Club World Cup runners-up Al Hilal given hero's welcome on return to Riyadh

Saudi Arabian side, the first from the kingdom to reach the final, were beaten 5-3 by Real Madrid

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  Al Hilal players and staff arrive in Riyadh after finishing runners-up at the Fifa Club World Cup. Reuters

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  Al Hilal's Salem Al Dawsari on stage after arriving in Riyadh. Reuters

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  Al Hilal fans cheers on the team after their return to Riyadh. Reuters

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  Al Hilal's Andre Carrillo speaks on stage after arriving in Riyadh. Reuters

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  Al Hilal fans cheer on the team on their return. Reuters

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  Al Hilal's Moussa Marega and Nasser Aldawsari on stage after arriving in Riyadh. Reuters

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  Al Hilal's Jang Hyun-soo speaks on stage after arriving in Riyadh. Reuters

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  Al Hilal's Luciano Vietto speaks on stage after arriving in Riyadh. Reuters

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  Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz speaks on stage after arriving in Riyadh. Reuters

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  Al Hilal players on stage after arriving back in Riyadh from the Fifa Club World Cup. Photo: Al Hilal

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  Al Hilal players and staff step off the plane in Riyadh after returning from the Fifa Club World Cup. Photo: Al Hilal

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  Andre Carrillo and Luciano Vietto walk from the plane after returning to Riyadh. Photo: Al Hilal

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  A fireworks display in Riyadh to celebrate Al Hilal's runner-up finish at the Fifa Club World Cup. Photo: Al Hilal

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  Al Hilal players on stage after returning to Riyadh from the Fifa Club World Cup. Photo: Al Hilal

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  Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport, welcomes Al Hilal back to Riyadh. Photo: Al Hilal

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  Al Hilal players on stage in Riyadh. Photo: Al Hilal

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  Al Hilal supporters cheer the players after their return to Riyadh. Photo: Al Hilal

Al Hilal received a rapturous welcome home following their runner-up finish at the Fifa Club World Cup.

The Saudi Arabian side, the current Asian champions, were beaten 5-3 by European counterparts Real Madrid in Saturday’s final in Morocco.

Hilal had already made history at the tournament, becoming the first Saudi Arabian team to reach the Club World Cup showpiece. Their previous best performance was third, in 2019 and 2021.

Speaking after the final in Rabat, Hilal manager Ramon Diaz said: "I have to congratulate my players. It was a tough, difficult game, but we showed that we have class and that we deserved to get here. I also thank the people for their support and who watched us - we hope we put on a good show.”

Madrid’s victory came courtesy of doubles from Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde, while the returning Karim Benzema was also on the scoresheet. Hilal forward Moussa Marega had halved the deficit midway through the first half, with teammate Luciano Vietto striking twice in the second half.

Hilal had last week beaten South American champions Flamengo in the semi-final to set up the clash against Madrid.

On competing against the Spanish giants, who now have a record-extending five Club World Cup titles, Diaz said: “When you have an opponent of this category, they put you under pressure due to the quality of the players they have. In general terms we didn't make so many mistakes, but the quality of the opponent creates chances for you and makes them happen to you.

“But it's not easy to score three goals against Real Madrid - that's why I'm proud. All the people of Al Hilal surely are. I'm very happy for the quality, for the attitude, for scoring three goals and competing until the end.”

Hilal returned to Riyadh on Sunday, where they were greeted at the airport by Saudi minister of sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal and other dignitaries. The squad and staff then were presented on stage in the city in front of thousands of supporters, where Diaz addressed the crowd, along with some of the team’s senior players.

Currently fourth in the Saudi Pro League – they have games on hand on their title rivals – Hilal resume the defence of their crown on Wednesday, away to Al Fayha. A win would take them to within two points of the summit.