Less than a week after Portuguese International Cristiano Ronaldo claimed that the Saudi Pro League ranks among the top five leagues in the world, a club from the league has reinforced his assertion.
The 40-year-old, who plays for Al Nassr, made the remark while signing a new two-year contract to extend his stay with the club.
Proving this, Al Hilal during the round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup ended Manchester City’s aspirations for international silverware this season after delivering a dramatic 4-3 extra-time upset at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
The victory propels Al Hilal into the tournament’s quarterfinals, where they are set to face Fluminense, marking an unwelcome conclusion to City’s international campaign.
This latest defeat adds to a growing narrative questioning a phase of Pep Guardiola’s coaching tenure, as the English giants end their season without a major international trophy.
The match itself was a gripping contest, fluctuating between moments of brilliance. The ninety minutes concluded with the score deadlocked at 2-2, with Marcos Leonardo and Malcom finding the net for Al Hilal, countered by goals from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden for City.
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The drama escalated in extra time. Kalidou Koulibaly put Al Hilal ahead again with a powerful header from a corner.
Foden responded for City, levelling the score yet again. However, in the 113th minute, Marcos Leonardo netted his second goal of the night, securing a memorable triumph for the Saudi outfit.
This elimination represents a setback for City, who entered the tournament as strong contenders following their 2023-24 UEFA Champions League victory.
Despite deploying several of their regular first-team players, Guardiola’s squad appeared vulnerable defensively and struggled to dominate an opponent that played with remarkable confidence, speed, and fearlessness.
The loss compounds a challenging period for City, who also suffered defeat in the FA Cup Final and exited the Champions League at the semi-final stage earlier this season.
For Al Hilal, this win propels them into a quarterfinal showdown against Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense.
Under the guidance of Jorge Jesus, the Saudi club has demonstrated that it is a formidable sporting entity, far exceeding a mere commercial venture.
With star players such as Malcom, Rúben Neves, and Koulibaly, they have proven their capability to compete with and overcome Europe’s elite footballing powers.
