The Crown Prince crowns Al-Hilal with the King's Cup after a dramatic final against Al-Nassr
On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, honored the final match of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for the 2023-2024 sports season, which brought together the two poles of the capital, Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr.
On a historic night of football at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, known as "The Shining Jewel," His Royal Highness the Crown Prince crowned Al-Hilal champions after their victory over arch-rivals Al-Nassr in a penalty shootout (5-4), following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The match was attended by a large crowd and prominent sports figures, reflecting the immense prestige of this tournament.
Historical background and importance of the tournament
The King's Cup, first held in 1957, is the oldest and most prestigious tournament in the history of Saudi Arabian football. It holds immense symbolic value as it bears the name of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and winning it is a great honor for all participating clubs. The final match between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, known as the "Riyadh Derby," is considered one of the fiercest rivalries in the Arab world and Asia, given the long-standing competition between the two clubs and their massive fan bases.
The impact of the event and its future dimensions
This grand final comes as the culmination of an exceptional season for Saudi football, which witnessed a tremendous leap forward in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The attraction of some of the world's biggest football stars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo for Al-Nassr, and Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Yassine Bounou for Al-Hilal, has contributed to raising the level of competition and increasing global media coverage of the Saudi league and tournaments. The patronage and presence of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince at the final sends a clear message of the unlimited support the sports sector receives from the wise leadership, with the aim of making the Kingdom a leading global sporting destination.
With this victory, Al-Hilal added their eleventh King's Cup title to their history, completing a domestic treble this season after winning the Saudi Professional League and the Saudi Super Cup, thus confirming their dominance in Saudi football. For their part, Al-Nassr delivered a strong performance and fierce competition, making the final one of the most exciting in the tournament's history, reflecting the significant development and high technical level that Saudi Arabian football has reached.
