. Therefore, Italian Soccer Federation president Giovanni Malagò has confirmed Roberto Mancini as the new head coach. After this, Paolo Maldini‘s future in Italy is in doubt. “I am talking to Mancini because he is the new coach… We’re waiting for him to sign,” Giovanni Malagò revealed, as per The Athletic. With this in mind, Roberto is set for a second spell in Italy, looking for another UEFA Euro title. In the recent years, he has been coaching in Middle Eastern, having tenures at Saudi Arabia national team and Al Sadd, his recent team. After his appointment, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo Araujo remain firm in leaving their positions in Italy, reports The Athletic. Far from being a tantrum, they do not seek to continue in a project in which they do not believe in its head coach. Although Mancini is the last one who gave the national team a title, he does not represent a ‘new era’ of playing style and commitment to young players, making Maldini resign. President Giovanni Malagò seems to have decided on an ideal replacement for Paolo Maldini as Technical Director: Claudio Ranieri. According to The Athletic, the 74-year-old veteran will be the new sporting leader of Italy, leading the reconstruction. With this duo, they seek to be top contenders for UEFA Euro 2028, as they have a great relationship and a similar idea of the game. Roberto Mancini and Claudio Ranieri. Italy opt for a slight adjustment instead of a major overhaul Despite failing to qualify for three consecutive World Cup editions, Italy seemed to need a deep reconstruction. With this in mind, Paolo Maldini was looking for a new offensive style of play, together with a real commitment to young players. Instead, Giovanni Malagò has decided to make a conservative choice, giving Roberto Mancini another chance, which is a continuation of the same style of play and little commitment to young players. Under Mancini, Italy will return to their greatest strength: Defensive solidity and brilliance on the counterattack. Far from this being a problem, it will make it easier for the team to compete directly for titles, as it will not have to learn a new way of playing. However, young players may not have much space to shine, as the head coach usually bets on veterans who have already excelled at the elite level.
Pirlo no longer in running for coach role over betting tiesPaolo Maldini only appointed technical director on 11 JulyPaolo Maldini and Leonardo have reportedly resigned from their roles with the Italian football federation in the wake of Andrea Pirlo’s appointment as Italy head coach falling through.Both figures had recently taken on roles as part of an overhaul of the national team management. Maldini was appointed on 11 July as technical director of the Italian federation, to help to rebuild the national side after they failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup finals. But he has stepped down just 16 days later alongside Leonardo, the former Brazil international who had been brought in as his adviser. Continue reading...
After Pep Guardiola's rejection, Italy appeared to be turning to Andrea Pirlo as their new head coach for the rebuild. However, the Italian legend revealed that he will no longer be an option, reportedly leading Paolo Maldini to resign as technical director. After failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) decided to rebuild its sporting project. To do so, Pep Guardiola was the priority candidate, but he rejected the opportunity. As a result, Andrea Pirlo appeared to be the new head coach for this process. However, the Italian legend has been ruled out for a surprising reason, reportedly leading Paolo Maldini to resign as technical director. According to Sky Sports Italia, the FIGC and Andrea Pirlo were very close to reaching an agreement for him to become Italy‘s new head coach. However, he has been ruled out due to his association with a Russian sports betting platform, which led to significant political pressure. Because of this, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò decided not to give the green light to his appointment as head coach, forcing the federation to look elsewhere. Amid these reports, Andrea Pirlo released a statement on his social media, seeking to clarify everything. “After learning last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team, I feel it is my duty to clarify certain matters… The professional collaboration that has been the subject of recent controversy arose in the context of my career in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature,” he said, via Instagram. Paolo Maldini expected to step down as Italy technical director Amid the rebuild of the sporting project, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, his assistant, emerged as the key duo behind the major decisions. As a result, the rejections from Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti left Andrea Pirlo as their only option. Following President Giovanni Malagò’s rejection, the Italian legend has reportedly decided to resign from his position as technical director. Paolo Maldini, Technical Director of Italy. According to Sky Sports Italia, Maldini and Leonardo have decided to resign from the FIGC if Italy’s new head coach does not align with their vision of the game. While both are seeking a revolution, the potential candidate represent a continuation of the old approach. As the leaders behind these decisions, they believe that remaining in their roles without believing in the head coach would be a waste of time. Report: Antonio Conte emerges as Malagò’s top Italy candidate Without Paolo Maldini and Leonardo by his side, Giovanni Malagò appears to be the sole decision-maker in the selection of Italy’s new head coach. As a result, he is reportedly leaning toward a more conservative decision, seeking immediate impact. Antonio Conte is reportedly the absolute priority to become Italy’s new head coach. With this, Malagò is taking a completely different path from the one Maldini wanted. Although the narrative of the rebuild pointed toward a new process, Conte represents a continuation of the old one. Basing his style of play on defense and counterattacking soccer, Italy appear determined to give the past another chance. In addition, the development of young players could be put on hold, as the head coach tends to rely on veterans, taking an approach that is focused only on winning in the short term.
Luis Suarez has reached his 100th game at Inter Miami with a mark of 50 goals, a record only surpassed by his teammate Lionel Messi. Luis Suarez arrived at Inter Miami well past his athletic peak, yet he has managed to carve his name deep into the young franchise’s record books. In his 100th appearance with the Herons, the Uruguayan star reached the 50-goal milestone, a pace outshined only by long-time teammate Lionel Messi. With Messi resting following his run at the 2026 World Cup, Suarez donned the captain’s armband Wednesday night against the Chicago Fire at Nu Stadium as MLS regular-season play resumed. After an early setback via a Rocco Rios Novo own goal, Suarez spearheaded the Herons’ comeback, converting a 27th-minute penalty before completing a brace in the 51st minute to set up Preston Plambeck’s dramatic 87th-minute winner in a 3-2 victory. With his start against Chicago, Suarez became just the ninth player in Inter Miami history to reach the 100-appearance milestone. Over that span, the 39-year-old legend has tallied 50 goals and 30 assists, averaging a remarkable 0.8 goal contributions per match despite his age and physical wear. Suarez’s goal tally stands as the second-highest mark ever recorded by an Inter Miami player through 100 matches, as well as the second-highest total in club history. With his midweek brace, he comfortably distanced himself from Ecuadorian forward Leonardo Campana, who recorded 32 goals in his 100 appearances for the club. Luis Suárez #9 of Inter Miami celebrates Preston Plambeck’s goal against Chicago Fire. Lionel Messi stands alone at the top Transforming the profile of Major League Soccer upon his arrival in 2023, Lionel Messi has maintained his status as a generational phenomenon through relentless, record-shattering production. While Suárez’s century-mark statistics are impressive, Messi’s numbers in South Florida remain in a league of their own. Through his first 100 games in an Inter Miami shirt, Messi racked up an astonishing 86 goals and 55 assists, averaging well over one goal contribution per match. Those figures easily cemented his status as the franchise’s all-time leader in both goals and assists. Messi originally hit the 100-game threshold back on May 2, 2025, during a 4-3 rivalry loss to Orlando City. Since reaching that milestone, the Argentine icon has added four more appearances to his ledger, bringing his overall club totals to 90 goals and 59 assists.
Despite arriving as a star signing, Karim Benzema does not have his future at Al Hilal completely clear. Ahead of the next season, the Saudi side is reportedly open to the departure of the 38-year-old striker. Karim Benzema managed to remain one of the best strikers in the Saudi Pro League. After shining for two seasons at Al-Hilal, he left as a free agent for Al Hilal, becoming a star signing for the 2025-26 season. Despite being one of the best players on the team, his continuity does not appear to be clear. After his inconsistent performances, the Saudi side is reportedly open to his departure this summer. According to Ben Jacobs, via X, formerly Twitter, Al Hilal and Karim Benzema are in constant talks, discussing his role for the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season. While the veteran striker expects an important role, the team is open to his departure this summer in case it receives an offer. However, a scenario in which he would be included only in the Asian Champions League has been ruled out by the striker. In his first season at Al Hilal, Benzema did not have his best performance. After arriving midway through the season, he was only able to play 13 matches, in which he scored only 9 goals. Being one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League, his performances received a lot of criticism from the fans. Therefore, they would be open to the veteran striker’s departure, despite the fact that he is under contract until June 2027. Since the arrival of head coach Simone Inzaghi, Marcos Leonardo has been the team’s best player. Despite not having much spotlight on his name, he has once again been the team’s top scorer, scoring 19 goals in 39 matches. At just 22 years old, he appears to be the cornerstone of the team, being undisputed under every coach he has had. Because of this, Karim Benzema appears to have one foot out of Al Hilal. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal runs with the ball Lisandro Martinez of Al Nassr. Karim Benzema has enjoyed a strong run in Saudi Arabia After establishing a historic spell at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema decided to make the move to the Saudi Pro League. During his time at Al Ittihad, the veteran striker enjoyed great success, scoring 54 goals and providing 17 assists. After two successful seasons, the 38-year-old striker left as a free agent, joining Al Hilal. During his short spell, he has recorded 14 goal contributions, consisting of 9 goals and 5 assists in 13 matches. Throughout his three years in the Saudi Pro League, Karim has already managed to win the league title in the 2024-25 season with Al Ittihad. In addition, he has won two more trophies, lifting the Saudi King’s Cup on two occasions: In the 2024-25 season with Al Ittihad and in the 2025-26 season with Al Hilal. With this in mind, he has already left a great legacy during his time in Saudi Arabia.
New Italy technical director Paolo Maldini has revealed talks with Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti to take over the vacancy at the Azzurri. Italy legend Paolo Maldini has stepped into a pivotal leadership role overseeing the search for the Azzurri’s next head coach, spearheading a comprehensive overhaul aimed at the 2030 World Cup. Amid a swirling list of potential managerial targets, the newly appointed technical director revealed that the federation has held preliminary discussions with current Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti to fill the high-profile vacancy on the bench. On July 23, Serie A convened an assembly on Via Rosellini alongside top executives from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), including newly elected president Giovanni Malago, technical director and Club Italia chief Paolo Maldini, and special advisor Leonardo. Securing a permanent manager for the national team dominated the agenda, with officials confirming that dialogue had also been opened with former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. When asked during a post-meeting press conference about pursuing the legendary Spanish manager, Maldini dropped a headline-grabbing revelation on the international stage: “Guardiola? We can’t share any news; you have identified one of our targets, but we have also spoken with Ancelotti. It felt right to start with the best in the world, but we need to verify their overall availability.“ While Maldini emphasized that these interactions were exploratory conversations rather than formal contract negotiations, the news still sent shockwaves across the footballing landscape. Ancelotti remains under contract with the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) through June 2030, keeping him locked in as the figurehead for the Selecao‘s long-term sporting project. Carlo Ancelotti (R) and Paolo Maldini (L) as Milan manager and Milan captain back in 2007. Maldini offered further insight into how the federation is approaching its decision-making timeline. “The ideal scenario would be to appoint the national team manager by this week, but even more important is waiting for the person we truly want. There is an urgency, but deep down, not so much of one,” the former legendary defender detailed. Following Gennaro Gattuso’s departure in April after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup via the UEFA playoffs, Silvio Baldini was appointed as interim head coach of the senior squad. Baldini, who simultaneously manages Italy’s U-21 side, led the team through recent friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece and will remain in charge until a permanent appointment is finalized. Ancelotti represents a complex target for Italy After leaving Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti took charge of Brazil in May 2025, marking his first stint as a national team manager as he sought to restore tactical discipline to the five-time world champions. Ahead of the 2026 tournament, the CBF announced a contract extension through 2030, cementing the Italian tactician as the central pillar of their long-term international blueprint. Prising Ancelotti away from Brazil presents monumental logistical and financial hurdles for the FIGC. According to Globo Esporte, in addition to an annual salary of €770,000 (roughly $853,000), Ancelotti’s compensation structure includes a €5 million World Cup victory bonus, a private jet allowance, and luxury accommodations in Barra da Tijuca near Rio de Janeiro.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
After Andrea Pirlo was ruled out, Italian Soccer Federation president Giovanni Malagò confirmed Roberto Mancini as the new head coach. As a result, Paolo Maldini's future in Italy is in doubt, with another Italian legend as a possible replacement. Italy have decided to begin a reconstruction of their sporting project. While names such as Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola were approached, neither accepted the challenge. In addition, Andrea Pirlo was ruled out because of his relationship with a Russian betting company. Therefore, Italian Soccer Federation president Giovanni Malagò has confirmed Roberto Mancini as the new head coach. After this, Paolo Maldini‘s future in Italy is in doubt. “I am talking to Mancini because he is the new coach… We’re waiting for him to sign,” Giovanni Malagò revealed, as per The Athletic. With this in mind, Roberto is set for a second spell in Italy, looking for another UEFA Euro title. In the recent years, he has been coaching in Middle Eastern, having tenures at Saudi Arabia national team and Al Sadd, his recent team. After his appointment, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo Araujo remain firm in leaving their positions in Italy, reports The Athletic. Far from being a tantrum, they do not seek to continue in a project in which they do not believe in its head coach. Although Mancini is the last one who gave the national team a title, he does not represent a ‘new era’ of playing style and commitment to young players, making Maldini resign. President Giovanni Malagò seems to have decided on an ideal replacement for Paolo Maldini as Technical Director: Claudio Ranieri. According to The Athletic, the 74-year-old veteran will be the new sporting leader of Italy, leading the reconstruction. With this duo, they seek to be top contenders for UEFA Euro 2028, as they have a great relationship and a similar idea of the game. Roberto Mancini and Claudio Ranieri. Italy opt for a slight adjustment instead of a major overhaul Despite failing to qualify for three consecutive World Cup editions, Italy seemed to need a deep reconstruction. With this in mind, Paolo Maldini was looking for a new offensive style of play, together with a real commitment to young players. Instead, Giovanni Malagò has decided to make a conservative choice, giving Roberto Mancini another chance, which is a continuation of the same style of play and little commitment to young players. Under Mancini, Italy will return to their greatest strength: Defensive solidity and brilliance on the counterattack. Far from this being a problem, it will make it easier for the team to compete directly for titles, as it will not have to learn a new way of playing. However, young players may not have much space to shine, as the head coach usually bets on veterans who have already excelled at the elite level.
Pirlo no longer in running for coach role over betting tiesPaolo Maldini only appointed technical director on 11 JulyPaolo Maldini and Leonardo have reportedly resigned from their roles with the Italian football federation in the wake of Andrea Pirlo’s appointment as Italy head coach falling through.Both figures had recently taken on roles as part of an overhaul of the national team management. Maldini was appointed on 11 July as technical director of the Italian federation, to help to rebuild the national side after they failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup finals. But he has stepped down just 16 days later alongside Leonardo, the former Brazil international who had been brought in as his adviser. Continue reading...
After Pep Guardiola's rejection, Italy appeared to be turning to Andrea Pirlo as their new head coach for the rebuild. However, the Italian legend revealed that he will no longer be an option, reportedly leading Paolo Maldini to resign as technical director. After failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) decided to rebuild its sporting project. To do so, Pep Guardiola was the priority candidate, but he rejected the opportunity. As a result, Andrea Pirlo appeared to be the new head coach for this process. However, the Italian legend has been ruled out for a surprising reason, reportedly leading Paolo Maldini to resign as technical director. According to Sky Sports Italia, the FIGC and Andrea Pirlo were very close to reaching an agreement for him to become Italy‘s new head coach. However, he has been ruled out due to his association with a Russian sports betting platform, which led to significant political pressure. Because of this, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò decided not to give the green light to his appointment as head coach, forcing the federation to look elsewhere. Amid these reports, Andrea Pirlo released a statement on his social media, seeking to clarify everything. “After learning last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team, I feel it is my duty to clarify certain matters… The professional collaboration that has been the subject of recent controversy arose in the context of my career in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature,” he said, via Instagram. Paolo Maldini expected to step down as Italy technical director Amid the rebuild of the sporting project, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, his assistant, emerged as the key duo behind the major decisions. As a result, the rejections from Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti left Andrea Pirlo as their only option. Following President Giovanni Malagò’s rejection, the Italian legend has reportedly decided to resign from his position as technical director. Paolo Maldini, Technical Director of Italy. According to Sky Sports Italia, Maldini and Leonardo have decided to resign from the FIGC if Italy’s new head coach does not align with their vision of the game. While both are seeking a revolution, the potential candidate represent a continuation of the old approach. As the leaders behind these decisions, they believe that remaining in their roles without believing in the head coach would be a waste of time. Report: Antonio Conte emerges as Malagò’s top Italy candidate Without Paolo Maldini and Leonardo by his side, Giovanni Malagò appears to be the sole decision-maker in the selection of Italy’s new head coach. As a result, he is reportedly leaning toward a more conservative decision, seeking immediate impact. Antonio Conte is reportedly the absolute priority to become Italy’s new head coach. With this, Malagò is taking a completely different path from the one Maldini wanted. Although the narrative of the rebuild pointed toward a new process, Conte represents a continuation of the old one. Basing his style of play on defense and counterattacking soccer, Italy appear determined to give the past another chance. In addition, the development of young players could be put on hold, as the head coach tends to rely on veterans, taking an approach that is focused only on winning in the short term.
Luis Suarez has reached his 100th game at Inter Miami with a mark of 50 goals, a record only surpassed by his teammate Lionel Messi. Luis Suarez arrived at Inter Miami well past his athletic peak, yet he has managed to carve his name deep into the young franchise’s record books. In his 100th appearance with the Herons, the Uruguayan star reached the 50-goal milestone, a pace outshined only by long-time teammate Lionel Messi. With Messi resting following his run at the 2026 World Cup, Suarez donned the captain’s armband Wednesday night against the Chicago Fire at Nu Stadium as MLS regular-season play resumed. After an early setback via a Rocco Rios Novo own goal, Suarez spearheaded the Herons’ comeback, converting a 27th-minute penalty before completing a brace in the 51st minute to set up Preston Plambeck’s dramatic 87th-minute winner in a 3-2 victory. With his start against Chicago, Suarez became just the ninth player in Inter Miami history to reach the 100-appearance milestone. Over that span, the 39-year-old legend has tallied 50 goals and 30 assists, averaging a remarkable 0.8 goal contributions per match despite his age and physical wear. Suarez’s goal tally stands as the second-highest mark ever recorded by an Inter Miami player through 100 matches, as well as the second-highest total in club history. With his midweek brace, he comfortably distanced himself from Ecuadorian forward Leonardo Campana, who recorded 32 goals in his 100 appearances for the club. Luis Suárez #9 of Inter Miami celebrates Preston Plambeck’s goal against Chicago Fire. Lionel Messi stands alone at the top Transforming the profile of Major League Soccer upon his arrival in 2023, Lionel Messi has maintained his status as a generational phenomenon through relentless, record-shattering production. While Suárez’s century-mark statistics are impressive, Messi’s numbers in South Florida remain in a league of their own. Through his first 100 games in an Inter Miami shirt, Messi racked up an astonishing 86 goals and 55 assists, averaging well over one goal contribution per match. Those figures easily cemented his status as the franchise’s all-time leader in both goals and assists. Messi originally hit the 100-game threshold back on May 2, 2025, during a 4-3 rivalry loss to Orlando City. Since reaching that milestone, the Argentine icon has added four more appearances to his ledger, bringing his overall club totals to 90 goals and 59 assists.
Despite arriving as a star signing, Karim Benzema does not have his future at Al Hilal completely clear. Ahead of the next season, the Saudi side is reportedly open to the departure of the 38-year-old striker. Karim Benzema managed to remain one of the best strikers in the Saudi Pro League. After shining for two seasons at Al-Hilal, he left as a free agent for Al Hilal, becoming a star signing for the 2025-26 season. Despite being one of the best players on the team, his continuity does not appear to be clear. After his inconsistent performances, the Saudi side is reportedly open to his departure this summer. According to Ben Jacobs, via X, formerly Twitter, Al Hilal and Karim Benzema are in constant talks, discussing his role for the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season. While the veteran striker expects an important role, the team is open to his departure this summer in case it receives an offer. However, a scenario in which he would be included only in the Asian Champions League has been ruled out by the striker. In his first season at Al Hilal, Benzema did not have his best performance. After arriving midway through the season, he was only able to play 13 matches, in which he scored only 9 goals. Being one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League, his performances received a lot of criticism from the fans. Therefore, they would be open to the veteran striker’s departure, despite the fact that he is under contract until June 2027. Since the arrival of head coach Simone Inzaghi, Marcos Leonardo has been the team’s best player. Despite not having much spotlight on his name, he has once again been the team’s top scorer, scoring 19 goals in 39 matches. At just 22 years old, he appears to be the cornerstone of the team, being undisputed under every coach he has had. Because of this, Karim Benzema appears to have one foot out of Al Hilal. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal runs with the ball Lisandro Martinez of Al Nassr. Karim Benzema has enjoyed a strong run in Saudi Arabia After establishing a historic spell at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema decided to make the move to the Saudi Pro League. During his time at Al Ittihad, the veteran striker enjoyed great success, scoring 54 goals and providing 17 assists. After two successful seasons, the 38-year-old striker left as a free agent, joining Al Hilal. During his short spell, he has recorded 14 goal contributions, consisting of 9 goals and 5 assists in 13 matches. Throughout his three years in the Saudi Pro League, Karim has already managed to win the league title in the 2024-25 season with Al Ittihad. In addition, he has won two more trophies, lifting the Saudi King’s Cup on two occasions: In the 2024-25 season with Al Ittihad and in the 2025-26 season with Al Hilal. With this in mind, he has already left a great legacy during his time in Saudi Arabia.
New Italy technical director Paolo Maldini has revealed talks with Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti to take over the vacancy at the Azzurri. Italy legend Paolo Maldini has stepped into a pivotal leadership role overseeing the search for the Azzurri’s next head coach, spearheading a comprehensive overhaul aimed at the 2030 World Cup. Amid a swirling list of potential managerial targets, the newly appointed technical director revealed that the federation has held preliminary discussions with current Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti to fill the high-profile vacancy on the bench. On July 23, Serie A convened an assembly on Via Rosellini alongside top executives from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), including newly elected president Giovanni Malago, technical director and Club Italia chief Paolo Maldini, and special advisor Leonardo. Securing a permanent manager for the national team dominated the agenda, with officials confirming that dialogue had also been opened with former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. When asked during a post-meeting press conference about pursuing the legendary Spanish manager, Maldini dropped a headline-grabbing revelation on the international stage: “Guardiola? We can’t share any news; you have identified one of our targets, but we have also spoken with Ancelotti. It felt right to start with the best in the world, but we need to verify their overall availability.“ While Maldini emphasized that these interactions were exploratory conversations rather than formal contract negotiations, the news still sent shockwaves across the footballing landscape. Ancelotti remains under contract with the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) through June 2030, keeping him locked in as the figurehead for the Selecao‘s long-term sporting project. Carlo Ancelotti (R) and Paolo Maldini (L) as Milan manager and Milan captain back in 2007. Maldini offered further insight into how the federation is approaching its decision-making timeline. “The ideal scenario would be to appoint the national team manager by this week, but even more important is waiting for the person we truly want. There is an urgency, but deep down, not so much of one,” the former legendary defender detailed. Following Gennaro Gattuso’s departure in April after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup via the UEFA playoffs, Silvio Baldini was appointed as interim head coach of the senior squad. Baldini, who simultaneously manages Italy’s U-21 side, led the team through recent friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece and will remain in charge until a permanent appointment is finalized. Ancelotti represents a complex target for Italy After leaving Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti took charge of Brazil in May 2025, marking his first stint as a national team manager as he sought to restore tactical discipline to the five-time world champions. Ahead of the 2026 tournament, the CBF announced a contract extension through 2030, cementing the Italian tactician as the central pillar of their long-term international blueprint. Prising Ancelotti away from Brazil presents monumental logistical and financial hurdles for the FIGC. According to Globo Esporte, in addition to an annual salary of €770,000 (roughly $853,000), Ancelotti’s compensation structure includes a €5 million World Cup victory bonus, a private jet allowance, and luxury accommodations in Barra da Tijuca near Rio de Janeiro.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.