Injury Storm Clouds Al Nassr's Saudi Pro League Return: Will Jorge Jesus Risk the Stars?

Injury concerns ahead of the restart

The Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who oversees Al Nassr, enters the Saudi Pro League comeback with a cautious eye on several players. He is worried about the status of key defenders Saad Al-Nasser, Ayman Ahmed, and Saad Haqwi, even though they have completed rehab programs and medical checks. The squad’s depth is being tested as the season resumes.

Training plans and risk considerations

Al Nassr are preparing to face Al-Khaleej on Sunday at their home ground following the international break. Jesus has instructed the fitness coach to determine whether the trio can participate in a drill with the under-21 team, aiming to avoid aggravating injuries in a full squad session. He fears that pushing them too soon could trigger a recurrence similar to past episodes.

The Saudi daily Al-Riyadhia reported that the club’s medical staff cleared these players last Friday, but Jesus remains cautious about their participation until they demonstrate clear, lasting readiness through light training and individual rehab progress.

The manager’s cautious approach comes after a recent instance where Saad Al-Nasser’s comeback could have been derailed by a recurrence, prompting careful consideration before any return to team drills. The idea is to balance potential on-pitch impact with long-term squad health.

Saad Al-Nasser

Saad Al-Nasser previously suffered a ligament tear in the right foot in the 20th minute of a September AFC Champions League 2 group-stage match against Istiklol Dushanbe at Al Nassr’s home setup. The club later announced his injury, and he underwent rehabilitation at the club’s facility. A new setback occurred during a friendly against Diriyah in October after he had seemed to be on the mend, forcing a substitution with Awad Aman stepping in. Al-Nasser joined Al Nassr on a contract through 2028 from Taawoun for around 40 million riyals, and he is viewed as a missing piece on the left flank—the signing that was hoped to give the team depth in that position.

Saad Haqwi

The young forward Saad Haqwi also faced setbacks related to progression from youth national team duty. His injury occurred during the Saudi youth national team’s involvement in the World Cup in Chile, where he featured in a match against Colombia before the Green Falcons’ early exit from the tournament. The Saudi press noted that Haqwi would be sidelined for a period, causing him to miss several league fixtures and Asian competition games during the late autumn window.

Ayman Ahmed

Ayman Ahmed sustained an adductor-related tendon inflammation during early-month training. The club confirmed he would undergo ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation at the club’s facility, with an expected return to training only after strict conditioning and medical clearance. His absence was felt in the recent fixtures as the team looked to stabilize left-side options and maintain defensive balance.

Abdul Malik Al-Jaber

Midfielder Abdul Malik Al-Jaber, signed from Zeljeznicar, suffered a knee cartilage injury during a preseason camp in Austria. Medical tests indicated the need for surgical intervention, ruling him out for several months and delaying his integration into the squad. The transfer, worth over 1.5 million euros, was aimed at strengthening the midfield, but the rehabilitation timetable will shape his return to action.

The club’s supporters are keen to see these players back in action, yet the overarching aim remains long-term health and squad stability rather than short-term results. Jesus continues to monitor the situation closely, with the medical and fitness staff coordinating a careful ramp-up to full-team training to protect against further injuries in a high-stakes season.

Injuries are never just a setback; they’re a reminder that football is a team sport in more ways than one—even your best players can be benched by the bench press. And as the coach puts it, “We’ll keep the spine intact and let the rest of the muscles learn the choreography.”

Punchlines for the road: “If injuries were a transfer window, the medical staff would be the club’s top negotiators.”
“Jorge Jesus should add a ‘PhD in bench resilience’ to his résumé—the only degree that actually pays dividends on a longer bench.”