Salem Al-Dawsari post fuels speculation over Asian Player of the Year award

Salem Al-Dawsari has prompted fresh debate over his chances of winning the Asian Player of the Year award after sharing a photograph from one of his previous triumphs on Snapchat.

The Al-Hilal captain’s post came as anticipation builds ahead of the official announcement of this year’s winner. Some interpreted the image as a subtle indication that Al-Dawsari expects to claim the prize again, while others viewed it simply as a reminder of an earlier achievement rather than evidence of the competition’s outcome.

Al-Dawsari is competing for the award for a third time in his career. He is up against fellow Saudi Arabia international Firas Al-Buraikan, the Al-Ahli forward, and Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand of Tractor. The three players make up the final shortlist.

A victory would give Al-Dawsari the opportunity to create Asian football history. Having already won the award twice, he would become the first player to receive the Asian Player of the Year prize on three occasions if he is selected again.

The reaction to his Snapchat post has increased attention on the Al-Hilal captain, but the award has not yet been decided officially. His photograph cannot be regarded as confirmation that he has won, with the Asian Football Confederation still due to announce the result.

The winner will be revealed at the Asian awards ceremony in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, on 19 November.

Until then, Al-Dawsari’s post remains open to interpretation. It may have been no more than a look back at a previous ceremony, or it may have preceded a new individual milestone for the Al-Hilal captain.