Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri marked an important milestone in his Al-Ittihad career after scoring his first official goal for the Saudi club in their AFC Champions League Elite encounter against Qatari side Al-Gharafa at the Al-Inma Stadium.
The goal came in the seventh round of the league stage of the competition and represented En-Nesyri’s first contribution on the scoresheet since joining Al-Ittihad during the winter transfer window.
It was a significant moment for the Moroccan international, who is still settling into life with his new club but wasted little time in announcing his presence on the continental stage.
En-Nesyri’s strike highlighted his smooth adaptation to the Al-Ittihad setup, with the forward making a strong impression in just his second appearance for the team.
Youssef En-Nesyri, Al Ittihad’daki ilk golünü attı. pic.twitter.com/eBxDr9ufmX
— Nexus Sports (@nexustransfer) February 10, 2026
His early impact has sent encouraging signals to the technical staff and supporters, who have high expectations of the former European-based striker following his arrival to bolster the club’s attacking options.
Al-Ittihad’s management views En-Nesyri as a key figure in their ambitions across domestic and continental competitions, banking on his experience at the highest level in Europe and his pedigree with the Moroccan national team.
That wealth of experience is seen as a valuable asset as the club pushes for silverware on multiple fronts.
The clash with Al-Gharafa carried added significance, coming at a crucial stage of the group phase where Al-Ittihad are aiming to secure a strong position in the standings and ease their path toward the knockout rounds.
The AFC Champions League Elite is renowned for its fierce competition, and every result at this stage holds considerable weight.
Having lifted the continental trophy on two previous occasions, Al-Ittihad are hopeful that the revamped format of the AFC Champions League Elite will offer a fresh opportunity to reclaim continental prominence.
With a blend of seasoned performers and impactful new signings like En-Nesyri, the Saudi giants believe the foundations are being laid for a serious challenge, one that the Moroccan forward appears ready to lead from the front.
