When you have something in seemingly unlimited supply and don’t think of it as a particular value, you have to seek something of much deeper significance, capable of evoking more sentimental emotions than money, gold, diamonds, or material possessions in any form. For years, Saudi kings and princes have brought expensive world-class players to their country, yet not once has the nation of 34 million felt the pride that Saud Abdulhamid injected into it tonight.ملخص سعود عبدالحميد في مباراة روما وسبورتينغ براغا في الدوري الاوروبي 🇸🇦💪⚽️Saud Abdulhamid#سعود_عبدالحميد #روما_سبورتينغ#SaudAbdulhamid pic.twitter.com/a9H5liSide— ملخصات الكرة السعودية 💚 (@Saudi1_football) December 12, 2024 The 25-year-old from Jeddah struck the net in the 47th minute in Roma’s 3-0 (1-0) victory over Braga in the sixth round of the Europa League. He gazed at the Stadio Olimpico with the eyes of a child, collapsed to the grass on the verge of tears, and showed that, at least for one evening, he could be considered the happiest footballer in the world. Roma triumphed, secured nine points, and escaped the Europa League’s guillotine, but the result was undoubtedly overshadowed by Saud Abdulhamid’s goal. He became the first player from the Middle East’s most populous country to play for a European club with such a rich history as Roma’s.Ndicka -> Zalewski -> Pellegrini Dwa podania i gol.pic.twitter.com/RQpDwGUp1p— Wilku (@Wilku_ASR) December 12, 2024 Efforts had been made by players like Salem Al-Dawsari, Yasser Al-Shahrani, and a few other rare individuals to carve out European careers, playing in Spain’s La Liga through a partnership between Saudi Arabia and Spain. However, Saud Abdulhamid raised the bar, giving the people of Saudi Arabia the chance to finally see one of their own not only playing but also scoring on a big stage. It might not be the Champions League, but competing in the second-tier European competition was once an unthinkable dream for players from that region. Claudio Ranieri didn’t have the best start to his tenure at the Stadio Olimpico, beginning with losses to Napoli and Atalanta and a draw against Tottenham. But now the seasoned coaching veteran has strung together two victories, against Lecce and Braga, signaling brighter days ahead after the struggles under Ivan Jurić and Daniele De Rossi. In addition to Abdulhamid, Lorenzo Pellegrini scored in the 11th minute, and Mario Hermoso sealed the match in the 90+1 minute for the Giallorossi.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – ROUND 5Thursday Hoffenheim – FCSB 0-0Ludogorets – AZ Alkmaar 2-2 (0-2)/Chochev 60, Duah 63 – van Bommel 13, Maikuma 19/Malmo – Galatasaray 2-2 (1-1)/Botheim 24, Pena 90 – Jelert 43, Akgun 56/Olympiakos – Twente 0-0PAOK – Ferencvaros 5-0 (2-0)/Taison 10, Thomas 29, Chalov 76, Zivkovic 80(p), Despodov 90/Plzen – Man.Utd. 1-2 (0-0)/Vydra 48 – Hojlund 62, 88/Roma – Braga 3-0 (5.40)/Pellegrini 10, Abdulhamid 47, Hermoso 90+1/St.Gilloise – Nice 2-1 (1-1)/Ivanovic 33, 90+2 – Guessand 45+1/23.00: (2.30) Ajax (3.50) Lazio (3.25)23.00: (1.85) Bodo (3.80) Besiktas (4.50)23.00: (2.60) Elfsborg (3.40) Qarabag (2.70)23.00: (1.55) Maccabi T.A. (4.00) Rigas (6.25)23.00: (2.15) Olympique Lyon (3.60) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.50)23.00: (1.32) Porto (5.30) Midtjylland (9.50)23.00: (3.40) Rangers (3.50) Tottenham (2.10)23.00: (1.57) Slavia Praha (4.30) Anderlecht (6.50)23.00: (1.27) Sociedad (5.60) Dynamo Kyiv (12.0)***odds are subject to change***
