DUBAI: It was something like old times this week when renowned Syrian footballer Omar Al-Somar accepted an offer from Al-Orobah to play in the Saudi Pro League.
The player’s highlights at Al-Ahli, from May 2014 to August 2022, when he left for Qatar’s Al-Arabi initially on loan, included a record-breaking 144 goals in 180 Roshn Saudi League runouts and four major trophies.
In Jeddah, he was the fearsome center forward, standing 6 feet 4 inches and boasting the footwork of a ballerina. He had the grace to chest down and bicycle kick in March 2019’s unforgettable derby strike against Al-Ittihad, and the raw power to smash home countless free-kicks.
This richly talented figure has towered over the competition for almost a decade — literally and figuratively. An eye for the extravagant allied with ruthless finishing made him a poster boy for professional football in the Kingdom.
This, however, was before December 2022’s seismic announcement of Portugal megastar Cristiano Ronaldo’s recruitment and the rapid expansion of horizons that followed. It was also after an uncharacteristically meek contribution to the previous season’s unprecedented relegation for his team.
As the professional era’s unparalleled top scorer, Al-Somah’s exalted position in Saudi football is secure. The focus now is on what his return as a 35-year old on a free transfer can deliver for a club precariously positioned around the relegation zone, and which has netted only nine times in 14 outings during their top-flight return to date.
Ahead of Friday’s potential debut at Al-Khaleej, the celebrated attacker had an unequivocal retort to those who say you should never return to the scene of past glories.
“I’m delighted to be back in Saudi Arabia and back in the RSL,” said Al-Somah, according to Saudi Pro League’s official website. “It’s an honor to put on the shirt of Al-Orobah Football Club. I promise to do my best to live up to the expectations of everyone and add real value to the team.”
He added: “I’m really grateful for the fans who welcomed me in Al-Jouf and I’m honored to be among them. I look forward to my first match in Al-Jouf in two weeks’ time [the Jan. 22 encounter against Al-Qadsiah]. We need the fans to stand by us and push us forward in the next few months.”
Al-Somah held a tight grip on the RSL Golden Boot in three-consecutive seasons from 2014-17, plus played an oversized role in Al-Ahli that in the 2015-16 season ended a 32-year wait for another top-flight crown.
He bestrode a generation defined by spiky Saudi Arabia hitman Nasser Al-Shamrani, Al-Hilal’s beloved Bafetimbi Gomis and a prolific Abderrazak Hamdallah.
A much-changed league awaits him.
Previously, it was unheard of for promoted sides to stack prominent players. But his teammates now include the likes of ex-France defender Kurt Zouma, Iceland’s experienced Premier League campaigner Johann Berg Gudmundsson, former Barcelona youngster Cristian Tello and Ivory Coast’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations winner Jean Michael Seri.
This is before you look at the world-class signings made by the likes of champions Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Qadsiah, Al-Ettifaq and the rest.
Elite center-backs such as Aymeric Laporte, Merih Demiral, Kalidou Koulibaly and Nacho must be conquered by Al-Somah if Al-Orobah are to get the goals they need. It is a sporting challenge many levels above what came before.
A further note of caution is that he barely cracked double figures during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 RSL campaigns as Al-Ahli’s travails and personal injury problems gripped.
Success did, however, follow in Qatar.
A brace against all-conquering Al-Sadd in the 2022-23 Emir Cup final ended Al-Arabi’s 30-year trophy drought. Only Kenya and Al-Duhail’s Michael Olunga (22 goals) bettered Al-Somah’s Qatar Stars League tally (19 goals).
Last season’s superb top-flight record came in at 17 strikes from 22 matches.
But Al-Somah has not been seen in action since August. Just 89 minutes and one goal were recorded in three appearances. This absence was extended to the international arena, with his last caps coming in June.
Understandable ring rust must be brushed off — and fast. It is testament to residual belief in his unique abilities, however, that Al-Orobah were forced to fight for this coveted signature.
Of the options he had available, Al-Somah said: “I had multiple offers, but this was the one I felt most comfortable with, and my heart went for Al-Orobah.”
Experience is the attribute which defines the club’s winter refit. Al-Somah joins a side now led by 63-year-old former Iraq, Jordan and Bahrain tactician Adnan Hamad. More tweaks may follow in the weeks ahead.
Any advantage will be sought in the battle to avoid demotion. Match week 15 began with 11th-placed Al-Ettifaq only three points above Al-Wehda in the final relegation spot.
Al-Somah’s Saudi record can never be questioned. Neither can the output during most of his Qatar spell at an Al-Arabi team that failed to gain silverware in the 21st century before he arrived.
The Syria icon departed the Roshn Saudi League after an unsuccessful scrap against relegation at Al-Ahli and rejoins via Al-Orobah with the same task at hand.
With a palpable determination to succeed, he is striking the right tone to see his standing enhanced rather than diminished during the remainder of this season.
It would be in character to witness a trademark torrent of goals, keep a grateful Al-Orobah up and cement an unmatched reputation that straddles different eras.
