Saud Abdulhamid becomes first Saudi player to debut in French league
Abdulhamid, who joined Lens on a season-long loan from Serie A side AS Roma, received a warm ovation from the home crowd at Stade Bollaert-Delelis when he stepped onto the pitch.
Despite Lens' defeat, the moment was a personal milestone for the Saudi international, whose entry into the French league adds to the growing global footprint of Saudi football talent.
The match's only goal came in first-half stoppage time (45+1) through Georgian striker Georges Mikautadze, who capitalized on a precise assist from Belgian winger Malick Fofana one of Lyon's standout performers on the night.
The game also marked a turning point for Lyon, who recently emerged from financial uncertainty after the departure of former owner John Textor.
The French financial watchdog initially ruled the club ineligible for the top division, but that decision was overturned after new president Michele Kang convinced regulators of the club's financial stability for the 2026 season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ArabGT
2 hours ago
- ArabGT
Which Car Led Sales in Saudi Arabia During the First Half of 2025
The Saudi car market has turned into a real battleground, with global automakers fighting tooth and nail for dominance in one of the Middle East's biggest and fastest-growing markets. From big family cars and budget-friendly commuters to tech-packed modern rides, buyers in the Kingdom have endless choices. Yet, only a few models manage to steal the spotlight — the ones that win people's hearts and dominate the sales charts. The year 2024 was nothing short of historic. More than 827,000 light vehicles were sold in Saudi Arabia — the highest figure in nine years. That number doesn't just reflect a market rebound; it shows how eager Saudi consumers are to embrace the latest models and enjoy the thrill of new cars. Leading the charge were the Toyota Camry, the ever-reliable favorite; the Kia Pegas, quickly becoming a household name for budget-conscious drivers; and the Hyundai Accent, which has proven it's far more than just a compact car — it's a success story in motion. But as 2025 rolled in, the big question was: could these stars keep shining? And which car would claim the top spot in the Kingdom? International reports gave us the answer: in the first half of 2025, the Hyundai Accent and Kia Pegas took the crown as the two best-selling models in Saudi Arabia. That's a huge deal in a market that, for decades, was ruled by Japanese giants like Toyota and Nissan. And the timing couldn't be more perfect — Hyundai and Kia have just kicked off a joint production project inside the Kingdom, proving they're here for the long game. The sales numbers back it up. The Accent sold 19,081 units, putting it at number one. Right behind it was the Pegas with 15,528 units, while Hyundai's Elantra also made waves in fourth place with 13,066 units. This didn't happen overnight. The Accent has been building momentum for years — 31,349 units in 2023 and 39,910 units in 2024 — holding strong in second place before finally climbing to number one in 2025. On the brand front, Hyundai kept its grip on second place overall in 2024 with 130,017 sales, marking its second year in that position. Kia, meanwhile, jumped from fourth in 2023 to third in 2024, thanks to 63,637 units sold. The takeaway? Saudi Arabia is no longer just a Japanese stronghold. It's a vibrant, fast-changing market where Korean brands are rewriting the playbook. If the Accent and Pegas keep this momentum, the Kingdom might just be witnessing the start of a whole new era in car culture.
Saudi Gazette
3 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saud Abdulhamid becomes first Saudi player to debut in French league
PARIS — Saudi Arabia's Saud Abdulhamid made history on Thursday night by becoming the first Saudi footballer to play in the French top flight, appearing as a second-half substitute in RC Lens' 1-0 loss to Lyon in the opening round of Ligue 1. Abdulhamid, who joined Lens on a season-long loan from Serie A side AS Roma, received a warm ovation from the home crowd at Stade Bollaert-Delelis when he stepped onto the pitch. Despite Lens' defeat, the moment was a personal milestone for the Saudi international, whose entry into the French league adds to the growing global footprint of Saudi football talent. The match's only goal came in first-half stoppage time (45+1) through Georgian striker Georges Mikautadze, who capitalized on a precise assist from Belgian winger Malick Fofana one of Lyon's standout performers on the night. The game also marked a turning point for Lyon, who recently emerged from financial uncertainty after the departure of former owner John Textor. The French financial watchdog initially ruled the club ineligible for the top division, but that decision was overturned after new president Michele Kang convinced regulators of the club's financial stability for the 2026 season.
Leaders
7 hours ago
- Leaders
Abha Hosts ‘Move With Us 2025' Running Event
The Saudi Sports for All Federation organized its sixth running race in Abha on Saturday as part of the Move With Us 2025 initiative. The event brought together over 800 participants of all ages and was overseen by the Ministry of Sport's branch in the Aseer Region. The initiative seeks to foster a healthy, active lifestyle by promoting running events across 13 cities in the Kingdom throughout 2025. Related Topics : Sand Dunes Festival 2025: Cycling & Running Adventures in Riyadh Year-end Review: Saudi National Team's Eventful Year and New Leadership Saudi Arabia's Global Sports Hub Role: The Rise of Mega-Events Saudi Triathlete Wraps Up Kingdom's Campaign at Chengdu 2025 World Games Short link :
