Al Hilal celebrate creating world football history with 28th consecutive win

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Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus has expressed his delight after the Roshn Saudi League club created world football history by winning their 28th consecutive match in all competitions.

The RSL leaders’ 2-0 win over Al Ittihad in Jeddah in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday night overtook Welsh club The News Saints’ run of 27 wins achieved in season 2016-17. Prior to that, the record stood for 44 years after Dutch giants Ajax’s 26-game winning streak between 1971 and 1972.

Al Hilal are unbeaten this season, 12 points clear at the top of the league, and have reached the semi-finals of the King’s Cup and AFC Champions League. They began their world record run on September 25, with notable wins achieved during the 28-game streak including a 3-0 Riyadh Derby triumph over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in December.

“Everyone at Al Hilal is delighted to achieve world football history by winning 28 consecutive matches. This is truly an incredible achievement and I want to thank everyone at the club for their part in this momentous winning record – the President, the board of directors, the players, my staff and the fans," said Jesus.

“As I have said throughout this period, however, records do not matter as much as trophies. It is up to everyone at Al Hilal to ensure that we close out the season as Roshn Saudi League champions and meet our targets in the cup competitions. Only then can we truly celebrate.”

Second-half goals from Saudi Arabian left-back Yasser Al Shahrani – playing his 400th match for the club – and Brazilian attacker Malcom earned Al Hilal a 2-0 victory on the night versus Al Ittihad, sealing a 4-0 aggregate AFC Champions League quarter-final triumph. Al Hilal equalled the world record on Friday by beating Al Riyadh 3-1 in the Roshn Saudi League.

Al Hilal’s 28-game winning success is perhaps even more remarkable considering it was largely achieved without record signing Neymar, who joined in the summer. The Brazilian suffered a season-ending injury in October on international duty and only participated in two matches during the successful streak.

“Losing Neymar to injury was a significant blow but our team has come together magnificently. Everyone throughout the squad has contributed this season so far – both our other major international players and talented Saudi Arabian players. It has very much been a squad effort. I reiterate, however, that what is important now is that the squad continues to work hard in our aim of securing trophies this season. That’s what matters most for Al Hilal.”