Roma faced Athletic Bilbao on September 26, 2024, in a thrilling Europa League match that saw Saud Abdulhamid make history for Saudi Arabia. The Saudi right-back came on as a substitute in the 71st minute, replacing Mehmet Celik. Abdulhamid became the first player from Saudi Arabia to participate in a major European competition, marking a historic moment not only for his country but also for his personal career with I Giallorossi.
Roma coach Ivan Juric demonstrated significant trust in Abdulhamid by giving him playtime in such a high-stakes European match, a move that hints at more opportunities for the Saudi professional in Serie A.
The match itself was tightly contested, with Roma’s Dovbyk scoring the opener. However, Athletic Bilbao’s Aitor Paredes netted a crucial equalizer in the 85th minute, securing a 1-1 draw.
Abdulhamid’s debut has been eagerly anticipated by fans and media alike. Since his signing with Roma on August 27, 2024, for a reported fee of 2.5 million euros, the Saudi international has garnered significant attention, particularly in the Middle East. Now, as the first Saudi player to don Roma’s iconic jersey, his future in European football looks promising.
