Majed Abdullah (Image Source: Getty) Majed Abdullah was not just a footballer; he was a beacon for a generation when he took to the football pitch. A revered figure all over the kingdom and the greater Arab world, Majed was bestowed with his affectionate moniker the ‘Desert Pelé’ due to his skill, his goalscoring record, and his impact being a transposed mirror image of Pelé set in the sun-drenched sands of the Arabian Peninsula.His journey, from the youth sides in Jeddah and Riyadh through to becoming the all-time top scorer in the history of the national team, and a one-club legend with Al-Nassr, is the story of the national game in Saudi Arabia.
Why Majed Abdullah was nicknamed the “Desert Pelé”
During Saudi Arabia’s maiden FIFA World Cup finals appearance in 1994, Western media referred to Majed Abdullah as the ‘Desert Pelé’. Back then, he was characterized as dribbling beautifully, scoring numerous goals, and leading the field, characteristics of the world’s top forwards. The comparison was never one Abdullah himself saw as fair, yet fans and journalists clung to the nickname out of admiration.In multiple ways, he copied Pelé and made use of Pelé’s signature characteristics: scoring goals with high frequency in his club and national team, capable of big match performances, and faithful to his club. He spent his entire club career at Al-Nassr from 1977 to 1998, being the top scorer of the league six times. A total of 72 goals in 117 appearances for the Saudi national team made him the country’s all-time leading scorer. He also secured two AFC Asian Cup titles with the country, his influence brought the national side into the international arena.Also Read: Partner of the Saudi Pro League star Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez, stuns in chic NY looks
Majed Abdullah’s lasting legacy on and off the pitch
Majed Abdullah’s impact on the field was greater than his number of goals. He helped in making Al-Nassr a powerhouse in Saudi Arabian football, winning numerous league championships and domestic cups. His international play raised the profile of Saudi football, which in turn led to more frequent and deeper runs in Asian competitions and World Cup qualifiers.Abdullah remains a legendary figure off the pitch. Even years after his retirement back in 1998, he continued to have the persona of a popular amazement. He has been showered with testimonial matches, polls among Gulf players and fans consistently name him as one of the best, and he is often mentioned as a representative of sport in the region. His status as “Desert Pelé” is more than a nickname; it encapsulates what he meant for a country and for Arab football.
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