Waleed Abdullah became the focus of widespread debate after the Al-Diriyah goalkeeper was filmed watching Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh on his mobile phone while his current side were playing Al-Hazem on Friday.
The 40-year-old was not included in the Al-Diriyah squad for their Roshn Saudi League meeting with Al-Hazem, which ended in a 1-0 victory for his team. Abdulilah Al-Malki scored the only goal of the match as Al-Diriyah secured three points in the second round of the competition.
During the game, photographers captured Abdullah following the simultaneous Al-Nassr v Al-Riyadh fixture on his phone from the stands. The image quickly spread across social media and became one of the most discussed moments among supporters watching the second round of the league.
The attention surrounding the incident was heightened by Abdullah’s long association with Al-Nassr. The experienced goalkeeper spent many years with the club, wearing their colours and winning several trophies before leaving to join Al-Diriyah and begin a new stage of his career.
Footage shared online showed Abdullah keeping track of the Al-Nassr match while Al-Hazem and Al-Diriyah contested their own league fixture. The scene prompted contrasting reactions from fans, with some viewing his interest in Al-Nassr as understandable given his history with the club and the close bond he developed there over many seasons.
Others took a different view. They argued that, as a player now representing Al-Diriyah, Abdullah’s attention should have been directed towards his current team, even though he was not part of the matchday squad.
The debate did not affect the result on the pitch. Al-Diriyah held on for a narrow win over Al-Hazem, with Al-Malki’s goal ensuring they collected another valuable three points in the Roshn Saudi League.
Abdullah’s decision to watch Al-Nassr therefore became a talking point separate from the football itself. The moment appeared to capture the contrast between his successful past with “The Global” and his present commitment to Al-Diriyah.
For some supporters, it was simply a former Al-Nassr player following a club that has played a major role in his career. For others, it raised questions about where his strongest loyalties now lie. Either way, a brief scene from the stands developed into one of the most intriguing stories of the round, with fans left wondering whether Abdullah was merely revisiting memories from his time at Al-Nassr or whether the club still holds a special place for him.
