{"id":29304,"date":"2025-07-04T21:06:52","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T12:06:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/?p=29304"},"modified":"2025-07-04T21:06:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T12:06:52","slug":"beyond-asia-al-hilals-bid-to-join-footballs-global-elite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/2025\/07\/04\/beyond-asia-al-hilals-bid-to-join-footballs-global-elite\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond Asia: Al-Hilal\u2019s Bid to Join Football\u2019s Global Elite"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just days after J\u00fcrgen Klopp branded the expanded FIFA Club World Cup \u201cthe worst idea in football,\u201d European football was shaken to its core on July 1. Italy\u2019s Inter Milan and England\u2019s Manchester City\u2014two of the continent\u2019s modern titans\u2014were both eliminated from the tournament, at the hands of Brazil\u2019s Fluminense and Saudi Arabia\u2019s Al-Hilal respectively.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of the two upsets, it was Al-Hilal\u2019s 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\u2014it now sets its sights on challenging the historically exclusive club of global footballing elites from Europe and South America.<\/p>\n

An eventful June 1 began with Al-Hilal\u2019s 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\u2014an early signal of what could be another blockbuster summer window for Saudi clubs.<\/p>\n

Since Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2014becoming the first Asian team to defeat a European club at the Club World Cup\u2014only strengthens the argument that Al-Hilal are no longer just giants in Asia but legitimate contenders on the world stage.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAl-Hilal have officially become Asia\u2019s first true super club,\u201d said Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sport and Geopolitics at Emlyon Business School in Paris, speaking to BBC Sport<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Indeed, it\u2019s 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\u2014a side that finished second in the 2024\u201325 SPL and fell short in the AFC Champions League Elite semifinals. And yet, they are the ones now breaking through football\u2019s glass ceiling.<\/p>\n

Their rise isn\u2019t just a product of lavish spending. Since their 2023 acquisition by Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund (PIF)\u2014which also owns Newcastle United\u2014Al-Hilal have assembled a world-class squad balanced with veterans, players in their prime, and emerging stars.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s stint was derailed by injury, his presence signaled Al-Hilal\u2019s global ambitions. Head coach Simone Inzaghi, brought in after guiding Inter Milan to the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, adds further gravitas.<\/p>\n

Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Al-Nassr contract was recently extended, has repeatedly claimed the SPL is among the world\u2019s top five leagues. Former Al-Hilal midfielder Tarik El-Taib concurs.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at the talent here\u2014Mahrez, Cancelo, Ronaldo, Benzema,\u201d El-Taib told BBC Sport<\/em>. \u201cOutside of Spain\u2019s top three, many leagues can\u2019t compete with the foreign quality we have in Saudi Arabia.\u201d<\/p>\n

The league’s transformation is backed by big numbers. In the summer of 2023, Saudi clubs splashed out nearly \u00a3700 million on stars like Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and N\u2019Golo Kante. The spending spree continued into 2024 with high-profile additions including Ivan Toney, Moussa Diaby, and Steven Bergwijn. Al-Nassr\u2019s January 2025 signing of Aston Villa\u2019s Jhon Duran for around \u00a365 million also signaled a pivot toward younger talent.<\/p>\n

And the transfer wave isn\u2019t slowing down. Al-Hilal are reportedly pursuing Napoli\u2019s Victor Osimhen, Liverpool\u2019s Darwin N\u00fa\u00f1ez, and Tottenham\u2019s Son Heung-min to replace Neymar. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr are targeting Liverpool\u2019s Luis Diaz. With six of the SPL\u2019s 18 clubs ranking among the world\u2019s wealthiest, there is no shortage of financial firepower.<\/p>\n

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\u2014knocking out Hilal along the way\u2014but 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 Qui\u00f1ones, who combined for 37 goals, Al-Qadsiah are backed by oil giant Aramco and are expected to be key players in the upcoming window.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s Neom SC, the rising club representing a futuristic city still under construction in Saudi Arabia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Even outside of the PIF-backed elite, SPL clubs are attracting top-tier names. Mecca\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Yet as the league ascends, the national team faces stark challenges.<\/p>\n

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\u2014just seven in 10 qualifiers\u2014was telling. A 1\u20131 draw with Indonesia in Riyadh<\/a> and a shock 2\u20130 defeat in Jakarta<\/a>, combined with a goalless home draw against Bahrain, sealed their fate.<\/p>\n

Former manager Roberto Mancini, who resigned in 2024, had expressed frustration over the lack of playing time for local talents. \u201cI have 20 national players sitting on the bench,\u201d he said. His successor\u2014and former manager\u2014Herv\u00e9 Renard has echoed those sentiments.<\/p>\n

Firas Al-Buraikan\u2019s situation captures the issue. After netting 17 goals in the 2023\u201324 season, the striker was pushed to the margins following Al-Ahli\u2019s signing of Ivan Toney. Relegated to the wing or bench, Al-Buraikan managed just three goals the next campaign.<\/p>\n

For the national team, this is a growing problem. But for Al-Hilal, who now stand among football\u2019s global elite, it’s hardly a concern.<\/p>\n

And according to Chadwick, they\u2019ve already reached the pinnacle of their mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust 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\u2019s global powerhouses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just days after J\u00fcrgen Klopp branded the expanded FIFA Club World Cup \u201cthe worst idea in football,\u201d European football was shaken to its core on July 1. Italy\u2019s Inter Milan and England\u2019s Manchester City\u2014two of the continent\u2019s modern titans\u2014were both eliminated from the tournament, at the hands of Brazil\u2019s Fluminense and Saudi Arabia\u2019s Al-Hilal respectively. Of the two upsets, it was Al-Hilal\u2019s 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\u2014it now sets its sights on challenging the historically exclusive club of global footballing … Continue reading “Beyond Asia: Al-Hilal\u2019s Bid to Join Football\u2019s Global Elite”<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":26743,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,27],"tags":[505,926,1922,1112,311,705,95,2429],"class_list":["post-29304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-saudi-arabia","category-west-asia","tag-al-hilal","tag-asia","tag-club-world-cup","tag-fifa-club-world-cup","tag-saudi-arabia","tag-saudi-pro-league","tag-slider","tag-west-asia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/102"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29304"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29305,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29304\/revisions\/29305"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}