Saudi Professional League Championship

Lore & Background

Al Nassr was established in 1955 by the Al-Ja'ba brothers. They were promoted to the first division in 1963. During the 1970s and 1980s, the club won one Categorization League and three Saudi Premier League titles, five King's Cups, two Crown Prince's Cups, and one Federation Cup. In the 1990s, Al Nassr won two further Saudi Premier League titles in the 1993–1994 and 1994–1995 seasons. Under coach José Daniel Carreño in 2013–14, the team won the Saudi Pro League and the Crown Prince Cup. Al-Nassr retained the league title in 2014–15. In the 2018–19 season, Al-Nassr won the title. The club has won a total of 8 Saudi Professional League titles according to the source.

Reader's Guide

Al-Nassr's home matches are played in Riyadh. The club's all-time leading scorer is Majed Abdullah, who scored 260 goals for the club. Notable eras include the 'Saudi Golden Trio' of Majed Abdullah, Fahd Al-Bishi and Mohaisen Al-Jam'an, the Hamdallah era (2016–2022), and the Ronaldo era (2023–present). The club's nickname 'The Global One (Al-Alami)' was obtained following their participation in the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup.

Did You Know?

• Prince Abdul Rahman bin Saud Al Saud served as president for 39 years and is known as Al-Nassr's Godfather.
• Majed Abdullah retired in 1998 as Al-Nassr's all-time top scorer with 260 goals.
• Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr on 30 December 2022.

Foundations and the Golden Era

Established in 1955 by the Al-Ja'ba brothers, Al-Nassr began its journey training on a modest playground before ascending to become one of Saudi Arabia's most enduring football institutions. The club's transformation is inextricably linked to Prince Abdul Rahman bin Saud Al Saud, who served as president for over three decades across three separate stints. His dedication turned a second-division side into a dominant force, earning him the title of the club's Godfather.

By 1963, Al-Nassr had secured promotion to the top flight and has never been relegated since. The club's golden age during the 1970s and 1980s was defined by an unprecedented domestic haul, including three league titles and five King's Cups. This success rested on the shoulders of the legendary 'Saudi Golden Trio'—Majed Abdullah, Fahd Al-Bishi, and Mohaisen Al-Jam'an—who formed the core of a team that consistently challenged for every major trophy available in the kingdom.

Majed Abdullah's Legacy and Continental Glory

The career of Majed Abdullah represents the pinnacle of Al-Nassr's history, culminating in historic continental achievements before his retirement in 1998. Although the club struggled to win the Arab Club Champions Cup during his tenure, Abdullah led them to significant victories on the Asian stage, including two GCC Club Cups and an Asian Super Cup triumph against South Korea's Suwon Samsung Bluewings. His final match drew a massive crowd of 70,000 fans in Riyadh as he secured the Asian Cup Winners' Cup at age 37. Abdullah retired holding the record for most goals in Saudi League history with 189 and remains Al-Nassr's all-time top scorer with 260 goals. His departure marked the end of an era, yet his influence paved the way for the club to represent Asia at the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in Brazil in 2000, where they became the first team globally to win the Fair Play Award.

Turbulence and the Path to Revival

Following the retirement of their legendary trio, Al-Nassr entered a turbulent period marked by declining results and managerial instability. The early 2000s saw the club struggle in the league standings, narrowly avoiding relegation in the 2006–07 season after finishing ninth. This downturn prompted intervention from honorary members like Majed Abdullah to initiate a long-term restructuring of management. The turning point arrived in 2008 with a Federation Cup victory over rivals Al-Hilal and the record-breaking signing of Mohammad Al-Sahlawi. Sahlawi's immediate impact, scoring 21 goals in his debut season, signaled a new chapter. Under coaches like Francisco Maturana and later José Daniel Carreño, the club stabilized, achieving a remarkable 22-match unbeaten run that secured both the league title and Crown Prince Cup in the 2013–14 campaign.

The Hamdallah Era and Modern Dominance

The period from 2016 to 2022 ushered in a new era of attacking prowess, defined by the arrival of Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah. After signing him alongside Nordin Amrabat in 2018, Al-Nassr reclaimed their status as league leaders. Hamdallah's explosive form saw him top the scoring charts with 34 goals in the 2018–19 season and earn recognition from the IFFHS as the world's leading goalscorer for that calendar year with 57 strikes. His contributions extended to cup competitions, where he delivered multiple hat-tricks to help secure titles. The club also dominated domestic super cups, defeating Al-Taawoun in 2020 and Al-Hilal in 2021. While continental campaigns faced challenges during this time, Hamdallah's prolific scoring ensured the team remained a formidable force in Saudi football.