Moroccan international striker Youssef En-Nesyri arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday evening to begin his new professional career with Saudi club Al-Ittihad, following the completion of his transfer during the winter transfer window. En-Nesyri is scheduled to participate in his first training session with the team, which will be crucial in determining his availability for the upcoming match against arch-rivals Al-Nassr.
General context and importance of the deal for the Roshen league
En-Nesyri's arrival at Al-Ittihad comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing a qualitative leap, having become a destination for some of the world's top football stars. This deal strengthens Al-Ittihad and underscores its strategy of building a team capable of competing strongly on all fronts, both domestically and continentally. En-Nesyri, who joins from Sevilla FC in Spain, not Fenerbahçe in Turkey as some initial reports suggested, is considered a formidable attacking addition, possessing significant European experience and an impressive goal-scoring record in one of the world's strongest leagues, La Liga.
Expected impact and anticipated classic encounter
All eyes are now on the "Saudi Clasico" between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. This match is more than just about the three points; it represents a battle for supremacy between two giants of Saudi football. Al-Nassr, led by their star Cristiano Ronaldo, currently sit second in the league table with 46 points, chasing league leaders Al-Hilal. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad, in sixth place with 34 points, are looking to improve their position and make a strong comeback. The potential participation of Youssef En-Nesyri in this clash will add another dimension to the encounter, as fans eagerly anticipate the attacking partnership he might form with French star Karim Benzema.
The player's career and statistics
Youssef En-Nesyri, 26, has delivered outstanding performances with his former club Sevilla, where he was a key part of the team that won the Europa League title. He also played a prominent role with the Moroccan national team in their historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. During his time with the Andalusian club, En-Nesyri demonstrated his prolific goal-scoring ability and aerial prowess, qualities that are expected to significantly bolster Al-Ittihad's attack. His participation remains at the discretion of the coaching staff, who will assess his physical and technical readiness in the final training session before the team travels to Riyadh.
