Morocco’s En-Nesyri explains why he refused to celebrate after scoring against Yassine Bounou

Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri has explained why he declined to celebrate after scoring against compatriot Yassine Bounou in Al-Ittihad’s 3-2 defeat by Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

En-Nesyri found the net in the 22nd minute at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, drawing Al-Ittihad level after Gabriel Martinelli had given Al-Hilal an early lead.

The 29-year-old chose not to celebrate his goal, explaining afterwards that his close friendship with Bounou, his former teammate at Sevilla and with the Moroccan national team, made the moment special.

“Honestly, it is difficult for me to celebrate against my brother and someone very dear to me,” En-Nesyri said after the match. “We spent many years together with the national team and at Sevilla, and I wish him all the best in the coming matches.”

Bounou responds to En-Nesyri’s gesture

Bounou reciprocated the affection during their post-match exchange, kissing his compatriot on the head as the pair shared a warm moment despite representing opposing clubs.

The Al-Hilal goalkeeper also praised En-Nesyri’s performance, underlining the bond between the two Morocco internationals.

“Youssef En-Nesyri is like the younger brother I never had,” Bounou said. “He had a great game and I want to congratulate him.”

Their relationship stretches back several years, with the pair sharing a dressing room at Sevilla after En-Nesyri joined the Spanish side in January 2020. They remained teammates until Bounou moved to Al-Hilal in 2023.

Both players have also been key figures for Morocco, including during the Atlas Lions’ historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, when the North Africans became the first African nation to reach the last four of the tournament.

Their paths crossed again in Saudi Arabia after En-Nesyri joined Al-Ittihad from Fenerbahce in February 2026.

Al-Hilal win five-goal Saudi Clasico

While the friendship between the Moroccan internationals provided one of the game’s defining moments, Al-Hilal claimed the points with a 3-2 victory.

After En-Nesyri’s equaliser, Ollie Watkins restored Al-Hilal’s lead before Crysencio Summerville extended the advantage.

Steven Bergwijn converted a late penalty to reduce the deficit for Al-Ittihad, but Simone Inzaghi’s side held on to secure the win.

The result lifted Al-Hilal to the top of the Saudi Pro League table with 21 points from eight matches, while Al-Ittihad dropped to fourth place on 17 points and suffered their first league defeat of the season.