What is the best Saudi Pro League team? It’s a question fans around the world are asking as Saudi football steps into the international spotlight. Below, ProteanCup will take you through everything that matters—titles, recent performance, stars, culture—and make a strong case for which club deserves the crown.
What defines “best”
To decide which team is the best, we need criteria. Here are the metrics I’ll use:
- Total domestic titles (league wins, cups)
- Continental success (AFC Champions League, etc.)
- Recent form
- Squad strength & global profile (star players, financial power)
- Legacy & fanbase
Top contenders in the Saudi Pro League
A few clubs are always in the conversation:
- Al-Hilal
- Al-Ittihad
- Al-Nassr
- Al-Ahli
Each has a case. Let’s compare.
Al-Hilal: The heavyweight
History & trophies
- Al-Hilal is the most successful club in Saudi Pro League history, with a record number of league titles.
- They also have a rich haul of domestic cups: King’s Cup, Crown Prince Cup, Federation/Su.
- On the Asian stage they’ve won multiple AFC Champions League titles (including recent ones), and have often been among the strongest Asian clubs in international competitions.
Recent form
- As of the 2023-24 season, Al-Hilal were champions of the league.
- In 2024-25, although they didn’t win the league, they remained title challengers.
Squad & global presence
- They have made major signings and drawn international stars. The club is one of the “big four” in Saudi Arabia that has benefitted.
- Large fanbase, strong home presence, significant brand recognition across Asia and increasingly globally.
Al-Ittihad: The fierce rival
- In 2024-25, Al-Ittihad won the Saudi Pro League title, affirming that they are not just historical but also current threat.
- Strong squad, smart transfer moves (including marquee players). They have a passionate fanbase and a history of affecting big matches.
Al-Nassr & others
- Al-Nr: Thanks to big name players (e.g. Cristiano Ronaldo), they have elevated their profile immensely. They frequently compete for top spots.
- Al-Ahli: Historically important, with domestic success and a recent AFC Champions League title.
Conclusion: Best Saudi Pro League team
Putting everything together, the strongest case for best team goes to Al-Hilal. Here’s a summary:
- Most titles overall, both league and domestic cups.
- Consistent performance over decades, rarely far.
- Strong continental pedigree: they don’t just dominate domestically, they also make their mark in AFC competitions.
- Recent success, global recognition, top-level squad depth.
Al-Ittihad is very close: they’re challengers, they have momentum, and recent form shows they can win. But in terms of full package — history, trophies, influence — Al-Hilal still stands slightly ahead.
Conclusion
If you want a direct answer: Al-Hilal is the best Saudi Pro League team by a small margin. They combine history, trophies, recent strength, and international prestige in a way that few clubs in Saudi Arabia match.
ProteanCup hopes this article helped you see why that is, not just who. If you liked this breakdown, check out our comparison between Al-Hilal vs Al-Nassr in detail, or our preview of the next season’s title race—to stay ahead of the story.
