Former Saudi Arabia international Hamad Al-Montashari believes Al Hilal’s squad can challenge for the UEFA Champions League title.
The Saudi champions have continued their lucrative recruitment this summer, bringing in Benfica’s Marcos Leonardo, João Cancelo of Manchester City, and Moteb Al-Harbi for a total fee of €93.95 million.
This took Al Hilal’s squad value to €243.65 million due to the presence of several world-class names like Neymar, Rúben Neves, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Aleksandar Mitrović, Malcom, and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Al Hilal fans will hope that these names will be enough to lead the team to win their first AFC Champions League title in three years as well as respectable results in the newly formed Club World Cup.
However, former Saudi international and Ittihad legend believes the club should increase their ambitions as their squad can compete for the UEFA Champions League title and reach the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.
Al-Montashari said on Saudi TV Programme on Wednesday: “With the names that Al Hilal have, they can easily reach the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.
“If Al Hilal participated in the UEFA Champions League, they could compete for the title because they have a group of outstanding technical players.
“In terms of the Saudi Pro League, they are the most prepared team.”
Al Hilal will participate in the first version of the newly formed Club World Cup hosted by the USA.
The Saudi Champions are one of four Asian Teams participating in the tournament besides Al Ain, South Korean club Ulsan HD FC, and Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds.
Three other Arabic teams will also compete in the tournament alongside Al Hilal, namely Egypt’s Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, and Tunisian giants Esperance Sportive De Tunis.
The draw for the tournament will be conducted on 9 December 2025.
