IN A DIFFERENT life, Ahmed Al-Ghamdi might currently be listening intently to a lecture or spending late nights poring over journals in a library in Vancouver.
He had been accepted to the University of British Columbia, one of Canada’s top-ranked universities which counts three Canadian prime ministers — including the incumbent Justin Trudeau — among its alumni.
He would have first worked towards completing a bachelor’s degree in science, which would then pave the way for medical school.
Instead, he now plays for one of Asia’s biggest football clubs, alongside famous names at a colosseum that sits over 62,000.
This is Ahmed Al-Ghamdi’s story.
BORN IN JEDDAH, Al-Ghamdi’s family moved to Vancouver when he was just a year old.
His parents ensured him and his two brothers remained very much in touch with his Saudi Arabian identity and values, but he was also exposed to different cultures in a cosmopolitan environment.
Sushi and Chinese food were hardly foreign to him, although homecooked Saudi meals were still “the best”. He has previously revealed his love for Quentin Tarantino films and listening to rap music.
He even tried his hand at basketball, even though he would ultimately become a footballer.
There was one non-negotiable, however, and that was what set him down his original path of becoming a doctor.
“For my family, education is the priority,” he said, speaking to ESPN in an exclusive interview. “Everyone in my family was educated (to a higher level) so it was always the deal between my parents and I to finish school if I wanted to play football.
“Even now, I’m pursuing my bachelor’s degree because I made a promise to my parents. No matter how well football is going, I will finish my education.”
“That was where my trajectory was going. I was working all throughout high school to get good marks so that I could get into the university and major that I wanted.
“When that time came around, I got accepted into sciences and about the time of the new fall semester, I was also playing for Pacific FC. I had to make a decision if I wanted to continue (playing) or go to school immediately, so I decided to continue until the end of the CPL (Canadian Premier League) season.
“Before the end of the CPL season, I was signed by Al Ettifaq. But once I got to Saudi Arabia, I also enrolled into university.”
Even on the academic front, Al-Ghamdi’s journey has slightly deviated — it is a degree in finance he is now studying for. Still, a promise to his parents kept.
BEFORE THE BRIGHT lights of the Saudi Pro League, there was Pacific FC.
Compared to mammoth King Abdullah Sports City that Al Ittihad — Al-Ghamdi’s current club — play at, Pacific FC’s Starlight Stadium is listed as having a 6,000 capacity.
It may be a far cry from playing in front of 62,000 while rubbing shoulders with Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema, but the formative years of his football career are still something he fondly looks back on.
“It (Pacific FC) is a small club in a small part of Victoria — another city in British Columbia. At the time, it was an unbelievable experienced,” recalled Al-Ghamdi with a wistful smile.
“My dream was to become a professional footballer and that was the opportunity for me at the time so, even with 2,000 or 3,000 fans, it was unbelievable. At the time, that was a huge number, something I couldn’t imagine.
“I enjoyed every moment of it and it was good for my development as well, so I’m very thankful for that experience.”
THE COMPOSURE HE shows in possession and the deftness in which he effortlessly glides around opponents suggest Al-Ghamdi might have excelled as a surgeon.
Instead, these were the very traits that led to interested glances from the SPL, which was becoming an increasingly viable career option each time he represented Saudi Arabia at age-group level — even while he was still plying his trade in Canada.
It was Al Ettifaq who first brought him back to Saudi Arabia in 2020, where he played under Steven Gerrard last year. A loan move to Al Ittihad was made permanent this summer.
He now shares a dressing room with Benzema, N’Golo Kanté and Fabinho. He counts Ronaldo, Neymar and Roberto Firmino among his opponents.
Quite the ‘pinch yourself’ moment, even if Al-Ghamdi is determined to hold his own.
“I watched all of them in the prime of their careers when I was young,” said Al-Ghamdi.
“It’s unbelievable to now be playing with them in the same league and learning from their game, how they handle themselves and train, to learn details that are not shown on television — it’s an unbelievable experience.
“Of course, the first thing is to be humble but, at the same time, I want to take my responsibility and do my job so that (the team) can achieve the best possible outcome.”
Revealing that he kept a close eye on football in Saudi Arabia even in his youth, Al-Ghamdi believes it is not just the recently-added star power that is helping the SPL grow.
“I always knew growing up that the Saudi League was very good and interesting. There’s a lot of talent in Saudi Arabia,” he added. “My goal was to always play in Europe but I wanted to take the experience to come back to my country and I enjoy playing here.
“A drastic, unexpected change happened in (recent) years where they not only bought top players, but also introduced top facilities. The league has grown exponentially over time.
“I’m very thankful for all the work the government has been doing to make the league one of the best in the world. It’s very good to come back to my own country and to see the league as big as it is now.
PLAYING AT THE FIFA World Cup remains the pinnacle for most footballers.
Saudi Arabia are the sole bidders for the 2034 World Cup. Al-Ghamdi will be 32 by then. All going well, he will be in the prime of his career playing a pivotal role for the Green Falcons.
Before that, there will be 2026 edition, which just so happens to be co-hosted by Canada, United States and Mexico. Saudi Arabia will have to qualify for this one but they usually are among Asia’s representatives — with their chances boosted further by the fact that the continent will now have eight guaranteed participants with the expansion to a 48-team tournament.
Plenty has to fall into place.
Al-Ghamdi nailing his spot in the national team over the next two years. Saudi Arabia qualifying. The draw not placing them in a group hosted in either United States or Mexico.
But if — just if — what would it mean for Al-Ghamdi to be representing his nation of birth back in the country he grew up in?
With a twinkle in his eye, Al-Ghamdi said: ” Hopefully, it’s going to be an amazing, full-circle moment for me – playing for Saudi in Canada, where I grew up.
“I tend to go back every offseason because I still have my connections – some friends, and obviously my brothers are there.
“I like to disconnect (from football) back in a familiar city where I grew up with familiar people like my friends from school. It’s just nice to keep in touch with them after a long season.”
And what does he think he needs to achieve in order to give himself the strongest chance of getting there?
“I would say trying to be the best version of myself,” Al-Ghamdi added. “(To play at) my full potential, work hard every day, make the difference when I’m given a chance.
“Hopefully, with faith, hard work and passion, everything will work out. I’ll be there and perform well and make history.”
From moving to Canada at the age of one and originally on the path to becoming a doctor, to now playing alongside the biggest names in football in front of tens of thousands of fans on a weekly basis, it has been quite the journey for Ahmed Al-Ghamdi.
And it is only getting started.
