Salem Al Dawsari, the iconic Saudi Arabian winger and captain of Al Hilal SFC, has etched his name in Asian football history by becoming the first Saudi player to win the prestigious AFC Player of the Year award twice.
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Salem Al Dawsari, the iconic Saudi Arabian winger and captain of Al Hilal SFC, has etched his name in Asian football history by becoming the first Saudi player to win the prestigious AFC Player of the Year award twice.
Salem Al Dawsari, the iconic Saudi Arabian winger and captain of Al Hilal SFC, has etched his name in Asian football history by becoming the first Saudi player to win the prestigious AFC Player of the Year award twice. His recent 2025 triumph follows a stellar 2024/25 season that reaffirmed his status as one of Asia’s finest footballers at the age of 34.
Al Dawsari’s legacy transcends trophies, highlighted by his unforgettable winning goal against Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup—a moment that remains a source of national pride. In the 2024/25 season, Salem was the top scorer in the AFC Champions League Elite with 10 goals, leading Al Hilal to the semi-finals. He also became the Saudi Pro League’s all-time assist leader, contributing 15 goals and 15 assists, and played a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
By winning the award for the second time, Salem joins an elite group of Asian football legends, such as Japan’s Hidetoshi Nakata, Uzbekistan’s Server Djeparov, and Qatar’s Akram Afif, who have also won the honor twice. His victory underlines Saudi Arabia’s tradition of football excellence, contributing to the country’s seven total AFC Player of the Year awards.
Al Dawsari’s achievements underscore his remarkable consistency, leadership, and influence both on and off the field, inspiring a new generation of football talents across Asia.
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