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October 10, 2024

Musab Al Juwayr: A Rising Star for Club and Country

Musab Al Juwayr is quickly establishing himself as an essential player for his club, Al Shabab, and the national team. Returning to Al Shabab for another season, the talented 21-year-old has picked up right where he left off in the 2023-24 season.

On loan from parent club Al Hilal, Al Juwayr shone brightly in a challenging campaign for Al Shabab last year. He earned the April Young Player of the Month award, showcasing his impressive skills with a goal and an assist during an unbeaten month for the Riyadh side.

As the new season unfolds, Al Juwayr has already claimed another RSL Young Player award for September, recognizing his strong start to the campaign with one goal and two assists in the first six rounds. Notably, his sole goal came against champions Al Hilal, where he began the season with a goal and assisted in their 3-2 victory over Damac in Matchweek 2. However, he returned to Al Shabab as part of a loan deal that saw Moteb Al Harbi move in the opposite direction.

Given his early-season form with Al Hilal, some may find it surprising that the title-holders let Al Juwayr, known for his technical prowess and exceptional shooting ability, join their Riyadh rivals. Over the years, the Al Hilal academy product has consistently showcased why he is highly regarded in the Kingdom. He made his competitive debut at 18 years old in a victory against Damac in November 2021, making an immediate impact by scoring just four minutes after coming off the bench for Peruvian international Andre Carrillo. Talk about making a memorable first impression!

Despite making only eight appearances during his debut season, Al Juwayr finished with two goals and a growing reputation. His status improved the following season when he played 12 games and scored two more goals. However, it was his performance on the global stage that left a lasting early impression.

In February 2023, at the FIFA Club World Cup held in Morocco, Al Hilal faced hosts Wydad Casablanca in a dramatic opening fixture. The match was sent to penalties after Mohammed Kanno equalized deep into stoppage time, making it 1-1 and forcing extra time.

Entering the match in the second half of extra time, Al Juwayr was one of the freshest players on the pitch at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium despite being just 19 and the least experienced player. Yet, amid seasoned teammates like Carillo, Moussa Marega, Saleh Al Shehri, Luciano Vietto, Jang Hyun-soo, and Gustavo Cuellar, Al Juwayr confidently stepped up to take the crucial penalty.

This moment showcased his high regard for Al Hilal and his remarkable self-belief. While many players—regardless of their experience—might shy away from such high-pressure situations, Al Juwayr embraced the challenge, demonstrating his maturity and composure under pressure.

After Wydad missed their opening penalty, the pressure shifted to Al Juwayr as he approached the spot. He confidently strode forward, facing a hostile crowd primarily dressed in red, supporting the local side. Before placing the ball, he gently kissed it for good luck.

With boos and jeers echoing in his ears and lasers aimed at his face to distract him, the young midfielder showed remarkable poise beyond his years, calmly slotting home the penalty. This pivotal moment helped propel Al Hilal toward the tournament’s final, where they ultimately became the first Saudi Arabian team to reach the FIFA Club World Cup showpiece, narrowly losing to European champions Real Madrid.

While that was the only action Al Juwayr saw during the tournament in Morocco, it was enough to highlight his immense potential. He had proven himself a player capable of rising to the occasion.

For those closely following Saudi football, this was no surprise. Just a month earlier, during his senior national team debut for the Green Falcons at the 2023 Gulf Cup in Iraq, Al Juwayr had once again stepped up to take a penalty in a group win against Yemen, making him the youngest player on the pitch.

Despite the largely experimental nature of the Green Falcons squad following the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Al Juwayr’s impressive performances earned him a spot in Roberto Mancini’s team in recent months. True to form, he scored upon his return during a FIFA World Cup qualifier for 2026 against Pakistan in June. He followed that up with another goal against Indonesia last month. He is expected to play a vital role in Saudi Arabia’s upcoming qualifiers against Japan and Bahrain over the next five days.

At just 21 years old, Al Juwayr is only beginning to come into his own. What’s particularly exciting is the strong feeling that the prodigious playmaker’s best days are still ahead of him.

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