Salem Al-Dosari, captain of the Saudi national team and Al-Hilal club, expressed his pride in being nominated again for the Best Player in Asia award, affirming during a press conference held in Riyadh that the value of collective success surpasses any individual achievement.

Al-Dosari explained that he preferred to participate in the Asian playoff matches despite suffering from a muscle injury, considering that his position as captain requires him to bear full responsibility and give his utmost for the national team on the field.

The Saudi star added that qualifying for the 2026 World Cup reflects the quality of the players and the level of the national team, pointing out that each milestone in his career represents a new motivation to achieve more successes.

Al-Dosari indicated that he draws his enthusiasm from ongoing challenges, explaining that his potential win of the award would be a significant motivation for him and his teammates, emphasizing that "the numbers are many, but the most important thing is to continue giving and contributing to the team's victories."

He also stressed that the pressure of matches and major stakes does not scare him, adding: "The best players in the world live under constant pressure, and my primary concern is to see the national team in the World Cup; age is just a number, and ambition does not stop."

In this context, Malaysian player Arif Hanapi, one of the nominees for the award, expressed his gratitude for being selected among the final list, explaining that he feels proud to be the first Malaysian player to reach this stage, looking forward to being a real contender for continental awards.

Hanapi confirmed that he seeks to learn from stars like Salem Al-Dosari and Akram Afif, considering them role models for every ambitious Asian player, adding that the nomination itself represents a motivation to continue developing and working hard in the future.