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Wael Jabir

Wael Jabir

Columnist
Saudi Arabia
Wael has been covering football in the Gulf and across Asia since 2014, travelling to cover AFC and FIFA tournaments from Thailand to Uzbekistan to Morocco, attending nine consecutive Asian Champions League finals. Born, raised and based in Saudi Arabia, he takes special interest in the history and culture of Saudi football.

Articles

Neymar of Brazil celebrates after scoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification soccer match between between Brazil and Bolivia at Estatal Jornalista Edgar Augusto Proençaen stadium in Belem, Brazil, 08 September 2023. EPA / Sebastiao Moreira
Neymar finally set to make Al Hilal debut against Al Riyadh

Forward returned to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday buoyed by surpassing the legendary Pele's Brazil goals record and is in line to face Al Riyadh on Friday

FootballSeptember 14, 2023
Wael Jabir
Roberto Mancini saw his Saudi Arabia side lose his first two international friendlies - to Costa Rica and South Korea. PA
Five talking points from Mancini’s first games with Saudi Arabia

The Italian oversaw a pair of defeats during the international break and knows there is plenty of work to do

FootballSeptember 13, 2023
Wael Jabir
Neymar is in line to make his debut for Al Hilal, days after becoming Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer. Reuters
SPL predictions: Hilal win on Neymar debut, Ronaldo's Nassr extend run

Club football returns in Saudi Arabia this week after the international break

FootballSeptember 12, 2023
Wael Jabir
Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after scoring during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ittihad and Al Hilal. EPA
Saudi Pro League: Winners and losers of transfer window

Mitrovic's exciting arrival, plus top marks for Al Ahli but disappointment for Al Shabab

FootballSeptember 08, 2023
Wael Jabir
Salem Al Dawsari has shone for Al Hilal so far this season after a summer which has seen the club sign Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Malcom to strengthen their attack. AFP
Saudi Pro League: How has influx of big stars impacted local players?

After an unprecedented summer which has seen some of the biggest names in football move to Saudi, some local players have thrived while others have found game time limited

FootballSeptember 05, 2023
Wael Jabir
Brazil forward Neymar is yet to play for Al Hilal since joining the Saudi club from PSG. Getty
Neymar and Benzema in race against time to be fit for 'Saudi clasico'

Brazilian yet to appear for Al Hilal since signing from PSG while Al Ittihad captain is struggling with a hamstring inury

FootballAugust 31, 2023
Wael Jabir
Malcom has had a blistering start for Al Hilal and will be a key player in the 'Saudi clasico' against Al Ittihad. AFP
Saudi Pro League predictions: Al Hilal beat Al Ittihad in 'clasico'

Al Ahli backed to continue their perfect start but there's another defeat on the way for Steven Gerrard

FootballAugust 30, 2023
Wael Jabir
Al Ittihad's Jota celebrates after scoring against Al Wehda during the Saudi Pro League match at King Abdul Aziz Stadium in Makkah, on August 28, 2023. AFP
Opportunity knocks for Jota after Benzema blow for Al Ittihad

Portuguese winger makes mark for champions while Steven Gerrard's Ettifaq hit by their own injury problems

FootballAugust 29, 2023
Wael Jabir
Steven Gerrard, manager of Al Ettifaq, looks on during the Saudi Pro League match against Al Nassr. Getty
SPL Predictions: Win for Gerrard and debut joy for Mitrovic

Latest round of the SPL boasts some fascinating duels

FootballAugust 24, 2023
Wael Jabir
Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo vies for the ball with Shabab Al-Ahli's Brazilian defender Renan (R) during the AFC Champions League playoff football match between Saudi's Al-Nassr and UAE's Shabab Al-Ahli at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on August 22, 2023. (Photo by Yazid al-Duwihi / AFP)
Ronaldo & Co can help Saudi clubs create AFC Champions League legacy

Opponents in Asia face uphill battle to match big-spending Pro League sides

FootballAugust 23, 2023
Wael Jabir
Brazilian superstar Neymar enters the pitch during his unveiling ceremony at Al-Hilal in Riyadh on August 19, 2023 as he becomes the latest world-famous footballer snapped up by the big-spending Saudi Pro League. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
Neymar enjoys memorable welcome as Al Hilal put on a spectacle

Brazilian greeted by 56,000 fans in Riyadh before his team are held to a draw by Al Fayha

FootballAugust 19, 2023
Wael Jabir
Al Ahli players in front of their fans ahead of the Saudi Pro League match against Al Hazem at the Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, in Jeddah, on August 11, 2023. Getty
Saudi Pro League: Passion of fans crucial to fulfilling grand ambitions

Fans need to step up game in same way quality on pitch is growing if football in kingdom wants to establish itself on world stage

FootballAugust 18, 2023
Wael Jabir
Al Hilal's new signing Neymar will be unveiled this weekend. Reuters
SPL predictions: Al Hilal set to impress upon Neymar's arrival

Benzema's Al Ittihad and Ronaldo's Al Nassr in action during the weekend

FootballAugust 17, 2023
Wael Jabir
Neymar celebrates with Marquinhos after scoring for Brazil against Croatia in the World Cup quarter-final in Qatar in 2022. Reuters
Neymar maintains Al Hilal's connection with Brazil stars

Paris Saint-Germain forward signed for Saudi Pro League club for $90m on two-year deal

FootballAugust 16, 2023
Wael Jabir
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping for success this season. Reuters
Saudi Pro League: Can Ronaldo out-score Benzema and inspire title glory?

Five fascinating subplots ahead of the big kick-off on Friday

FootballAugust 11, 2023
Wael Jabir
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