Waleed Abdullah sparks debate after watching Al-Nassr on phone during Al-Diriyah match

Al-Diriyah goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah attracted widespread attention on Friday after being filmed watching Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh on his mobile phone while his current club faced Al-Hazem.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper was not included in Al-Diriyah’s squad for the Roshn Saudi League fixture, which ended with a 1-0 victory for his side. Abdulelah Al-Malki scored the only goal of the game, securing three valuable points for Al-Diriyah in the second round of the competition.

During the match, photographers captured Abdullah in the stadium stands following the simultaneous meeting between Al-Nassr and Al-Riyadh on his phone. The image quickly spread across social media and became one of the most discussed moments among supporters watching the league action.

The incident drew particular interest because of Abdullah’s long association with Al-Nassr. He spent many years representing the club, winning several trophies during his time there, before moving to Al-Diriyah to begin a new stage in his playing career.

Footage of Abdullah watching Al-Nassr while Al-Hazem and Al-Diriyah were playing was circulated online alongside references to the Roshn Saudi League fixtures. The scene prompted a divided reaction from fans, with opinions differing over whether the goalkeeper’s decision was understandable or inappropriate.

Some supporters felt it was natural for Abdullah to follow Al-Nassr because of his lengthy history with the club and the connection he built there over the years. Others argued that, as a player registered with Al-Diriyah, his attention should have been focused on his current team, even though he was not part of the matchday squad.

The goalkeeper’s actions did not affect the result at Al-Diriyah’s game, however. His team held on for a clean-sheet victory, with Al-Malki’s goal delivering Al-Diriyah’s second-round win and another three points in the Roshn Saudi League.

The moment nevertheless became a talking point well beyond the final whistle. Abdullah appeared to be caught between his past with Al-Nassr and his present with Al-Diriyah, leaving supporters to debate whether he was simply revisiting memories from his former club or whether Al-Nassr still holds a special place for him.

The episode also underlined the continued public interest in Abdullah’s links with Al-Nassr, despite his move away from the club. A brief image from the stands was enough to turn an otherwise routine league fixture into one of the round’s most controversial talking points.