On an exceptional night for Saudi and Arab football, Saudi international star Salem Al-Dawsari , winger for Al-Hilal and the Saudi national team, rose to prominence in Asian football, winning the AFC Player of the Year . This well-deserved accolade further cements Al-Dawsari's status as one of the greatest living legends in Saudi football history and reaffirms the high caliber of Arab players on the continental and international stage.
Details of the continental achievement
The crowning achievement came during the Asian Football Confederation's annual awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar, where Al-Dawsari triumphed over his rivals: Qatari striker Almoez Ali and Australian Mathew Leckie. This victory crowns an exceptional season for the player on all fronts, both with his club Al-Hilal and with the Saudi national team, where he displayed dazzling technical skill and exceptional leadership.
A career full of records
Salem Al-Dawsari's selection was not arbitrary, but rather based on impressive facts and statistics he achieved recently. Perhaps the most prominent of these was his historic goal against Argentina during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a goal that contributed to a historic victory for the Kingdom and became a global sensation. Furthermore, Al-Dawsari equaled the record of the legendary Sami Al-Jaber as the highest-scoring Saudi player in World Cup history with three goals, highlighting his significant technical ability in major tournaments.
Al-Hilal and the world
At the club level, Al-Dawsari played a pivotal role in Al-Hilal's journey to the FIFA Club World Cup final in Morocco, securing the silver medal – an unprecedented achievement for Saudi clubs. He also contributed significantly to his team's run to the AFC Champions League final, making him the most influential figure in Asian football last year.
Saudi football's legacy in Asia
With this achievement, Salem Al-Dawsari joins a golden list of Saudi players who have previously won this prestigious award, becoming the sixth Saudi player to achieve this title. This historic list includes illustrious names such as Saeed Al-Owairan (1994), Nawaf Al-Temyat (2000), Hamad Al-Montashari (2005), Yasser Al-Qahtani (2007), and Nasser Al-Shamrani (2014). This historical sequence reflects the continued ability of Saudi football to produce stars capable of competing and reaching the pinnacle of continental football.
Impact of the achievement on Saudi sports
Al-Dawsari's victory is a clear indication of the tremendous development taking place in the sports sector in Saudi Arabia, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Saudi League has become a focus of global attention, and Saudi players are no longer just local competitors, but have become formidable forces rivaling international stars. This achievement should inspire the next generation of Saudi and Arab talents, confirming that hard work and talent can lead to the pinnacle of football in the world's largest continent.
