Pablo Sabbag
Pablo David Sabbag Daccarett (born 11 June 1997) is a professional footballer and singer of Colombian and Syrian nationality, known for playing as a centre-forward and representing the Syria national team.[1] Standing at 1.90 meters tall and favoring his left foot, he currently competes for Suwon FC in South Korea's K League 1 on loan from Colombian club La Equidad since January 2025.[1] Alongside his athletic career, Sabbag has pursued music, releasing singles such as "Seoul" in 2025, marking his entry into music with K-pop influences while based in Seoul.[2] Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sabbag began his youth career with Deportivo Cali and turned professional with the senior team in 2015, appearing in 25 matches for the club through 2019 and contributing to their 2015 Liga BetPlay Apertura title win.[3] He joined La Equidad in 2019, making appearances in Colombia's Categoría Primera A and gradually establishing himself as a promising striker.[4] Over the following years, Sabbag gained experience through several loans, including stints with Argentine clubs Estudiantes de La Plata in early 2021 and Newell's Old Boys later that year, followed by a move to Peru's Alianza Lima in 2023, where he played until late 2024.[4] His international breakthrough came with Syria, earning 10 caps and scoring 3 goals as of November 2025, leveraging his Syrian heritage despite his Colombian birthplace.[1][5] Sabbag's dual pursuits in sports and music have garnered attention, particularly in South Korea, where his relocation to Suwon FC has coincided with his musical endeavors.[2] He has released tracks like "14 Horas" featuring Catalina Cardona and "Mi Cartagena," blending reggaeton influences with his experiences across continents from Barranquilla to Seoul. With a market value estimated at €700,000 as of November 2025, Sabbag continues to balance high-level football—scoring 17 goals in 32 appearances in the K League 1 as of November 2025—with his growing artistic profile, embodying a unique fusion of athleticism and creativity.[1]Early life
Family background and heritage
Pablo David Sabbag Daccarett was born on 11 June 1997 in Barranquilla, Colombia, to parents Carlos David Sabbag Náder, a prominent orthopedic surgeon, and Dinelly Daccarett de la Hoz, a business administrator.[6][7] He has two older siblings: brother Orlando, an orthopedist in the United States, and sister Debbie. His family belonged to Barranquilla's upper-middle-class community and has a strong medical tradition, with 17 doctors on the paternal side; Sabbag himself considered pursuing medicine before choosing football.[6][8] Sabbag's paternal lineage traces to Syrian origins, with his grandfather emigrating from Syria, instilling Arabic cultural elements such as language influences and traditions within the household.[9] This heritage complemented his maternal Colombian roots, where his grandfather, Orlando Víctor Daccarett, served as president of Junior de Barranquilla in 1982, fostering a deep connection to coastal Colombian identity.[7][8] The blend of Syrian-Arabic ancestry and vibrant Barranquilla culture shaped Sabbag's dual heritage, exposing him to diverse influences from a young age.[10] During his childhood in Barranquilla's El Golf neighborhood, Sabbag experienced the city's lively coastal atmosphere, where family gatherings emphasized education and professional pursuits alongside recreational activities.[7] His initial exposure to football stemmed from this local Colombian milieu, amplified by familial encouragement tied to his maternal grandfather's involvement in the sport, which sparked his early passion for the game amid everyday play in neighborhood streets and family discussions.[8]Youth development in football
Pablo Sabbag began his football journey in his hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia, where he participated in local amateur teams and school programs, including the Atlético Colombia academy, before joining a major club.[2] He served as a leading goalscorer for Country Club youth teams in the region, honing his skills as a forward during these formative years.[7] At the age of 15, in 2013, Sabbag joined the youth academy of Deportivo Cali, leaving behind a comfortable life in Barranquilla to reside in the club's facilities and embrace a more disciplined training regimen.[11] There, he progressed through the ranks, notably under coach Héctor Cárdenas in the U-17 team, where his group won all tournaments they entered that year, showcasing his emerging talent as a prolific striker.[11] Sabbag's development emphasized technical skills, physical conditioning, and tactical awareness in competitive youth environments. In Colombian youth leagues, Sabbag achieved standout performances, including representing the Valle del Cauca selection in the juvenile category, where he scored 19 goals across 14 matches in 2015, demonstrating his goal-scoring prowess and earning recognition as a promising prospect.[11] These accomplishments in domestic youth competitions highlighted his potential without involvement in documented international youth cups.Football career
Club career
Sabbag began his senior professional career with Deportivo Cali in 2015, where he gradually earned opportunities in the Colombian Categoría Primera A, appearing in 25 matches and scoring 3 goals over the next four seasons.[1] His debut came on 17 February 2016 in a 1–0 league victory against Fortaleza CEIF, marking his entry into top-flight football.[4] To gain experience, he was loaned to Orsomarso SC in the Colombian second division during 2016, contributing 13 appearances and 2 goals to help the team in their promotion push.[1] Sabbag scored his first goal for Deportivo Cali on 18 May 2017 in a 2–1 Copa Colombia win over Orsomarso, showcasing his potential as a target forward.[4] Later, in 2018–2019, he ventured abroad on loan to Portuguese Primeira Liga side CD Tondela, making 5 appearances and netting 1 goal amid adaptation challenges in Europe.[1] In June 2019, Sabbag transferred to La Equidad in the Categoría Primera A, where he solidified his role as a central forward, registering 47 appearances and 12 goals during his tenure through 2025.[1] Seeking more playing time, he embarked on several loans from La Equidad: in early 2021 to Estudiantes de La Plata in Argentina's Primera División (6 appearances, no goals), followed by a stint at Newell's Old Boys later that year (8 appearances, 1 goal), where he provided depth in attacking options.[1] His most productive loan came with Alianza Lima in Peru's Liga 1 from 2023 to 2024, where he thrived with 37 appearances and 13 goals, including 8 goals in the Apertura phase of 2023, aiding the club's continental qualification efforts.[1][12] On 28 January 2025, Sabbag moved to South Korea's K League 1 club Suwon FC on loan from La Equidad, embracing a new challenge in Asian football.[1] He adapted swiftly to the league's pace and physicality, recording 27 appearances and 15 goals by September 2025, which propelled him to finish the season as the competition's top scorer with 17 goals overall.[13][3] His scoring prowess, including multiple braces such as against Jeju SK, significantly boosted Suwon FC's attacking output and mid-table stability. Throughout his club career, Sabbag has been recognized for his aerial ability and finishing, contributing to team successes like Alianza Lima's strong campaigns and Suwon FC's improved goal tally in 2025, culminating in his individual accolade as K League 1 top scorer.[13]International career
Born in Colombia to a family of Syrian descent, Pablo Sabbag became eligible to represent Syria through his paternal heritage, obtaining Syrian citizenship via naturalization in late 2023. This process allowed him to switch allegiance from Colombia's youth international setup to the senior Syrian national team.[14] Sabbag received his first call-up to the Syria national team in December 2023 for the AFC Asian Cup, held in Qatar in January 2024. Although he did not feature in the group stage matches, he made his international debut as a substitute in a pre-tournament friendly against Malaysia on January 8, 2024, which ended in a 2–2 draw; Sabbag scored Syria's equalizer in the 70th minute. He went on to appear as a substitute in Syria's round-of-16 penalty shootout loss to Iran on January 31, 2024, where he won a penalty that helped force extra time. Syria advanced to the knockout stage for the first time since 2019, finishing second in Group B with draws against Uzbekistan and India alongside a narrow defeat to Australia. As of October 2025, Sabbag has earned 10 caps for Syria, scoring 4 goals, primarily as a centre-forward providing depth and late-game impact.[15] His contributions proved pivotal in Syria's 2024 Intercontinental Cup triumph, where he scored the third goal in a 3–0 final victory over India on September 9, 2024, securing the title after earlier group wins against Mauritius and Myanmar. In the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, Sabbag's brace in the 79th and 85th minutes during a 3–0 away win against Myanmar on October 14, 2025, clinched Syria's qualification from Group E with a perfect record, topping the standings ahead of Afghanistan, Nepal, and Myanmar.[16][17][18] These performances underscored his role in Syria's qualification efforts and tournament successes, blending physical presence with clinical finishing to support the team's attacking transitions.Career statistics
Pablo Sabbag has amassed 177 appearances and 57 goals across domestic leagues in his club career, with 12 assists recorded.[19]Club statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | AD Cali | Categoría Primera A | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | AD Cali | Categoría Primera A | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | AD Cali | Categoría Primera A | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | Tondela | Primeira Liga | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | La Equidad | Categoría Primera A | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | La Equidad | Categoría Primera A | 19 | 6 | 3 |
| 2021 | Newell's OB | Liga Profesional | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | La Equidad | Categoría Primera A | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | La Equidad | Categoría Primera A | 44 | 15 | 5 |
| 2023 | Alianza Lima | Liga 1 | 19 | 9 | 1 |
| 2024 | Alianza Lima | Liga 1 | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 | Suwon FC | K League 1 | 32 | 17 | 1 |
International goals
Sabbag has scored 4 goals in 10 appearances for the Syria national team.[15]| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 January 2024 | Doha, Qatar | Malaysia | 1–2 | 2–2 | Friendly |
| 2 | 9 September 2024 | Hyderabad, India | India | 0–3 | 0–3 | Intercontinental Cup |
| 3 | 14 October 2025 | Yangon, Myanmar | Myanmar | 0–1 | 0–3 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 4 | 14 October 2025 | Yangon, Myanmar | Myanmar | 0–2 | 0–3 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification |