Get to know Roshn Saudi League’s Al Shabab: A Riyadh giant competing for glory, with Ever Banega
Part of an exciting four-way chase for this season’s Roshn Saudi League title, Al Shabab are vying with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr to be champions for the first time in more than 10 years.
We take a closer look at the White Lions.
THE PLAYERS
Al Shabab boast a number of recognisable names, including one of Roshn Saudi League’s brightest stars in Ever Banega.
The Argentina midfielder has played for the likes of Boca Juniors, Inter Milan and Valencia, making the move to Saudi Arabia back in 2020 after a third Europa League triumph with Sevilla.
Banega, 34, also won Olympic gold back in 2008 alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. As well as the South American, Al Shabab have Poland international Grzegorz Krychowiak, Spaniard Santi Mina and Saudi Arabia centre-back Hassan Tambakti – a hero of the World Cup 2022 win against Argentina.
THE COACH
Vicente Moreno moved to Riyadh in the summer of 2022 after leading Espanyol back to La Liga.
The 48-year-old also led Mallorca from the third tier to the top flight in his previous posting. Moreno is now aiming to bring glory back to Al Shabab, which would be the first major silverware of his managerial career.
2022/23
Currently locked in an epic summit battle with Al Nassr and Al Ittihad. Holders Al Hilal sit further back, but with further games in hand.
Al Shabab are yet to lose to those former-mentioned clubs, having drawn against them in the first half of the season. They are a team which will have a significant say on who, ultimately, is crowned champions.
Crucial to this has been the goals of Carlos Jr, with his 12 to date putting him second in the scoring chart.
They resume in the 2022 AFC Champions League knockouts this weekend, against Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf.
THE HISTORY
Al Shabab are one of the historic names of the Saudi game having lifted the top flight six times and finished runners-up the same amount.
They’ve added three-time Saudi King’s Cup, a trio of Crown Prince Cups and distinguished themselves on the continent.
THE STADIUM
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium is based in Riyadh and can hold crowds of 22,500 when it is hosting either international or club matches.
An expansion to a 44,500-capacity is planned for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.