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July 17, 2024

Seeing Double: Identical Twins Causing RSL Confusion – Saudi Pro League

The Lajamis have undoubtedly used this trick on unsuspecting victims countless times while growing up.

Identical twin brothers Ali and Qassem Lajami, from Qatif in the Eastern Province, have likely relished the opportunity to switch places and embarrass those unaware, just as any uniform siblings would.

The target was former Liverpool and Bayern Munich superstar Sadio Mane this time. However, the joke was on the Senegalese international, as no trickery was involved.

The moment, which swiftly went viral, occurred during Matchweek 3 of Al Nassr’s early last season match against Al Fateh. Ali was playing for Al Nassr while Qassem was with Al Fateh. It was nothing out of the ordinary for the brothers, who had experienced similar moments countless times in their careers.

Having joined Al Nassr three weeks earlier, Mane was likely still learning his teammates’ names and identities.

As the two teams lined up for the traditional pre-game handshake, Mane approached and shook hands with Qassem, with the cameras capturing his confused double take.

“Is that… is that my teammate?” interpret the expression on Mane’s face.

You can imagine the teasing Mane likely endured in the dressing room after the video of the incident went viral. A clip shared by Al Nassr featuring Ali and Anderson Talisca hints at the level of mockery that occurred.

It was an understandable mistake for Mane, but its broad circulation propelled the Lajami brothers into the international spotlight.

In the upcoming 2024-25 season, the first encounter between the two brothers will occur in Matchweek 11, following Qassem’s recent transfer to the newly promoted Al Qadsiah. This move allows him to play alongside former Real Madrid captain Nacho, a winner of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA European Championship.

This time, Sane will not look confused. However, nearly a year later, it remains a moment that will still bring the siblings a smile and a chuckle.

International football features many twin brothers and sisters competing professionally, with Frank and Ronald de Boer among the most well-known. The duo is no stranger to football in the Gulf region—Ronald has both played and coached in Qatar. At the same time, Frank managed Al Jazira in the UAE last year.

Given the close bond between the Lajami brothers at rival clubs, it’s no surprise that their careers have followed a similar trajectory.

Hailing from the east of the Kingdom, Ali and Qassem progressed through the youth development programs at Al Khaleej before securing their first professional opportunities with the same club in 2015.

The twins first played together on the pitch in August of the following year, 2016. Both started for Al Khaleej in their narrow 3-2 defeat to Al Ittihad during the second week of the 2016-17 season.

When Ali moved to Al Fateh before the 2018-19 season, it wasn’t long before Qassem joined him, and the two once again shared a dressing room throughout the 2019-20 season.

Once more, Ali moved on, seizing a significant opportunity with Al Nassr in 2020, while Qassem continued his career with Al Fateh. This development once again pitted the two brothers against each other on the field.

Ali’s performances for Al Nassr in the subsequent seasons have established him as one of the league’s most dependable defenders. Last season, only Aymeric Laporte recorded more clearances for Al Nassr than Ali, who is now 28 years old.

Chosen to represent Saudi Arabia in January’s AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, Ali’s prominence grew as he delivered impressive performances throughout the group stage and the knockout rounds

.

His assist for the equalizer against Oman helped the Green Falcons secure a memorable comeback victory. Additionally, he delivered a standout defensive performance against South Korea in the Round of 16. In that match, he nearly scored his first international goal, thwarted only by the crossbar.

Just months later, he debuted in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan, continuing a remarkable period of form in his career.

Having frequently shared the pitch during their club careers, the Lajami twins now have one final goal: to play together for the national team.

Although both brothers are international players in their own right, they have yet to be called to the national team simultaneously. Given their unique bond as brothers and identical twins, such a moment would be significant to them.

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