Boulbina and Benrahma: All-Algerian clash combining ability and ambition
· Yahoo Sports
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Compatriots face off on Friday in match that pits against one another two of RSL's rising entities in Diriyah Club and NEOM SC
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NEOM Sports Club and Diriyah Club are arguably both after the same thing, and that's a seat at the top table of Saudi Arabian football.
The ambitious “megaproject” clubs are each recent additions to the Roshn Saudi League and, through their respective signings, have made their ambitions clear. They aren’t just here to compete; they’re here to challenge.
To achieve that outcome, and within their overall mix of local and imported recruits, they’ve also both identified the same profile of player: Algerian wingers.
Though different in profile, at different ends of the age and experience spectrum, both Said Benrahma and Adil Boulbina are pivotal to their respective employers’ lofty aspirations, not just this season, but beyond as well.
Algeria international Adil Boulbina has settled well at RSL new boys Diriyah Club
NEOM SC are enjoying a better season in the 2026-27 RSL compared to last - their debut in Saudi football's lead division.
Benrahma, now 31 having enjoyed a long career in Europe at clubs like Brentford, West Ham United and Olympique Lyon, is a large reason as to why.
Currently sitting inside the top six, the north-west side are hot on the heels of Jeddah clubs Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, with six wins from eleven league matches this season.
While NEOM SC still aren’t as prolific in front of goal as the teams they’re chasing, they are faring better than last term.
Said Benrahma continues to shine for NEOM SC in the RSL
Looking at their 16 goals thus far, what stands out is the impact of Benrahma.
The wily wideman has had direct involvement in almost one-third of those goals (five), that's despite only featuring in only six matches after picking up an injury six minutes into their second game of the campaign.
It was a blow after a Man of the Match performance in the opener against Al Fayha, in which Benrahma conjured a goal and assist.
However, he showed his value immediately upon his return, scoring nine minutes after coming on in a 1-1 draw with Al Hazem.
Another standout performance last time out against Abha underlined Benrahma’s importance; with a goal involvement, on average, every 75 minutes this season, his impact has been profound.
NEOM SC star Said Benrahma picks up Man of the Match for display against Al Hazem
On the opposing side on Friday night in Riyadh, is 23-year-old Adil Boulbina. Unlike his well-travelled compatriot, the Diriyah Club star is looking to establish his career outside the usual European route that most Algerian footballers take.
Having witnessed the success of Benrahma, not to mention fellow countrymen in Riyad Mahrez and Houssem Aouar, Boulbina knows the RSL offers another step in his development.
Especially if he can help bring success to the promoted-but-potent Diriyah Club.
Diriyah Club's Adil Boulbina scores for his new club at Al Fateh
Signed in late August, Boulbina’s impact was almost instant, with two goals in his opening three matches. It’s been slightly tougher going since then; he’s not found the net in his past five.
But just because Boulbina isn’t scoring, doesn’t mean he isn’t having an effect. Indeed, he has drawn eight fouls in the final third at a rate of 1.19 per 90 minutes - the highest of any player in the 2026-27 RSL.
It’s a stat in which Diriyah leads the league with 32, meaning Boulbina has contributed a quarter of those, Meanwhile, his set-piece situations can be a highly dangerous threat, also.
Adil Boulbina celebrates his first RSL goal, in Diriyah Club's win at Al Ettifaq
It’s something opponents need to be wary of because, not only can Boulbina draw free-kicks, but he can also score from them too, as he showed only last month on international duty with Algeria with a stunning long-range free kick in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
With only nine RSL goals this season - the third lowest in the division, despite them sitting eighth - Diriyah Club could do with a few of those from Boulbina to get them back into the mix.
Even given their place in the top half of the table, Bruno Lage’s side have a solitary win in their past five. It’s meant they’ve lost a little touch with the battle developing above them, NEOM SC included.
The question for this weekend, and the remainder of the season, is how much these two Algerian creators can accelerate their clubs’ climb.
And can Boulbina begin giving Diriyah Club the decisive output Benrahma is already providing at NEOM SC?