Just days after Jürgen Klopp branded the expanded FIFA Club World Cup “the worst idea in football,” European football was shaken to its core on July 1. Italy’s Inter Milan and England’s Manchester City—two of the continent’s modern titans—were both eliminated from the tournament, at the hands of Brazil’s Fluminense and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal respectively.
Of the two upsets, it was Al-Hilal’s electrifying 4-3 triumph over reigning Club World Cup champions Manchester City that resonated loudest. More than just a win, it was a bold statement of intent: Saudi football no longer aims solely to dominate Asia—it now sets its sights on challenging the historically exclusive club of global footballing elites from Europe and South America.
An eventful June 1 began with Al-Hilal’s dramatic victory at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, sending shockwaves through the football world and booking their spot in the Club World Cup quarter-finals. Later that evening, newly promoted Neom SC made waves of their own, announcing the high-profile signing of former Arsenal and Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette—an early signal of what could be another blockbuster summer window for Saudi clubs.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s landmark arrival at Al-Nassr in December 2022, the Saudi Pro League (SPL) has been on a transformative journey. No club has embodied that evolution more than Al-Hilal.
Their Club World Cup campaign in the U.S. began with hard-fought draws against Real Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg, followed by a decisive victory over Mexican outfit Pachuca. Their latest win—becoming the first Asian team to defeat a European club at the Club World Cup—only strengthens the argument that Al-Hilal are no longer just giants in Asia but legitimate contenders on the world stage.
Next up is a blockbuster clash against South American champions Fluminense on July 4, U.S. Independence Day. Yet regardless of that result, many believe Al-Hilal have already redefined the ceiling for Asian clubs.
“Al-Hilal have officially become Asia’s first true super club,” said Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sport and Geopolitics at Emlyon Business School in Paris, speaking to BBC Sport.
Indeed, it’s not the historic Al-Ittihad sides of the early 2000s, the Kawasaki Frontale dynasties of Japan, the ambitious Guangzhou Evergrande of the 2010s, or even the Kashima Antlers squad that pushed Real Madrid to the brink in the 2016 Club World Cup final. No, the honor belongs to this current Al-Hilal team—a side that finished second in the 2024–25 SPL and fell short in the AFC Champions League Elite semifinals. And yet, they are the ones now breaking through football’s glass ceiling.
Their rise isn’t just a product of lavish spending. Since their 2023 acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF)—which also owns Newcastle United—Al-Hilal have assembled a world-class squad balanced with veterans, players in their prime, and emerging stars.
Defensive stalwarts Joao Cancelo and Kalidou Koulibaly anchor the back line, while the midfield is marshaled by Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Up front, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom, and Renan Lodi lead a potent attack, with Marcos Leonardo providing youth and promise. Although Neymar’s stint was derailed by injury, his presence signaled Al-Hilal’s global ambitions. Head coach Simone Inzaghi, brought in after guiding Inter Milan to the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, adds further gravitas.
Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Al-Nassr contract was recently extended, has repeatedly claimed the SPL is among the world’s top five leagues. Former Al-Hilal midfielder Tarik El-Taib concurs.
“Look at the talent here—Mahrez, Cancelo, Ronaldo, Benzema,” El-Taib told BBC Sport. “Outside of Spain’s top three, many leagues can’t compete with the foreign quality we have in Saudi Arabia.”
The league’s transformation is backed by big numbers. In the summer of 2023, Saudi clubs splashed out nearly £700 million on stars like Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and N’Golo Kante. The spending spree continued into 2024 with high-profile additions including Ivan Toney, Moussa Diaby, and Steven Bergwijn. Al-Nassr’s January 2025 signing of Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran for around £65 million also signaled a pivot toward younger talent.
And the transfer wave isn’t slowing down. Al-Hilal are reportedly pursuing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez, and Tottenham’s Son Heung-min to replace Neymar. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr are targeting Liverpool’s Luis Diaz. With six of the SPL’s 18 clubs ranking among the world’s wealthiest, there is no shortage of financial firepower.
In 2023, the PIF extended its influence by acquiring Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli, in addition to Al-Hilal. Al-Ahli clinched the AFC Champions League Elite title—knocking out Hilal along the way—but could only finish fifth in the domestic league, one spot below surprise package Al-Qadsiah. Led by the prolific duo of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Julian Quiñones, who combined for 37 goals, Al-Qadsiah are backed by oil giant Aramco and are expected to be key players in the upcoming window.
Then there’s Neom SC, the rising club representing a futuristic city still under construction in Saudi Arabia’s northwest. Following promotion to the top flight, Neom began building their project with big names like Lacazette and had already recruited the likes of Ahmed Hegazi, Said Benrahma, Mbaye Diagne, and national team captain Salman Al-Faraj. The club is expected to relocate to the Red Sea coast by the early 2030s and may host matches in the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Reports suggest Neom is also exploring a bid to host the 2033 FIFA Club World Cup.
Even outside of the PIF-backed elite, SPL clubs are attracting top-tier names. Mecca’s Al-Wehda boasts Odion Ighalo, Al-Shabab has Yannick Carrasco, Al-Fayha field Chris Smalling, Al-Ettifaq features Demarai Gray, and Al-Orobah recently signed Kurt Zouma.
Yet as the league ascends, the national team faces stark challenges.
After back-to-back World Cup appearances, Saudi Arabia failed to qualify directly for the expanded 2026 edition, finishing third in their group behind Japan and Australia. Their goal return—just seven in 10 qualifiers—was telling. A 1–1 draw with Indonesia in Riyadh and a shock 2–0 defeat in Jakarta, combined with a goalless home draw against Bahrain, sealed their fate.
Former manager Roberto Mancini, who resigned in 2024, had expressed frustration over the lack of playing time for local talents. “I have 20 national players sitting on the bench,” he said. His successor—and former manager—Hervé Renard has echoed those sentiments.
Firas Al-Buraikan’s situation captures the issue. After netting 17 goals in the 2023–24 season, the striker was pushed to the margins following Al-Ahli’s signing of Ivan Toney. Relegated to the wing or bench, Al-Buraikan managed just three goals the next campaign.
For the national team, this is a growing problem. But for Al-Hilal, who now stand among football’s global elite, it’s hardly a concern.
And according to Chadwick, they’ve already reached the pinnacle of their mission.
“Just like Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Bayern Munich, Al-Hilal are now able to attract elite players, build sustained success, and solidify their status as one of the game’s global powerhouses,” he said.