Cristiano Ronaldo’s optimism about the potential rise of the Saudi Pro League into the top echelons of global football was met with skepticism and ridicule. However, recent transfer activities, which saw prominent players trade the major European leagues for Saudi Arabia’s alternative, are bringing Ronaldo’s forecast a step closer to reality.
The upcoming 2023-24 season marks the 16th edition of the Saudi Pro League since its inception in 2008. Notably, this season will feature 18 teams competing in the Saudi top division, an increase of two from the previous year and six more than its inaugural season in 2008-09.
Over the years, six different teams have claimed the championship title: Al-Hilal (seven times), Al-Nassr (three times), Al-Ittihad (twice), and single victories for Al-Shabab, Al-Fateh, and Al-Ahli. The league’s primary contention centers around clubs hailing from two major cities: Riyadh, the capital (represented by Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Shabab), and Jeddah, the second-largest city (home to Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli). A noteworthy exception occurred when Al-Fateh from Al-Ahsa in the Eastern province emerged victorious in the 2012-13 season, becoming the sole team from outside these two major cities to secure the Pro League championship.
The upcoming season is anticipated to be fiercely contested among four main teams vying for the 2023-24 title.
Al-Ittihad
Under the guidance of former Wolves and Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, the reigning champions of the Saudi Pro League are aiming to secure consecutive titles. This accomplishment would signify their initial consecutive victories since the inception of the Saudi Pro League in 2008-09, establishing a 13-year span as the lengthiest period between two league championship wins within the context of Saudi top-tier football during this era.
In the history of the Saudi top flight, Al-Ittihad, based in Jeddah, has clinched nine league titles, trailing only behind Al-Hilal’s impressive tally of 18 championships. Notably, Al-Ittihad stands as one of the two Saudi clubs that have earned the title of Asia’s champions in the Asian Champions League, accomplishing this feat with consecutive victories in 2004 and 2005.
Following a challenging season in 2018-19, during which they narrowly escaped relegation through a late surge in form, Al-Ittihad underwent a period of reorganization. Their efforts bore fruit as they reclaimed the Saudi Arabian championship in the 2022-23 season. In a closely contested campaign, their title victory saw them outpace Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr by five points. The team’s remarkable performance was underlined by setting a competition record of 72 points, as well as achieving a record-breaking tally of 22 wins and 19 clean sheets in the 2022-23 season. Notably, they conceded only three goals in home matches, further cementing their exceptional season with yet another record-breaking accomplishment.
The defense is set to receive even stronger protection this season, bolstered by the acquisitions of N’Golo Kante from Chelsea and Fabinho from Liverpool during the summer transfer window. However, the most high-profile signing for the club, and perhaps the entire league, has been the addition of Real Madrid legend and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema. With an impressive track record as the second-highest scorer in Real Madrid’s history, Benzema has netted a remarkable 354 goals across all competitions. His presence sets the stage for an intriguing clash against this season’s top goalscorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds the distinction of being the leading goal-getter for the Spanish giants with 450 goals.
Additionally, the club has welcomed Jota from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic. Notably, Jota stands as one of the select few players to have created over 100 chances from open play across two top-flight league seasons in Scotland. His contributions also extended to providing the second-highest number of assists (21).
These new signings complement the existing firepower of last season’s top goalscorer, Abdul Razaq Hamdallah, who netted an impressive 21 goals. Hamdallah’s prowess has earned him the top scorer title in three out of the last five seasons in the Pro League. It’s worth noting that he holds a remarkable record for the most goals in a single Pro League season, having scored an astounding 34 times while playing for Al-Nassr during the 2018-19 season.
Al-Hilal
In the annals of Saudi and arguably Asian football, Al-Hilal stands as a true juggernaut, although Al-Ittihad has recently posed a challenge to their dominance. As of the current time, they hold the third-highest rank among Asian clubs in the Opta Power Rankings, trailing behind both their Saudi counterparts and the 2022-23 title winners, with Iranian side Persepolis leading the pack.
Al-Hilal’s illustrious history boasts a total of 18 Saudi League titles, with an impressive seven of those secured during the Pro League era. Notably, no other team has clinched the Pro League title more than three times. The team has additionally claimed the runner-up position on a remarkable 15 occasions. Demonstrating their exceptional prowess, Al-Hilal is the sole team to achieve a hat-trick of league titles in the Pro League era, securing three consecutive championships between the seasons of 2019-20 and 2021-22. Adding to their accolades, Al-Hilal stands alone as the club with the most Asian Champions League victories, having triumphed on four distinct occasions.
With a legacy defined by their achievements, it comes as no surprise that Al-Hilal boasts the highest number of victories, totaling 275, and the most goals scored, tallying an impressive 854, among all teams in the Saudi Pro League era since its inception in 2008-09.
While Al-Hilal has historically set high standards, their third-place finish in the previous season was deemed disappointing, matching their lowest league position in the Pro League era. Despite the setback, the club embarked on a significant strengthening endeavor during the summer transfer window, despite their audacious bids to attract Kylian Mbappé and Roma coach José Mourinho ultimately falling short.
The team has secured notable signings in both defense and midfield, notably acquiring Rúben Neves from Wolves, a prominent figure in Portugal’s national team. Additionally, they’ve brought on board midfield powerhouse Sergej Milinković-Savić, who hails from Lazio. Over his seven-season tenure in the Italian capital, Milinković-Savić stood among a select group of midfielders, contributing over 100 goals in Serie A with his impressive tally of 57 goals and 45 assists. This dynamic addition significantly enriches the Al-Hilal squad.
The team’s roster has been further enhanced by the inclusion of defender Kalidou Koulibaly, arriving from Chelsea, and the exciting winger Malcom, who joins from Zenit St. Petersburg. Malcom clinched the title of top scorer in the Russian Premier League during the prior season, netting an impressive 23 goals. His overall goal involvements, numbering 30 (including seven assists), further solidify his stature as a league leader.
In addition to these international signings, Al-Hilal takes pride in its contingent of Saudi talents, featuring notable players such as Salman Al-Faraj and Salim Al-Dawsary. The latter notably scored the match-winning goal against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. Furthermore, goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayoof stands out as a significant asset for the team, having amassed a record-breaking 78 clean sheets in the Pro League, a feat that cements his place in the competition’s history books.
Al-Nassr
In the upcoming 2023-24 season, Al-Nassr, now often referred to as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, aims to build on their performance from the previous year when they secured the runner-up position in the Saudi Pro League.
Their Portuguese standout has already begun leaving an indelible mark on the league, setting new records in the process. Notably, he emerged as the first player to achieve the remarkable feat of scoring eight goals within his initial five appearances in the Saudi Pro League. Additionally, he showcased his exceptional skills by becoming the quickest player to record two hat-tricks, an achievement accomplished in just five games. Since his arrival in January 2023, he has consistently displayed his scoring prowess, netting a total of 14 goals in the Pro League. This impressive tally makes him the highest goal scorer during the same period, surpassing all other players.
Al-Nassr, sharing a total of nine league titles with Al-Ittihad, has achieved this feat through three triumphs during the Pro League era. Alongside local rivals Al-Hilal, they stand out as the only teams to have clinched the Pro League title more than twice, securing the championship on three occasions (2013-14, 2014-15, and 2018-19).
In preparation for their title pursuit this season, Al-Nassr has made strategic reinforcements to strengthen their squad. To complement Ronaldo’s striking prowess, they’ve enlisted the talents of former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mané, adding depth and potency to their attack. The midfield has been fortified with notable additions, including UEFA Champions League finalist Marcelo Brozović from Inter Milan and Seko Fofana from Lens, who earned a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season for the 2022-23 campaign. Another significant addition is Alex Telles, who rejoins forces with Ronaldo after his move from Manchester United.
The anticipation for the upcoming season is particularly heightened by the intense Riyadh derby against Al-Hilal, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.
Al-Ahli
Al-Ahli is making a remarkable comeback after facing a stunning relegation from the Pro League for the first time in their history during the 2021-22 season. Their triumph in the first division last season secured their return to the top flight for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign. Notably, Al-Ahli has wasted no time in assembling a competitive squad for the new season, aimed at challenging the top teams from the previous year.
Al-Ahli clinched their solitary Pro League title in the 2015-16 season, standing alongside only two other teams in the league’s history to complete an entire season without suffering a single defeat: Al-Hilal in the 2010-11 season and Al-Shabab in the 2011-12 season. Interestingly, despite this impressive feat, Al-Ahli is the sole team among these three to have not secured the title during their undefeated season. Additionally, the team holds the remarkable record for the longest unbeaten streak in Pro League history, an astonishing 51 consecutive games undefeated spanning from 2014 to 2016.
Al-Ahli’s ambitious summer transfer activities have seen them make significant acquisitions from the English Premier League. The quartet of treble-winning forward Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City, Liverpool’s beloved Roberto Firmino, Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin, and 2021 UEFA Champions League winner Édouard Mendy from Chelsea have all joined the ranks. Furthermore, their ranks have been strengthened further with the recent addition of Franck Kessié from Barcelona, marking another noteworthy step in their roster enhancement.
Al-Ettifaq
Despite lacking the backing of the PIF, Al-Ettifaq has made intriguing moves during the off-season that are sure to capture attention. Notably, the team has drawn interest from Liverpool fans due to the presence of two former Reds captains on their roster. Jordan Henderson is expected to play a prominent role in Steven Gerrard’s midfield.
Henderson’s reputation has been tarnished due to his decision to prioritize financial gains over ethical considerations by moving to the Middle East. In contrast, Gerrard seeks to rebuild his reputation for entirely different reasons, following a challenging period during his managerial stint at Aston Villa.
Gerrard faces a significant challenge in competing for a top-four position with a team that finished seventh in the previous season. Nonetheless, having Henderson onboard provides the team with an established leader who contributes experience and undeniable quality to the midfield, a pivotal area of the pitch. The addition of Scotland international Jack Hendry further strengthens the defense, which displayed commendable performance in the preceding season.
A crucial factor for Gerrard’s aspirations lies in the performance of new signing Moussa Dembele, who aims to overcome a challenging 2022-23 campaign at Lyon. Scoring only 28 goals last season, fewer than even relegated Al-Adalah, Al-Ettifaq’s hopes of success hinge on Dembele finding his form once again. His partnership with Robin Quaison and Amin Younes, both of whom have earned international caps for Sweden and Germany respectively, will be key to bolstering the team’s offensive capabilities.
The Regulars
Beyond ‘The Big Four’ and Al-Ettifaq, the pool of players with elite-level experience is notably limited. Many other clubs appear to be primarily focused on battling for survival and relevance.
However, Al-Shabab, who secured fourth place last season, boasts the presence of former Valencia and Inter playmaker Ever Banega in the No.10 position. Additionally, fellow Argentine Lisandro Lopez, renowned for his contributions at Benfica, has recently joined Al-Khaleej.
Al Fateh will feature winger Cristiano Tello, a familiar face to Barcelona fans. Similarly, Alex Collado, who made a move from Barcelona to Betis during the summer transfer window, has been swiftly loaned to Al-Okhdood.
In the midst of this, Adam Maher, a former Netherlands international from a decade ago, takes center stage as the linchpin in midfield for Damac.
Format, Teams and Overview of the Saudi Pro League
There is a mechanism of promotion and relegation in place that operates between the Saudi Pro League and the Saudi First Division League. The three teams that finish at the bottom of the Saudi Pro League standings are demoted to the First Division, while the leading three teams from the First Division are elevated to the Saudi Pro League.
Teams Participating:
| Club | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abha | Abha | Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium | 20,000 |
| Al-Ahli | Jeddah | King Abdullah Sports City | 62,345 |
| Al-Ettifaq | Dammam | Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium | 35,000 |
| Al-Fateh | Al-Hasa | Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium | 26,000 |
| Al-Fayha | Al Majma’ah | Al Majma’ah Sports City | 7,000 |
| Al-Hazem | Ar Rass | Al-Hazem Club Stadium | 8,000 |
| Al-Hilal | Riyadh | King Fahd International Stadium | 68,752 |
| Al-Ittihad | Jeddah | King Abdullah Sports City | 62,345 |
| Al-Khaleej | Saihat | Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium | 35,000 |
| Al-Nassr | Riyadh | Al-Awwal Park | 25,000 |
| Al-Okhdood | Najran | Prince Hathloul Stadium | 12,000 |
| Al-Raed | Buraidah | King Abdullah Sport City Stadium | 25,000 |
| Al-Riyadh | Riyadh | Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium | 15,000 |
| Al-Shabab | Riyadh | Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium | 22,500 |
| Al-Taawoun | Buraidah | King Abdullah Sport City Stadium | 25,000 |
| Al-Tai | Ha’il | Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa’ed Stadium | 12,000 |
| Al-Wehda | Mecca | King Abdul Aziz Stadium | 38,000 |
| Damac | Khamis Mushait | Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium (Abha) | 20,000 |
The Saudi Pro League offers a dynamic and competitive landscape where top teams battle for supremacy and emerging talents seek to make their mark. With established powerhouses like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, along with intriguing additions to various squads, the league promises thrilling matchups and captivating moments. While some clubs may vie for survival, the intensity of the promotion and relegation system adds an extra layer of excitement.
The presence of international stars and the strategic player movements during the off-season only amplify the intrigue. Whether you’re a dedicated football enthusiast or a casual observer, the Saudi Pro League certainly holds the potential for engaging and memorable football action. So, if you’re looking for a blend of skill, strategy, and drama, the Saudi Pro League is indeed worth watching.
