Doubts Anchor a Shabab Star as Saudi Clash with Al-Ittihad Looms

Injury update and impact on the upcoming match

Humam Al-Hamami, Shabab's star player, is expected to undergo surgery, risking a spell on the sidelines and potentially missing the Saudi Pro League showdown with Al-Ittihad on December 27, 2025, at the Al-Ittihad home ground in Jeddah.

The teams recently met on November 29, with Al-Ittihad winning 4-1 in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup quarterfinals, a result that adds pressure on the Shabab lineup ahead of the next encounter.

Recovery timeline and squad implications

According to Okaz, Hamami is set to undergo a surgical procedure in the coming days and will be sidelined for roughly 3 to 4 weeks, severely limiting the coach's options as the year winds down.

Spanish coach Emmanuel Alguacil is expected to be without him until roughly the end of the year, making a swift return for the match against Al-Ittihad unlikely.

Career context and recent form

Hamami started in the last Shabab–Al-Ittihad clash, a game that saw Shabab take the lead via a pass from Hamami to Abdul Razak Hamdallah, before Al-Ittihad responded with a four-goal burst, highlighted by Karim Benzema's hat-trick.

The winger moved from Al-Ittihad to Shabab last summer on a free transfer after a season on loan at Al Khaleej, and he has appeared in 9 matches for Shabab with no goals and one assist.

With this setback, the spotlight shifts to his teammates stepping up in a pivotal period for the club. And yes, the timing is so bad even the ball is asking for a vacation—clean socks, anyone?