View source for Hussein Abdulghani

{{short description|Saudi Arabian footballer (born 1977)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Hussein Abdulghani <br> حُسَيْن عَبْد الْغَنِيّ
| fullname = Hussein Omar Abdulghani Sulaimani
| image = 
BPpt3orCAAEWqDv.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Hussein Abdel-Ghani in the Al-Ahli club shirt
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1977|1|21|df=yes}} 
| birth_place = [[Jeddah]], Saudi Arabia
| height = {{height|m=1.74}}
| currentclub  = 
| clubnumber = 
| position = [[Left-back]]
| youthyears1 = 1992–1995
| youthclubs1 = [[Al-Ahli (Jeddah)|Al-Ahli]]
| years1 = 1995–2008 
| clubs1 = [[Al-Ahli (Jeddah)|Al-Ahli]] 
| caps1  = 287
| goals1 = 30
| years2 = 2007
| clubs2 = → [[Al-Rayyan SC]] (loan)
| caps2  = 1
| goals2 = 0  
| years3 = 2008–2009 
| clubs3 = [[Neuchâtel Xamax]] 
| caps3  = 21  
| goals3 = 0  
| years4 = 2009–2017
| clubs4 = [[Al-Nassr FC|Al-Nassr]]
| caps4  = 205
| goals4 = 9 
| years5 = 2017–2018
| clubs5 = [[FC Vereya|Vereya]]
| caps5  = 14
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2018–2019
| clubs6 = [[Ohod Club|Ohod]]
| caps6  = 11
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2019–2020
| clubs7 = [[Al-Ahli (Jeddah)|Al-Ahli]] 
| caps7  = 29
| goals7 = 0
| totalcaps      = 568 |totalgoals = 40
| nationalyears1 = 1996–2018
| nationalteam1 = [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]]
| nationalcaps1 = 138<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ksa-team.com/english/players.php?id=27 |title=Hussein Omar Abdulghani AL SULAIMANI - Statistics at Saudi Team site |access-date=29 July 2017 |archive-date=31 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731151908/https://www.ksa-team.com/english/players.php?id=27 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| nationalgoals1 = 5
| pcupdate = 19:13, 17 September 2020 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 20:56, 20 November 2018 (UTC)
}}

'''Hussein Omar Abdulghani Sulaimani''' ({{langx|ar|حُسَيْن عُمَر عَبْد الْغَنِيّ سُلَيْمَانِيّ}}; born 21 January 1977) is a [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabian]] former professional [[football (soccer)|footballer]] who played as a [[left-back]] in the [[Saudi Professional League]].

==Club career==
===Al-Ahli===
Abdulghani began his career at [[Al-Ahli Saudi FC|Al-Ahli]], joining the youth team in 1992. He originally started his career as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]] but was moved to [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|full-back]], a position he would mainly play at for the remainder of his career, by [[Amin Dabo]], the youth team manager at the time.<ref>{{cite web|title=الفتى الذهبي ظاهرة كروية تستحق الدراسة|date=7 September 2018|url=https://www.alyaum.com/articles/6050599/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%87%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9|access-date=23 June 2020|archive-date=23 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623094225/https://www.alyaum.com/articles/6050599/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%87%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9|url-status=live}}</ref> Abdulghani made his Al-Ahli debut on 26 September 1995 in a Federation Cup tie with [[Al-Qadsiah FC|Al-Qadsiah]]. The match ended in a 2–1 loss.<ref>{{cite web |title=اهداف قدساوية تهز الثقة الاهلاوية |url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1995/SEPT1995/27-09-1995-8399/8399-01701.jpg |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623042303/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1995/SEPT1995/27-09-1995-8399/8399-01701.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 25 November 1995, Abdulghani made his league in the [[Ittihad F.C.–Al-Ahli F.C. rivalry|derby match]] against [[Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah)|Al-Ittihad]] that ended in a 2–1 win.<ref>{{cite web |title=قمة الغربية اهلاوية |url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1995/NOV1995/26-11-1995-8459/8459-02001.jpg |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626042036/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1995/NOV1995/26-11-1995-8459/8459-02001.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> He made 24 appearances in all competitions in his first season with the club as Al-Ahli finished runners-up in the league. In his second season, Abdulghani missed matches for Al-Ahli due to the national team's participation in the [[1996 AFC Asian Cup]]. On 25 December 1997, Abdulghani scored his first league goal for the club against [[Al-Wehda Club (Mecca)|Al-Wehda]].<ref>{{cite web |title=الاهلي يستعيد انفاسه في مرمى الوحدة |url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1997/DEC1997/26-12-1997-9220/9220-01501.jpg |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623062853/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1997/DEC1997/26-12-1997-9220/9220-01501.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> On 11 March 1998, Abdulghani started the [[Saudi Crown Prince Cup|Crown Prince Cup]] final against [[Al-Riyadh SC|Al-Riyadh]] and provided the assist for [[Khaled Al-Muwallid|Masaad]]'s golden goal in the 97th minute, as Al-Ahli won their third [[Saudi Crown Prince Cup|Crown Prince Cup]] title.<ref>{{cite web |title=وعادت شمسك الذهب! |url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1998/MAR1998/12-03-1998-9296/9296-01301.jpg |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=25 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625031127/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1998/MAR1998/12-03-1998-9296/9296-01301.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> This was Al-Ahli's first silverware since 1985. On 15 November 1999, Abdulghani made his continental debut for Al-Ahli against Syrian side [[Al-Jaish SC (Syria)|Al-Jaish]] in the [[1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|title=الاهلي يستهل مشواره الاسيوي بافوز على الجيش|url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1999/NOV1999/16-11-1999-9910/9910-01901.jpg|access-date=23 June 2020|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625021932/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/1999/NOV1999/16-11-1999-9910/9910-01901.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>

Abdulghani missed most of the 2001–02 season with Al-Ahli through injury after injuring his [[anterior cruciate ligament]] while on international duty. He was substituted in the 84th minute in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]] match against [[Thailand national football team|Thailand]] on 21 October 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=رباط صليبي للشيحان و عبدالغني |url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2001/OCT2001/22-10-2001-10616/10616-02001.jpg |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626080520/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2001/OCT2001/22-10-2001-10616/10616-02001.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> He made his return on 15 March 2002 in the Gulf Club Champions Cup match against Emirati side [[Al Shabab Al Arabi Club Dubai|Al-Shabab]].<ref>{{cite web |title=الاهلي هزم الشباب الاماراتي بالصدمة |url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2002/MAR2002/16-03-2002-10761/10761-02501.jpg |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626060708/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2002/MAR2002/16-03-2002-10761/10761-02501.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> On 22 March 2002, Abdulghani started in the 2–0 win against Omani side [[Dhofar Club|Dhofar]] as Al-Ahli won their second [[2002 Gulf Club Champions Cup|Gulf Club Champions Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=الاهلي في البحرين (وايد.. حلو ( |url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2002/MAR2002/23-03-2002-10768/10768-02501.jpg |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623064354/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2002/MAR2002/23-03-2002-10768/10768-02501.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 December 2002, Abdulghani was suspended for six matches for comments he made towards the referee, Mamdouh Al-Mirdas, following the loss against Al-Hilal.<ref>{{cite web |title=عبدالغني شايل سيفه |url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2002/DEC2002/28-12-2002-11048/11048-02901.jpg |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623082913/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2002/DEC2002/28-12-2002-11048/11048-02901.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> On 3 February 2003, Abdulghani started the [[2002 Arab Unified Club Championship|Arab Unified Club Championship]] final against Tunisian side [[Club Africain]] as Al-Ahli won their first Arab title.<ref>{{cite web |title=بطل الكووس .. رفع الرووس |url=http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2003/FEB2003/04-02-2003-11086/11086-02501.jpg |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623064408/http://search.al-jazirah.com.sa/FLASHPDFARCH/2003/FEB2003/04-02-2003-11086/11086-02501.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the retirement of [[Mohammed Al-Jahani]], Abdulghani was named as the club captain starting from the 2004–05 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=محمد شليه خلال مؤتمره الصحفي: برشلونة أو لاتسيو في مهرجان اعتزالي |url=http://www.al-jazirah.com/2004/20040825/sp12.htm |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626001250/http://www.al-jazirah.com/2004/20040825/sp12.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> His first final as club captain ended in a loss in the 2005 Federation Cup final against [[Al Hilal SFC|Al-Hilal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=" الهــــلال " بطل كأس الامير فيصل بن فهد |url=http://www.alriyadh.com/99180 |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=25 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625073138/http://www.alriyadh.com/99180 |url-status=live }}</ref> Six months later, Abdulghani also captained the side in the [[2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final|2006 Crown Prince Cup final]] loss against Al-Hilal as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=الهلال يهزم الأهلي ويتوج بطلاً لكأس ولي العهد السعودي |url=https://www.albayan.ae/five-senses/2006-04-09-1.907851 |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620195916/https://www.albayan.ae/five-senses/2006-04-09-1.907851 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 9 February 2007, Abdulghani captained Al-Ahli as they won their third Federation Cup, defeating derby rivals Al-Ittihad in the final by 3–0 at the [[Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |title=الأهلي بطلاً لكأس فيصل بفوز تاريخي على اتحاد جدة 3/صفر |url=https://www.albayan.ae/five-senses/2007-02-11-1.759041 |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626063239/https://www.albayan.ae/five-senses/2007-02-11-1.759041 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two months later, on 27 April 2007, Abdulghani captained Al-Ahli as they won their fifth Crown Prince Cup title, defeating derby rivals Al-Ittihad in the [[2007 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final|final]] once again.<ref>{{cite web |title=شمس الأهلي الجديد (تشرق) بكأس ولي العهد |url=http://www.alriyadh.com/245330 |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218021554/https://www.alriyadh.com/245330 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2007, Abdulghani was loaned to Qatari side [[Al-Rayyan SC|Al-Rayyan]] on a short-term deal.<ref>{{cite web |title=حسين عبدالغني بعد انتقاله للدوري القطري يؤكد ل(دنيا الرياضة) |url=http://www.alriyadh.com/249125 |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623042840/http://www.alriyadh.com/249125 |url-status=live }}</ref> He made one appearance in the [[Emir of Qatar Cup]] quarter-finals. Abdulghani missed a penalty in the penalty shoot-outs as Al-Rayyan were eliminated by [[Al-Arabi SC (Qatar)|Al-Arabi]]. On 4 April 2008, Abdulghani was sent off in the league match against [[Najran SC|Najran]], and was suspended for two matches. On 26 April 2008, his suspension was lifted.<ref>{{cite web |title=رياضي / رفع قرار الايقاف عن اللاعب حسين عبد الغني |url=https://www.spa.gov.sa/549900 |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=25 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625191728/https://www.spa.gov.sa/549900 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 April 2008, Abdulghani made his final appearance for Al-Ahli in the 3–1 loss against [[Al-Shabab FC (Riyadh)|Al-Shabab]] in the 2nd leg of the [[Kings Cup (Saudi Arabia)|King Cup]] quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web |title=الشباب جدد فوزه على الأهلي |url=http://www.alriyadh.com/338143 |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623064354/http://www.alriyadh.com/338143 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Neuchâtel Xamax===
On 10 July 2008, Abdulghani joined [[Switzerland|Swiss]] based [[Neuchâtel Xamax]] on a three-year contract for a reported fee of $1 million.<ref>[http://www.okaz.com.sa/okaz/osf/20080710/Con20080710208785.htm Abdulghani moving to Neuchâtel Xamax - Okaz newspaper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713030218/http://www.okaz.com.sa/okaz/osf/20080710/Con20080710208785.htm |date=13 July 2008 }} (AR)</ref> His transfer to Europe had made him the third Saudi footballer to play in Europe, after [[Sami Al-Jaber]] and [[Fahad Al-Ghesheyan]] and the first to play in the [[Swiss Super League]]. He made his debut on 2 August 2008 as a 70th minute in the league match against [[FC Aarau|Aarau]].<ref>{{cite web |title=XAMAX VS. AARAU 0 - 0 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2008/08/02/switzerland/super-league/neuchatel-xamax-fc/fc-aarau/631793/}}</ref> On 17 August 2008, he made his first start for the club against [[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshoppers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=XAMAX VS. GRASSHOPPERS 1 - 1 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2008/08/17/switzerland/super-league/neuchatel-xamax-fc/grasshopper-club-zurich/631802/}}</ref> He made 21 appearances in all competitions in his only season at the club.

===Al-Nassr===
On 3 July 2009, Abdulghani returned to [[Saudi Arabia]] and joined [[Al-Nassr FC|Al-Nassr]] on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |title=النصر السعودي يتعاقد مع حسين عبد الغني لمدة ثلاث سنوات |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009%2F07%2F03%2F77702}}</ref> This move did not go down well with Al-Ahli supporters, who held up a banner saying "Traitor 24" during the league match between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr on 22 November 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=أهلاويون يصفون عبد الغني بـ «الخاين».. وحسين:أنتم قلبي |date=22 November 2009 |url=https://www.aleqt.com/2009/11/22/article_305093.html}}</ref> On 25 August 2009, Abdulghani made his debut for Al-Nassr as well as score his first goal in the 1–1 draw against [[Al-Ettifaq FC|Al-Ettifaq]].<ref>{{cite web |title=الاتفاق والنصر يكرران نتيجة الموسم الماضي |url=https://www.alriyadh.com/455092}}</ref> On 9 February 2010, Abdulghani injured his right knee in the [[2009–10 Saudi Crown Prince Cup|Crown Prince Cup quarter-final]] match against derby rivals Al-Hilal and was ruled out for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=النصر يفقد عبد الغني لنهاية الموسم |date=13 February 2010 |url=https://www.alyaum.com/article/734781}}</ref> He made 22 appearances and scored 3 goals in all competitions helping Al-Nassr to a 3rd place finish, their highest since [[2001–02 Saudi Premier League|2002]]. On 10 October 2010, Abdulghani made his return in a friendly match against [[Al-Diriyah Club|Al-Diriyah]].<ref>{{cite web |title=زينجا يطمئن على عبدالغني والقرني بالدرعية |date=10 October 2010 |url=https://www.alyaum.com/articles/786966/}}</ref> On 16 October 2010, Abdulghani made his return as a substitute in the 2–1 win against former club Al-Ahli.<ref>{{cite web |title=النصر يعود للانتصارات من محطة الأهلي |url=https://www.al-jazirah.com/2010/20101017/sp33.htm}}</ref> On 28 September 2011, Abdulghani was suspended for three matches for elbowing former Al-Ahli teammate and [[Al-Faisaly FC|Al-Faisaly]] goalkeeper [[Tisir Al-Antaif]].<ref>{{cite web |title=إيقاف عبدالغني (3) مباريات وفيصل بن تركي يعلق على القرار |url=https://arriyadiyah.com/384193}}</ref> On 18 May 2012, Abdulghani captained Al-Nassr in the 2012 King Cup final loss to Al-Ahli.<ref>{{cite web |title=الأهلي برباعية يحرز كأس الملك |date=18 May 2012 |url=https://www.aleqt.com/2012/05/18/article_658080.html}}</ref> On 25 May 2012, Abdulghani renewed his contract with Al-Nassr for another two years.<ref>{{cite web |title=النصر يجدد لعبدالغني |date=25 May 2012 |url=https://www.alwatan.com.sa/article/139132}}</ref> During the 2013-14 season, Abdulghani made 23 appearances and assisted 7 goals in the league helping Al-Nassr win their first league title since [[1994–95 Saudi Premier League|1995]].<ref>{{cite web |title=عبدالغني حقق حلمه بلقب الدوري بشعار العالمي |date=10 April 2014 |url=https://www.alyaum.com/articles/923313/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/}}</ref> He also captained Al-Nassr to a 2–1 win over derby rivals Al-Hilal in the [[2014 Saudi Crown Prince Cup final]].<ref>{{cite web |title=حسين عبدالغني.. يحفر اسمه مع النصر بـ"أحرف من ذهب" |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/sport/2014/02/10/%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%B1-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%80-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%81-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B0%D9%87%D8%A8-}}</ref> Their first Crown Prince Cup title since 1974. On 8 April 2014, Abdulghani renewed his contract with Al-Nassr.<ref>{{cite web |title="عبد الغني" يعلن عدم اعتزاله ويجدّد عقده مع النصر على "بياض" |date=8 April 2014 |url=https://sabq.org/sports/wtwfde-3}}</ref> On 11 August 2014, Abdulghani was suspended for two matches following an altercation with [[Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri]] after a penalty shootout loss in the [[2014 Saudi Super Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=إيقاف حسين عبد الغني بعد واقعة السوبر السعودي | date=9 July 2019 |url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=346773}}</ref> During the 2014–15 season, Abdulghani made 22 appearances, scored twice and assisted three times helping Al-Nassr win a second consecutive league title.<ref>{{cite web |title=الغموض يكتنف القائد!! |date=17 May 2015 |url=https://www.alyaum.com/articles/1006308/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AC}}</ref> On 11 June 2015, Abdulghani was suspended for six matches after an altercation with a fan following the penalty shootout defeat to Al-Hilal in the [[2015 King Cup]] final.<ref>{{cite web |title=إيقاف لاعبي النصر 12 مباراة وتغريمهم 110 آلاف |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/sport/saudi-sport/2015/06/11/-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%86%D9%8A-6-%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA}}</ref> On 9 July 2016, Abdulghani renewed his contract with Al-Nassr for two years.<ref>{{cite web |title=النصر يمدد عقد قائده عبدالغني لعامين إضافيين |date=14 June 2003 |url=https://www.alyaum.com/article/1085029}}</ref> On 28 June 2017, Al-Nassr and Abdulghani mutually agreed to release him from his contract.<ref>{{cite web |title=النصر يوقع مخالصة نهائية مع حسين عبدالغني |date=28 June 2017 |url=https://www.okaz.com.sa/sport/na/1556050}}</ref>

===Later career===
On 13 September 2017, Abdulghani signed a one-year contract with [[First Professional Football League (Bulgaria)|Bulgarian First League]] club [[FC Vereya|Vereya]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Верея взе 40-годишен беĸ cъc 108 мача за Саyдитcка Аpабия | url = https://gong.bg/bg-football/parva-liga/multimedia/video/vereia-vze-40-godishen-bek-sys-108-macha-za-sauditska-arabiia-449289 | publisher = gong.bg | date = 12 September 2017 | language = bg | access-date = 13 September 2017 | archive-date = 18 December 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211218021735/https://gong.bg/bg-football/parva-liga/multimedia/video/vereia-vze-40-godishen-bek-sys-108-macha-za-sauditska-arabiia-449289 | url-status = live }}</ref> Becoming the first Saudi to play in the [[Bulgarian First League]]. He hoped to take a chance to play for the [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia national team]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in [[Russia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Звездата на Верея Хюсеин Сюлеймани пред БЛИЦ СПОРТ: Имам само една жена и пет деца, всички са от нея! |url=https://www.blitz.bg/sport/intervyu/zvezdata-na-vereya-khyusein-syuleymani-pred-blits-sport-imam-samo-edna-zhena-i-pet-detsa-vsichki-sa-ot-neya_383801.html |language=bg-BG |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142251/https://www.blitz.bg/sport/intervyu/zvezdata-na-vereya-khyusein-syuleymani-pred-blits-sport-imam-samo-edna-zhena-i-pet-detsa-vsichki-sa-ot-neya_383801.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 11 June 2018, Abdulghani went back to Saudi Arabia to sign for the newly promoted Pro League side [[Ohod Club|Ohod]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia legend extends his remarkable football career by another season |url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1341831/sport |language=en |date=19 July 2018 |access-date=17 October 2018 |archive-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025073011/http://www.arabnews.com/node/1341831/sport |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2019, he returned to his former club Al-Ahli.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hussein Abdul Ghani returns to Ahli |url=https://naaju.com/saudi/hussein-abdul-ghani-returns-to-ahli/ |date=14 January 2019 |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114210205/https://naaju.com/saudi/hussein-abdul-ghani-returns-to-ahli/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 15 October 2020, Abdulghani announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=965243&o=n |title=حسين عبد الغني يعلق حذاءه |website=kooora.com |language=ar |date=15 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |archive-date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218021734/https://www.kooora.com/?n=965243&o=n |url-status=live }}</ref>

==International career==
Abdulghani was a regular member of the [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia national team]]. He was on the national team that won [[1996 AFC Asian Cup]] at age 19. He was selected for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]] and [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]s. Abdulghani announced his retirement from international football after failing to lead his national team to the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]. On 6 October 2018, he received a call-up for a friendly match against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hussein Abdul Ghani is the oldest Saudi player to participate in a game |url=https://www.saudileaguenews.com/hussein-abdul-ghani-congratulates-saudia-fans-on-the-performance/ |access-date=17 October 2018 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017204733/https://www.saudileaguenews.com/hussein-abdul-ghani-congratulates-saudia-fans-on-the-performance/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
''Updated 26 January 2024.''<ref>{{cite web |title=اخر تحديث لمباريات حسين عبدالغني مع الاهلي |url=http://www.al-raqi.net/showthread.php?t=33631 |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=25 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625192802/http://www.al-raqi.net/showthread.php?t=33631 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=HUSSEIN ABDUL GHANI |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/hussein-abdul-ghani-sulimani/463/ |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918211600/https://int.soccerway.com/players/hussein-abdul-ghani-sulimani/463/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
! colspan="2" | National Cup{{efn|Includes [[Kings Cup (Saudi Arabia)|King Cup]], [[Swiss Cup]] and [[Bulgarian Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League Cup{{efn|Includes [[Saudi Crown Prince Cup|Crown Prince Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan=14|[[Al-Ahli Saudi FC|Al-Ahli]]
|[[1995–96 Saudi Premier League|1995–96]]
|rowspan=13|[[Saudi Premier League|SPL]]
|14||0||colspan=2|—||1||0||colspan=2|—||9{{efn|name=FA|Appearances in [[Prince Faisal bin Fahd League U-21|Federation Cup]]}}||0||24||0
|-
|[[1996–97 Saudi Premier League|1996–97]]
|4||0||colspan=2|—||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||6||0
|-
|[[1997–98 Saudi Premier League|1997–98]]
|10||1||colspan=2|—||3||0||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|name=AC|Appearances in [[Arab Club Champions Cup]]}}||0||16||1
|-
|[[1998–99 Saudi Premier League|1998–99]]
|21||2||colspan=2|—||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||22||2
|-
|[[1999–2000 Saudi Premier League|1999–2000]]
|21||2||colspan=2|—||2||0||3||0||4{{efn|name=FC|Appearances in [[Saudi Founder's Cup]]}}||0||30||2
|-
|[[2000–01 Saudi Premier League|2000–01]]
|14||1||colspan=2|—||2||0||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|name=FA}}||0||19||1
|-
|[[2001–02 Saudi Premier League|2001–02]]
|3||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||4{{efn|name=GC|Appearances in [[GCC Champions League]]}}||0||7||0
|-
|[[2002–03 Saudi Premier League|2002–03]]
|18||2||colspan=2|—||4||1||2||0||9{{efn|name=AC}}||0||33||3
|-
|[[2003–04 Saudi Premier League|2003–04]]
|18||2||colspan=2|—||4||0||colspan=2|—||14{{efn|name=AC}}||2||36||4
|-
|[[2004–05 Saudi Premier League|2004–05]]
|12||0||colspan=2|—||1||0||5||2||7{{efn|name=AC}}||1||25||3
|-
|[[2005–06 Saudi Premier League|2005–06]]
|11||1||colspan=2|—||2||0||colspan=2|—||8{{efn|name=FA}}||2||21||3
|-
|[[2006–07 Saudi Premier League|2006–07]]
|11||1||colspan=2|—||3||0||colspan=2|—||9{{efn|name=WH|Eight appearances in [[Arab Club Champions Cup]], one appearance in [[Prince Faisal bin Fahd League U-21|Federation Cup]]}}||0||23||1
|-
|[[2007–08 Saudi Premier League|2007–08]]
|12||1||1||0||4||1||6||1||3{{efn|name=FA}}||1||23||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!169!!13!!1!!0!!29!!2!!16!!3!!73!!6!!288!!24
|-
|[[Neuchâtel Xamax FCS|Neuchâtel Xamax]]
|[[2008–09 Swiss Super League|2008–09]]
|[[Swiss Super League|SSL]]
|19||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||21||0
|-
|rowspan=9|[[Al-Nassr FC|Al-Nassr]]
|[[2009–10 Al-Nassr FC season|2009–10]]
|rowspan=8|SPL
|17||3||0||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||4{{efn|name=WD|Three appearances in [[GCC Champions League]], one appearance in [[Prince Faisal bin Fahd League U-21|Federation Cup]]}}||0||22||3
|-
|[[2010–11 Al-Nassr FC season|2010–11]]
|13||0||1||0||2||0||5||2||colspan=2|—||21||2
|-
|[[2011–12 Al-Nassr FC season|2011–12]]
|17||0||5||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||24||0
|-
|[[2012–13 Al-Nassr FC season|2012–13]]
|24||1||2||0||4||0||colspan=2|—||4{{efn|name=AC}}||0||34||1
|-
|[[2013–14 Saudi Professional League|2013–14]]
|23||0||1||0||4||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||28||0
|-
|[[2014–15 Saudi Professional League|2014–15]]
|22||2||4||0||2||0||6||0||1{{efn|name=SC|Appearances in [[Saudi Super Cup]]}}||0||35||2
|-
|[[2015–16 Saudi Professional League|2015–16]]
|18||0||5||0||1||0||5||1||0||0||29||1
|-
|[[2016–17 Al-Nassr FC season|2016–17]]
|8||0||1||0||3||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||12||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!142!!6!!19!!0!!19!!0!!16!!3!!9!!0!!205!!9
|-
|[[FC Vereya Stara Zagora|Vereya]]
|[[2017–18 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria)|2017–18]]
|[[First Professional Football League (Bulgaria)|BFL]]
|13||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||14||0
|-
|[[Ohod Club|Ohod]]
|[[2018–19 Saudi Professional League|2018–19]]
|rowspan=3|SPL
|11||1||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||11||1
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Al-Ahli Saudi FC|Al-Ahli]]
|[[2018–19 Al-Ahli Saudi FC season|2018–19]]
|3||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||7||0||colspan=2|—||12||0
|-
|[[2019–20 Al-Ahli Saudi FC season|2019–20]]
|10||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||7||0||colspan=2|—||17||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!13!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!14!!0!!0!!0!!29!!0
|-
!colspan="3"|Al-Ahli Total
!182!!0!!3!!0!!29!!2!!30!!3!!73!!6!!317!!24
|-
!colspan=3|Career total
!367!!20!!25!!0!!48!!2!!46!!6!!82!!6!!568!!34
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{{updated|20 November 2018}}<ref>{{NFT player |id=5711 |name=Al-Sulimani, Hussein Abdul-Ghani|access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sulimani-intl.html |title=Hussein Omar Abdul Ghani Sulimani - Century of International Appearances |author1=Mamrud, Roberto |author2=Albakr, Naeim |website=[[RSSSF]] |date=22 January 2019 |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128142646/https://rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sulimani-intl.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
|-
! National team||Year||Apps||Goals
|-
| rowspan=16|[[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]]
|1996||18||0
|-
|1997||21||0
|-
|1998||22||0
|-
|1999||14||2
|-
|2000||0||0
|-
|2001||17||2
|-
|2002||5||0
|-
|2003||0||0
|-
|2004||4||1
|-
|2005||4||0
|-
|2006||14||0
|-
|2007||3||0
|-
|2008||2||0
|-
|2009||8||0
|-
|2014||2||0
|-
|2018||4||0
|-
! colspan=2|Total||138||5
|}

====International goals====
<ref>{{cite web |title=( Hussein AL SULAIMANI ) Goals |url=https://www.ksa-team.com/english/players.php?id=27&type=8 |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=25 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625050916/https://www.ksa-team.com/english/players.php?id=27&type=8 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:93%;"
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1 || 22 June 1999 || [[Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium]], [[Abha]] || {{fb|JOR}} || '''2'''–0 || 2–1 || Friendly
|-
| 2 || 9 July 1999 || [[Titan Stadium (Cal State Fullerton)|Titan Stadium]], [[Fullerton, California|Fullerton]] || {{fb|CAN}} || '''2'''–0 || 2–0 || Friendly
|-
| 3 || 8 February 2001 || [[Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium]], [[Dammam]] || {{fb|MGL}} || '''4'''–0 || 6–0 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)]]
|-
| 4 || 8 February 2001 || Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam || {{fb|MGL}} || '''5'''–0 || 6–0 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)]]
|-
| 5 || 14 October 2004 || [[Gelora Bung Karno Stadium]], [[Jakarta]] || {{fb|IDN}} || '''2'''–0 || 3–1 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)]]
|}

==Honours==
'''Al-Ahli'''
*[[Saudi Crown Prince Cup|Crown Prince Cup]]: 1998, 2002, [[2006–07 Saudi Crown Prince Cup|2006–07]]
*[[Saudi Federation Cup]]: 2001, 2002, 2007
*[[Arab Champions League]]: [[2002 Arab Unified Club Championship|2002–03]]
*[[Gulf Club Champions Cup]]: [[2002 Gulf Club Champions Cup|2002]], [[2008 Gulf Club Champions Cup|2008]]
* International Friendship Football Tournament: 2001, 2002

'''Neuchâtel Xamax FCS'''
* Swiss Cup - 3rd place

'''Al-Nassr'''
*[[Saudi Professional League|Pro League]]: [[2013–14 Saudi Professional League|2013–14]], [[2014–15 Saudi Professional League|2014–15]]
*[[Saudi Crown Prince Cup|Crown Prince Cup]]: [[2013–14 Saudi Crown Prince Cup|2013–14]]
* Baniyas International Championship: 2011, 2013
* Alwehda International Championship: 2012

'''OHOD'''
* Gulf of Aqaba Cup: 2018
* Jordan International Championship: 2018

'''Saudi Arabia'''
* [[Summer Olympic Games]]: [[1996 Summer Olympics]]
*[[AFC Asian Cup]]: [[1996 AFC Asian Cup|1996]]
*[[Arab Nations Cup]]: [[1998 Arab Nations Cup|1998]], [[2002 Arab Nations Cup|2002]]
* [[Gulf Cup]]: 2002
*[[1997 FIFA Confederations Cup]]: Group Stage
*[[1998 FIFA World Cup]]: Group Stage
*[[1999 FIFA Confederations Cup]]: 4th Place
*[[2002 FIFA World Cup]]: Group Stage
*[[2006 FIFA World Cup]]: Group Stage
'''individual'''
* The best promising Gulf player in 1996.
* Best Arab player in 1997.
* He won the best player award 3 times from 8 matches in the final qualifiers for the World Cup in France, as a record for a player in the defense line.
* He was chosen to play in the Asian Stars team in Moscow in 1998.
* He was chosen to play in the World Stars team in 1997 and 2000 in Marseille.
* He won the SANYO award for the best Asian full back in 2000.
* Best defender in the Arab Clubs Cup in 2003 in Jeddah.
* The best Arab player in the World Cup twice, 1998 AD and 2006.
* He was chosen as the best Saudi football player in 2006.
* The US magazine Esquire chose him as the best international player for teams in the Middle East and North Africa in the first decade of the millennium (2000 - 2009).
* The Best Asian Goal Award for the month of April 2011 from the Asian Confederation.
* Best Saudi Defender of 2014 from Opta.
* Best Professional in Bulgaria in 2018.

==Other prizes==
* 1997: Saudi Arabia - Al-Ahli Club Golden Shield
* 1998: Morocco - Arab Excellence Award from the Moroccan Arab Sports Magazine
* 2002: Palestine - the shield of the Palestinian Football Association for its support for the Palestinian cause
* 2014: France - Civilization and Excellence Award from the Encyclopedia of Excellence and World Civilization in Paris
* 2017: Qatar - World Cup Ambassador for Orphans in Qatar

==See also==
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Soccerway|hussein-abdul-ghani-sulimani/463}}
*{{NFT player|id=5711}}

{{Navboxes
|title= Saudi Arabia squad
 | bg        = #FFFFFF
 | fg        = #177245
|list1=
{{Saudi Arabia Squad 1996 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{Saudi Arabia Squad 1996 Summer Olympics}}
{{Saudi Arabia Squad 1997 FIFA　Confederations Cup}}
{{Saudi Arabia Squad 1998 World Cup}}
{{Saudi Arabia Squad 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Saudi Arabia Squad 2002 World Cup}}
{{Saudi Arabia Squad 2006 World Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abdulghani, Hussein}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Jeddah]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football fullbacks]]
[[Category:Al-Ahli Saudi FC players]]
[[Category:Al-Rayyan SC players]]
[[Category:Neuchâtel Xamax FCS players]]
[[Category:Al-Nassr FC players]]
[[Category:FC Vereya players]]
[[Category:Ohod Club players]]
[[Category:Saudi Pro League players]]
[[Category:Qatar Stars League players]]
[[Category:Swiss Super League players]]
[[Category:First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabia men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:21st-century Saudi Arabian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabia men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Olympic footballers for Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 1996 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:1996 AFC Asian Cup players]]
[[Category:1997 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1999 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:AFC Asian Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabian expatriate sportspeople in Qatar]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabian expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabian expatriate sportspeople in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Qatar]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Bulgaria]]