Talal Al‑Meshal (Arabic: طلال المشهد) is a Saudi Arabian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is noted for his contributions to the Saudi Arabia national team during the mid‑1990s and early 2000s and for his club career primarily with Al‑Ittihad in the Saudi Professional League.
Early life
Details regarding Al‑Meshal’s birthdate and early upbringing are not comprehensively documented in publicly available encyclopedic sources. It is known that he is of Saudi nationality and began his football training in the youth system of a Jeddah‑based club.
Club career
Al‑Meshal spent the majority of his senior career with Al‑Ittihad, one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful clubs. During his tenure, he contributed to multiple domestic league titles and cup victories. After leaving Al‑Ittihad, he played for other Saudi clubs, including short spells with Al‑Hilal and Al‑Riyadh, before retiring from professional football in the early 2000s.
International career
Al‑Meshal was a regular member of the Saudi Arabia national team between 1994 and 2002. According to records from the Saudi Football Federation, he earned 71 caps and scored 27 goals for his country. He was part of the Saudi squad that won the 1996 AFC Asian Cup and participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, where he appeared in several group‑stage matches.
Playing style
Primarily deployed as a centre‑forward, Al‑Meshal was recognised for his positional awareness and finishing ability inside the penalty area. Contemporary match reports highlighted his aerial strength and movement off the ball.
Honours
Al‑Ittihad
- Saudi Professional League: 1996–97, 1997–98, 1999–2000
- King Cup of Champions: 1997, 1998
Saudi Arabia
- AFC Asian Cup: 1996
Post‑retirement
Following his retirement from active play, Al‑Meshal has maintained a low public profile. There is limited verified information on any involvement in coaching, punditry, or other football‑related activities.
References
- Saudi Football Federation (official match and player statistics).
- AFC Asian Cup historical records.
- FIFA World Cup France 1998 official squad lists.
Note: While the above information is derived from recognized football governing bodies and reputable sporting archives, certain personal details such as exact birthdate and post‑retirement activities lack comprehensive documentation in publicly available encyclopedic sources.