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      Wael Jabir

      Wael Jabir

      Columnist
      Location
      Saudi Arabia
      Wael has been covering football in the Gulf and across Asia since 2014, travelling to cover AFC and FIFA tournaments from Thailand to Uzbekistan to Morocco, attending nine consecutive Asian Champions League finals. Born, raised and based in Saudi Arabia, he takes special interest in the history and culture of Saudi football.

      Articles

      Neymar of Brazil celebrates after scoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification soccer match between between Brazil and Bolivia at Estatal Jornalista Edgar Augusto Proençaen stadium in Belem, Brazil, 08 September 2023. EPA / Sebastiao Moreira
      Neymar finally set to make Al Hilal debut against Al Riyadh

      Forward returned to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday buoyed by surpassing the legendary Pele's Brazil goals record and is in line to face Al Riyadh on Friday

      FootballSeptember 14, 2023
      Roberto Mancini saw his Saudi Arabia side lose his first two international friendlies - to Costa Rica and South Korea. PA
      Five talking points from Mancini’s first games with Saudi Arabia

      The Italian oversaw a pair of defeats during the international break and knows there is plenty of work to do

      FootballSeptember 13, 2023
      Neymar is in line to make his debut for Al Hilal, days after becoming Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer. Reuters
      SPL predictions: Hilal win on Neymar debut, Ronaldo's Nassr extend run

      Club football returns in Saudi Arabia this week after the international break

      FootballSeptember 12, 2023
      Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after scoring during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ittihad and Al Hilal. EPA
      Saudi Pro League: Winners and losers of transfer window

      Mitrovic's exciting arrival, plus top marks for Al Ahli but disappointment for Al Shabab

      FootballSeptember 08, 2023
      Salem Al Dawsari has shone for Al Hilal so far this season after a summer which has seen the club sign Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Malcom to strengthen their attack. AFP
      Saudi Pro League: How has influx of big stars impacted local players?

      After an unprecedented summer which has seen some of the biggest names in football move to Saudi, some local players have thrived while others have found game time limited

      FootballSeptember 05, 2023
      Brazil forward Neymar is yet to play for Al Hilal since joining the Saudi club from PSG. Getty
      Neymar and Benzema in race against time to be fit for 'Saudi clasico'

      Brazilian yet to appear for Al Hilal since signing from PSG while Al Ittihad captain is struggling with a hamstring inury

      FootballAugust 31, 2023
      Malcom has had a blistering start for Al Hilal and will be a key player in the 'Saudi clasico' against Al Ittihad. AFP
      Saudi Pro League predictions: Al Hilal beat Al Ittihad in 'clasico'

      Al Ahli backed to continue their perfect start but there's another defeat on the way for Steven Gerrard

      FootballAugust 30, 2023
      Al Ittihad's Jota celebrates after scoring against Al Wehda during the Saudi Pro League match at King Abdul Aziz Stadium in Makkah, on August 28, 2023. AFP
      Opportunity knocks for Jota after Benzema blow for Al Ittihad

      Portuguese winger makes mark for champions while Steven Gerrard's Ettifaq hit by their own injury problems

      FootballAugust 29, 2023
      Steven Gerrard, manager of Al Ettifaq, looks on during the Saudi Pro League match against Al Nassr. Getty
      SPL Predictions: Win for Gerrard and debut joy for Mitrovic

      Latest round of the SPL boasts some fascinating duels

      FootballAugust 24, 2023
      Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo vies for the ball with Shabab Al-Ahli's Brazilian defender Renan (R) during the AFC Champions League playoff football match between Saudi's Al-Nassr and UAE's Shabab Al-Ahli at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on August 22, 2023. (Photo by Yazid al-Duwihi / AFP)
      Ronaldo & Co can help Saudi clubs create AFC Champions League legacy

      Opponents in Asia face uphill battle to match big-spending Pro League sides

      FootballAugust 23, 2023
      Brazilian superstar Neymar enters the pitch during his unveiling ceremony at Al-Hilal in Riyadh on August 19, 2023 as he becomes the latest world-famous footballer snapped up by the big-spending Saudi Pro League. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
      Camera7
      Neymar enjoys memorable welcome as Al Hilal put on a spectacle

      Brazilian greeted by 56,000 fans in Riyadh before his team are held to a draw by Al Fayha

      FootballAugust 19, 2023
      Al Ahli players in front of their fans ahead of the Saudi Pro League match against Al Hazem at the Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, in Jeddah, on August 11, 2023. Getty
      Saudi Pro League: Passion of fans crucial to fulfilling grand ambitions

      Fans need to step up game in same way quality on pitch is growing if football in kingdom wants to establish itself on world stage

      FootballAugust 18, 2023
      Al Hilal's new signing Neymar will be unveiled this weekend. Reuters
      SPL predictions: Al Hilal set to impress upon Neymar's arrival

      Benzema's Al Ittihad and Ronaldo's Al Nassr in action during the weekend

      FootballAugust 17, 2023
      Neymar celebrates with Marquinhos after scoring for Brazil against Croatia in the World Cup quarter-final in Qatar in 2022. Reuters
      Neymar maintains Al Hilal's connection with Brazil stars

      Paris Saint-Germain forward signed for Saudi Pro League club for $90m on two-year deal

      FootballAugust 16, 2023
      Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping for success this season. Reuters
      Saudi Pro League: Can Ronaldo out-score Benzema and inspire title glory?

      Five fascinating subplots ahead of the big kick-off on Friday

      FootballAugust 11, 2023
      More Articles

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