Roger Ibanez: A Beacon in Al-Ahli Jeddah's Gloom

The Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez has become a beacon of light for Al-Ahli Jeddah amid a difficult spell, offering hope to fans longing for stability.

Ibanez's Return

Saudi press widely reported that Ibanez is close to returning to match action after his latest injury, as he continues rehabilitation and medical assessments to determine readiness.

Reports indicate the medical team is conducting tests to decide whether he can feature in the upcoming King CupRound of 16 clash against Al-Batin on Monday.

The decision will ultimately rest with German coach Matthias Jaissle, who will review the medical report before finalizing his playing status for the fixture.

Ibanez’s return is considered highly likely, given that he has recovered from the joint injury and has already been joining training sessions over the past week. However, Jaissle has kept him on the cautious side to ensure full readiness.

His comeback would be a bright spot for Al-Ahli, who have faced criticism for domestic results and performances in recent weeks.

Injury

Ibanez has not participated in team training since returning from vacation, continuing with daily rehabilitation sessions. The injury occurred during the team’s international-friendly period under Jaissle’s supervision, contributing to his absence from several matches.

This setback helped explain his missed appearance in the recent Saudi Pro League match against Al-Shabab, which finished 1-1, as well as his absence from the big win over Al-Gharafa (4-0) in the Asian Champions League for the Elite stage.

Further, his continued unavailability was felt during the hard-fought 1-0 win at Al-Najma, played in Buraydah, in the current league campaign.

Alternatives for Ibanez

To cover Ibanez’s absence, coach Jaissle initially fielded Saudi defender Ryan Hamid alongside Merih Demiral, aiming to preserve solidity in central defense for matches against Al-Shabab, Al-Gharafa, and Al-Najma.

Hamid then picked up an injury in the latest game against Al-Najma, prompting Jaissle to bring in Mohammed Suleiman Bakr, a club international who had already earned a call-up to the Saudi national team during the international window.

Bakr has featured in six league appearances this season, scoring his first-ever goal in the Asia Elite Champions League. He was chosen for the national squad that qualified for the 2026 World Cup by beating Indonesia 3-2 and drawing with Iraq, highlighting his rising stock.

Since his promotion to the first team in 2023, Bakr has continued to push for more playing time, contributing with appearances across competitions and adding depth to Al-Ahli’s defense during Ibanez’s absence.

Uncertain Future

Ibanez’s absence has weighed on Al-Ahli, given his role as a cornerstone in a defense that helped the club win its first trophy of the season, the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong, beating Al-Nasr in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Across ten appearances this season, he has contributed one goal and a handful of defensive actions, combining physical presence with an ability to contribute to attacking plays on set-pieces.

Known as a “defensive rock with attacking traits,” Ibanez has been praised for his leadership, aerial prowess, and distribution under pressure, complementing his previous stint at Roma before joining Al-Ahli in 2023. He has played 88 competitive matches for the club, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists, helping secure continental and domestic titles.

Although European clubs, notably Valencia, have been linked with Ibanez, Al-Ahli has resisted offers, underlining that his contract runs through 2027 and expressing a desire to keep him as the team contends for the league title and continental glory.

Rudy Galletti, the respected Italian journalist, noted Valencia’s interest, underscoring Ibanez’s versatility and solidity across multiple defensive positions. For now, Al-Ahli remains focused on keeping him in their plans, hoping to maintain momentum as they pursue further silverware.

Punchline time: If Ibanez brings the light back, the stadium might finally stop running on generator power. Punchline 2: The only thing tighter than Al-Ahli’s defense could be my schedule after this transfer window—sniper-precise planning, zero misses, and a very loud goalkeeper shouting “next!”