The great Syrian star Omar Al-Somah, the all-time top scorer in the Saudi Professional League, sparked widespread reaction in sports circles with his recent statements in which he praised the young striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan, a player for Al-Hilal Club, describing him as the best pure Saudi striker (number 9) at the present time.

Testimonial from a window expert

Omar Al-Somah's words carry significant weight in Saudi football circles, given his legendary career with Al-Ahli, where he broke records and became a benchmark in the center-forward position. Al-Somah emphasized that Abdullah Al-Hamdan possesses exceptional technical abilities and a remarkable goal-scoring instinct, setting him apart from his local peers in this crucial role. However, he added that the circumstances surrounding Al-Hamdan might hinder him from fully realizing his potential.

Opportunity crisis at big clubs

Al-Somah pointed out a crucial issue facing local talents at major clubs (Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli): the scarcity of regular playing time. He explained that Al-Hamdan's presence at a club the size of Al-Hilal, which is teeming with international stars and top-class foreign strikers, significantly reduces his available playing minutes, negatively impacting his consistency and development.

The context of the transformation in the Saudi League

These statements come at a time when the Saudi Professional League (the Roshan League) is experiencing an unprecedented qualitative leap, characterized by the attraction of some of the world's best strikers. This transformation, while raising the league's market and technical value, has presented the traditional Saudi striker with a difficult challenge to prove himself. The presence of world-class players occupying the center-forward position in the top four clubs has made it difficult for coaches to rely on local talent as their first choice, a situation that perfectly applies to Abdullah Al-Hamdan.

Impact on the national team

Al-Somah's recent comments have opened the door to a broader discussion about the future of the Saudi national team's attacking options. With local strikers receiving limited playing time at their clubs, national team coaches face the challenge of finding a striker ready and competitive for international competitions. Abdullah Al-Hamdan is considered a key player for the future of Saudi football, and therefore, ensuring he receives sufficient playing time, whether with Al-Hilal or through other opportunities, is a national priority to guarantee a continued flow of goals for the Green Falcons.

In conclusion, Omar Al-Somah’s testimony remains a badge of honor for Al-Hamdan, and an indirect call to reconsider how to invest in local talents amidst the influx of international stars, to ensure that the classic Saudi striker does not disappear.

Omar Al-Somah sparked widespread reaction in sports circles with his recent statements in which he praised the young striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan , a player for Al-Hilal Club, describing him as the best Saudi striker currently in the position of a pure center forward (number 9).

Al-Somah's technical opinion on Al-Hamdan

Al-Somah emphasized that Abdullah Al-Hamdan possesses exceptional technical abilities that qualify him to be the top striker in the Kingdom, highlighting his tactical intelligence and impressive movement within the penalty area. Al-Somah clarified that Al-Hamdan lacks not talent, but rather consistent playing time, stating clearly that his chances of securing a regular starting position with major clubs (like Al-Hilal) appear extremely limited and difficult.

The challenge of foreign professionals in the Saudi League

Al-Somah's statements highlight a crucial issue currently facing Saudi football: the scarcity of local strikers, given the major clubs' complete reliance on world-class foreign forwards. At Al-Hilal, Al-Hamdan finds himself in near-impossible competition with Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, significantly reducing his playing time and often forcing him to the bench or play out of position.

The value of Omar Al-Somah's opinion

This opinion carries particular weight coming from Omar Al-Somah, a legendary figure in the Saudi attacking midfield. Al-Somah, who has enjoyed a golden era with Al-Ahli and broken numerous records, is acutely aware of the demands of succeeding in this crucial position, making his praise for Al-Hamdan a significant morale booster for the young player.

The implications of this for the Saudi national team

This statement opens the door to a broader discussion about the future of the Saudi national team's (the Green Falcons') attack. With local strikers rarely starting in the Roshan League, national team coaches face challenges in finding a striker who is physically and technically ready for international competitions. Analysts believe the solution might lie in loaning out some players, such as Al-Hamdan, to clubs that guarantee them consistent playing time to develop their skills and ultimately benefit Saudi football.

Football fans across Asia and Europe will be glued to their screens today, Monday, as the sporting arena offers a rich feast of high-profile matches. The schedule boasts fixtures , from the excitement of the new AFC Champions League format to the top-of-the-table clash in La Liga, as well as crucial encounters in the FA Cup and Serie A.

AFC Champions League Elite: The Battle for Continental supremacy

Today's matches in the AFC Champions League are of paramount importance, as this tournament represents the premier showcase for football in Asia following recent reforms by the Asian Football Confederation aimed at enhancing competitiveness. The dominance of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar is evident in this edition, with Gulf clubs striving to solidify their continental standing.

Al-Ahli Saudi FC faces a tough challenge against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in a Gulf derby that promises plenty of excitement and competitiveness given the rich history of both teams. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal, the Asian powerhouse and most decorated club in continental competitions, continues its quest to reclaim the title when it takes on Al-Wahda of the UAE in a match where the "Leader" will be looking to prove its superiority and demonstrate its technical and physical readiness.

Barcelona and Girona challenge in La Liga

On the European stage, all eyes are on La Liga, where Barcelona will face a tough away match against Girona. This game is more than just 90 minutes; it's a mini-Catalan derby with a special significance, especially after Girona's remarkable rise in recent seasons and their challenge to the top teams. Barcelona will be looking to secure three points to continue their pursuit of the La Liga title, while Girona will be aiming to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to achieve a positive result against the Catalan giants.

A detailed list of today's (Monday's) matches schedule

Here is the complete schedule of matches in Mecca time:

AFC Champions League Elite

• 07:00 - Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) vs Shabab Al-Ahli (UAE)
• 07:00 - Sharjah (UAE) vs Nasaf (Uzbekistan)
• 09:15 - Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) vs Al Wahda (UAE)
• 09:15 - Al-Shorta (Iraq) vs Al-Duhail (Qatar)

Spanish League (La Liga)

• 11:00 - Girona vs Barcelona

FA Cup

• 10:30 - Macclesfield vs Brentford

Italian League

• 10:45 - Cagliari vs Lecce

These matches come at a sensitive time in the football season, as teams seek to collect the largest number of points, whether to secure qualification in continental championships or to improve their positions in local leagues, promising enjoyable viewing for sports fans of all affiliations.