{{Short description|Saudi Arabian footballer}} {{BLP sources|date=February 2009}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Yousuf Al-Thunayyan | image = | image_size = | fullname = Yousuf Al-Thunayyan | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1963|11|18}} | birth_place = [[Riyadh]], Saudi Arabia | height = {{height|m=1.74}} | position = [[Midfielder#Winger|Winger]], [[attacking midfielder]] | youthyears1 = 1981–1983 | youthclubs1 = [[Al-Hilal FC|Al-Hilal]] | years1 = 1984–2003 | clubs1 = [[Al-Hilal FC|Al-Hilal]] | caps1 = 350 | goals1 = 88 | nationalyears1 = 1986–1998 | nationalteam1 = [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] | nationalcaps1 = 81 | nationalgoals1 = 20 }} '''Yousuf Al-Thunayyan''' ({{langx|ar|يوسف الثُنيان}}, born November 18, 1963) is a former [[association football]] [[Winger (association football)|winger]] and [[attacking midfielder]] from [[Saudi Arabia]]. He spent [[List of one-club men in association football#Retired players|all 21 seasons of his senior career]] at [[Al-Hilal FC]]. A playmaker known for vision and technique, Al-Thunayyan was nicknamed "The Philosopher" for his dribbling, goal scoring, and playmaking skills. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Saudi and Asian players of all time.
==Club career== Al-Thunayan played his entire club career for [[Al-Hilal FC|Al-Hilal]], joining the first team in 1984 and retiring in 2005 after winning a total of 24 titles with the club.{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}} On 14 December 2005, Al-Hilal hosted [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] in his farewell match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciberche.net/histoche/partidos/5?mid=4110 |title=14.12.2005: Al Hilal 2 - 1 Valencia CF |website=www.ciberche.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211133857/http://www.ciberche.net/histoche/partidos/5?mid=4110 |archive-date=2013-12-11}}</ref> Particular highlights are Asian Club Championship 1991 Winner and Asian Club Championship 1999-2000 Winner.
==International career== During his active career, Al-Thunayan played 95 international matches and scored 33 goals for the [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia national team]]. At the age of 34 he was selected for his only [[1998 Football World Cup|Football World Cup]], and appeared in two games, scoring from the penalty spot in the 2–2 draw with [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/results/matches/match=8764/report.html |title=FIFA.com - 1998 FIFA World Cup France ™ |access-date=June 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615211636/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/results/matches/match=8764/report.html |archive-date=June 15, 2010 }}</ref> Yousuf represented Saudi Arabia in 3 consecutive [[AFC Asian Cup]] finals in 1988, 1992 and 1996, winning two out of these three.
=== '''[[1988 AFC Asian Cup]]''' (Qatar) === Yousuf took over the starting forward role mid-way through the tournament coached by [[Carlos Alberto Parreira]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spieler_profil/carlos-alberto-parreira/|title=Carlos Alberto Parreira|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204113206/https://www.weltfussball.de/spieler_profil/carlos-alberto-parreira/|url-status=live}}</ref> He played against Bahrain in the group stage which ended 1-1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1988-in-katar-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-bahrain/|title=Saudi-Arabien - Bahrain 1:1 (Asian Cup 1988 Katar, Gruppe 2)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204113214/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1988-in-katar-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-bahrain/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also played an important game vs China which Saudi Arabia won 1–0.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1988-in-katar-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-china/|title=Saudi-Arabien - China 1:0 (Asian Cup 1988 Katar, Gruppe 2)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204113200/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1988-in-katar-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-china/|url-status=live}}</ref> He played the semi finals against Iran which Saudi Arabia won 1–0.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1988-in-katar-halbfinale-saudi-arabien-iran/|title=Saudi-Arabien - Iran 1:0 (Asian Cup 1988 Katar, Halbfinale)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204113200/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1988-in-katar-halbfinale-saudi-arabien-iran/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also played in the final against South Korea which Saudi Arabia won on penalties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1988-in-katar-endspiel-saudi-arabien-suedkorea/|title=Saudi-Arabien - Südkorea 4:3 (Asian Cup 1988 Katar, Finale)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2023-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512021524/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1988-in-katar-endspiel-saudi-arabien-suedkorea/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== '''[[1992 AFC Asian Cup]]''' (Japan) === He scored a goal in a group stage game against China which ended 1-1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-china/|title=Saudi-Arabien - China 1:1 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Gruppe 2)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917180821/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-china/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also played a group stage game against Qatar which again ended 1-1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-katar/|title=Saudi-Arabien - Katar 1:1 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Gruppe 2)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917180543/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-katar/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the final group stage game, Yousuf scored a goal in a 4–0 game against Thailand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-thailand/|title=Saudi-Arabien - Thailand 4:0 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Gruppe 2)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917180532/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-gruppe-2-saudi-arabien-thailand/|url-status=live}}</ref> Yousuf led the team to defeat UAE 2–0 in the semi finals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-halbfinale-saudi-arabien-va-emirate/|title=Saudi-Arabien - VA Emirate 2:0 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Halbfinale)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917180654/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-halbfinale-saudi-arabien-va-emirate/|url-status=live}}</ref> Yousuf played the final in which Saudi Arabia lost to Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-endspiel-japan-saudi-arabien/|title=Japan - Saudi-Arabien 1:0 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Finale)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917180551/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1992-in-japan-endspiel-japan-saudi-arabien/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== '''[[1992 King Fahd Cup]]''', later known as the [[FIFA Confederations Cup]] === The King Fahd Cup was the last stop prior to Asian World Cup qualifiers. Saudi Arabia beat USA 3–0, with Yousuf scoring a goal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/confederationscup/saudiarabia1992/matches/round=4298/match=21302/index.html|title=Intercontinental Champions Cup Saudi Arabia 1992 - USA 0:3 (0:0) Saudi Arabia - Overview |date=2015-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913052324/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/confederationscup/saudiarabia1992/matches/round=4298/match=21302/index.html|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2015-09-13}}</ref>
=== '''[[1996 AFC Asian Cup]]''' (UAE) === Yousuf was on the bench but was substituted in the game against Iran, which Saudi Arabia lost 3–0.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1996-in-den-va-emiraten-gruppe-b-saudi-arabien-iran/|title=Saudi-Arabien - Iran 0:3 (Asian Cup 1996 VA Emirate, Gruppe B)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204113211/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1996-in-den-va-emiraten-gruppe-b-saudi-arabien-iran/|url-status=live}}</ref> A Quarter final game against China started badly, with Saudi Arabia down 2–0. Yousuf scored a goal and made an assist, and in the end Saudi Arabia won the game 4–2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1996-in-den-va-emiraten-viertelfinale-saudi-arabien-china/|title=Saudi-Arabien - China 4:3 (Asian Cup 1996 VA Emirate, Viertelfinale)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204113209/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1996-in-den-va-emiraten-viertelfinale-saudi-arabien-china/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the Semi Finals game vs Iran, Saudi Arabia won the match on penalties 4–3.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1996-in-den-va-emiraten-halbfinale-iran-saudi-arabien/|title=Iran - Saudi-Arabien 3:4 (Asian Cup 1996 VA Emirate, Halbfinale)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204113214/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1996-in-den-va-emiraten-halbfinale-iran-saudi-arabien/|url-status=live}}</ref> Saudi Arabia won 4–2 against UAE, the host nation, with Yousuf playing the whole game and scoring a critical first penalty shot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1996-in-den-va-emiraten-endspiel-saudi-arabien-va-emirate/|title=Saudi-Arabien - VA Emirate 4:2 (Asian Cup 1996 VA Emirate, Finale)|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|access-date=2019-12-04|archive-date=2019-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204113202/https://www.weltfussball.de/spielbericht/asian-cup-1996-in-den-va-emiraten-endspiel-saudi-arabien-va-emirate/|url-status=live}}</ref> This was a second continental Asian Cup for Yousuf and a third for Saudi Arabia.
=== [[1998 Arab Cup]] === Yousuf scored in the semi final game against Kuwait which ended 2-1. In the final against Qatar, he made an assist to clinch the title for Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Citation|title=1998 Arab Nations Cup|date=2019-07-25|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1998_Arab_Nations_Cup&oldid=907888495|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref>
=== [[1998 World Cup]] === As Saudi Arabia failed to qualify for the 1986 and 1990 [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]], Yousuf had only one chance to play on the World Cup near the end of his peak. He appeared as a substitute against Denmark in which Saudi Arabia lost 1–0. Yousuf scored a penalty kick to earn Saudi Arabia a 2–2 draw vs South Africa, resulting in the only point for Saudi Arabia in 1998 World Cup. He captained the team in the game.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
===International goals=== <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/aljaber-intlg.html |title=Sami Abdullah Al-Jaber - Century of International Appearances |author=Roberto Mamrud & Naim Albakr |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=2013-11-23 |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418073146/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/aljaber-intlg.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |- | 1 || 25 February 1986 || [[Khobar]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|Wales}} || 1–2 || Lost || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]] |- | 2 || 3 October 1986 || [[Seoul]], [[South Korea]] || {{fb|KWT}} || 2–2 || Drew || [[1986 Asian Games]] |- | 3 || 15 March 1989 || [[Jeddah]] [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|Syria|1980}} || 5–4 || Won || [[1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)]] |- | 4 || 15 October 1992 || [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|USA}} || 3–0 || Won || [[FIFA Confederations Cup]] |- | 5 || 29 October 1992 || [[Hiroshima]], [[Japan]] || {{fb|China}} || 1–1 || Drew || [[1992 AFC Asian Cup]] |- | 6 || 2 November 1992 || [[Hiroshima]], [[Japan]] || {{fb|Thailand}} ||4–0 || Won || [[1992 AFC Asian Cup]] |- | 7 || 29 December 1995 || [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|Kazakhstan}} ||3–0 || Won || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]] |- | 8 || 29 December 1995 || [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|Kazakhstan}} ||3–0 || Won || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]] |- | 9 || 24 January 1996 || [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|Kyrgyzstan}} || 3–0 || Won || [[1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification]] |- | 10 || 24 January 1996 || [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|Kyrgyzstan}} || 3–0 || Won || [[1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification]] |- | 11 || 28 January 1996 || [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|Yemen}} || 4–0 || Won || [[1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification]] |- | 12 || 28 January 1996 || [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|Yemen}} || 4–0 || Won || [[1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification]] |- | 13 || 31 January 1996 || [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|Kyrgyzstan}} || 2–0 || Won || [[1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification]] |- | 14 || 21 October 1996 || [[Muscat, Oman]] || {{fb|Bahrain}} ||3–1 || Won || [[13th Arabian Gulf Cup]] |- | 15 || 16 December 1996 || [[Abu Dhabi]], [[United Arab Emirates]] || {{fb|China}} || 4–3 || Won || [[1996 AFC Asian Cup]] |- | 16 || 16 December 1996 || [[Abu Dhabi]], [[United Arab Emirates]] || {{fb|China}} || 4–3 || Won || [[1996 AFC Asian Cup]] |- | 17 || 14 September 1997 || [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] || {{fb|KWT}} || 2–1 || Won || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)]] |- | 18 || 24 June 1998 || [[Bordeaux]], [[France]] || {{fb|South Africa}} ||2–2 || Drew || [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] |- | 19 || 29 September 1998 || [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || {{fb|KWT}} ||2–1 || Won || [[1998 Arab Nations Cup]] |- | 20 || 2 November 1998 || [[Manama]], [[Bahrain]] || {{fb|Bahrain}} ||1–1 || Drew || [[14th Arabian Gulf Cup]] |}
==Honours==
===Club=== * [[Saudi Premier League]] : 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2002 * [[Crown Prince Cup|Saudi King Cup]] : 1984, 1989 * [[Crown Prince Cup]] : 1995, 2000 * [[Saudi Federation Cup]] : 1987, 1996, 2000 * [[Saudi Founder's Cup]] : 2000 * [[AFC Champions League]] : 1991, 2000 * [[Asian Cup Winners Cup]] : 1997 * [[Asian Super Cup]] : 1997 * [[Arab Champions League]] : 1994, 1995 * [[Arab Super Cup]] : 2001 * [[GCC Club Cup]] : 1986, 1998 <!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Thynyan1515.jpg|thumb|right|290px|Yousuf Al-Thunayan Left AFC Asian Cup 1996.]] -->
===International=== * '''[[AFC Asian Cup]]''' ** ''Winners (2) :'' 1988, 1996 ** ''Runners-up (1) :'' 1992 * '''[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]''' ** ''Runners-Up (1) :'' 1992 * '''[[Arabian Gulf Cup]]''' ** ''Runners-up (1) :'' 1998 * '''[[Arab Nations Cup]]''' ** ''Winners (1) :'' 1998 ** ''Runners-up (1) :'' 1992
===Individual=== * [[1986 Asian Club Championship|1986]], [[1991-92 Asian Club Championship]] - Best player
==Farewell match== {{Football box |date=2005-12-14 |time=18:00 [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] |team1=[[Al-Hilal FC|Al-Hilal]] {{Flagicon|KSA}} |score=2–1 |team2={{flagicon|ESP}} [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] |goals1= [[Yasser Al-Qahtani|Al-Qahtani]] {{goal|452}}<br />[[Abdullah Jumaan Al-Dosari|Al-Jumaan]] {{goal|134}} |goals2= [[Mario Regueiro|Regueiro]] {{goal|80}} |stadium= [[King Fahd Stadium]], [[Riyadh]] |attendance=more than 65,000}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{NFT player|15182}} *[http://s.alriyadh.com/2005/12/13/img/101314.jpg Image] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205841/http://s.alriyadh.com/2005/12/13/img/101314.jpg |date=2016-03-03 }}
{{1988 AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament}} {{Saudi Arabia squad 1988 AFC Asian Cup}} {{Saudi Arabia Squad 1992 King Fahd Cup}} {{Saudi Arabia Squad 1992 AFC Asian Cup}} {{Saudi Arabia Squad 1996 AFC Asian Cup}} {{Saudi Arabia Squad 1998 World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thunayan, Yousuf}} [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Saudi Arabian men's footballers]] [[Category:Saudi Arabia men's international footballers]] [[Category:1988 AFC Asian Cup players]] [[Category:1992 AFC Asian Cup players]] [[Category:1992 King Fahd Cup players]] [[Category:1996 AFC Asian Cup players]] [[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]] [[Category:AFC Asian Cup–winning players]] [[Category:Al Hilal SFC players]] [[Category:Footballers at the 1986 Asian Games]] [[Category:Footballers at the 1990 Asian Games]] [[Category:Footballers from Riyadh]] [[Category:Men's association football wingers]] [[Category:Men's association football midfielders]] [[Category:Saudi Pro League players]] [[Category:Asian Games silver medalists for Saudi Arabia]] [[Category:Asian Games footballers for Saudi Arabia]] [[Category:Medalists at the 1986 Asian Games]] [[Category:AFC Champions League Elite–winning players]] [[Category:20th-century Saudi Arabian sportsmen]] [[Category:Asian Games silver medalists in football]]