Red Card Royalty: Zeid Al Jahni's Stormy Saudi Pro League Season

Match Spotlight: Red Cards and a Narrow Victory

Zeid Al Jahni, Al Ahli Jeddah's energetic midfielder, has emerged as this season's red card king in the Saudi Pro League.

He was sent off late in the first half of the clash with Al Qadsiah at Al Enma Stadium after an on-field incident with Otavio, Al Qadsiah's midfielder, while trying to assist him to stand up.

Al Ahli had led 1-0 through Wenderson Galeno's early strike, while Abdullah Al-Salem leveled for Al Qadsiah. Franck Kessié then delivered a long-range strike to secure a 2-1 win for Al Ahli.

The result pushed Al Ahli to fourth with 19 points; Al Qadsiah dropped to fifth.

Red Cards, Standings and the Road Ahead

That dismissal marked the 16th red card of the season in the Saudi Pro League, coming at nearly two per round. Yet Al Jahni's two red cards this season are particularly notable, making him the first player to be sent off twice.

His first red occurred about three weeks earlier during the 1-1 draw with Al Riyadh on Oct 30, causing him to miss the Jeddah derby against Al Ittihad on Nov 8 at the Al Enma Stadium. He picked up a second red just 45 minutes later, ruling him out of the upcoming game against Damac on Dec 19 in round ten.

Around him, 14 other players have one red card this season, including Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Predrag Rajković (goalkeeper), Fabinho, and Moussa Diaby. Al Ahli, meanwhile, sit third in the red-card table with two dismissals, while teams like Al Ittihad and Damac lead with three each.

Zeid Al Jahni remains among the most promising Saudi talents. He has shown composure under pressure, smart decision-making, and a knack for linking play between lines, qualities the coaching staff value across different matches. He operates effectively as a box-to-box midfielder, with precise passing and a strong sense of midfield rhythm, while also contributing defensively by pressing and winning balls.

In the national team context, he has demonstrated versatility in both attacking midfield roles and more defensive duties. His growth suggests a bright future for him and his country, particularly as he gains experience against bigger, more European-style setups. As his level continues to rise, he becomes an increasingly valuable asset for his club and the Saudi side alike.

Punchlines: Sniper-style quips: 1) If red cards were goals, Zeid would be the league's top scorer—though the scoreboard might disagree. 2) He’s not just a card collector; he’s a reminder that even in football, some people collect stamps, others collect red stamps. Okay, I’ll stop before the referee confiscates my keyboard.