Champions Al Ittihad enjoy crowning moment at stunning Jeddah ceremony

Al Ittihad were crowned Roshn Saudi League champions at a spectacular trophy ceremony on Monday night as the champions closed out the 2024-25 league campaign with a 1-0 victory against Damac.

The Jeddah club, who sealed the title earlier this month with three rounds to spare, gave a packed Alinma Stadium the send-off they deserved in Jeddah, registering their 26th victory of the RSL season.

Steven Bergwijn got the game’s only goal, finishing Unai Hernandez's assist on 72 minutes, before stunning fireworks and drone shows befitting the 2024-25 champions kept the 58,000-plus crowd celebrating until their hero players returned to the pitch for the trophy presentation.

Al Ittihad captain Karim Benzema was the last man to emerge to rapturous applause, the Frenchman then lifting the trophy and then joining his teammates in celebration. This season marks the second time in three that Al Ittihad have finished as champions.

In the end, their lead over second-placed Al Hilal sat at eight points, although last year’s title winners did secure a runner-up finish on Monday with a 2-0 triumph at home to Al Qadsiah.

The win, thanks to goals from Serbian duo Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, means Al Hilal qualify for next season’s AFC Champions League Elite alongside Al Ittihad. Al Qadsiah, meanwhile, finish fourth.

Al Ahli will also take their place in the continent’s premier club competition as Asian champions after capturing an historic first crown earlier this month.

Elsewhere, Al Nassr rounded off their campaign with a 3-2 defeat at Al Fateh to finish third and qualify for the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two. However, captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored once again to confirm he would retain the RSL golden boot.

The Portuguese superstar, top scorer last season, concluded this term on 25 goals, with Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney his closest challenger, with 23.