Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly claimed the first-ever league title of his career after Al-Hilal were crowned the 2023–24 Saudi Pro League champion on Saturday following their 4-1 win over Al-Hazm at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
The former Napoli and Chelsea man anchored the backline for Al-Hilal, who won their 19th league title and their fourth in five seasons, as they emerged as champions with three games to spare.
🏆 #AlHilal is the CHAMPION of Roshn Saudi League for the 19th time, the 68th title in the history 👏🏻
Congratulations 💪🏻💙#CHAMP19NS 🥇 #AlHilal68 ✅ pic.twitter.com/iQYfdZzISL— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) May 11, 2024
Kalidou got his second trophy since his move to the Middle East in 2023, having also won the Saudi Super Cup last month after they beat Al-Ittihad 4-1 in the final.
Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring for Al-Hilal in the 15th minute, but Faiz Selemani drew the visitors level in the 34th minute. Nevertheless, the hosts got back in front five minutes later following an own goal from Al-Hazm midfielder Ahmed Al-Juwaid.
Al-Hilal doubled their lead through Mitrovic, who got his 26th league goal of the season, before his countryman Sergej Milinkovic-Savic gave them a three-goal cushion in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time.
The newly-crowned Saudi champions, who are still unbeaten in the league this campaign, currently have 89 points from 31 games played, boasting 29 wins and two draws.
Jorge Jesus’ lead side is 12 points clear at the top, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, whom they will face next, in second place with 77 points. After their tie away at Al-Nassr, they will host Al-Tai at home before visiting the King Abdul Aziz Stadium to take on Al-Wehda in their final league game of the season.
