Christian Wilhelmsson was produced by Sweden, but discovered his footballing home in Saudi Arabia.
A nomadic career had taken him to seven different clubs in seven different countries – a list that includes Belgium’s Anderlecht, France’s Nantes, Italy’s Roma and England’s Bolton Wanderers – from 1997. That is, until an “unexpected call” arrived in August 2008.
Few Europeans then made such an intrepid switch. Let alone pillars of their national sides.
Wilhelmsson would, however, not look back during four trophy-laden years – minus a short spell on loan at Qatar’s Al Ahli Doha in 2011/12.
Alongside the likes of Brazil playmaker Thiago Neves and Saudi Arabia icon Mohammad Al Shalhoub, he lifted ‘double doubles’ of the Saudi Professional League and exalted Saudi Crown Prince Cup between 2009-11. There was also 2009/10’s crowning glory when nine goals and 10 assists in the top flight saw him honoured with the Player of the Year gong.
When asked to reflect on this golden spell in a career that eventually encompassed 79 caps and four major finals appearance for his country, Wilhelmsson’s enduring gratitude shines through.
“That was an unexpected call that I got,” the now 39-year-old tells Sport360. “First of all, I had a discussion with my wife and told her this is where we might move.
“We, of course, had a conversation about this. Second, I had a discussion with the [Sweden] national team coach [Lars Lagerback] to see the possibility to still play for them if I made the move over there.
“I didn’t know that much [about Hilal], more than that they had two big profiles [players]. This was Sami Al Jaber and Mohamed Al Deayea.
“It was a very different journey and adventure to join a club in the Middle East.
“The way it all turned out, I am very grateful. I think the club had a big impact.”
🎥| Welcome back Christian Wilhelmsson 👋🏻😍#AlHilal_Snap bring you the best of videos and behind the scenes highlights: 👇🏻👇🏻https://t.co/V0ZOU0aQVC pic.twitter.com/GZKx6GQnlH
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) November 22, 2018
A buzz returned to the Saudi Arabian game last summer when the generous largesse of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz was allied with his bold Saudi Vision 2030.
Hilal’s ranks, alone, have been bolstered by France striker Bafetimbi Gomis, Italy forward Sebastian Giovinco and Australia centre-back Milos Degenek.
This group currently sits top of their SPL and 2019 AFC Champions League tables. Tangible success, however awaits.
Wilhelmsson can bask in multiple glories earned through his endeavours, plus those of fellow foreigners like seven-cap Neves and revered Romania anchor man Mirel Radoi.
Never mind a talented Saudi spine that contained maverick forward Yasser Al Qahtani, refined midfielder Al Shalhoub, dedicated centre-back Osama Hawsawi and lionised, 178-cap ‘keeper Al Deayea.
He was, further, guided by several eulogised head coaches. Men of gravitas like Cosmin Olaroiu and Eric Gerets.
He says: “I would say we had a fantastic team, with Thiago Neves and Mirel Radoi also being there.
“We were like a big family. That spirit made sure every player enjoyed being there.
“Hilal is great in that matter. They deal with the players arriving, taking care of them and making them feel at home.
“Half of the guys [in the dressing room] spoke English. That was not a big issue.
“There are a lot of funny memories, but they are hard to talk about in an interview. There were always funny episodes, on a daily basis I was usually part of the joke.”
Mohammad Al Shalhoub (l) and Christian Wilhelmsson (r).
Wilhelmsson also had front-row seats for the evolution of some special Saudi talents.
Centre midfielder Salman Al Faraj and winger Salem Al Dawsari – match-winner at World Cup 2018 against Egypt – were colts around the first team. Attacking midfielder Nawaf Al Abed was cruelly denied a ticket to last summer’s Russian festivities through injury, but debuted to acclaim when the Swede was present.
“They all started to practice while I was there and play with the first team,” Wilhelmsson says.
“I was surprised, of course. I did not know the skill set of the players over there.
“Those players were special. They showed it and have established themselves as stars.”
A special place in Wilhelmsson’s affections is reserved for the demonstrative Al Shalhoub, someone he affectionately recalls as having “one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever met”.
Remarkably, the diminutive, one-club attacking midfielder still remains a key cog for Hilal at 38-years old. This is more than 20 years since his first-team bow.
“That is one of the biggest memories that I have from Saudi,” Wilhelmsson states. “To play with someone like Al Shalhoub, who has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever met – both on the pitch and outside the field.
“He is a great guy and a good friend. He is an amazing footballer, it makes me so pleased to still see him performing at that level.”
The aspirations of the current vanguard face an acid test on Friday. A fervid Riyadh derby awaits at King Fahd International Stadium against Al Nassr, with only two points separating champions Hilal from their determined chasers.
Wilhelmsson says: “There was also a special game against Al Nassr for the derby. The atmosphere was amazing and the passion for football in the country was amazing.
“Those games really built up and you could almost touch the tension before the games. I was really surprised about it and didn’t know about the passion they have for football over there.”
Christian Wilhelmsson congratulates #ALHILAL fans for winning the King's Cup and invites them to attend tomorrow's game against @NYCosmos pic.twitter.com/nu51FfA5MJ
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) May 19, 2017
Domestic supremacy is an accepted norm for record 15-time top-flight champions Hilal. A desperation, however, has set in about ending a 19-year wait for continental glory.
Near misses in 2014 and 2017’s finals have exacerbated their anxiousness. Lauded Portuguese tactician Jorge Jesus was also jettisoned in late January for Croatia’s Zoran Mamic when he could not commit to the entire 2019 AFC Champions League campaign.
Wilhelmsson was convinced it is only “a matter of time” until this hunger is sated.
He says: “They have been so close in previous years. They are always in the top-four favourites to win the Champions League.
“I think it is a matter of time until they have that bit of extra luck to go all the way.”
The grateful Wilhelmsson was no mercenary, looking to swiftly enrich himself in the Kingdom and then leave. An indelible mark was left by his four-year Saudi experience.
He departed Hilal as a club legend in summer 2012. Stints would follow at United States’ LA Galaxy, UAE’s Bani Yas and back where it started at Sweden’s Mjallby before retirement was confirmed four years ago.
Dubai is now both home and the base for his Star Agency. Fittingly, its mission statement is about “bridging the gap between the Middle East and International sports”.
He says: “I am still living and working in Dubai. Almost every second week, I am heading to Saudi and working on several different things.
“We want to improve different areas, in both Saudi and the UAE.
“They have done so much for me; the club, the league and the country. To be able to contribute again and help them work in the right direction is a great opportunity.”
