Ricardo Mathias: Who's the Al Shabab starlet offering view into Al Ahli's future?

The good news - if there was any - for Al Ahli after their 6-1 thumping at the hands of Al Shabab last week was the performance of Ricardo Mathias.

The downside, obviously, is that it came for Al Shabab at their expense. 

Long-term, it showed why Al Ahli invested in the young Brazilian’s signature at the start of the year, but in the immediate, it is Al Shabab who are benefiting from his exploits this season.

Arriving in Jeddah during the January transfer window, the 20-year-old Brazil youth international was building a burgeoning reputation at Internacional.

With Ivan Toney leading the line at Al Ahli, and so brilliantly, opportunities at the back-to-back Asian champions were always going to be limited.

So, in search of more regular playing time, it was agreed that Mathias would spend the 2026-27 Roshn Saudi League on loan at Al Shabab, where he was assured of more regular playing time.

It was, evidently, exactly what was needed for the enterprising youngster.

Five games into his time in Riyadh and the 20-year-old has four goals and an assist already. Talk about capital gains.

“I worked hard for this opportunity and was looking for regular playing time in the league,” Mathias said after the first of those four goals last month against Al Taawoun.

While still only 20, Mathias is old enough to know the value of opportunity. 

He grew up in a family with limited financial means, his father working multiple jobs and his mother often leaving for work in the dead of night, all to provide for their family and give their children an opportunity at life.

At one point, part of their home even collapsed, with family friends and his mother’s employer helping re-build the house. Football, like for so many in Brazil, was Mathias’ way out to provide for those closest to him.

Having started life near Rio de Janeiro, the forward was discovered by an agent in his early teens and relocated south to Sao Paulo to try to make his way in the game. His family moved with him.

Thus, at 16, Mathias joined Internacional’s academy and, from there, he blossomed.

“That's where the turning point came,” his representative, Leandro Lima, said in a previous interview. “Ricardo developed enormously.”

Before long, Mathias was playing with the Brazil youth national teams, winning the Under-17 and U20 South American championships. He made his senior debut for Internacional aged only 18.

It was a rapid rise from his humble beginnings, but also meant Mathias knew not only the value of hard work, but the value of himself. While Al Ahli signed him as much for the future than the present, the player knew he could deliver now.

It’s why he sought a move outside of Jeddah this season. Of course, he speaks glowingly of Al Ahli for allowing him to gain valuable experience in the Saudi Arabian top flight.

However, he did admit performing against his parent club was part of the fuel last week behind his two-goal performance.

“Of course there was extra motivation, but I have a lot of respect for Al Ahli,” Mathias said post-game. “It’s the club that welcomed me here in Saudi Arabia, and with whom I won my first international titles. 

“I have great respect for their fans, and for the players, who have all become my friends.”

That respect was evidence in the fact Mathias chose not to celebrate either goal.

Whether coincidence or not, his arrival at Al Shabab has preceded an upturn in form for the capital club. Winless before his arrival, Thomas Letch’s side are now unbeaten in five, with three wins and two draws, with Mathias scoring in each one of those victories.

Manager Letsch credits the work put in during the extended September-October international break for Al Shabab’s recent uptick.

“The break was positive,” the German said. “During it, we worked on fitness and technical aspects, as well as strengthening team cohesion and bringing the players closer together.”

For player and club, opportunity is the key strand. 

Certainly, Mathias is benefiting from more playing time, within a team that is benefiting from the ability to spend more time with one another.

It is, so far, an almost perfect match.