Ahmed Hegazy returns to the Saudi League with NEOM and faces old rival

Ahmed Hegazy is back in the Saudi Professional League after a year away, but this time he wears a new shirt and carries a fresh mission with NEOM, the side he helped guide into the top flight.

His first game was written like a script, meeting Al-Ahli, the fierce rival of his former club Al-Ittihad. For Hegazy, it was more than just a league opener, it was a night full of memories and rivalry.

Since his arrival at Al-Ittihad in 2020, Hegazy became one of the most reliable foreign defenders in Saudi football. With his courage and leadership, fans called him “Lionheart.” He gave the team balance, helped them win the league in 2023 after a 14-year wait, and lifted the Saudi Super Cup.

That title-winning year, SofaScore rated him the third-best defender in the league with 7.20. Even when injury forced him to the sidelines, Al-Ittihad fans felt his presence. His return now with NEOM adds a new chapter to his story, one filled with respect, resilience, and unfinished battles.