Mohammad Diriyya’s return to the football pitch was far more than just another appearance for Palestine. Reappearing for the national B-team in a match against Turkish club Konyaspor, the Palestinian midfielder made his comeback following a long absence to undergo treatment for cancer.
On a night filled with emotional and sporting significance, Diriyya returned to the field wearing the captain’s armband in one of the most moving moments of the match. Played at the Konya Metropolitan Stadium, the game ended in a 2-2 draw before being symbolically halted at the 89:59 mark.
A long absence, then a return in the Palestine jersey
Diriyya was named in the 21-player Palestine B-team squad announced by head coach Ibrahim Abu Madi ahead of the Konyaspor match, marking his official rejoin after his extended leave.
His career began early with Shabab Al-Khaleel, where he made his name and helped the club secure domestic silverware. In 2022, he moved to Latvian side Valmiera FC, embarking on a European professional stint that marked a major milestone in his development.
Recent years brought a different kind of challenge for Diriyya. After undergoing cancer treatment that sidelined him for a prolonged period, he finally made his long-awaited return to competition with the Palestine B-team.
The captain’s armband after the treatment journey
In Konya, Diriyya did more than simply rejoin the team or play a match; he led the Palestine B-team as captain, in a poignant moment highlighted by the Palestinian Football Association and spectators alike.
His return took place in an extraordinary setting. Over 42,000 fans filled the stadium with Palestinian and Turkish flags, while Konyaspor supporters displayed tifos honouring Palestinian athletes and journalists killed in the conflict, alongside messages of solidarity.
Surrounded by this atmosphere, Diriyya put on the captain’s armband and stepped back onto the pitch for Palestine after his arduous fight against cancer—a return where the final score mattered far less than reclaiming his place in the sport.
A return carrying a deeper meaning
The game finished 2-2, with Mohammad Sandouqa scoring both goals for Palestine. In a symbolic gesture, play was brought to a stop at 89:59—one second shy of the full 90 minutes—as organizers announced that the final second would be played in Palestine following its liberation.
Diriyya’s comeback coincided with an evening dedicated to solidarity: honoring fallen athletes, pausing at the 10:14 mark to remember the 1,014 lost, and leaving the final result suspended at 89:59.
Yet through it all, the main highlight remained a personal triumph: Mohammad Diriyya stepped back onto the field to lead his country once again.
Featured image via the Canary
By Alaa Shamali
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