Latest news with #KalidouKoulibaly
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Top 10 football clubs in the Gulf
The Gulf's football scene is heating up, driven by investment, continental ambitions, and growing local passion. These ten clubs lead the charge: 1. Al‑Hilal (Saudi Arabia) Saudi's premium club/Image: Wikipedia Elite status: Record 19 Saudi Pro League titles and 11 King's Cups. Most successful club in Asian history with 4 AFC Champions League trophies (1991, 2000, 2019, 2021) Recently knocked Barcelona off its pedestal by beating Manchester City at the Club World Cup, showcasing the Saudi Pro League 's rise. Impact: Backed by Saudi's Public Investment Fund, they're blending legacy with world-class stars like João Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Yassine Bounou, and Rúben Neves. This strategy has transformed them into a global brand and continental benchmark. 2. Al‑Ahli (Saudi Arabia) AFC champions/Image: Wikipedia Revival story: After being relegated in 2022, they swung back with the 2025 AFC Champions League Elite title, overcoming Japan's Kawasaki Frontale. Key factor: S trong investment post-2023, landing stars like Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Ivan Toney; their journey 'completes a crazy journey', says coach Matthias Jaissle. 3. Al‑Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) Jeddah's champion club/Image: Wikipedia Champion pedigree: Two-time AFC Champions League winners (2004, 2005) Nine Saudi Pro League titles; current title contenders Momentum: Garden of strong local support and renewed ambition—set to be a major rival in continental competitions. 4. Al‑Nassr (Saudi Arabia) Riyadh's high-profile club/Image: Wikipedia Global draw: Nine league titles, Arab Club Champions Cup winners Injected star power with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané, and clinched their place in the 2025 ACL Elite quarter-finals Regional role : They're a high-profile brand attracting global sponsors, but performance expectations remain high. 5. Al‑Ain (UAE) UAE's domestic powerhouse/Image: Wikipedia Domestic power: 14 UAE Pro League titles and two ACL trophies (2003, 2024) Famous for eliminating Ronaldo's Al‑Nassr in the 2024 ACL quarter-finals ending Al‑Hilal's 34-match unbeaten streak Legacy: Well-structured academy, disciplined management, and consistent performance have cemented their influence. 6. Shabab Al‑Ahli (UAE) Dubai's powerhouse/Image: Wikipedia Dubai's powerhouse: Nine Pro League titles, multiple domestic cups, and an IFFHS ranking among Asia's top clubs Influence: Strong grassroots development, youth systems, and a fan-centric model maintain their elite status. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile" TradeWise Learn More Undo 7. Al‑Wasl (UAE) Dubai's Club of the Century/Image: Wikipedia Cultural icon: Seven Pro League titles and a revered legacy since the 1960s Local impact: "Club of the Century" in Dubai, nurtures homegrown talent and inspires local support and identity. 8. Al‑Nasr SC (UAE) One of the UAE's oldest clubs/Image: Wikipedia Foundational strength: One of the UAE's oldest clubs, founded in 1945, with multiple league successes Role: Maintains firm grassroots presence, develops local talent, and contributes heavily to Dubai's football narrative. 9. Al‑Sadd (Qatar) Qatar's continental star/Image: Wikipedia Continental star: Qatar Stars League leader with 64 domestic trophies Twice Asian champions (1989, 2011) Significance: Boosted by post‑World Cup infrastructure and deepened regional appeal, Al‑Sadd remains Qatar's dominant force. 10. Al‑Rayyan (Qatar) Famous for consistent performance and legacy/Image: Wikipedia Traditional heavyweights: Eight league titles, six Emir Cup wins, and home of Ahmad bin Ali Stadium Presence: Deep local roots, fan-based momentum, and consistent top-tier performance define their legacy. Why These Clubs Matter in the Gulf Today Continental dominance: Saudi clubs lead with multiple ACL medals and Club World Cup breakthroughs Financial firepower: Backed by PIF and big names, Gulf leagues now attract stars away from Europe Cultural engines: UAE clubs to Qatar's post‑World Cup momentum, football is shaping national identity Tourism & youth impact: Clubs are key to sports tourism and building youth engagement across the Gulf
Arab News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Al Hilal showed Saudi league not just about money, says Koulibaly
'Everyone thinks that when we went there we only went for the financial argument but we showed that we are working over there,' Koulibaly said'We want to improve the league, we have improved a lot in two years'ORLANDO: Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal bowed out of the Club World Cup on Friday, after a 2-1 defeat to Fluminense, but after an unexpected run to the last eight they have left their mark on the global Inzaghi's team beat Manchester City 4-3 in the round-of-16, delivering the biggest upset of the tournament and one of the competition's most thrilling Hilal began their campaign with a draw against Spanish giants Real Madrid and they came through the group stage unbeaten with a draw against Champions League regulars Salzburg and a 2-0 win over six-times CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Pachuca of a squad that mixes local Saudi talent with international recruits, the newly appointed Inzaghi was able to take the team to the brink of the last former Napoli defender and Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly, one of the expensively recruited foreign players, the performances at the first 32-team Club World Cup, were a message that the Saudi league is not just a lucrative retirement home for European and South American players.'We showed that the teams from Saudi are very strong, very powerful and we have a lot of good players. Everyone thinks that when we went there we only went for the financial argument but we showed that we are working over there,' he told reporters.'We showed it at this World Cup and every team who played against us can see that we have talent. We want to improve the league, we have improved a lot in two years,' he was one of the early recruits to the Saudi Pro League, after leaving Premier League team Chelsea to join the Riyadh club and he said he has witnessed rapid growth in the league.'I was there at the beginning and I see today it is very tough. We saw it last year and next year it will be tougher as more players are coming. The Saudi league is taking a nice place in the football world and we are happy because we are part of a very nice project and want to show all the world that the football is improving,' he who left Inter Milan and took charge of the team shortly before the tournament began, says he has been impressed with what he has seen from his players so far.'Clearly, for me and my staff, it was very important to be able to play in this World Cup. We realized what kind of team we have, the quality of our players, the pleasure with which they work every day. Now we are looking forward to a great season,' he said.
France 24
05-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Al Hilal showed Saudi league not just about money, says Koulibaly
Simone Inzaghi's team beat Manchester City 4-3 in the round-of-16, delivering the biggest upset of the tournament and one of the competition's most thrilling games. Al Hilal began their campaign with a draw against Spanish giants Real Madrid and they came through the group stage unbeaten with a draw against Champions League regulars Salzburg and a 2-0 win over six-times CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Pachuca of Mexico. With a squad that mixes local Saudi talent with international recruits, the newly appointed Inzaghi was able to take the team to the brink of the last four. For former Napoli defender and Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly, one of the expensively recruited foreign players, the performances at the first 32-team Club World Cup, were a message that the Saudi league is not just a lucrative retirement home for European and South American players. "We showed that the teams from Saudi are very strong, very powerful and we have a lot of good players. Everyone thinks that when we went there we only went for the financial argument but we showed that we are working over there," he told reporters. "We showed it at this World Cup and every team who played against us can see that we have talent. We want to improve the league, we have improved a lot in two years," he added. Koulibaly was one of the early recruits to the Saudi Pro League, after leaving Premier League team Chelsea to join the Riyadh club and he said he has witnessed rapid growth in the league. "I was there at the beginning and I see today it is very tough. We saw it last year and next year it will be tougher as more players are coming. The Saudi league is taking a nice place in the football world and we are happy because we are part of a very nice project and want to show all the world that the football is improving," he said. Inzaghi, who left Inter Milan and took charge of the team shortly before the tournament began, says he has been impressed with what he has seen from his players so far. "Clearly, for me and my staff, it was very important to be able to play in this World Cup. We realised what kind of team we have, the quality of our players, the pleasure with which they work every day. Now we are looking forward to a great season," he said. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Al Hilal showed Saudi league not just about money, says Koulibaly
Al Hilal's Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly believes his team showed at the Club World Cup that the Saudi Pro League is not just about money. (CHANDAN KHANNA) Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal bowed out of the Club World Cup on Friday, after a 2-1 defeat to Fluminense, but after an unexpected run to the last eight they have left their mark on the global stage. Simone Inzaghi's team beat Manchester City 4-3 in the round-of-16, delivering the biggest upset of the tournament and one of the competition's most thrilling games. Advertisement Al Hilal began their campaign with a draw against Spanish giants Real Madrid and they came through the group stage unbeaten with a draw against Champions League regulars Salzburg and a 2-0 win over six-times CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Pachuca of Mexico. With a squad that mixes local Saudi talent with international recruits, the newly appointed Inzaghi was able to take the team to the brink of the last four. For former Napoli defender and Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly, one of the expensively recruited foreign players, the performances at the first 32-team Club World Cup, were a message that the Saudi league is not just a lucrative retirement home for European and South American players. "We showed that the teams from Saudi are very strong, very powerful and we have a lot of good players. Everyone thinks that when we went there we only went for the financial argument but we showed that we are working over there," he told reporters. Advertisement "We showed it at this World Cup and every team who played against us can see that we have talent. We want to improve the league, we have improved a lot in two years," he added. Koulibaly was one of the early recruits to the Saudi Pro League, after leaving Premier League team Chelsea to join the Riyadh club and he said he has witnessed rapid growth in the league. "I was there at the beginning and I see today it is very tough. We saw it last year and next year it will be tougher as more players are coming. The Saudi league is taking a nice place in the football world and we are happy because we are part of a very nice project and want to show all the world that the football is improving," he said. Inzaghi, who left Inter Milan and took charge of the team shortly before the tournament began, says he has been impressed with what he has seen from his players so far. Advertisement "Clearly, for me and my staff, it was very important to be able to play in this World Cup. We realised what kind of team we have, the quality of our players, the pleasure with which they work every day. Now we are looking forward to a great season," he said. sev/rbs
New York Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Al Hilal's Kalidou Koulibaly calls out lack of penalties in Club World Cup loss
Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly claims 'everybody in the world' saw that the officials should have awarded him two penalties as the Saudi Pro League side lost 2-1 to Fluminense in the quarter-final of the Club World Cup. The Senegal international went to the ground twice in the second half, but referee Danny Makkelie waved his appeals away both times. Advertisement Al Hilal was awarded a penalty in the first half for a trip on Marcos Leonardo, but it was overturned by video assistant referee (VAR). Koulibaly went down from a corner, claiming to have been pulled, and later collapsed to the ground when he felt contact on his heel. The referee did not consult the monitor. 'We made a good game, we wanted to win and we deserved more,' said Koulibaly. 'But at the end of the game, everybody in the world saw it. I don't know why the referee didn't go over to check the VAR two times on me. I don't understand. 'Sometimes we want to accept everything but when you lose like this it is a shame. We did everything in the game and it was the chance of our life. The referee didn't do his job for me, and during the half-time, he came out to speak to us very badly. I don't understand this aggression with the Al Hilal team.' After beating Manchester City in the last 16, Al Hilal's loss to Fluminense came as a disappointment. The former Napoli and Chelsea centre-back found it difficult to accept his team did not have a chance to score from the spot. 'I can understand the penalty in the first half as it is difficult to interpret,' said Koulibaly. 'So I told him I accept it even if I don't agree, but after the two last ones from me, at the corner kick, (it) was incredible. 'If you don't see this as a penalty, I don't know what you see as a penalty. They want us to cooperate with them, but they also have to cooperate with us. When you don't go to check the VAR, I don't understand. He went to check in the first half but he also has to check for the second and third. Koulibaly says there was a disagreement with Makkelie as they came back out of the tunnel. 'Maybe he was a little late at half time, but there are some ways to speak to the players,' Koulibaly said. 'Every referee wants to be helped by the team, but when you speak to us like this, I don't think it's normal. Fluminese want to win, we want to win. They have to accept that we want to win. 'I think when you see the two penalties like this and you lose like this, for me I am very sad. It is not that Fluminese make it difficult, but the world saw it, and we are going home.'
