Alhanouf Mohammed Alrowaili

From Riyadh to the World New Kits of Al-Hilal Celebrate Saudi Heritage with Puma By Alhanouf Mohammed Alrowaili Al-Hilal Saudi Club Shines in a New Look Inspired by the Authentic Najdi Heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. PUMA Middle East has officially launched Al-Hilal Saudi Club’s official kits for the 2025/26 season (home and away), celebrating a shared legacy of victories, passion, and pride in Saudi identity, history, and tradition.  The kits have been meticulously designed with intricate details to honor the Kingdom’s rich heritage, reflecting the unique spirit of Al-Hilal Football Club, the most successful club in both Asia and Saudi Arabia, with 70 titles to its name. This is a testament to the club’s long-standing legacy and strength on the pitch since its founding in 1957. These carefully crafted kits are inspired by Al-Hilal’s storied history filled with triumphs and undying passion, as well as the diverse geography and cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia. Each piece reflects the distinctive essence of Al-Hilal, the leader of Asian clubs and the most decorated team in the Kingdom.  The club recently completed a remarkable journey in the Club World Cup with standout performances, reaching the quarterfinals of the tournament’s largest edition. The kits also symbolize Al-Hilal’s deep connection with its loyal fanbase, known as Al-Quwwa or The Blue Wave. The home kit draws inspiration from the heart of Riyadh and the traditional Najdi mud architecture. It links the club’s present to its beginnings at its original headquarters, a place that remains a source of pride for the club and its fans. From those beginnings, Al-Hilal grew into a continental icon and global name, constantly working toward its strategic goals of international expansion and strengthening its global fanbase.  The away kit, on the other hand, is inspired by the moon and its poetic journey. It represents Al-Hilal’s ever-evolving path, a design that embodies the club’s name and aligns with PUMA’s storytelling-driven design philosophy. This new launch follows the massive success of the previous Al-Hilal kits worn during their impressive participation in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The kits ranked among the best-selling products in PUMA stores worldwide, achieving record-breaking numbers that paralleled the team’s remarkable performance on the field. Al-Hilal has always been and will continue to be a strong national symbol, competing at the highest levels and proving its worth time and again.  The club has long been a symbol for the people of Saudi Arabia and has now become a global emblem for millions of fans around the world. For his part, Al-Hilal Club’s CEO, Steve Calzada, expressed pride in the continued collaboration with PUMA, stating: “Our work with PUMA in designing the kits allows us to share our history and heritage on a global scale. The Club World Cup was a clear example beyond the results where we represented the Kingdom with kits that achieved unprecedented success. “We hope these new kits will receive the same warm welcome from our incredible fans.” Johan Kuhlo, General Manager of PUMA Middle East, added: “As pioneers in Asia, we take pride in our global growth while staying rooted in our origins. “Our partnership with Al-Hilal enables us to tell authentic Saudi stories through design bringing together sports and culture on the global stage.” Al-Hilal’s 2025/26 season kits (home and away) will be available at PUMA stores, on PUMA.com, in the club’s official stores, Blue Store, and with selected official partners across the region.

Al-Hilal Stun Manchester City in Club World Cup A New Chapter in Football History By Alhanouf Mohammed Alrowaili Orlando, July 2025 – Football fans around the world witnessed a seismic moment in the sport’s history as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal pulled off a sensational 4–3 extra-time victory over reigning European champions Manchester City in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. More than just a win, the result marked a turning point in global football one that challenges long-standing hierarchies and shines a light on the rapid rise of the Saudi Pro League. For Al-Hilal, this was not just a win, it was a statement. A message to the footballing elite that the power dynamics are shifting, and clubs from outside Europe’s top leagues are no longer content to merely participate they intend to compete. A Match for the Ages Played at a packed stadium in Orlando, the game began with a familiar script: Manchester City, champions of Europe and one of the most formidable sides in world football, took early control. In the 9th minute, Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for City with a calm finish after a slick passing move. The early goal seemed to signal business as usual for Pep Guardiola’s side. But Al-Hilal had no intention of playing the role of underdog quietly. They grew into the game with confidence, pressing high and breaking quickly. Their reward came shortly after halftime when Marcos Leonardo, the young Brazilian striker, finished a flowing team move with composure to level the score. The goal turned the tide of the match. Moments later, Malcom, another Brazilian export, struck from distance to put Al-Hilal ahead 2–1. City responded through Erling Haaland, who equalized to make it 2–2 and push the game into extra time. What followed was football drama at its finest. Kalidou Koulibaly powered home a header from a set-piece to restore Al-Hilal’s lead. Yet again, City struck back, this time through Phil Foden. With the game tied at 3–3 and fatigue setting in, many expected penalties. But Marcos Leonardo had other plans. In the 112th minute, he found space in the box and headed in the winner—a moment that sent Al-Hilal’s bench, fans, and millions watching across Asia and the Middle East into celebration. Tactical Brilliance and Mental Grit Al-Hilal’s win was no fluke. Newly appointed manager Simone Inzaghi, barely a month into the job, crafted a tactical game plan that stifled City’s usual dominance. Abandoning the more conservative system used under previous coach Jorge Jesus, Inzaghi deployed a flexible high press, fast transitions, and a compact midfield to frustrate Guardiola’s setup. Despite being without key players like Aleksandar Mitrović and Salem Al-Dawsari, Al-Hilal’s squad rose to the occasion. Yassine Bounou, the Moroccan goalkeeper, was instrumental with a string of critical saves ten in total keeping his side in the game during City’s most dangerous moments. In midfield, Rúben Neves controlled tempo and showed leadership, while defenders like Koulibaly and Saud Abdulhamid displayed remarkable discipline and courage. Up front, Marcos Leonardo emerged as the night’s hero, scoring twice and proving why he’s seen as one of the most promising strikers outside Europe’s top five leagues. MORE THAN A VICTORY  A New Era Dawns This result is not just about one club upsetting another. It is a symbolic moment in the evolution of world football. For decades, FIFA tournaments involving clubs from different continents have seen European teams dominate. The financial muscle, infrastructure, and experience of clubs like Manchester City typically make them untouchable. But Al-Hilal’s win reflects a broader shift—one that’s been years in the making. Fueled by significant investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), Al-Hilal has transformed into a global force. World-class players have joined the club not just for lucrative contracts, but also to be part of a competitive and ambitious project. The infrastructure, coaching quality, and tactical sophistication have evolved, creating a foundation capable of producing historic moments like this one. It also highlights the increasing competitiveness of the Saudi Pro League, which has emerged as one of the most intriguing football projects in the world. With other clubs like Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad also making bold moves, the league’s global reputation continues to rise. Al-Hilal’s victory over Manchester City has already had a ripple effect. Social media erupted. Pundits called it one of the greatest upsets in modern football. International media, once skeptical of Saudi clubs, are beginning to view them as serious contenders. And for millions of fans in the Arab world, this moment was a source of pride a testament to how far regional football has come. Looking ahead, Al-Hilal faces a great path in the Club World Cup. They’re scheduled to play Brazilian giants Fluminense in the quarterfinals a clash of continents and styles. But with confidence sky-high and momentum behind them, the Saudi champions have already proven they can handle the spotlight. Al-Hilal’s win over Manchester City wasn’t just a football match it was a turning point. It proved that ambition, preparation, and belief can challenge even the biggest names in football. It showed that clubs outside the traditional powerhouses can rise, inspire, and even rewrite history. For Al-Hilal, it was a night of glory. For Saudi football, it was a defining chapter. And for world football, it was a reminder that the beautiful game belongs to everyone regardless of geography, or financial legacy.