# Gabri Veiga

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

## 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.
Veiga scored his first goal on 1 December 2019, netting the opener in a 1–6 loss at CD Atlético Baleares. 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.
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.

### Al-Ahli

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

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 11 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Celta B | 2019–20 | Segunda División B | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 1 |
| Celta B | 2020–21 | Segunda División B | 17 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Celta B | 2021–22 | Primera División RFEF | 31 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 9 |
| Celta B | 2022–23 | Primera Federación | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Celta B | Total | Total | 63 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 64 | 10 |
| Celta | 2020–21 | La Liga | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 |
| Celta | 2021–22 | La Liga | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 0 |
| Celta | 2022–23 | La Liga | 36 | 11 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 39 | 11 |
| Celta | 2023–24 | La Liga | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Celta | Total | Total | 50 | 11 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 56 | 11 |
| Al-Ahli | 2023–24 | Saudi Pro League | 18 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 4 |
| Al-Ahli | 2024–25 | Saudi Pro League | 23 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 6 |
| Al-Ahli | Total | Total | 41 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 10 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 154 | 30 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 174 | 31 |
* ↑ Includes Copa del Rey, King's Cup
* ↑ Appearance in Segunda División B play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in AFC Champions League Elite
* ↑ Appearance in Saudi Super Cup

## Honours

Individual
* La Liga Team of the Season: 2022–23
* La Liga Player of the Month: February 2023