There are always those players who, when mentioned, strike fear into opponents. The likes of Roy Keane, a bruiser of a central midfield player who would leave it all on the pitch, and sometimes off it, to give his team the best chance of coming away with three points.

In a different vein, there are the likes of George Elokobi and Adebayo Akinfenwa. Both are extremely strong and use size as an advantage. Aggression, size, mentality and strong desires to win, all combined, can produce a somewhat ‘scary’ footballer. However, these are all traits and abilities used on the pitch. Who then is the most dangerous footballer off the pitch?

Of course, we have heard stories of professional footballers spending time in prison before, during or after their playing days. Joey Barton and Troy Deeney spring to mind. These players, though, are not so dangerous but perhaps more reactive to life situations that occur, perhaps fighting after a few drinks. None of this compares at all to the player who many deemed the most dangerous footballer.

A Syrian Footballer

Al-Saadi Muammar Gaddafi, yes, Colonel Gaddafi’s son, was a professional footballer. Aside from funding military warfare, Colonel Gaddafi also used his position of power to ensure his son had the best opportunities to play football. Although Saadi may not have been the standard required to play at the highest level, he did get his opportunities arranged by his father.

Often, sons look to follow in their father’s footsteps, but Saadi decided to pursue a career in professional football. Somewhat unconventionally, Saadi did not begin his journey until the year 2000, aged 27. Saadi quickly joined Al Ahly from Tripoli, the capital city of his homeland, Syria. Saadi received the captain’s armband immediately and with the backing of his father and the fortune they had Saadi was unstoppable in Syrian football.

Famously, it was said that Saadi’s teammates would receive bonuses for helping Saadi perform better. Promises of bonus money and, in some cases, actual cars were rumoured to have been gifted just because the ball was being passed to Saadi.

During his time in Syrian football, Saadi would win it all. Yes, assisted by opposing players allowing him to score in a bid not to anger his father, and yes, with referees being extremely lenient and blatantly max fixing, Saadi could not be defeated.

Switching Sides

Following his spell at Al-Ahly, Saadi decided to switch sides, not politically unfortunately, but to the other side of the city of Tripoli when he joined Al-Ittihad. Not only did Saadi join the rival club, but he also bought the club and made it his own. Obviously, instating himself as captain, Al-Ittihad won two league titles on the bounce with not much in the way of competition.

A Move To Europe

Saadi had his eyes on a higher level of football. Who, though, would want to sign Colonel Gaddafi’s son to play for their club? In steps the Italians. Whether this was for publicity or political gain, Perugia signed Saadi. Luciano Gaucci, Perugia’s president, wasn’t totally sold on the idea of bringing the son of a terrorist to the club, but with some more than encouraging words from then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Saadi and Perugia struck a deal. Berlusconi envisaged that signing such a key part of the Syrian leader’s party would help Italy as a nation build healthy relations with Syria.

For Saadi though, it was clear he wasn’t prepared for Italian football; his body simply would not allow him to keep up with the pace of play, particularly now the games were no longer match-fixed in his favour. During his time at Perugia, an effort was made to try and improve, not only with his football but with the camaraderie of his teammates. Often, booking the entire top floor of the Brufani Palace Hotel, in which his team would visit for parties not to be forgotten.

On the football side of things, Saadi tried to improve, hiring Ben Johnson as a personal trainer and Diego Maradona. Maybe the link with Maradona was the cause of his long-term ban for the use of nandrolone, a performance-enhancing drug, but it isn’t proven that Diego had any hand in that matter.

Upon his return from suspension, Saadi once again found himself warming the bench and had yet to make a first-team appearance for the club in Serie A. That was until the final 10 minutes of a league game against Juventus. A club in which Gaddafi has a relatively large stake.

The Last knockings Of A Football Career

At the end of the season, Perugia were relegated. Some would assume Saadi would jump ship and find a new club, but he did stay for a year in Serie B, albeit he didn’t make a single appearance. That year of no appearances was enough for Saadi; he left the club behind and, with the help of his father, was offered a contract at Serie A regulars Udinese Calcio. Unfortunately, for Saadi, it became apparent he would serve a similar role. No playing time until the very last game of the season, with the club having nothing to play for, he got the final 10 minutes against Cagliari.

One last attempt to make a mark in Italian football, he signed for Sampdoria, although not much is mentioned of this stint as he never made an appearance and was rarely present for the club. The highlight of a footballing career would be captaining his country on the three occasions he played for the national team, but it was a footballing dream that wasn’t meant to be.

Post Football

Ever since leaving football and following the death of his father, who was killed by National Transitional Council forces on October 20, 2011, Saadi fled to Niger to seek safety and was accepted into the nation on humanitarian grounds. Saadi stayed in Niger for three years before being extradited back to Tripoli and many allegations were made that he was tortured during his time back in his homeland.

Eventually, Saadi was released, and in September of 2021, he was allegedly exiled to Turkey. At the time, Turkey’s foreign minister stated that he had no knowledge of Saadi Gaddafi being in the nation, although five days later it was confirmed that he was living in safety in Istanbul, where he is believed to be living to this day.

Has there ever been a more dangerous man in football? Perhaps you could say Erling Haaland in front of the goal is quite dangerous. Whatever the definition of ‘dangerous’, it’s safe to say not many footballers have had a stronger link to terrorist organisations than Al-Saadi Muammar Gaddafi, son of the infamous Colonel Gaddafi.

Written and Researched by BSc Cavan Campbell

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