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.
Al-Nassr are on the verge of hijacking Benfica's move for Joao Felix as they are in advanced talks to sign the Portuguese forward from Chelsea. The Saudi Pro League giants are in touch with Felix's representatives and could reach an agreement in the next 24 to 48 hours. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had urged Al-Nassr to sign a quality forward, will finally get his help.
Liverpool forwards Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have been left out of the matchday squad for the Reds' pre-season friendly against AC Milan on Saturday. Both Diaz and Nunez have been strongly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer. Napoli are keen on securing the Uruguayan's signature, while Bayern Munich remain interested in the Colombian winger.
Saudi Pro League giants A-Hilal are ready to offer a staggering £600,000-a-week, tax-free contract to lure Alexander Isak from Newcastle, despite interest from Premier League champions Liverpool. Isak has been linked with a move away from St. James' Park this summer and the player has not travelled to Asia for the club's pre-season friendly matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo is back in action after the summer break and has sent out a positive message after reuniting with his Al-Nassr team-mates.
Atletico Madrid have snapped up David Hancko from Feyenoord after Al-Nassr bizarrely pulled out of the deal at the very last second.
Manchester United are eager to offload unwanted players before the start of the new season and have received a new offer for one outcast.
Cristiano Ronaldo's former Manchester United coach, Rene Meulensteen, believes the Portuguese GOAT can savour World Cup glory in 2026.
Manchester United forward Antony's future remains uncertain but a move back to Real Betis looks unlikely currently.
Liverpool may have found a way of funding a move for Alexander Isak, with Darwin Nunez reportedly attracting more interest from the Saudi Pro League.
