What Yahya Al Shehri may lack in size, he has more than made up for with impact.
The diminutive midfielder, at only 165cm tall, certainly isn’t known as an aerial threat in the Roshn Saudi League, but his presence is felt in other areas of the pitch.
Football is a simple game, at its heart one that is about scoring goals, so it’s natural that those who score are revered and remembered in equal measure. But what about those who supply them? A striker is typically only as good as the service he receives, and in the history of the RSL few have been better at providing that than Al Shehri.
The 34-year-old, now at his fourth club with Al Riyadh, is the league’s all-time leading assist provider with an impressive 53 across his time in the top flight; a career that started with his hometown club, Al Ettifaq, back in 2009-10.
Throughout a contribution that this season entered its 16th year, Al Shehri has developed a reputation as one of Saudi Arabia’s most dangerous attacking weapons, his small frame belying the influence he has had.
When he made the move to Al Nassr from Al Ettifaq in 2013, the capital club were forced to part with a substantial transfer fee to secure Al Shehri’s services. In hindsight, Al Nassr picked up an absolute bargain. For, Al Shehri for phenomenal for the yellow half of Riyadh.
His arrival was perhaps the missing link for Al Nassr, who before Al Shehri joined were in the midst of an almost 20-year title drought. In fact, they had finished in the top three once in the previous 11 campaigns. All that was about to change, though. And in large part to their newly acquired, pint-sized midfielder.
In his debut season, Al Shehri registered 14 goal involvements, his five goals going alongside a league-best nine assists. The combination of Al Shehri and star striker Mohammed Al Sahlawi proved a winning one for Al Nassr: the two combined for 34 goal involvements in the 2013-14 RSL, as the club ended their long title drought by winning the championship by two points from arch-rivals Al Hilal.
Then, in the blink of an eye Al Nassr were celebrating back-to-back titles. With another four assists to his name, Al Shehri had again played his part.
It was a golden period for Al Nassr, and the Dammam-born creator personally, as he also established himself as a star of the national team, playing a leading role in Saudi Arabia’s road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
With Dutchman Bert van Marwijk in charge, the country returned to football’s global showpiece for the first time since 2006, with Al Shehri assuming the role as one of the team’s chief attacking threats. He netted five times in qualification.
Arguably, none was better or more important than his strike in a 1-0 win against Iraq. Given how tight the group was with Australia and Japan, Al Shehri’s stunning left-footed effort from all of 25 yards was one of the key moments of Saudi Arabia’s successful qualification. He had sealed a crucial three points.
“I noticed there was a lot of space ahead for me to run into and shoot,” Al Shehri said in an interview with FIFA.com at the time. “The Iraqi defence had been pretty compact during the first half, and trying our luck from outside the box was a way to combat that.
“We were ecstatic at the final whistle. It was very important for me to score the winning goal and help my team earn three points.”
While the FIFA World Cup in Russia did not go as planned for the national team – they did, however, defeat Egypt in their final group game – Al Shehri returned to Al Nassr buoyed by featuring on the global stage. He soon added a third RSL title to his glittering resume.
Al Shehri’s hugely successful period with Al Nassr concluded at the end the 2020-21 season; after more than 200 appearances in all competitions, he departed with three RSL titles, two Saudi Super Cups, one Crown Prince Cup and a lifetime worth of memories.
“I came to Al Nassr eight years ago, sacrificing a lot, and my first desire was to wear the Al Nassr logo,” he wrote on social media. “I did everything I could with sincerity and loyalty to this great entity.
"I bid you farewell today, carrying with me great memories and great championships that I will remain proud to have been a part of, and carrying in my heart the love and gratitude of the loyal Al Nassr fans. You will always be in my heart, and I will remain the lover who will never forget you. I wish Al Nassr success, victories and championships.”
A two-year stint with Al Raed followed for Al Shehri, before he return to the capital, this time with Al Riyadh as they look to return the club to former glories. Recently, Al Shehri clocked up game No.300 in the RSL, while earlier this season, he ticked beyond 400 career appearances across all competitions.
Al Shehri’s goal last time out against Al Shabab – Al Riyadh eventually lost the derby 2-1 – broke a drought that stretched to 1180 days since his last strike for Al Raed in 2021. And, while the numbers don’t match those of his heyday of the last decade, Al Shehri is still playing an important role for Al Riyadh under manager Sabri Lamouchi.
Heading into Matchweek 16, which kicks off the RSL's inaugural Legends Week, Al Shehri has created 400 chances in the RSL, meaning he lies one shy of Jehad Al Hussein's record for the most chances created in the competition since the 2010-2011 campaign.
It shows that, 16 seasons into his career, the pocket-rocket still has what it takes to deliver, especially when it comes to teeing up teammates to swell that historic RSL assist count.
After 8 successful years, he leaves AlNassr.
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) May 31, 2021
A brilliant star,
Amazing player,
And a team leader. #ThankYouYahya 🙏💛@Yahya_s8 pic.twitter.com/VyuwGpeNC0
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