RIYADH: The Jeddah derby this week promises to be an unforgettable night for football fans when Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad and Riyad Mahrez’s Al-Ahli meet in week nine of Roshn Saudi League.
The most eagerly awaited fixture in the Saudi football calendar will take place in front of a capacity 60,000 crowd at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium at 9 p.m. on Friday.
It will be the first meeting between the footballing archrivals since the 2021/2022 season when Al-Ahli were relegated to the Saudi First Division.
The derby clash will also be the first time Ballon d’Or winner Benzema and ex-Manchester City winger Mahrez meet in the RSL.
Benzema said: “Derbies, here or abroad, have the same flavor. The fans are going to give it their all, and that’s going to motivate the players even more. It’s going to be a big match. It’s up to us to do everything we can to win and show that we’re the best.”
Tickets for the match sold out within 10 minutes, he added.
“The fans are going to push us so that we can win this match.”
When asked about playing Mahrez, Benzema said: “There’s no face-off. We’re not the same players; we don’t have the same experience. Each of us will try to give his all for his club.”
Al-Ahli’s players know the importance of the fixture, with defensive midfielder Franck Kessie saying: “It would be great to win it and we will have a busy week to be ready for the game.”
Echoing the sentiment, teammate Edouard Mendy said: “I am expecting a huge atmosphere on Friday for what will be my first Jeddah derby.”
Mahrez is Al-Ahli’s top assist maker with four assists so far this season. He leads the RSL with 33 chances created.
Meanwhile, former Chelsea and UEFA Champions League winning teammates N’Golo Kante and Mendy will face off for the first time after their Stamford Bridge departure.
Al-Ittihad’s lineup might include five-time UEFA Champions League winner Benzema alongside Fabinho and Luiz Felipe. They will match up against an impressive Al-Ahli squad that includes Robert Firmino, Allan Saint-Maximin, Gabri Veiga, Merih Demiral and Kessie.
Football fervor continues to grow in Saudi Arabia with the announcement this week of the Kingdom’s intention to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Domestically the league is experiencing its strongest season yet, with more fans and some of the biggest stars in the world.
All eyes on Jeddah derby as Al-Ittihad’s Karim Benzema faces off against Al-Ahli’s Riyad Mahrez
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All eyes on Jeddah derby as Al-Ittihad’s Karim Benzema faces off against Al-Ahli’s Riyad Mahrez
- Archrivals’ clash will take place in front of 60,000-capacity crowd at King Abdullah Sports City stadium on Friday
- Benzema said: ‘Derbies, here or abroad, have the same flavor. The fans are going to give it their all, and that’s going to motivate the players even more’
Saudi league will join world’s top 3, FIFA chief tells Asharq Al-Awsat
- Gianni Infantino says domestic competition boasts global flavor with some of the world’s leading players
- Women’s football in the Kingdom also poised for further growth
DOHA: Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football, said that Saudi Arabia has become a major hub on the global football stage.
He praised the dynamic developments in recent years, which have led to a significant international presence and a domestic league with a global flavor, featuring some of the world’s top football stars, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo.
The league is on track to become one of the top three in the world, he added.
In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News, the FIFA president said that the Saudi national team, following its stunning upset against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, is still capable of repeating such feats, potentially against Spain in the 2026 World Cup.
He said that Saudi football has made remarkable progress, not only at the senior national team level but also across youth categories. He also pointed out that women’s football in the Kingdom is poised for further growth, thanks to the increasing attention it has received from football authorities in recent years.
Infantino also expressed personal happiness about Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup, describing the Kingdom as a welcoming country with a rich culture, delicious cuisine, and a remarkable people — all of which, he said, will contribute to the success of the major football event.
