Sami Al-Jaber

Lore & Background

Al-Jaber is his country's second highest international goal-scorer with 46 goals in 156 internationals from 1992 to 2006. He appeared in four consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments, from 1994 to 2006, scoring in three of them. He was also a member of the Saudi squad which won the AFC Asian Cup in 1996. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Saudi footballers ever.

Reader's Guide

Al-Jaber made his Al-Hilal debut in 1989 and spent nearly 20 years at the club. In 2000, he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, where he made just five appearances in five months. After the club learned that Al-Jaber's father had been taken seriously ill, he was allowed to join the United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain on loan, and this was to spell the end of his time in England. On 21 January 2008, Al-Hilal held a testimonial for Al-Jaber against Manchester United; Al-Jaber scored a penalty in a 3–2 victory. He was named assistant coach of Al-Hilal in 2009, then assistant coach of Ligue 2 side Auxerre in 2012. On 27 May 2013, he became manager of Al-Hilal, replacing Zlatko Dalić. On 19 July 2014, Al Arabi announced his appointment as technical manager.

Did You Know?

• Al-Jaber made his 100th international appearance on 27 May 1998 against Norway, becoming the youngest male footballer to reach 100 caps at 25 years, four months and 16 days old.
• He was ruled out of the 2002 World Cup after his appendix burst and he was rushed to hospital.