Al Ittihad cemented their dominance in Saudi Arabian football with a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Al Raed on Thursday, securing their 10th Saudi Pro League title two games early. The Jeddah-based club overcame an early setback to extend their legacy as one of the Middle East’s most successful teams.
The breakthrough moment came despite spirited resistance from already-relegated Al Raed, who stunned fans with Omar González’s ninth-minute opener. Al Ittihad’s response was swift: Dutch forward Steven Bergwijn leveled the score by the 21st minute, while Danilo Pereira’s header and Abdulrahman Al Oboud’s second-half strike sealed their historic triumph.
With 77 points from 32 matches, Laurent Blanc’s squad now holds an unassailable nine-point lead over rivals Al Hilal. The victory marks Al Ittihad’s first league title since 2023 and sets up a potential double as they prepare for the King’s Cup final against Al Qadsiah on May 30.
The win underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing prominence in global football, attracting international talent and spotlighting competitive regional leagues. For investors and sports analysts, it signals continued momentum in the kingdom’s sports infrastructure investments ahead of major events like the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
