Richard Rios has joined Al-Ittihad on loan from Benfica and will wear the number 5 shirt for the Saudi club this season. The Colombian midfielder's shirt assignment carries unexpected significance, as the number has historically belonged to defenders at the club rather than midfielders.
The 24-year-old arrived at the Saudi Pro League giants without a buy option in his loan deal, which runs until the end of the current campaign. Al-Ittihad announced the signing through their official channels, confirming Rios would don the number 5—a choice that raises intriguing questions about squad dynamics and available options at the club.
A Defender's Number for a Midfielder
The number 5 has long been the preserve of defenders at Al-Ittihad. Five of the last six players to wear it were defensive players, most recently Luiz Felipe, the Italian centre-back who held the shirt from 2023 to 2025. This tactical convention makes Rios's assignment particularly noteworthy, as midfielders typically favour numbers in the 6-8 range or higher digits.
Rios himself has never previously worn the number 5 throughout his professional career. At Benfica, he wore 20—the same shirt currently held by Ahmed Sharahili, Al-Ittihad's captain and defensive leader. During his time at Palmeiras, the Colombian wore both 8 and 27, numbers that no longer available or already claimed by fellow squad members Mokhtar Ali and Ahmed Al-Ghamdi respectively.
The Mohammed Noor Legacy
A deeper mystery surrounds the absence of number 18, which Rios wore at both Guarani and Mazatlan earlier in his career. That shirt has been permanently retired by Al-Ittihad for approximately 13 years as a tribute to Mohammed Noor, the club's legendary figure who departed in 2013. This honour reflects the former player's lasting impact on the Saudi franchise.
With limited alternatives available, the club opted for the number 5—a pragmatic solution that underscores squad registration constraints at Al-Ittihad. Rios may feature in the upcoming Clasico clash against Al-Nassr in the fifth round of the Saudi Roshn League, where the Colombian will hope to make an immediate impression despite the unconventional shirt number.
