Saleh Al Shehri: Underused by Al Hilal, loved by Saudi Arabia

November 22 marked one year since arguably the most significant win in the history of the Saudi Arabia national team.

Although the 2-1 victory over Argentina at the Qatar 202 World Cup had little impact on the final results of the tournament – Argentina went on to left the trophy while Saudi Arabia exited at the group stage – Saudi Arabia's seismic win shocked the world.

Winger Salem Al Dawsari took all the plaudits for his brilliantly taken goal to win it for the underdogs, but in the euphoria of it all, it was almost forgotten that it was Saleh Al Shehri’s fine movement, control and finish with his left foot that cancelled out Lionel Messi’s opener and set the tone for the comeback victory.

A year on from that famous night in Doha’s Lusail Stadium, the fates of the two players seems to diverge, with Al Dawsari recently being named Asian Player of the Year off the back of exceptional performances in the AFC Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup 2023 to add to his World Cup exploits last winter. Meanwhile, for 30-year-old Al Shehri, it looked to be yet another year on the bench at Al Hilal, playing second fiddle to famous international strikers acquired during an unprecedented summer of spending.

In the 31 Saudi Pro League matches Al Hilal played since the end of the World Cup, across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, Al Shehri started only four matches. Four was also the number of minutes he played in the league this season, all late substitute appearances. He is again likely to find himself among the substitutes as table-toppers Hilal travel to Al Hazm this weekend as the SPL season resumes.

Despite sporadic appearances, deputising for Odion Ighalo last season then Aleksandar Mitrovic this campaign, Al Shehri did get