Saudi Arabia Soccer Players: Ronaldo’s First Season
Benzema, Kante, Koulibaly Join Ronaldo
Saudi Pro League Adding Talent
With a huge infusion of cash, Saudi Arabian pro league teams are raiding some of Europe’s top clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first superstar to join the league, leaving Manchester United for Al-Nassr following the World Cup. He signed a contract which made him the highest-paid athlete in the world. Now, high-profile players like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy are joining him in European tournaments. The Saudi Pro League is rapidly adding to its talent pool, so let’s take a look at some of the top Saudi Arabia soccer players.
Ronaldo’s First Season
Although Cristiano Ronaldo played in just 16 of Al-Nassr’s 30 matches, he scored 14 goals in his first season with the club. That put him in fifth in the Saudi Arabia stats, while Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah was the league’s top scorer.
Ronaldo managed to score two hat tricks in his first five matches for Al-Nassr and helped them to second place in the league. With a second place finish, Ronaldo’s club will play in the AFC Champions League playoff round in August. Al-Ittihad won the Saudi Pro League title, which was their first since 2009.
Done Deals This Summer
The Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad got even stronger this Summer by signing Karim Benzema on a free transfer. Like Ronaldo, Benzema is a Ballon d’Or winner and he was still playing at a high level for Real Madrid.
Benzema totaled 353 goals in his career with Los Blancos, which only trails Ronaldo. Karim Benzema should easily be one of the best Saudi Arabia soccer players in the 2023-24 season.
Al-Ittihad also signed Benzema’s France teammate N’Golo Kante on a free transfer from Chelsea. Kante has been one of the world’s best midfielders over the last decade and still has a bit left in the tank. He has dealt with quite a few injury issues over the last few years, though.
When healthy, he was a mainstay in the Chelsea midfield and helped them win the 2020-21 Champions League. One of the best Saudi Pro League soccer matches today could be Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad.
Al Hilal made headlines by forking over $60 million to Wolverhampton Wanderers for Ruben Neves. It was a matter of when, not if, Neves would join another club but it was a bit of a shock that the 26-year old midfielder joined the Saudi Pro League. Neves, who is in his prime, was Wolves’ captain.
Kalidou Koulibaly will join Neves at Al Hilal, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League in 2022-23. Koulibaly was highly regarded when he joined Chelsea from Napoli but things never quite panned out for the Senegalese center back.
His Chelsea teammate Edouard Mendy is joining him in Saudi Arabia but with newly promoted Al-Ahli. Mendy was named the best goalkeeper of the 2020-21 Champions League.
Roberto Firmino has also agreed personal terms to join Al-Ahli. The former Liverpool attacker was an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s side for years and is still just 31.
Rumored Transfers
There could be plenty of transfers to follow this Summer in the Saudi Pro League. Al Hilal are interested in sealing a sensational transfer for PSG star Neymar. It’s unclear whether Neymar would be open to a move but it would take a lot of cash to tempt PSG to sell.
Hakim Ziyech, another Chelsea player, is more likely to join the ranks of Saudi Arabia soccer players. It wouldn’t be surprising if he completes a transfer to Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr soon.
Some other rumored moves include Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva to Al Hilal, Atletico Madrid’s Saul to Al-Nassr and Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic to Al-Nassr. Inter and Al-Nassr have already agreed a transfer fee but Brozovic is holding out on personal terms. Wilfried Zaha has also been linked to Al-Nassr but he will reportedly reject the move.
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