Khaled Al-Ghannam, the Al-Ettifaq star, expressed his immense happiness at his outstanding performance in the Saudi Professional League, emphasizing that competing with a player of Salem Al-Dawsari's caliber, the Al-Hilal captain, serves as a great motivator for him and the younger generation. Al-Ghannam's remarks came after his contribution to his team's thrilling victory over Al-Fateh, which solidified his position among the top local scorers this season.
Background of the competition in the Roshan League
The Saudi Professional League (SPL) is witnessing a historic surge this season, attracting a constellation of the world's most prominent football stars, which has raised the level of competition and media attention to unprecedented levels. Amidst this global presence, a unique competition has emerged among Saudi talents to prove their worth and ability to shine. The race for the top Saudi scorer title is one of the most prominent features of this season, representing a true measure of the quality of local players and their ability to make their mark.
Salem Al-Dawsari: An inspiring icon
It's impossible to discuss Saudi players without mentioning Salem Al-Dawsari, considered one of the greatest legends of Saudi and Asian football in the modern era. Thanks to his illustrious career with Al-Hilal and the Saudi national team, Al-Dawsari, winner of the 2022 AFC Player of the Year award, has become a role model and an inspiration. His decisive goals, most recently his historic strike against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, have made him a symbol of ambition and achievement. Therefore, the praise he received from a young player like Khalid Al-Ghannam reflects Al-Dawsari's profound influence as an inspirational leader for the new generation.
Al-Ghannam's brilliance and his importance to the national team
Khaled Al-Ghannam's brilliance with Al-Ettifaq under coach Steven Gerrard represents a significant turning point in his career, highlighting his tactical and goal-scoring maturity. His statement, "Salem is a great player from whom we learn, and God willing, we will benefit the national team, and the future is brighter," not only reflects respect for the opponent but also reveals an awareness of the importance of this brilliance at the national level. Having Saudi players at the peak of their attacking form provides a wealth of options for the Saudi national team's coach, Italian Roberto Mancini, especially with important continental and international competitions approaching, most notably the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This healthy competition between Al-Ghannam, Al-Dawsari, and other local stars ultimately benefits the Saudi national team, increasing the depth and strength of its starting lineup.
In closing, Al-Ghannam stressed the difficulty of the match against Al-Fateh, emphasizing that the most important thing was to achieve the three points, which reflects the professional mentality that the player possesses and his focus on the team’s collective goals before individual achievements.
