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 continues to defy time and expectations as he marked his latest appearance for Al Nassr with a crucial goal, proving yet again that age is just a number. In a pre-season encounter against French side Toulouse FC at the Untersberg-Arena, the Portuguese icon demonstrated his enduring quality by notching the equalizer during the first half of the match.
Marseille forward Mason Greenwood is being tipped to leave this summer in a club record transfer amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has boldly claimed the Red Devils are aiming for the title next season despite a disastrous campaign last time out.
Barcelona face a critical decision on Robert Lewandowski with several Saudi Pro League clubs eyeing the Polish striker.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are set to leave a pre-season training camp in Austria early after being impressed with the wet conditions.
Chelsea fans were relieved to see Joao Felix finally leave the club as the Portuguese striker completed a permanent transfer to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. Felix permanently signed for the Blues last summer, but his journey at Stamford Bridge was shortlived as he was shipped off to AC Milan on loan for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has reportedly agreed personal terms with Liverpool on a five-year contract. The Premier League champions will now approach the Magpies with their opening offer for the Sweden international. The Reds have already spent nearly £300 million ($403m) this summer on new signings, including French forward Hugo Ekitike.
Neymar could soon be playing alongside Mason Greenwood, with a shock move to Marseille for the Santos superstar being speculated on.
Lionel Messi has been warned that he will not get “special protection” if choosing to leave MLS and join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
