Saudi Pro League preview: Al Hilal remain team to beat as Ronaldo leads Al Nassr charge

Defending champions clear favourites once again amid surprisingly quiet summer of transfer activity

Al Hilal players celebrate after beating Al Nassr to win the Saudi Super Cup at Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium on August 17, 2024. Getty Images

So unprecedented was the Saudi Pro League's summer transfer window last year that the main talking point ahead of the 2024/25 season is about the business not being done.

Around this time 12 months ago, Saudi clubs spent a collective $1 billion on recruiting many of the world's best and most famous players, putting into motion an ambitious plan to transform the SPL into one of the world's leading domestic leagues.

This summer has been comparatively dormant. On the eve of the new season, the total spend on new players has been 20 per cent of what it was last year, although that figure would be dramatically different had Al Ahli pulled off their audacious bid for Real Madrid's Brazilian star Vinicius Junior.

There are still almost two weeks for clubs to conduct business, and England striker Ivan Toney could be the next big name through the door, but for now the focus turns to the football.

Defending champions Al Hilal have yet to strengthen their squad but were so dominant last season that they may feel they don't need to. The Riyadh giants recruited exceptionally well last summer, with their expensive imports, including winger Malcom, midfielders Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ruben Neves, and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, all adapting quickly to football in Saudi.

Spearheaded by the goals of former Fulham and Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, Hilal charged their way to the SPL title, going unbeaten and finishing 14 points clear of nearest challengers Nassr while also securing the double by beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Co in the King's Cup final.

Ominously for their rivals, Hilal played all but three league games without their most talented player, and the SPL's record signing, Neymar. The Brazilian forward tore his cruciate ligament last October but is expected to return to action imminently.

That does not bode well for Ronaldo and Al Nassr, who were on the receiving end of a beating from Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final last weekend as their Riyadh rivals provided an immediate statement of their intent.

The Portuguese superstar was the catalyst for Saudi Arabia's football revolution when he joined Nassr in January 2023, yet for all his influence in helping to transform the league, he is yet to get his hands on any trophies. Ronaldo remains a world-class finisher, his 35 goals setting a new league record last season, but he could only fire Nassr to a runner-up finish.

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks down in tears after Al Nassr lose the King's Cup final to Al Hilal at King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on June 1, 2024. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo puts his head in his hands after Al Nassr lose the penalty shootout in the King's Cup final. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo after Al Nassr's defeat to Al Hilal in the King's Cup final. Reuters

Al Hilal players and staff celebrate their victory in the King's Cup final. AFP

Al Hilal forward Neymar joins in the celebrations after victory over Al Nassr in the King's Cup final. Reuters

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman congratulates Al Hilal midfielder Salem al-Dawsari after the King's Cup final. AFP

Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou makes a save during the King's Cup final penalty shootout. AFP

Referee Dario Herrera issues a red card to Al Nassr goalkeeper David Ospina during the King's Cup final. AFP

Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring Al Hilal's opening goal during the King's Cup final. AFP

Al Hilal players celebrate with the King's Cup trophy. AFP

Al Nassr players celebrate after Ayman Yahya scores the equaliser in the King's Cup final. AFP

Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane competes for the ball with Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo races for the ball against Al Hilal's Saud Abdulhamid. Reuters

Yassine Bounou collides with Cristiano Ronaldo as he attempts to save the ball during the King's Cup final. AFP

Nassr's sole summer signing at present has been Brazilian goalkeeper Bento, who got off to a rocky start in conceding four against Hilal, the last of which was directly his fault.

Similar to their fellow 'Big Four' rivals, Al Ahli made several eye-catching signings last summer, but the likes of Riyadh Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Franck Kessie, and Allan Saint-Maximin could only take the Jeddah giants to a third-placed finish, 17 points adrift of Nassr.

Their only signing so far has been 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder Alexsander, but if their pursuit of proven goalscorer Toney ends successfully, that would change their outlook instantly.

The most eye-catching business of the 'Big Four' has been conducted by Al Ittihad as they attempt to bounce back from a thoroughly disappointing title defence that ended in fifth place.

The Jeddah club boosted their squad with the arrival of winger Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa and midfielder Houssem Aouar from Roma, but will also be looking to star forward Karim Benzema for a more productive season after the former Real Madrid marksman scored just nine league goals in his debut campaign.

While the giants of Saudi football have been relatively quiet this summer, the busiest club has been promoted Al Qadsiah. The Saudi Aramco-owned side have signed former Real Madrid captain Nacho, ex-Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, talented midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez, and defender Gaston Alvarez in a bid to challenge the SPL's established elite.

The complexion of each squad could still change, but it will take something special to stop Al Hilal from successfully defending their title, once again leaving Ronaldo frustrated in his bid to win league trophies in every country in which he's played.

First round of fixtures

Thursday

Al Taawoun v Al Fayha (8.10pm kick-off UAE)

A Nassr v Al Raed (10pm)

Al Wehda v Al Riyadh (10pm)

Friday

Damac v Al Khaleej (8.10pm)

Al Ahli v Al Orubah (10pm)

Al Qadsiah v Al Fateh (10pm)

Saturday

Al Kholood v Al Ittihad (8.10pm)

Al Okhdood v Al Hilal (10pm)

Al Shabab v Al Ettifaq (10pm)