Amidst the major transformations taking place in Saudi football, Al-Hilal's name stands out prominently, not only as the leading force in the sporting scene but also as the focus of constant debate regarding the reasons for its overwhelming dominance. With every victory the team achieves, and with every international signing it makes, voices rise, posing seemingly legitimate questions: Has Al-Hilal become bigger than the league? Has the balance of competitive fairness been tipped in its favor, rendering the competition merely a facade devoid of substance?
General context: A sports project that is changing the face of Saudi football
To understand this debate, it's essential to consider the broader context. Saudi Arabia is undergoing a comprehensive sports revolution as part of Vision 2030, which aims to position the Saudi Professional League among the top 10 leagues globally. In the summer of 2023, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced its acquisition of a 75% stake in Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli, injecting massive investments to attract elite international football stars. We witnessed the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad, Neymar at Al-Hilal, and many others, significantly raising the league's technical and marketing value to unprecedented levels. This ambitious project has placed all the major clubs on a level playing field in terms of financial support, with the goal of creating a fiercely competitive environment befitting the Kingdom's stature.
Accusations of denial in the face of reality
Amidst this support directed towards the four major clubs, Al-Hilal appeared to be the most successful and beneficial. The team didn't just rely on massive signings; it transformed them into a comprehensive system that achieved consecutive victories and shattered records. This remarkable success provoked the ire of rivals and their fans, with some immediately resorting to accusations of "support," "favoritism," and "double standards," especially when Al-Hilal managed to secure major deals quietly and effectively. Al-Hilal's success came to be seen not as evidence of its strength, but rather as proof that it was the "favored one of the sports project," receiving preferential treatment compared to others.
Administrative stability and planning: the secret to Al-Hilal's success
But upon closer examination, many of these accusations crumble. The truth, which some may overlook, is that Al-Hilal's success didn't spring from the current project; rather, it's an extension of a long legacy of administrative stability and strategic planning. A club that plans, invests, and makes decisions calmly is different from other clubs that might suffer from administrative turmoil or fan pressure that influences their decisions. Al-Hilal's management has proven its mastery of negotiation and its ability to operate intelligently within the system, not above it. The real provocation isn't Al-Hilal's superiority, but rather the question others should ask themselves: Why does Al-Hilal succeed where others fail with the same tools? Why do its transfers become a complete system, while they might become a burden for its rivals?
Expected impact on Saudi sports
The dominance of a club like Al-Hilal, built on solid administrative foundations, sets a new standard for professionalism in the Saudi league. Instead of making excuses or leveling accusations, this success should push other clubs to review their strategies and develop their administrative and technical systems to be truly competitive. In the long run, this challenge will raise the level of all clubs, serving the ultimate goal of the Saudi sports project: creating a strong and sustainable league capable of competing globally. Ultimately, Al-Hilal doesn't appear to be above the competition because it's pampered, but because it's disciplined, stable, and operates intelligently. It wasn't given the spotlight; it earned it.
