Ali Al-Bulaihi


Ali Hadi Mohammed Al-Bulaihi is a Saudi who plays as a centre-back for Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab, on loan from Al Hilal and the Saudi Arabia national team.

Club career

Al-Bulaihi started his career at Al-Amal where he spent three years before joining Al-Nahda in 2014. On 23 July 2015, he joined Al-Fateh.

Al-Hilal

On 21 June 2017, Al-Hilal signed Al Bulaihi on a free transfer. He signed a three-year contract with the club.
In April 2024, in a derby match against rival team Al Nassr, he gathered some controversy after being elbowed by Cristiano Ronaldo after trying to intimidate him, resulting in a red card for Ronaldo and a yellow card for Al-Bulaihi.

Al-Shabab (loan)

On 1 February 2026, Al-Bulaihi joined Al-Shabab on loan for sex-month.

International career

In June 2018, Al-Bulaihi was named in Saudi Arabia's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He made his debut in the competition against Uruguay. In November 2022, he was called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In the opening game, he played the whole match as his team defeated the eventual world champions Argentina 2–1.
In January 2024, he drew criticism for shoving and grabbing the hair of South Korean player Son Heung-min, unprovoked, during the 2023 AFC Asian Cup round of 16. Al-Bulaihi had previously similarly taunted Argentine player Lionel Messi by slapping him on the back.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
18 September 2023St James' Park, Newcastle, England1–21–3Friendly
216 January 2024Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar2–12–12023 AFC Asian Cup

Honours

Al Hilal
Individual