Following a summer of strategic restructuring that saw the departure of three foreign players and the arrival of Egyptian international Trézéguet, Al Riyadh enters 2026/27 under the steady hand of Brazilian coach Maurício Dulac, tasked with building on last season’s dramatic escape from relegation while navigating the club’s fourth consecutive campaign in the Roshn Saudi League.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Maurício Dulac
Dulac was retained for an additional season after successfully guiding Al Riyadh to safety following his appointment on an interim basis in the final quarter of last season. The Brazilian coach, who previously managed in his native country before moving to Saudi Arabia, has been credited with stabilising a squad that appeared destined for relegation. His first victory of the 2026/27 campaign, a 1-0 home win over Neom courtesy of Teddy Okou’s second-half goal, was celebrated as a significant milestone. Dulac has acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead, particularly with an unbeaten Al-Ahli side next on the schedule: “We know the size of the challenge ahead of us”.
Tactical Philosophy
Dulac’s approach prioritises defensive organisation and collective discipline, a pragmatic framework necessitated by Al Riyadh’s limited resources relative to the league’s established powers. The squad’s early-season statistics reveal a team that defends deep and looks to spring counterattacks, with Milan Borjan providing an experienced last line of defence. The attacking burden falls heavily on the wide players, with Trézéguet expected to provide the creativity and goal threat that the squad otherwise lacks.
Preferred Formations
4-2-3-1 / 4-4-2 out of possession.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Al Riyadh’s summer window was defined by a strategic clear-out of foreign talent and a targeted reinvestment. The club decided to part with Mamadou Sylla, Tozé, and Sergio González as part of a restructuring plan. The headline arrival was Egyptian international Trézéguet, who joined from Al-Ahli after negotiations reached their final stages, with the player’s desire to remain in Saudi Arabia proving decisive. The club also secured the permanent signing of young defender Hussam Majrashi from Al-Anwar on a three-year contract, beating competition from several other Roshn League clubs for his signature.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trézéguet | Left Winger | Al-Ahli | Undisclosed |
| Hussam Majrashi | Center-Back | Al-Anwar | Undisclosed |
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Milan Borjan (#82): The 38-year-old Canadian international serves as captain and remains Al Riyadh’s undisputed number one. Standing 1.96m, his commanding presence and shot-stopping ability were central to last season’s survival, and his leadership within the dressing room is equally important during a campaign of transition.
Emad Al-Feda (#97): The 29-year-old Saudi goalkeeper provides experienced backup coverage, his familiarity with the league making him a reliable squad member.
Luca Ramirez (#32): The 20-year-old provides additional depth between the posts.
Defenders
Rodrigo Abascal (#26): The 32-year-old Uruguayan centre-back is the defensive anchor, his physicality and aerial dominance providing the foundation for Dulac’s structure. His 1.88m frame and experience of South American football make him a commanding presence in both boxes.
Hussam Majrashi (#5): The summer arrival from Al-Anwar signed a three-year contract after impressing with his performances last season. The 22-year-old is viewed as a defensive reinforcement for the upcoming phase, with the club counting on his development and competitive ability.
Victor Lekhal (#22): The 32-year-old French-Algerian defender provides tactical discipline and versatility across the back line, his experience offering stability within a youthful defensive group.
Fahad Al-Jayzani (#79): The 22-year-old Saudi defender has emerged as a first-team regular, his energy and commitment making him a trusted option in Dulac’s structure.
Hussain Al-Shurafa (#19): The 24-year-old defender signed a contract extension until 2029, reflecting his importance to the club’s long-term plans. He has contributed two chances created in the opening rounds.
Sultan Al-Essa (#2): The 21-year-old right-back provides attacking thrust and defensive reliability, his youth and energy offering a different dimension on the flank.
Abdullah Hassoun (#17): The 29-year-old defender provides additional depth and experience.
Midfielders
Bernard Mensah (#43): The Ghanaian midfielder is Al Riyadh’s most valuable outfield asset, his market value reflecting his technical quality and importance to the squad. The 31-year-old has already scored once this season, his creativity and goal threat from midfield making him a key figure.
Sulaiman Hazazi (#12): The 23-year-old midfielder has been a creative spark, registering one big chance created in the opening rounds. His contract runs to 2028, securing his future at the club.
Faisal Al-Sobhi (#16): The 27-year-old midfielder provides tactical discipline and work rate, his reliability making him a trusted option in Dulac’s structure.
Saud bin Zaydan: The 26-year-old central midfielder offers additional depth and competition for places.
Yahya Al-Shehri (#88): The 36-year-old veteran remains a senior voice within the squad, his experience providing guidance for the younger elements. His contract expires at the end of the season.
Talal Al-Shubili (#14): The 21-year-old defensive midfielder represents the club’s commitment to developing young Saudi talent.
Osama Al-Bawardi: The 27-year-old midfielder provides additional cover in the engine room.
Forwards
Trézéguet (#7): The marquee summer arrival from Al-Ahli brings Premier League and Egyptian international experience to Al Riyadh’s attack. The 31-year-old winger, who has represented Egypt at multiple major tournaments, is the club’s most valuable player and the focal point of Dulac’s attacking plans. His creativity and goal threat from wide areas address a significant deficiency in the squad.
Teddy Okou (#10): The 28-year-old French winger has already made an impact this season, scoring the winning goal against Neom. His direct running and finishing ability make him one of Al Riyadh’s most important attacking players.
Leandro Antunes (#77): The 29-year-old Portuguese forward provides a physical presence in the attacking line, his experience offering a different profile to Okou and Trézéguet.
Mamadou Sylla (#9): DEPARTED — The Senegalese striker was released as part of the club’s foreign player restructuring, his departure leaving a void in the attacking department that Trézéguet and Okou must fill.
Tozé (#20): DEPARTED — The Portuguese midfielder was also released during the summer clear-out.
Sergio González: DEPARTED — The Spanish defender departed as part of the restructuring plan.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Milan Borjan
The veteran goalkeeper remains the squad’s designated leader, his experience of Canadian international football and his commanding presence providing essential guidance through a challenging campaign. His contract runs to 2027, and his performances will be crucial to Al Riyadh’s survival hopes.
The Leadership Committee
Yahya Al-Shehri and Victor Lekhal serve as the senior voices alongside Borjan, their combined experience providing essential guidance for a squad that has undergone significant turnover.
Homegrown Quota Check
With Hussam Majrashi, Fahad Al-Jayzani, Sulaiman Hazazi, and several other Saudi nationals in the first-team squad, Al Riyadh maintains a strong commitment to developing domestic talent. The club’s strategy balances foreign acquisitions with the cultivation of Saudi players capable of contributing at the Roshn League level.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview
Al Riyadh’s transfer record shows a positive balance of €7.67 million, reflecting the club’s prudent approach to squad construction. The decision to release high-earning foreign players like Sylla, Tozé, and González was driven by a desire to restructure the wage bill and create space for targeted additions. The club’s average squad age of 27.4 and total market value of approximately €12 million position Al Riyadh among the league’s more modestly resourced clubs.
Contract Red Alerts
Dulac’s retention provides stability in the dugout, but several key players face uncertain futures. Yahya Al-Shehri’s contract expires at the end of the season, while the futures of other senior figures will be assessed as the campaign progresses. The long-term contracts awarded to Majrashi (2029), Al-Shurafa (2029), and Hazazi (2028) reflect the club’s commitment to building a sustainable core.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch
Hussam Majrashi is the most significant young addition, the 22-year-old defender joining on a three-year deal after attracting interest from multiple Roshn League clubs. His development will be closely monitored as he adapts to the demands of top-flight football.
Notable Out on Loan
Al Riyadh’s loan strategy focuses on providing competitive minutes for emerging talents, with several young players gaining experience in lower divisions.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Trézéguet (First Choice) / Teddy Okou (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Bernard Mensah / Trézéguet.
Corners & Crosses: Bernard Mensah / Sulaiman Hazazi.
Final Outlook: Survival Remains the Priority
Al Riyadh enter 2026/27 with modest ambitions but genuine determination. The club’s fourth consecutive Roshn League campaign represents a significant achievement for a side that has historically oscillated between divisions, and Dulac’s stabilising influence has provided a platform for cautious optimism.
The early-season returns offer measured encouragement. The 1-0 victory over Neom, secured through Okou’s second-half goal, demonstrated the defensive resilience and clinical edge that Dulac has instilled. Borjan’s leadership at the back and Mensah’s creativity in midfield provide a solid foundation, while Trézéguet’s arrival adds a dimension of quality that the squad previously lacked.
The challenges ahead are considerable. Al Riyadh lack the financial resources of the league’s established powers, and the depth of the squad remains a concern. The departure of Sylla, Tozé, and González has left the attacking options thin, placing significant responsibility on Trézéguet and Okou to deliver goals. The upcoming fixture against an unbeaten Al-Ahli side will provide a stern test of the squad’s resilience.
The margin for error is narrow. Al Riyadh’s recent history demonstrates that survival is achievable through collective effort and tactical discipline, but the league’s increasing competitiveness means that complacency would be punished. If Dulac can maintain the defensive organisation that defined his tenure and if Trézéguet can replicate the form that made him a fan favourite at Al-Ahli, Al Riyadh possess the foundation to achieve another season of top-flight football. But the club’s ambitions extend no further than survival, and every point will be hard-earned.
