Omar Khribin

Omar Khribin (, also spelled Kharbin or Kh'rbin; born 15 January 1994) is a Syrian professional footballer who plays as a forward or a winger for Emirati Club Al-Wahda and the Syria national team.

In 2017, Khribin became the first Syrian ever to win the Asian Footballer of the Year. He has also won the 2019 AFC Champions League with Al Hilal and has plied his trade in Iraq, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Club career

Early career Karbin played four seasons for Al-Wahda in the Syrian Premier League. In the summer of 2013, Khribin joined Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya In the Iraqi Premier League, on a two-year loan. On 6 August 2015, Khribin signed for Al-Mina'a, on a one-year loan.

Al Hilal On 19 June 2017, Saudi Arabian giants, Al Hilal officially bought Khribin for 44 million riyals on a four-years contract. On 10 August 2017, Omar scored his first goal against Al Taawoun in the 14th minute, winning 4–3. Later that year, on 26 September 2017, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 victory over Iranian club, Persepolis during the 2017 AFC Champions League semi-finals.

Pyramids (loan) In January 2019, Khribin moved to Egyptian side Pyramids on a loan deal until the end of the 2018–19 season; he scored in his first match against Zamalek on 24 January, and four goals in his first 5 matches.

Return to Al Hilal Khribin rejoined Al Hilal in summer 2019; he played at the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first Syrian to do so. Despite not featuring in any match, he was part of the team which achieved the 2019 AFC Champions League.

Al Wahda In January 2021, Khribin joined Emirati club Al Wahda. He finished his debut season as his club's top scorer with 15 goals.

Loan to Shabab Al Ahli Khribin joined Shabab Al Ahli on loan for the 2022–23 season, where he managed to achieve the UAE Pro League title.

Return to Al Wahda and Pro League's top scorer Khribin return to Al Wahda for the 2023–24 season,

International career On 20 November 2012, Khribin was called up for the Syria national team and made his first international friendly games against Palestine.

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, Khribin was part of the 10 matches in the third round and the two matches against Australia in the fourth round, he just scored 10 goals in the qualifiers, of which 7 in the second round.

In the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Khribin played the whole 90 minutes of the three group stage matches. He scored a goal against Australia, as Syria exited with just one point out of three matches.

In September 2019, the Syrian Football Federation announced that Khribin was suspended from the national team due to multiple instances of uninformed absence. Khribin later returned to play against Maldives on 10 October. In November 2020, he mentioned that he was excluded from the national team coached by Nabil Maâloul, after he had suggested to play as a second striker.

In December 2023, Khribin was named in the Syrian squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. On 23 January 2024, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over India, which granted his country their first win in the competition since 2011, and first ever qualification to the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams. During the round of 16 match against Iran, Khribin netted the leveling goal from a penalty in a 1–1 tie. Nonetheless, Syria ultimately succumbed 5–3 in the penalty shootouts.

On 27 March 2024, Khribin scored his first international hat-trick in a 7–0 victory against Myanmar during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.

Career statistics Club

International

King Cup: 2017, 2019–20 Saudi Super Cup: 2018 AFC Champions League: 2019, runner-up 2017

Shabab Al Ahli UAE Pro League: 2022–23

Al-Wehda UAE League Cup: 2023-24 Syria WAFF Championship: 2012

Individual AFC Champions League Top Scorer: 2017 Asian Footballer of the Year: 2017 UAE Pro League Top Scorer: 2023–24