Musab Al-Juwayr: Simone Inzaghi’s Hidden Midfield Gem at Al Hilal
By: Jack Cole - YouthScout1ng
Player Profile
Country: Saudi Arabia
Market Value: €4 Million
Club: Al Hilal
Position: Central Midfielder
Foot: Right
Birthday: June 20, 2003 (Age: 21)
Height/Weight: 1,78 m, 68kg (5-10, 149 lbs)
First Team Experience: 86 Appearances (Al Hilal, Al Shabab, and Saudi Arabia)
Heat Map (Domestic League - SofaScore):
Player Comparison (Radar from DataMB):
Saudi Skepticism
In recent times, the Saudi Pro League has faced a fair share of skepticism and pessimism. One major reason is the growing sentiment that “Saudi is ruining football.” This belief stems largely from the recent surge in spending by clubs in the league. For example, according to the CIES Football Observatory, the Saudi League ranks as the 7th highest-spending league in the world on transfer fees since 2015 (€2.09 billion). The only leagues that have spent more are the traditional top five European leagues and England’s second division.
Given that the Saudi League only ranks 7th over the past 10 years, you might wonder: why is there so much criticism aimed at them and not the others? The answer lies in the timing. The Saudi League’s heavy investment in transfers has only ramped up in the past few years, yet it has already climbed into the top tier of global spenders.
While some argue that leagues with such aggressive spending, like the Saudi League, are harming the sport and “ruining football,” this influx of talent has undeniably improved the league's overall development and skill level. Just a few years ago, it would have been almost unthinkable for promising young players to leave Europe for Saudi Arabia. Yet now, players like Jhon Durán (Al Nassr – €77 million), Gabri Veiga (Al Ahli – €30 million), and Marcos Leonardo (€40 million) have made that move.
Moreover, this rising level of competition is starting to produce homegrown talent capable of earning moves to Europe. For example, Saud Abdulhamid has joined Roma 🇮🇹, while Marwan Al Sahafi and Faisal Al Ghamdi have moved to Beerschot 🇧🇪.
That said, more talent is currently flowing into the Saudi League than out, largely because many top European clubs remain skeptical of the league’s quality and status, and are hesitant to take risks. Still, there is no denying the rapid increase in skill and competitiveness in the Saudi Pro League—and that growth shows no sign of slowing down.
With all this in mind, I’m excited to introduce you to Al Hilal’s academy graduate Musab Al-Juwayr, who spent his previous season on loan at Al Shabab and was a standout player for the club.
Player Overview - For this scouting report, I will be using the Four Corners Method (Tactical, Physical, Psychological, & Social) from the FA Talent ID Level 1 course to break down Musab’s strengths and weaknesses. I also scraped different advanced statistics from DataMB Pro’s Database and produced graphs in python to help visualize this player’s strengths and weaknesses.
Note: All statistics presented in the graphs and player overview are based on comparisons with 75 midfielders from the Saudi Pro League during the 2024/25 season.
Technical/Tactical
When it comes to Musab's technical strengths, one trait stands out above the rest: his passing ability and comfort on the ball. At just 21 years old, Musab was arguably the best passer in the Saudi Pro League this past season.
To help gauge the level of competition, consider some of the midfielders he was up against: Rúben Neves (ex-Wolves), Sergej Milinković-Savić (ex-Lazio), Otávio (ex-Porto), Fabinho (ex-Liverpool), Franck Kessié (ex-AC Milan and Barcelona), and N’Golo Kanté (ex-Chelsea)—many of whom have won Champions Leagues and major trophies in their careers. The midfield talent in the Saudi League is heavily underrated, so for Musab to post stronger passing metrics than many of these experienced internationals at just 21 is incredibly impressive—and should be catching the eyes of scouts across Europe.
Musab is incredibly comfortable on the ball and is always looking to be involved, ranking first among all midfielders in touches per 90. While he is extremely effective with short passes (under 40 meters)—ranking second in the league per 90—he is also unafraid to take risks and excels at it. He ranks:
1st in key passes (open-play passes leading directly to goal-scoring opportunities)
2nd in progressive passes and progressive passes completed (Open-play passes that directly lead to a goal-scoring opportunity)
1st in passes into the opposition’s penalty box per 90
These numbers show how often—and efficiently—Musab takes on ‘risky’ passes to advance play into the final third and create chances from midfield.
While Musab is known for his passing, he’s also a fairly aggressive ball carrier. He ranks 15th among midfielders in successful dribbles and progressive carries, and 13th in attempted dribbles, putting him well above the league average in dribble volume. However, his dribble success rate is below average, suggesting he's still learning when to take on defenders and when to play safer. This is not unusual for a player his age, and with more experience, he'll likely become more selective and efficient.
Another important asset in a modern midfielder is the ability to contribute directly to goals—and Musab does that very well. He ranked:
1st in assists among Saudi Pro League midfielders
10th in non-penalty goals
He totaled 5 goals and 10 assists this season—impressive numbers, especially considering his deep involvement in Al Shabab’s build-up play (they ranked 4th in possession percentage last season). On top of that, Musab outperformed his expected goals by 1.07, showing he’s making the most of the chances he gets. His consistent impact in the final third confirms his value as a true box-to-box midfielder.
Now that I’ve highlighted Musab’s key strengths, let’s look at areas where he needs improvement.
Playing for a possession-heavy side, Musab loses the ball more than he wins it back—ranking 70th among midfielders in possessions won minus possessions lost. While this stat is influenced by how often he's on the ball, it’s still an area to work on.
Another notable weakness is his aerial ability. Standing at 1.78m (5'10"), he's around the average height for a central midfielder, but his aerial stats are still shockingly low. In all three aerial categories—aerial duels attempted, aerial duels won, and aerial win percentage—he ranks in the bottom 5 among midfielders. This could be a tactical concern for teams that press high and force long balls into midfield, where Musab could struggle to win second balls. As he matures physically and gains muscle, he should improve in this area.
When it comes to Musab’s overall dueling ability—defined as a challenge between two players to gain control of the ball, progress with it, or change its direction—he performs significantly better in offensive duels than in defensive ones. While he attempts a high number of offensive duels, his efficiency in winning them is relatively low, ranking 45th in offensive duels won percentage. Conversely, Musab doesn't engage in many defensive duels (43rd in attempts), but when he does, he's quite effective—ranking 15th in defensive duels won percentage. However, two defensive metrics where he continues to struggle are interceptions and shots blocked, where he ranks notably low among Saudi League midfielders.
Physical
Musab stands at 1.78 meters, which is a fairly typical height for a box-to-box midfielder. While he doesn't possess elite top-end speed or acceleration, he still ranks 11th among Saudi Pro League midfielders in accelerations per 90—a promising stat for someone who isn’t considered particularly quick.
In terms of physical build, Musab weighs 68 kg and currently lacks significant muscle mass. This is reflected in some of his dueling stats, where he struggles at times to win physical battles. However, given that he is still only 21 years old, there is ample time for him to bulk up, improve his core strength, and become more effective in shoulder-to-shoulder challenges.
Although Musab may not be the fastest player over short distances, he makes up for it with outstanding endurance. He is constantly active throughout matches and covers a tremendous amount of ground. Last season at Al Shabab, he was granted considerable positional freedom, often popping up in various zones across the pitch—dropping into the backline to aid in build-up play or shifting wide left to exploit space when the winger drifted inside. His high stamina and work rate add a significant level of tactical versatility, allowing him to adapt fluidly to in-game demands.
Psychological / Social
Watching Musab play, it’s evident that he operates with a high level of confidence—constantly seeking the ball and aiming to progress play up the field. For a 21-year-old, this level of composure and assertiveness is a promising sign of his footballing maturity.
During his loan spell with Al Shabab this past season, Musab joined a squad that already featured several seasoned leaders—Yannick Carrasco (captain and former Atlético Madrid standout), Abderrazak Hamdallah (a veteran of the Saudi League), and Giacomo Bonaventura (formerly of AC Milan). Given that dynamic, Musab didn’t necessarily emerge as a vocal leader within the team. However, he remained well-connected on the pitch and communicated effectively with teammates throughout what was his first—and possibly only—season at the club.
Musab also plays with noticeable passion and personality. On multiple occasions, he has been seen engaging directly with fans during high-stakes moments, rallying the crowd and energizing the atmosphere—an intangible quality that any manager would appreciate in a player. Looking ahead, as Musab returns to Al Hilal, it would be encouraging to see him take the next step by becoming a leader within their star-studded squad. As a homegrown talent and academy graduate, he is well-positioned to set the tone and be a long-term presence in the club’s core if he does not prefer a move to Europe in the future.
What’s Next?
Musab Al Juwayr remains under contract with Al Hilal, who recently made headlines by appointing Simone Inzaghi, one of the top managers in world football. Inzaghi’s Inter Milan side reached two Champions League finals in the past year and built one of Europe’s most fluid and tactically dynamic systems—making his move to Saudi Arabia all the more surprising.
That said, this managerial change could be a perfect opportunity for Musab. Inzaghi is known for his 3-5-2 formation, which relies heavily on a midfield trio responsible for progressing the ball through all phases of play. This aligns seamlessly with Musab’s greatest strength: his ability to comfortably advance possession across all three zones of the pitch. At Al Shabab, he consistently demonstrates this skill, benefitting from significant positional freedom. (See photos below highlighting the various phases and positions on the pitch where Musab is involved.)
If you’ve watched Inzaghi’s Inter, you’ll know how often they build from the back using complex midfield rotations. At times, central midfielders will drop into the backline while the three center-backs push higher, taking on more traditional midfield roles. This strategic inversion occurs because midfielders, like Musab, are often more comfortable receiving and distributing the ball under pressure—whether in advanced or deeper positions.
This kind of system would suit Musab’s profile perfectly. Though he’s officially listed as a right midfielder, that label doesn’t reflect the positional freedom he enjoys. For Al Shabab, he often dropped into the backline to support buildup, drifted wide to cover for inverted wingers, or joined the attack in the final third (See Images Above). He embodies the modern, technically sound, tactically intelligent box-to-box midfielder—the type Inzaghi thrives with.
Now, regarding a potential move to Europe, things could get complicated. Al Hilal may set a high asking price that deters some European clubs. However, based on recent trends
(Pictured Here: Last 25 Top Departures out of the Saudi League per Transfer Market - Graphic Produced in python),
we’ve seen that Saudi clubs often demand much higher fees from other domestic clubs than from European ones, and some big names—like Neymar, Talisca, and Telles—have even left on free transfers. So while a move abroad may be difficult, it’s certainly not out of the question.
One key factor in all of this is Musab’s contract, which expires in just over a year. If no extension is agreed upon, he could leave on a free transfer in 2026. From a business standpoint, Al Hilal should be proactively negotiating an extension. If Musab makes it clear that he’s looking to move to Europe, the club would be wise to sell him this summer to avoid losing a high-value asset for nothing.
That said, there’s also a strong case for him staying. Musab is Saudi-born, plays for the country’s most successful club, and likely earns well under his current deal. If he’s happy in his role and believes Inzaghi’s system will help him develop further, staying another season or two could be the best decision for his long-term growth—especially if he earns regular playing time.
Still, should a European club come calling, one destination that stands out is Crystal Palace. Under Oliver Glasner, they’ve developed a cohesive, forward-thinking system and recently qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup. The project is ambitious, and a tactically intelligent player like Musab could thrive there.
No matter what direction his career takes, Musab Al Juwayr has a remarkably high ceiling. Whether he remains in Saudi Arabia under one of football’s brightest managers or makes a move to Europe, his development will be exciting to follow.