Sahal Abdul Samad, an Indian professional footballer, showcases his skills as a versatile midfielder or winger, representing both Indian Super League club Mohun Bagan Super Giant and the India national team.
Bio/Wiki
Age-26years
Height- 1.77 m
Weight-70kg
Born- 1 April 1997
Birthplace- Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Profession- Footballer
Spouse- Reza Farhath
Nationality-Indian
Current teams- Kerala Blasters FC (#18 / Midfielder), India national football team (#10 / Midfielder)
Date joined- 2020 (Kerala Blasters FC)
Family
Born on 1st April 1997 in Al Ain, UAE, Sahal Abdul Samad comes from a Malayali family with roots in Kavvayi, Payyanur, Kannur. He received his education at New Indian Model School, Al Ain until 2015, where he is an alumnus. Later, he pursued his bachelor’s degree from S. N. College, Kannur.
Wife
In June 2022, Sahal Abdul Samad got engaged to Reza Farhath, a state-level badminton player, and they tied the knot in July 2023.
Career
Early Career
Sahal Abdul Samad was born in Al Ain, UAE, to parents hailing from Kerala, India. He attended New Indian Model School in Al Ain, where he completed 14 years of schooling. His passion for football began at the tender age of eight.
In pursuit of his dream to become a professional footballer, Sahal joined the Al Ethihad Sports Academy in 2010 to receive formal training. Upon finishing his studies in the UAE, he moved to Payyannur in Kannur, Kerala, India, to not only pursue his degree but also play university-level football.
During his time at Payyannur, fate intervened when a coach from SN College in Kannur noticed his talents and encouraged him to transfer to their institution. Sahal’s outstanding performances in university-level tournaments caught the attention of selectors, leading to his inclusion in the district Under-21 team and subsequently the Kerala team, where he competed in the prestigious Santosh Trophy.
Professional Career
Sahal Abdul Samad’s journey in Indian football has been marked by impressive performances and significant milestones. After catching the eye of scouts from Kerala Blasters during the 2017 Santosh Trophy, he signed his first professional contract with the club. Despite starting as a reserve player, Sahal’s talent and leadership skills led to his appointment as captain for the 2017–18 I-League 2nd Division. He showcased his goal-scoring abilities and emerged as one of the league’s top scorers.
In the 2018–19 season, Sahal’s career reached new heights as he secured a spot in the starting eleven and made significant contributions to the team. His improved passing capability and creativity on the field earned him the ISL Emerging Player of the Season award and the AIFF Emerging Player of the Year award.
Over the following seasons, Sahal continued to shine for Kerala Blasters, evolving into the team’s poster boy and becoming one of the standout Indian players in the league. His performances garnered attention, and he even received offers from other clubs, but his loyalty to Kerala Blasters prevailed, leading to a long-term contract extension.
In the 2021–2022 season, Sahal showcased his goal-scoring prowess, ending the season as the joint-second highest Indian goal-scorer in the league. Despite an injury setback, he remained a key player for Kerala Blasters and received widespread appreciation for his performances.
In his final season with Kerala Blasters, Sahal continued to impress with his contributions on the field, demonstrating his versatility and playmaking abilities. However, his time with the club came to an end as he transferred to Mohun Bagan SG, making it one of the most expensive transfers in Indian football history.
Throughout his career, Sahal Abdul Samad has proven himself as one of India’s most promising football talents, leaving a lasting impact on the clubs he played for and the fans who admired his skills and dedication.
International Career
Sahal Abdul Samad’s international football journey has been marked by notable achievements and significant contributions to the Indian national team.
In the buildup to the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers, Sahal earned a spot in India’s U23 squad, making his debut against Qatar U23 in a friendly match on 11 March 2019.
His exceptional performances for Kerala Blasters caught the attention of the senior national team selectors, and he was initially named in the preliminary squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Subsequently, he made his debut for the Indian senior team in the 2019 King’s Cup against Curaçao on 5 June 2019.
Sahal continued to impress and was included in the Indian squad for the 2021 SAFF Championship, where he made a significant impact by scoring his first international goal in the final against Nepal, helping India secure a 3-0 victory.
His outstanding performances in the 2021-22 season earned him a place in the squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. In a crucial match against Afghanistan, Sahal came on as a substitute and scored the winning goal, leading India to a 2-1 victory.Sahal’s consistency and talent were rewarded once again as he was selected for the 2023 Intercontinental Cup. In his first match of the tournament against Mongolia, he showcased his prowess by scoring the opening goal in the second minute, contributing to India’s 2-0 win.As Sahal continues to grow and excel on the field, he remains an essential asset for the Indian national team, representing the country with skill and passion.
Achievement/Awards
Club: Kerala Blasters
- Indian Super League runner-up in 2021–22
International:
- Representing India
- SAFF Championship winner in 2021 and 2023
- King’s Cup third place in 2019
- Tri-Nation Series winner in 2023
- Intercontinental Cup winner in 2023
Individual Honors:
- ISL Emerging Player of the Season in 2018–19
- AIFF Emerging Player of the Year in 2018–19
Net Worth 2023
Sahal Abdul Samad Networth 2023, 4.57 Million
Latest News About Sahal Abdul Samad
Ending weeks of speculation and uncertainty in the transfer market, Kerala Blasters’ midfielder, Sahal Abdul Samad, officially joined Mohun Bagan Super Giants on a three-year contract, with the possibility of extending the agreement for two more years. In exchange for Sahal, veteran defender Pritam Kotal will be making the move to Blasters ahead of the upcoming season.
A club statement confirmed the transfer, stating, “The club has reached an agreement for the transfer of Sahal Abdul Samad in exchange for a player and an undisclosed transfer fee. It’s with a heavy heart that the club bids adieu to Sahal, who has been an integral part of the Blasters family since 2017. We wish him the best in his journey ahead.”
The deal reportedly includes an additional amount of Rs 90 lakhs as a transfer fee for Blasters, along with the acquisition of Kotal. Sahal will be receiving around Rs 2.5 crore per year for the first three years, along with added perks, including a goal-scoring bonus. On the other hand, Kotal, who led Mohun Bagan SG to their maiden ISL title, agreed to a three-year deal with Blasters and will be earning approximately Rs 2 crore per year as his salary.
Upon completing the signing, Sahal expressed his excitement, stating, “Signing for Mohun Bagan SG is the best wedding gift ever. I’ve never won the ISL title in my career. That’s why I signed for Mohun Bagan, to win this trophy.” He also mentioned his admiration for renowned players from Kerala, such as IM Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri, who gained recognition by playing for Kolkata clubs. Sahal plans to seek their suggestions and blessings as he aspires to win the hearts of the supporters, just like his idols did.
It appears that Kerala Blasters initially had different plans for Sahal and were considering a swap deal between Kotal and Hormipam. However, Mohun Bagan showed no interest and canceled the offer. Later, Sahal expressed his interest in moving to Kolkata, which prompted Mohun Bagan to make a renewed offer for the talented midfielder.
Having made 97 appearances for Kerala Blasters, Sahal Abdul Samad departs the club as the highest-capped player for the Yellow Army. During his time with the team, Sahal scored 10 goals and provided nine assists across all competitions, making him the Indian player with the most assists for the Kochi-based side.
Fun Facts
- In June 2020, Sahal became the new ambassador for the German multinational sportswear company, Puma, signing a deal with them.
- During the same month, he auctioned his national team jersey worn during the World Cup qualifiers and generously donated the proceeds to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund to aid COVID-19 prevention efforts.
- Later, in September 2022, Sahal took on the role of Indian ambassador for the global energy drink company, Predator Energy.
- During his early days at the Blasters, Sahal’s primary positions were as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder, where he gained recognition for his exceptional dribbling skills and creativity. However, as time progressed, he was shifted to a winger role within the midfield.
- Additionally, Sahal has occasionally showcased his versatility by being utilized as a defensive midfielder and even as a centre-forward.
- His remarkable performances have led him to be considered one of the all-time best players in the history of Kerala Blasters.
- Moreover, many football pundits and fans regard him as one of the finest midfielders in India