Al-Ahli defeated Al-Hazem 1-0 earlier this year in Saudi Arabia's second division. The rest of the world was unaware of the game. Things have changed since then.
After a summer that was dominated by high-profile signings and significant offers for Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, these two promoted teams begin the 2017 Saudi Pro League season in front of a global audience on Friday.
Even though they were unable to get that celebrity combo, a lot has changed in the league, which is now gaining international interest and will be broadcast on the UK's DAZN streaming service. The number of clubs has increased from 16 to 18.
With its massive recruitment campaign this summer, the league has changed the international game. Here are the major talking points for the next season for those who are new to it all.
The title race
Along with Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr, which were all acquired in June by the same Public Investment Fund (PIF) that owns Newcastle United, Al-Ahli is one of the "Big Four."
After making significant transfers from Premier League's best teams, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, and Allen Saint-Maximin joined the three-time champions.
Al-Ahli, the only Big Four team without commitments to the Asian Champions League this year, has a lot of quality, but it won't be simple for them to unseat Al-Ittihad, its Jeddah rivals, for the championship.
Last season, the Tigers had the highest average attendance of any club, at almost 40,000. In 30 games while playing for Nuno Espirito Santo, they only allowed 13 goals while scoring 60. Nuno is still in charge and may now make use of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Jota, and Fabinho.
Keeping everyone pleased may be the biggest challenge facing the former manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. There are already rumors that last season's leading scorer Abderrazak Hamdallah is dissatisfied with being Benzema's understudy.
Runners-up With the acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr sparked an infusion of outstanding talent, and they have since lured more of it to Riyadh. Aside from Seko Fofana from Lens and Alex Telles from Manchester United, other notable additions include Sadio Mane from Bayern Munich, Marcelo Brozovic, who was most recently seen leading Inter Milan in the Champions League final, and Seko Fofana.
This joins a team already loaded with Saudi natives who assisted in defeating Argentina in the World Cup's group stage last year, including Salem Al-Dawsari, Mohamed Kanno, and Yasser Al-Shahrani. Hilal have a talent for recovering and figuring out ways to triumph.
Al-Shabab have won six championships, but PIF has not seized control of them. 'The Youth' now have a point to make, despite not having the same level of financial support as their competitors.
With Steven Gerrard attempting to revive his managerial career in the eastern city of Dammam after being fired by Aston Villa last year, Ettifaq will also draw a lot of attention. Jordan Henderson's signing as Liverpool's captain was a significant message. Ettifaq struggled to score previous season and finished eighth with a bit of luck. Moussa Dembele ought should be able to assist. Success would be a top-six finish and a King's Cup run.
Local goalkeepers and strikers
Every club but one started the previous campaign with a foreign goalkeeper. Similar circumstances are expected this season, increasing concerns about the possibilities for domestic goalkeepers.
Abdullah Al-Mayouf, the starting quarterback for Al-Hilal, didn't participate in the World Cup, but his club's backup, Mohamed Al-Owais, did.
Nawaf Al-Aqidi, a former Arsenal goalkeeper who now plays for Al-Nassr, replaced the injured David Ospina and appeared reliable. After Herve Renard leaves in March, whoever becomes the new national team coach will hope that those two play frequently.
With more attacking talent coming from abroad and little opportunity for homegrown players, the new coach will be concerned about similar issues further up the field.
When Abdullah Al-Hamdan joined Al-Hilal in 2021, he was seen as the next big thing. However, the 23-year-old has seen little action, and it appears that will continue to be the case.
Watch out for Firas Al-Buraikan. He experienced the same issue, but two years ago he switched from Al-Nassr to Al-Fateh, where he scored 17 goals last season, the fourth-highest total in the league and the only Saudi player to crack the top 10.
'El Clasico'
When the "big four" compete against one another, there are spectacular tifos and fireworks both on and off the field.
Which game is the biggest is up for dispute.
Between Hilal in the capital Riyadh and Ittihad in the Red Sea town of Jeddah, "The El Clasico" has developed into a major event. The large city derbies between Ittihad and Ahli in Jeddah and Hilal and Nassr in Riyadh are particularly well-known for their size.
The atmospheres and attendance at smaller venues across the nation are frequently ordinary, but perhaps that will change.
Managerial changes?
"We certainly have a world-class coach represented by the English legend Steven Gerrard and distinguished players, and therefore all international and internal eyes will be directed at us," new Ettifaq president Samer Al-Mishal said in July. "We must protect the club's reputation."
At both large and small clubs in Saudi Arabia, managers have a history of changing quickly; Ettifaq has made more than 30 changes since the turn of the century.
Pressure and rumors usually come after three or four losses. The termination of a coach by Ettifaq last season didn't cause much of a stir outside of Dammam, but now the entire world will be watching and discussing. With global attention, will clubs still be as brutal?
Although there are many yellow Ronaldo shirts for sale in Portugal, he is not the only reason why spectators and the local media will be watching from that country.
At both large and small clubs in Saudi Arabia, managers have a history of changing quickly; Ettifaq has made more than 30 changes since the turn of the century.
Pressure and rumors usually come after three or four losses. The termination of a coach by Ettifaq last season didn't cause much of a stir outside of Dammam, but now the entire world will be watching and discussing. With global attention, will clubs still be as brutal?
Although there are many yellow Ronaldo shirts for sale in Portugal, he is not the only reason why spectators and the local media will be watching from that country.