Al Hilal star Bafetimbi Gomis calls on Saudi residents to battle coronavirus like 'one final game'

The French striker spoke to Saudi residents on Saturday night through Hilal’s social media accounts

Bafetimbi Gomis (no 18 blue) of Al Hilal club and Milad Sarlak (no 15 maroon) in action during the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Bafetimbi Gomis (no 18) of Al Hilal club during the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Bafetimbi Gomis (no 18) of Al Hilal club during the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Carrillo Díaz (no 19 2nd from left) of Al Hilal club celebrating after scoring the goal in the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Fans of Al Hilal club during the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Carrillo Díaz (no 19) of Al Hilal club celebrating after scoring the goal in the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Carrillo Díaz (no 19 blue 2nd from left) of Al Hilal club celebrating after scoring the goal in the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Bafetimbi Gomis (no 18) of Al Hilal club during the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Carrillo Díaz (no 19 blue) of Al Hilal club in action during the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. He scored the first goal against Shahr Khodro in this match. Pawan Singh / The National

Fans of Al Hilal club during the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Al Hilal star Bafetimbi Gomis has called on the people of Saudi Arabia to follow the government’s advice and stay at home, saying the battle against the coronavirus is like a “final”.

The French striker, who helped fire the club to last season's Asian Champions League crown, spoke to Saudi residents on Saturday night through Hilal's social media accounts.

The kingdom has implemented strict measures since the outbreak of the virus. Earlier on Saturday, the Saudi health ministry announced a further 140 cases in the country, bringing the total to 2,179. There have been 29 deaths, with 420 people having recovered from Covid-19.

In the video, recorded at his home, Gomis said: “As you see, I stay at home, I need you to stay at home. I have a message for you: let’s think we have one final game, a very important game for our country, and our opponent is the virus.

“But we have a very important and big coach: it’s the Ministry of Health. And if we listen to the ministry and follow the rules, we will kill the virus, together as a united country. Let’s do this, guys. We have to follow these rules again. Take care; I love you. We are all responsible.”

One of the most popular players in Gulf football, Gomis has been a huge hit for Hilal since joining in 2018 from Turkey's Galatasaray. He was top scorer in last season’s Champions League, with 11 goals, as the Riyadh side became continental champions for the first time in 19 years.