The Saudi Football Association and Al-Jubail Club announced the death of Youssef Al-Salem, the former Saudi national team striker, at the age of 37, after a struggle with illness, today, Sunday.
Yasser Al-Mishal, President of the Saudi Federation, said in an official statement, “On behalf of the members of the board of directors and all employees of the Saudi Federation, I extend my condolences to the sports community and the player’s family and relatives for the loss of a player who was a wonderful example of sincerity, dedication, discipline and excellence.”
Al-Mishal added, “I ask God Almighty for mercy and forgiveness for him, and for his honorable family patience and solace. We belong to God and to Him we shall return.”
President of the Saudi Football Association, Yasser Al-Mishal, offers condolences on the death of the former international player and Jubail club, Youssef Al-Salem.
– Saudi Football Federation (@saudiFF) February 12, 2023
And Al-Jubail Club, which belongs to the Saudi Third Division League (Division Four), wrote on Twitter, “With great sorrow and sadness, the Board of Directors of Al-Jubail Club offers condolences and sympathy for the death of Jubail player Youssef Al-Salem. May God bless him with the abundance of his mercy, and dwell him in his spacious gardens.”
With great sorrow and sadness, the Jubail Club Board of Directors offers condolences and sympathy on the death of Jubail player Youssef Al-Salem.
May God bless him with the abundance of his mercy, and dwell him in his spacious gardens.#Youssef _ Al-Salem _ under _ God _ protection#Youssef _ Salem pic.twitter.com/hhPaVSpsxA– Jubail Club (@Jubailclub) February 12, 2023
Local reports stated that Al-Salem had a sudden health problem last month and was transferred to a hospital and underwent intensive care treatment.
Al-Salem participated in 10 international matches with his country’s national team during the period from 2007 to 2013, according to the statistics of the Saudi national team’s website.
Al-Salem, who was known by the nickname (F.16), also played in the ranks of Al-Hilal, Al-Shabab, Al-Ittifaq and Al-Qadisiyah.
Al-Hilal wrote on Twitter, “Youssef Al-Salem, to the paradise of eternity, God willing,” while Al-Shabab Club said that it was extending “its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy” for the death of its former player, as did Al-Itifaq, Al-Qadisiyah, and many Arab clubs, including Al-Ahly of Egypt.
⚫️| Al-Ahly extends its sincere condolences to its brother, Al-Hilal Saudi Club, on the death of its former player, Youssef Al-Salem@Alhilal_FC pic.twitter.com/GakZ9d99jE
– Al-Ahly Club ???? (@AlAhly) February 12, 2023
The news came as a shock to many current and former players.
Manaf Abu Shuqair, the former Saudi national team player, wrote, “My deepest condolences and sincere sympathy for the death of our brother Yusef Al-Salem,” while Muhammad Al-Shalhoub, the former captain of Al-Hilal, said, “May God reward you for the death of Yusef Al-Salem. Oh God, have mercy and forgive my friend Yusef Al-Salem, and make Paradise his abode.”
Yesterday evening, the captain and star of the Jubail team, the international player Youssef Al-Salem, visited the player Badr Al-Sharif at the Jubail General Hospital in the city of Jubail, immediately after the end of the Al-Salamiyah and Al-Jubail match, and was assured of the condition of the player Badr, which is not surprising from the decent player Youssef Al-Salem @Jubailclub #peaceful #output pic.twitter.com/4WXGBRiEGP
– The Saudi Peace Club (@selmeyahclub) December 4, 2022