No Edge, No Problem? Abdu Atif Fires a Blistering Take at Ziyad Aljahni in Saudi Pro League
22 November 2025
Abdu Atif, the former Shabab star, aimed a scorching attack at Ziyad Aljahni, the Al Ahli Jeddah midfielder, after the red card he picked up in the Saudi Pro League clash with Al Qadsiah.
Aljahni was dismissed in stoppage time of the first half, following a contact incident with Otavio, the Portuguese midfielder for Al Qadsiah, as he tried to help him to his feet.
Al Ahli had taken the lead early through Brazilian winger Wenderson Galeno, but the red card threatened to derail them just before halftime.
The dismissal opened the door for Al Qadsiah to level the score in the second half via substitute Abdullah Al Salem, yet Franck Kessié struck from outside the box to hand Al Ahli a precious victory.
In his post-match remarks, Atif said on air that he does not rate Aljahni, questioning what edge the player brings and doubting his ability to thrive under pressure, in tight spaces, or between the lines.
"What is the edge of Ziyad Aljahni? I analyzed for two years and could not identify a quality that makes him a regular starter for Al Ahli," he added, noting the match itself featured many stoppages and that Al Qadsiah controlled play for long stretches even before the red card.
He referenced reactions from teammates, including Riyad Mahrez, suggesting the team’s style did not fit the player, and argued that midfield quality was the fundamental issue, with the heart of the team failing to supply consistent solutions.
"A player like Franck Kessié has one clear strength, an offensive push, whereas Aljahni lacks a quality that makes him a starter in the side," Atif concluded.
No Edge for Ziyad Aljahni
This season’s red card count reached 16 in the Saudi league, with Aljahni becoming the first player to be sent off twice in the current campaign. He also missed Al Ahli’s derby win over Al Ittihad due to suspension from the red card.
Shortly after, he picked up another red card against Damac, suggesting a lengthy absence ahead for the midfielder in upcoming rounds.
Besides Al Jahni, other players who have been sent off include Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Predrag Rajković, Moussa Dembélé, and Moussa Diaby, among others, as the league continues to churn through disciplinary drama.
King of Red Cards
The league’s red cards tally has seen Al Ahli rise in the charts, tied with clubs like Al Ittihad and Damac on three red cards. The league’s hierarchy lists a mix of players and clubs that have been sent off this season.
In contrast, clubs like Al Shabab, Al Hilal, Al Ettifaq, and Neom have recorded single red cards so far, underscoring the uneven distribution of discipline across teams.
A Promising Talent
Ziyad Aljahni is widely regarded as a rising talent in Saudi football, having shown progress with Al Ahli and the national teams at youth and senior levels.
He brings strong ball control, calmness under pressure, and solid decision-making that lends itself to a midfield role that links defense and attack.
With Al Ahli, Aljahni has demonstrated ability to progress the ball from the back to the midfield with accurate passing and good field vision, while also contributing defensively through pressure and ball-winning actions.
In the national setup, he has displayed tactical versatility, operating in more advanced midfield zones or deeper roles, showing maturity beyond his years and providing attacking options through smart movement between lines.
His continued development and high-level exposure are expected to raise his value for both his club and the Saudi national team, as he grows into a more complete midfielder.
With ongoing improvements and big-game experience, Aljahni looks poised to become a key figure for Al Ahli and Saudi football in the seasons ahead.
Punchlines for the road: If red cards were a currency, he’d be a billionaire by now. And if football IQ were a sniper scope, his would be perfectly aimed at turning headlines into hazy rumors—still somehow entertaining the crowd.
