Yousef Al-Salem (Arabic: يوسف السالم, 4 May 1985 – 12 February 2023) was a Saudi Arabian professional footballer who played as a striker for several clubs most notably Al-Ettifaq and Al-Hilal. He was a member of the Saudi Arabia national team from 2007 to 2013.

Yousef Al-Salem
Personal information
Full name Yousef Mansour Al-Salem
Date of birth (1985-05-04)4 May 1985
Place of birth Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Date of death 12 February 2023(2023-02-12) (aged 37)
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
2002–2004 Al-Qadsiah
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2008 Al-Qadsiah 59 (21)
2008–2009 Al-Shabab 13 (2)
2009–2013 Al-Ettifaq 94 (39)
2013–2016 Al-Hilal 37 (4)
2016–2018 Al-Ettifaq 19 (3)
2020 Al-Jubail 5 (2)
2020–2021 Al-Thoqbah 23 (2)
2021–2023 Al-Jubail 19 (10)
Total 269 (83)
International career
2006–2008 Saudi Arabia U-23 18 (8)
2007–2013 Saudi Arabia 11 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Al-Salem began his career at Al-Qadsiah and made his debut during the 2004–05 season. Following the club's relegation to the First Division in 2008, Al-Salem joined Al-Shabab.[1] In his single season with the club, Al-Salem won the King Cup and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Cup. In July 2009, Al-Salem joined Al-Ettifaq on a four-year contract.[2] He scored 52 goals in 132 appearances in his four seasons at the club. Following the expiry, Al-Salem joined Al-Hilal on a free transfer.[3] Despite not establishing himself as a starter for the club, Al-Salem went on to make 66 appearances and scored 10 goals with the club. He also won three titles with Al-Hilal. In September 2016, Al-Salem returned to Al-Ettifaq following his release by Al-Hilal.[4] In March 2020, after almost two years without a club, Al-Salem joined Saudi Second Division side Al-Jubail on a six-month contract.[5] In October 2020, Al-Salem joined Al-Thoqbah.[6]

Al-Salem was a full international, who earned caps at all youth levels. He helped the under-23 side win the 2008 GCC U-23 Championship. He made his senior debut in 2007 and scored three goals for the senior side.

Death

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Al-Salem died on 12 February 2023, at the age of 37.[7] The cause of death has not been specified, other than reports that he suffered an illness about three weeks before he died.[8][9]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 12 February 2023[10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental[c] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Al-Qadsiah 2004–05 Premier League 10 3 4 1 4[d] 2 18 6
2005–06 17 5 0 0 7[e] 4 24 9
2006–07 16 10 0 0 3[d] 4 19 14
2007–08 16 3 1 1 5[d] 2 22 6
Total 59 21 0 0 5 2 0 0 19 12 83 35
Al-Shabab 2008–09 Pro League 13 2 2 2 2 0 1 0 2[d] 1 20 5
Al-Ettifaq 2009–10 Pro League 21 6 1 1 7[f] 0 29 7
2010–11 24 14 2 3 3 2 29 19
2011–12 24 11 2 0 4 1 10 4 40 16
2012–13 25 8 2 1 1 0 6 1 34 10
Total 94 39 6 4 9 4 16 5 7 0 132 52
Al-Hilal 2013–14 Pro League 12 0 3 1 3 0 3 0 21 1
2014–15 13 2 3 0 1 0 8 3 25 5
2015–16 12 2 2 1 2 0 4 1 20 4
Total 37 4 8 2 6 0 15 4 0 0 66 10
Al-Ettifaq 2016–17 Pro League 15 3 2 0 0 0 17 3
2017–18 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Total 19 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 3
Al-Jubail 2019–20 Second Division 5 2 0 0 5 2
Al-Thoqbah 2020–21 MS League 23 2 23 2
Al-Jubail 2021–22 Third Division 13 4 13 4
2022–23 6 6 6 6
Total 19 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 10
Career total 269 83 18 8 22 6 32 9 28 13 369 119
  1. ^ Includes King Cup
  2. ^ Includes Crown Prince Cup
  3. ^ Includes AFC Champions League and AFC Cup
  4. ^ a b c d Appearances in Prince Faisal bin Fahd Cup
  5. ^ Six appearances and four goals in Prince Faisal bin Fahd Cup, one appearance in Arab Champions League
  6. ^ Four appearances in Prince Faisal bin Fahd Cup, three appearances in GCC Champions League

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[11]
National team Year Apps Goals
Saudi Arabia 2007 3 0
2008 0 0
2009 0 0
2010 0 0
2011 3 0
2012 1 0
2013 4 3
Total 11 3
Scores and results list Saudi Arabia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Al-Salem goal.
List of international goals scored by Yousef Al-Salem[12]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 17 March 2013 Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia   Malaysia 1–0 4–1 Friendly
2 23 March 2013 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia   Indonesia 1–1 2–1 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
3 2–1

Honours

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Al-Shabab

Al-Hilal

Saudi Arabia U23

References

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  1. ^ "السالم وقع بـ 500 ألف ريال والمرحوم بالمقايضة".
  2. ^ "السالم وخوجه وقعا رسميا للاتفاق مقابل انتقال العمري للشباب".
  3. ^ "الهلال السعودي يتعاقد مع يوسف السالم أربعة أعوام مقابل 16 مليون ريال".
  4. ^ "رسمياً ‏‏المهاجم يوسف السالم يوقع لنادي ‫الاتفاق‬⁩".
  5. ^ "السالم يرتدي شعار الجبيل".
  6. ^ "الثقبة يكسب خدمات المهاجم يوسف السالم".
  7. ^ "الكابتن يوسف السالم في ذمة الله".
  8. ^ "Details of the health crisis that afflicted Youssef Al-Salem and led to his death". Time News. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Former Al Hilal Saudi Star Youssef Al Salem Dies at 37 | Sada Elbalad". see.news. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  10. ^ "YOUSEF AL SALEM".
  11. ^ "( Yousef AL SALEM ) Matches Played".
  12. ^ "Al-Salem, Yousef". National Football Teams. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
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