Wijnaldum scores 16th goal as Netherlands eye World Cup amid Simons injury

Georginio Wijnaldum reiterated his World Cup ambitions after scoring the 16th goal of his spell at Al Ettifaq, helping the Saudi club to a 3-1 away win over Al Akhdoud. The Netherlands midfielder sealed the result with a late strike in the 80th minute, underscoring his ongoing importance for his club.

The remarks come as Wijnaldum’s goal-scoring form keeps him in consideration for the Dutch national team, especially given Xavi Simons' knee injury which has brought Oranje more into focus for Wijnaldum’s potential selection. In De Telegraaf, he said, “Natuurlijk wil ik naar het WK. Ik ga er alles aan doen om een kans te krijgen,” reinforcing his desire to compete at the World Cup.

The match outcome and Wijnaldum’s continued form thus intersect with national-team discussions, with his 16th strike highlighting his role as a veteran option for the Netherlands amid injury concerns around other attacking players.