Jesus Bows Bento Matheus from Al-Ahli Clash: Al Nassr Clinches Top Spot in Saudi Pro League
1 January 2026
Team news ahead of the Al Ahli–Al Nassr Clasico
Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus of Al-Nassr has decided to drop a club pro from the lineup for the Al-Ahli clash in the classic.
Al Ahli Jeddah will welcome Al Nassr at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Friday, January 2, 2026, for the 13th round of the Saudi Pro League.
According to Saudi newspaper "Al-Yom," Jesus decided to exclude Bento Matheus from the match list for technical reasons, especially as the Portuguese coach had placed the Brazilian goalkeeper at the head of January's departing list.
Jesus has settled on starting goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, who has become a core part of the Al-Nassr squad in domestic and continental competitions.
The Brazilian Bento Matheus has featured in 10 matches this season for Al Nassr, conceding 7 goals, and keeping a clean sheet in 5 games.
Since Bento Matheus joined the capital's club in the summer of 2024, coming from Atlético Paranaense, he has appeared in 59 matches, conceded 61 goals, and kept 20 clean sheets.
Al Nassr currently tops the Saudi Pro League table on 31 points, while Al Ahli occupy fourth place with 22 points.
Punchline 1: If strategy were a shot, Jesus would aim for the corner—and somehow end up in the highlight reel.
Punchline 2: In football, sometimes the best move is sending the bench in to do the heavy lifting. January, here we come.
