Matteo Dams has ended up sidetracked at Al Ahli. After earlier reporting from Het Nieuwsblad, Voetbal International reports that the former PSV back is no longer even on the list of players of the Saudi top club.
Dams surprised friend and foe last year by not signing with PSV, but opting for a very lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli. The people of Eindhoven earned several million euros from the striking transfer. Dams signed a contract with Al Ahli until mid-2029, but the chance that he will serve out that contract seems to be shrinking by the day.
His trainer Matthias Jaisle has not called on the 21-year-old Dams since the beginning of this year. He has now even been removed from the player list, it can be read. Because Al Ahli is only allowed to use a certain number of foreigners, there is no room left for the former PSV player.
When signing his contract in Saudi Arabia, various media speculated that Dams could ‘earn 100 times more’ than at PSV. The Dutch club itself also benefited significantly from the transfer. Dams was sold for nine million euros.
“From the first day I have been well received and helped,” Dams said in front of the camera in July last year ESPN. “The only thing I had to get used to was the culture. The heat especially played a role. We train in the evening, really late during Ramadan, at 10 or 11 p.m. But I am completely used to that now. I have my own apartment, my own life.”
“It’s only good at my age. The level is really top. We have a certain image from Europe, but I think this competition is growing. Especially in the coming years.”
