Saudi U21: Al-Hilal Dominates, Top Scorer Left Out – A Lesson for Youth Football

When the 23-man squad of Saudi Arabia's U21 team was announced for the 2026 Asian Games, one name caused a stir: Mohammed Al-Issa, the top scorer of the JOI League with 5 goals in 2 matches, was left out. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal, a traditional powerhouse, contributed 4 players. This contrast raises the question: Is coach Luigi Di Biagio building a squad based on form or on club reputation? I have followed Saudi youth football for years, and I know that such decisions are never simple. There are reasons the public doesn't see, and sometimes, the silence of an omitted player speaks louder than any explanation. When Cong Phuong was at Mito, I understood that silence is also a source of information. The Asian Games take place in Nagoya, Japan, from September 14 to October 3. Saudi Arabia is in Group 4 with Qatar and South Korea, two strong opponents. The U21 team, known as the 'Green Falcons', is preparing for the future. The JOI League, the under-21 competition, is a breeding ground for talent. Al-Issa, a striker from Al-Ettifaq, scored 5 goals in the first two matches, leading the scoring charts. However, he was not selected. Meanwhile, players from Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad dominate the squad. This disparity not only reflects the quality of training but also the strategy of the Saudi Football Federation in building the next generation. They seem to prioritize players accustomed to high-level pressure, rather than stars who only shine in youth leagues. A deep analysis of Di Biagio's choices. Al-Hilal, the top club in the Saudi Pro League, has 4 players: Mishal Al-Daoud, Saad Al-Mutairi, Sabri Dahl, and Turki Al-Ghamil. They are all young talents trained in a professional environment. Al-Nassr contributes 3 players, Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadsiah each have 2. Al-Ahli has only 1, Ziyad Malla, who scored 4 goals, second in the scoring charts. Al-Issa's absence could be due to many reasons: fitness issues, tactical fit, or a conflict with the coaching staff. However, omitting a player leading the scoring charts is a risky decision. Di Biagio might prefer players with pressing ability and flexible movement over a pure target man. Al-Issa may not fit the possession-based style he wants to build. Moreover, Al-Hilal's dominance shows the disparity in training quality among clubs. Al-Hilal players are often exposed to higher competition and continental experience. This could be an advantage for Saudi at the Asian Games. I recall the summer in Russia, Neymar didn't break his leg, but rumors broke the commentary room. Here, there are no rumors, only silence from Al-Issa. And that silence could be a signal. However, I believe omitting Al-Issa could be a tactical mistake. In short tournaments like the Asian Games, a striker who scores at the right moment is invaluable. Al-Issa has proven his scoring ability in the JOI League, which is competitive. Relying too much on players from big clubs can create a lack of cohesion, as they haven't played together at this level. Furthermore, Al-Hilal's dominance could cause imbalance in the dressing room. Players from smaller clubs might feel undervalued. I have witnessed many youth teams fail because they depended too much on a group from one club. Football is a team sport, and diversity in player sources is key to success. The transfer market has no away games, only those who don't know how to read the map. Di Biagio might be misreading the map by dropping a player in top form. Additionally, we need to examine the roles of Al-Hilal players in the squad. Mishal Al-Daoud, a young defender, can provide solidity. Saad Al-Mutairi, a central midfielder, can control the tempo. Sabri Dahl and Turki Al-Ghamil, both attacking players, can create moments of brilliance. However, they lack international experience. Meanwhile, Ziyad Malla of Al-Ahli, with 4 goals, could be an alternative to Al-Issa. But Malla is a winger, not a striker. This suggests Di Biagio might want to play with a false nine or use flexible attackers. If so, why not choose Al-Issa, who can play as a classic number 9? Perhaps it's a fitness or attitude issue. I don't have official information, but based on my experience watching matches, I see Al-Issa tends to drift wide, not a typical target man. This might not suit the high-pressing system Di Biagio wants to implement. Moreover, Al-Issa's absence could be a message from the coaching staff: no one is guaranteed a starting spot, even the top scorer. This can foster healthy competition. However, it can also cause resentment. In a short tournament, team spirit is crucial. If players feel unfairly treated, they might not give their all. I've seen many youth teams collapse due to controversial decisions like this. But I've also seen visionary coaches who sacrifice a star to build a stronger collective. Di Biagio, with his experience coaching Italian youth teams, might be applying that philosophy. The Asian Games will be the real test. Saudi Arabia will face Qatar on September 18 and South Korea on September 22. These are tough opponents. If Saudi advances from the group, Di Biagio's decision will be vindicated. If not, he will face a wave of criticism. But football always has surprises. I remember the story of Cong Phuong, who was once left out of Vietnam's U23 squad but later became a star. Al-Issa's silence could be the start of a similar story. Or he might be forgotten forever. We'll see. Finally, I want to emphasize that youth football is not just about results. The development of each player is important. Omitting Al-Issa could be a lesson for him to work harder. And for the selected players, they must prove they deserve it. Behind every contract is a destiny, not a number. Here, behind every squad list is an opportunity, not an exclusion. I hope Di Biagio knows that. So, should we question the fairness of squad selection? Or should we trust the coach's expertise? I don't have the answer. But I know that in football, controversial decisions are often the most memorable ones. And this Asian Games will be a story worth following.