In a move that underscores its status as one of the leading footballing forces outside of Europe, Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal club has added another achievement to its illustrious record, ranking 25th globally according to the latest rankings issued by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). This figure is not merely a passing statistic, but rather a documented testament that places "The Leader" among the elite clubs worldwide.

Asian leadership and global supremacy

Al-Hilal not only dominated the Asian scene, ascending to the top spot in the Asian rankings as the first Asian club to achieve this position, but it also surpassed that by securing a prominent place among the world's elite clubs. Reaching the 25th position means that Al-Hilal's points tally and ranking surpass those of many prestigious European and Latin American clubs, reflecting the gap that "The Blue Wave" has successfully narrowed between Asian and global football. The distance between Al-Hilal and its continental rivals is no longer measured in miles, but rather by the magnitude of its achievements and the quality of its presence on the international stage.

Classification criteria and their implications

It is well known that the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) rankings are not awarded arbitrarily or based on voting. Rather, they are the result of precise calculations based on teams' performances in local, continental, and international tournaments throughout the year. This advanced ranking is the culmination of consecutive victories, secured titles, and points earned by the team's consistent competitiveness on all fronts. Al-Hilal does not participate merely for the sake of participation; it possesses a winning mentality that has made it a formidable force in the global football landscape.

Historical background: Al-Hilal is a source of pride

This achievement is not a coincidence, but rather the culmination of a long history of dominance. Al-Hilal is the most decorated club in the AFC Champions League, and has previously brought honor to Saudi and Arab football by reaching the FIFA Club World Cup final and winning the silver medal – an unprecedented achievement for Saudi clubs. This historical legacy, supported by administrative and technical stability, has transformed Al-Hilal into a comprehensive system that transcends the concept of a traditional sports team.

Impact of the achievement on Saudi sports

This ranking further solidifies the Saudi Professional League's position as one of the world's fastest-growing leagues. Al-Hilal's presence in the top 30 globally sends a clear message about the rising level of competitiveness in the Kingdom and aligns with the ambitious vision to position the Saudi league among the best in the world. Al-Hilal's success is a success for the entire Saudi sports project, demonstrating that investment in sports, attracting star players, and developing infrastructure is beginning to bear fruit on a global scale.

In conclusion, Al-Hilal's 25th place ranking globally is a reality that commands respect, but the ambition of this club and its vast fan base knows no bounds. In an era of shifting power dynamics, Al-Hilal remains steadfast, reminding the continent of its dominance and whispering to the world that the future may hold even higher rankings and positions. For Al-Hilal, victory is an identity and a culture that accepts nothing less than the top.

In a humanitarian gesture reflecting the values ​​of solidarity and social responsibility in the Saudi sports community, Rakan Al-Qasimi, CEO of a major company, announced that the company would present a car as a gift to the young ball boy who was subjected to an unfortunate incident during yesterday’s match, when Al-Kholoud’s goalkeeper, Kozani, pushed him in a scene that sparked widespread controversy.

Details of the incident involving the immortal guardian and the ball bearer

The incident occurred during the match between Al-Kholoud and Al-Najma in the 22nd round of the Roshan Professional League. Cameras captured goalkeeper Kozani pushing a ball boy in a moment of anger, an act that was met with widespread disapproval from fans and viewers watching on television. Although the goalkeeper later posted a video apologizing for the incident, the social repercussions had already been felt, prompting intervention to address the young man's grievances.

Rakan Al-Qasimi's initiative and the private sector's response

In response to the incident, Rakan Al-Qasimi wrote on his official X platform account (formerly Twitter): "The goalkeeper's actions towards the young man were provocative and unacceptable to anyone. This young man deserves to be honored and compensated for what happened." Al-Qasimi didn't stop at verbal condemnation; he followed it with a practical step, saying: "A car is a gift from our company to the ball boy, and I urge all companies to offer rewards to this young man to support him and turn the situation into a positive one.".

The importance of sportsmanship in the Roshan League

This incident highlights the importance of sportsmanship and self-control on the field, especially given the tremendous development of the Saudi Professional League and its growing global following. The Saudi League is no longer just a local competition; it has become a global sporting event that requires all players, both local and foreign, to present the best possible image, reflecting a culture of respect and appreciation for all those involved in organizing matches, including the ball boys, who are an essential part of the game's organization.

Social responsibility and turning negatives into positives

Al-Qasimi's initiative highlights the vital role the private sector plays in promoting social responsibility within the sports community. Transforming a negative situation (the incident of pushing) into a positive one (the recognition and gift) sends a powerful educational message to society: that wrongdoing is unacceptable, and that showing compassion is a core value in Saudi society. Such initiatives not only support the young man who was affected but also encourage other companies and business leaders to engage positively with sporting events, thus strengthening national unity and social bonds among the various stakeholders in the sports system.

The return of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Saudi Al-Nassr team, has received widespread and unprecedented attention from major international newspapers and sports websites, after he reappeared in the "Global" jersey following the recent crisis that kept him out of the last three matches, to return and prove that his technical influence is still present and strong.

A strong comeback and a break in the silence

Ronaldo played a pivotal role in leading Al-Nassr to a crucial morale-boosting and technical victory over Al-Fateh, with a score of 2-0, in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League (Roshan League). The "Madeira Rocket" not only participated but also opened the scoring for his team, signaling the end of his absence and a return to focus on the pitch.

In monitoring global reactions, the Spanish newspaper AS praised Ronaldo's swift and impactful return, emphasizing in its report that the Portuguese star needed less than five minutes to score his goal, as if sending a message to everyone. The newspaper pointed out that this goal came despite the controversy surrounding his recent refusal to play, noting that his celebration was in his usual style, which ignites the fans' enthusiasm.

The race for records: The dream is getting closer

From a purely numerical perspective, ESPN highlighted that Ronaldo is still chasing history, as he is now just 38 goals away from achieving the historic milestone of 1,000 goals. The network explained that his decisive goal against Al-Fateh was the 962nd in his illustrious professional career, a record the legend aims to extend before retiring.

For its part, beIN SPORTS commented rhetorically on his return, saying that Ronaldo “broke his silence” and returned to scoring again, continuing his relentless approach to the thousand-goal mark, confirming a constant fact that “time passes but Ronaldo’s goals do not stop,” in reference to his amazing continuity despite his advancing age.

The impact of the comeback on the path to victory

The Turkish newspaper “Fotomac” focused on the physical and psychological aspects, pointing to Ronaldo’s return after a period of absence from training and matches, and confirming that he returned to Al-Nasr’s lineup strongly by scoring a goal in his first appearance after the crisis, which reflects his high mental readiness.

The significance of this return comes at a crucial juncture in the season, as Al-Nassr and its fans rely on the experience of their Portuguese captain to compete for all available titles. Ronaldo's influence extends far beyond simply scoring goals; he represents a driving force and an inspiration to his teammates. His consistent performance positively impacts the team's overall performance and enhances the Saudi league's standing as a focal point for international media, which closely follows every detail concerning the Portuguese legend.