Near-Showdown in the Saudi Derby: Felix and Al Ahli’s Director Exchange Sparks Aftermath
3 January 2026
Match-night tensions
Newspaper reports shed light on the behind-the-scenes flare-up between Portuguese star Joao Felix of Al Nassr and Rui Pedro, the sporting director of Al Ahli, following the Saudi Clasico between the teams.
Al Ahli earned a 3-2 victory over Al Nassr on Friday at the Enmaa Stadium in the 13th round of the Roshen Saudi Pro League, marking the visitors’ first league defeat of the campaign.
The on-field incident
After the final whistle, cameras captured a heated exchange between Felix and Rui Pedro, with Cristiano Ronaldo, the Al Nassr forward, present nearby. The moment nearly escalated into a physical confrontation.
Saudi newspaper Today reported that the incident began when the Al Ahli sporting director took a celebratory run onto the pitch to congratulate his goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanabi, a move that did not sit well with Felix.
The report adds that Felix’s reaction triggered the confrontation with Rui Pedro, before club officials stepped in to separate the two sides.
It was noted that Ronaldo did not approve of the director’s comments when he returned to him and eventually headed to the locker rooms.
Earlier in the clash, Ali Majrishi, Al Ahli’s left-back, was involved in an incident with Felix that led to the Saudi defender’s sending-off, further contributing to the night’s tense atmosphere.
Several other images accompanying the report show more scenes from the encounter, each highlighting the charged mood in the stadium and the players’ visible reactions as the game concluded.
In summary, Felix’s moment with Rui Pedro added an extra layer to a game already decided by a narrow margin, with Ronaldo’s presence and the post-match celebrations intensifying the storyline.
Punchlines aside, this episode serves as a reminder that the Saudi Pro League can deliver drama as potent as any top European derby.
Note to Felix: if you’re chasing headlines, at least sign them before the whistle—interviews aren’t the same as altercations.
Punchline 2: In football, the only thing more aggressive than a press conference is a moment between players and directors—may as well put a VAR behind the stage lights next time!
