Madrid is attempting a difficult defense of its Champions League and Spanish league double from last season after winning the UEFA Super Cup to begin the season.
Al-Hilal has already won before facing Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final, a surprising feat gave how far he has come.
The Saudi Arabian team, which beat Brazil’s Flamengo in the semifinals, stands in the way of Madrid winning an unprecedented eighth title.
If Al-Hilal manages to pull off an even bigger upset on Saturday in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, it would be another example of soccer’s growing power outside of its traditional strongholds in Europe and South America.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Madrid coach, stated, “Football is changing.” The fact that Al-Hilal is in the final demonstrates this.
The fact that many of its players are familiar with what it’s like to pull off the extremely unlikely is perhaps the only advantage Al-Hilal has.
Members of the Saudi Arabia national team who stunned Argentina in their World Cup opener in November make up the team coached by Argentine Ramón Dáz.
Al-Hilal’s Salem Aldawsari and Saleh Alshehri scored in Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 win over Argentina. Aldawsari scored twice Tuesday to help Tangier defeat Flamengo 3-2 in the Copa Libertadores.
Goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf said, “We will play one of the most important and beautiful matches in our history.”
We are mentally and physically prepared to face Europe’s champions in the final. After flexing its economic muscle to become a bigger global player in the sport, Saudi Arabian soccer just having a team in the final is another boost.
When Al-Nassr, a rival of Al-Hilal, convinced Cristiano Ronaldo that it was time to continue his illustrious career outside of Europe.
Newcastle was purchased by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in 2021, and its domestic league just recently won a big game.
Football is more international. Ancelotti stated, “Europe versus South America is no longer the conflict.”
We are up against a strong team with strong individual players, a lot of World Cup-winning Saudi national team players, and players who have played in Europe before.
Karim Benzema and defender Éder Milito joined Madrid in Rabat after missing Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over Al Ahly with injuries.
According to Ancelotti, it is still unknown if they will be ready to play in the final. Brazilians Vinicius Junior and Rodygo will likely be tasked with leading the attack if Benzema is unable to participate.
Due to its short duration (only two games for Champions League winners), the Club World Cup is regarded as a minor trophy for European teams.
However, Madrid must regain some winning momentum as it always takes the competition seriously. After losing to Mallorca 1-0 last weekend, it has fallen eight points behind Barcelona, which it defeated in the Spanish Super Cup final a month ago.
Madrid is attempting a difficult defense of its Champions League and Spanish league double from last season after winning the UEFA Super Cup to begin the season.
Following victories in the Champions League, Madrid won the club world title the previous five times it competed.
It did so in 2014, from 2016 to 2018, and also in 2002. When the European and South American champions met in a one-game final known as the Intercontinental Cup.
The last time Madrid failed to win the world championship was in 2000. When it lost the Intercontinental Cup to Boca Juniors, an Argentine club.