A highly anticipated clash between Al-Qadisiyah's ambition and Al-Ittihad's history
Tonight, all eyes in Saudi football will be on Prince Saud bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, where Al-Qadisiyah hosts Al-Ittihad in a top-of-the-table clash in the 17th round of the Saudi Professional League. The importance of the match lies not only in the three points at stake, but also in the clash between two massive football projects, reflecting the significant transformation underway in the Saudi league, where financial power and player market value have become integral to the competition on the pitch.
Background: The investment revolution in Saudi football
The Saudi Professional League has witnessed a remarkable boom in recent years, fueled by investments from the Public Investment Fund and the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to position the league among the top 10 in the world. This substantial financial support has enabled clubs to attract world-class players, driving the league's overall market value to unprecedented levels and garnering significant global media and fan attention. This match exemplifies this new reality, as Al-Ittihad, one of the league's historically significant clubs, faces Al-Qadisiyah, a newly promoted team backed by Saudi Aramco, which has enabled them to build a strong contender for top positions.
Comparison of financial strengths: Al-Ittihad has a slight advantage
Figures released by the global platform Transfermarkt reveal a striking similarity in market value between the two teams, promising a closely contested match. The total value of Al-Ittihad's squad, nicknamed "Al-Ameed" (The Dean), is approximately €141.75 million . In contrast, Al-Qadisiyah's market value stands at €119.65 million . This difference of around €22 million is relatively small in modern football and confirms that Al-Qadisiyah is no longer just a rising team, but a significant economic force in the league.
Stars in the spotlight: Retegui leads, Diaby in pursuit
Looking at the key players in each team, Al-Qadsia's Italian striker Matteo Rettig , stands out as the most valuable player in the match with a market value of €40 million . Al-Qadsia also boasts a host of other talented players, including Otavio, Julian Quiñones, and Gabriel Carvalho (each valued at €12 million). Meanwhile, for Al-Ittihad, Frenchman Moussa Diaby the list of most valuable players at €28 million , supported by big names like Roger Fernandez (€22 million), Brazilian Fabinho (€13 million), and French legend Karim Benzema, whose current value is €6 million.
Expected impact: A struggle for top positions
The match takes on added significance given the two teams' positions in the league table. Al-Qadisiyah enters the game in fifth place with 33 points, six points ahead of Al-Ittihad in sixth. Al-Qadisiyah aims to solidify its position in the top four, while Al-Ittihad hopes for a victory that will put it back in contention for Asian Champions League qualification. Therefore, the result of the match will not only affect the teams' standings but will also send a strong message about the new balance of power in the Saudi Professional League, which no longer recognizes only names and history, but also performance and ambitious investment.
