Mukhtar Abdullah Ali (; born 30 October 1997) is a Saudi Arabian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Al-Ittihad and the Saudi Arabia national team.
Club career Chelsea In 2008, Ali joined Chelsea at under-11 level from Leyton Orient and progressed through the club's academy system. He was part of the Chelsea youth side which recorded back to back triumphs in the FA Youth Cup in 2015 and 2016. With 42 appearances in all competitions he was the second-leading appearance maker in the academy and was also nominated for International Somali Sportsman of the Year.
Vitesse On 29 January 2017, Ali joined Vitesse on loan for the remainder of the 2016–17 campaign. On 19 February 2017, Ali made his Vitesse debut in their 1–0 home defeat against Ajax, replacing Marvelous Nakamba in the 84th minute. On 4 February 2017, he played his first match for Jong Vitesse against SV Spakenburg. Ali went onto appear in five more league games during his loan spell.
On 17 July 2017, Vitesse permanently signed Ali on a three-year deal.
Al-Nassr On 31 August 2019, Al-Nassr signed Mukhtar Ali on a one-year deal from Vitesse. Al-Nassr is officially signed by Mukhtar Ali On 29 January 2022, he renewed his contract with Al-Nassr until 2025 and was loaned out to Al-Tai. On 29 August 2022, Mukhtar Ali rejoined Al-Tai on a one-year loan. On 7 September 2023, Mukhtar Ali joined Al-Fateh on a one-year loan.
Al-Ettifaq On 29 January 2025, Ali joined Al-Ettifaq on a four-and-a-half year deal.
International career Ali represented England at both under-16 and under-17 level and was also eligible to represent Somalia, the country of his parents. However, he pledged his allegiance to the Saudi Arabia national team, and made his senior debut on 7 October 2017 against Jamaica. This was possibly based on the player's assertion that he was instead born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsVitesse (loan)2016–17Eredivisie6000——60Vitesse2017–18Eredivisie30001020602018–19Eredivisie611000—71Al-Nassr2019–20Saudi Pro League2001081—2912020–21Saudi Pro League501020—802021–22Saudi Pro League000010—102023–24Saudi Pro League3000100040Total2802012100421Al-Tai (loan)2021–22Saudi Pro League11200——1122022–23Saudi Pro League27210——282Total38410——394Al-Fateh (loan)2023–24Saudi Pro League27020——290Career total108560131201296
Honours Club Chelsea Reserves FA Youth Cup: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 UEFA Youth League: 2015–16
Vitesse KNVB Cup: 2016–17
Al-Nassr Saudi Super Cup: 2019, 2020 Arab Club Champions Cup: 2023
References
External links