Riyadh Crescent will clean up many big-name foreign players after success in the Club World Cup

Despite historic breakthrough into the quarterfinals in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Saudi giant Riyadh Crescent quickly launched a large-scale lineup adjustment plan after the end of the season. According to Brazilian media UOL, the club is in negotiations to terminate contracts with several core players, including Brazilian striker Malcolm.

Although he performed well in this Club World Cup, especially with goals from Malcolm and Marcos Leonardo, he defeated Manchester City and entered the knockout stage, Riyadh Crescent management did not slow down the pace of reform. Coach Simeone Inzaghi has made it clear that the team will enter a new round of reconstruction cycle to prepare for the bigger goals of the 2025/26 season.

In addition to Malcolm, left-back Renan Lodi and forward Leonardo are also on the roster that may leave. The three have been the core force of the team for many years, but under the new tactical system, they are no longer in line with the needs of long-term team building.

Malcolm's current contract with Riyadh New Moon will last until June 2027, with an annual salary of up to 18 million euros (about 300,000 euros per week). Nevertheless, the club is willing to pay a partial penalty to facilitate its free transfer and departure. Behind this decision is both financial pressure considerations and the players' previous dispute with fans after losing to Fruminense in the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup.

As for Lodi and Leonardo, they are considered to have failed to meet the club's new standards at the competitive level. The two may be terminated early or leave the team on loan.

There are continuous new players, and the purchase of high-end products is still continuing. At the same time, the recruitment work of Riyadh Crescent is also in full swing. After reaching a preliminary agreement with AC Milan full-back Theo Hernandez, the club has also begun to contact Juventus forward Duchamp Vlahovic, trying to further strengthen the strength of the forward line.

As the competition in the Saudi Professional League (SPL) becomes increasingly fierce, Riyadh Crescent is creating a more competitive lineup through a "blood exchange" method to prepare for the new season and even longer-term goals. And for these players who have made great contributions to the team, perhaps their chapter has come to an end.