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.
— Uri Levy (@Levyninho) February 12, 2023
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
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
شفت الحيـاة بشوفتك 💛
— نادي النصر السعودي (@AlNassrFC) February 9, 2023
وضحكــــــــــت لي 🎼 pic.twitter.com/GnKMNbUZXR
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Saibari scored inside two minutes as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston, leaving the Scots on the very brink of 2026 World Cup elimination.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Qatar stole a last-gasp draw from Switzerland and Morocco held Brazil 1-1 — two results that announced Arab football’s full arrival at 2026.
Azteca stadium hosts its third World Cup as Mexico City buzzes with pride, protest, and the deep belief that football has always lived here.
Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig to win the Conference League in the most romantic underdog final in European football history.
Maccabi Tel Aviv edge Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2–1 in a dramatic Israeli Cup Final at Teddy Stadium, denying the champions a historic Double.
With tensions easing, Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation remains uncertain, as FIFA, politics, and regional dynamics collide.
CAF shocks African football by stripping Senegal’s title and awarding Morocco the AFCON crown after a chaotic final decision.
From silent protests to daring escapes, Iran’s women footballers turned a tournament into a global story of courage, politics, and survival.
Iran’s women’s team protested, faced threats, and signaled SOS in Australia—now their fate is uncertain amid calls for asylum.
From geopolitics to spectacle, Trump looms over World Cup 2026—reshaping football, power, and culture in the biggest tournament ever.
FIFA joins Gaza rebuilding plans, restoring stadiums, pitches, and youth programs, supporting football and hope in the Strip.
From Nigeria’s Mavlon academy to Viktoria Plzeň and the Europa League dream: Salim Fago’s journey is just beginning in Europe.
From Benzema’s shock move to Ronaldo’s protest, a chain reaction in Saudi football is shaking the entire project and the global game.
A Hitchcock-style AFCON final in Rabat saw chaos, controversy and brilliance as Senegal stunned Morocco to claim their second African title.
From libraries to stadiums, Morocco lives football. As AFCON 2025 nears its climax, passion, politics, and ambition collide nationwide.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.