Al-Riyadh president Bandar bin Fahd says Egypt international Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet is expected to return to action for the Saudi club after the next international break.
Trezeguet will miss Al-Riyadh’s upcoming Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Kholoud after suffering an injury, but the club expects the forward to be available again once the international window has ended.
Bin Fahd provided the update in televised comments to MBC Egypt, saying the timing of the injury had been fortunate because it coincided with the approach of the international break.
“Fortunately for us, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet’s injury came as the international break was approaching. He will miss the upcoming Al-Kholoud match and will be back with the team after the break.”
The injury is the latest setback for Trezeguet since his move to the Saudi club, although Al-Riyadh’s president indicated that the Egyptian remains an important part of the team’s plans for the remainder of the season.
Bin Fahd said the club had specifically identified Trezeguet as its leading transfer target and regarded completing his signing as a significant achievement.
“Our first goal was to sign Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, and thank God we succeeded in finalizing the deal. He is a great player and value to the team, and he is the captain of the Egyptian national team. We reached an agreement that satisfies both parties, while the value of the contract remains undisclosed.”
Trezeguet injury comes at difficult time
The Al-Riyadh president said Trezeguet joined the club with the intention of helping the team and acknowledged that his injury had arrived at an inconvenient point in the season.
However, he expressed confidence that the player would return soon, pointing to the length of the campaign as a reason for optimism.
Trezeguet’s move to Saudi Arabia also involved details surrounding his departure from Egyptian club Al-Ahly.
Bin Fahd referred to those matters when discussing the player’s exit, saying that “there are details specific to Trezeguet related to the termination of his contract with his former club,” while making clear that the Egyptian winger is now fully part of the Al-Riyadh squad.
The club president added that Trezeguet would have an important role to play for Al-Riyadh in the period ahead once he has recovered.
The Egyptian international’s absence therefore comes as a temporary disruption to the club’s plans rather than a change in his status within the squad.
Teddy Oko transfer had Zamalek connection
Bin Fahd also disclosed previously unknown details surrounding Al-Riyadh’s signing of French winger Teddy Oko.
According to the club president, Oko had received an offer from Egyptian giants Zamalek before eventually choosing a move to Saudi Arabia.
The French player opted to continue his career in the Saudi league, paving the way for Al-Riyadh to reach an agreement to sign him.
The revelation provides another link between Al-Riyadh and the Egyptian football market, with Bin Fahd suggesting the Saudi club could look towards Egypt again when planning future recruitment.
He said Al-Riyadh could potentially sign more players from the Egyptian league, highlighting the number of talented and promising footballers competing in the country.
The club’s interest in Egyptian-based players comes as it seeks to strengthen its squad and compete in what Bin Fahd described as a highly competitive Saudi league.
Al-Riyadh confident of improved results
Bin Fahd also reflected on Al-Riyadh’s recent performances, pointing to the team’s victory over Neom as evidence of its ability to compete.
He said the side had produced a good performance in that match and secured an important win.
The president expects the team’s form to develop further after the international break, when Trezeguet is also scheduled to return to the squad.
For now, Al-Riyadh must prepare for the Al-Kholoud fixture without one of its most important attacking players.
Trezeguet’s recovery will be monitored during the international period, with Bin Fahd indicating that the Egypt captain should be ready to resume playing for the Saudi club once the break concludes.
The club will hope his return, alongside continued improvement in results, can help Al-Riyadh build momentum over the remainder of the long Saudi league season.
