Saud Abdulhamid’s form in Europe offers Saudi Arabia a boost ahead of World Cup

RIYADH: When Saud Abdulhamid made the move to Europe in 2024, signing for AS Roma from Al-Hilal, it signaled an exciting moment for the growth of Saudi footballers on the global stage.

Just 380 minutes of playing time across eight appearances last season quickly caused that excitement to fade, however, and calls for his return to the Saudi Pro League began. But the 26-year-old opted to remain in Europe, joining French club RC Lens in August last year on loan with an option to buy.

While some fans criticized his decision to stay in Europe, Saudi national team fan Khaled Al-Yemeni said he continued to believe in Abdulhamid through the tough times.

“It is always a dream to see a Saudi player succeed abroad, no matter where they are playing,” Al-Yemeni told Arab News. “Different competitions will always build a different quality of Saudi players.

“I never thought Abdulhamid should have returned to Saudi. It is about Saudi players changing their mentality and competing at levels higher than the Saudi Pro League, which will ultimately bring success to the national team.”

Lens spent almost half of the past two decades mired in the second-tier Ligue 2, but since returning to the top flight in 2020 they have never finished lower than eighth place, and this season are challenging Paris Saint-Germain for the title for the second time in four years.

Abdulhamid has become a key cog in their machine, and his recent rise has been nothing short of spectacular. After making just one start for the “Les Sang et Or” in 16 league games during the first half of the season, since the turn of the year the Saudi international has started 12 of the last 13 matches.

Lens play with a 3-4-2-1 system that gives him the freedom to maraud down