Locker Room Sparks After Al Nassr's Loss to Al Qadsiah: Gharib Defies the Coach
9 January 2026
Tensions Rise After Loss to Al Qadsiah
Abdulrahman Gharib, a forward for Al Nassr, sparked a fresh crisis within the squad when he defied coach Jorge Jesus following the defeat to Al Qadsiah.
Al Nassr were beaten 2-1 by Al Qadsiah in the match held at Al Nassr Park on Thursday, in the 14th round of the Roshn Saudi Pro League.
According to the Saudi newspaper Al Yaum, Jesus asked Gharib to approach the Al Nassr fans at the stadium after the game to thank them for their support.
But the 28-year-old ignored the request and headed straight to the locker room, leaving the Portuguese coach puzzled as he watched his player leave in silence.
The incident comes amid reports that Gharib is unhappy with a reduced role and limited playing time in recent weeks.
The transfer rumor surrounding Gharib links him to Al Ittihad, with several outlets claiming Al Ittihad are keen to sign him, especially with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
If he leaves, it would be a dramatic chapter in a season already marked by turmoil around playing time and futures.
Punchline 1: Gharib's problem isn't the bench—it's the press conference that follows every pass.
Punchline 2: In football as in life, some players only perform when the locker room is loud and the drama is on.
