In widely circulated remarks, French coach Christophe Galtier, manager of NEOM FC, commented on the outburst of anger displayed by the team's veteran star, Salman Al-Faraj, who left the field after being substituted during his team's match against Al-Riyadh FC. This incident occurred during the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, in a match that ended with a hard-fought and valuable 1-0 victory for NEOM at King Khalid Sports City Stadium.
During the post-match press conference, Galtier sought to defuse the situation, describing Al-Faraj's reaction as "normal in football." The French coach explained, "What Salman Al-Faraj did is normal in football. I wanted to bring on more dynamic players in midfield, given his performance during the match." Galtier added, attempting to justify his tactical decision, "Salman and Amadou didn't pose a threat to Al-Riyadh during the game.".
However, Galtier did not neglect to point out that the situation would be dealt with internally, stressing: “I alerted Salman Al-Faraj and Amadou to the crisis of not creating danger during the course of the match, and I will discuss this matter with the player in the coming period.”.
Background to the event: NEOM's ambition and Al-Faraj's expertise
This incident takes on particular significance given the broader context. NEOM FC, one of the most ambitious sports projects linked to Saudi Vision 2030, is striving to establish a strong presence in the professional league. The appointment of a coach of Christophe Galtier's caliber, who led Paris Saint-Germain and Lille to major titles in France, is a testament to this ambition. Furthermore, the signing of a player of Salman Al-Faraj's stature and experience, the former captain of Al-Hilal and the Saudi national team, was a resounding success that has significantly boosted the club's project.
Al-Faraj is considered one of the most prominent players in the history of Saudi football, boasting a career filled with achievements and championships. His move to NEOM was a new challenge in his career, but it also placed additional pressure on him to be the team's leader and driving force. This explains his sensitivity to being substituted in an important match, especially if he felt he hadn't been given enough opportunity to showcase his best abilities.
The importance and expected impact of the incident
Domestically, this situation represents a true test of Galtier's ability to manage a dressing room filled with big-name stars from diverse backgrounds. His handling of a player of Salman Al-Faraj's caliber will be under intense scrutiny and will directly impact the team's stability and cohesion in the upcoming stages of the season. It also highlights the challenges faced by veteran stars in adapting to new roles and different tactical demands under world-class coaches.
Regionally and internationally, and with the growing global interest in the Saudi Roshan League, such events do not go unnoticed. They contribute to shaping the perception of the working environment in Saudi clubs and highlight the complex dynamics between foreign coaches and prominent local players. Containing the situation wisely and professionally will reflect the maturity of the NEOM club's management, while escalating it could raise questions about the sports project's ability to achieve the necessary harmony for success.
It is worth noting that Neom won the match with a clean goal scored by French striker Alexandre Lacazette, so the team continues its good results in its first season among the elite, but attention will remain focused on how to manage the repercussions of the Al-Faraj crisis in the coming days.
