Scoring the first goal of a new season always carries special significance for both the player and UAE football fans, earning the scorer a place on a distinguished list in the history of the competition.
As the 2026–27 ADNOC Pro League season approaches, attention turns to the identity of the player who will score the campaign’s first goal and add his name to a distinguished list of opening-round first scorers from the professional era.
The tradition began in 2008–09, when Brazilian André Díaz of Al Ain scored the first goal of the professional era’s opening round against Sharjah. A season later, Ajman’s Jassim Mohammed was first on the scoresheet against Al Dhafra in 2009–10.
In 2010–11, Al Wasl midfielder Mohammed Al Falasi scored the season’s opening goal against Al Wahda, before Emirates Club’s Alhassane Keita claimed the honour against Dubai Club, now Shabab Al Ahli, in 2011–12.
The list continued with Ajman’s Funke Sy in 2012–13, Al Dhafra’s Bandar Al Ahbabi in 2013–14, Al Wasl’s Neto Berola in 2014–15, Shabab Al Ahli’s Ismail Al Hammadi in 2015–16 and Kalba’s Mihai Costea in 2016–17.
Emirates Club’s Ahmed Malalla scored first in 2017–18, followed by Ajman’s Mame Thiam in 2018–19 and Shabab Al Ahli’s Yousef Jaber in 2019–20.
Al Wahda then produced the opening scorer in consecutive seasons, with Tim Matavž in 2020–21 and João Pedro in 2021–22. Al Ain’s Erik followed in 2022–23, before Al Bataeh’s Anatole Bertrand in 2023–24 and Al Nasr’s Adel Taarabt in 2024–25.
Most recently, Shabab Al Ahli’s Guilherme Bala scored the first goal of the 2025–26 season.
With another campaign ready to begin, a new name is set to join this special list. The question now is: who will strike first in 2026–27?
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