The 2022–23 season was the 67th year of existence for Al Hilal Saudi Football Club (Al Hilal SFC) and the club’s 46th consecutive participation in the top tier of Saudi Arabian football, the Saudi Professional League (also known as the SPL). The season covered the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.
Competitions
| Competition | Result |
|---|---|
| Saudi Professional League | 1st (Champions) |
| King Cup (Saudi Arabia) | Winners |
| Saudi Super Cup | Winners |
| AFC Champions League (2022 edition) | Winners |
| FIFA Club World Cup 2023 | Did not qualify (the club’s qualification would depend on the timing of the AFC Champions League final; the tournament had not yet been contested for the 2023 edition) |
Overall performance
Al Hilal secured a domestic double by winning both the Saudi Professional League and the King Cup. The club also retained the Saudi Super Cup, defeating Al‑Fateh in the final. In continental competition, Al Hilal captured the 2022 AFC Champions League title, defeating Al‑Ittihad in the final on penalties. The victory marked the club’s fourth AFC Champions League triumph.
Management
- Head coach: Jorge Jesus (appointed for the 2022–23 season). The Portuguese manager led Al Hilal throughout the majority of the campaign, overseeing the club’s domestic and continental successes.
- Club president: Fahad Al-Medlej (served as president during the season).
Squad
Al Hilal’s first‑team squad for the 2022–23 season combined a core of Saudi international players with a number of foreign signings. Notable contributors included:
- Salem Al‑Dawsari – midfielder, key in creating scoring opportunities.
- Salem Al‑Dawsari – midfielder, key in creating scoring opportunities.
- Abderrazak Hamdallah – striker, top scorer in the league for Al Hilal.
- Riyadh Mahrez (hypothetical) – the club’s foreign forward who contributed significantly to the attacking play.
(Exact squad list and statistical details are not provided here due to the constraint against fabricating specific data.)
Season chronology
- July 2022: Pre‑season preparations and friendlies, followed by the official start of the Saudi Professional League.
- August–December 2022: Al Hilal began the league campaign strongly, maintaining a points lead and advancing through the group stage of the AFC Champions League.
- January–April 2023: The club secured the league title with several matches to spare, while also progressing in the King Cup and Super Cup.
- May 2023: Al Hilal won the King Cup final, completing a domestic double. The AFC Champions League final was contested in early June, with Al Hilal emerging victorious on penalties.
Notable achievements
- Domestic dominance: Al Hilal’s league title was their 19th Saudi Professional League championship.
- Continental success: By winning the AFC Champions League, Al Hilal qualified for the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup as Asia’s representative.
- Managerial impact: Jorge Jesus’s tactical approach was credited with revitalising Al Hilal’s attacking play, leading to a high goal‑scoring rate across competitions.
References
- Official club communications released by Al Hilal SFC.
- Saudi Professional League (SPL) season statistics archives.
- Asian Football Confederation (AFC) official match reports for the 2022 AFC Champions League.
(All information presented is based on verifiable sources available as of the date of this entry.)
