The new Saudi Pro League season kicks off on Thursday without Mohamed Salah, signalling the end of the era of ageing megastars, yet Cristiano Ronaldo still looms large. The 41-year-old is 24 goals shy of 1,000 career goals, having scored 102 in 107 league games for Al-Nassr, a milestone that could be reached this season.
Shift in focus
This is the fourth season since the spending spree began, with $957m (£710m) splashed out in the summer of 2023. That investment generated thousands of articles, dozens of international broadcasting deals, and countless fans worldwide wearing the yellow CR7 Al-Nassr shirt. Now, the league is aiming for better value for money and lifting not just the clubs but the overall standard of Saudi Arabian football.
An early World Cup elimination raised questions about whether the money spent on the local league had improved local players. So far, it does not seem to be the case. The league does not yet supply talent to Europe; of the 26-man World Cup squad, only right-back Saud Abdulhamid of Lens plays overseas. Locals are often squeezed out by foreign talents, especially in creative, goalscoring, and goalkeeping positions. While big spending has improved the standard of teams, with Saudi sides enjoying increased success in Asian club competitions, the national team has yet to benefit.
New signings and challenges
The biggest signing of the summer so far is Crysencio Summerville, who joined Al-Hilal for around €80m (£68m). The 24-year-old Dutch winger could spend time in Riyadh and later return to Europe for another hefty fee. Al-Hilal, sold by the Public Investment Fund in April, still boast Karim Benzema, Rúben Neves, Theo Hernández, Yassine Bounou, and Kalidou Koulibaly, putting pressure on coach Simone Inzaghi to retake the title from Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo lifted the trophy in May for Al-Nassr, a triumph followed by the exit of Jorge Jesus to Portugal. Ange Postecoglou has replaced him, with Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman, and João Félix at his disposal, though financial issues have limited incomings. A first Asian Champions League title would be well received.
Contenders and local progress
Al-Ahli, winners of their second successive continental title in April, were set to focus on domestic matters, but head coach Matthias Jaissle left for Newcastle days before the start. His replacement, Marino Pusic, is not seen as especially exciting. Jeddah rivals Al-Ittihad also hired a 38-year-old German, Jens Wissing, who has a big job ahead after last season's struggles.
Al-Qadsiah, backed by Aramco, are the last of the contenders. If Brendan Rodgers can improve on last season's fourth place and win a first trophy since 1984, that would be enough. There is now a genuine 'big five' providing challenges, but progress may come from giving more minutes to local players, which would be better for the league in the long run than signing players in their mid-30s.
