Salem Al-Dawsari uses Mbappe and Yamal tactics in bid for third Asian Player of the Year award

Salem Al-Dawsari has drawn attention to his previous success rather than openly claiming he deserves the 2026 Asian Player of the Year award, as he attempts to become the first player to win the honour three times.

The award will be presented at the Asian Football Confederation’s annual ceremony in Bangkok on Thursday, 19 November 2026. Al-Dawsari faces competition from Saudi Arabia team-mate Firas Al-Buraikan of Al-Ahli and Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand of Tractor.

Al-Dawsari posted a photograph of himself holding the award and also shared a video from his 2022 victory. Although he did not directly state that he should win, the timing of the posts has prompted speculation that he was seeking to influence the narrative before the ceremony.

The Al-Hilal captain has already won the award twice and is attempting to create a new record by claiming it for a third time.

His form provides a strong basis for his candidacy. Al-Dawsari has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 appearances for Al-Hilal last season and so far this campaign. He has also played six times for Saudi Arabia in 2026, scoring once, and helped the club win the King’s Cup.

However, his record will be assessed alongside the achievements of two very different rivals.

Al-Buraikan scored the decisive goal in Al-Ahli’s AFC Champions League Elite final against Japan’s Machida Zelvia. His strike came in the sixth minute of extra time, securing the continental title and helping Al-Ahli retain the trophy for a second successive season.

The forward also played a role in Al-Ahli’s second Saudi Super Cup triumph. For Saudi Arabia, he was one of the standout players during the Gulf Cup, scoring in the final and finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with three goals.

Beiranvand’s nomination offers a contrasting case. He is the only goalkeeper among the finalists, a rarity not seen since Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al-Deayea was nominated in 1996.

His performances at the 2026 World Cup were central to his inclusion, particularly in Iran’s goalless draw with Belgium. Beiranvand made seven saves from clear opportunities and was named player of the match.

He played all three of Iran’s matches at the tournament and reached 90 international appearances, becoming the most-capped goalkeeper in the national team’s history.

At club level, he helped Tractor reach the AFC Champions League Elite last 16 for the first time in four years. He played nine matches in the competition, keeping five clean sheets, and also helped Tractor finish second in the Iranian league.

Al-Dawsari’s approach echoes the debate before the most recent Ballon d’Or ceremony. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe told L’Equipe that no player had enjoyed a better season than him, while Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal openly argued that his team honours and individual numbers made him worthy of the prize.

Harry Kane adopted the opposite stance, allowing his performances for Bayern Munich and England to speak for him after scoring 73 goals in 65 matches. He ultimately won the award.

That example underlines that public campaigning does not guarantee success, while silence does not remove a player from contention. The final decision will rest with the voters and their assessment of the season, rather than media attention alone.