This summer has been comparatively quiet, although the transfer window remains open until Sept. 2. For Al-Hilal, the return of Neymar will be like a new signing.
Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for another season in the Saudi Pro League with a clear objective: to help Al-Nassr end the reign of their Riyadh rivals, Al-Hilal. Having joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo has yet to secure a domestic trophy with the club. In a recent social media post, he expressed his determination: “New season, same goal.”
Last season, Al-Hilal clinched the title with an impressive 31 wins and three draws, finishing the campaign 14 points ahead of second-place Al-Nassr. Al-Hilal also defeated Ronaldo’s team 4-1 in the final of the Saudi Super Cup, adding yet another feather in their cap. With the 18-team league set to kick off its new season on Thursday, Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly shared his thoughts with The Associated Press: “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.”
Last summer saw a wave of star players from Europe’s top leagues joining Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, with Deloitte’s Sports Business Group reporting a staggering $957 million spent. However, this summer has been comparatively quieter, though the transfer window remains open until September 2. One of the most eagerly awaited returns is that of Neymar to Al-Hilal.
Neymar, who made only five appearances for Al-Hilal last season before suffering a serious knee injury during a World Cup qualifier, is poised to make a significant impact. Koulibaly spoke highly of Neymar’s imminent return: “Neymar’s return is highly anticipated by our players. 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, he could be back on the field by September. In his absence, Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic stepped up, netting 28 league goals last season, second only to Ronaldo’s record-breaking 35 goals.
. Al-Hilal’s squad also boasts talents like Portuguese international Ruben Neves and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Al-Nassr’s notable acquisition this season is Brazilian goalkeeper Bento, who replaces Colombian international David Ospina. Additionally, Al-Nassr’s squad features stellar names such as Senegalese star Sadio Mane, Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, and defender Aymeric Laporte, who recently helped Spain win the European Championship in July.
However, the competition won’t just come from Al-Hilal. Clubs from Jeddah, such as Al-Ahli under Riyad Mahrez’s leadership and Al-Ittihad, led by Karim Benzema, also pose significant challenges. Al-Ittihad has made a notable signing this summer, acquiring French winger Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa for over $60 million. All four clubs, now owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund since 2023, remain the best-supported teams in the country. League officials are hopeful that a more competitive title race this season will help boost the average attendance, which was just over 8,000 per game last season.
Al-Hilal harbors both domestic and international ambitions. The club will represent Asia in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, slated to begin on June 15 in the United States. Al-Hilal reached the final of the 2022 tournament but lost to Real Madrid. Koulibaly emphasized the team’s readiness to compete at a global level: “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.”
As another thrilling season of the Saudi Pro League unfolds, all eyes will be on these top clubs and their star players. Whether Ronaldo’s relentless drive can help Al-Nassr dethrone Al-Hilal remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the upcoming season promises excitement, rivalry, and top-tier football action.
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