أشاد الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم (فيفا) بمنتخبنا الوطني السعودي للشباب، وامتدح النجمين الشابين طلال حاجي وسعد حقوي، وذلك في تقرير خاص نشره عبر موقعه الرسمي في الشبكة العنكبوتية ضمن تغطيته الخاصة لمونديال تشيلي 2025 تحت 20 عاماً.
وعنون (فيفا) مقاله بعبارة: «السعودية وصيفة آسيا تطمح لكتابة التاريخ في تشيلي 2025». وأضاف: «يسعى فريق المدرب ماركوس سواريز إلى الذهاب بعيداً هذه المرة، بعدما توقفت مسيرة (الأخضر الصغير)، سابقاً، عند دور الـ16 في مناسبتين».
وتطرق في مقاله عن تاريخ مشاركات الأخضر السعودي في مونديال الشباب: «منذ ظهوره الأول في كأس العالم تحت 20 سنة FIFA™ عام 1985، ترك المنتخب السعودي بصمات متكررة في البطولة العالمية، إذ شارك في تسع نسخ سابقة، وتخطى دور المجموعات في نسختي كولومبيا 2011 وجمهورية كوريا 2017. ومع اقتراب المشاركة العاشرة له في تشيلي 2025، يتطلع (الأخضر الصغير) إلى كسر حاجز دور الـ16، والذهاب أبعد من أي وقت مضى، في محاولة لكتابة فصل جديد في تاريخه».
وأضاف: «وجاء هذا الطموح مدعوماً بمسيرة آسيوية ناجحة، بعدما بلغ المنتخب السعودي المباراة النهائية في بطولة كأس آسيا تحت 20 سنة 2025، التي أقيمت في جمهورية الصين الشعبية. ورغم خسارته اللقب أمام أستراليا بركلات الترجيح، إلا أن فوزه المثير على الصين في ربع النهائي بهدف قاتل من عمار اليهيبي في الدقيقة 90 ضمن له بطاقة التأهل إلى النهائيات العالمية».
نجم بارز.. طلال حاجي
في 21 سبتمبر 2023، شارك طلال حاجي لأول مرة مع الفريق الأول لنادي الاتحاد في مواجهة الفتح، وكان عمره 16 عاماً وخمسة أيام فقط، ليُلفت الأنظار بظهوره المبكر القياسي في الدوري السعودي للمحترفين. وبعد نحو خمسة أشهر دوّن اسمه في التاريخ مجدداً عندما أحرز هدف الفوز أمام الأخدود وهو بعمر 16 عاماً و174 يوماً، ليصبح أصغر لاعب يسجل في تاريخ البطولة، مؤكّداً أن موهبته تتجاوز عمره بكثير. وانتقل اللاعب البالغ من العمر 17 عاماً حالياً إلى الرياض على سبيل الإعارة في موسم 2024- 2025، واستطاع تسجيل هدف من 10 مشاركات.
كما صنع حاجي لحظات بارزة مع أنديته، كانت محطاته الدولية بدورها تاريخية. شارك مع المنتخب السعودي الأول وهو بعمر 16 عاماً و131 يوماً أمام تايلند في كأس آسيا 2023. وقدّم نجم الاتحاد الصاعد التمريرة الحاسمة؛ التي ضمنت التأهل إلى كأس العالم تحت 20 سنة أمام الصين، قبل أن يعود في النهائي ليسجّل هدف التعادل في مرمى أستراليا.
يشغل طلال حاجي مركز المهاجم الصريح، ويتميّز بالقوة البدنية والسرعة التي تمنحه أفضلية في الانطلاق خلف المدافعين. ورغم أنه لا يعد طويل القامة (177 سم)، إلا أنه يُتقن الضربات الرأسية، دون إغفال لمسته الفنية وقدرته على المراوغة، مما يجعله مهاجماً متكامل الأدوات.
لاعب يستحق المتابعة.. سعد حقوي
بعد دخوله بديلاً في مباراة النصر أمام الخليج في موسم 2024- 2025، وجد سعد حقوي نفسه منفرداً بالمرمى في الوقت بدل الضائع. ورغم أن الفرصة كانت سانحة ليهز الشباك ويدخل التاريخ، فضّل تمرير الكرة إلى كريستيانو رونالدو، مساهماً في رحلته نحو بلوغ الألف هدف. كان رد الأسطورة البرتغالية عناقاً سيبقى في ذاكرة اللاعب الشاب إلى الأبد. وقال حقوي البالغ من العمر 19 عاماً لـFIFA عن تلك اللحظة: «كنت قادراً على تسجيل الهدف، لكنه يحتاجه أكثر مني لأنه يسعى للوصول إلى الهدف رقم 1,000. إنه شعور مذهل أن ألعب إلى جانب لاعب بهذه القيمة».
هذه الروح الجماعية انعكست أيضاً على أدائه مع المنتخب السعودي، إذ شكّل عنصراً محورياً في بلوغ المركز الثاني بكأس آسيا تحت 20 سنة. لم يقتصر إسهامه على تسجيل هدفين وصناعة آخر، بل برز بقدرته على التعاون مع زملائه، وفتح المساحات، والربط بين خطي الوسط والهجوم، مستفيداً من أدواره مهاجماً ثانياً.
قبل
كأس العالم
في تشيلي 2025
«فيفا» يتغنّى بالأخضر الشاب
20 سبتمبر 2025 - 20:25
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آخر تحديث 20 سبتمبر 2025 - 20:25
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
صالح عابد الحربي (جدة) Saleh_Okaz@
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) praised our Saudi national youth team and commended young stars Talal Haji and Saad Haqwi in a special report published on its official website as part of its coverage of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
FIFA titled its article: "Saudi Arabia, Asia's Runner-Up, Aims to Make History in Chile 2025." It added: "Coach Marcos Suarez's team is striving to go far this time, after the journey of the 'little green' previously stopped at the Round of 16 on two occasions."
The article discussed the history of the Saudi green team's participation in the youth World Cup: "Since its first appearance in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1985, the Saudi team has left repeated marks in the global tournament, having participated in nine previous editions and advancing past the group stage in the 2011 Colombia and 2017 South Korea editions. With its tenth participation approaching in Chile 2025, the 'little green' is looking to break the Round of 16 barrier and go further than ever before, in an attempt to write a new chapter in its history."
It added: "This ambition is supported by a successful Asian campaign, as the Saudi team reached the final match in the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup held in the People's Republic of China. Despite losing the title to Australia in a penalty shootout, its thrilling victory over China in the quarter-finals with a last-minute goal from Ammar Al-Yahibi in the 90th minute secured its ticket to the global finals."
Prominent Star.. Talal Haji
On September 21, 2023, Talal Haji made his debut with the first team of Al-Ittihad Club in a match against Al-Fateh, at just 16 years and five days old, drawing attention with his record early appearance in the Saudi Professional League. After about five months, he etched his name in history again when he scored the winning goal against Al-Akhidood at the age of 16 years and 174 days, becoming the youngest player to score in the tournament's history, confirming that his talent far exceeds his age. The now 17-year-old player moved to Riyadh on loan for the 2024-2025 season and managed to score one goal in 10 appearances.
Haji also created notable moments with his clubs, with his international appearances being historic as well. He participated with the Saudi national team at the age of 16 years and 131 days against Thailand in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. The rising Al-Ittihad star provided the decisive assist that secured qualification for the U-20 World Cup against China, before returning in the final to score the equalizer against Australia.
Talal Haji plays as a center forward and is distinguished by his physical strength and speed, which give him an advantage in breaking behind defenders. Although he is not tall (177 cm), he excels in heading the ball, not to mention his technical touch and dribbling ability, making him a well-rounded striker.
A Player Worth Following.. Saad Haqwi
After coming on as a substitute in the match between Al-Nassr and Al-Khaleej in the 2024-2025 season, Saad Haqwi found himself alone in front of the goal in stoppage time. Although the opportunity was ripe for him to score and make history, he preferred to pass the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, contributing to his journey towards reaching 1,000 goals. The response from the Portuguese legend was a hug that the young player will remember forever. Haqwi, who is 19 years old, told FIFA about that moment: "I could have scored the goal, but he needs it more than I do because he is striving to reach goal number 1,000. It’s an amazing feeling to play alongside a player of such value."
This team spirit was also reflected in his performance with the Saudi national team, as he was a pivotal element in reaching second place in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup. His contributions were not limited to scoring two goals and assisting another, but he also stood out for his ability to collaborate with his teammates, create spaces, and connect between the midfield and attack, benefiting from his roles as a second striker.
FIFA titled its article: "Saudi Arabia, Asia's Runner-Up, Aims to Make History in Chile 2025." It added: "Coach Marcos Suarez's team is striving to go far this time, after the journey of the 'little green' previously stopped at the Round of 16 on two occasions."
The article discussed the history of the Saudi green team's participation in the youth World Cup: "Since its first appearance in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1985, the Saudi team has left repeated marks in the global tournament, having participated in nine previous editions and advancing past the group stage in the 2011 Colombia and 2017 South Korea editions. With its tenth participation approaching in Chile 2025, the 'little green' is looking to break the Round of 16 barrier and go further than ever before, in an attempt to write a new chapter in its history."
It added: "This ambition is supported by a successful Asian campaign, as the Saudi team reached the final match in the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup held in the People's Republic of China. Despite losing the title to Australia in a penalty shootout, its thrilling victory over China in the quarter-finals with a last-minute goal from Ammar Al-Yahibi in the 90th minute secured its ticket to the global finals."
Prominent Star.. Talal Haji
On September 21, 2023, Talal Haji made his debut with the first team of Al-Ittihad Club in a match against Al-Fateh, at just 16 years and five days old, drawing attention with his record early appearance in the Saudi Professional League. After about five months, he etched his name in history again when he scored the winning goal against Al-Akhidood at the age of 16 years and 174 days, becoming the youngest player to score in the tournament's history, confirming that his talent far exceeds his age. The now 17-year-old player moved to Riyadh on loan for the 2024-2025 season and managed to score one goal in 10 appearances.
Haji also created notable moments with his clubs, with his international appearances being historic as well. He participated with the Saudi national team at the age of 16 years and 131 days against Thailand in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. The rising Al-Ittihad star provided the decisive assist that secured qualification for the U-20 World Cup against China, before returning in the final to score the equalizer against Australia.
Talal Haji plays as a center forward and is distinguished by his physical strength and speed, which give him an advantage in breaking behind defenders. Although he is not tall (177 cm), he excels in heading the ball, not to mention his technical touch and dribbling ability, making him a well-rounded striker.
A Player Worth Following.. Saad Haqwi
After coming on as a substitute in the match between Al-Nassr and Al-Khaleej in the 2024-2025 season, Saad Haqwi found himself alone in front of the goal in stoppage time. Although the opportunity was ripe for him to score and make history, he preferred to pass the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, contributing to his journey towards reaching 1,000 goals. The response from the Portuguese legend was a hug that the young player will remember forever. Haqwi, who is 19 years old, told FIFA about that moment: "I could have scored the goal, but he needs it more than I do because he is striving to reach goal number 1,000. It’s an amazing feeling to play alongside a player of such value."
This team spirit was also reflected in his performance with the Saudi national team, as he was a pivotal element in reaching second place in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup. His contributions were not limited to scoring two goals and assisting another, but he also stood out for his ability to collaborate with his teammates, create spaces, and connect between the midfield and attack, benefiting from his roles as a second striker.
