Gabri Veiga

Gabriel Veiga Novas (Galician pronunciation: [ɡaβɾiˈɛl ˈvɛjɣɐ]; born 27 May 2002) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Veiga and the second or maternal family name is Novas.

Gabri Veiga
Personal information
Full name Gabriel Veiga Novas
Date of birth (2002-05-27) 27 May 2002
Place of birth O Porriño, Spain
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Al-Ahli
Number 24
Youth career
UD Louro Tameiga
Santa Mariña
Celta
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Celta B 63 (10)
2021–2023 Celta 50 (11)
2023– Al-Ahli 6 (0)
International career‡
2019–2020 Spain U18 5 (2)
2022– Spain U21 10 (2)
Medal record
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Runner-up2023 Georgia–Romania
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 October 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11 September 2023

Club career

Celta

Veiga was born in O Porriño, Pontevedra, Galicia, and was a RC Celta de Vigo youth graduate. He made his senior debut with the reserves at the age of 17 on 25 August 2019, starting in a 2–2 Segunda División B away draw against Internacional de Madrid.[1]

Veiga scored his first goal on 1 December 2019, netting the opener in a 1–6 loss at CD Atlético Baleares.[2] He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 19 September of the following year, coming on as a late substitute for Renato Tapia in a 2–1 home win against Valencia CF.[3]

Veiga scored his first professional goal on 10 September 2022, but in a 4–1 away loss against Atlético Madrid. The following 11 January, he was promoted to the main squad, being assigned the number 24 jersey.[4]

Al-Ahli

Despite strong interest from top European clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli,[5][6] on 26 August 2023, Veiga joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, signing a three-year deal,[7] after activating his €40m release clause.[8] Gabri Veiga's decision to reject interest from European clubs in favor of the lucrative contract offer from Saudi Arabia drew criticism from fans, media and fellow players for a perceived lack of sporting ambition.[9][10] Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos labeled the move as "embarrassing".[9]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 6 October 2023[11]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[lower-alpha 1] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Celta B 2019–20 Segunda División B 141——141
2020–21 Segunda División B 170—1[lower-alpha 2]0180
2021–22 Primera División RFEF 319——319
2022–23 Primera Federación 10——10
Total 631000106410
Celta 2020–21 La Liga 6000—60
2021–22 La Liga 7030—100
2022–23 La Liga 361130—3911
2023–24 La Liga 1000—10
Total 501160—5611
Al-Ahli 2023–24 Saudi Pro League 5010—60
Career total 11821701012621
  1. Includes Copa del Rey, King Cup
  2. Appearance in Segunda División B play-offs

Honours

Individual

References
  1. "Nueva temporada, nuevo juvenil debutando con el B" [New season, new juvenil making his debut with the B-team] (in Spanish). La Voz de Galicia. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. "Un gol para el recuerdo en una mañana para olvidar" [A goal to remember in a morning to forget] (in Spanish). La Voz de Galicia. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. "La magia de Aspas tumba al Valencia" [The magic of Aspas bring down Valencia] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  4. "Gabri Veiga pasa a tener ficha del primer equipo del Celta" [Gabri Veiga starts having a place in Celta's first team] (in Spanish). La Voz de Galicia. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  5. Romano, Fabrizio (28 June 2023). "Manchester City join Liverpool and Chelsea in race for Celta's Gabri Veiga". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  6. "Las razones de Gabri Veiga para irse a jugar a Arabia" (in Spanish). marca.com. 26 August 2023.
  7. Al-Ahli Saudi FC [@ALAHLI_FCEN] (26 August 2023). "Bienvenido, Gabri! 💚" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 August 2023 – via Twitter.
  8. "Saudi Al-Ahli announced the transfer of the Spanish supertalent". Dailysports.net. 26 August 2023.
  9. "Toni Kroos calls Spanish 21-year-old's transfer to Saudi Arabia 'embarrassing'". www.independent.co.uk.
  10. "'Embarrassing': Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos blasts Gabri Veiga Saudi Pro League transfer". www.msn.com.
  11. Gabri Veiga at BDFutbol
  12. "Gabri Veiga named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for February". La Liga. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
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