Senegalese striker Habib Diallo, renowned as RC Strasbourg’s top scorer in the 2022-2023 French Ligue 1 season, is facing a daunting adaptation phase in Saudi Arabia. Despite his exceptional track record in French football, Diallo has only managed to secure two goals in the current Saudi Pro League season, prompting speculation about the challenges he may be encountering in his new footballing environment.
While fellow Senegalese player Sadio Mané thrives in the Saudi Pro League, Diallo’s performance seems to be a stark contrast.
Both players made the move to Saudi Arabia last summer to continue their football careers, but Diallo’s subdued results are raising eyebrows and sparking questions about the wisdom of his choice.
Diallo’s transition from France to Saudi Arabia is under scrutiny, with some wondering if the Senegalese striker may have made a less-than-ideal decision. Just a year ago, Habib Diallo was a standout name in French football, particularly for RC Strasbourg.
His prolific 20-goal contribution in 37 matches during the 2022-2023 Ligue 1 campaign earned him the title of Top Scorer for RC Strasbourg and the 6th Top Scorer in the overall French league.
The striker’s journey from 2015 to 2023 saw him amass an impressive 107 goals in 271 matches across Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
His success last season attracted attention from Premier League clubs and various French teams, making his departure for Saudi Arabia a highly anticipated move.
However, since joining Al-Shabab FC on August 13, 2023, Diallo’s goal-scoring prowess seems to have waned.
While he managed to score his first goal in September, he has struggled to find the net since October 21, 2023, accumulating only two goals in 18 games in the Saudi Pro League.
The dip in Diallo’s performance raises questions about whether the striker made the right choice in leaving Ligue 1 for the Saudi Arabian championship.
Fans are left pondering whether Diallo’s departure at the end of the season is a possibility and if the Saudi Pro League holds a level of competitiveness superior to that of Ligue 1 in France.
As the football world observes Diallo’s challenging adaptation, the narrative surrounding his future in Saudi Arabia continues to unfold.
