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Gulf Air’s new poster boy, Bahraini national team captain Mohamed Ahmed Salmeen, is drawing just as much attention on the kingdom’s roads and highways as he is on the football pitch.
The face of the 30-year-old midfielder is now plastered all over the kingdom’s billboards as part of Gulf Air’s ‘Straight from the Heart’ advertising campaign alongside children, entrepreneurs and celebrities talking about their experiences with the airline.
Salmeen said: “I was surprised when I received a call from Gulf Air asking me to be a part of their promotion. I have never done any ads, let alone billboards. It was very flattering and while many think I was paid for the gig, it was pro bono on my part as I enjoy flying with the airline. I was more than happy to do it.”
Since the ads went up, Salmeen, who is famous for wearing the number 10 jersey, has gained even more followers. He added: “I have had people come up to me asking for an autograph or just congratulating me on a job well done in a game.
“But what I really love is my four-year-old daughter Jenna’s reaction whenever she sees me on a signboard. Her little face lights up and it makes me smile.
“The ads have created a bigger following for me and I hope that the fans will heed my call to support Bahrain in our 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifying campaign.
“Some people don’t think we’ll make it but we have made it to the final qualifiers twice before and this time, hopefully, we will make it all the way with the cheering fans egging us on. They stood by us before so I am asking them to continue supporting us.”
The Muharraq Club player has a big task ahead of him, leading the team to victory in the third round of qualifiers in a difficult group. The 2014 World Cup preliminary draw, which took place at the Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro, has pitted the national side against Iran, neighbours Qatar and underdogs Indonesia in Group E of the Asian Zone.
Salmeen said: “We are in a difficult group. The Indonesian team has some of the best players in East Asia and both Qatar and Iran have always been tough.
“But, with the guidance of our new coach Peter Taylor, I’m sure we will do even better this time around. I have not trained under him yet due to an injury, although the rest of the squad has. I have heard great things about him and that he is one of the best coaches out there. I am really looking forward to the practice sessions.”
Salmeen had been out of commission due to an injury which occurred right before the Asian Cup championship began. This left him on the bench throughout the Asian Cup but now he is back on the pitch better than ever and raring to go.
He is part of a football legacy, following in the footsteps of his father, the great Ahmed Salmeen, who was considered one of Bahrain’s most acclaimed players in the 70s and 80s. At one point in his career, Salmeen was shortlisted for the Asian Footballer of the Year award and had a place in the all-star team of the 2004 Asian Cup tournament. He was also once named Player of the Gulf Cup tournament and received the Golden Ball.
Salmeen has also taken part in three World Cup qualifying campaigns and is considered one of the squad’s most experienced players as well as a central midfielder who dominates the game. Some critics say his ability to spot an opportunity to pass the ball allows him to dictate the pace of the matches.
His presence on the field has been known to energise both his teammates and the fans in equal measure. And, thanks to his new billboard campaign his charisma and sportsmanship will transcend to the kingdom as well ... inshallah.
