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 demolished Al-Fateh 5-1 at home on Saturday, surging four points clear in the Saudi Pro League with a flawless five-win run. Cristiano Ronaldo endured a thrilling rollercoaster, missing a penalty before blasting a breathtaking screamer moments later
Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt shares how icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar ignited his lifelong passion for the Red Devils, even as a budding Ajax star secretly cheering for United
Cristiano Ronaldo wowed fans with his edgy shaved head, returning to Al-Nassr training in Riyadh. The 40-year-old icon looks fiercer than ever, powering through intense drills with his buzzcut. Ever the innovator, CR7 hopes this fresh style sparks more victories
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Cristiano Ronaldo is being urged to craft a "beautiful story" by returning to Sporting, even without his legendary No.7 jersey. From his early rise to fame in Lisbon, it's often proposed that he complete his extraordinary career by retiring where it all began
Former Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez shares his surprising bond with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, praising the icon's humble and approachable nature, along with his intense football passion, highlighted by a heartfelt late-night meeting upon arrival
Lamine Yamal, the prodigious Barcelona teen, has skyrocketed into the top 10 highest-paid players globally. Forbes projects his earnings will surge for the first time, thanks to blockbuster deals with Adidas, Visa, and Konami, while Cristiano Ronaldo reigns supreme ahead of Lionel Messi
Santos halts Neymar's contract talks amid rising alarms over the 33-year-old legend's fitness struggles and soaring wages. Officials rethink an extension as injuries mount ahead of his December deadline
Inigo Martinez confessed he "didn't even dare" inform Hansi Flick of his Barcelona exit, due to their "exceptional" bond. After driving Barca's triumphs, the ex-Athletic star now teams with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia
