The atmosphere heated up following the heavy loss of the Saudi national team against its Egyptian counterpart, as the criticism turned into an open crisis between the media and player agents.

Mishal Al-Safai, Nawaf Al-Aqidi's agent, entered the fray, vigorously defending his client following the recent harsh criticism he faced.

Al-Aqeedi faced widespread criticism following his participation in the friendly match where Al-Akhdar lost 4-0 to Egypt. The match was held at the Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

On the other hand, the media personality Walid Al-Faraj launched a scathing attack via his account, criticizing the goalkeeper's performance and some team members, and questioning the state of Saudi football in general.

Al-Safa'i responded sharply, hinting at taking legal action, emphasizing that what was said exceeded the bounds of criticism, and that each party has rights guaranteed by the system that will be resorted to.

Opinions varied regarding the responsibility for the defeat; some blamed the goalkeeper for some of the goals, while others believed the issue was a collective defensive failure rather than an individual one.

The Saudi national team continues its training camp during the international break, as it prepares for a second friendly match against Serbia, as part of the preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Attention is focused on how the coaching staff will handle this crisis, as they strive to restore balance before the upcoming official commitments.