After reaching the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 with a goalless draw against Salzburg, Al Hilal's new coach, Simone Inzaghi took the time to explain why the tournament is so important for his team.
For many European clubs in the US this summer, it is difficult to get rid of the feeling that big bonuses are the main driver. Al Hilal, controlled by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund with an estimated value of nearly 100 billion dollars, does not need money.
According to Inzaghi, what they want is to show the world that they deserve a place in the top flight of club football. They had a commendable 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the group stage.
"Our goal is to be in the group of the strongest teams in the world. We didn't come here just to have fun. We came here to play football and we want to reach this stage" - Inzaghi said.
Inzaghi's speech on behalf of Al Hilal at Audi Field is proof of their great aspirations. A month ago, the Italian captain was on the touchline when his Inter Milan lost to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final.
Inzaghi's achievements at Inter - 2 Champions League finals and a Serie A title in 4 years - combined with tactical skills and strong passion have made him one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe.
But Al Hilal got Inzaghi's signature. Just four days after Inter's failure in Munich, the deal was announced.
"This shows our ambition. This gives us a very good position to compete," Al Hilal Esteve Calzada told ESPN.
Founded in 1957, Al Hilal did not start from zero, but they have been transformed by the wave of investment in Saudi football. Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr in January 2023 has taken the Saudi Pro League (SPL) to new heights.
Al Hilal built his own Galaticos when Neymar joined PSG for a fee of 90 million Euros. Injuries have limited the Brazilian player as Neymar only played seven times before returning to his childhood club Santos. However, this transfer deal has put Al Hilal on the map of global football.
It is no longer uncommon for Al Hilal jerseys to be sold in Europe. They have more than 40 million followers on social media, equivalent to some Premier League clubs.
Their squad participating in the FIFA Club World Cup has many familiar names, including kalidou Koulibaly, Renan Lodi, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo.
And there are not only star players from Europe, like Cancelo, Calzada is also a former Man City employee.
A key part of Man City's off-field success for more than a decade, Calzada has been promoted to the position of Commercial Director of City Football Group before moving to Al Hilal in January 2024.
"It will be very touching to meet my friends in the round of 16 against Man City. I have worked there for 12 years, and perhaps this is the first time I want Man City to lose" - Calzada said.
SPL has the ambition to one day be recognized as one of the top five tournaments in the world. And for Calzada, like Inzaghi, the FIFA Club World Cup is an opportunity to see if Al Hilal has enough potential.
"It's a real opportunity, especially when you meet teams like Real Madrid and now Man City. It was a big tournament, and we saw it as a great opportunity. First of all, to compete, but also to show their level" - Calzada added.
Al Hilal was eager to make a splash that they tried to sign Man United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in a special transfer window created by FIFA in June.
Even without that reinforcement, Al Hilal can still beat Group H. This is one of three groups where a European team is eliminated.
The mission of representing SPL in the international arena has crossed the competitive line between Saudi Arabian clubs. And there are many reports that Al Nassr and Al Ittihad fans have shown public support for Al Hilal.
Man City will start the match in Orlando as the highly rated team, especially when Al Hilal is facing many injuries. However, there are still high expectations for Inzaghi's team, which is the most successful club in Saudi Arabia in history.
Inzaghi took charge after Jorge Jesus was sacked in May. Before that, Al Hilal lost the SPL title to Al Ittihad and failed in the AFC Champions League semi-finals. At least in the SPL, second place is not enough for Al Hilal.
Success at the FIFA Club World Cup has been achieved. Another good performance against City will only emphasize the feeling that Al Hilal is not far away to compete with the top European teams.
