In a gesture reflecting the deep bonds of brotherhood between football stars, veteran French striker Bafétimbi Gomis, the former all-time leading scorer for Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, praised the outstanding performances of Saudi international defender Saud Abdulhamid on European pitches. This came during a friendly visit by the "French Lion" to his former teammate at his residence in France, where the two exchanged pleasantries and reminisced about their shared glory days in Saudi football.
Gomis documented the visit on his official social media account, posting a picture of himself with the Saudi player along with a message brimming with appreciation and respect. In his post, Gomis wrote: "Yesterday, I had the honor of visiting my dear friend Saud Abdulhamid, the former Al-Hilal player and one of the most important and prominent names in Saudi football." The French striker added, expressing his pride: "It was a pleasure to speak with him, congratulate him on his outstanding achievements, and tell him how proud I am of his career," concluding his message with the eloquent and concise description: "A Saudi pride.".
An exceptional relationship with Al-Hilal
The special relationship between Gomis and Saud Abdulhamid dates back to their time together at Al-Hilal during the 2021-2022 season. At that time, Saud Abdulhamid transferred from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal in a free transfer that generated considerable buzz in the sports world. Despite the short period they played together before Gomis' departure, their synergy was evident. Together, they contributed to significant victories for Al-Hilal, culminating in winning the Saudi Professional League title. This forged a strong friendship that continued even after Gomis left Saudi football.
Gomez... an ambassador of loyalty to Saudi football
Bafétimbi Gomis is not just another professional player in the history of the Saudi League; he is one of the most prominent legends to have worn the Al-Hilal jersey. He defended the team's colors for three and a half seasons, during which he achieved record-breaking numbers and won local and continental titles, most notably the AFC Champions League. His visit to Saud Abdulhamid underscores Gomis's ongoing role as a supporter and unofficial ambassador for Saudi football. He consistently follows the news of his former teammates and supports them in their professional careers, reflecting the profound positive impact the Kingdom has had on him.
The importance of playing professionally abroad for Saudi players
Gomez's praise for Saud Abdulhamid takes on particular significance given the remarkable development Saudi sports are undergoing as part of Vision 2030, which aims to elevate the level of Saudi players and enable them to compete professionally in the world's top leagues. Saud Abdulhamid is a prime example of this progress, representing the new generation of Saudi players capable of making their mark on European pitches. The endorsement from a star of Gomez's stature serves as a major morale booster for him to continue shining and representing his country with distinction on the international stage.
