Remarkably, Abdulaziz Hatem’s international career stretches back to the 2000s. Alongside Hassan Al-Haydos, he is one of only two members of the current squad who can make that claim. For much of those early years, the midfielder quietly went about his work, but it was at the 2019 Asian Cup that he truly stepped into the spotlight. His cultured left foot delivered two unforgettable moments: the quarter-final winner against South Korea and then the stunning strike against Japan in the final that helped seal Qatar’s greatest footballing achievement.

Hatem remained an important figure during the runs to the Gold Cup semi-finals and Arab Cup third place in 2021. Yet, like many of his teammates, the home World Cup in 2022 proved a bitter experience. Now in his mid-thirties, the signs of decline are evident, but his place in the squad has endured through one coach after another.

That says something. Experience is difficult to replace, and few players understand the demands of international football better than Hatem.