An underrated midfielder, of sorts, Fabinho is a one-time winner of the Premier League after his Liverpool stint between 2018 and 2023 – but how has the seasoned ace been performing since moving to the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2023?
Cristiano Ronaldo, now on the books of Al-Nassr after dominating Europe alongside Lionel Messi, began the trend of moving to Saudi Arabia in January 2023 – the likes of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante followed in the Portuguese talisman’s footsteps.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Jhon Duran (Al Nassr), Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli) - with Saudi Pro League logo background Related
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As did Fabinho, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Brazilians in the long and storied history of the Premier League, as he moved to Al-Ittihad when the top division in Saudi Arabia was the peak of its efforts to collect superstars aplenty.
By virtue of Liverpool winning the 2024/25 Premier League season, the careers of Fabinho – alongside others that have departed in recent years – are often pushed to the side. How’s the Brazilian enjoying life at the Middle East-based club?
Fabinho: A Guardian of Liverpool’s Midfield
Brazil international played 219 times for the Reds
Emerging as one of the most exciting defensive midfielders in the mid-2010s for French outfit AS Monaco, the 31-year-old was touted by Manchester United – but he signed for Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders a day after losing the Champions League final 3-1 to Real Madrid.
Viewed as a coup, many couldn’t foresee the extent of the engine room patroller’s influence at Anfield – but, as you may know, he didn’t mind sitting in front of the back four and allowing the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to shine in the spotlight.
Akin to a lighthouse, the 29-cap Brazil international – named by Dimitar Berbatov as one of his favourite teammates of all time – may not have popped with many goals and assists, but his intangible talent often went under the radar in England's top flight.
Speaking to FourFourTwo about his unfortunate departure from Anfield, which is one of the best stadiums in Premier League history, Fabinho said: “Leaving Liverpool wasn’t an easy decision, because I was very comfortable there and had three years remaining on my deal, so I didn’t need to go.
“But it was a good opportunity for me and I’m happy with my decision. It was a good surprise to see how nice the city was. My family are happy here, and I’m trying my best for Al-Ittihad.”
As it should have been, replacing the lanky Brazilian was seen as a difficult task on the red half of Merseyside. Alexis Mac Allister dropped deeper in their first Fabinho-less campaign before Ryan Gravenberch, under Arne Slot's tenure, emerged as one of the best midfielders in world football.
Fabinho - Senior Statistics for Club and Country
Club/Country
AS Monaco
Liverpool
Al-Ittihad
Brazil
Real Madrid
Fabinho’s Life in the Middle East
Injuries scuppered his maiden season at Al-Ittihad
At 29 years of age, perhaps younger than some other Saudi Pro League rivals, Fabinho joined Al-Ittihad in 2023 – and he was thrown straight into the deep end thanks to his exploits on the European stage, which included one Champions League triumph.
In 2023/24 alone, when he wasn’t ruled out via injury, it’s safe to say that Fabinho was one of the first names on the team sheet – and his versatility was highlighted by the fact that he played in defensive midfield, central midfield and in the heart of the defence.
Despite strengthening their engine room with the former Monaco lynchpin, Al-Ittihad concluded the campaign in fifth place – with 54 points in 24 outings. It was a season to forget as Fabinho, 31 years of age, missed 15 league outings.
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But the King Abdullah Sport City-based outfit came out firing this season and were looking to wreak vengeance after a poor finish to last campaign. That they did under the management of France and Montpellier legend Laurent Blanc, who replaced Marcelo Gallardo in the summer of 2024.
With four games to go, Blanc’s Al-Ittihad lapped up the moment of lifting gold – and, as expected, looked much sturdier with Fabinho stationed at the fulcrum of the midfield. He missed the solitary match via a yellow card suspension – but, aside from that, he played all but 12 minutes of the rest of their league games.
Upon winning the Saudi Pro League with the Jeddah club, Campinas-born Fabinho insisted that winning his piece of silverware in Al-Ittihad colours was ‘very important’, while also cheekily suggesting that it just happens that wherever he goes, trophies follow. Per the SPL website, he said:
“This title is very important for me. I came to Al Ittihad to win, to keep winning. This is my ambition as a player. Thank God, it’s one more title in my career. Everywhere I have been, I won! One more league, the Saudi league.”
Saudi Arabia’s top flight crown is heading back to the port city on the shores of the Red Sea – and, ahead of next season, Fabinho and his clubmates will be doing all they can to retain their status as champions in the 2025/26 campaign.
All statistics per Transfermarkt - correct as of 16/05/2025