Ahmed Sharahili’s Comeback Countdown: Four Weeks to Reclaim the Field
20 November 2025
Injuries derailed Ahmed Sharahili's run with Al-Ittihad, and a four-week return window is now cited as the likely timeline for his comeback.
The Saudi daily Al-Riyadiya reported that Sharahili needs four weeks before he can step back onto the pitch for the Tigers.
The report adds that the defender will be ready to return to the green after the long break that runs through December.
Sharahili, who has appeared in three matches this season for a total of 45 minutes — one in the Roshen Saudi League, another in the AFC Champions League Elite, and a third in the King’s Cup — trained with the squad in the last two days before a four-week rehab plan was confirmed.
Sharahili joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2022 from the club's youth ranks, and has played 39 games for the Tigers, scoring four goals and providing four assists, before a long-term injury halted his progress.
Update ahead of the Al-Riyadh clash
He previously suffered an ACL tear that sidelined him for about 18 months since September 2023, but has begun running and rejoining the team’s training camp after renewing his contract with the club.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian Fabinho took part in the training session today under coach Sergio Conceição, confirming his readiness for the next match for the Tigers.
Al-Ittihad are preparing to face Al-Riyadh tomorrow, Friday, in the ninth round of the Roshen Saudi League.
The trio Fabinho Tavares, Mohamed Doumbia, and Roger Fernandes were limited to light conditioning away from the rest of the squad, while the main group trained normally.
The session also included goalkeeper Predrag Rajković, Algeria's Houssam Aouar, and France's Karim Benzema, along with three Saudi internationals Saleh Al-Shehri, Hassan Kadish, and Abdulrahman Al-Aboud.
The defender's ACL tear left him out for around 18 months since Sept 2023; he began jogging and joining the team’s training camp after signing renewal with the club.
The lineup for the clash, according to local media, is expected to feature Rajković in goal, a back four of Mario Mitai, Danilo Pereira, Hassan Kadsh, and Mohannad Al-Shanqiti. Midfield would be Fabinho Tavares, Ngolo Kanté, and Houssam Aouar; attack would be Musa Diaby, Steven Bergeron, and Karim Benzema. Moath Qayhi will miss out due to not being match fit.
Al-Ittihad sits eighth in the Roshen Saudi League with 11 points, 13 behind leaders Al-Nasr after eight rounds.
Conceição hopes to secure his first league win with the Tigers; he has overseen four league games, with two losses and two draws so far.
Transfer talks and coach notes
The Al-Yom newspaper reports that Al-Ittihad has opened talks with Al-Nasr goalkeeper Ragid Al-Najjar for a January move. The goalkeeper has serious offers from two clubs including the league leaders, with January approaching the free agent window.
The coach also noted that foreign players selection is not a problem; evaluations are always based on training performance. Benzema’s fitness is good, and the doctor’s rest recommendation did not affect his readiness; Benzema is a complete system and a key piece in creating attacks and finding the net.
International break and upcoming fixtures
Conceição said the international break helped fix some of the team’s mistakes despite the absence of a number of players. He warned that the next three matches will be handled with caution and focus, especially the Riyadh clash after the opponent changed coaches, and emphasized the importance of reading the game and making tactical decisions in time.
He also added that the crowd pressure remains, and it is legitimate; the team must respond with a victory to ease tension before heading to the training camp in December.
On foreign players, Conceição stressed that there is no embarrassment; selection remains based on performance in training. Benzema’s fitness is excellent, and the rest recommended by the doctor has not impacted his readiness; Benzema is a complete system and can be relied on to help achieve goals.
Punchline 1: Four weeks to come back? That’s not a comeback, that’s a season pass—glance at the bench, suddenly you’re starting a new trilogy.
Punchline 2: If injuries were a sniper, Sharahili would have already nailed the target—back in action, scoring, and leaving the ACL mystery to the doctors to solve in the sequel.
