KSAsportz report
RIYADH — In a historic achievement for Saudi football, Salem Al Dawsari has been honored with the AFC Player of the Year award for the second time, making him the first player from Saudi Arabia to achieve this feat. The talented Al Hilal captain received the prestigious award during the AFC Awards Riyadh 2025 ceremony, presented by NEOM, which took place at the King Fahad Cultural Center.
Al Dawsari, who initially won the accolade in 2022, reclaimed the title following an exceptional 2024/25 season. He outperformed notable competitors, including Qatar’s two-time winner Akram Afif and Malaysia’s Arif Aiman Hanapi, all while celebrating this significant milestone on home soil.
This victory further cements Saudi Arabia’s and Al Hilal SFC’s status in Asian football, with the Kingdom now boasting a remarkable seven individual winners and Al Hilal achieving six — both records in AFC Awards history. To put this into perspective, no other country has produced as many individual award winners in the award’s 26-year history.
“I am grateful to have won this award a second time, and it is all the more special as it comes after a season where I have worked very hard,” Al Dawsari stated. “Winning trophies with my teammates is always the priority, but this recognition reflects the collective effort of both Al Hilal and the national team. I dedicate it to my teammates, the fans, and everyone who supports me.”
At 34 years old, Al Dawsari is still at the peak of his career. His ten goals in the AFC Champions League earned him the tournament’s Golden Boot, while he made a significant contribution domestically with 15 goals and 15 assists, equaling the all-time record for assists in one Saudi Pro League season.
On the global stage, Al Dawsari was pivotal in helping Al Hilal reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup. He became Asia’s all-time top scorer in the competition with five goals, surpassing Japan’s Tsukasa Shiotani, and further establishing Saudi Arabia’s presence in international football.
“When I am on the field, I see nothing else — I enjoy playing under pressure,” Al Dawsari remarked. “A player must always stay motivated and look ahead. I have no plans to slow down; I want to keep improving and I hope this won’t be the last time I lift this award.”
Famous for his unforgettable winning goal against Argentina at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Al Dawsari has recently surpassed 100 international caps and captained Saudi Arabia to their third consecutive World Cup qualification.
“At this stage in my career, I want to create new records with every match,” he added. “My focus is on helping the national team perform well at the FIFA World Cup. We’ll take it step by step, starting with the group stage, and keep showing how much football in Saudi Arabia continues to improve every day.”