20 Al-Nassr Best Players Of All Time | 2023

Al-Nassr Football Club, nestled in the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has long been a bastion of football excellence in the region.

Throughout its history, this club has witnessed the rise and fall of various eras, each marked by exceptional talents who etched their names into the annals of footballing greatness.

Today, CheapGoals will dig deep into the hallowed halls of Al-Nassr’s history to celebrate 20 of Al-Nassr’s Best players of all time.

1. Majed Abdullah

Abdullah holds the impressive title of being Saudi Arabia’s all-time leading goalscorer, having netted 72 goals in 117 appearances for the national team.

On the club front, he is Al-Nassr’s record goalscorer and also holds the record of being the top scorer in the history of the Saudi Professional League.

He was affectionately known by the nickname “Arabian Jewel.”

Abdullah is widely recognized as one of the greatest Western Asian strikers ever.

He was even nominated for the title of Asia’s Player of the Century by IFFHS, finishing in third place. Throughout his twenty-one-year club career, he remained loyal to Al-Nassr, where he scored an impressive 189 league goals.

During this period, Al-Nassr established itself as a dominant force in both Saudi and Asian football.

With Abdullah leading the attack, they secured five League titles, four King Cup titles, and the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1997–98 season.

Abdullah claimed the Saudi League’s top-scorer title on six occasions during his career.

His retirement from football in 1998 followed Al-Nassr’s victory in the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup Final against Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

In 1984, Saudi Arabia made history by qualifying for their first-ever global international tournament, the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. During the competition, Abdullah was the sole scorer for Saudi Arabia, although the team faced defeats in all three group-stage matches.

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2. Sami Al-Najei

Sami Khalil Nasser Al-Najei is a Saudi Arabian professional soccer player currently plying his trade with Al Nassr.

Al-Najei operates as a midfielder, a big role that involves linking the defense with the attack and contributing on both ends of the field.

His presence on the team is vital, as he brings much-needed creativity and vision to the midfield.

Throughout his career, Al-Najei has enjoyed significant success, making several appearances for both his club and his national team. He is an experienced and dependable midfielder, and his influence on the field is undeniable.

3. Talisca

Talisca, known for his powerful long-range shots and set-piece expertise, made a significant impact during his stint at Al-Nassr.

A Brazilian professional footballer who normally operates as an attacking midfielder and forward for the Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr.

His football journey began with the Brazilian club Bahia in 2012, and in 2014, he transitioned to Portugal’s Benfica.

During his time with Benfica, he featured in 79 matches and netted 24 goals.

Subsequently, he made a move to Turkey, joining Besiktas in 2016. There, he had an impressive stint, making 85 appearances and scoring 33 goals.

His outstanding performances in Turkey eventually led to his transfer to the Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr in 2019.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo played for Al-Nassr in the twilight of his career, bringing immense excitement and international attention to the club.

He is a highly acclaimed footballer with an impressive list of achievements, including five Ballon d’Or awards, victories in the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League, and numerous other titles.

Ronaldo is widely recognized as one of the greatest footballers in history, earning the title of the best Portuguese player of all time.

Beyond his athletic prowess, he is also among the world’s highest-paid athletes and wields significant influence in the world of football, both on and off the pitch.

5. Jaloliddin Masharipov

Masharipov’s creativity and vision made him a key asset for Al-Nassr during his tenure.

He plays as a winger, a role that majorly involves launching attacks down the flanks of the pitch and providing accurate crosses or goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

He has an exceptional talent, showing the ability to outmaneuver defenders with his speed and skillful dribbling. Moreover, he is a potent force during set-piece situations, known for his capacity to score from both free kicks and corners.

At the international level, he has been a cornerstone player for the Uzbekistan national team, being part of the nation’s recent achievements.

With his skills and contributions, he undoubtedly represents a valuable asset for the team, with a promising future brimming with success.

6. Mukhtar Ali

Mukhtar Ali is a Saudi Arabian professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Al-Fateh, on loan from Al-Nassr.

Mukhtar’s football journey began when he joined Chelsea at the under-11 level in 2008, moving from Leyton Orient.

He progressed through Chelsea’s academy system and was a key member of the youth team’s consecutive FA Youth Cup victories in 2015 and 2016.

His impressive contributions earned him recognition, including a nomination for International Somali Sportsman of the Year. With 42 appearances across various competitions, he became the second-most featured player in the academy.

On August 31, 2019, Al-Nassr signed Mukhtar Ali on a one-year contract from Vitesse.

He extended his contract with Al-Nassr until 2025 on January 29, 2022, and was subsequently loaned to Al-Tai. On August 29, 2022, he rejoined Al-Tai on a one-year loan. Most recently, on September 7, 2023, Mukhtar Ali joined Al-Fateh on a one-year loan.

7. Ahmed Musa

Musa is a Nigerian professional footballer renowned for his roles as a forward and left winger. He currently represents the Turkish Süper Lig club Sivasspor.

Musa made history as the first Nigerian player to score multiple goals in a single FIFA World Cup match, achieving this feat by netting twice against Argentina during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

He continued to make waves as the first Nigerian to score in two separate FIFA World Cup tournaments, scoring twice against Iceland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage.

With 108 appearances, he held the title of Nigeria’s most-capped player since November 2021.

Musa’s success extends to his club career as well. He was a key member of the Al Nassr squad that secured victories in the Saudi Premier League and Saudi Super Cup in 2019, showing his prowess on the domestic stage.

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8. Sadio Mané

Widely celebrated as one of the greatest African footballers in history, Sadio Mané is renowned for his exceptional skills in pressing, dribbling, and speed.

Following his successful stint in Austria, Mané made a transfer to English club Southampton in the summer of 2014, breaking the club’s record with a £11.8 million transfer fee.

It was with Southampton that he made his name, setting a new record for the fastest hat-trick, achieved in just 176 seconds during a resounding 6–1 victory over Aston Villa in 2015.

On August 1, 2023, it was announced that Mané had signed with the Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr.

He revealed that former Liverpool teammates Fabinho and Roberto Firmino had previously contacted him, recommending him to consider joining their respective clubs, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, in Saudi Arabia.

Mané also mentioned that his former captain, Jordan Henderson, had sent him a good luck message upon his move to Saudi Arabia. Just two days later, he made his debut for Al Nassr, coming on as a substitute at halftime during their 1–1 draw with Zamalek in the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup.

He scored his first goal for the club on August 14 in a match against Al-Ettifaq, albeit in a 2–1 loss in the league

9. David Ospina

The Colombian goalkeeper brought international experience and exceptional shot-stopping abilities to Al-Nassr, making him a fan favorite.

His remarkable reflexes and technical prowess with his feet are exceptional, as is his exceptional distribution and precision when delivering throws. These qualities enable him to initiate attacks and play the ball out from the back effectively.

Over the years, he has solidified his presence in Colombian football, assuming the captain’s armband for the national team, and has played for top clubs in Europe such as OG Nice, Arsenal, and Napoli.

In 2020, Ospina made history by signing with Al Nassr, becoming the first Colombian to join a Saudi Professional League team.

His leadership qualities are also highly regarded, as evidenced by his captaincy roles both at the club and national team levels.

10. Abdulrahman Ghareeb

Ghareeb currently plays as a winger for Al Nassr, playing in the Saudi Pro League, and is a key member of the Saudi Arabia national team.

He is a seasoned and skillful player, having a wealth of experience from several appearances for both his club and country.

His outstanding attributes include remarkable speed and agility on the field, which enable him to execute penetrating runs that create scoring opportunities.

Ghareeb’s precision in delivering crosses and passes makes him a valuable asset to his teams.

His significant contributions to the Saudi Arabian national team have played a key role in their recent successes and bode well for the team’s future endeavors. He stands as a key component of their continued growth and achievements.

11. Abdullah Madu

A versatile defender, Abdullah Madu provided stability in the backline and was a pillar of the Al-Nassr defense for many seasons.

Madu has been a consistent presence in Al Nassr’s lineup since 2019, playing his role in fortifying the team’s defense.

He has represented the Saudi Arabia national team on several occasions, including notable appearances in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Madu is celebrated for his defensive skills, proving an uncanny ability to thwart opposing attacks. He not only excels in defense but also contributes effectively to the team’s offensive strategies.

His keen game-reading and sound decision-making make him an indispensable asset.

12. Ghislain Konan

Ghislain Konan, a left-back with great defensive skills and attacking prowess, was instrumental in Al-Nassr’s successes.

Konan plays a big role in the defensive line, specializing in preventing the opposing team’s advances down the left flank. His main duty is to offer unwavering defensive support to his team.

He also actively contributes to the team’s offensive strategies through well-timed overlapping runs and precise crosses.

With a wealth of experience and a keen tactical understanding of the game, Konan holds a crucial position for both Al Nassr and the Ivorian national team.

His professional journey began in 2012, and over the years, he has solidified his reputation as one of the league’s top talents.

Konan’s impressive performances have earned him several honors, particularly the Saudi Professional League Player of the Month award in November 2020.

His contributions extend to the international stage, representing Ivory Coast in two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

13. Abdulelah Al-Amri

His football journey started within Al-Nassr’s youth system, where he honed his skills and talents.

He took a giant step in his career by signing his first professional contract with the club on November 27, 2017. Shortly after, on December 14, 2017, he made his debut appearance in a match that ended in a 1–1 draw against Al-Faisaly.

In a move aimed at furthering his development, he was loaned to Al-Wehda for the 2018–19 season, gaining valuable experience and exposure to different playing styles.

Upon his return from loan, Al-Amri first played as the fourth-choice center-back within the team’s roster.

However, during the latter part of the 2019–20 season, he proved his potential and gradually earned a spot as a regular starter.

His determination led to 15 appearances across various competitions, marked by his first goal for the club, scored on February 22, 2020, in a triumphant 2–0 victory over Al-Hazem.

Recognizing his contributions and potential, Al-Nassr extended Al-Amri’s contract on January 27, 2021, securing his services until the culmination of the 2023–24 season.

This move reflected the club’s confidence in his abilities and commitment to his continued growth as a player.

14. Sultan Al-Ghannam

Al-Ghannam is a right-back who plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League and represents the Saudi Arabia national team. His football journey started at his hometown club, Al-Zulfi, and he later joined Al-Faisaly in the Pro League on August 27, 2015.

On March 12, 2018, Al-Ghannam moved to Al-Nassr on a free transfer, signing a four-year contract. In his first season with Al-Nassr, he helped them win the 2018–19 Pro League title, which was a remarkable achievement.

On September 21, 2021, he extended his contract with Al-Nassr, securing his stay until the end of the 2023–24 season.

His consistent and excellent performances on the field earned him a spot in Saudi Arabia’s squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

He received further recognition when he was selected for the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup squad on November 20, 2019. Most recently, on November 11, 2022, Al-Ghannam was named in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, solidifying his role as a key player for the national team.

Al-Ghannam’s strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to the sport have earned him respect from both teammates and opponents.

He is one of the most successive players in Saudi Arabian football.

15. Waleed Abdullah

Abdullah, who used to play regularly for Saudi Arabia’s Under-23 team, made his debut in the senior international team in July 2007.

He became Saudi Arabia’s major goalkeeper from 2008 to 2014, earning 72 caps and representing the country in four AFC Asian Cups.

Waleed Abdullah started playing regularly for Al-Shabab in the 2007–08 season.

In the previous season (2006–07), he was part of the Saudi Olympic team during their qualifiers, so he couldn’t be Al-Shabab’s first-choice goalkeeper at that time.

On February 3, 2017, Abdullah joined Al-Nassr as a free transfer.

Then, on February 4, 2020, he extended his contract with Al-Nassr for another three years.

16. Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem

17. Khalid Al-Ghannam

18. Mohammed Al-Fatil

19.Amin Bukhari

20. Ali Hassan

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FAQs

Who Is Al Nassr’s Best Player?

Majed Abdullah

Abdullah is a legendary Al-Nassr player known for his goal-scoring prowess and versatility on the pitch.

He remains one of the club’s all-time leading goal scorers.

Who has the most goals in Al Nassr?

Majed Ahmed Abdullah

Majed Ahmed Abdullah is Al Nassr’s all-time leader in goals scored and appearances.

Where is Al Nassr ranked in the world?

149th

Al Nassr was ranked 149th in the FIFA Club World Ranking with a rating of 1583 points.

Please note that these rankings can change over time as teams compete in various matches and tournaments.

Is Inter Miami ranked higher than Al Nassr?

No.

Al Nassr (ranked 149th) is ranked higher than Inter Miami (ranked 875th) in the FIFA Club World Ranking.

Which players joined Al Nassr?

Aymeric Laporte, Otávio, Sadio Mané , Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Mohammed Qasem, Alvaro Gonzalez.