Ali Al Saadi
Ali Mahmoud Al Saadi (; born 20 April 1986) is a Lebanese footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Nejmeh. Starting his career at Safa in 2005, Al Saadi remained there until 2017—albeit being sent on a six-month loan to Naft Maysan in Iraq. In 2017 he moved to Ahed for one season, before returning to Safa the following year. In 2019 Al Saadi moved to Nejmeh. Making his international debut for Lebanon in 2006, Al Saadi represented his nation in 46 games, scoring six goals in the process. As he was involved in  the 2013 match-fixing scandal, Al Saadi was permanently excluded from the national team. Club career. Al Saadi began his senior career at Lebanese Premier League side Safa, during the 2005–06 season. He was part of the team that reached the 2008 AFC Cup Final where, despite Al Saadi scored in the second leg, Safa lost 10–5 on aggregate against Al-Muharraq. He helped his side win two league titles in a row, in 2011–12 and 2012–13, a Lebanese FA Cup, in 2012–13, two Lebanese Elite Cups, in 2009 and 2012, and a Lebanese Super Cup, in 2013. In 2014  Al Saadi moved on a six-month loan to Iraqi Premier League side Naft Maysan, scoring one goal. Upon his return on loan, Al Saadi helped Safa win the 2015–16 Lebanese Premier League. On 7 July 2017, Al Saadi joined Ahed after 18 years at Safa. In his only season at Ahed (2017–18), Al Saadi won the league, FA Cup, and Super Cup. In 2018 Al Saadi moved back to Safa, where he stayed for one season (2018–19). On 9 August 2019, the centre-back moved to Nejmeh, in a swap deal that included Hussein Sharafeddine and Ahmed Jalloul. International  career. In 2007, Al Saadi represented the Lebanon national under-23 team at the 2008 Olympics qualifiers. He participated in the Nehru Cup as part of the Lebanon national team and scored the winning goal in the opening match against India, defeating India 1–0. Additionally, he is known for giving Lebanon the early lead against South Korea in the 4th minute, in order to help his team earn their first victory against them in a FIFA-sanctioned competition. He is one of 24 players involved to the 2013 match-fixing scandal, and suffered one season ban from club football, and a  lifetime suspension from the national team. Honours. Safa Nejmeh Individual