Al-Ahli Saudi FC
Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club, commonly known as Al-Ahli, is a Saudi professional football club based in Jeddah. It competes in the Saudi Pro League, the top tier of Saudi football.
Since its founding in 1937, the club has been known as one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia. Domestically, Al-Ahli has won 3 Saudi Professional Leagues, 13 Kings Cups, 6 Crown Prince Cups, 2 Super Cups and 5 Federations Cups. In international club football, they have won 1 AFC Champions League Elite, a record equal of three GCC Champions League and one Arab Club Championship. Al-Ahli was the first Saudi club to win the league and the King's Cup in the same season, and has done so twice - in 1978 and 2016.
Al-Ahli was one of the four founding members of the Saudi Pro League and had never been relegated from the top flight until the 2021–22 season. The other three are Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Nassr. Al-Ahli hold the record for the longest unbeaten run in the league with their 51-match unbeaten streak from 2014 to 2016.
Al-Ahli's home games are played at King Abdullah Sports City, also known as the shining jewel Stadium. The stadium, which is shared with long-lasting city rivals Al-Ittihad since 2014 and Jeddah FC, is the second-largest stadium in Saudi Arabia, with a total capacity of approximately.
History
Founded in 1937 by four young men, the Al-Ahli Club is located on Jeddah's largest street, Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Street. The idea of Al-Ahli was conceived by students in Al-Falah school. Al-Falah is the oldest school in the city of Jeddah.Prince Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the Honorary Members and Honorary Members of the club throughout its history, became a manager of the club while it was headed by Abdul Aziz Al Anqari.
The former Brazilian coach, Telê Santana, coached Al-Ahli from 1983 to 1985 and won two titles, the League in 1984 and the King Cup in 1983. Al-Ahli has played in eighteen King Cup finals. They've won thirteen of them and came runners up five times.
From 2014 to 2016, under the management of Swiss coach Christian Gross, the team won four titles with him. 2014–15 Saudi Crown Prince Cup, 2015–16 Saudi Professional League and 2016 King Cup. Al-Ahli has won every major competition in which it has competed, with the exception of the AFC Champions League (in this competition, they have lost two finals, in 1985–86 Asian Club Championship and 2012 AFC Champions League. They were also the first Saudi Club to play in the Asian Final. Al Ahli is one of the big four clubs in Saudi Arabia along with Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and their local rivals Al Ittihad.
Golden era in the 1960s and 1970s
Al-Ahli won 7 Saudi League titles, five of them being consecutive league titles without a single defeat, 4 King Cup and one Crown Prince Cup, establishing itself as the strongest club across Saudi Arabia. These titles were later officially recognized, contributing to Al-Ahli's current record of nine league titles.The team was led by players such as Abdulrazzaq Abu Dawood, Amin Dabo, and Ahmed Eid.
In 1978, Al-Ahli won its first unified Saudi Premier League title.
Diego Maradona's appearance with Al-Ahli
In 1987, during Al-Ahli 50th anniversary, Diego Maradona made an appearance for Al-Ahli. The Argentine footballer wore an Al-Ahli jersey and participated in the celebratory match held in Jeddah.Shield of Sports Excellence and the title of ambassador of the homeland
In 2009, the club celebrated its 75th anniversary. On 3 July 2009, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz received the heads and members of the honor of the club and its board of directors, on the occasion of Al-Ahli winning four International titles in 2008. The club was awarded the highest honor; it was presented with the shield of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for sports excellence, and the title "Ambassador of the Homeland".2015–16 season: Historic treble
In the 2015–16 season, the club secured a historic treble by winning the Saudi Professional League, the King Cup, and the Saudi Super Cup under the management of Swiss coach Christian Gross. Al-Ahli earned the league title two rounds before the end, after a 3–1 victory against rivals Al-Hilal at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. Syrian striker Omar Al Somah scored two goals.Al-Ahli captured the King Cup, defeating Al-Nassr 2–1 in the final, with Al Somah once again scoring. Later that year, Al-Ahli completed the treble by winning the Saudi Super Cup, held in London at Craven Cottage, after defeating Al-Hilal on penalties following a 1–1 draw.
Al-Ahli vs FC Barcelona friendly match (2016)
On 13 December 2016, Al-Ahli played a friendly match against FC Barcelona at the Thani bin Jassim Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The match was part of the "Champions Match" organized by Qatar Airways, which was the official sponsor of both clubs at the timeBarcelona won the match 5–3, with goals scored by Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suárez, Paco Alcácer, and Rafinha.
Al-Ahli responded with three goals of their own.
2025 AFC Champions League
On 3 May 2025, Al-Ahli were crowned champions of the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite after defeating Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in the final with a score of 2–0. The match was held at King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah. Galeno scored the first goal at 35th minute with an out of the box shot to the top right corner, and Franck Kessie scored the second with a header at 42nd minute, the two goals were assisted by Roberto Firmino This marked Al-Ahli's first title in the AFC Champions League.Al-Ahli's relationship with Brazilian football
Matches with Brazil national team
In 1989, Al-Ahli hosted the Brazil national team in a friendly match at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah. Brazil won the match 3–1, with goals scored by Bebeto and Washington, while Al-Ahli's only goal was scored by Al-Mualla.The Brazilian national team also conducted official training sessions at Al-Ahli's facilities during their stay for the inaugural King Fahd Cup, which later evolved into the FIFA Confederations Cup.
In addition to the 1989 encounter, Al-Ahli faced Brazilian opposition again during the 1998 International Friendship Tournament, further strengthening the club's historical ties with Brazilian football.
Brazilian managers at Al-Ahli
Throughout its history, Al-Ahli has been managed by several prominent Brazilian coaches:- Telê Santana: Managed Al-Ahli from 1983 to 1985, leading the team to win the Saudi Professional League title in 1984 and the King Cup in 1983.
- Luiz Felipe Scolari: Coached Al-Ahli during the 1991–1992 season.
- Didi: Managed Al-Ahli in the late 1970s.
Brazilian players at Al-Ahli
- Victor Simões is a Brazilian former striker who played for Al-Ahli Saudi FC from 2010 to 2013. At the 2012 AFC Champions League, he scored the 2nd goal at the 84th minute in the semi-finals 2nd leg derby against the hometown rivals Al-Ittihad.
- Roberto Firmino: Joined Al-Ahli in July 2023 after leaving Liverpool.
- Roger Ibañez: Joined Al-Ahli in 2023 after leaving Roma.
Honours
Domestic
- Saudi Pro League :
- *Champions : 1977–78, 1983–84, 2015–16
- *Runners-up : 1989–90, 1995–96, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2002–03, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18
- Saudi First Division League :
- *Champion: 2022–23
- King's Cup:
- *Winners : 1962, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 2011, 2012, 2016
- *Runners-up: 1974, 1976, 1984, 2014, 2017
- Saudi Super Cup:
- *Winners : 2016, 2025
- Crown Prince's Cup:
- *Winners : 1957, 1970, 1998, 2002, 2006–07, 2014–15
- *Runners-up: 1958, 1974, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009–10, 2015–16
- Saudi Federation Cup:
- *Winners : 2001, 2002, 2007
- *Runners-up: 1976, 1989, 1991, 1997, 2003, 2006
- General League Shield
- *Winners: 1968–69
- Saudi Founder's Cup:
- *Runners-up: 1999–2000
International
- AFC Champions League Elite:
- *Winners: 2024–25
- *Runners-up: 1985–86, 2012
- Arab Champions League:
- *Winners: 2002–03
- Gulf Club Champions Cup:
- *Winners: 1985, 2002, 2008
- *Winners: 2001, 2002
- *Runners-up: 1997, 1999
Kits and crest
Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
Players
Current squad
U21 squad
Out on loan
Records
Asian record
Overview
| Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| Asian Club Championship / AFC Champions League | 116 | 58 | 28 | 30 | 199 | 137 |
| Asian Cup Winners' Cup | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 120 | 61 | 28 | 31 | 208 | 140 |
Syria