Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo & others set to lead their clubs in the Saudi Pro League title race
Neel Shelat
- 10 Aug 2023 16:00 BST
- 9 min read
The 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season is almost here, with the division set to enjoy its most historic campaign to date.
After a summer of unprecedented spending where major clubs in the league have spent roughly €450 million on transfer fees alone (and committed further millions more in salaries), all the attention will now turn to the on-pitch action.
MORE: Saudi Pro League summer transfers 2023: All the Done Deals
We should be in for quite an exciting season, especially at the top of the standings. A three-way title race between last season’s top three is on the cards, while Jeddah-giants Al-Ahli will be keen to make a good impression in their first season back in the top flight and will at least aim for continental qualification.
Here is all you need to know about the major contenders going into the new season:
MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals
Al-Ittihad
Defending champions Al-Ittihad seem best-placed to retain their crown because of their transfer business as well as the overall stability they have been able to maintain.
They have made four major additions to the title-winning squad, bringing in experienced stars such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Fabinho as well as an exciting young attacker in Jota.
Kante and Fabinho in particular are crucial additions as they should be expected to come in and transform Al-Ittihad’s midfield, which was the area of their squad that needed the most improvement.
Up front, Abderrazak Hamdallah and Romarinho had great seasons last time out with 24 and 18 goal involvements in the league respectively, so it should be interesting to see if both of them can work together with Benzema and Jota.
Although Al-Ittihad do not have any big names at the back (unless you count ex-West Brom centre-back Ahmed Hegazy as one), they had the best defence in the league last season. A lot of that must go down to Nuno Espirito Santo’s tactics, so his presence is another advantage for them.
While all the other major sides have changed head coaches this summer, the continuity afforded by Nuno staying should give Al-Ittihad the upper hand – especially in the early stages of the season when everyone else will be getting used to new tactics.
Al-Hilal
On paper at least, the strongest side in the league appear to be record champions and AFC Champions League finalists Al-Hilal.
This was arguably the case last season as well, but they have since gone and made four big additions to their squad and spent over €175m on transfer fees alone.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s arrival should shore up the defence, while Malcom will add more firepower to the attack that already includes fellow Brazilian Michael, Saudi superstar Salem Al-Dawsari and Malian forward Moussa Marega.
The strongest part of this Al-Hilal side will surely continue to be their midfield, which already had decent quality in the likes of Andre Carrillo and Mohamed Kanno. The arrivals of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ruben Neves take it to the next level, though, surely making it the best in the league.
In the dugout, they had already parted ways with Ramon Diaz prior to the end of the 2022/23 season after their AFC Champions League final defeat and some very underwhelming league form, so a major appointment was expected in the summer.
They have not disappointed by bringing in Portuguese tactician Jorge Jesus, who returns to Riyadh after a brief stint in 2018.
Jesus’ tactics at Fenerbahce last season were quite unique, but they did deliver the club’s first major title in nine years in the form of the cup. If Al-Hilal’s players can quickly come to grips with the ex-Benfica head coach’s expectations, they could well become favourites for the title.
Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr could be a very exciting side to watch this season. They were already the top scorers in the league in 2022/23, but have nevertheless made a big addition to their attack as well as transforming their midfield.
Sadio Mane has joined a formidable front line alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson Talisca, which clearly has the potential to be the best in the league in terms of goals scored.
The signing of Alex Telles is a bit puzzling, though, mainly because he will come in direct competition with the league’s best full-back, Ghislain Konan, for a starting spot.
Bringing in Marcelo Brozovic and Seko Fofana absolutely makes sense, however, as they will add serious quality to their midfield in all aspects. As they will help progress the ball up the pitch, the forwards should never be starved of service, so goalscoring should not be an issue for this team.
Much like Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr do not have any star defenders, but the defensive unit did a great job last season, conceding just 18 goals in 30 league games. They will also hope to see David Ospina back between the sticks after his extended absence due to a fractured elbow; if he does return they have one of the league's best shot-stoppers.
Al-Nassr also parted ways with their head coach towards the end of last season as Rudi Garcia left in April, leaving Dinko Jelicic to take charge till the end of the campaign.
He has now been replaced by Luis Castro, who has abandoned a fairy-tale title charge with Botafogo in Brazil to go to Saudi Arabia. It should be interesting to see how he delivers in an environment with greater expectations.
Al-Ahli
Newly promoted Al-Ahli might take a season or two before they are firmly in the running for the title, but it should be interesting to follow their development.
Their transfer business has been heavily attack-focused so far, as they have brought in three English Premier League stars to prepare a new-look front line.
In Ryad Boudebouz and Moudou Barrow, their squad already has a couple of foreign attackers, so at least one of them should be expected to leave to ensure that Al-Ahli comply with the Saudi Pro League’s foreigner limit. In any case, they will surely not start ahead of Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Allan Saint-Maximin.
Edouard Mendy will provide solidity in goal, but he will need some help ahead of him if this Al-Ahli defence is going to hold up against some of the attacks in the Saudi Pro League.
That should explain the reports that they have all but officially signed Roger Ibanez from Roma. The midfield also needs strengthening, which is why Franck Kessie is a brilliant addition. Furthermore, the club continues to search for another midfielder to add to this squad.
The most curious aspect of it all, though, is their head coach. They parted ways with legendary South African coach Pitso Mosimane after he delivered the expected promotion last season and eventually brought in German tactician Matthias Jaissle from RB Salzburg.
As one would expect from a coach coming through the Red Bull ranks, the 34-year-old coach favours a high-pressing style, as well as a fast approach in possession.
It should be very interesting to see if he will ask this squad to implement such a style in this environment, as the temperatures at the start of the season will not be conducive to an intense style of play.
Although they might not be the best, Al-Ahli will surely be the most interesting side in the Saudi Pro League this season.
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Read more about: Professional League, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Ahmed Hegazi, Alex Telles, Allan Saint-Maximin, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Ospina, Fabinho, Jota, K. Benzema, Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Marcelo Brozovic, Moussa Marega, N. Kanté, Riyad Mahrez, Roger Ibañez, Ruben Neves, Salem Al Dawsari, Seko Fofana, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Talisca
