Saudi Legend X Ittihad Snub? Saleh Al-Omari Unveils an All-Time Saudi XI That Sparks Debate
19 November 2025
All-Time Saudi XI Sparks Debate
Saleh Al-Omari, the former Ittihad star and current player with Al-Khaleej, stirred a wave of discussion among Saudi football fans by sharing his ideal all-time Saudi XI, notably excluding his former club from the lineup.
During a live interactive segment on the Roshn Saudi League’s X account, he was asked to pick a five-man historic lineup from Saudi football history. His selections were as follows:
Goalkeeper: Mohammed Al-Deai (formerly of Al Hilal)
Defense: Osama Hawsawi (former Al Hilal and Al Ahli)
Midfield: Taysir Al-Jassim (Al Ahli) and Salem Al-Dawsari (Al Hilal, current national team captain)
Forward: Yasser Al-Qahtani (former Al Hilal)
Three players hail from Al Hilal, two from Al Ahli, and there is no representative from Al Ittihad, Al Nasr, Al Shabab, or other major clubs. The choices ignited a sharp online debate among fans.
Hilal supporters praised the perceived neutrality and courage in naming the best without club bias, while Ittihad fans blasted it as deliberate bias and questioned a player who wore the club’s shirt in the 2023-24 season. Others argued that legends like Mohammed Noor, Hamad Al-Muntashri, or players from a later generation were unjustly omitted in favor of different eras.
Saleh Al-Omari’s Career Journey
Saleh Mohamed Al-Jamaan Al-Omari, born October 14, 1993, is a striker and left winger with extensive Saudi league experience. He began his professional career with Al-Qadisiyah, earning a springboard into top-flight football. He later joined Al Ahli, and had spells with Al Ettifaq, Al Wahda, and Abha, gaining valuable experience across clubs with high ambitions.
In the summer of 2023, Al-Omari moved to Al Ittihad, a transition after a period of strong form. He then spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Al Raed to secure regular playing time and sharpen his impact in attack.
In the 2025 season, he completed a multi-year transfer to Al Khaleej. The move reflects the Gulf club’s intent to leverage his extensive experience in attack as they push for competitive results this season.
Khaleej started the campaign well, coming close to a historic 4-4 draw against Al Ittihad after a dramatic late comeback by the reigning champions, underscoring how tight the league race remains.
Looking ahead, Khaleej faces a tough test in the next round against Al Nassr, who sit atop the table with an unbeaten run. The match highlights the league’s tightening competition as Donis’s side aims to extend their winning form. Khaleej had already progressed to the King’s Cup quarterfinals by defeating Al Taawoun on penalties, adding momentum to their season.
Overall, the season presents a challenging path for the youngster-turned-veteran and his teammates as they seek to climb higher in a league known for its competitive balance and passionate fan base.
Punchlines: If you think this lineup is spicy, wait until the memes come out—the internet always serves the real best XI. And remember, in football as in comedy, timing is everything; a late comeback can turn a planned victory into a four-goal thriller.
