Omar Kharbin: The 2017 Asian player of the year

Omar Kharbin has won it all in the Middle East and is regarded as one of the best Syrian players.

The 27-year-old started his career with hometown club Al Wahda and was handed his debut aged just 15. He played for four seasons in the top division but soon after moved to the Iraqi League, where he got more experience under his belt.

Kharbin had spells with Al-Quwa Al Jawiya’s and Al Mina’a where he scored 21 goals in 40 appearances and was looked at by the senior national team.

His incredible talent a few seasons later was noticed by UAE side Al Dhafra where he netted on his debut against Al Ain and went on to net nine goals in 12 matches.

Kharbin continued his outstanding performances for the Western Knights and just after a year after signing for the Emirati side, the striker was linked with many Asian clubs with one of them being Al Hilal who he ended up signing for. The Boss side remains one of the most prestigious clubs in AFC.

From then it’s all history for the Syrian striker who has become a player to remember in the Saudi Pro League. He scored 16 goals in 23 games in all competitions in his first season, helping his side to win their first title in six years.

His goal scoring form itself emphasised the quality of the player, who looked to become one of the most successful players in the Middle East.

Kharbin became the top scorer of the Asian Champions League with ten goals for Al Hilal the following season, and was named Asian Player of the year of 2017, becoming the first every Syrian player to receive the recognition.

During his time in Saudi Arabia, Khirbin gained experience on loan at Egyptian side Pyramids Club where he scored four goals in five matches, before returning back to the Blue ranks at the end of the season.

After losing the final of AFC Champions League against Urawa Red Diamonds in 2017, the two sides locked horns again in the final two years later. This time, Al Hilal were crowned champions. Having won the home leg in Riyadh, the Saudi giants scored two in Saitama with former Swansea City striker Bafetimbi Gomis on the scoresheet to seal their first AFC title.

Kharbin became the only Syrian to win the competition despite not featuring in any match during that season.

After four seasons he ended his time with Al Hilal with 36 goals and 12 assists in 75 appearances, winning three league titles, the King’s Cup twice and the Saudi Super Cup.

The forward made his mark by returning back to the UAE to sign for Al Wahda in January. He scored seven goals in six appearances this season as the Western Giants remain seventh with 35 points, five points off the top four.

Henk ten Cate’s side shocked Al Jazira in a 2-0 victory in their recent game, as the visitors slipped up at the top of the table.

But at the end of 2020, Kharbin was handed a lifetime ban from playing in Syria after the player’s reaction to being omitted from the squad by coach Nabil Ma’loul.

The 27-year-old playing a crucial part in Syria’s impressive run in the World Cup qualifiers, but his side lost a playoff tie with Australia. He has 45 caps and is the sixth-highest goalscorer in his country’s all-time list with 18 goals.