Between his promising beginnings in Jeddah's stadiums and his remarkable brilliance in European stadiums, star Saud Abdulhamid an inspiring football career that made him one of the most prominent names in the right-back position, not only in Saudi football, but also as the first Saudi player to break into the Italian league "Calcio" through its widest doors.
With each stage of his career, Abdulhamid added a new chapter to the story of a player who started his journey in the Saudi Professional League, before reaching European stadiums and putting his name in the record of Saudi players who had the experience of playing professionally abroad and succeeded in leaving their mark, becoming a role model for future generations.
Starting with the Dean... a talent that exploded early
Saud Abdulhamid began his football career in the youth ranks of Al-Ittihad Club, where his talent emerged early thanks to his great speed and exceptional ability to run down the flanks, in addition to his balance between attacking and defensive duties at right-back. In 2018, he received his first opportunity with Al-Ittihad's first team, beginning his journey in the Saudi Professional League. Within a short period, he succeeded in establishing himself as one of the most prominent young players in his position, thanks to his strong performances and high fighting spirit.
The golden era with Al-Hilal and the world runner-up position
In 2022, Abdulhamid moved to Al-Hilal, embarking on a new experience with one of the biggest clubs in Asia. During his time with "Al-Za'eem" (The Boss), he participated in numerous local and continental tournaments, contributing to the team's success in winning several titles, most notably the Saudi League and the King's Cup.
Perhaps the most notable achievement during that period was his active participation in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup (which was held in 2023) in Morocco, where Al-Hilal reached the final in a historic achievement for Saudi clubs, and Saud gave a heroic performance against Real Madrid, which drew the attention of international scouts to his physical and technical abilities.
Qatar 2022 World Cup: An International Turning Point
Abdulhamid's brilliance with his clubs opened the doors to the Saudi national team, where he became a key player for "Al-Akhdar" (The Green). He participated with the national team in several tournaments, most notably the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Saud was part of the starting lineup that made history, and he played in the historic match against Argentina, which ended with a 2-1 victory for Saudi Arabia. He delivered a memorable performance, effectively neutralizing the threat of the Argentinian stars, thus confirming his readiness to play at the highest international level.
Saud Abdulhamid in Serie A... an extraordinary ambassador
In the summer of 2024, Saud Abdulhamid on his true European professional career when he transferred to Italian club Roma, becoming the first Saudi player in history to play in Serie A. This move was more than just a player transfer; it was a historic event reflecting the development of Saudi players and their ability to adapt to the rigorous, tactically demanding styles of European football.
During his participation with "The Wolves" in European championships, Abdulhamid managed to score a goal in the Europa League, becoming one of the few Saudi players who succeeded in scoring in major European club competitions, which strengthened his position within the team and proved his worthiness to wear the Giallorossi jersey.
The dimensions of the deal and its impact on Saudi football
Saud Abdulhamid's professional career cannot be viewed as just an individual event, but rather as a reflection of the qualitative shift that Saudi sports are experiencing within Vision 2030. Saud's success in Europe represents a great incentive for European clubs to turn their attention to Saudi talents, and it also opens the door for his colleagues to have similar experiences, which benefits the national team through its players' exposure to different global football schools and high fitness levels.
Numbers from the gold march
Saud Abdulhamid's career statistics indicate his distinctive presence and direct impact on the pitch, where he played:
- More than 270 official matches with clubs.
- He scored nearly 10 crucial goals.
- He created more than 30 goals thanks to his perfect crosses.
- He participated in more than 50 international matches with the Saudi national team.
As his professional experience in European stadiums continues, Saud Abdulhamid continues to write new chapters in his football career, remaining an inspiring role model for the ambitious Saudi player seeking to raise his country’s flag in international forums.
