Nabil Fekir produced a moment of pure class on Wednesday, curling a free-kick past Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento in the 75th minute as his Abha side fell 2-1 at Al-Awwal Park. The strike was far more than just another goal in the Saudi Roshn League—it was a nostalgic echo of one of the most memorable performances of Fekir's career, a free-kick he fired past Paris Saint-Germain nearly eight years ago when he wore Lyon colours.
A Familiar Finish From a Familiar Specialist
The technique was identical: Fekir's left foot bent the ball into the exact corner the goalkeeper had stationed himself to protect. On Wednesday in Riyadh, Brazilian custodian Bento guarded his near post; eight years earlier, it was Alphonse Areola in a Ligue 1 clash on 21 January 2018. That Lyon victory over PSG finished 2-1, with Fekir not only opening the scoring inside two minutes but also setting up Dutch forward Memphis Depay for the second. The free-kick currency of elite players rarely loses value, and Fekir's proved timeless.
Fekir joined Abha during the summer transfer window from UAE club Al-Jazira, and Wednesday's strike represented his first goal in the Saudi league. The Frenchman's movement and delivery have long defined his game—he combines vision with finishing acumen, a skill set that has made him one of the competition's most dangerous playmakers. His ability to score direct from set-pieces remains a hallmark of his quality at club level.
Context and Next Steps
Despite the quality of Fekir's finish, Al-Nassr's attacking prowess proved decisive in their Roshn League encounter. The result extends Al-Nassr's push toward the title race, while Abha, bolstered by Fekir's arrival and experience, continues to compete in Saudi Arabia's top tier. His transition to the Saudi league adds another dimension to a career that has spanned elite European football and now the Gulf's emerging powerhouse league. As Abha prepares for their next challenge, Fekir's proven free-kick expertise will remain a potent weapon in their tactical arsenal.
