Collective memory is what often binds and defines a society. Over time, certain moments— no matter how miscellaneous—etch themselves into history, upheld by millions who witnessed a fleeting second that changed everything— for better or worse. Can it be in the realm of politics, culture, or just an attention-grabbing headline, for one reason or another, there’s a handful of snapshots that have become cultural landmarks in their own right. Referenced whenever possible, these moments always bring with them a flood of emotions, ranging from nostalgia and outrage to sorrow and pride.
As most of us already know, football sits at the very heart of Arab sports culture. And since the turn of the century, we’ve been fortunate enough to witness more iconic moments in the people’s game than we can count. Moments that made us cheer, cry, argue, or simply sit in stunned silence. You can blame social media for turning every other kick or sideline chat into a viral clip, but in a way, that’s why they’ve left such a lasting impression. Preserved in loops— via clips, memes, and Stories shared a thousand times— they passed from one screen to another, with anecdotes retold so many times we’ve now learned them all by heart.
Whether you remember watching them live or only came across them in replay reels, below, we compiled a list of nine iconic football moments from the Arab world in recent memory.
Mohamed Aboutrika’s Celebration at AFCON 2008
In 2008, during an AFCON fixture against Sudan, Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutrika lifted his jersey to reveal a T-shirt that read “Sympathize with Gaza” in both Arabic and English. This was to protest against the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Strip at the time, where a harsh blockade had left millions struggling with shortages of food, medicine, and most basic necessities amid escalating violence and tension with colonial Israeli forces.
Bold and brave, the gesture quickly made headlines worldwide, with replicas of the shirt— same font, same message— spotted across the region and beyond. Even today, images and clips of that celebration continue to circulate on social media, shared in both nostalgia and solidarity with the Palestinian people who still suffer at the hands of occupying powers almost more than 20 years later.
Riyad Mahrez’s Last-Second Free Kick That Sent Algeria to the AFCON Finals
In the final seconds of the 2019 AFCON semi-final, Riyad Mahrez scored a free kick winner that fired Algeria to their first final in nearly three decades. Past the pole and into the top corner of the net, victory was sealed with a single, perfect swing that every now and again reemerges in low-res footy compilations online. Algeria went on to beat Senegal in the final, lifting their second AFCON trophy, and extending an unbeaten run that stretched to 35 matches before ending nearly three years later.
Cristiano Ronaldo Joining Al Nassr
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The day Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr on a reported €200 million-a-year salary was a day many of us won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Unexpected, and seemingly out-of-the-blue, the multiple Ballon d’Or winner’s move sent shockwaves across the football world in 2023. Sparking a shift in global sports dynamics, the Saudi Pro League (SPL) was suddenly thrust under the world’s spotlight, taking quite a chunk of the prestige and attention traditionally reserved for European clubs.
With more cameras pointed in the direction of our region, it’s nearly impossible to deny the impact the Madeira-born star has had in how the SPL is now viewed and how many people are now watching. Paving the way for many other prominent players— such as Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, or Yassine Bounou— to not only move to the Gulf State, but view it as a serious and competitive chapter in their careers, Ronaldo’s transfer undeniably redefined the league’s standing, turning it into a viable destination for world-class talent in the years following his signing.
The 40-year-old is still tied to Al Nassr and has scored a total of 74 goals in 77 appearances with them since.
‘VAR Is Bullshit’
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Morocco were seconds away from a famous win over Spain when a last-gasp VAR review allowed La Roja to equalize, turning victory into a 2-2 draw for the Lions of the Atlas. Furious, defender Nordin Amrabat stared into a TV camera, mimed the VAR screen with his hands, and shouted, “VAR is bullshit.” Ever since, fans flash the same gesture whenever a video review call feels, or is, wrong.
Morocco Becomes The First Arab and African Team to reach a FIFA World Cup Semi-Final
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Football’s status quo cracked in Qatar back in 2022. With fearless performances and tactical discipline, Morocco toppled Spain and Portugal en route to a historic semi-final appearance, the first ever by a team from the Arab World or the African continent. More than just results, it was the emotion, the identity, and all the pride they brought that made their run so memorable, even three years later. Remembered as the side that made the impossible happen, they inspired an entire generation to dream bigger, no matter the odds placed against you.
Jordan’s Rise From Underdogs to Regional Contenders
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Jordan’s recent rise in Asian football has been nothing short of remarkable. In early 2024, they shocked the continent with a heroic run to the AFC Asian Cup final— their first ever— toppling heavyweights like Iraq and South Korea along the way. Just over a year later, they made history again by qualifying for their first-ever FIFA World Cup, sealing the deal with a commanding win over Oman (3-0). For a nation too used to being sidelined or only ever rarely mentioned in football conversations, these back-to-back have put the Hashemite Kingdom firmly on the map, leaving us wanting to see more from them as time goes by.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari Takeover
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In 2011, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and football hasn’t looked the same since. Luxury signings turned the club into a global powerhouse, but also raised questions about the game’s direction, ethics, and who truly holds power in this day and age. For better or worse, PSG, over the past ten years, has become the emblem of a new football economy and strategy—one where state-sponsored ambition meets commercial spectacle and of course athletic performance. Since the Qatari takeover, a plethora of sought-after names have passed through the Parc des Princes, including David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe. And after years of missing out on the much-coveted UEFA Champions League trophy, it is only over a decade later that the club finally achieved what long seemed just out of reach: European glory.
Now considered a giant in the global footballing arena, PSG has grown into the definitive case study of how sports, politics, and the trajectory of a whole club that went (almost) from rags to riches overnight can converge. Crystallizing a certain aspect of our era, the Parisian club represents not just the power of financial capital but the way football has become a space for geopolitical influence, cultural projection, and soft power dominance.
Under Qatari ownership, PSG became the most decorated club in France and the second to ever lift the Champions League trophy in its history.
Egypt’s Three-peat
From 2006 to 2010, Egypt dominated African football, winning three straight Africa Cup of Nations titles under coach Hassan Shehata. They beat Ivory Coast on penalties in 2006, edged Cameroon in 2008, and moved past Ghana in 2010 to complete a three-peat: a feat no other African nation has ever managed before.
Saudi Arabia’s Surprising Win Over Lionel Messi’s Argentina
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Everyone expected business to be as usual after Messi buried an early penalty against Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup’s group stages. But in a blink, that one-goal cushion flipped to a 2-1 deficit as Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari scored six minutes apart, putting an end to Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten run and even prompting Riyadh to declare a national holiday to celebrate the historic win.
