Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history beating Argentina earlier today, and Newcastle fans will be surprised to learn that the winning goal scorer, Salem Al-Dawsari, was once linked with a move to Tyneside.
Al-Dawsari’s wonderful curling effort stunned the football world into silence in Qatar and put a huge dent in Lionel Messi’s dream of lifting the World Cup trophy on his final appearance at the tournament.
Newcastle are now, of course, closely associated with Saudi Arabia, and at the same time as rumours began to surface of the PIF’s interest in taking over the Magpies in 2020, Al-Dawsari was also being linked with a move to Tyneside.
A hero at his boyhood club Al Hilal – for whom he still plays – announced in 2020 that he might be heading for the Premier League, according to a story from sport360.com.
Speaking on MBC Radio in his homeland, Al-Dawsari said:
“I received an offer from one of the English clubs in the top flight. There are offers from other clubs and I hope for external professionalism.”
The Saudi legend never made that move to England, but he did have one unsuccessful spell in Europe when joining Villareal on loan in 2018, ultimately making just one appearance before being shipped back to his parent club.
At 31, Al-Dawsari is unlikely to make his Premier League dream come true at this stage, although his wonder goal against the Argentinians will do his chances no harm. Wherever he may end up, Al- Dawsari has added his name to World Cup folklore and made himself a hero in his homeland.