Gabri Veiga was one of the world’s most promising young talents in 2023. After rising through the ranks at Celta Viga, the Spanish midfielder made his debut and appeared to be the next great thing in La Liga.
In 2020, he scored his first professional goal away at Atletico Madrid while making his senior debut for the team at the age of 18. He made an impression in the 2022–2023 season with four midfield assists and eleven league goals.
Veiga was therefore the target of several major European clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, all of which are Premier League powerhouses. Because of the excitement, Goal reporter Thomas Hindle even said that he might be the “next Steven Gerrard,” writing:
“Veiga certainly has a long way to go to be at the level of the Liverpool legend, but his stride length, relentless running and flawless shooting technique evoke memories of the ex-Liverpool skipper.”
Many in the football community were taken aback by what transpired after the 20-year-old departed Spain to join Al-Ahli of the Saudi Pro League. The teenage player appeared eager to relocate to the Middle East after they activated his €40 million release clause.
Legendary Toni Kroos, a midfielder for Real Madrid, was harsh in his evaluation of the situation at the time, calling the move “embarrassing” on social media. In his two subsequent seasons, however, how has Veiga fared?
Veiga’s Form In Saudi
Has been much improved after injury hit first season
Veiga didn’t have the finest start to his rookie season. In a lower league, he didn’t score as many goals as some may have expected as a regular in the middle of the park for Al-Ahli, but he ended up being a valuable member of the club, earning an average SofaScore rating of 7.24 in the Pro League.
His season was cut short, though, as he missed 12 of the previous 14 games due to an ankle ailment. In a mixed season for the Spaniard, his team would finish third in the league that season.
Veiga has so far been able to maintain his fitness in his second season with the team. With seven goals and five assists (he managed four previous term), he has already surpassed last season’s goal total after playing 36 games across all competitions.
After 27 games, Al Ahli is now in fourth place in the league, 13 points behind Al-Ittihad, thanks to his strong play. As the image above demonstrates, he has been quite effective with the ball, managing 1.22 critical passes per game, which is the third-best on the squad. He also ranks very highly in terms of shorts, dribbles, and ball recoveries per game.
Veiga May Return to Europe Despite Admitting “Homesickness”
Man City, AC Milan, and Real Madrid are all connected.
Veiga only left for Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023, but that hasn’t stopped some big European clubs from showing interest in him. Real Madrid and Manchester City were rumoured to be interested in signing him in the summer of 2024.
The athlete himself has reportedly expressed homesickness, which has increased interest. Late in 2024, he stated:
“That homesickness will be present from the very first moment to the very last day. You must live in the moment and take each day as it comes since you can never predict the future.
Fabrizio Romano stated as late as April 2025 that Al Ahli had to turn down January overtures, but he anticipates that elite European teams will make another attempt to sign the player after the end of the current campaign. Spanish media have mentioned AC Milan as a potential destination, but GIVEMESPORT is aware that Aston Villa is also interested in the player.
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