Turkish international star and Al-Ahli Saudi defender, Merih Demiral , expressed his great pride in the epic moments the team experienced during the Clasico against Al-Hilal, revealing his great attachment to his decisive goal that contributed to his team's return to the match.
In a video posted on Al-Ahli's official account, Demiral appeared, speaking passionately about the details of that night, emphasizing that he never tires of watching replays of his goal against Al-Hilal. Demiral said, "I swear I don't know how many times I've watched the video of my goal against Al-Hilal. I watch the fans' reactions; my teammates went wild with joy.".
Fighting spirit and desire to win
The Turkish defender, known for his fighting spirit and "grinta," didn't hide his disappointment at the end of the match, as he believed Al-Ahli could completely turn the tables and secure the victory. He added, "If we had had three or five more minutes, we could have scored more goals. That's why I was running with such enthusiasm; I firmly believed we could score another goal and win the game.".
Al Ahly fans... a force to be reckoned with
In his remarks, Demiral praised Al-Ahli's fans, describing them as the team's primary and true supporters, and comparing the atmosphere at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) to other stadiums. He stated, "I feel amazing when we play in front of our fans because I don't see this kind of support even when we play against other teams in Saudi Arabia on their home grounds. Our fans are different; they're always singing and they never leave the stadium early.".
Demiral cited the fans' attitude during the Al-Hilal match as proof of their loyalty, saying: "During the Al-Hilal match, the score was 3-0 in our favor, yet the fans were there supporting us, and this is very important for us as players.".
Context of the event and the importance of El Clásico
Demiral's comments bring to mind the thrilling match in the third round of the Saudi Professional League, where Al-Ahli staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a 3-0 deficit to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw. These matches serve as clear evidence of the significant development witnessed in the Saudi Professional League, where the level of competition and excitement has risen with the presence of a host of world-class players.
Demiral’s statement reflects the significant psychological impact that Saudi fans have on professional players, as the atmosphere in the stadiums in the Kingdom, especially in top matches (the Clasico and the Derby), has become comparable to the biggest international leagues in terms of fan attendance and interaction, which enhances the market and technical value of the Roshan League globally.
