Renan and Leandrinho: Tight-knit Brazilians loving life at Al Shabab

Interview 17 Apr 2025

It may feel a little unusual that a 21-year-old experiencing a debut season in the Roshn Saudi League has the level-headedness to take a teammate under his wing, but that’s exactly what Robert Renan has done.

The Brazilian defender, signed on loan last summer from Russia’s Zenit St Petersburg, has shone during a inaugural campaign in Saudi Arabia, featuring in all but two of the Riyadh club’s league matches.

Fitting seamlessly into the team, Renan has proved a crucial component in Al Shabab’s push for a top-four finish; with seven rounds remaining, Fatih Terim’s side sit sixth, three points off Al Ahli in fourth.

Renan, though, has been key in another sense, too. For, after Al Shabab added Brazilian youngster Leandrinho during the winter window – also on loan, the 20-year-old arrived from Vasco da Gama – the centre-back has looked to guide his compatriot through his first few months in the Kingdom.

Understandably, Leandrinho has appreciated the support.

“I like being here; this is a very good experience for me,” the full-back tells the SPL. “The city is great. I like Robert’s friendship; he helped me a lot in the beginning when I first arrived.”

With his fellow countryman settling fast, Renan expects much more to come.

“I believe that he adapted well to the group; everyone welcomed him very well," he says of Leandrinho. "Now, he must keep developing this way.”

To be fair, Leandrinho seems to have taken the advice on board. Debuting almost one month following his move - he started the 2-1 victory at Al Raed in Matchweek 22 - he has featured in the RSL five times since.

Given Al Shabab are on the hunt to secure a place in continental competition next season, the Rio-de-Janeiro-born defender has been thrust into the thick of the action.

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However, he appears to be coping just fine.

“The Brazilian league can be more intense than the Saudi league,” Leandrinho says. “Here, the teams are more mature, they know where to attack, when to control the ball - this is the main difference.”

Renan, who began his professional career at the renowned Corinthians, has had additional time to offer a more considered assessment of the RSL. And he recognises its popularity back in his homeland.

“The league is evolving more every day,” he says. “The games are already broadcast in Brazil, so it just needs to keep developing this way and it will work out.

“The Brazilian fans of [RSL] must keep loving it, keep following us. I think there are a lot of Vasco fans cheering for Leandrinho and a lot of Corinthians fans cheering for me.”

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Clearly, much like back in Brazil, the RSL has taken its hold of Renan also.

“I like a lot being here,” he confirms. “If I could, I would stay 10 years in Al Shabab.”

Focusing on the present, though, when it comes to the 2011-12 champions’ ambitions for the run-in, it doesn’t surprise that he and Leandrinho parrot a similar point of view.

Although relatively new to the club and the Saudi top flight, Leandrinho vows that Al Shabab will “give everything to qualify for the next year’s Champions League”.

Renan, the slightly wiser head at 18 months older, sounds bullish as well. Win at home to Al Okhdood on Thursday night and Al Shabab would not only have a fourth RSL victory on the bounce, but they could even displace Al Ahli in that precious spot in the table – for 24 hours at least.

“I think that, with a lot of dedication until the end of the season, we could end up in the top four,” Renan says. “We must keep this winning streak and, thank God, we will make it happen.”