Yasser Al Qahtani, the renowned Saudi striker known for his precision in front of goal, etched his name in football history with numerous goals throughout his illustrious career. A stalwart of both Al Hilal and the national team, he scored tap-ins and spectacular goals, leaving an indelible mark even at the FIFA World Cup.

Yet, among his many goals, one stands out—a goal where speculation lingers on whether Al Qahtani made contact with the ball at all.

It was the final match of the 2007-08 Roshn Saudi League season, a showdown between arch-rivals Al Ittihad and Al Hilal, the two most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia. The championship, which had witnessed a playoff format the previous season, returned to a traditional league format, and destiny placed the title on the line once again for these two giants.

The Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah witnessed a winner-takes-all clash, with Al Hilal needing three points to secure the title. The decisive moment unfolded early in the second half when Ahmed Al Fraidi’s cross found Al Qahtani, who seemingly touched the ball with the slightest of touches, securing the only goal of the game and Al Hilal’s 11th league title.

This historic match is still remembered as “شعره ياسر,” translating to “Yasser’s Hair,” symbolizing the imperceptible touch that settled the championship.

While not a geographical derby, the Al Ittihad vs. Al Hilal clash rivals some of the world’s intense city-based matchups like Manchester United vs. Liverpool or El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. These clashes are built on history, success, passion, and civic pride.

Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, hailing from Riyadh and Jeddah respectively, are the two most successful clubs in Saudi football, with Al Hilal boasting double the number of titles. The upcoming clash holds significance for both teams, as Al Hilal seeks to maintain its unbeaten record this season, while Al Ittihad aims to play spoiler and add a sense of satisfaction to their campaign.

The next fortnight promises even more excitement, with both teams set to meet in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League, adding two more chapters to the rich history of the Saudi Clasico. As these football titans clash once again, the question remains: who will step up and become the hero in the latest chapter of Saudi Arabia’s most fervent football rivalry?