Salman Al-Faraj, captain of NEOM FC and a star of Saudi football, made heartfelt statements following his team's hard-fought match against Al-Hilal, the league leaders, which ended in a victory for the latter. Al-Faraj emphasized that his team's ambition was to win and secure the three points, despite the difficulty of the task against a team of Al-Hilal's stature and strength. He noted that a victory would have provided a tremendous and positive morale boost for NEOM's league campaign.
Mixed feelings for Al-Hilal's historic captain
Speaking to the media after the final whistle, the "Maestro" didn't hide his intense and mixed emotions, as he faced his former team, the club where he spent many years filled with achievements and championships. Al-Faraj described those moments, saying, "I can't accurately describe my feelings during the match. I'm sad about the loss, but that's football." He added, emphasizing his enduring connection with the Al-Hilal fans, "I always reciprocate the love and appreciation of the Al-Hilal supporters," referring to the warm reception and mutual respect between the legendary captain and the club's fans.
Details of the match and the teams' positions
The match, held Sunday evening as part of the 16th round of the Roshan Professional League, was highly competitive, ending in a 2-1 defeat for NEOM against the formidable Al-Hilal. With this result, NEOM's points tally remains at 20, placing them 10th in the standings. The team aims to improve their position in the upcoming rounds to secure a more comfortable spot that aligns with the ambitions of the club's sporting project.
Historical background and significance of the event
These statements are particularly significant given Salman Al-Faraj's long and distinguished history with Al-Hilal. He is considered one of the club's greatest legends, having contributed to numerous domestic and continental titles, including the AFC Champions League and the Saudi Professional League multiple times. Therefore, seeing Al-Faraj in a jersey other than blue, facing his former teammates, is an exceptional event in Saudi sports, reflecting the high level of professionalism and competitiveness the league has reached.
Future aspirations
The former Saudi national team captain and current NEOM star concluded his remarks with an optimistic outlook for the future, hoping that the coming period will be better for his team, and that they will be able to correct their course and improve their position in the league standings, stressing the players’ determination to deliver performances worthy of the club’s name and the ambitions of its fans in the upcoming competitions.
