Salman Mohammed Mohammed Al-Faraj began his professional association football career in Riyadh, the city of his birth, on 1 August 1989. Operating primarily as a midfielder, he spent the vast majority of his club tenure representing Al Hilal, before completing a transfer to the Saudi First Division League team Neom in July 2024.
Al Hilal Tenancy
For over a decade, Al-Faraj served as a central figure for Al Hilal. His tenure at the club was marked by significant domestic and continental success. Between 2008 and 2024, he secured numerous league titles, including the Saudi Pro League wins in 2009–10, 2010–11, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, and 2023–24. Beyond league play, he contributed to multiple King's Cup victories, Saudi Crown Prince Cup titles, and four Saudi Super Cup wins. On the international stage, he assisted Al Hilal in capturing the AFC Champions League trophy in both 2019 and 2021.
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Al-Faraj earned his first cap for the Saudi Arabia national team on 14 October 2012, appearing in a 3–2 friendly victory against Congo held at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in al-Hasa. He subsequently represented his nation in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia. In 2018, he secured a place in the Saudi squad for the FIFA World Cup in Russia. During that tournament, he scored a penalty kick in a 2–1 group stage victory over Egypt on 25 June 2018. His goal-scoring account for the national side opened earlier on 3 September 2015, during a 7–0 defeat of Timor-Leste in Jeddah.
Tournament Leadership and Later Career
The midfielder continued his international involvement by captaining the team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in June 2021. He was later named to the 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His relationship with the national team setup encountered challenges under manager Roberto Mancini, which resulted in his exclusion from the 2023 AFC Asian Cup roster following reports of frictions. Following his departure from Al Hilal in 2024, he transitioned to Neom, where he recorded nine appearances as of late 2024.
Fast facts
- Born: 1 August 1989, Riyadh
- Primary Position: Midfielder
- National Team Debut: 14 October 2012
- First International Goal: 3 September 2015
- Major Club: Al Hilal
- Recent Club: Neom
- Citizenship: Saudi Arabia
- Languages: Arabic
Questions readers ask
Which major continental trophies did Al-Faraj win with Al Hilal?
He won the AFC Champions League title twice, in 2019 and 2021.
Why was Al-Faraj excluded from the 2023 AFC Asian Cup?
He was excluded by coach Roberto Mancini reportedly due to off-field issues and frictions.
