PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ali Mohammed Lajami |
| Date of Birth | 24/04/1996 (Age: 30) |
| Place of Birth | Qatif, Saudi Arabia |
| Nationality | Saudi Arabian |
| Height | 1.77-1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 71-76 kg |
| Position | Centre-Back / Defender |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #78 |
| Current Club | Al-Hilal |
| Previous Clubs | Al-Khaleej, Al-Fateh, Al-Nassr |
| International Caps | 27 (as of July 2026) |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | Not specified |
| Market Value | €600K (as of Sep 2025) |
The Frozen Moment
June 26, 2026. The FIFA World Cup. Saudi Arabia, a nation with growing footballing ambition, were competing with Ali Lajami as a defensive option. The 30-year-old centre-back from Qatif had been selected in Saudi Arabia’s 26-man squad for the tournament, adding to his international caps and experience at the highest level.
Lajami made his World Cup debut against Cape Verde, playing 57 minutes. He would go on to feature against Spain (90 minutes) and Uruguay (1 minute), accumulating 147-157 minutes of World Cup action. Saudi Arabia’s campaign ended in the group stage, but Lajami had achieved what every Saudi footballer dreams of.
Just a month earlier, Lajami had made the move from Al-Nassr to their Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal on a free transfer. The boy who had started his career in the youth ranks of Al-Muheet, who had been part of the Saudi U23 team between 2016 and 2018, had now represented his country on football’s greatest stage.
Origins
Born on April 24, 1996, in Qatif, Saudi Arabia, Ali Mohammed Lajami began his football journey in the youth ranks of Al-Muheet. On July 29, 2014, Lajami and his twin brother Qassem joined Al-Khaleej.
He made his debut for Al-Khaleej in the last match of the 2014-15 season, coming on as a substitute in a 4-4 draw against Al-Taawoun. Lajami represented Saudi Arabia at the U23 level between 2016 and 2018 before making his senior debut for the national team in 2019.
The Domestic Forge
Al-Khaleej (2015-2018):
Lajami’s senior career began at Al-Khaleej. Over three seasons, he made 51 league appearances and scored 3 goals. He broke through with 17 appearances in the 2015-16 season, scoring 3 goals. His development at Al-Khaleej established him as a reliable defensive prospect in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Fateh (2018-2020):
On July 24, 2018, Lajami joined Al-Fateh on a four-year contract. Over two seasons, he made 37 league appearances, scoring 1 goal. His 2019-20 season was his most consistent, with 22 league starts. His performances at Al-Fateh attracted the attention of bigger clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Nassr (2020-2025):
On September 9, 2020, Lajami signed a five-year contract with Al-Nassr. Over five seasons, he made 95 league appearances, scoring 2 goals. His most productive season at the club was 2021-22, where he made 20 league appearances and scored 1 goal. He became a part of the Al-Nassr squad that won the Saudi Super Cup.
Al-Hilal (2025-Present):
On May 27, 2025, Lajami made a controversial move, signing with Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal on a free transfer. In his first season at the club (2025-26), he made 25-28 appearances in the Saudi Professional League, helping Al-Hilal finish as runners-up. He also featured in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, making 3 appearances (52 minutes) as Al-Hilal reached the quarter-finals.
The Anatomy of His Game
Ali Lajami is a centre-back known for his defensive contributions, physical presence, and consistent performances. At 177-178 cm, he is well-built for the central defensive role.
In Possession:
Lajami is a composed and reliable distributor. In the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, he achieved a 95% pass completion rate across 52 minutes of action. His passing reliability is a key asset in build-up play. He has scored 7 career goals across his professional career.
Out of Possession:
Lajami’s primary contributions are defensive. He has made 17 league appearances for Al-Hilal in the 2025-26 season, keeping 2 clean sheets. At the World Cup, he accumulated 147-157 minutes of action. He has recorded 1 international goal, scoring against Jordan on June 11, 2024.
Psychological Edge:
Lajami’s career demonstrates steady progression through the Saudi football system. From Al-Khaleej to Al-Fateh, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal, he has consistently moved to bigger clubs. His move to Al-Hilal after five seasons at Al-Nassr reflects a player seeking new challenges and ambition.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot – 2025/26 Season
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Pro League (Al-Hilal) | 17-25 | 13-20 | 623-642 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 3 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 1 | 147-157 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| AFC Champions League | 8 | 4 | 373 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| King’s Cup | 4-5 | 1 | 79 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | 35-41 | 19 | 1,274+ | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
TABLE B: Saudi Pro League Season-by-Season
| Season | Club | Apps | Starts | Goals | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | Al-Khaleej | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015-16 | Al-Khaleej | 17 | 14 | 3 | 4 |
| 2016-17 | Al-Khaleej | 19 | 14 | 1 | 2 |
| 2018-19 | Al-Fateh | 15 | 15 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Al-Fateh | 22 | 22 | 0 | 3 |
| 2020-21 | Al-Nassr | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | Al-Nassr | 20 | 18 | 1 | 3 |
| 2022-23 | Al-Nassr | 22 | 11 | 0 | — |
| 2023-24 | Al-Nassr | 18 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024-25 | Al-Nassr | 25 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 2025-26 | Al-Hilal | 17-25 | 13-20 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 0 | Group Stage |
| FIFA World Cup Qualifying | 9 | 1 | Qualified |
| Saudi Arabia Senior Career | 27 | 1 | — |
| Saudi Arabia U23 | — | — | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Professional Debut | Al-Khaleej vs Al-Taawoun |
| 2014-15 | Professional Contract | Al-Khaleej debut |
| 2016 | Saudi U23 Debut | National youth team |
| 2018 | Al-Fateh Transfer | Four-year contract |
| 2019 | Saudi Arabia Debut | Senior international |
| 2020 | Al-Nassr Transfer | Five-year contract |
| 2024 | First International Goal | vs Jordan |
| 2025 | Al-Hilal Transfer | Free transfer |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | Saudi Arabia squad |
These figures reveal a player of consistent experience in the Saudi Pro League. Lajami has accumulated over 100 appearances across four Saudi clubs, represented his country at the 2026 World Cup, and scored 1 international goal.
The Present Tense
The Al-Hilal Story:
Ali Lajami is currently a defender for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, having joined the club in May 2025 on a free transfer from rivals Al-Nassr. In his first season at the club, he made 17-25 league appearances and helped Al-Hilal finish as runners-up. He also featured in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, making 3 appearances as Al-Hilal reached the quarter-finals.
The World Cup Campaign:
Lajami was named in Saudi Arabia’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made 3 appearances, starting once and accumulating 147-157 minutes of action. He did not record any goals, assists, or yellow cards at the tournament. Saudi Arabia were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Lajami has earned 27 caps for Saudi Arabia since his debut in 2019. He has scored 1 international goal, against Jordan on June 11, 2024. He represented Saudi Arabia at the U23 level between 2016 and 2018.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Ali Lajami is known for his steady progression through the Saudi football system. Born in Qatif, he began his career at Al-Muheet before joining Al-Khaleej. His move to Al-Hilal from rivals Al-Nassr on a free transfer in 2025 was a significant moment in his career.
Lajami has a twin brother, Qassem, who also joined Al-Khaleej with him on July 29, 2014. He has won one trophy in his career. His market value peaked at €600,000 in September 2025. He wears the number 78 shirt for Al-Hilal.
The Verdict from the Camp
Statistic:
Lajami made 3 appearances at the 2026 World Cup, accumulating 147-157 minutes of action.
Statistic:
Lajami has earned 27 caps for Saudi Arabia and scored 1 international goal.
Statistic:
Lajami made 17-25 Saudi Pro League appearances for Al-Hilal in the 2025-26 season.
Statistic:
Lajami’s market value peaked at €600,000 in September 2025.
Statistic:
Lajami scored his first international goal against Jordan on June 11, 2024.
Statistic:
Lajami made 3 appearances in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, accumulating 52 minutes of action.
Where Next?
Ali Lajami is 30 years old and at the peak of his career. He is currently a squad player for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, having joined the club in 2025. He has established himself as a reliable defensive option in the Saudi Pro League, having represented four different clubs.
A move to another Saudi club is possible given his experience and the competitive nature of the league. He has now played for Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Fateh, and Al-Khaleej. Alternatively, he could remain at Al-Hilal as a squad player.
For Saudi Arabia, Lajami is a useful squad player. With 27 caps and a World Cup appearance under his belt, he offers defensive depth and experience to the national team. He will be expected to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in the next AFC Asian Cup cycle.
From the youth ranks of Al-Muheet to the World Cup stage, from Al-Khaleej to Al-Hilal via Al-Fateh and Al-Nassr, Ali Lajami’s journey is one of steady progression and consistent achievement. The boy from Qatif who started his career at Al-Muheet has represented his country on football’s greatest stage.
