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.
Dwight Yorke has dived into the reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to lift silverware with Al-Nassr and what the future holds for the 40-year-old.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has modelled Al-Nassr's eye-catching new away kit for the 2025-26 season, with Joao Felix & Sadio Mane also starring in the club's official unveiling video. The trio, who together form one of the Saudi Pro League’s most glamorous front lines, showcased the new adidas creation in a dramatic reveal that immediately had fans scrambling to declare it one of the sharpest kits of the season.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is reportedly open to moving to Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League.
Thomas Muller says he now considers Lionel Messi the best player of all time, having previously hailed Cristiano Ronaldo in higher regard.
N'Golo Kante could be on the move again before the transfer window shuts, as his Al-Ittihad adventure appears to be coming to an end.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr could beat Manchester United to the signing of Brazilian wonderkid Ricardo Mathias, with reports in Brazil claiming the Saudi club have made a formal approach. United had scouts track the 19-year-old Internacional striker last month, but their hopes of landing him may now be dashed as Al-Nassr look to add him to their ambitious project.
