Regret on the Sidelines: The Rising Star Who Got Away and the Coach Who Blamed Himself

Mitchell, the Spanish head coach of Al Qadisiyah, admits a heavy weight of regret as he reflects on the sale of Saleh Abu Al-Shamat to Al Ahli before the upcoming Saudi Pro League clash with Al Akhdoud.

In a Thursday press conference, with the match just days away, he confessed that letting the young talent go may have been a mistake and he blamed himself for moving on Saleh too readily.

“I wasn’t patient with Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, and not every decision a coach makes will be correct,” he said. He added that if Saleh were still with his side, the 23-year-old would likely be a cornerstone, given what he has shown with Al Ahli and with the national team.

Abu Al-Shamat’s journey began in the youth ranks of Al Qadisiyah, earning promotion to the first team in 2020 at the age of 18. Over three years and a half, he played only 15 matches for the club and was sent on loan to Al Taawoun in January 2024, where he featured merely twice. A summer 2024 move to Al Khaleej then became permanent, and he delivered a standout season with 31 appearances, one goal and six assists.

Following that breakout, Al Ahli secured his services for 9 million riyals, with Al Qadisiyah collecting 3.6 million as part of a transfer clause. The transfer highlighted how a young man from the lower ranks can rise to the top levels of Saudi football fast enough to make a coach’s head spin—and maybe write a textbook on “what could have been.”

At Al Ahli, Abu Al-Shamat has found a place in a squad brimming with talent, surrounded by players comparable to top stars such as Riyad Mahrez, Galeno, and Firas Al-Brikan. He has become a regular through his ball control, skill on the flank, and ability to create chances, even as the team boasts a lineup of established names. In ten appearances this season, he has one goal and one assist, and he was among the players listed for the Saudi Super Cup this season, coming on as a substitute in the semifinal against his former club.

Mitchell also noted that he still watches Saleh’s progress and admits he blames himself for leaving him when his career could have continued to grow under his guidance. He added that Saleh’s exit is not the end of the road for the youngster, but rather a reminder to prioritize development and patience in a window where opportunities move as fast as a counterattack.

Abu Al-Shamat at Al Qadisiyah

Saleh emerged from Al Qadisiyah’s youth system and was promoted to the first team in 2020 at 18. He played only 15 matches across three seasons before going on loan to Al Taawoun in January 2024, where he appeared in just two games.

His subsequent permanent move to Al Khaleej in the summer of 2024 yielded a breakout season: 31 appearances, one goal, and six assists. The strong display caught the eye of bigger clubs, leading to the transfer to Al Ahli with a reported fee of 9 million riyals and a share for Al Qadisiyah as per the transfer clause.

Abu Al-Shamat: A Star for Al Ahli

Since moving to Al Ahli, Saleh has demonstrated his value in a team laden with talent, slotting into a position that has seen others shine before him. He has made a noticeable impact, contributing a goal and an assist in limited appearances and earning a place in prominent match setups, including involvement around the Saudi Super Cup discussions this season.

His performances for the club and for the national team have reinforced the perception of his growing maturity, a quality that aligns with his early promise from the Al Qadisiyah youth days.

Abu Al-Shamat International

On the international stage, Abu Al-Shamat’s ascent accelerated after his call-up to the Saudi national team in September 2023 under coach Hervé Renard. In his first appearance, he assisted a goal in a 2-1 friendly win over North Macedonia in the Czech Republic, preparing him for the Asian playoff push for the 2026 World Cup.

The playoff phase saw him scoring his first international goal in a 3-2 win over Indonesia, and he also shone in the Iraq match, as the Green Falcons secured a seventh World Cup finals appearance and a third consecutive qualification. His rising star status has been noted as a sign of Saudi Arabia’s evolving pool of young talents.

Shining Siblings: Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat

In remarks about Saleh, Mitchell also referenced Saleh’s brother, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, who currently wears the colors of Al Qadisiyah as a right-back. Mohammed rose through the Al Ahli youth system before moving to the first team of Al Qadisiyah in 2021, where he got a longer look at senior football than his brother did early on.

Mohammed has accumulated 83 appearances for Al Qadisiyah, tallying two goals and 16 assists. He continues to chase a potential national-team call, though bridging the gap to Saleh’s path looks challenging—especially with Saleh currently plying his trade at a high-profile club like Al Ahli.

In sum, the tale of Saleh Abu Al-Shamat—and his brother Mohammed—highlights the bright, sometimes exasperating, pipeline of Saudi football talent under pressure to deliver now. The coach’s candid admission of regret serves as a reminder: talent is as precious as transfer windows, and timing matters as much as skill.

Sniper joke 1: If patience were a weapon, some managers would be better marksmen—fortunately for fans, talent tends to shoot straight in the end.

Sniper joke 2: In football transfers, timing is everything—but apparently my timing is still buffering in the transfer window.