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.
Orlando City made a thrilling attempt to sign Tottenham's Brazilian star Richarlison last summer, but the deal stalled at a steep $46.4 million fee, per ESPN. They viewed him as the perfect franchise face for the 2026 World Cup, though he's contracted to Spurs until 2027
Joao Felix's daring switch to Al-Nassr has sparked buzz and debate! The 25-year-old ex-Benfica talent chose the "much stronger" Saudi league over a return home, as coach Jorge Jesus hails the move and predicts his Ronaldo partnership will ignite Portugal's World Cup dreams
Mason Greenwood shockingly bypassed Cristiano Ronaldo, favoring another ex-Man Utd star as the best he's worked with, and backed Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate. Tensions simmered during their brief, troubled partnership at Old Trafford as they failed to click
Manchester United's Casemiro stuns fans by revealing his name has been misspelled since his Sao Paulo days, a lucky charm he never fixed, trailing him through Real Madrid, Brazil, and beyond
Jordan Henderson candidly reveals his tough transition from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia, regretting potential missteps amid controversy. As a prominent England midfielder and LGBTQ+ advocate, he reflects on leaving the Reds for a country banning same-sex relationships
Kingsley Coman fiercely defends his France call-up after joining Al-Nassr, insisting he's still at his Bayern Munich peak as Deschamps selects him for key World Cup qualifiers
Defying family pleas, Cristiano Ronaldo vows to play for a "few" more years, despite his loved ones urging retirement after his legendary career with Portugal and Al-Nassr. The football icon is fired up to chase more glory on the pitch
At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo boldly declares he'd only play for Portugal, risking Al-Nassr's ire, as he passionately reaffirms his undying love for his nation in a stirring interview
Steven Gerrard confesses he's still tormented by his infamous Chelsea slip, which dashed Liverpool's Premier League dreams. As one of football's legendary midfielders, he couldn't crown his Anfield legacy with that elusive title
