Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal has given Al Hilal’s player’s SR1m ($266,500) each after they defeated South American champions Flamengo in the Club World Cup.
It is the first time a team from the Middle East has reached the final of the annual international club competition and a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the game.
Al Hilal will face Real Madrid in the tournament final on Saturday and Alwaleed has promised to repeat the bonus if the Saudi side claim another historic win.
Saudi football bonus
The Club World Cup is a FIFA competition contested by the winners of Champions League tournaments in Asia, Africa, North and Central America, South America, Oceania and Europe. Al Hilal were nominated to join to represent the Asian Football Confederation.
Prince Alwaleed is a known supporter of Al Hilal and took to social media after the Saudi side defeated South American side Flamengo to offer the bonus to players.
The win was also applauded by the Saudi government.
Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal said: “The win is a tangible confirmation of the great distinction that Saudi sports has experienced recently,” in a statement carried out by the Saudi Press Agency.
Local media in the Kingdom reported the sports minister also gave the players a SR500,000 ($133,000) bonus after the win.
The victory came after two Salem Aldawsari penalties and a goal from Luciano Vietto were enough to see decorated Al Hilal defeat Brazil’s Flamengo in host country Morocco.
The first incident of the game involved two players who weren’t expected to start. Matheuzinho tripped Luciano Vietto and the referee pointed to the spot.
Salem Aldawsari grabbed the ball and, although Moussa Marega attempted to take it off him, the Saudi Arabia international tucked his penalty into the bottom corner.
Flamengo were level before the clock hit 20. Everton Ribeiro slipped the ball to Pedro, who stylishly side-footed it into the bottom corner.
Deep into first-half stoppage-time, the contest swung dramatically in the Saudis’ favour. Gerson conceded a spot-kick and was consequently sent off for a second yellow card. Aldawsari again made no mistake from 12 yards to put Al Hilal ahead.
Vietto smashed the ball into the roof of the net to extend the lead with 20 minutes remaining, and though Pedro’s second of the game gave them a nervy last few moments, Al Hilal held on to record a famous victory.
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