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.
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has delivered a heartfelt goodbye to Darwin Nunez after the Uruguayan forward sealed a big-money switch to Saudi champions Al-Hilal. The 26-year-old’s departure marks the end of a turbulent three-year spell at Anfield, where moments of brilliance were mixed with frustration, ultimately falling short of the club’s lofty expectations.
Roma have turned their attention to Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, opening talks as they face competition from Turkey and clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Kingsley Coman’s Bayern Munich exit is set to be finalised in a €30 million Al-Nassr move after the Germans initially considered blocking the sale.
Inigo Martinez has explained his shock decision to leave Barcelona for Saudi Arabia, saying the jaw-dropping Al-Nassr offer was impossible to reject.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s body “should be given to scientists” when he retires, with the Portuguese GOAT leaving former team-mate Wes Brown in awe.
Harry Maguire has opened up on Cristiano Ronaldo’s "disappointing" second spell at Manchester United. The defender painted a picture of a dressing room initially lit up by Ronaldo’s arrival, only for tactical missteps and ever-growing frustration to overshadow the reunion.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been told their record-breaking careers may not have happened had they not had “friendly competition”.
The Saudi Pro League is reportedly prepared to pay a record-smashing €350 million for Kylian Mbappe and hand him a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque contract.
Cristiano Ronaldo spared no expense when popping the question to Georgina Rodriguez, with the cost of a huge diamond engagement ring being revealed.
