Al Hilal’s Club World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 500 - Middle East Round-Up

It's not everyday that a Middle Eastern team plays Real Madrid, so Al Hilal's clash with the European champions was a night to remember for the region's game.

Saturday evening hosted a lucrative clash between one of the world's biggest clubs and the Asian champions in the Club World Cup final.

Al Hilal reached the final with a share of respect for Real Madrid - themselves probably one of the most popular teams in the Arab world.

Despite the enormous gap between them, they played with courage and inspiration, doing their best to bring the title home.

While playing Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, and Vinicius Jr. is the most challenging task an AFC Champions League champion can face, Al Hilal deserve a level of appreciation for what they've achieved in an awe-inspiring Club World Cup campaign.

From the late equaliser and penalty shoot-out victory over Wydad Casablanca, to their historic semi-final against Flamengo - they’ve had a strong showing in the tournament.

While Al Hilal's city rivals, Al Nassr, sport the nickname of Al Alamy - the international - there is no other Saudi club that is a better fit for this title than this Al Hilal side.

The reputation and success they’ve brought to Saudi football is incomparable to any past achievements by other clubs from the kingdom.

As for Real Madrid, the Spanish side played against the two most popular teams in the MENA region in one week - Al Ahly in the semi-final and Al Hilal in the final - only helping their brand to boost its already mythical status among the football lovers in the region.

Al Hilal 🇸🇦🔵 earned massive respect for Saudi, Arab and Asian football v Flamengo and Real Madrid.

Now, Al Nassr’s nickname, 𝘈𝘭 𝘈𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘺, suites #AlHilal best, as there’s no bigger 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 recognition than what they’ve achieved in the #CWC. @i24NEWS_EN pic.twitter.com/OAYtXzjz5y
— Uri Levy (@Levyninho) February 12, 2023

Al Ahly struggle

While Al Hilal are rising, Egyptian giants Al Ahly are still searching for a new identity under their coach Marcel Koller.

Although they enjoyed a spot in the Club World Cup - due to Wydad being the reigning champion of Africa and the host country's champions - Al Ahly has a lot of work to go through.

They didn't show enough quality in any of their matches. Not against Seattle Sounders, not against Real Madrid, and not against Flamengo.

Now it is their quest to retain the CAF Champions League title to reclaim their bronze medal in the Club World Cup next year.

📸| لقطات من الشوط الأول لمباراة الأهلي وفلامنجو في كأس العالم للأندية🦅💪#يلا_يا_أهلى #كأس_العالم_للأندية pic.twitter.com/EwfZiL1KDU
— ‏النادي الأهلي 🏡 (@AlAhly) February 11, 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo's scores 500

Thursday night was the first big performance for Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

Ronaldo scored a super hat-trick - four goals to be precise - against Al Wehda away, in a victory that was important to keep them at the top of the league table.

Ronaldo scored his 500th career league goal in that goal-fest.

After a shaky start to his high profile spell in Saudi Arabia, the Portuguese football legend is finally starting to get used to life in the country.

Edited by Alex Smith