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Overview
Weighted average of attribute scores for this role, position-adjusted. Standout attributes count more than weaknesses.
Attributes (grouped)
Mobility
Never a burst athlete, and pace has faded further into his late 30s. (conf 0.6)
Limited top-end speed even in his prime as a deep-lying playmaker. (conf 0.6)
Retains enough sharpness in tight spaces to turn away from pressure. (conf 0.55)
Covers ground steadily but engine has diminished with age. (conf 0.55)
Control
Clean, reliable control that lets him set the tempo quickly. (conf 0.65)
Uses close control to escape pressure rather than beat men at pace. (conf 0.55)
Experienced at using his frame to protect the ball under pressure. (conf 0.55)
Capable of clean, driven strikes from distance and set pieces. (conf 0.55)
Distribution
Career built on crisp, accurate short and medium passing as a deep playmaker. (conf 0.75)
Switches play and threads longer balls with good range and weight. (conf 0.7)
Not a primary crosser given his central deep-lying role. (conf 0.5)
Reads play well and picks progressive passes as Saudi football's long-time metronome. (conf 0.7)
Chance threat
Occasional goals from midfield but not a primary scoring threat. (conf 0.5)
Generally disciplined about when to shoot from range. (conf 0.5)
Positions himself sensibly to receive rather than making explosive runs. (conf 0.5)
Long known as a trusted penalty and dead-ball taker for club and country. (conf 0.55)
Duels
Modest aerial presence typical of a smaller deep midfielder. (conf 0.5)
Competes smartly in duels using positioning and experience over physicality. (conf 0.5)
Defense
Age and role mean he presses selectively rather than intensely. (conf 0.5)
Reads passing lanes to intercept more than he tackles aggressively. (conf 0.5)
Veteran positional sense screens the back line effectively. (conf 0.55)
Mental
Long tenure as Al-Hilal and Saudi Arabia captain reflects calm under pressure. (conf 0.65)
Experienced game manager who dictates rhythm and tempo reliably. (conf 0.65)
Steady but no longer covers the ground of his Al-Hilal peak years. (conf 0.5)
Resilience
Has dealt with injury spells in recent seasons as he ages. (conf 0.5)
Outlook
Late-30s veteran with little remaining upward trajectory left. (conf 0.55)
Widely respected as Saudi Arabia's long-serving captain and Al-Hilal legend. (conf 0.7)
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Scouting Report & Player Insights
Salman Al-Faraj is a veteran Saudi Arabian central midfielder now playing for Neom in the Saudi Pro League after a long, decorated career as the heartbeat of Al-Hilal. A composed deep-lying playmaker rather than an athletic ball-winner, he built his reputation on tidy passing range, game management, and leadership, having long captained both Al-Hilal and the Saudi national team. At this later stage of his career his physical attributes have declined, but his passing, vision, and calm under pressure remain his defining traits.
Long-time captain of Al-Hilal, winning numerous Saudi Pro League titles and AFC Champions League trophies with the club.
Captained the Saudi Arabia national team, including at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Known as one of the most respected leaders in Saudi domestic football over the past decade.