The young star Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, the right-back of Al-Ahli Club and the Saudi national team, sparked a wide wave of reactions in Saudi sports circles following his recent statements during his media appearance on the famous prank show “Ramez Level the Monster,” presented by the artist Ramez Galal during the holy month of Ramadan, which this year drew its idea from the atmosphere of the famous series “The Squid Game.”.
Al-Hilal preferred over Al-Ittihad and Al-Nasr
In a candid and spontaneous interview under the pressure of the prank, Abu Shamat revealed his future inclinations should he be forced to leave Al-Ahli. When asked which club he would choose if forced to choose between the other two Saudi Arabian giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, the player answered without hesitation that he would choose Al-Hilal. He didn't stop there, but affirmed his choice of the Asian champions even when compared to Al-Nassr, reflecting the significant technical and administrative value that players see in Al-Hilal's system, which has dominated local and continental titles in recent years.
This statement carries special implications, given the high level of competitive sensitivity between the four major Public Investment Fund clubs, and because preferring Al-Hilal over Al-Ahli's traditional rival in Jeddah (Al-Ittihad) is a bold move by a player representing one of the pillars of the Red Sea derby.
Ivan Toni and Salem Al-Dawsari... the best in the Kingdom
Regarding the technical assessment of the stars in the Saudi Professional League, Abu Shamat praised his teammate, English striker Ivan Tony, describing him as the best striker currently in the league, surpassing even some major international names. This opinion reinforces confidence in Tony's scoring abilities and his pivotal role in Al-Ahli's attack since joining the club.
In the context of global comparisons, when asked to choose between veteran French striker Karim Benzema and Uruguayan Darwin Nunez (in the context of talking about Al-Hilal players and competitors), Abu Al-Shamat sided with Karim Benzema’s experience and history, emphasizing his superior technical ability.
Locally, Abu Al-Shamat crowned the captain of the Saudi national team and Al-Hilal star, Salem Al-Dawsari, with the title of "best Saudi player currently," an opinion that aligns with a wide range of critics and fans, given the consistent levels and the great impact that "The Tornado" has, whether with his club or with the national team in international forums, making him the most important element in the national team's lineup.
