Rabat—Youssef En-Nesyri hit a big milestone today, scoring his first goal in an Al-Ittihad shirt. His strike helped propel the team to a massive 7–0 win over Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League Elite, proving he’s already finding his feet in his new chapter in Saudi Arabia.
The Moroccan striker made an immediate impact, opening the scoring just three minutes in before later picking up an assist in a totally dominant team display. It’s a huge moment for him, his first goal since his high-profile winter move to the Jeddah giants.
After the match, En-Nesyri shared his emotions on social media: “I’m very happy to score my first goal in Al-Ittihad’s shirt in the AFC Champions League.
A special moment and a start I’m proud of with this great club and its amazing fans.
Better is yet to come, God willing… together for more.”
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A new chapter in Saudi Arabia
En-Nesyri joined Al-Ittihad during the January transfer window, signing a long-term deal reportedly running until 2028. His move came after a strong spell in European football, including time with Sevilla where he won the UEFA Europa League and later Fenerbahçe, where he remained one of the club’s key attacking figures.
The pressure was reaching a breaking point for En-Nesyri after a bad first outing that left Al-Ittihad fans fuming. Following a quiet and ineffective league debut, the Moroccan striker was under fire to prove he could fill the void left by big names like Benzema.
His goal and assist in yesterday’s 7–0 win over Al-Gharafa was the perfect response. It was a massive sigh of relief for both the player and the club, turning the early boos into cheers.
At 28 years old, the Moroccan international is arguably still in his prime and remains a cornerstone of the national team. Finding his rhythm in Jeddah will be essential for his role with the Atlas Lions, especially as he looks ahead to upcoming international commitments.
