Trezeguet's Omission Causes Confusion at Al-Riyadh

Al-Riyadh’s trip to face Al-Ahli in the Roshn League was supposed to be another step in Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet" settling into life in Saudi Arabia. Instead, his name – or rather the absence of it – became the story before a ball was even kicked.

On Friday, the club’s official account on X dropped the starting XI and the bench for the clash at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium. No. 10s, centre-backs, goalkeepers, all there. But no Trezeguet.

No explanation. No hint. Just silence.

Within minutes, the replies filled up. Al-Riyadh fans wanted answers. Why was their Egyptian star missing? Why had the club not said a word? Supporters, already invested in their new signing, pushed back hard in the comments, demanding clarity and venting their frustration at being left in the dark.

Their confusion had a basis. Only the previous day, Thursday, Al-Riyadh had shared photos from the team’s final training session before the Al-Ahli game. Trezeguet appeared in the images, training as usual, part of the group, seemingly ready to go. Nothing in those pictures hinted at a problem.

The speculation didn’t last long once the broadcasters went live from the stadium. Reporting from Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, the correspondent for Thmanyah, the channel carrying the Saudi league, confirmed what the club had not: Trezeguet’s absence was due to injury.

No further details. No timeline. Just that single, crucial word – injury.

For Al-Riyadh, it’s an early bump in the road with a marquee summer arrival. Trezeguet joined the club in the current transfer window from Egypt’s Al-Ahly, moving on after just one season there. His signing was meant to add star power and end product on the flanks.

Instead, as Al-Riyadh lined up without him against one of the league’s heavyweights, the night began with a different question hanging over the away end: how long will they have to do without their new talisman?