Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, is preparing for another season in the Saudi Pro League with the goal of dethroning Riyadh’s dominant club, Al-Hilal. Despite his high-profile signing, Ronaldo has yet to secure a domestic title with Al-Nassr. In a recent social media post, he emphasized his commitment to the team, stating, “New season, same goal.”
Al-Hilal, who finished the previous season 14 points ahead of second-place Al-Nassr, also defeated Ronaldo’s side 4-1 in the Saudi Super Cup final last weekend. As the 18-team league kicks off on Thursday, Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly expressed concerns about the challenges ahead, noting that all teams would be aiming to take down the reigning champions.
This season, Al-Hilal will welcome back Neymar, who missed most of last season due to a serious knee injury sustained during a World Cup qualifier in October. Neymar’s return is highly anticipated, and his presence is expected to boost the team’s performance significantly. Meanwhile, Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored 28 league goals last season, remains a key player for Al-Hilal, along with Portuguese international Ruben Neves and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Al-Nassr has strengthened its squad with the addition of Brazilian goalkeeper Bento, replacing Colombian David Ospina. Alongside Ronaldo, the team features Senegalese forward Sadio Mane, Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, and Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte. Jeddah clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad are also expected to pose significant challenges this season, with Al-Ittihad making headlines by signing French winger Moussa Diaby for over $60 million.
With the league’s average attendance hovering just over 8,000 per game last season, officials are likely hoping for a more competitive title race to attract more fans. Al-Hilal, with its eyes set on both domestic and international success, will represent Asia in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in June 2024, with Neymar expected to play a pivotal role in their campaign.
