Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club was founded on 16 October 1957 in Riyadh, taking its name from the Arabic word for "crescent moon". Long known by the nickname Az-Za'eem ("The Boss"), Al-Hilal has grown into the most decorated club in Saudi Arabian football and one of the most successful in Asian football history. The team plays at Kingdom Arena, a modern 26,000-capacity venue inaugurated in 2024.
Domestically, Al-Hilal hold the record number of Saudi Pro League titles (around 19), as well as more than a dozen King Cup and Crown Prince Cup honours. The 2019-20 season was historic — the club completed a treble of league title, AFC Champions League and King Cup. On the continental stage, Al-Hilal have won the AFC Champions League four times (1991, 2000, 2019, 2021), more than any other Asian club. In July 2025 they became the first Asian club ever to defeat a Premier League side in an official match, knocking out Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season saw Al-Hilal complete an unbeaten campaign to reclaim the title. The club's most heated rivalry is with Al-Nassr, contested as the Riyadh Derby (Saudi El Clásico), with around 180 senior meetings on record. The matchup against Jeddah giants Al-Ittihad is also widely followed.
In 2009 the IFFHS named Al-Hilal the Asian Club of the 20th Century. The current squad blends Saudi captains and homegrown talent — most notably winger Salem Al-Dawsari — with high-profile international signings such as Neymar, Karim Benzema, Rúben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.