Al-Faraj Could Lead Saudi Arabia to World Cup Glory, Says Ateef
25 December 2025
Overview
Ahmed Ateef, a former Saudi international, believes Salman Al-Faraj, Neom's captain, could lead the Green Army to World Cup success in the upcoming tournament.
Al-Faraj suffered an ACL injury in November 2024 during a national team camp, keeping him away from the pitch for an extended spell.
He returned to official action with Neom in a 2-1 victory over Al-Najma in round 10 of the Roshen Saudi League, signaling his comeback.
What Ateef Said
Ateef remarked on the Dorina Ghair show that he believes Al-Faraj can steer the national team at the World Cup and that Salman is a standout player with exceptional technical abilities.
He added that Salman is among players with high capabilities, and watching him on the field is enjoyable; he hopes Salman reaches full readiness to participate in the World Cup.
Leadership vs. Form
Ateef concluded that leadership is important in football and Salman possesses this trait, but the technical and physical form will be the deciding factors for his return to the Saudi national team.
Punchline 1: If he nails the World Cup, we might nickname the league after him. Punchline 2: If not, at least his comeback gives this editor a reason to smile at the press conference.
