Arrogant Al Hilal

Simone Inzaghi's Al Hilal didn't come to the Club World Cup to make money or to tour; they carried a big ambition: to prove they were good enough to sit at the same table with Real Madrid, Man City, or any other big club. And perhaps, they are getting very close to achieving that.

Al Hilal has big ambitions at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

When the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ kicked off in the US, many believed it was simply an upgraded version of summer tours – where European clubs fielded reserve squads, both to maintain form and to generate broadcasting rights and promote their image. But not everyone came for the money.

A team from the Middle East, with substantial financial resources and ambitions that go far beyond mere checks – that's Al Hilal.

Big ambitions

After the victory against Pachuca to secure a place in the round of 16, coach Simone Inzaghi stated bluntly: “We didn’t come here to stroll around. The goal is to be among the best teams in the world .” A statement that was both arrogant and profound – especially considering the speaker was Inzaghi himself, who just weeks earlier had led Inter Milan to the Champions League final.

Perhaps no team outside of Europe has ever set ambitions as high as Al Hilal's. But their confidence isn't arrogance.

Al Hilal has money – lots of money – thanks to the backing of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). But more importantly, they have a strategy, a foundation, the right people, and are gradually building their image as a "newly emerging powerhouse" on the world football map.

Al Hilal is currently managed by Simone Inzaghi.

Signing Simone Inzaghi just four days after Inter's defeat to PSG was a statement of power. This wasn't a retirement signing, not a getaway to see out his twilight years.

Inzaghi was at his peak, linked with managerial positions at Manchester United and Barcelona. But he chose Al Hilal – a destination that sounded unfamiliar, but was showing signs of a "mega-project".

Under Inzaghi's leadership, Al Hilal drew 1-1 with Real Madrid in the group stage and kept a clean sheet against FC Salzburg. They finished the group with 5 points, conceding only one goal – a record comparable to any top team. Most importantly, Al Hilal demonstrated tactical maturity, defensive prowess, and a serious competitive spirit, not inferior to the European giants.

A well-structured investment strategy

But to understand Al Hilal today, one needs to look at the profound restructuring process within Saudi Arabian football. After Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2023, the country's football entered a period of explosive growth.

Al Hilal immediately responded with the "bombshell" signing of Neymar from PSG for 90 million euros. Although injuries meant Neymar only played a mere 7 matches, that transfer still put Al Hilal on the global media map.

The Al Hilal squad boasts many big names.

Not content with just buying stars, they are also scouting for talent in strategic positions. Esteve Calzada – former commercial director of City Football Group, who helped make Man City a global brand – has become CEO of Al Hilal since the beginning of 2024. Along with Cancelo, Rúben Neves, Milinkovic-Savic, Koulibaly, Mitrovic… Calzada is the perfect piece to complete the team's expansion ambitions.

“This isn’t a marketing campaign. This is real football, real competition. And we want to go as far as possible,” Calzada affirmed. The upcoming match against Man City in the round of 16 is therefore symbolic: not just a big game, but a clash between two established global football models – one already in place, the other emerging.

Without Bruno Fernandes or Victor Osimhen – two stars they pursued in a remarkable transfer window – Al Hilal has remained consistent and effective. In Saudi Arabia, they are not only the most successful club in history but also a national icon.

Even fans of rival teams like Al Nassr or Al Ittihad temporarily set aside their animosities to cheer on Al Hilal on the world stage. This is a rare sight and a testament to the team's leading role.

However, things weren't always smooth sailing. After failing in the SPL and being eliminated in the AFC Champions League semi-finals, Jorge Jesus was sacked. Finishing second was considered a failure – and that was the pressure Inzaghi had to bear.

"They call Al Hilal the Real Madrid of Saudi Arabia," Calzada shared. "And like Real, there's no such thing as being satisfied with second place here."

Today's Al Hilal is no longer a "rich kid trying to show off." They have a system, a foundation, and a clear direction. Financial strength is only a necessary condition. The sufficient condition is organizational ability, a development strategy, and a global mindset – something that Calzada, Inzaghi, and their international stars are gradually realizing.

A match against Man City is a huge challenge, but also a great opportunity for Al Hilal to prove they are not inferior. And if they succeed, then a “new power” in world football is truly emerging – not in Europe, but from the Saudi Arabian desert. A shift in power is beginning. And Al Hilal, clearly, are not just guests. They want to be the hosts.

Source: https://znews.vn/ngao-nghe-al-hilal-post1564732.html