In the presence of Al-Ahly

SME – Written by Abdullah Al-Harazi
In the presence of Al-Ahly, things acquire meaning and value.
Why not? This team has been royal since its birth. Abdullah Al-Faisal, the son of the king and the viceroy of the Hejaz, was its caring father.
He was the one who took it to the 1966 World Cup in England, making it the first Saudi to attend a global tournament.
He was the first team to bring in a world-class coach, the brilliant Didi, followed by Santana.
He was the first to establish the Honorary Members Council of Saudi Clubs at the launch of the Saudi League.
He was the first to bring in a world-class player, Maradona, to celebrate its golden jubilee.
He was the first to participate in the Asian Clubs Championship, 40 years ago, specifically in 1985.
He was the first to achieve the league and cup double under its previous system.
He was the first to win the Saudi Super Cup outside Saudi Arabia, London 2016.
He was the first Saudi club to establish a museum for its trophies, and when documentation came, he didn’t need to ask anyone about its trophies and achievements and prove them.
He was the first Saudi club to establish a modern football academy.
He was the first to Won the King’s Cup three consecutive years.
It is the only Saudi club that has focused on individual and team sports. Its record boasts more than 1,300 titles at the local, Gulf, Arab, and continental levels.
It is today the first Saudi team to achieve the Asian Elite Cup and qualify for three other tournaments:
The Asian Elite Cup next year, 2026
The Intercontinental Championship, 2029
The Club World Championship, 2026
It is the first Saudi team to be called the Asian Super Cup.
They called it “small” after its relegation, but upon its return, it climbed to the highest peaks, proving that it is the great one, and that its previous absence was a milestone in which it renewed its spirit with a modern mindset and a champion’s personality that dazzled all those present. Saudi teams will need more years to achieve what Al-Ahly achieved in one year.
Al-Ahly, gentlemen, was the first to produce great coaches.
Luis Felipe, among them, followed his path to leading the Portuguese and Brazilian national teams from Al-Ahly’s ranks.
Today, the German Yassila is being presented as the next star in the world of coaching, having dealt realistically with the circumstances and won. The players’ love. Al-Ahli Stadium is the only one named after two princes: Abdullah Al-Faisal and Sultan bin Fahd. It was the first club stadium to host league matches three decades ago.