Abu Dhabi: The reception hosted by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the national team stars who represented the country at the 1990 World Cup in Italy was more than a celebration of a landmark achievement in Emirati football. It became a message linking the past, present and future.
Thirty-six years after the UAE’s first World Cup appearance, members of that historic generation returned to the spotlight through what many described as a message of loyalty and recognition. Among those honoured were Saeed Salboukh, Adnan Al Talyani, Abdullah Mousa, Abdul Qader Hassan, Mohsen Musabbeh, Abdullah Sultan, Khalil Ghanem, Ibrahim Mir, Issa Mir, Youssef Hussein, Hassan Ali, Abdul Aziz Mohammed, Fahad Khamis, Ali Thani, Hassan Mohammed Bolo, Fahad Abdul Rahman, Farouk Abdul Rahman, Zuhair Bakhit, Salem Rabie, Mohammed Salem Radwan and Abdul Rahman Al Haddad.
While decades have passed since their appearance on football’s biggest stage, the achievement remains firmly embedded in the nation’s sporting memory. For the players themselves, the gathering carried significance beyond a traditional tribute, becoming proof that contributions made in the service of the nation retain their value over time.
From Khalid Ismail, scorer of one of the UAE’s two goals at the 1990 World Cup, to Fahad Khamis, Mohsen Musabbeh, Salem Rabie, Abdullah Mousa, Abdul Qader Hassan, Hussein Ghloum and Mohammed Salem Radwan, recurring themes emerged: loyalty, memory, future generations and the importance of continuing the journey.
Their reflections highlighted 10 key messages.
A new chapter
The meeting reopened a chapter of history, not to remain in the past but to build on it.
Salem Rabie perhaps summed up the significance of the occasion best when he said: “The homeland does not forget its sons, and giving does not expire with time.”
The nation does not forget those who make its history
The first message shared by the 1990 World Cup stars was that true achievement has no expiry date.
More than three decades after qualification for the World Cup, the achievement remains alive in Emirati sporting memory.
Khalid Ismail said: “Those who achieve and give something to the UAE are not forgotten, and people will continue to remember them even after many years.”
He added a direct message to younger generations: “Make history for your country, and people will remember you.”
Ismail, who scored against Germany at the 1990 World Cup, said the reception showed that achievements made for the nation can remain alive for decades.
Salem Rabie echoed the sentiment, saying: “The generation of the nineties hasn’t returned to the nation’s memory today because it never left it in the first place.”
Loyalty is not bound by time
Players said the timing of the reception gave it special meaning.
Abdul Qader Hassan described the meeting as “proof that the nation does not forget its sons and daughters, and remains loyal to all who have given, strived, and contributed to its cause.”
Salem Rabie pointed to the significance of honouring a generation more than three decades after its achievement.
“We are used to seeing the President of the State receive those who have achieved success and champions, but to welcome a generation after 36 years is in itself something exceptional,” he said.
Former goalkeeper Mohsen Musabbeh described the event as a “beautiful shock”, adding: “Whoever achieves is honoured, and whoever raises the nation’s flag is honoured.”
Salem Rabie summed it up simply: “Giving is not lost with time.”
The human element before the player
Several players highlighted the personal nature of the meeting.
They spoke about being asked about their wellbeing, families and children, saying the human dimension left a lasting impression.
Abdullah Mousa said: “Despite His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s busy schedule and the responsibilities and challenges he faces, he receives you as if he has known you for years, embracing you, standing by your side, greeting you, and asking about your news and the news of your family and children.”
Mohammed Salem Radwan said he felt he was in the presence of “a caring father who looks out for his children and inquires about their well-being.”
Khalid Ismail also praised the spontaneity and closeness shown during the gathering.
The 1990 generation reunites
The reception also provided an opportunity for teammates to meet again after many years.
Hussein Ghloum noted that communication among former players had largely been limited to telephone calls and WhatsApp groups.
“It had been a long time since we, as national team players, had met, and our communication had mostly been via WhatsApp, but we hadn’t met and reunited like this for years,” he said.
He added: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has brought us together again.”
For many players, the event revived memories of the unity that helped the UAE reach the World Cup.
A message that transcends football
Several players stressed that the significance of the reception extends beyond football.
Khalid Ismail said recognition applies to anyone who serves the nation, “not only in football, but in various sports and fields.”
Mohsen Musabbeh described the honour as “a badge of honour for all athletes in the UAE, not just those in football.”
Salem Rabie said the occasion reflected a broader culture of appreciation for achievement across different sectors.
From the past to the present generation
The former players consistently framed the occasion as a message to today’s athletes.
Fahad Khamis said: “This is a message to the heroes who will achieve great things in the future.”
Hussein Ghloum addressed younger generations directly.
“Look at what happened to us. After 36 years, the nation hasn’t forgotten our accomplishments, and this confirms that those who achieve something in the name of the UAE are never forgotten, no matter how much time passes.”
Mohammed Salem Radwan added: “To each his own reward.”
The players said the true value of the reception lies in motivating future achievers.
Achievement is a responsibility, not a privilege
Members of the 1990 squad stressed that they never pursued recognition as a goal.
Mohsen Musabbeh said the players were focused on representing the UAE and raising its flag internationally, not on any future honours.
Abdul Qader Hassan linked the support provided by the nation to the responsibility borne by its citizens, urging young people to repay that support through commitment, hard work and achievement.
The players’ message was clear: recognition is the result of giving, not the purpose of it.
The next World Cup begins at the grassroots level
Khalid Ismail also turned attention towards the future of Emirati football.
He said he hoped to see the UAE return to the World Cup and identified the 2030 World Cup as an objective.
“The UAE must be present at the 2030 World Cup, God willing,” he said.
However, Ismail stressed that success would require long-term work through talent identification, school competitions, grassroots programmes and youth development.
For him, the path to the next World Cup begins years before qualification campaigns start.
The 1990 World Cup should not be the end of the story
The players repeatedly expressed hope that future generations would surpass their achievements.
Fahad Khamis highlighted the need to keep the 2030 World Cup in focus, while Khalid Ismail emphasised building the foundations necessary to produce future talent.
Hussein Ghloum expressed hope that “the new generation will follow in our footsteps.”
Mohammed Salem Radwan said achievements “don’t stop at a specific generation, but rather are passed down from one generation to the next.”
The players made clear that they do not want the 1990 team to remain the UAE’s only World Cup generation.
Loyalty to the past is an investment in the future
The final message brought together all those that came before it: recognition of the past should help build the future.
The former players said young athletes should see the reception as evidence that achievements made for the UAE endure beyond careers, contracts and championships.
Fahad Khamis described the event as a message to “future champions.”
Khalid Ismail urged younger generations to make their own history.
Hussein Ghloum encouraged young athletes to reflect on the experience of the 1990 generation, while Salem Rabie described the gathering as “a message to the future and to generations.”
Abdul Qader Hassan added that a nation that supports its people deserves their appreciation and their utmost dedication.
A clear message
Thirty-six years after the UAE’s first appearance on football’s biggest stage, the key question is no longer what the 1990 generation achieved. Their place in history is already secured.
Instead, the reception raised a different question: what will the next generation achieve?
Abdullah Mousa spoke of a meeting that “revived our spirits.” Hussein Ghloum described it as a reunion. Mohammed Salem Radwan highlighted the human connection. Mohsen Musabbeh called it an honour for all athletes. Abdul Qader Hassan spoke of a nation that never forgets its sons. Fahad Khamis saw a message for future champions. Khalid Ismail reflected on an enduring legacy, while Salem Rabie spoke of an achievement that “will never die.”
Different voices delivered the same message: those who make history for the UAE remain in its memory, but the greatest way to honour history is to create a new one.
