Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Nassr 2-1 in an intense Saudi Pro League Clásico on matchday 5, prompting a sharp social media response directed at the visitors' Portuguese star João Félix. The victory moved Al-Ittihad to 11 points in fourth place, while Al-Nassr remained on 12 points in second, level with Al-Qadsiah but trailing leaders Al-Hilal's 15-point tally.
Félix had captured headlines before the final whistle with a cryptic statement to journalists: "I will not speak to you, because if I speak I will expose what is happening in the league." His refusal to engage fuelled speculation about frustrations within the competition, yet his discretion proved short-lived once Al-Ittihad's official X account seized the moment.
The Social Media Jab
Al-Ittihad's post featured a deliberately mocking design depicting both Félix and Al-Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou rendered in miniature form, pinched between thumb and forefinger to symbolise their perceived smallness from "the Dean's" vantage point—a reference to Al-Ittihad's traditional nickname. The caption declared: "From the Dean's perspective, the dominance continues," cementing the club's message of superiority over their fierce Saudi rivals.
The exchange underscores growing tensions within the Roshn Saudi Pro League, where competitive intensity is matched only by the willingness of clubs to escalate rhetoric. For Al-Ittihad, the win represented a rare bright spot following a turbulent season marked by significant player exits and internal administrative challenges. Postecoglou's Al-Nassr, despite their second-place standing, now face mounting pressure to reassert dominance in what remains a tightly contested title race.
The Clásico rivalry continues to define Saudi football's narrative, with both clubs using every available platform—on and off the pitch—to assert their place in the league's hierarchy.
