Salam Al-Dosari Outshines Akram Afif as Asia's Player of the Year

Saudi star Salem Al-Dawsari is competing with Qatar's Akram Afif today for the Asian Player of the Year award at the 29th annual ceremony hosted by the Saudi Football Federation in Riyadh. Sources suggest Al-Dawsari has the edge in what could be his second time winning the prestigious title.

The competition features three finalists: Arif Aiman Hanapi from Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim, two-time winner Akram Afif from Qatar's Al Sadd, and Al-Dawsari from Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, who won the award once before.

Saudi media reports indicate that Al-Dawsari is the frontrunner for this year's honor. The Al Hilal midfielder has had a standout year, helping his club maintain their dominance in Saudi football while continuing to be a key player for the national team.

Afif, who plays for Al Sadd, already has two Asian Player of the Year titles under his belt. But reports suggest he may not attend tonight's ceremony, possibly because word has leaked that Al-Dawsari will take home the prize.

The Asian Football Confederation's annual awards recognize the continent's top performers across various categories. For Saudi football, an Al-Dawsari win would cap off another strong year for the kingdom's rapidly growing football scene.

The ceremony in Riyadh also reflects Saudi Arabia's increasing prominence in Asian football. The country has been investing heavily in the sport, attracting international stars to the Saudi Pro League and positioning itself as a major player in regional football politics.

If Al-Dawsari does win, it would make him one of only a few players to claim the Asian Player of the Year award multiple times. The recognition would also boost his profile ahead of upcoming international competitions where Saudi Arabia will be looking to make their mark.