Grêmio youth Guga Gouveia nets first professional goal in Saudi Arabia, prepares to face Benzema | OneFootball

Grêmio academy forward Guga Gouveia, 19, has hit his first professional goal for Al-Kholood in Saudi Arabia and is now preparing to face Benzema. According to Globo.com, the teenager is enjoying his best spell since leaving Porto Alegre.

Al-Kholood have reached the King’s Cup final for the first time, after a 2-2 draw with Al-Ittihad and victory on penalties, with Guga providing an assist. The final date is yet to be confirmed, but Al-Hilal meet Al-Kholood on Wednesday at 15:00 Brasília time in the 29th round.

Al-Kholood sit 14th. Al-Hilal are second, five points behind Al Nassr of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus, and still pushing for the title.

Guga has already crossed paths with Benzema, having been on the bench for Al-Qadsiah in last season’s King’s Cup final against Al-Ittihad, who won 3-1 with two goals from the Frenchman. He considers Benzema a reference for his position and says sharing a pitch with such a star is a source of pride.

Al-Kholood signed him from Al-Qadsiah at the end of last season. He has played 17 times, 16 as a substitute, and started the most recent round against Al-Khaleej, scoring in a 2-2 draw as he pushes for another start against Al-Hilal.

He is the second-youngest foreign scorer in the Saudi league this season, behind Frenchman Rayane Messi, who netted for Neom at 18 years and 9 months. Guga is 19 years and six months.

Grêmio sold him to Al-Qadsiah in February 2025 for US$ one million, retaining 25 percent of his economic rights, and could also benefit via FIFA’s solidarity mechanism on future international transfers.

Source: Globo.com