When Hijabi Star Met Neymar As Moroccan Sets WWC Record

• Hijab-wearing Nigerian female footballer Abdulazeez Zulfah met Brazilian superstar Neymar in 2022
• A number of female players have continued to tie their Islamic headscarves during football matches
• History was made at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World after Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina wore her hijab

Nouhaila Benzina of Morocco made history recently, becoming the first player to wear a hijab at a FIFA World Cup during her team’s 1-0 victory against South Korea.

The 25-year-old defender, who plays her club football in the north African nation, ran out against the east Asian country in Adelaide to write her name in the history books.

As the use of headscarves on football continues to gain recognition and allowance, Sports Brief recalls hijab-wearing Nigerian player, Abdulazeez Zulfah, who played alongside Neymar Junior in 2022.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward had hosted a contest - the Red Bull Neymar Jr's Five - where players were called on to post their clips on social media so he could select the best.

SAFA president Danny Jordaan labelled a clown by supporters after posing with Banyana players

Football

Neymar then personally invited Zulfah to the five-a-side competition in Qatar after her clip went viral, particularly because of her hijab-wearing style, Intel Region previously reported.

The Nigerian player also took to her social media handles to share a clip of the special moment with the former Barcelona star, adding the caption:

“Alhamdulillah. Thank you so much everyone for your support, love, care, prayers, comments, [likes and shares]... It was a great experience for me but with the help of you.”

Zulfah had also posted a series of selfies with Neymar and videos of her time at the Red Bull Neymar Jr's Five, garnering numerous comments from supporters.

Some wished the footballer well and affirmed she was headed to the top, while others pondered why she had not been selected for the Super Falcons of Nigeria yet.

Morocco’s Bezina makes WWC history

Sports Brief also reported on Nouhaila Benzina becoming the first hijab-wearing player to compete at the Women's World Cup as Morocco took on South Korea on Sunday.

World football governing body, FIFA, lifted its ban on players wearing the Muslim headscarf nearly a decade ago after previous concerns over the safety of footballers.