Seventy-two goals in 117 matches established Majed Abdullah as the all-time leading scorer for the Saudi Arabia national team. Over a twenty-one-year career spent entirely at Al-Nassr, he became the most prolific forward in the club's history and a central figure in the growth of football within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the late twentieth century.
Formative Years in Riyadh
Born in 1959 in the Al-Baghdadia District of Jeddah, Abdullah moved to Riyadh in the mid-1960s when his father accepted a position as manager of the Al-Nassr youth team. Initially playing as a goalkeeper during his schooling at Al-Jazaeria Elementary, he successfully transitioned to the striker position during a neighborhood match. His local reputation grew with the Al-Ittifaq neighborhood team, eventually attracting the attention of Al-Nassr leadership including Prince Abdulrahman Bin Saud and coach Ljubiša Broćić.
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Abdullah officially joined Al-Nassr on 10 November 1975. Following two years in the youth ranks, he debuted for the senior side in January 1977. His competitive breakthrough arrived on 18 March 1977 against Al-Wehda, where he scored his first goal. By the end of his tenure in 1998, he had secured 189 league goals, five league titles, and four King Cup victories. His professional career concluded on 12 April 1998, following a victory in the Asian Cup Winners' Cup final against Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
International Performance
The striker represented his country across several major tournaments, starting with a debut brace against Pakistan in 1978. In 1984, he helped Saudi Arabia win its first Asian Cup in Singapore by scoring against China in the final. He returned in 1988 to help retain the title in Qatar, contributing two goals. He also participated in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the 1994 FIFA World Cup, maintaining a consistent scoring record for the national squad.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, Jeddah
- Professional Debut: 20 January 1977
- Club: Al-Nassr (1977-1998)
- International Goals: 72
- League Titles Won: 5
- King Cup Titles Won: 4
- Nickname: The Arabian Pelé
- Retirement: 12 April 1998
Questions readers ask
How many goals did Majed Abdullah score for Al-Nassr?
He scored 260 total goals for the club, including 189 league goals.
Did Majed Abdullah ever play for another club?
No, he spent his entire twenty-one-year senior career with Al-Nassr.
