PARIS — Saudi Arabia’s Saud Abdulhamid made historical past on Thursday evening by turning into the primary Saudi footballer to play within the French prime flight, showing as a second-half substitute in RC Lens’ 1-0 loss to Lyon within the opening spherical of Ligue 1.
Abdulhamid, who joined Lens on a season-long mortgage from Serie A aspect AS Roma, obtained a heat ovation from the house crowd at Stade Bollaert-Delelis when he stepped onto the pitch.
Regardless of Lens’ defeat, the second was a private milestone for the Saudi worldwide, whose entry into the French league provides to the rising world footprint of Saudi soccer expertise.
The match’s solely aim got here in first-half stoppage time (45+1) by Georgian striker Georges Mikautadze, who capitalized on a exact help from Belgian winger Malick Fofana one in every of Lyon’s standout performers on the evening.
The sport additionally marked a turning level for Lyon, who lately emerged from monetary uncertainty after the departure of former proprietor John Textor.
The French monetary watchdog initially dominated the membership ineligible for the highest division, however that call was overturned after new president Michele Kang satisfied regulators of the membership’s monetary stability for the 2026 season.
