Ibanez Out Again: Al-Ahli’s Defensive Wall Takes Another Hit

Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez has been ruled out of Al-Ahli's squad for the third consecutive match, as they prepare to face Najma in the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Ahli travel to Buraydah to take on Najma at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraydah, in Round 6 of the competition.

Ibanez did not join the squad's departure to Buraydah, with reports noting he remains sidelined ahead of the clash.

Third Absence

German coach Matthias Jaissle was waiting for the medical report on the Brazilian defender to decide his final lineup for the Najma game, ultimately deciding to exclude him.

The Brazilian has not trained with the first team since returning from vacation last Sunday, undergoing daily treatment.

The absence comes amid an ongoing injury the former Roma man suffered in training during the recent international break, keeping him out of last Friday's match against Al-Shabab at the Enmaa Stadium.

Ibanez's absence left a gap in defense as Al-Ahli navigates league duties and continental commitments this season.

Ibanez's Replacement

Jaissle started Saudi defender Rayan Hamad alongside the Turkish centre-back Merih Demiral to cover Ibanez's absence for the matches against Al-Shabab and Al-Gharafa, with Mohammad Suleiman Bakr also in the frame as another option for the same position, given his international credentials.

Bakr has been in the Saudi squad that secured a World Cup berth for 2026 after beating Indonesia 3-2 and drawing with Iraq, and he has been thriving since his first-team promotion in 2023, appearing six times this season and scoring his first Asian Champions League goal for the Elite side.

He earned his first call-up to the national team in June and has since featured in two matches, with his stock rising as Valencia reportedly joined the chase for his signature.

The Uncertain Future

Ibanez remains a key asset and has delivered strong performances this season, including helping Al-Ahli win the Saudi Super Cup on penalties against Al-Nasr in Hong Kong. The Brazilian has featured in 88 games for the club across all competitions, scoring 11 times and creating five assists, cementing his status as a defensively solid and technically able player.

Under continued European interest—Valencia among those linked—the club insists the contract runs through 2027 and that there is no plan to part ways in the near future, as Al-Ahli push to defend the Roshan League crown and maintain continental clout after their recent Asia Elite triumph.

Punchline: If Ibanez keeps playing hide and seek with his fitness, the only thing tougher than his defense might be the club’s medical staff’s schedule.
Punchline 2: Don’t worry, Al-Ahli still has a brick wall in the squad—just one that moves a little less than the ball on a good day.