The history of the rivalry between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal: from the pitch to social media platforms
The historic rivalry between Riyadh's two giants, Al-Nassr andAl-Hilal, is no longer confined to the pitch. With the explosive growth of digital media, the fever of the "Riyadh Derby" has spilled over into social media platforms, particularly Twitter (formerly known as "X"). This decades-long rivalry, considered one of the fiercest both locally and regionally, has taken on new dimensions, manifesting as a "war of words" and veiled media messages, adding an extra layer of excitement for followers of the Saudi Professional League.
Victory tweets: innocent coincidence or veiled messages?
The tweets from Al-Nassr's official account often spark controversy in sporting circles, especially when their timing and wording coincide with the results of matches involving their arch-rivals, Al-Hilal. This recurring pattern, combining precise wording with sensitive timing, leaves these posts open to multiple interpretations.
The “dam” incident in the Asian scene
The most recent example was Al-Hilal's match against Qatari club Al-Sadd in the AFC Champions League. While fans were watching Al-Hilal's struggles, Al-Nassr's official account posted a tweet that read: "The impenetrable wall of their great victory... Your impactful presence is the strength that supports your stars... We attend in yellow... And for the sake of yellow, we support and stand by." Although the post appeared to be a motivational message to Al-Nassr fans, the use of the word "Al-Sadd" in conjunction with Al-Hilal's match gave it another dimension for followers, who considered it a clever reference to their rival's Asian setback.
The “cooperation” incident in the local league
Going back to before that, specifically after Al-Hilal's stumble in the domestic league against Al-Taawoun, Al-Nassr's account posted a similar message saying: "26,000 fans united for Al-Nassr. Everyone brings whomever they want... and we will bring these loyal fans... Let's work together for the sake of the global club." Here, the phrase "let's work together" became a point of contention due to its exact match with the name of Al-Hilal's rival team and its timing, coming immediately after the match.
Public division over media discourse
This sequence of using terms like "cooperation" and then "dam" has raised questions about the meaning of these tweets, leading to a clear division in the sports community:
- Criticism and calls for independence: A segment of the fans criticized those managing Al-Nassr's social media accounts, arguing that the media discourse has become preoccupied with Al-Hilal, even in tournaments where Al-Nassr isn't participating. They believe that a club of Al-Nassr's size and history should focus its discourse solely on its own team and players.
- The coincidence theory: On the other hand, others believe that this connection is exaggerated, that the publications came in their natural context to stimulate the masses without any ulterior motive, and that interpreting them in this way is merely a reflection of the sensitivity of mass competition.
- The beauty of football: While a third party argues that such innuendos – if they actually exist – remain part of the “beauty of the game” and the legitimate rivalries in football, where competition extends to the details of media discourse without turning into direct abuse.
The impact of the "social media war" on Saudi football
With the Saudi league attracting global stars, Saudi clubs' social media accounts have garnered millions of international followers. This surge in popularity makes any tweet or veiled message a rich source of material for local and international sports media. These media interactions are part of the soft power and marketing of the leagues, increasing fan engagement and raising the market value of the competitions, thus confirming that the Riyadh derby doesn't end with the final whistle.
