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Saudi Pro League top 2 Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad stunned

Special Saudi Pro League top 2 Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad stunned
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slots home the winner against Al-Hilal. (X/AlQadsiahEN)
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Updated 27 January 2025

Saudi Pro League top 2 Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad stunned

Saudi Pro League top 2 Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad stunned
  • Al-Qadsiah defeat table-toppers Al-Hilal 2-1 to remain in the title race
  • Mid-table Damac triumph over second-place Al-Ittihad by the same margin

On a day of upsets in the Saudi Pro League, table toppers Al-Hilal and second-place Al-Ittihad both fell to 2-1 away defeats, at the hands of Al-Qadsiah and Damac respectively.

The losses were only the second in 17 games this season for each of the title rivals. The results keep Al-Qadsiah very much in the title race, in third place on 37 points just six behind the top two.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did the damage for Al-Qadsiah very early and very late in the game. With less than two minutes on the clock, the former Barcelona and Arsenal ace volleyed home from close range after Cameron Puertas swung the ball over from the left corner.

The visitors were shell-shocked and had to wait until early in the second half before they managed to get back on level terms. Just moments after Julian Quinones had a chance to put his side two goals ahead, only to head over from a great position, Al-Qadsiah were punished when in-form Marcos Leonardo pounced on a loose ball just outside the area and drilled a perfect low shot just inside the right-hand post. It was his seventh league goal this month.

Al-Hilal then hit the woodwork and had a goal disallowed before Aubameyang struck again, in the 94th minute. Allowed too much time inside the area, he slotted the ball home.

Al-Hilal could at least take some comfort from the fact that Al-Ittihad, equal in points but 10 adrift on goal difference, also lost, falling 2-1 to Damac, also deep into added time.

Georges-Kevin N’Koudou put the hosts ahead after 17 minutes with his ninth goal of the season. But the Tigers canceled it out deep into first-half injury time, when French striker Karim Benzema got on the end of a curling cross from Abdulrahman Al-Oboud that had evaded three defenders, and headed high into the net at the far post for his 13th goal of the season.

Al-Ittihad pushed for the winner throughout the second half and thought they had it six minutes from time, but Danilo Pereira’s strike was ruled out for offside.

There was still time for a winner but in the event it went to the home side, once again provided by N’Koudou. Four minutes into added time, his shot from outside the area took a slight deflection that was enough to give goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic no chance. The result leaves Damac in 10th place on 21 points.


Al-Ittihad Club: A season of success and community leadership

Al-Ittihad Club: A season of success and community leadership
Updated 21 July 2025

Al-Ittihad Club: A season of success and community leadership

Al-Ittihad Club: A season of success and community leadership
  • The 2024-25 season saw the Jeddah club claim a 10th Saudi Pro League title, their second success in 3 years
  • Under the supervision of the club’s nonprofit organization, the Social Responsibility Department has implemented more than 42 quality initiatives in line with Saudi Vision 2030

JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad Club, the oldest sports club in the Kingdom of Ƶ, continues to strengthen its position as a leading national sports institution that not only achieves championships on the field, but also strives to make a positive impact beyond its walls.

At the conclusion of the 2024–2025 season, which saw a 10th Saudi Pro league title win, the club presents an inspiring model of sustainable corporate social responsibility.

Under the supervision of the club’s nonprofit organization, the Social Responsibility Department has implemented more than 42 quality initiatives targeting people, the environment and the community, both locally and internationally. These efforts align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to build a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an enhanced quality of life for all within an ambitious nation.

These initiatives reflect a clear leadership vision, firm strategic support and almost three consecutive years of consistent, institutional CSR activity, shaping Al-Ittihad into a national role model for sustainable development through sport.

Strategic Support from Club Leadership

This success was driven by the vision of Al-Ittihad Chairman Loay Mishaby, who made social responsibility a strategic priority for the club, not just as a symbolic commitment, but also as a pillar of its institutional identity.

The chairman’s vision was supported by the board of directors, who helped expand the reach and depth of initiatives through robust oversight, strategic facilitation and enabling public-private partnerships.

“This season, our goal at the nonprofit organization was to amplify our reach and deepen our impact through inclusive and meaningful CSR programs,” said Dr. Faisal Basha, board member of Al-Ittihad Club.

“By collaborating with more sponsors and partners who share our values, we were able to host a diverse range of events that brought joy and connection to fans across all walks of life. We are grateful to every entity that supported our vision of using the club’s platform to serve the community, promote inclusion and inspire a lasting positive change.”

Executive Leadership with Long-Term Impact

On the operational front, Ahmed Sadig Diab, CSR manager at Al-Ittihad for the past seven years, continued to lead the club’s community programming with a focus on sustainability and long-term social benefit. For almost three years, Diab has directed a well-structured CSR strategy designed to address actual community needs while building strong partnerships with public and private sectors, in line with national development priorities.

This year, the program experienced strategic growth thanks to the involvement of Ms. Dania Al-Maeena, CEO of the nonprofit organization at Al-Ittihad.

Under her leadership, the institutional framework of CSR was strengthened by expanding alliances with national charities and development organizations, optimizing program design and execution, and ensuring the long-term social value of every initiative, particularly in the areas of education, empowerment and environmental responsibility.

Al-Maeena said: “At Al-Ittihad Club, we believe football is more than a game — it’s a powerful platform to connect hearts and serve the community. This season, we expanded our CSR initiatives to reach all segments of our fans, including people with special needs and dedicated volunteers. We created opportunities for them to meet their favorite players, engage with them up close and enjoy meaningful moments within the club.

“Our commitment remains strong: To make Al-Ittihad a club that welcomes everyone and makes each individual feel like a true part of its story,” she added. “We focused on the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision strategy, with initiatives centered around developing capabilities, achieving environmental sustainability and empowering society, through effective partnerships and engaging volunteers for a vibrant society and an ambitious nation.”

Strategic Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030

All CSR initiatives this season were carefully aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, especially its pillars of “A Vibrant Society,” “A Thriving Economy” and “An Ambitious Nation.” The club made deliberate efforts to design programs that contribute directly to these national goals — from youth empowerment and quality-of-life improvements to environmental stewardship, volunteer engagement and education.

Educational and awareness programs empowered children and youth through football and learning, while health and humanitarian initiatives promoted public well-being and reinforced social solidarity. The club’s partnerships with government entities and NGOs served as a practical model of how sports institutions can directly contribute to national transformation.

Environmental Leadership: A Global First at COP16

One of the club’s most significant milestones this season was becoming the first sports club in the world to officially take part in the UN COP16 Conference, which focused on combating desertification and preserving vegetation. The event, held in Riyadh, saw Al-Ittihad organize a dedicated matchday activation where players were joined by children wearing the conference’s branding, with support from SAFE Security.

Additionally, Al-Ittihad partnered with Roshn to launch a marine environmental initiative, cleaning coastal areas and raising awareness about ocean preservation — reinforcing the club’s commitment to sustainability and green initiatives.

Ramadan of Generosity: “Fekkat Reeq” and Eid Clothing Drives

During Ramadan, the club implemented the “Fekkat Reeq” campaign, distributing more than 10,000 Iftar meals across 10 cities in Ƶ in collaboration with Nama Charity and sponsored by Roshn. The initiative targeted workers, travelers and underserved communities, highlighting the club’s humanitarian commitment.

Al-Ittihad also collaborated with Kiswat Farah Charity to organize the Eid Clothing Drive, which saw wide engagement from fans and first-team players alike, while the distribution of Ramadan food baskets reached dozens of families in need — echoing the club’s core values of generosity and compassion.

Empowering Special Needs and Raising Awareness

As part of its commitment to inclusivity and special needs empowerment, Al-Ittihad organized its fourth consecutive Autism Awareness Program, benefiting more than 40 children through sports and arts activities focused on early detection and community integration.

A recreational day for early childhood students was also held at the club, engaging 50 children in interactive, football-themed learning experiences.

In October, Al-Ittihad partnered with Zahra Association and Roshn for a Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, during which 22 children walked onto the pitch with players, and the team captain wore a pink armband to symbolize solidarity with patients and survivors.

Education and Career Empowerment

As part of its commitment to youth education, the club partnered with KidZania to deliver a unique edutainment experience for 100 children, allowing them to play and learn in a football simulation environment styled with the club’s identity.

On the career development front, Al-Ittihad hosted a Job Guidance Forum in partnership with the Human Resources Development Fund, attended by more than 80 job seekers who received guidance on leveraging government employment initiatives, supporting the “Thriving Economy” pillar of Vision 2030.

International Outreach: Zaatari Refugee Championship

Affirming its belief that humanitarian work knows no borders, Al-Ittihad took part in the Zaatari Championship for refugee children, organized under the Ƶn Football Federation and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center featuring eight Saudi clubs. Al-Ittihad’s U-12 team won the title, but the greater impact was the construction of a dedicated locker room reflecting the club’s identity, and the installation of a large viewing screen — bringing joy and a sense of belonging to children living in the camp.

Volunteerism: Contributing to the Million Volunteers Goal

Aligned with Vision 2030’s national target of reaching 1 million volunteers per year, Al-Ittihad registered more than 320 volunteers on the National Volunteering Platform. These individuals contributed to the club’s events, logistics and campaigns, helping build a culture of civic engagement and responsible participation among youth and fans.

Sports Beyond the Pitch

Al-Ittihad’s initiatives aim to demonstrate that football is more than just a game; it is a powerful platform for positive social transformation. With visionary leadership from Mishaby, and professional on-ground leadership by Diab and Al-Maeena, Al-Ittihad has elevated CSR from a supporting function into a core strategic pillar of the club’s identity.

The 2024–2025 season will be remembered not only for victories on the field, but also for the lasting impact made in the lives of children, families, volunteers and communities, all in alignment with the values and aspirations of Vision 2030.


‘We are expected to win.’ Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada eyes bright future following FIFA Club World Cup

‘We are expected to win.’ Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada eyes bright future following FIFA Club World Cup
Updated 19 July 2025

‘We are expected to win.’ Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada eyes bright future following FIFA Club World Cup

‘We are expected to win.’ Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada eyes bright future following FIFA Club World Cup
  • The Spaniard discusses club’s grand ambitions on and off the pitch, the recent Club World Cup in the US, and the impact of new coach Inzaghi

DUBAI: Football fans around the world were treated to a sight they did not expect at the recent FIFA Club World Cup — but one with which supporters in Ƶ and Asia are very familiar: Al-Hilal going toe-to-toe with the best and, often, coming out on top.

Watching proudly from the stands of stadiums across the US was Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada. The Spaniard joined the Riyadh giants one and half years ago and has since been, in his own words, on an “exciting journey.”

Calzada told Arab News: “I joined as part of the new era in Saudi football. With the Public Investment Fund leading —having the majority of the club, and supporting our chairman Fahad bin Saad bin Nafel — we’ve got something which is very important in football, which is stability. That is really needed so that players perform, and we can make plans for the future. And this is why I’m here — alongside other people that have come. Some of us came from abroad, some others were already here, and they are local. It is absolutely essential for all of us to be successful. It’s not only the foreigners coming with new ideas, just like it’s not only the locals doing things always in the same way, but the combination of the two is what can take you to the sweet spot and to be successful.”

Success is something Al-Hilal’s owners, management and players — not to mention their passionate fans — demand. The recent FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the US shows the potential of the club to succeed at the highest level when Calzada’s “sweet spot” is hit.

“We don’t (often) have the opportunity to play the biggest clubs in the world, which is what this tournament offered us,” he said. “And with the results we got, we got the opportunity to show that we have a competitive team, that we have big ambitions and it’s been amazing in all fronts — the most important being on the pitch, but then also off the pitch. It’s our job now to make sure we stay in the spotlight, with the challenge that we will not play Real Madrid or Manchester City every other week.”

It was not Al-Hilal’s first participation in one of the incarnations of this competition, having previously competed in 2019, 2021 and 2022, when they reached the final in Rabat only to lose to Real Madrid. Calzada says the tournament in the US brought with it many positives and some logistical challenges.

“I think the experience was good,” he said. “Obviously, the weather cannot be changed. In our case, coming from the Middle East, we are used to the heat, but it’s true that it was a bit humid and it was a bit complicated, especially depending on the kick-off times. But, obviously, for us, we can only say positive things about this tournament, because it’s been historical for us and time will put it in perspective.”

Al-Hilal ultimately exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage after a 2-1 loss to Brazilian club Fluminense, but they impressed the watching world with their exciting brand of football. New coach Simon Inzaghi, in charge for just a few weeks, rightly received widespread acclaim.

“We’re very proud that our shareholders, led by our chairman and the PIF, were determined that this was the coach that we wanted, and then we were lucky to get him, and to get him in time for the tournament, with little time to train,” said Calzada. “He has already made an impact, obviously, on the pitch, but also in terms of the credibility of the project. It shows our ambition.”

Inzaghi’s presence, Calzada believes, will further change global perceptions of the club.

“For players that might have been doubting whether to join us or not, having him as a coach is a great attraction, especially when they have seen the way we play,” he said. “If you listen to the likes of Ruben Neves, or Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, talking about the strength of the league, or saying their GPS after training shows more kilometers than when they were back in Europe, all of that together delivers a positive message. As for the coach, we are extremely happy to have him with us, and we’re very excited about what’s ahead.”

Al-Hilal drew with Real Madrid and beat Manchester City, with pundits and fans surprised by how quickly Inzahghi had managed to implement his style of play.

“I think I can say — and everyone will agree — that the way we played was very attractive. It’s not just parking the bus and making sure Real Madrid doesn’t score and come out with a draw. In certain moments of the game, we played beautiful football with players combining on the ball, starting the game from the back, instead of with long balls, and that certainly caught the attention of the world and gave us a very good result, which actually could have been even better,” Calzada said. “We think that if we had won the game, no one would have been surprised.

“This is a very ambitious club, we are expected to win every competition, every friendly game — anything that is not winning or coming first is not a success for us, and that means that even having drawn against Real Madrid, we thought we could have won, just like even when we then went this far in the tournament, we were still hoping to make it even further,” he continued. “Even against Fluminense, we could have won.”

Al-Hilal delivered arguably the result of the tournament when they beat Manchester City 4-3 in the Round of 16 at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. It was a match that had extra meaning for Calzada.

“It was very special, personally, just because I worked 12 years in the City Football Group, so I was basically facing my ex-colleagues, and I had to just make sure I did not celebrate too much — just like when a striker scores a goal against his former team, he tries to show some respect,” he said. “For me, it was very emotional. But having said that, of course it was amazing to share that with our colleagues and understand that — as time will, and has started to, prove — we were making history.”

While the players take a well-earned rest before returning to the business of the Saudi Pro League, Calzada’s job is to ensure every aspect of the club is run efficiently.

“We’ve got very ambitious plans for the future,” he said. “We’ve been working on a strategic plan for the club, which is about globalization, about growing.”

Engagement during the Club World Cup, Calzada pointed out, exceeded expectations.

“We collected almost half a billion video views during the (tournament),” he said. “This is only behind four clubs, which are the biggest ones: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich. (We were) number one on video views on Twitter, number four on TikTok — a very good performance. And we gained 1 million followers on social media during the tournament. We are now at 45 million followers across social media platforms, which is a remarkable number.

“And, also interesting to mention, the shirt that was developed specifically for the tournament alongside our partner Puma, is the most successful shirt ever in terms of the days that it was on the market,” Calzada continued. “And we just launched the new shirt for the new season. That was also a very successful initiative in terms of sales, as well as all the activities that we’ve been doing around the Club World Cup. And these numbers come with the hard work of a lot of people that have been working on very special content.”

Calzada noted that, during the tournament, all the club’s content-creation teams relocated to the US to be close to the team and “to produce the best content possible.” Some of that included fan activations at each of the stadiums the club played at, ensuring their supporters — the “Hilalis” — were captured enjoying the action and celebrating the successes.

“We just launched our new website, and we’ve got a number of initiatives in different fields, including infrastructure. We’ve got very ambitious plans,” Calzada said. “Ultimately, our job is to manage the club in the most sustainable way possible, to generate as much revenue as possible so that we can reinvest in having the best players so that we can compete to win trophies.”

Last week’s announcement of the signing of French international defender Theo Hernandez from Milan showed the Hilal content team at their creative best, with many slick videos and photos that went viral.

“Certainly, we identified content as one of the biggest opportunities for growth, to win new funds, to bring new sponsors in so that we can also give them returns. That only works with the combination of local knowledge and international expertise,” he said. “We hope we can continue being successful. The pieces that we’re doing got a lot of engagement in a situation that is very challenging because we talk to different types of audiences. And sometimes what resonates with global audiences is not liked by our local fans, because the way we communicate locally is: (We are) clearly the big leaders. We lead the way. This is part of our positioning. The others follow us.” But that approach needs to be tweaked when engaging with global audiences, he added.

“Ultimately, it is down to producing high quality content, which is what we’re trying to do,” he continued. “Obviously, it takes time, and it’s a challenge, because sometimes you’ve got to do sponsored content to generate revenue. Sometimes our fans have difficulty understanding that.”

Calzada is proud of his good relationship with Al-Hilal supporters, and at the Club World Cub was seen mixing with many of them at several activations. No doubt the fact that he has been learning Arabic and can now more than hold his own in conversation helps endear him to the locals. He is keen that those fans continue to support the club’s creative direction on social media.

“You’ve got to do content that maybe here is not so well understood, but we know for a fact that it will work elsewhere because it’s been working with all the other bigger clubs,” he said. “This is certainly a learning curve, but we’re starting to see the results. Having that recognition, which is also coming from the numbers that we’re seeing, gives me and my team the energy to keep on working.”

As holders of a record number of Saudi league titles, with 19, and AFC Champions League wins, with four, Al-Hilal are often called the Real Madrid of Asia. The Club World Cup has showcased them to the rest of the world.

Calzada welcomes the club’s growing international popularity, but maintains that there is work still to be done.

“We’re very popular in Brazil, for obvious reasons,” he said, alluding to the club’s several Brazilian players. “And in some other countries as well, like the UK, because we have Ruben (Neves) and (Aleksandar) Mitrovic that played there. So, we are in transition — or we want to transition — into being a global club. It would be a bit pretentious to say that we are already there. We are on that journey. But certainly, something that I’ve learned over the last one and a half years is the ambition of this club. I am also a very ambitious person. That’s why I left Manchester City, where I had been in a winning position for 12 years.

“I could only come to a place where we would still be expected to win,” Calzada concluded. “And I’m glad that I got the opportunity to do so here with the backing of our shareholders and our board.”

-ENDS-


La Liga, Thmanyah sign partnership to boost quality of Saudi football broadcasts

La Liga, Thmanyah sign partnership to boost quality of Saudi football broadcasts
Updated 17 July 2025

La Liga, Thmanyah sign partnership to boost quality of Saudi football broadcasts

La Liga, Thmanyah sign partnership to boost quality of Saudi football broadcasts
  • Agreement signed in London

LONDON: Riyadh Season announced on Thursday its sponsorship of a strategic partnership between La Liga and Thmanyah, the exclusive broadcaster of Saudi football competitions, in an initiative aimed at enhancing the audiovisual production standards of the Saudi Pro League.

The agreement was signed in London by Faisal Bafarat, CEO of the General Entertainment Authority, on behalf of Riyadh Season; Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga; and Abdulrahman Abumalih, founder and CEO of Thmanyah, a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group. The signing ceremony was attended by SRMG’s CEO Jomana Al-Rashed.

The agreement was signed in London by Faisal Bafarat, CEO of the General Entertainment Authority, on behalf of Riyadh Season; Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga; and Abdulrahman Abumalih, founder and CEO of Thmanyah, a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group. The signing ceremony was attended by SRMG’s CEO Jomana Al-Rashed. (Supplied)

Under the agreement La Liga will provide technical consultancy to elevate production quality across SPL broadcasts. Areas of focus include improved camera positioning, signal configuration, and audio systems, along with enhanced lighting distribution in stadiums. The collaboration will also develop a technical production manual and introduce modern broadcast workflows.

Another key element of the partnership involves training programs designed to upskill local production teams and ensure the sustainable transfer of knowledge. La Liga will also work closely with Saudi stakeholders to formulate a robust anti-piracy strategy to protect premium sports and entertainment content across the Kingdom.

Turki Alalshikh, the head of the GEA and Riyadh Season, described the move as a continuation of Riyadh Season’s commitment to extending its global footprint.

He noted that last year’s sponsorship of La Liga marked a key milestone in that journey, with the latest partnership further reinforcing the season’s impact across sports and entertainment sectors.

Tebas said: “We are pleased to join forces with Riyadh Season and Thmanyah to enhance the audiovisual production standards of the Saudi Pro League.

“We already have a strong working relationship, and we look forward to building on that to deliver world-class broadcast experiences. At La Liga we are committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise to support football’s global growth, and this initiative is an important step forward for Saudi football’s international visibility.”


Jorge Jesus returns to Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr

Jorge Jesus returns to Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr
Updated 15 July 2025

Jorge Jesus returns to Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr

Jorge Jesus returns to Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr
  • According to a club statement on X deal is for one year

Al-Nassr appointed Portuguese Jorge Jesus as coach on Monday, two months after he left their bitter Saudi Pro-League rivals Al-Hilal.
The 70-year-old won the domestic treble in his second stint with Riyadh-based Al-Hilal in the 2023-2024 season, but left the club in May after they lost in the AFC Champions League elite semifinals to Ƶn side Al-Ahli.
“It’s official Mr. Jorge Jesus is the new coach of Al-Nassr” the Saudi club posted on X.
The former Copa Libertadores winner with Brazil’s Flamengo, who replaces Italian Stefano Pioli, has signed a one-year contract with Al-Nassr.
Nine-times Saudi champions Al-Nassr have extended the contract of 40-year-old five-times Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo until 2027.


Jorge Jesus set to return to Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr: Portuguese media

Jorge Jesus set to return to Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr: Portuguese media
Updated 10 July 2025

Jorge Jesus set to return to Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr: Portuguese media

Jorge Jesus set to return to Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr: Portuguese media
  • Jesus is expected to arrive in Riyadh on Monday to sign a contract and begin pre-season preparations

RIYADH: Portuguese media have reported that Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr have reached an agreement with coach Jorge Jesus to take charge of the club’s first team ahead of the 2025-26 season.

According to A Bola, one of Portugal’s leading sports newspapers, Jesus is expected to arrive in Riyadh on Monday to sign a contract and begin pre-season preparations. 

The deal is reportedly for one year with an option to extend, and is being described as one of the most high-profile managerial moves of the summer considering Jesus’ time with Al-Hilal.

While Al-Nassr has yet to confirm the appointment, the return of Jesus to the Saudi Pro League, this time with Al-Hilal’s fierce rivals, would mark a major development ahead of the new season. 

Reports also suggest that Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo played a key role in endorsing Jesus for the job, owing to their close relationship and Ronaldo’s belief in the coach’s ability to lead Al-Nassr back to silverware.