The Crescent Moon
The Crescent Moon of Saudi Football
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club, commonly known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian professional multi-sports club based in Riyadh. Its football team competes in the Saudi Pro League. The name 'Al-Hilal' is Arabic for 'the crescent moon'. Founded on 16 October 1957, the club is one of three teams to have participated in every season of the Saudi Pro League since its establishment in 1976.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Inauguration year
- 1987
- Former name
- Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
- Primary tenant
- Al Hilal SFC
- Key feature
- Home of the 'Crescent Moon' ultras
Lore & Background
The idea of establishing the club began when the ranks of the Youth Club witnessed in 1957 a serious division among its leaders, prompting Abdul Rahman bin Saeed to resign from the presidency of the Youth Club. A new club was established on 15 October 1957 in Riyadh. The club's name lasted for only one year before it was changed to its current name on 3 December 1958 by King Saud. Al-Hilal made its first mark by lifting the King's Cup trophy in 1961. The club won the King's Cup again in 1964, with a penalty shootout victory over two-time Asian champions Al Ittihad. The club also won the Crown Prince Cup in 1963–64. In the 1970s, Brazilian legends Mario Zagallo and Rivellino joined the club. Rivellino joined in 1978.
Reader's Guide
Al-Hilal are the most successful Saudi club, having won a record 21 league titles, along with a record 13 Crown Prince Cup titles, seven Saudi Federation Cup titles, 10 King's Cup titles, five Saudi Super Cups, and the Saudi Founder's Cup. In continental competitions, the club has won a record eight AFC trophies, including four AFC Champions League titles (1991, 2000, 2019, 2021), two Asian Cup Winners' Cups (1997, 2002), and two Asian Super Cups (1997, 2000). Internationally, Al-Hilal were runners-up in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first Asian club from outside the host nation to reach the final. In September 2009, Al-Hilal was awarded Greatest Asian Club of the 20th Century by the IFFHS. The club has a market value of €242.5 million as of 2024, the highest in Saudi Arabia.
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