The Saudi Pro League is poised for another exhilarating season as Cristiano Ronaldo, the football icon, sets his sights on helping Al-Nassr overthrow their steadfast rivals, Al-Hilal. As the new season dawns, the intensity and competition are ramping up, with Al-Hilal having long asserted dominance over the Riyadh-based league. Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, has yet to taste domestic glory with his new team and has reiterated his unwavering ambition through social media, stating, “New season, same goal.”
Last season, Al-Hilal clinched the league title with an impressive record of 31 wins and three draws, amassing a 14-point lead over the second-place Al-Nassr. This dominant performance included a crushing 4-1 victory against Al-Nassr in the final of the Saudi Super Cup, a memory that lingers as a significant motivation for Ronaldo and his teammates. As the 18-team league commences its journey this Thursday, anticipation and apprehension run high.
Al-Hilal’s defender, Kalidou Koulibaly, who transitioned from Chelsea last year, expressed his concerns and determination: “I’m feeling a lot of apprehension because this season is going to be very difficult. Last year, it was a tough championship, but we managed to come out on top. This year, all the teams will be gunning to beat Al Hilal.”
Noteworthy is that last summer’s transfer window witnessed an influx of high-profile stars from Europe joining Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, amounting to a staggering $957 million expenditure, as reported by Deloitte’s Sports Business Group. Conversely, this summer’s movements have been relatively subdued, although possibilities remain open until the transfer window closes on September 2.
Among the anticipated reinforcements for Al-Hilal is Neymar, whose return from injury is expected to galvanize the team. Neymar’s stint with the club had been abruptly halted after only five appearances due to a severe knee injury sustained during a World Cup qualifier last October. Nevertheless, the Brazilian superstar’s return is eagerly awaited.
“Neymar’s return is highly anticipated by our players,” Koulibaly remarked. “We know that there is still a little bit of waiting due to his injury but people will see a great Neymar. He still has this motivation when we see him in training.
.” Neymar resumed training last month and, according to local media, may rejoin the competition as early as September.
In Neymar’s absence, Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic rose to the occasion, netting 28 league goals last season, trailing only Ronaldo, who shattered records with 35 goals. Complementing Al-Hilal’s formidable lineup are Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
On the other side, Al-Nassr has also fortified its squad with the inclusion of Brazilian goalkeeper Bento, succeeding Colombian international David Ospina. Ronaldo’s team further boasts formidable talent in the form of Senegalese forward Sadio Mane, Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, and Spain’s European championship-winning defender Aymeric Laporte.
The competition will be stiffened by formidable teams such as Jeddah’s Al-Ahli, spearheaded by Riyad Mahrez, and Al-Ittihad, led by Karim Benzema. Al-Ittihad marked the most significant acquisition this summer, investing over $60 million to recruit French winger Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa.
These top four clubs, absorbed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in 2023, are the most supported teams in the nation. League officials are hopeful that a more competitive title race may enhance average attendance figures, which hovered just above 8,000 per match last season.
Al-Hilal’s ambitions extend beyond domestic borders as they aim to make their mark on the international stage. The club is set to represent Asia in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, slated for a June 15 kickoff in the United States. Al-Hilal reached the final of the 2022 iteration, ultimately succumbing to Real Madrid’s might.
Koulibaly emphasized the high expectations surrounding the tournament, particularly for Neymar: “What will be expected going into that competition is that it’s going to be Neymar’s team. So we’re going to do everything in training so that he’s out there and in his best conditions to help us win trophies.”
The stage is set for a compelling Saudi Pro League season, with Ronaldo and Al-Nassr eager to dismantle Al-Hilal’s hegemony while the returning Neymar looks to re-ignite his storied career and lift Al-Hilal to new heights. Football fans around the world will undoubtedly have their eyes glued to this riveting contest.
