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September 11, 2024

Abdulghani: The Saudi Icon Bridging Al Ahli and Al Nassr – Saudi Pro League

There is always a hint of tension in the air whenever Al Ahli and Al Nassr face off.

As part of the Roshn Saudi League’s established elite, clashes between the two teams ignite strong emotions, especially among fans eager to see their side triumph over their rivals.

At the heart of this tension lies something else, or more precisely, someone else: Hussein Abdulghani.

The charismatic left-back, who competed in three FIFA World Cups for his national team, is considered one of the greatest players ever to emerge from Saudi Arabia.

His enduring presence at the top of the game—a career stretching 25 years from his first senior match to his last—secures him a unique spot in Saudi football history. With 138 caps accumulated over an impressive 22-year international career, he ranks fifth on the all-time list of most-capped players for the Green Falcons.

Although Abdulghani began and ended his career with his boyhood club, Al Ahli, his choice to join Al Nassr upon returning from Europe during the peak of his career deeply upset his former club’s loyal fans. His role as captain in leading Al Nassr to consecutive Roshn Saudi League titles in 2013-14 and 2014-15 only intensified the sense of betrayal.

Any lingering tension between Abdulghani and Al Ahli was resolved when he returned to the club in January 2019 at 42 to spend the final 18 months of his playing career there. This return marked a fitting conclusion to his illustrious career, which began in September 1995.

Back then, things were quite different. The FIFA World Cup featured only 24 teams, Cristiano Ronaldo was still in junior school, and the two-time defending Asian champions were a now-defunct club from Thailand.

Growing up in Jeddah, Abdulghani’s talent was recognized early, leading him to join the Al Ahli academy at 15. By the age of 18, he had progressed to the senior team.

Abdulghani made his senior debut on September 26, 1995, in a 2-1 loss to Al Qadsiah in the now-defunct Federation Cup. However, he had to wait another two months for his league debut, which came in the intense atmosphere of the Jeddah Derby against fierce rivals Al Ittihad.

Talk about a baptism of fire. Yet, as he did throughout his remarkable career, Abdulghani handled it with poise. Even at a young age, his composure and skill were evident.

Within a year, at just 19, he became a key player for the national team at the 1996 AFC Asian Cup in the UAE. He played in every match as Saudi Arabia secured their third—and so far, most recent—continental title.

“I had seen him playing and brought him in and, although he was young, I had no doubts about selecting him,” Nelo Vingada, the manager of Saudi Arabia at the time, shared with Arab News in 2018.  “He had no weak points. He was not big but very strong and aggressive, and very fast.”

The final was a bittersweet moment for Abdulghani. Although the Green Falcons went on to win the trophy, Abdulghani was sent off after receiving two yellow cards late in the second half.

“Playing in a big final was not easy,” Vingada remarked.  “But he stepped up and he gave a very solid performance. It wasn’t a good game to be honest, but he did what I asked him to do and gave the attacking team no time or space. What is impressive is that he recovered from that sending off and built a fine career.”

“Feels” might be an understatement from the experienced Portuguese manager. Just two years later, Abdulghani was competing on the global stage, serving as a crucial member of the Saudi squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He played every minute of each group match against France, Denmark, and South Africa.

The same applied in 2002, with Abdulghani again participating in all three group-stage matches. By 2006, he received the ultimate honor of captaining the national team at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Abdulghani’s impact extended beyond international play: he played a crucial role in helping Al Ahli secure the Arab Champions League and Gulf Club Champions Cup titles in 2002 and 2003, respectively. A year later, he was given the captain’s armband, leading Al Ahli to victories in the Crown Prince Cup and Federation Cup in 2007.

Abdulghani’s performances for the club and country were so remarkable that in July 2008, he became the only third Saudi player, after Sami Al Jaber and Fahad Al Ghesheyan, to play in Europe. He earned a transfer to Swiss side Neuchâtel Xamax, where he made 19 appearances during his one season in the charming town near the French border.

Abdulghani’s choice to join Al Nassr upon his return from Europe distraught Al Ahli fans. Despite this, he distinguishedly represented Al Nassr, leading the club to back-to-back Roshn Saudi League titles and earning legendary status during his impressive eight-year tenure in Riyadh.

While the anger from his “betrayal” though the anger has long since faded, the passion remains high whenever the two sides clash. They will meet again this weekend, as Al Ahli travels to Riyadh to face Al Nassr on Friday in Matchweek 3 of the resumed 2024-25 season.

Abdulghani will undoubtedly be closely watching the action at Al Awwal Park. He remains a player deeply associated with both RSL clubs.

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