1. Early Life and Background
Taiseer Jaber Abdulmohsen Al-Jassim was born on July 25, 1984, in Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia. His journey in football began within the youth ranks of Hajer Club in 1995, where he honed his skills until 2001. In June 2001, at the age of 16, he made a significant move to Al-Ahli, a prominent club in Saudi Arabia. This transition followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Misfer, who was also a professional footballer and had previously moved to Al-Ahli from Hajer, establishing a family connection within the club. Al-Jassim's early career at Al-Ahli's youth setup continued until 2003, before he made his senior debut for the first team.
2. Club Career
Taiseer Al-Jassim's club career was predominantly defined by his long and successful tenure at Al-Ahli, which was complemented by several loan spells before he ultimately concluded his career playing in Kuwait.
2.1. Al-Ahli
Taiseer Al-Jassim made his senior debut for Al-Ahli on October 18, 2002, in the Federation Cup final against Al-Ettifaq, a match which ended in a loss for his side. His league debut quickly followed on October 31, 2002, in a commanding 4-0 victory, also against Al-Ettifaq. Al-Jassim's first goal for Al-Ahli was scored on February 26, 2005, in a 3-2 derby defeat to Al-Ittihad. Shortly thereafter, on March 8, 2005, he marked his continental debut by scoring for Al-Ahli in the 2005 AFC Champions League against Iraqi side Al-Zawraa.
Al-Jassim participated in another Federation Cup final on October 6, 2005, where Al-Ahli lost 2-0 to Al-Hilal. On December 27, 2005, he achieved his first hat-trick for Al-Ahli against Abha in the Round of 16 of the 2005-06 Saudi Crown Prince Cup. He started in the 2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final, which Al-Ahli lost 1-0 to Al-Hilal on April 7, 2006.
His first major title with Al-Ahli came on February 9, 2007, when he appeared in his third Federation Cup final, securing a 3-0 victory over Al-Ittihad. Just two months later, on April 27, 2007, Al-Jassim started and scored in the 2007 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final against Al-Ittihad, helping Al-Ahli clinch their fifth title in that competition.
On December 3, 2008, Taiseer featured in his sixth cup final for Al-Ahli, this time in the 2008 Gulf Club Champions Cup against fellow Saudi side Al-Nassr. Al-Ahli emerged victorious with a 3-0 aggregate score, securing their third Gulf Club Champions Cup title. On October 9, 2009, Al-Jassim committed his future to Al-Ahli by signing a new four-year contract.
He played a pivotal role in Al-Ahli's triumph in their eleventh King Cup title on June 24, 2011, defeating Al-Ittihad 4-2 on penalties. During the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, Al-Jassim was instrumental in leading Al-Ahli to the 2012 AFC Champions League Final, where they finished as runners-up, and also to a second-place finish in the 2011-12 Saudi Professional League. He also started the 2012 King Cup Final, which Al-Ahli won against Al-Nassr. Following the departure of Mohammad Massad in January 2013, Taiseer was appointed as the club captain, a testament to his leadership and influence. On December 6, 2013, he renewed his contract with Al-Ahli for another four years, reportedly for 32.00 M SAR.
As captain, Al-Jassim led Al-Ahli to a 2-1 victory against Al-Hilal in the 2015 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final on February 13, 2015. His captaincy culminated in a historic achievement during the 2015-16 season when he guided Al-Ahli to their first league title since the 1983-84 season.
2.2. Loan Spells
During his long career at Al-Ahli, Taiseer Al-Jassim also had several loan spells, primarily to gain experience or participate in specific cup competitions.
His first loan move was to Qatari side Al-Gharafa on May 8, 2007. During his brief stint, he made two appearances and scored once in the Emir Cup, as Al-Gharafa were eliminated in the semi-finals. On May 8, 2009, he again moved on loan to Qatar SC to participate in the Emir Cup. He made two appearances and scored one goal, but his team was once more eliminated in the semi-finals.
His final loan spell was on August 19, 2018, when he moved to fellow Saudi Professional League club Al-Wehda until the end of the 2018-19 season. However, this loan was cut short, and Al-Jassim returned to Al-Ahli on January 26, 2019.
2.3. Al-Nasr and Retirement
On September 4, 2019, Taiseer Al-Jassim made a move to Kuwait, joining Kuwait Premier League side Al-Nasr. His transfer marked a notable event, as he became the first Saudi player since Jamal Farhan to play in the Kuwait Premier League. He made 10 appearances and scored one goal for the club. However, his contract with Al-Nasr was prematurely terminated on July 2, 2020, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Following this, Taiseer Al-Jassim announced his retirement from all levels of professional football in 2020, bringing an end to his distinguished career.
3. International Career
Taiseer Al-Jassim had a notable international career, representing the Saudi Arabia national football team from 2004 until his retirement from international football in 2018.
3.1. Debut and Early Tournaments
Al-Jassim made his debut for the Saudi Arabia national team in 2004. One of his early significant tournaments was the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where he scored two goals against Bahrain. His contributions helped Saudi Arabia reach the final of the tournament, though they ultimately lost to Iraq.
He also participated in the 19th Arabian Gulf Cup in 2009. Saudi Arabia advanced to the final against Oman. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, leading to a penalty shootout. Unfortunately, Al-Jassim was the sole player to miss his penalty, with his shot hitting the post, which resulted in Oman winning the trophy 6-5.
3.2. Major Tournament Appearances
Al-Jassim continued to be a key player for Saudi Arabia in subsequent major tournaments. At the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, he scored a goal against Syria. However, his goal was not enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat, and Saudi Arabia exited the tournament from the group stage without securing a single point.
In the qualifiers for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Taiseer Al-Jassim scored in Saudi Arabia's 2-1 victory against Iraq, helping his team secure qualification for the main tournament. He also played a crucial role in Saudi Arabia's campaign to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. During the qualifiers, he provided eight assists and contributed to a total of 14 goals, which was the most by any player in the Saudi national team.
His career culminated with his appearance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He made two appearances in the tournament before his participation was cut short due to an injury.
3.3. International Retirement
Following Saudi Arabia's qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Taiseer Al-Jassim publicly announced on December 19, 2017, his intention to retire from international football after the conclusion of the tournament. He officially retired from the national team after his appearances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
4. Playing Style
Taiseer Al-Jassim was highly regarded for his intelligent play, exceptional technical ability, and strong work ethic on the field. He possessed excellent vision and was noted for his accurate long-range shooting, proficient dribbling, and precise passing. His versatility allowed him to play effectively in almost all midfield positions, although he was most frequently deployed as an attacking midfielder, a winger, or a central midfielder. This adaptability made him a valuable asset to both his clubs and the national team throughout his career.
5. Personal Life
Taiseer Al-Jassim comes from a family with a background in football; his older brother, Misfer, also played professionally for Hajer FC and Al-Ahli. Taiseer Al-Jassim is married to a Lebanese woman. He belongs to the Shia minority community in Saudi Arabia. Demonstrating his commitment to his community, Al-Jassim actively contributed to the construction of a Shia mosque in his hometown.
6. Career Statistics
Taiseer Al-Jassim maintained a consistent presence in professional football for nearly two decades, accumulating significant appearances and goals for both his clubs and the national team.
6.1. Club Statistics
As of May 1, 2020.
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Asia | Arab/Gulf | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Al-Ahli | 2002-03 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2003-04 | 14 | 0 | - | - | 4 | 0 | - | - | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 33 | 0 | ||
| 2004-05 | 11 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 | ||
| 2005-06 | 15 | 1 | - | - | 5 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 22 | 5 | ||
| 2006-07 | 17 | 2 | - | - | 5 | 2 | - | - | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 4 | ||
| 2007-08 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 21 | 2 | ||
| 2008-09 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | - | - | 24 | 3 | ||
| 2009-10 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 17 | 0 | ||
| 2010-11 | 21 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 28 | 3 | ||
| 2011-12 | 25 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 41 | 13 | ||
| 2012-13 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 38 | 7 | ||
| 2013-14 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 32 | 9 | ||
| 2014-15 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 39 | 6 | ||
| 2015-16 | 25 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 37 | 3 | ||
| 2016-17 | 23 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 0 | 40 | 4 | ||
| 2017-18 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 5 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 17 | 2 | ||
| 2018-19 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 11 | 1 | ||
| Total | 290 | 42 | 33 | 2 | 37 | 9 | 58 | 9 | 35 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 465 | 64 | ||
| Al-Gharafa (loan) | 2006-07 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | |
| Qatar (loan) | 2008-09 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | |
| Al-Wehda (loan) | 2018-19 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9 | 1 | |
| Al-Nasr | 2019-20 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | 16 | 3 | |
| Career total | 308 | 44 | 39 | 4 | 39 | 9 | 58 | 9 | 35 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 494 | 70 | ||
6.2. International Statistics
Statistics accurate as of match played June 20, 2018.
| Saudi Arabia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 | 13 | 0 |
| 2006 | 4 | 0 |
| 2007 | 14 | 5 |
| 2008 | 3 | 0 |
| 2009 | 16 | 1 |
| 2010 | 9 | 1 |
| 2011 | 13 | 1 |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 |
| 2013 | 9 | 1 |
| 2014 | 11 | 1 |
| 2015 | 9 | 3 |
| 2016 | 8 | 4 |
| 2017 | 10 | 0 |
| 2018 | 10 | 2 |
| Total | 134 | 19 |
6.3. International Goals
Scores and results list Saudi Arabia's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | June 27, 2007 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | Singapore | 2-0 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 2. | July 18, 2007 | Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium, Palembang, Indonesia | Bahrain | 3-0 | 4-0 | 2007 AFC Asian Cup |
| 3. | 4-0 | |||||
| 4. | November 2, 2007 | King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Namibia | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly |
| 5. | November 9, 2007 | Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Estonia | 1-0 | 2-0 | |
| 6. | May 26, 2009 | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar | Qatar | 1-0 | 1-2 | |
| 7. | October 9, 2010 | Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Uzbekistan | 3-0 | 4-0 | |
| 8. | January 9, 2011 | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar | Syria | 1-1 | 1-2 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup |
| 9. | November 15, 2013 | Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam, Saudi Arabia | Iraq | 1-0 | 2-1 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 10. | September 8, 2014 | Craven Cottage, London, England | Australia | 2-3 | 2-3 | Friendly |
| 11. | September 3, 2015 | King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | East Timor | 5-0 | 7-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 12. | September 8, 2015 | Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia | Malaysia | 1-1 | 3-0 | |
| 13. | November 17, 2015 | National Stadium, Dili, East Timor | East Timor | 7-0 | 10-0 | |
| 14. | March 24, 2016 | King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | 2-0 | 2-0 | |
| 15. | March 29, 2016 | Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates | 1-0 | 1-1 | |
| 16. | August 24, 2016 | Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar | Laos | 1-0 | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 17. | October 6, 2016 | King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Australia | 1-0 | 2-2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 18. | February 26, 2018 | King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Moldova | 2-0 | 3-0 | Friendly |
| 19. | June 8, 2018 | BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany | Germany | 1-2 | 1-2 |
7. Honours and Achievements
Taiseer Al-Jassim's career was marked by numerous titles and individual accolades, reflecting his significant impact at both club and international levels.
7.1. Club Honours
Al-Ahli
- Saudi Professional League: 2015-16
- King Cup: 2011, 2012, 2016
- Crown Prince Cup: 2001-02, 2006-07, 2014-15
- Saudi Federation Cup: 2001, 2002, 2007
- Arab Club Champions Cup: 2003
- Saudi Super Cup: 2016
- GCC Champions League: 2002, 2008
- Friendship Football Tournament: 2001, 2002
- AFC Champions League: Runner-up: 2012
Friendly tournaments
- Al Jazeera International Cup: 2013
7.2. International Honours
Saudi Arabia national football team
- Islamic Games Gold Medal: 2005
- Singapore Asian Championship: 2007
7.3. Individual Awards and Records
- Saudi Professional League Player of the Season: 2011-12
- Saudi Professional League Best Midfielder: 2011-12
- Al-Ahli Player of the Year: 2011-12
- Entering Centennial Club: 2015
Notable Records
- He was the first player to complete 200 matches in the history of the Saudi Professional League.
- He participated in 134 international matches for the Saudi Arabia national team during his 14-year international career.
- He participated in more than 200 matches with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Professional League, scoring 46 goals and providing 44 assists.
- His total contributions to goals with Al-Ahli club, including goals and assists, exceeded 100, a significant achievement for a midfielder.
- He is Al-Ahli's third top scorer in the AFC Champions League, with 9 goals.
- He assisted the Saudi Arabia national team with 8 goals in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, contributing to a total of 14 goals (the most by any player in the team).
- He is Al-Ahli's top scorer among Saudi national players in the AFC Champions League.
- He is Al-Ahli's top scorer among Saudi national players in the Saudi Professional League.