Al Hilal’s shock win over Manchester City marks turning point for Saudi football

Dubai: For once, it’s not just about the money.

Riyadh-based Al Hilal and the Saudi Pro League have spent the last few years making headlines with blockbuster transfer deals and eye-watering wages — from Neymar’s €90 million arrival to Cristiano Ronaldo’s new whopping contract.

In December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. The 40-year-old agreed to a two-year contract reportedly worth up to $700 million. According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, as reported by The Sun, Ronaldo could earn $244.4 million during this period.

But on Sunday night in Orlando, the conversation shifted dramatically from chequebooks to footballing brilliance.

Al Hilal stunned the footballing world by defeating English champions Manchester City 4-3 in extra time at the expanded Fifa Club World Cup in the US. In doing so, they became the first Asian club to beat a European side in a FIFA tournament — a result hailed as a turning point for Saudi football’s global credibility.

City, who have won four of the last five English Premier League titles and the Uefa Champions League in 2023, came into the tournament as heavy favourites. But Al Hilal, under newly appointed coach Simone Inzaghi, delivered a performance for the ages in a pulsating 120-minute contest in front of a packed Camping World Stadium.

“The key to this result was the players, and the heart they put on the pitch tonight,” said Inzaghi, who took charge just weeks after leading Inter Milan to the Champions League final. “We had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen — and we made it.”

Inzaghi had only been in charge of the team for three weeks before the tournament began, and after an opening draw against Real Madrid, few gave his side a serious chance of progressing. But against a Manchester City team fresh off a 5-2 win over Juventus in the group stage, Al Hilal showed remarkable resilience, tactical discipline, and a deadly counter-attacking edge.

“The lads were simply wonderful,” said Inzaghi. “In every aspect — possession, non-possession — they were great. It is only right to enjoy this achievement. This was the Manchester City of Guardiola, and the players gave everything.”

City manager Pep Guardiola was gracious in defeat, admitting his side were caught out by Al Hilal’s pace and transitions.

“We were so open. When the crosses arrived, they had the ability to pass and counter-attack — and they punished us,” Guardiola said. “We created a lot of chances, but they were very effective.”

Despite the loss, Guardiola praised his team’s effort across the tournament.

“It’s a pity. The vibe was really good. We’ve been on an incredible journey, and I can’t thank the players enough,” he said. “We would have loved to continue — but now it’s time to rest and prepare for the new season.”

As the Club World Cup moves into the quarter-final stage, Al Hilal’s triumph isn’t just a historic win — it’s a signal that Saudi football is ready to compete on the pitch, not just in the market.