Riyadh: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President and FIFA Senior Vice President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa awarded Saudi national team and Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari with the 2025 Asian Men's Player of the Year award during a ceremony held this evening at King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the event was attended by Minister of Sport and Chairman of Dream Asia Foundation Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, alongside senior Asian sports officials and football figures. The gathering celebrated the achievements of various players, coaches, officials, and national associations across Asia.
During the ceremony, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim also presented the Best National Federation Award to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, while Japan's Hana Takahashi was honored with the Best Asian Player (Women's) award. Several other awards were distributed, recognizing outstanding contributions to the game from across the continent.
In his remarks, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa expressed his deep appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting this year's AFC Awards. He praised the event's organization and professional standards, describing it as a testament to the Kingdom's capacity to host significant continental and international sporting events. The ceremony was highlighted as a reflection of the strong partnership between the AFC and Saudi Arabia, serving as a model for cooperation to support the development and future of Asian football.