He’s known for getting under the skin of the world’s best. He’s rattled Lionel Messi, taunted Cristiano Ronaldo, and now, Saudi Arabia’s Ali Albulayhi has a new target – Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-Min. The 34-year-old defender, who plays for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, has a history of engaging in on-field antics. He has drawn attention previously, and this encounter with Son proved to be no exception.

In the world of competitive international soccer, some players go beyond the conventional battles on the field. Ali Albulayhi, the Saudi Arabian international, grabbed headlines during the AFC Asian Cup knockout clash against South Korea. The cameras captured the altercation when Albulayhi, seemingly frustrated by Son’s presence, ignited a series of tactics. First came a push, hoping to elicit a reaction. Then, in a bizarre move, he slid his hands through Son’s hair, seemingly attempting to pull it.

However, his attempt to unsettle the Spurs star took an unexpected turn, as the South Korean star remained unfazed, responding with a smile and exchanging words. It revealed the resilience of the Tottenham captain in the face of Albulayhi’s mind games and dark arts. Albulayhi’s provocation style is not new. His history includes incidents with the GOATs Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, making him a notorious figure.

Flashbacks of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

In November 2022, during the FIFA World Cup clash against Argentina, Albulayhi made a name for himself after slapping Lionel Messi’s back and squaring against the 8x-Ballon d’Or winner. The verbal duel between the pair led Albulayhi to shout “You will not win!” in the face of the Argentine captain. Saudi Arabia went on to win the clash and registered a historic World Cup victory.

A similar encounter transpired in December against Cristiano Ronaldo during a Saudi Pro League match. The Al-Hilal defender clashed with CR7, and the incident didn’t end with the final whistle, as Albulayhi continued to taunt Ronaldo, adding fuel to the fiery encounter.

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As the final whistle blew in the Asian Cup knockout clash, South Korea emerged victorious, securing their place in the quarter-finals. Son, the unfazed target of Albulayhi’s antics, stood tall, proving that sometimes, the greatest strength lies in focusing on the bigger goal. Though he may have clashed against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, one cannot undermine the importance of mental strength in the modern game. As the AFC Asian Cup progresses, fans will be eager to see the next drama in the high-stakes tournament.

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