Al-Ittihad Seal 10th Saudi Pro League Title

Al-Ittihad fans celebrate. Photo: Adnan Mahdaly
Al-Ittihad fans celebrate. Photo: Adnan Mahdaly
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Al-Ittihad Seal 10th Saudi Pro League Title

Al-Ittihad fans celebrate. Photo: Adnan Mahdaly
Al-Ittihad fans celebrate. Photo: Adnan Mahdaly

Al-Ittihad, captained by Karim Benzema, clinched the Saudi Pro League title with two matches to spare as they came from a goal down to beat Al-Raed 3-1 on Thursday.

The win at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraydah moved Al-Ittihad to 77 points from 32 matches, nine points ahead of second-placed Al-Hilal.

A victory was all Al-Ittihad, coached by Laurent Blanc, needed to earn their 10th league title, and the first since 2023, but the already-relegated Al-Raed drew first blood as Omar Gonzalez gave the bottom team the lead from close range after nine minutes.

Al-Ittihad, however, fought back with Steven Bergwijn equalizing 12 minutes later. A Danilo Pereira header gave them the lead shortly before halftime.

Two minutes into the second half, Abdulrahman Al-Oboud put the game out of Al-Raed’s reach.

The Jeddah-based club still have a chance to win another trophy this season as they take on Al-Qadsiah in the King’s Cup final on May 30.



Spain's King Makes Nadal a Marquis

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Rafael Nadal of Spain vs Facundo Bagnis of Argentina. - Paris, France - 26/05/16. Nadal reacts after he won. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Rafael Nadal of Spain vs Facundo Bagnis of Argentina. - Paris, France - 26/05/16. Nadal reacts after he won. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
TT

Spain's King Makes Nadal a Marquis

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Rafael Nadal of Spain vs Facundo Bagnis of Argentina. - Paris, France - 26/05/16. Nadal reacts after he won. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Rafael Nadal of Spain vs Facundo Bagnis of Argentina. - Paris, France - 26/05/16. Nadal reacts after he won. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo

Spain's King Felipe VI on Thursday granted tennis great Rafa Nadal the noble title of marquis, recognizing his contribution to the nation through sporting prowess, according to a royal household statement.

Nadal, a 22-times Grand Slam champion who retired last year, was among six individuals honored as part of celebrations marking the monarch's 10th anniversary on the throne, Reuters reported.

Other given such titles included pop-rock singer Luz Casal and Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales.

"They are a source of pride for Spain and a permanent reference point for values that should inspire our society," the palace said.

Former world number one Nadal, 39, will hold the title Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca, the island where he was born and lives. The title can be inherited by his descendants.

Nadal, who won the French Open a record 14 times, was commemorated last month at Roland Garros with a permanent footprint on the Center Court.