The Saudi Pro League (SPL) begins its 2025-26 season on Thursday, marking a transition away from the era of ageing megastars, yet Cristiano Ronaldo still looms large. The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward is 24 goals shy of reaching 1,000 career goals, a milestone he could achieve this season, having scored 102 in 107 league appearances for the club.
League Shifts Focus to Sustainability and Local Talent
This is the fourth season since the league's massive spending spree began, with $957m (£710m) invested in the summer of 2023. That investment generated global attention, international broadcasting deals, and a surge in CR7 shirt sales, but now the emphasis is on getting better value and raising the overall standard of Saudi football, not just the top clubs.
The national team's early exit from the 2022 World Cup raised questions about whether the spending had improved local players. Despite later results showing draws against Uruguay and Cape Verde, and a narrow loss to eventual champions Spain, the consensus is that the league has not yet produced a pipeline of talent to Europe. Only right-back Saud Abdulhamid, now at Lens, plays overseas from the World Cup squad. Local players often see limited minutes, squeezed out by foreign stars in creative, goalscoring, and goalkeeping roles.
Summerville Leads New-Look Signings
While Mohamed Salah did not join the league, the biggest signing of the summer is Crysencio Summerville, who joined Al-Hilal for around €80m (£68m). The 24-year-old Dutch winger fits the league's new preferred model: younger players with potential resale value in Europe. Al-Hilal, despite an undefeated league campaign last season, finished second and are under pressure from coach Simone Inzaghi to reclaim the title from Al-Nassr.
Al-Hilal boasts stars like Karim Benzema, Rúben Neves, Theo Hernández, Yassine Bounou, and Kalidou Koulibaly. The club, sold by the Public Investment Fund in April, has a history of 19 league titles and four Asian championships, making second place unacceptable.
Postecoglou Takes Reins at Al-Nassr
Ronaldo lifted the SPL trophy in May for Al-Nassr, but coach Jorge Jesus left to manage Portugal. Ange Postecoglou, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, has taken over, with Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman, and João Félix at his disposal. However, the club faces financial constraints, limiting new signings. A first Asian Champions League title would be a significant achievement for Postecoglou.
Al-Ahli, winners of the Asian Champions League in April, are focusing on domestic success this season, aiming for their first SPL title since 1984. But coach Matthias Jaissle's sudden departure to Newcastle just before the season start has shaken the club. His replacement, Marino Pusic, formerly an assistant to Arne Slot, is not seen as an exciting appointment. Jaissle's exit also surprised Al-Ittihad, who had hired 38-year-old German Jens Wissing, a former defender with RB Salzburg experience, to lead their revival after a tough season.
Al-Qadsiah Aim for Breakthrough
Al-Qadsiah, backed by Aramco, are the last of the contenders. Brendan Rodgers, their coach, will be satisfied with improving on last season's fourth-place finish and winning a first trophy since 1984. The league now has a genuine 'big five', creating challenges for smaller clubs, but the long-term health of Saudi football may depend on giving local players more opportunities, a better strategy than signing players in their mid-30s like Salah.
