The Saudi Pro League (SPL), also known as the Roshn Saudi League for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional football league in Saudi Arabia, recognized as the premier football competition in Asia. Established in 1976, it features 18 clubs competing in a round-robin format from August to May, with the champion earning a title and qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite, while the bottom three teams face relegation. The league has a rich history, evolving from regional tournaments and the King’s Cup to a fully professional system since 2007, with Al-Hilal holding a record 19 titles.
Since 2023, the SPL has gained global attention due to significant investments from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which acquired 75% stakes in top clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. This financial backing has attracted world-class stars, starting with **Cristiano Ronaldo**, whose 2023 move to Al-Nassr sparked a “revolution” in Asian football. Other prominent players include **Neymar** (Al-Hilal), **Karim Benzema** (Al-Ittihad), **Sadio Mané** (Al-Nassr), **Riyad Mahrez** (Al-Ahli), **N’Golo Kanté** (Al-Ittihad), **Rúben Neves** (Al-Hilal), and **Allan Saint-Maximin** (Al-Ahli), significantly boosting the league’s profile.
The 2024-25 season saw Al-Ittihad as the reigning champions, with Al-Hilal dominating historically. Recent highlights include Al-Hilal’s unbeaten 2023-24 season and Ronaldo’s record-breaking 35 goals, earning him the Golden Boot. The league recorded 909 goals in 2023-24, a 40% increase from the previous season, reflecting its growing competitiveness. However, challenges remain, such as concerns over the league’s two-tier structure due to uneven investment and the reliance on veteran stars, with some like Benzema facing speculation about potential exits.
With passionate fan support, vibrant tifos, and increasing global broadcasts, the SPL aims to be among the world’s top leagues by 2030, leveraging its star power and infrastructure development ahead of the 2034 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still “obsessed with playing and scoring goals”, with the evergreen Al-Nassr striker remaining “dedicated to the game”.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr has been training in Portugal, with Portimonense delighted to host “the one who bears the name and the legacy”.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly begging Al-Nassr to join the €100 million (£87m/$116m) transfer battle for Liverpool winger Luis Diaz.
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again proven that age is just a number, sweeping major honours at the Saudi Pro League's end-of-season awards ceremony following a record-breaking campaign with Al-Nassr. At 40, the Portuguese icon was officially named the 2025-26 Fans' Player of the Season, a title awarded to the player who earns the most man-of-the-match selections across the campaign.
New Fiorentina coach Stefano Pioli said he walked away from Saudi Arabia after a short stint because he craved a more pressured challenge.
USMNT star Christian Pulisic has rejected the chance to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, per a new report.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has reportedly rejected a lucrative proposal from the Saudi Pro League, reaffirming his intention to continue his career in European football. The 26-year-old centre-back remains focused on playing at the highest level, which he believes is only possible by staying in Europe as he wants to compete regularly in the UEFA Champions League.
Louis Saha has claimed former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo deserves a £1 billion-a-week salary for his service to football.
Franck Kessie could be on his way back to Serie A as Juventus open talks with Al-Ahli to sign the Ivorian midfielder.
