The board of directors of Al-Hilal Club, headed by Mr. Fahad bin Nafel, expressed its deep gratitude and appreciation for the unlimited support the club receives from its honorary members, most notably His Royal Highness Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz. This appreciation comes in light of the significant successes the club has achieved in the transfer market, which have strengthened its position as a leading football force both domestically and continentally.
Historical background of ongoing support
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's support for Al Hilal is an integral part of the club's illustrious history. For decades, His Highness has provided generous support and made crucial contributions, sponsoring numerous major deals and contracts with world-class players and coaches, directly contributing to Al Hilal's many championships and titles. This model of support from "golden members" represents a cornerstone of the Saudi club system, where businessmen and prominent figures play a vital role in financing clubs and enhancing their competitiveness before the new era of privatization and investment.
A quantum leap in the summer of 2023: A new vision for Saudi football
The summer of 2023 witnessed a strategic shift in the history of the Saudi Professional League with the launch of the sports investment and privatization project led by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). This ambitious project, aiming to position the Saudi League among the top 10 leagues globally, injected massive investments into top clubs, including Al-Hilal. As a result, the club was able to secure high-profile international signings, such as Brazilian star Neymar da Silva, Serbian Aleksandar Mitrović, Portuguese Rúben Neves, and Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly, representing a continuation of the excellence established by the club's long-standing support from its fans and major backers.
The importance and expected impact of the new deals
The major signings made by Al-Hilal are not only important for strengthening the first team's ranks, but also extend to include broad effects on various levels:
- Locally: These deals increase the strength of competition in the Saudi League, raise the technical and marketing value of the competition, and make Al-Hilal an exceptional candidate to maintain its local leadership.
- Regionally: These names enhance Al-Hilal's position as one of the strongest clubs in Asia, increase its chances of winning the AFC Champions League title, and raise the overall level of the tournament.
- Internationally: These transfers put Al Hilal and the Saudi League in the spotlight of global media and football fans around the world, contributing to the achievement of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in the sports sector.
The Board of Directors affirms that this combination of the ongoing historical support from prominent figures such as Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and the state’s new investment vision, constitutes a great incentive to continue working towards achieving the aspirations of the “Leader” fans in all forums and championships.
