Discover the 7 main Saudi clubs

With Neymar's return to Santos, Saudi football loses one of its biggest stars, but is once again on the world agenda.

Do you know or are interested in Saudi football? In this article we have separated the main Saudi clubs so you can learn a little more about football in the Middle East. Let's look at some curiosities and the Meaning of the clubs’ names.

Meaning of the name: The Crescent Moon.

Colors: Blue and White

Nickname: Blue Waves; The boss; Princes' Club.

Founded in 1957 in Riyadh, Al-Hilal is considered the most decorated club in Asia with more than 70 official titles, it is the Saudi club with the most national titles and also the club with the most fans in the country.

In 2009 the club was awarded by IFFHS as the best Asian club of the 20th century.

Al-Hilal holds the historical record for the most consecutive victories in world football. At the behest of Jorge Jesus, the team reached 34 consecutive victories on 04/11, 2024.

Meaning of the name: The Union.

Colors: Black and Yellow

Nickname: The Tigers; The People's Club; The Nation Club; The Head of Clubs.

Founded in 1927 in Geddah, Al-Ittihad is currently Al-Hilal's main rival and is one of the most traditional and successful clubs in the country.

Throughout its history, Al-Ittihad has never fallen to the second division of the Saudi championship and is tied in 2nd place with Al-Nassr in the ranking of Saudi clubs with the most national titles, with 9 titles.

Al-Ittihad is also rivals with Al-Ahli, and their clash known as the Geddah Derby is known for being one of the most competitive matches in the Saudi Pro League.

Meaning of the name: Victory.

Colors: Blue and Yellow

Nicknames: The Global Club; Knights of Najd (or Négede).

Founded in 1955 in Riyadh, Al-Nassr is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, and since its foundation it has been one of the main clubs in the country.

In 2022, after the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, the club gained international attention, being one of the first Saudi clubs to promote the league internationally after signing a major world football star.

Its biggest rival is Al-Hilal, the two play in the classic Riyadh Derby, which is currently one of the biggest classics in Arab football, which attracts the attention of many spectators internationally as well.

Al-Nassr is the Saudi club with the richest history of talented athletes who have worn the club's shirt, attracting the attention of several renowned coaches as well.

They are currently the 2nd biggest champion in the Saudi Pro League, tied with Al-Ittihad.

On its shield, we can see the map of Saudi Arabia, it is said that Yellow represents the sands of the Arabian desert and blue the waters of the Persian Gulf.

Meaning of the name: The National.

Colors: Green and White

Nicknames: Royalty; The Elegant; Trophy Fortress; Ambassador of the Nation.

Founded in 1937 in Geddah, Al-Ahli is considered one of the biggest clubs in Saudi Arabia and throughout Asia. He is currently the greatest champion of the Arab King's Cup with 12 titles.

Telê Santana was the club's coach in the 80s, winning the national league in 84 and the King's Cup in 83. The Club was also the first to reach the final of the Asian Champions League.

The club recently made a billion-dollar proposal, which would be the biggest signing in the history of football, for Vini Jr. The Saudi investment fund, owner of Al-Ahli, wants the player to be the ambassador for the 2034 World Cup, which will be headquartered in Saudi Arabia. However, the player renewed his contract with Real Madrid until 2027 and would only agree to negotiate with the club if the termination clause of approximately 6 Billion Reais (1 billion Euros) was paid.

Meaning of the name: The Youth.

Colors: White and Orange

Nicknames: The White Lions.

Al-Shabab was the first football club in the city of Riyadh, it was officially founded in 1947, but the club had been operating in the city long before that, but under conflicting mandates.

It was the first Saudi club to win three Saudi championship titles in a row in 91, 92 and 93. In 1991, it was the first official tournament renewed by the federation, which adopted the Play-off model. This model was played until 2007, when the league was officially professionalized.

The club's colors were formerly green and white, but in 1960, after the club merged with two other Saudi football organizations, Al-Najmah and Al-Mareketh, the club adopted the colors orange and white.

Meaning of the name: The Conquest.

Colors: Blue, Green and White

nicknames: Filhos das Palmeiras; The Model.

Founded in 1958 in Al-Mubarraz, the club played in the second division of the Saudi league for a long time, until 2009 when the club under the command of Tunisian coach Fathi Al-Jabal. In 2013, the club was champion of the Saudi Pro League for the first time, this result being one of the biggest upsets in the history of Saudi football.

The club is not well known internationally as it does not have any renowned players, but it is a club loved by most Saudis who are not from Riyadh or Geddah, as it is located in a city outside the major centers.

Meaning of the name: The Agreement.

Colors: Green, Red

Nicknames: The Knight of Ad-Dahna.

Founded in 1941 in Damman, the club has the name “The Agreement” due to the merger of 3 football clubs that gave rise to it: Al-Sha'ab, Al-Taawoun and Al-Shabab (another club with the same name as Al -Current Shabab).

It was the first Saudi club to win an international title, in 84, the Arabian Champions Cup, and they were also the first to win the Saudi championship undefeated.

As it is a club based outside of major centers, it does not have as much international representation, however, it is one of the few clubs that has been the Saudi champion, and to this day it remains one of the most important organizations in the country.

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