Saïd Benrahma is on the brink of leading Neom to promotion from the Saudi First Division League, just months after facing criticism for his move away from European football.
With the club sitting comfortably at the top of the table on 63 points—13 clear of their closest challengers—the Algerian international has emerged as a key figure in their remarkable season.
Benrahma, 29, delivered another standout performance on Matchday 28 against Al-Batin, contributing one goal and two assists in a commanding 7-2 victory.
That display followed his decisive showing against direct rivals Al-Taï, where he found the net again. In just five days, the former West Ham United winger played a role in four goals, silencing doubts over his decision to leave Europe for Saudi Arabia’s second tier.
When Benrahma signed for Neom from Lyon on loan, with a €12 million purchase clause and a potential €3 million in bonuses triggered by promotion, the move was met with skepticism.
Many questioned the wisdom of a player still in his prime choosing to leave the European stage. But Benrahma’s performances have quickly flipped the narrative.
Rather than fading into obscurity, he has found a new rhythm and emerged as one of the division’s standout talents.
His resurgence has not gone unnoticed by Algeria’s national team coach, Vladimir Petkovic, who has continued to show faith in the winger during recent international call-ups.
The coach’s endorsement is a clear signal of Benrahma’s enduring value at the highest level, despite operating in a league with less global visibility.
Should Neom seal their promotion to the Saudi Pro League in the coming weeks, Benrahma is expected to make his move permanent and join the ranks of fellow Algerian internationals Riyad Mahrez and Houssem Aouar already thriving in the country’s top tier.
That transition would mark not only a personal triumph for Benrahma but also a validation of his calculated risk to embrace a new footballing chapter outside Europe.
Born in Aïn Témouchent, Benrahma has never shied away from a challenge. His journey has taken him through the ranks of French and English football before his stint at Lyon, and now, in Saudi Arabia, he continues to show the same determination and flair that made him a fan favourite at Brentford and West Ham.
At 29, he remains in peak physical condition and has proven that a change in scenery does not equate to a decline in quality. If anything, Benrahma’s impact at Neom has reaffirmed his place as a vital contributor at both club and international level.
With just two wins standing between Neom and a return to the Saudi top flight, Benrahma’s story this season has become one of redemption, resilience, and revived ambition—on his own terms.
