Having represented his country nearly 70 times (scoring eight goals), Saudi captain Salman Al-Faraj is one of most senior players on the team. Already a serial winner at club level with Al Hilal SFC, Qatar will be his second World Cup.
The fact that he is still 33 years old tells you a lot about the status of the current Saudi national team. With an average-age of 25 and littered with technical, attack-minded players ready to prove themselves on the world stage, they’ve been dubbed the country’s most exciting national team in a generation.
In his dual role as team captain and central midfield fulcrum, leading on the pitch is not merely a requirement for Salman Al-Faraj, it is his mission statement.
“We have a lot of hope for this generation of players,” Al-Faraj tells Esquire, “there is a great optimism around the squad and the talent the new generation has brought with it.” The evidence is clear. In qualifying for the tournament Saudi raced through the Asian qualifying sector losing only once in 18 games, and finishing top of a group that included Australia, Japan and China. However, the draw for the World Cup has not been too kind, with the Green Falcons facing a challenging Group C line-up alongside Mexico, Poland and starting off against Leo Messi’s Argentina.
“Our group is not easy at all. However, we are approaching it game-by-game. Getting good results is the target, and if we can do that we will consider it a great achievement for us. We strive to qualify for the next round,” says Salman Al-Faraj.
“[Scoring against Egypt] in my first World Cup, is something that I will remember for a very long time. Representing the national team fills me with pride.”
Salman Al-Faraj
This new found confidence from the captain is one that correlates with the current mood around Saudi Arabian football—something that Al-Faraj has played a significant role in. Not only has he been an ever-reliable presence in Al Hilal’s recent domestic dominance, and led the team to win the Asian Champions League earlier this year, but in the previous World Cup in Russia, it was his goal that defeated rivals Egypt to secure Saudi’s third-ever victory at the tournament, and first since 1994.
“That goal against Egypt was perhaps my favourite World Cup moment,” he admits. “It was my first World Cup, and to be able to score to secure victory is something that I will remember for a very long time. Representing the national team fills me with pride.”
One of the hallmarks of a true leader is their ability to bring up those people around you, something that Salman Al-Faraj is instinctively aware of.
“There is a great love story between the Saudi people and football. It continues to grow generation after generation, and right now we are seeing a positive moment because the development of the game is being paid attention by important stakeholders across the Kingdom. There has never been a better focus on the development of football academies and the quality of players is benefiting.”
Salman Al-Faraj is an official Adidas athlete.