Trezeguet's Omission Fuels Al-Riyadh Fan Anger Ahead of Al-Ahli Clash

Al-Riyadh walked into one of their biggest early-season tests without their headline act – and the fans did not take it quietly.

Hours before kick-off against Al-Ahli in the fifth round of the Saudi Roshn League at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, the club dropped its official line-up on X. One name was missing. Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet".

No explanation. No hint. Just silence.

Within minutes, the replies filled up. Al-Riyadh supporters demanded answers, questioning how their Egyptian star could simply vanish from the squad on a night like this. The tone was sharp, the frustration obvious. Many pointed out that there had been no warning, no indication of a problem.

That confusion had a clear trigger. Only on Thursday, the club’s media team had shared photos from the final training session before the Al-Ahli game. Trezeguet featured in them, looking fully involved, going through his drills as usual. The images gave every impression that he was ready to play.

So when the team sheet landed without him, suspicion and anger grew quickly.

The clarity finally came from the stadium itself. Reporting from Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, the correspondent for "Thmanyah" – the Saudi league’s broadcaster – confirmed that Trezeguet’s absence was due to injury.

No further details were given, but the confirmation at least ended the guessing game that had riled the fanbase.

Trezeguet only joined Al-Riyadh in the current summer transfer window, arriving from Egypt’s Al-Ahly after just one season there. He was signed to change games, to carry a newly ambitious side in nights exactly like this one.

Instead, as Al-Riyadh lined up against Al-Ahli, their marquee winger watched on, and a restless fanbase was left wondering how long they will have to wait to see him back on the pitch.