On September 2, 2026, Richard Ríos was introduced as the new player for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. The footballer, originally from Vegachí (Antioquia), arrives on loan from Benfica in Portugal until mid-2027, joining the notable list of Colombian footballers in this league.
With the addition of Ríos, 29 Colombian players have competed in the Saudi Professional League. Among them are Geovanny Balanta and José Luis Carabalí, who are youth players from Neom SC. Ríos will be the second Colombian to represent Al-Ittihad, following Sergio Herrera, who had a significant tenure at the club.
Among the Colombians who have had outstanding performances in the league are David Ospina, who played for Al Nassr, and Jhon Jáder Durán, who joined the league in the 2024-2025 season, scoring 12 goals in 18 matches. Gustavo Cuéllar holds the record for most matches played, with a total of 136 games, while Ospina accumulated 29 matches with 14 clean sheets and 21 goals conceded.
Richard Ríos’s debut with Al-Ittihad is anticipated for September 5, 2026, in a match against Al-Nassr, featuring the renowned Cristiano Ronaldo, or on the next date, September 8, against Al-Fayha.
Moreover, the team will face Shamal from Qatar in the AFC Champions League on September 14, 2026, in a match that fans are eagerly looking forward to.
Source: www.infobae.com
