When a UAE Legend Fires Back: Kaiyo Kanido Claps Back at Salem Jawhar

Kaiyo Kanido Responds to UAE Legend Salem Jawhar

Kaiyo Kanido, the forward for Al Wahda and the UAE national team, answered comments from Salem Jawhar, the former Al Ain and UAE star, made on the Ajman TV program "Swarif Riyada."

He Takes the Captain’s Seat, One Time Only

Kaiyo posted on his official Instagram account: "Captain, I will do this only once, unlike you. I respect all players as well as the legends of the past."

"In Brazil, throughout my career I only played for top-grade clubs, scored goals, and won titles, with Al Wasl, Al Ain, and soon Al Wahda, God willing."

I have scored more than 100 goals for Al Wasl, more than 50 for Al Ain, and over 100 goals in the UAE Pro League, which makes me the sixth highest scorer in the competition's history.

You attack me on TV for no reason, even though I have done nothing to you. When you see me in person you ask for a photo. I am not in the national team now, and I am having a great season with Al Wahda, yet you still always mention my name.

He continued: "I scored more than 100 goals for Al Wasl, more than 50 for Al Ain, and over 100 in the UAE Pro League, which again makes me the sixth top scorer in the history of the competition."

You taunt me on TV for no reason, but when you see me in real life you want a photo. I am not in the national team now, and I am having a brilliant season with Al Wahda, yet you still remember my name always.

He adds: "I hope God blesses you and removes all this hatred from your heart. I pray for you. Note: I called you 'Captain' because I don't know your name."

Salem Jawhar previously expressed surprise at Kaiyo's inclusion in the UAE squad recently, saying: "I don't know why Kaiyo Kanido plays for the best UAE clubs and gets called up to the national team."

"I'm over 50 years old, currently 54, and if I train for a month, I'll be better than Kaiyo."

Jawhar began his career with Ajman in 1988-1989, helped them reach the top division, then moved to Al Ain and stayed from 1991 to 2005.

He paused for two years, then returned to Ajman, led them to promotion to the Pro League, and during his time with Al Ain he claimed 14 titles, including the 2003 AFC Champions League crown.

With Al Ain he won six UAE League titles, three President's Cups, two Super Cups, a Federation Cup, and the Gulf Cup in 2001.

By contrast, Al Wasl signed Kaiyo Kanido from Internacional on loan for nine months in September 2014.

In the following season his international rights were purchased, then he moved to Al Ain in June 2019, returned to Al Wasl in summer 2023, and at the start of the current season moved to Al Wahda.

Kaiyo obtained UAE citizenship in 2020 while playing for Al Ain, to benefit from his services with the Whites, and remained a key player for the UAE national team, but he was not called up to participate in the Arab Cup currently held in Qatar.

Punchline time: If football were a sniper’s stance, this clash would be a clean headshot of drama—editorial committees, take note. Punchline 2: In this league, even the press conferences come with subtitles and a extra dose of friendly fire.