---

September 14, 2024

Tagliabue: Al Shabab Will Always Have a Special Place in My Heart – Saudi Pro League

Sebastian Tagliabue began his career in Argentina and other South American locations. Still, it was in Saudi Arabia where he truly made a name for himself. He became a fan favorite at two major Roshn Saudi League teams, Al Ettifaq and Al Shabab. These two teams will face off in their opening RSL match in Riyadh on Saturday night.

Born in the Buenos Aires province, the 25-year-old striker moved significantly in 2010. While playing for Colombia’s Once Caldas, he accepted an offer to join Al Ettifaq in the distant Roshn Saudi League 2024-25.

Nearly 15 years later, Tagliabue remains a prominent figure in the region. Now a celebrated RSL star and a 19-time UAE international since his naturalization in 2020, his brief three-season stint in Saudi Arabia was crucial. With it, the formidable forward might have achieved the fulfilling life he enjoys in Abu Dhabi today with his wife and two sons.

As his two former RSL clubs, Al Ettifaq and Al Shabab, prepare to face each other on Saturday to conclude Matchweek 1 of the 2024-25 season, Tagliabue reflects on his time in the Kingdom. His stint there was not only prolific in goals but also life-changing.

“About Al Shabab and Al Ettifaq, I’m thankful for both of them because Al Ettifaq opened the door for me to come to this amazing area in the world,’’Tagliabue shares with the RSL “I never expected to come here, and Al Ettifaq gave me the chance, not only one year, but two years, to show my true self.”

Indeed, he did just that. In his debut season, Tagliabue scored 12 goals for the Dammam club in the RSL, playing a crucial role in their impressive third-place finish. This achievement earned Al Ettifaq a spot in the AFC Champions League play-offs for the following season.

Domestically, Tagliabue was just hitting his stride. He scored nine more league goals in the 2011-12 RSL season, helping Al Ettifaq finish fourth place. Additionally, he found the net in every round leading up to the final of that year’s Crown Prince Cup, including a decisive injury-time goal in the semifinals against Al Ahli.

Although the final didn’t turn out as Tagliabue had hoped—despite the 2-1 defeat by Al Hilal in Riyadh—he still reflects positively, saying, “I have very good memories of Al Ettifaq.” His personal career, however, was clearly on an upward trajectory.

In fact, Tagliabue’s move took him west, from Dammam to Riyadh and from Al Ettifaq to the capital club Al Shabab. The switch proved successful: with 19 goals, he finished the 2012-13 RSL season as the league’s top scorer. His impressive tally fueled Al Shabab’s surprising title challenge. However, they ultimately had to settle for third place, tied on points with runners-up Al Hilal (with Al Fateh claiming the championship that season).

Tagliabue, however, looks back on that period with fondness.

“Al Shabab gave me the chance to for the first time be top scorer internationally,” he notes. “I was top scorer in Argentina, but with Al Shabab, I did the same internationally for the first time.’’

“It was even an amazing year because I played with incredible players; we had a very good team. In my opinion, we could have been league champions, but we missed winning two games in the important moment against teams we should beat, and then we lost the title.”

Collective silverware ultimately eluded them, as Al Shabab was defeated 4-2 by Al Ittihad in the King’s Cup final.

Undeterred by the disappointment, Tagliabue soon moved to the UAE, joining Al Wahda in the summer of 2013 after scoring 40 goals in 69 RSL appearances. He won multiple trophies, was named UAE Pro League top scorer twice, and is now the club’s all-time leading scorer.

In fact, only Ali Mabkhout has scored more goals in the history of the UAE top tier than Tagliabue, who has also played for Al Nasr and Sharjah. They became international teammates four years ago when Tagliabue was granted Emirati citizenship at the start of 2020.

At 39, Tagliabue is still active in professional football. Reflecting on his career, he recognizes that the RSL made as significant an impact on him as he did during his three prolific years in the Kingdom.

“Both Al Ettifaq and Al Shabab were amazing clubs,” Tagliabue explains. ‘’I always have with them in my heart, and I always look to see how they are in the league, how they are going, the players that are playing at this moment.’’

“Yes, they stay in my heart. Always.”

Give your favorite player a boost! Visit our site to show how much you believe in them.

Football News Today | La Liga 2 | Saudi Pro League | Major League Soccer | Major League Soccer News | J League | EFL Championship | Brazilian Serie A